NFL Preseason: 10 Guys Who Really Need to Have a Big Third Game

In the NFL preseason, the rule is you ease your starters in Week One, play them a little more in week two, then you see what the team looks like in week three, by playing the studs most of the first half.

For the fourth game most teams end up sitting their starters in the final game and giving the backups a chance to shine.

Well week three is upon us. And there are some folks that need to show up or be relegated to the bench come regular season time.

Here are some of them...

10. Steve Slaton: Houston

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GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 14: Runningback Steve Slaton #20 of the Houston Texans carries the ball during warm ups to the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardi

Back in 2008, Slaton was the talk of the league. Bursting upon the scene with a 1,282-yard rushing season. However last year, partly due to injuries, he barely put up a third of that.

And now he is the backup to Arian Foster in the Texans backfield.

Can Slaton get his position back?

9. Reggie Brown: Tampa Bay

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 22: Reggie Brown #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs up the field during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 22, 2006 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Brown is a six-year vet, all with the Eagles where he was constantly in and out of the lineup.

With a good third preseason game, Brown can most likely lock down a starting receiver spot with the Buccaneers.

The only thing is, there are ten receivers still on the roster, and all of them think they have a shot.

8. Darren Sproles: San Diego

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Running back Darren Sproles #43 of the San Diego Chargers runs with the ball during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Jets at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dun

In his four years with the Chargers, Sproles has never carried the ball more than 100 times.

Now that Tomlinson is gone and he is sharing carries with rookie Ryan Mathews, will he finally become a showcase back, or does Mathews already have it locked up?

7. Thomas Jones: Kansas City

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ATLANTA - AUGUST 13: Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs off the field during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on August 13, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Thomas Jones rushed for 1,400 yards with the Jets last year and what did he get? Sent packing for a younger, cheaper back.

Now he has to battle with Jamaal Charles for the starting spot. So far, Charles is outplaying him this preseason, so it really might come down to this upcoming game if he is going to stay the starter.

6. Antwaan Randle-El: Pittsburgh

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 21: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants tackles Antwaan Randle El #82 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at New Meadowlands Stadium on August 21, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laha

Randle-El is back with the team that he had the most success with. The problem is that there are now other guys who are fighting for his third receiver slot.

Guys like Arnaz Battle and Antonio Brown.

Randle-El wants it to be like it was. But these other guys want change.

5. Legedu Naanee: San Diego

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: Legedu Naanee #11 of the San Diego Chargers makes a reception against the Chicago Bears on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Who is going to be Philip Rivers go-to guy while Vincent Jackson is holding out and suspended and Antonio gates is covered?

Will it be Naanee, Malcolm Floyd or maybe Buster Davis?

What happens if they trade Jackson?

Someone will have to step up to keep this passing offense flying high.

4. Laurence Maroney: New England

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 27: Laurence Maroney #39 of the New England Patriots gains yards against Derek Cox #21 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 27, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty

Maroney is telling everyone he has re-committed himself to running harder.

Which makes you wonder what he was committed to all these past years.

Notwithstanding his pledge, there are a lot of guys waiting for the ball (Taylor, Faulk, Morris, BenJarvus Green-Ellis ) if he doesn't keep his word.

3. Mark Clayton: Baltimore

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 21: Mark Clayton #89 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled during the preseason game by LaRon Landry #30 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 21, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The Ravens are showing up as some folks' pick to go to the Super Bowl. If that is going to happen they are going to need a consistent second receiver.

Derrick Mason has a track record but he is also 36 years old.

Will Clayton finally step up or is he going to lose his spot in the pecking order to new guy, Donte’ Stallworth?

2. Tramon Williams: Green Bay

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers returns a kick off during the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardi

If Al Harris doesn't come back 100 percent from his surgically repaired left knee, will Tramon Harris leave the Packers with enough confidence that he can hold the spot down across from DPOY Charles Woodson or will they have to bring someone in?

This week could help his cause immensely.

1. Matt Leinart: Arizona

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GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 14: Quarterback Matt Leinart #7 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during preseason NFL game against the Houston Texans at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated t

Not to overstate this, but Matt Leinart needs this next game. He has looked bad or at the very best, mediocre throughout the preseason.

Derek Anderson is waiting in the wings, ready to take over the spot and there isn't anything to lead us to believe that Leinart would ever get it back again.

His starting quarterback spot opportunity could be slipping away.