10 Things We Learned In the 2011 NFL Preseason

Preseason is a time for undrafted free agents out of the smallest schools in the nation to fight for a spot on any given team.

It is time for veteran players to beat out the rookie for the last spot on the team.

The NFL Lockout shortened the offseason, so this preseason we saw players getting reps with their new teams for the first time. We saw inconsistency at positions and offseason moves that aren't working out.

What 10 things did we learn throughout the preseason?

The New Kickoff Rule Is Ruining the Return Game

The new kickoff rule is bad for business plain and simple.

Kickoffs are the unknown. Are they squib kicking, maybe an onside kick, or are they sending it to the back of the end zone?

With the new rule, most kickoff units have the ability to just boom it out of the end zone and start the offense at their own twenty-yard line.

Players like Devin Hester, DeSean Jackson, and even veterans like Deion Sanders have made their names in the return game.

During this preseason, there have been two kickoff returns for touchdowns, one from 103 yards out and the other from 105 yards out. Last year, there were four kickoff returns for touchdowns, none longer than 97 yards.

Let's be honest, unless the game is on the line, most teams will not allow their kick returners to bring the ball out of the end zone and attempt a run-back. 

The new rule has forced the return game to become predictable.

Matt Stafford Will Be Elite This Season

As Matt Stafford enters his third season in the league, questions about his durability are brought to light.

The first-round pick out of the University of Georgia has been considered "fragile," missing 19 games in the past two seasons.

Stafford entered the 2011 preseason with a new sense of awareness and focus. 

The 23-year-old quarterback has been consistent in four games played, posting quarterback ratings of 148.5, 120.8, 158.3, and 95.8. 

Stafford has thrown five touchdowns, while only being sacked once after combining for only 19 touchdowns and 28 sacks in his first two years.

If the young quarterback can stay healthy and play consistently, the Detroit Lions could be a sleeper in the NFC North. 

Charlie Whitehurst Should Be the Starter in Seattle

Charlie Whitehurst stepped in last season to start two games and appeared in six for the Seattle Seahawks due to the ailing Matt Hasselbeck.

Whitehurst's time at quarterback was lackluster at best, posting a 65.5 quarterback rating after being sacked five times and throwing three interceptions in his short time on the field.

When the Seahawks realized Hasselbeck would leave in free agency, they snatched up Tarvaris Jackson from the Vikings as their future starting quarterback.

They surrounded Jackson with quality players such as Zach Miller at tight end, Sidney Rice at receiver, and Marshawn Lynch at running back.

Jackson has disappointed over the preseason and Whitehurst has looked fantastic. 

The former-Minnesota Viking has not been patient in the pocket, leading to seven sacks in three games.

Whitehurst took advantage of his opportunities, not being sacked once, while completing 60 percent of his passes in all three games.

Jackson still looks lost in translation, while Whitehurst remains poised to take control of the franchise. 

Lee Evans and Anquan Boldin Will Be a Dynamic Duo

Anquan Boldin spent much of his career in Arizona being a complementary receiver opposite of Larry Fitzgerald.

When he came to Baltimore, he became the No. 1 receiver in a crowded receiving core. Boldin had the fewest yards receiving in six years last season as the primary target.

Enter Lee Evans. 

Evans spent seven quality seasons in Buffalo before being traded to Baltimore this offseason. Evans is an explosive downfield threat, which meshes well with Boldin's possession receiver style of play.

Evans recorded three receptions and over 60 yards receiving in both preseason games, including one 35-yard touchdown. Boldin snagged seven balls for 100 yards total in his only two preseason appearances as well.

Quarterback Joe Flacco should be excited for the opportunities this revamped Baltimore offense will give him.

Felix Jones Is Ready to Take the Reigns

After three years of sitting behind Marion Barber, Felix Jones will now step into the starting spot behind Tony Romo for the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones has gotten increased reps and production over his first three years, but averaged fewer yards per carry. In his rookie season, Jones had 8.9 yards per carry, but last season, averaged only 4.3 per carry.

While his yards per carry went down, Jones became more involved in the pass game. The running back out of Arkansas caught 45 balls for 450 yards last season.

In limited action, due to preseason ball, the fourth-year pro rushed the ball 15 times for 99 yards in three games, averaging 6.6 yards a carry. 

In his first season as a featured back, Felix Jones will look to expound on his 2010 campaign, where he rushed for 800 yards.

The Kevin Kolb-Larry Fitzgerald Connection Is in Mid-Season Form

After a disastrous 2010 season, the Arizona Cardinals took every step necessary to locking up franchise-receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

The organization asked who Fitzgerald wanted and they made it happen. The Cardinals traded for former-Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Kevin Kolb.

In four preseason games, Kolb completed 22-of-40 passes for 356 yards and one touchdown. Six of those passes and 183 yards went to Fitzgerald.

Kolb and Fitzgerald reportedly worked out during the offseason and it has shown in their repertoire through the preseason.

If the dynamic duo can continue to connect like this preseason beauty, it will be hard to hold off the Cardinals in the NFC West.  

Julio Jones Is the Real Deal

The Atlanta Falcons broke the bank for Julio Jones in the 2011 NFL Draft, trading away their first, second and fourth round picks from this year as well as their first and fourth round picks in 2012.

The Falcons expected Jones to be able to produce right off the bat. 

The rookie out of Alabama has shown versatility in the pass game and running game in limited action with Atlanta. Jones caught 10 passes for 157 yards through four preseason games, but also had two rushed for 26 yards.

If the Falcons can keep Jones and White on the field at the same time, Matt Ryan could turn the Georgia Dome into the new "Greatest Show on Turf."

Rex Grossman Should Be the Starter in Washington

Mike Shanahan made it known last season he was not a fan of Donovan McNabb. 

This offseason they moved the 13-year veteran to Minnesota and allowed Rex Grossman and John Beck to battle it out for the starting quarterback position.

Grossman had an up-and-down preseason, but overall looked like the starting quarterback. The ninth-year veteran completed 34-of-53 passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Beck completed 30-of-48 passes for 356 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Beck had only started four games in his career, his rookie season with the Miami Dolphins, so riding with a former starting quarterback is the most logical option for a team that is trying to win now.

Under Grossman, Shanahan will have a more balanced offense with the veteran throwing the ball and Tim Hightower taking the bulk of carries at running back.

The Colts Need Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning underwent his second neck surgery in the past 15 months due to a bulging disk over the offseason. 

Manning was expected to miss the majority of training camp, but originally was thought to be healthy enough to start the season. 

As Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovksy, and Nate Davis started the first two preseason games, the Colts concern at the quarterback position began to grow. 

All three quarterbacks looked lost in the system, unable to work the ball around the talented Indianapolis offense.

Dan Orlovsky was the only Colts quarterback who had a career start, which he did in 2008 with the Detroit Lions.

Indianapolis went out and signed Kerry Collins to bring a veteran presence to the inexperienced quarterback unit.

If Peyton Manning does miss time, which the Colts expect him to do, they will rely heavily on whichever quarterback can pick up the system quick enough.  

Dream Team or Not, Their Offensive Line Is a Serious Concern

In the 2010 season, the Philadelphia Eagles allowed the fourth most sacks in the league-49.

Despite having the self-proclaimed "Dream Team," Michael Vick has been dismantled throughout the three games he has played. Luckily, he was saved from the final preseason game, against the New York Jets stifling defense.

Vick has been pressured consistently, forcing two sacks, two fumbles, and three interceptions. 

The Eagles are starting rookies Danny Watkins at right guard and Jason Kelce at center, but the line has yet to protect their quarterback.

Philadelphia will fly only as far as Mike Vick, and his health, can take them. 

Conclusion

This offseason was without a doubt a hectic one, and the preseason proved to be just as unexpected.

The regular season should offer some more of the same.

Thanks for reading.

Follow me on Twitter @RajPrashad.