Friday News and Notes

Friday, September 1, 2006

 

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CFB

Nevada-Fresno

Fresno Bee

Tom Brandstater will be the starting quarterback for Fresno State’s season opener Friday. Backup Shaun A backup to four-year starter Paul Pinegar last season, Brandstater played in eight games, all during the end of blowout victories. He completed 6 of 13 passes for 48yards, one touchdown and one interception. Norton, last year’s fourth-string and scout-team quarterback, has yet to suit up for a game in his two years. Despite a change in offensive coordinators this offseason, Fresno State’s playbook has remained the same under new assistant Steve Hagen. In Brandstater, Fresno State enters the Nevada game with a strong-armed quarterback who can attack downfield and take advantage of one-on-one matchups.

Receivers have raved about Brandstater’s deep-ball accuracy since last season. But it’ll be his pre-snap ability to line the Bulldogs in the correct formation and set up the running game that likely will keep him on the field. With running back Dwayne Wright appearing to be healthy after a knee injury suffered two years ago, Fresno State is expected to rely heavily on the run. The Bulldogs also might throw more screen passes to take advantage of their experience and agility on the offensive line, where four of five starters return from last year. Such plays could make it easier on Brandstater to distribute the ball to playmakers Wright and receiver Paul Williams.

Scripps Howard

Tom Brandstater, the guy who is supposedly the leading candidate for that job, completed 13 of his 34 passes in the past two scrimmages.

NFL

Eagles-Jets

Philadelphia Daily News

Also participating in parts of practice yesterday were defensive end Jerome McDougle and defensive tackle Darwin Walker, who have been sidelined the past few weeks with rib injuries. Andy Reid said McDougle and Walker might play Friday against the Jets; that might be especially useful for McDougle, who was trying to carve out a niche for himself after missing last season to complications from a gunshot wound. Reid said that wide receiver Todd Pinkston felt good in the wake of his first preseason action on Friday, that he reported no swelling in his bothersome Achilles’ tendons. He said there is a chance Pinkston will get some work in this Friday’s preseason finale at the Jets, a game starters usually sit out.

Stevie Vincent of OffshoreInsiders.com

Curtis Martin will not play and will begin the year on PUP list.

Sun-Sentinel

Jets QB Chad Pennington will not play in Friday’s preseason game against the Eagles. Patrick Ramsey, Brooks Bollinger and Kellen Clemens will split time in that game and continue to compete not only for depth chart placement but a spot on the roster. 

Colts-Bengals

Tribune Star

The Colts don’t have much time to prepare for the game but that doesn’t appear to be a major concern. According to Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy, few of the team’s offensive or defensive starters will see much, if any, meaningful playing time. Despite another sluggish performance by the Colts’ running game in Saturday’s win over New Orleans, Dungy remains confident in the abilities of the team’s running backs. Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai combined for 34 yards in 16 carries against the Saints.

Indy Star

If this preseason’s trend holds true, Manning and the first team will play one series. The Colts have scored touchdowns on opening drives in each of the three games. While the Colts snapped an eight-game preseason losing streak with a 27-14 victory over New Orleans on Saturday, one area of concern is kickoff coverage. The Saints averaged 32.2 yards on six returns.