Saturday NFLX Tailgate Party News and Notes

Saturday, August 25, 2007

 

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Cowboys-Texans

Associated Press

Houston is drastically improved at WR. A year after struggling to find healthy receivers to complement Johnson, the Texans have so much depth at the position that free agent Robert Ferguson passed on playing for his hometown team because he thought he’d get more playing time in Minnesota. “It’s amazing. Last year we knew it was an issue. We talked about it and how we had to get better,” Kubiak said. “The reason it got better really is because of work habits and giving young players a chance to get it done. You start to put that all together and it’s a deeper, more well-conditioned group.” In their two preseason victories, the defensive starters didn’t allow a touchdown against Denver or Super Bowl champion Indianapolis. Denver’s first-team offense went 0-for-5 on third-down conversions. Some Broncos even grumbled afterward that Dallas blitzed too much for a preseason game. After the Cowboys’ first practice this week since beating Denver, the good-natured Phillips wasn’t even prompted when he cracked that the team “decided to put in a blitz this week since we hadn’t had any.” Dallas plays at Houston on Saturday night, when the starters are expected to play into the second half. When asked Wednesday what differed about the “Phillips 3-4” from other three-man fronts, the grinning coach responded, “Beside being better?”

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Pokes WR Terry Glenn is out. Cowboys first team defense has not allowed a TD.

Vikings-Seahawks

Associated Press

Even Erasmus James knows he’s not back yet. The defensive end, and former first-round draft pick, will return to the field for the first time in nearly a year on Saturday when the Minnesota Vikings play at Seattle. The Minnesota defense sorely missed James last season. He tore ligaments in his left knee against Carolina in Week 2, and the Vikings never were able to put sustained pressure on the quarterback, a big reason they had the worst pass defense in the NFL.

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Seahawks starters will play into the third quarter, though QB Matt Hasselbeck is very unlikely to play that long, perhaps he may not play at all.  However head coach Mike Holmgrem is livid over his team’s whitewashing, a 48-14 loss to Green Bay and promises to “fix it.”

Lions-Colts

Associated Press

Quarterback Jon Kitna’s status for the Detroit Lions’ third preseason game remained uncertain. The third preseason game typically features the starting unit. Kitna took every regular-season snap in 2006, led the NFL in completions (372) and was second in attempts (596). Both were career bests and team records. The 11-year veteran’s 4,208 yards were second only to Scott Mitchell’s 4,338 on Detroit’s single-season list. Dan Orlovsky, one of two quarterbacks fighting for the backup job, is doubtful for Saturday’s game with a turf toe injury suffered Aug. 18 at Cleveland. He has not taken part in drills since the game. And Detroit lost rookie Drew Stanton, the first of two second-round picks, to a knee injury early in camp. Journeyman J.T. O’Sullivan and rookie Phil Horvath have taken all the practice snaps since Kitna left practice Tuesday. Horvath, a free agent who played last season at Northern Illinois, joined the team Tuesday.

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Colts starters will play 35-45 plays, their most extensive work of the preseason

Ravens-Redskins

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle and wide receiver Mark Clayton are out.  Ravens will plays starters “as long as we need to get a rhythm”.  Skins QB Jason Campbell is doubtful.  Mark Brunell starts, followed by Todd Collins.

Associated Press

Rolle and Clayton are among several Ravens battling injuries heading into their preseason game at Washington on Saturday night. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (swollen knee) and rookie outside linebacker Antwan Barnes (right high-ankle sprain) are expected to be gametime decisions. Tight end Daniel Wilcox (left ankle sprain) and running back P.J. Daniels (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday morning, but won’t play against the Redskins. The Ravens will start second-year cornerback David Pittman in Rolle’s place against the Redskins, and Demetrius Williams in place of Clayton. Nose guard Kelly Gregg, who has missed the majority of the preseason with knee and thigh injuries, is slated to play at least a few snaps.

Washington Post

Veteran Todd Collins will replace injured starting quarterback Jason Campbell for the Washington Redskins tomorrow against Baltimore, Coach Joe Gibbs said yesterday. Mark Brunell is set to be the No. 2 quarterback in the preseason finale next week if Campbell returns. Linebackers Khary Campbell and H.B. Blades will fill in for injured linebacker Marcus Washington (elbow) tomorrow. . . . Tailback Clinton Portis (knee) and tackle Chris Samuels (knee) are out, with tackle/guard Todd Wade (shoulder) questionable.

Buccaneers-Dolphins

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Fins offense may get extended playing time to adjust to coach Cam Cameron’s offense.

49ers-Bears

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Niners starters may play a half or into the third quarter depending on the number of snaps. Bears coach Lovie Smith believes the team is the deepest he’s had.

SF Gate

49ers star running back Frank Gore will not play the rest of the preseason. Other 49ers who will not play in Chicago are defensive tackle Bryant Young (back), safety Dashon Goldson (elbow), wide receiver C. J. Brewer (knee) and nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin.

Chicago Sun-Times

While defensive tackle Tommie Harris’ status for the Bears’ game Saturday against San Francisco remains a mystery wrapped inside an enigma, left offensive tackle John Tait will start after skipping the first two preseason games. Wide receivers Muhsin Muhammad (general soreness) and Brandon Rideau (right ankle) were held out of practice. Rideau is not expected to play Saturday. Also out were offensive tackle John St. Clair (shoulder) and defensive lineman Israel Idonije (ankle).

Browns-Broncos

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Browns start Charlie Frye at QB followed by Derek Anderson.  Brady Quinn and Ken Dorsey will play, but playing time is not specified. 

Chargers-Cardinals

Cy McCormick, Professional Gambler MasterLockLine.com   

Chargers starters, sans LaDainian Tomlinson, will play into the third quarter—roughly 40 snaps. Arizona QB Matt Leinart plays the first half, Kurt Warner will play the third quarter.

NY Jets-NY Giants

NY Times

With NYG TE Jeremy Shockey out and with his backup, Darcy Johnson, out for the season with a knee injury, the Giants have been short on tight ends at camp. QB Jared Lorenzen (concussion) ran the scout team yesterday and won’t play tomorrow night. “We didn’t plan on playing Jared, to be honest with you,” Coughlin said. Anthony Wright and Tim Hasselbeck will follow Eli Manning at QB in the second half. Coughlin said Lorenzen will play “a lot” in the preseason finale at New England on Thursday night.