The real story is Michael Vick's passing and running. A short but complete game. If he does this during the season, the Falcons will march into the playoffs.
Falcons top Pats on late field goal
NFL.com wire reports
ATLANTA (Aug. 11, 2006) -- The Atlanta Falcons have been looking far and wide for a young kicker who won't count too much against the salary cap.
They may have found him -- and he's already on the payroll.
Michael Koenen, who handled the punting and kickoff duties as a rookie last season, appears ready to take on another job after booting four long field goals, including a 40-yarder as time ran out for a 26-23 preseason victory over the New England Patriots.
Coach Jim Mora said he doesn't want to overwork Koenen, but he had to be impressed with the youngster's performance. The Falcons already dumped two kickers over the summer and two more in training camp, leaving Koenen and Tony Yelk.
Yelk booted an extra point and handled three kickoffs, but Koenen did the rest. He also kicked field goals of 44, 45 and 50 yards, averaged 44 yards on four punts and kicked off three times.
"I have reservations about it," Mora said. "I can't say he won the job. I liked what I saw tonight, but I'm concerned about having a guy do all three jobs. I'll take another week or so to see how he is, see how he feels. The last thing I want to do is wear him out. But with his ability to affect the game, like he did tonight, it's something we have to think long and hard about."
If Koenen is able to handle triple-duty this season, it would give the Falcons an extra roster spot and free up more cap room to bring in a player who can bulk up the interior of the defensive line. Chad Lavalais, last year's starter at nose tackle, has fallen out of favor and played sparingly in the preseason opener.
Falcons backup quarterback D.J. Shockley excited the local crowd late.
"I've got to take care of my body," Koenen said. "I'm just as worried about it as they are. But if it happens, awesome."
Rookie quarterback D.J. Shockley, who grew up in suburban Atlanta and played for the Georgia Bulldogs, thrilled the home fans with an impressive debut in the fourth quarter.
Cheered on with barks from fans who remember him leading Georgia to the Southeastern Conference title last season, Shockley guided the Falcons on a 14-play, 56-yard drive in the final 2:06. The biggest play was a 14-yard pass to Kevin Youngblood, who made a leaping catch over the middle. After a spike and a short run, Koenen trotted on the field and kicked the winning field goal.
Shockley completed 4 of 10 passes for 40 yards, his percentage hurt by a couple of clock-stopping spikes on the final drive. He also ran twice for 12 yards.
"I wondered if I would be nervous," Shockley said. "I was pleased."
Another Falcons rookie got off to a rousing start. Third-round pick Jerious Norwood turned two short passes into long gains, fitting right in with a team that already has Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett.
Norwood rambled 37 yards down the right sideline after hauling in a pass from No. 2 quarterback Matt Schaub. Then, with the third quarter winding down, he grabbed a pass from Bryan Randall and went 34 yards for a touchdown, making a great move to lose one defender and then turning on the speed.
"Whatever it takes," Norwood said. "If I have to run over somebody, I'll do that. If I have to juke somebody, I'll do that."
Michael Vick and Tom Brady played to a draw.
Vick, who broke his leg in a 2003 preseason game, ran only one series for the Falcons. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 26 yards and broke off a 16-yard run that put Atlanta in position for Koenen's first field goal.
Brady also played one series, completing three straight passes for 24 yards before an incompletion at the Atlanta 7. The Patriots got the first of three field goals. Martin Gramatica, seeking to replace Adam Vinatieri, made kicks of 26 and 30 yards. The other candidate, Stephen Gostkowski, made a 34-yarder.
Matt Cassel went the rest of the way at quarterback for New England, trying to show he's ready to be Brady's backup. Cassel was the Patriots' third-stringer last season and he barely played at Southern California, where he was stuck behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.
Cassel was stripped of the ball on his first possession, but also threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Cobbs.
In the fourth quarter, Cassel directed drives of 80 and 77 yards that helped the Patriots overcome a 10-point deficit. He finished 13 of 26 for 229 yards.
"I need to play a lot better," Cassel said. "I left a lot of throws out there."
Notes: The Patriots didn't have many of their biggest stars. LB Tedy Bruschi is expected to miss the entire preseason and maybe longer after undergoing wrist surgery. DL Richard Seymour, S Rodney Harrison and TE Daniel Graham are nursing injuries. WR Deion Branch is holding out for a new contract. ... Atlanta LB Keith Brooking went out in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle. He didn't return.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Jay Culter Does "Leinart" -- Lions New Team Wins 20-13
While Leinart sits looking for more money, Jay Cutler, who some believe is better, makes a fine start for Denver.
Cutler impressive, but Lions edge Broncos
NFL.com wire reports
DETROIT (Aug. 11, 2006) -- Rod Marinelli remembers scurrying along the sideline before The Star-Spangled Banner, making sure the Lions were standing and holding their helmets properly.
Before Marinelli knew it, his debut as a head coach at any level was over.
Each of the Lions' quarterbacks -- Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Josh McCown -- led scoring drives and Detroit's defense caused three turnovers in a 20-13 victory against the Denver Broncos.
"I love to win," said Marinelli, a former defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "If we're playing marbles, I'm going to get you."
Third-string quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt drove Denver deep into Detroit territory in the final minute, but on a fourth-and-goal at the 9 his pass behind David Kircus was dropped.
"You couldn't have a better way to finish," Marinelli said. "I like pressure."
Kircus, a former Lions receiver competing for a spot on Denver's roster, had six catches for 76 yards and a score. But he only lamented his final opportunity.
"Any time you get a chance for the ball, have it touch your hand in the end zone on the last play of the game, it's heartbreaking when you don't bring it in," he said.
Even though his team lost, Broncos safety John Lynch was happy to see one of his former coaches get a chance to lead a team.
"This opportunity has been long overdue," Lynch said. "He was a defensive line coach with the Bucs, but he was more than that to guys on both sides of the ball. He's a special coach, and a great guy."
Damian Gregory (93) and Claude Harriott gang up on Denver's Bradlee Van Pelt.
The Lions led 10-0 early in the second quarter and, after losing the lead, went back ahead 17-13 midway through the third. Artose Pinner's 2-yard run was the go-ahead score, set up by Mike Williams' 24-yard catch from McCown. After Denver's third turnover, Matt Prater's field goal early in the fourth quarter gave Detroit a 20-13 lead.
Jay Cutler had a solid debut for the Broncos. The 11th pick in the draft was 16-for-22 for 192 yards and a touchdown.
"He played well, executed the offense," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "Both teams were very vanilla in their approach, so you don't get too excited. But a guy's got to go out there and perform, and I thought he showed a lot of poise."
Both starting quarterbacks, Kitna and Denver's Jake Plummer, played only one series and each moved the ball about 60 yards.
Kitna, signed as a free agent to replace Joey Harrington, converted consecutive third downs with an 18-yard pass to Roy Williams and a 10-yard run to set up Jason Hanson's 36-yard field goal.
Plummer got the Broncos past midfield with a 16-yard pass to Darius Watts, then Mike Bell fumbled two plays later -- less than a week after the undrafted rookie moved past Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne to become the No. 1 running back.
"We didn't like the fumble, but that's typical of young guys in the NFL," Shanahan said. "It's similar to what Clinton Portis went through as a rookie. That's why you play those guys in these situations."
Marinelli said earlier in the week McCown would be the second quarterback to play, but Orlovsky took snaps after the coaching staff decided to change plans. The second-year pro made a 24-yard pass to Corey Bradford on his first play and ended his first possession with a good read and accurate toss to running back Arlen Harris for a 20-yard TD and a 10-0 lead.
Cutler took advantage of a turnover by threading a pass through a zone to Tony Scheffler for a 15-yard gain, which set up Jason Elam's 36-yard kick. With 44 seconds left in the half, Cutler threw three passes for 27 yards and Tatum Bell had a 15-yard run before Elam made another field goal to make it 10-6 at halftime.
Tatum Bell finished with 26 yards on five carries and Mike Bell had 20 yards on seven rushes.
Denver went ahead 13-10 early in the third quarter. Cutler looked right and threw left to a wide-open Kircus.
The Lions had 16 players inactive, including five starters on defense and two first-string linemen on offense.
Denver had seven inactives, including receivers Javon Walker (knee) and Rod Smith (hamstring), cornerback Champ Bailey -- coming off a season slowed by shoulder and hamstring injuries -- and defensive end Courtney Brown, whose latest knee surgery was Aug. 9.
GAME NOTES:
After an impressive training camp and one reception for 9 yards, Broncos rookie WR Brandon Marshall left the game in the first half with a strained right knee. Shanahan said he didn't think the injury was serious.
Detroit TE Casey FitzSimmons, who had moved past Marcus Pollard on the depth chart, might be out for two weeks with an injured left wrist.
Cutler impressive, but Lions edge Broncos
NFL.com wire reports
DETROIT (Aug. 11, 2006) -- Rod Marinelli remembers scurrying along the sideline before The Star-Spangled Banner, making sure the Lions were standing and holding their helmets properly.
Before Marinelli knew it, his debut as a head coach at any level was over.
Each of the Lions' quarterbacks -- Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Josh McCown -- led scoring drives and Detroit's defense caused three turnovers in a 20-13 victory against the Denver Broncos.
"I love to win," said Marinelli, a former defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "If we're playing marbles, I'm going to get you."
Third-string quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt drove Denver deep into Detroit territory in the final minute, but on a fourth-and-goal at the 9 his pass behind David Kircus was dropped.
"You couldn't have a better way to finish," Marinelli said. "I like pressure."
Kircus, a former Lions receiver competing for a spot on Denver's roster, had six catches for 76 yards and a score. But he only lamented his final opportunity.
"Any time you get a chance for the ball, have it touch your hand in the end zone on the last play of the game, it's heartbreaking when you don't bring it in," he said.
Even though his team lost, Broncos safety John Lynch was happy to see one of his former coaches get a chance to lead a team.
"This opportunity has been long overdue," Lynch said. "He was a defensive line coach with the Bucs, but he was more than that to guys on both sides of the ball. He's a special coach, and a great guy."
Damian Gregory (93) and Claude Harriott gang up on Denver's Bradlee Van Pelt.
The Lions led 10-0 early in the second quarter and, after losing the lead, went back ahead 17-13 midway through the third. Artose Pinner's 2-yard run was the go-ahead score, set up by Mike Williams' 24-yard catch from McCown. After Denver's third turnover, Matt Prater's field goal early in the fourth quarter gave Detroit a 20-13 lead.
Jay Cutler had a solid debut for the Broncos. The 11th pick in the draft was 16-for-22 for 192 yards and a touchdown.
"He played well, executed the offense," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "Both teams were very vanilla in their approach, so you don't get too excited. But a guy's got to go out there and perform, and I thought he showed a lot of poise."
Both starting quarterbacks, Kitna and Denver's Jake Plummer, played only one series and each moved the ball about 60 yards.
Kitna, signed as a free agent to replace Joey Harrington, converted consecutive third downs with an 18-yard pass to Roy Williams and a 10-yard run to set up Jason Hanson's 36-yard field goal.
Plummer got the Broncos past midfield with a 16-yard pass to Darius Watts, then Mike Bell fumbled two plays later -- less than a week after the undrafted rookie moved past Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne to become the No. 1 running back.
"We didn't like the fumble, but that's typical of young guys in the NFL," Shanahan said. "It's similar to what Clinton Portis went through as a rookie. That's why you play those guys in these situations."
Marinelli said earlier in the week McCown would be the second quarterback to play, but Orlovsky took snaps after the coaching staff decided to change plans. The second-year pro made a 24-yard pass to Corey Bradford on his first play and ended his first possession with a good read and accurate toss to running back Arlen Harris for a 20-yard TD and a 10-0 lead.
Cutler took advantage of a turnover by threading a pass through a zone to Tony Scheffler for a 15-yard gain, which set up Jason Elam's 36-yard kick. With 44 seconds left in the half, Cutler threw three passes for 27 yards and Tatum Bell had a 15-yard run before Elam made another field goal to make it 10-6 at halftime.
Tatum Bell finished with 26 yards on five carries and Mike Bell had 20 yards on seven rushes.
Denver went ahead 13-10 early in the third quarter. Cutler looked right and threw left to a wide-open Kircus.
The Lions had 16 players inactive, including five starters on defense and two first-string linemen on offense.
Denver had seven inactives, including receivers Javon Walker (knee) and Rod Smith (hamstring), cornerback Champ Bailey -- coming off a season slowed by shoulder and hamstring injuries -- and defensive end Courtney Brown, whose latest knee surgery was Aug. 9.
GAME NOTES:
After an impressive training camp and one reception for 9 yards, Broncos rookie WR Brandon Marshall left the game in the first half with a strained right knee. Shanahan said he didn't think the injury was serious.
Detroit TE Casey FitzSimmons, who had moved past Marcus Pollard on the depth chart, might be out for two weeks with an injured left wrist.
Chad Pennington Sharp; Tampa Bay Bucs Rush For 167 - Get Win 16-3
Don't count Chad out; remember, he was injured.
Pennington plays well, but Bucs win 16-3
NFL.com wire reports
TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 11, 2006) -- Even if Eric Mangini isn't ready to say it, Chad Pennington looks like a quarterback ready to reclaim his job.
Playing for the first time since undergoing a second major operation on his right shoulder, Pennington worked two series in the New York Jets' 16-3 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"It's fun to be back out there with my teammates. That's most important," Pennington said. "You miss that when you're injured."
The seventh-year pro completed 9 of 14 passes for 54 yards and lost a fumble when he was sacked early in the second quarter. But more important for him and the Jets, his surgically repaired shoulder withstood the first hits he has taken since Week 3 of last season.
"I feel pretty good. I took a few shots, but everything worked out fine. That's what you work hard for," Pennington said. "I was pleased how everything turned out."
Whether he's officially No. 1, though, is unclear.
"That's completely up in the air," Mangini, the Jets' first-year coach, said when asked about the quarterback rotation for the next preseason game.
Rookie Bruce Gradkowski threw second-half touchdown passes of 11 yards to Paris Warren and 2 yards to third-round draft pick Maurice Stovall for Tampa Bay, which pulled its first-team defense after Pennington kept them on the field for a few more plays than the Bucs would have liked.
"We didn't give up any points," Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay's All-Pro linebacker said. "But obviously we would like to get off the field a little sooner."
Pennington completed his first five passes -- all short throws -- for 30 yards. He took his first real hit since the latest operation on his right rotator cuff when he ran for 5 yards and was tackled by cornerback Juran Bolden.
Maurice Stovall's touchdown catch closed the scoring.
The New York quarterback sustained his first drive with three third-down conversions, one a 9-yard completion to Tim Dwight. He moved the ball deep into Tampa Bay territory on the Jets' second possession, but fumbled when sacked by safety Kalvin Pearson on third-and-goal from the 5.
Mangini declined to reveal a starter for the preseason opener. Nevertheless, it wasn't a surprise when Pennington trotted onto the field to take the first snap. He has been No. 1 for parts of the past four seasons and has been having the best camp of any of the candidates for the job.
"I thought Chad did a really nice job with handling the huddle, with moving the football, with his decisions," Mangini said. "I thought he did a really good job."
The coach gave a less favorable review of the Jets' performance overall.
"Before the game, I talked to the players and said the important things were focus, communication and finish. That's what I was looking for," Mangini said.
"I think we did a pretty good job in the first half of moving the football. But we couldn't finish the drives and they could finish drives. That was the difference."
Rookie Kellen Clemens followed Pennington in the second quarter, leading a drive that produced Mike Nugent's 20-yard field goal on the last play of the half. Patrick Ramsey finished up for the Jets, who did not use Brooks Bollinger.
Chris Simms started for Tampa Bay and played one series. Tim Rattay directed a first-half field goal drive and Gradkowski, a sixth-round draft pick from Toledo, played most of the second half, completing 11 of 13 passes for 104 yards against New York's reserves.
"Of course we had some mistakes, but you expect that in the first preseason game," said Simms, who completed 2 of 3 passes for 5 yards. "We did some things well, too. It is a good building block."
Nearly all of Tampa Bay's starters were out by the second series, and three regulars on offense -- running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, receiver Joey Galloway and tackle Kenyatta Walker -- didn't play. Cornerback Brian Kelly was missing on defense after being excused to attend to a personal matter.
GAME NOTES:
The Bucs rushed for 167 yards, with Earnest Graham gaining 69 on 17 carries and Carey Davis 67 on 14 attempts.
The Jets appeared to stop the second-quarter drive that ended with Matt Bryant's 25-yard field goal when they recovered Michael Pittman's fumble at the Bucs 42. Pittman was ruled down by contact, and the Jets challenged the call. The replay review confirmed that Pittman fumbled. However, the Jets were not awarded possession because the officials couldn't determine who immediately recovered the ball.
Bucs first-round draft pick Davin Joseph started at right guard and second-rounder Jeremy Trueblood started at right tackle.
The Jets waived CB Bruce Thornton and claimed FB Jamar Martin off waivers. DT Sione Pouha was placed on injured reserve.
Pennington plays well, but Bucs win 16-3
NFL.com wire reports
TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 11, 2006) -- Even if Eric Mangini isn't ready to say it, Chad Pennington looks like a quarterback ready to reclaim his job.
Playing for the first time since undergoing a second major operation on his right shoulder, Pennington worked two series in the New York Jets' 16-3 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"It's fun to be back out there with my teammates. That's most important," Pennington said. "You miss that when you're injured."
The seventh-year pro completed 9 of 14 passes for 54 yards and lost a fumble when he was sacked early in the second quarter. But more important for him and the Jets, his surgically repaired shoulder withstood the first hits he has taken since Week 3 of last season.
"I feel pretty good. I took a few shots, but everything worked out fine. That's what you work hard for," Pennington said. "I was pleased how everything turned out."
Whether he's officially No. 1, though, is unclear.
"That's completely up in the air," Mangini, the Jets' first-year coach, said when asked about the quarterback rotation for the next preseason game.
Rookie Bruce Gradkowski threw second-half touchdown passes of 11 yards to Paris Warren and 2 yards to third-round draft pick Maurice Stovall for Tampa Bay, which pulled its first-team defense after Pennington kept them on the field for a few more plays than the Bucs would have liked.
"We didn't give up any points," Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay's All-Pro linebacker said. "But obviously we would like to get off the field a little sooner."
Pennington completed his first five passes -- all short throws -- for 30 yards. He took his first real hit since the latest operation on his right rotator cuff when he ran for 5 yards and was tackled by cornerback Juran Bolden.
Maurice Stovall's touchdown catch closed the scoring.
The New York quarterback sustained his first drive with three third-down conversions, one a 9-yard completion to Tim Dwight. He moved the ball deep into Tampa Bay territory on the Jets' second possession, but fumbled when sacked by safety Kalvin Pearson on third-and-goal from the 5.
Mangini declined to reveal a starter for the preseason opener. Nevertheless, it wasn't a surprise when Pennington trotted onto the field to take the first snap. He has been No. 1 for parts of the past four seasons and has been having the best camp of any of the candidates for the job.
"I thought Chad did a really nice job with handling the huddle, with moving the football, with his decisions," Mangini said. "I thought he did a really good job."
The coach gave a less favorable review of the Jets' performance overall.
"Before the game, I talked to the players and said the important things were focus, communication and finish. That's what I was looking for," Mangini said.
"I think we did a pretty good job in the first half of moving the football. But we couldn't finish the drives and they could finish drives. That was the difference."
Rookie Kellen Clemens followed Pennington in the second quarter, leading a drive that produced Mike Nugent's 20-yard field goal on the last play of the half. Patrick Ramsey finished up for the Jets, who did not use Brooks Bollinger.
Chris Simms started for Tampa Bay and played one series. Tim Rattay directed a first-half field goal drive and Gradkowski, a sixth-round draft pick from Toledo, played most of the second half, completing 11 of 13 passes for 104 yards against New York's reserves.
"Of course we had some mistakes, but you expect that in the first preseason game," said Simms, who completed 2 of 3 passes for 5 yards. "We did some things well, too. It is a good building block."
Nearly all of Tampa Bay's starters were out by the second series, and three regulars on offense -- running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, receiver Joey Galloway and tackle Kenyatta Walker -- didn't play. Cornerback Brian Kelly was missing on defense after being excused to attend to a personal matter.
GAME NOTES:
The Bucs rushed for 167 yards, with Earnest Graham gaining 69 on 17 carries and Carey Davis 67 on 14 attempts.
The Jets appeared to stop the second-quarter drive that ended with Matt Bryant's 25-yard field goal when they recovered Michael Pittman's fumble at the Bucs 42. Pittman was ruled down by contact, and the Jets challenged the call. The replay review confirmed that Pittman fumbled. However, the Jets were not awarded possession because the officials couldn't determine who immediately recovered the ball.
Bucs first-round draft pick Davin Joseph started at right guard and second-rounder Jeremy Trueblood started at right tackle.
The Jets waived CB Bruce Thornton and claimed FB Jamar Martin off waivers. DT Sione Pouha was placed on injured reserve.
Alex Smith Leads 49ers Over Chicago Bears 28-14 - NFL.com
The 49ers best addition was Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner, and it showed.
49ers impress in 28-14 opening win
NFL.com wire reports
SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 12, 2006) -- Frank Gore can see it in his quarterback's eyes. Alex Smith is ready to lead the San Francisco 49ers.
Brian Griese seems just as ready to lead the Chicago Bears -- and that might be bad news for Rex Grossman.
Smith passed for 137 yards and led the 49ers to a big early lead in their 28-14 exhibition victory over the Bears.
The 49ers had the league's worst offense and defense last season, but they were up 17-0 when Smith left after going 16 for 21 with no interceptions in perhaps the most confident performance of his short NFL career. New receiver Antonio Bryant had five receptions for 54 yards, and running back Frank Gore also caught five passes from last season's No. 1 overall draft pick.
"He's a grown man now," said Gore, who rushed for 49 yards and a score. "I looked in his eyes last year, and his eyes were like this."
Gore widened his eyes until his lids disappeared, suggesting fear and uncertainty.
"Now, he's a grown man," Gore concluded. "Alex wants it. That's what I respect about him. He wants to be great."
Alex Smith had one of his best performances as a pro quarterback.
Keeping the athletic Smith on the move with play-action and rollouts, the 49ers drove the ball with surprising ease against the defense that allowed the NFL's fewest points last season.
Smith led a 13-play scoring drive in the second quarter, pushing San Francisco 68 yards before Gore's 1-yard TD plunge.
"It was a ton of fun," said Smith, who had one touchdown pass and 11 interceptions in nine appearances last season. "I had so much anxious energy to go out and get something done. We worked really hard during this offseason and camp, and it's starting to show up."
Meanwhile, Chicago's first-team offense did nothing to erase memories of last season's bumbling unit, which was carried to the NFC North title by an outstanding defense. Grossman, who missed the first 13 regular-season games with a broken ankle, went 3 of 11 for just 47 yards while Chicago struggled to move forward.
The Niners forced two first-quarter turnovers that led to 10 points, including linebacker Jeff Ulbrich 's 32-yard TD return of Grossman's fumble.
"I just never really established any kind of rhythm," Grossman said. "I wasn't able to calm down and really feel in control of what I was doing. Tonight just wasn't a good night, and I'm glad it's over."
But Griese, signed in the offseason to give provide an alternative to the injury-plagued incumbent, led a 75-yard scoring drive late in the first half, capped by Gabe Reid 's 12-yard TD catch.
Griese did it again in the second half, guiding an 83-yard drive ending in Rashied Davis' 41-yard TD reception. Nearly 10 months after Griese's season ended in Tampa Bay with a knee injury, the veteran showed he's ready for more action.
"My biggest goal of this preseason is to make sure my knee feels good, and then show this team that I can lead them down the field and score," Griese said.
Coach Lovie Smith has insisted the Bears have faith in Grossman, but Griese -- who went 6 for 7 for 134 yards -- says he wants to start in Chicago.
When asked if a quarterback controversy was brewing, Smith smiled and said: "Rex is our starting quarterback. This is our first game. We'll go on to next week."
Gore got 10 carries and most of the first-team action in the latest indication he has passed Kevan Barlow, who got just one carry while nursing a bruised thigh, on the 49ers' depth chart.
But the 49ers' defense also did its share: Mark Bradley fumbled after a short reception on the Bears' opening drive, and Walt Harris recovered. Smith moved the 49ers into scoring range with short passes, and Joe Nedney hit a 33-yard field goal.
Grossman made the Bears' next big mistake, muffing a third-down snap and then fumbling the ball straight to Ulbrich, who returned it down the Chicago sideline for his first touchdown. Grossman then missed two open receivers on the Bears' first drive of the second quarter.
Notes: The 49ers replaced Smith with Jesse Palmer and Shaun Hill, who scrambled for a fourth-quarter touchdown. ... Chicago rested running backs Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones with minor injuries in front of a half-full Candlestick Park. ... Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher, whose NFL-record 108-yard return of a missed field goal ended the first half of Chicago's victory over the 49ers last season, was shaken up on a hit in the first quarter, but returned to the game.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Jerry Jones - Dallas Cowboys Owner Concerned About Offensive Line - Star Telegram
COWBOYS NOTES
Jones concerned with offensive line
By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
STAR-TELEGRAM/RALPH LAUER
Terrell Owens wore a Discovery Channel cycling jersey and bike helmet as he watched practice Thursday.
OXNARD, Calif. -- The offensive line is what Jerry Jones calls a "challenge."
The Cowboys owner/general manager is excited about the prospects of seeing backup quarterback Tony Romo start, which is all but a certainty when the Cowboys start their preseason Saturday night in Seattle.
Jones isn't worried about Terrell Owens, or the circus that follows him.
But he is concerned about his O-line.
"That is our biggest challenge," Jones said. "[Flozell Adams] has got to improve, and will, coming off his knee surgery.
"I look across there [and] we have a lot of ifs there, got a lot of promises there. But that doesn't surprise me because we haven't competed that much against a situation to really evaluate it. But we haven't found out a lot at right tackle, either. That's the challenge."
Jones sounds cautiously optimistic that the Cowboys may have a quarterback of the future on their team. And they have one despite not going to the top of the draft and making the financial risk of acquiring a quarterback.
Whether that quarterback of the future is Romo or Drew Henson, he's not sure. But at least there is the chance.
"I can't help, at any position, to like to see a young player," Jones said. "It's something about knowing it's not just this game, but there is a lot in the future there.
"But I don't want my enthusiasm for the future to really, in any way, color the fact that with my expectations for this year it's going to be hard to get there with a rookie quarterback. In my mind, having never taken a snap in the NFL, that's a rookie quarterback."
Jones also said the team continues to discuss a contract extension with linebacker Bradie James. James' agent, Jimmy Sexton, has been at Cowboys camp the past few days.
But a Cowboys source said no deal is imminent and might not happen at all.
Spears close
Defensive tackle Marcus Spears, who has been out since the second day of camp with a cartilage tear in his knee, said he's close to returning. And unlike last season, when he missed a great deal of training camp as a rookie because of a sprained knee, this time is different.
"Physically, I'm there. I know the playbook now," Spears said. "Last year, I got so far behind; I didn't know what defense we were in."
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he expects fellow second-year lineman Jay Ratliff to push Spears for the job. Spears welcomes the challenge.
"It's all competition. At the end of the day you are teammates, but everybody wants to play, and I respect a guy that comes in and plays well," Spears said. "Nothing bad to say; Jay is playing great. When I come back I'll put my résumé on the table, and we'll see what happens."
SI's Mike Silver Ranks NFL Owners : Bob Kraft 1; Tom Benston 32
My long time friend Mike Silver of Sports Illustrated recently ranked all 32 NFL Owners, placing New England Patriots Owner Bob Kraft first and New Orleans Saints Owner Tom Bentson last, and he did that for Bentson's initally heartless plan to move the team in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
But I know Sil wanted to place Al Davis lower than 25th ranking just for banning him from Raiders practices years ago. Still the 25th ranking means Sil's over it, and has been treated better by the Raiders, due in no small part to the behind the scenes work of Raiders PR guy -- and former Fox Sports announcer -- Artie Gigantino.
Al Gore - USA Today Column Is Just Plain Stupid
Leave it to the USA Today to give space to Peter Schweizer, of the conservative Hoover Institution, to write what has to be the dumbest column on Al Gore I've ever read. Look, maybe Al's not the poster child for conservation, but I'm sure it's occured to him that even his family needs to change its ways. So what? Does that reduce his message? No. Not one bit.
Let's take Peter Schweizer's point a step further. What Peter Schweizer's saying is that Gore should not preach conservation at all. But that's pap. Gore's message is obviously timely. And if it causes Gore and America to change, awesome.
Peter Schweizer. Here's my question to you: is it OK to pollute and not conserve? Is that what you're saying? Geez.
I think Media Girl's right about the GOP: reality's a bitch.
_______________________
Gore isn't quite as green as he's led the world to believe
Updated 8/10/2006 10:44 AM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this
Enlarge By Rusty Kennedy, AP
Former Vice President Al Gore shakes hands with a woman after signing a copy of his book An Inconvenient Truth for her, in Philadelphia last month.
By Peter Schweizer
Graciously, Gore tells consumers how to change their lives to curb their carbon-gobbling ways: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, use a clothesline, drive a hybrid, use renewable energy, dramatically cut back on consumption. Better still, responsible global citizens can follow Gore's example, because, as he readily points out in his speeches, he lives a "carbon-neutral lifestyle." But if Al Gore is the world's role model for ecology, the planet is doomed.
For someone who says the sky is falling, he does very little. He says he recycles and drives a hybrid. And he claims he uses renewable energy credits to offset the pollution he produces when using a private jet to promote his film. (In reality, Paramount Classics, the film's distributor, pays this.)
Public records reveal that as Gore lectures Americans on excessive consumption, he and his wife Tipper live in two properties: a 10,000-square-foot, 20-room, eight-bathroom home in Nashville, and a 4,000-square-foot home in Arlington, Va. (He also has a third home in Carthage, Tenn.) For someone rallying the planet to pursue a path of extreme personal sacrifice, Gore requires little from himself.
Then there is the troubling matter of his energy use. In the Washington, D.C., area, utility companies offer wind energy as an alternative to traditional energy. In Nashville, similar programs exist. Utility customers must simply pay a few extra pennies per kilowatt hour, and they can continue living their carbon-neutral lifestyles knowing that they are supporting wind energy. Plenty of businesses and institutions have signed up. Even the Bush administration is using green energy for some federal office buildings, as are thousands of area residents.
But according to public records, there is no evidence that Gore has signed up to use green energy in either of his large residences. When contacted Wednesday, Gore's office confirmed as much but said the Gores were looking into making the switch at both homes. Talk about inconvenient truths.
Gore is not alone. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has said, "Global warming is happening, and it threatens our very existence." The DNC website applauds the fact that Gore has "tried to move people to act." Yet, astoundingly, Gore's persuasive powers have failed to convince his own party: The DNC has not signed up to pay an additional two pennies a kilowatt hour to go green. For that matter, neither has the Republican National Committee.
Maybe our very existence isn't threatened.
Gore has held these apocalyptic views about the environment for some time. So why, then, didn't Gore dump his family's large stock holdings in Occidental (Oxy) Petroleum? As executor of his family's trust, over the years Gore has controlled hundreds of thousands of dollars in Oxy stock. Oxy has been mired in controversy over oil drilling in ecologically sensitive areas.
Living carbon-neutral apparently doesn't mean living oil-stock free. Nor does it necessarily mean giving up a mining royalty either.
Humanity might be "sitting on a ticking time bomb," but Gore's home in Carthage is sitting on a zinc mine. Gore receives $20,000 a year in royalties from Pasminco Zinc, which operates a zinc concession on his property. Tennessee has cited the company for adding large quantities of barium, iron and zinc to the nearby Caney Fork River.
The issue here is not simply Gore's hypocrisy; it's a question of credibility. If he genuinely believes the apocalyptic vision he has put forth and calls for radical changes in the way other people live, why hasn't he made any radical change in his life? Giving up the zinc mine or one of his homes is not asking much, given that he wants the rest of us to radically change our lives.
Peter Schweizer is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy.
Let's take Peter Schweizer's point a step further. What Peter Schweizer's saying is that Gore should not preach conservation at all. But that's pap. Gore's message is obviously timely. And if it causes Gore and America to change, awesome.
Peter Schweizer. Here's my question to you: is it OK to pollute and not conserve? Is that what you're saying? Geez.
I think Media Girl's right about the GOP: reality's a bitch.
_______________________
Gore isn't quite as green as he's led the world to believe
Updated 8/10/2006 10:44 AM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this
Enlarge By Rusty Kennedy, AP
Former Vice President Al Gore shakes hands with a woman after signing a copy of his book An Inconvenient Truth for her, in Philadelphia last month.
By Peter Schweizer
Graciously, Gore tells consumers how to change their lives to curb their carbon-gobbling ways: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, use a clothesline, drive a hybrid, use renewable energy, dramatically cut back on consumption. Better still, responsible global citizens can follow Gore's example, because, as he readily points out in his speeches, he lives a "carbon-neutral lifestyle." But if Al Gore is the world's role model for ecology, the planet is doomed.
For someone who says the sky is falling, he does very little. He says he recycles and drives a hybrid. And he claims he uses renewable energy credits to offset the pollution he produces when using a private jet to promote his film. (In reality, Paramount Classics, the film's distributor, pays this.)
Public records reveal that as Gore lectures Americans on excessive consumption, he and his wife Tipper live in two properties: a 10,000-square-foot, 20-room, eight-bathroom home in Nashville, and a 4,000-square-foot home in Arlington, Va. (He also has a third home in Carthage, Tenn.) For someone rallying the planet to pursue a path of extreme personal sacrifice, Gore requires little from himself.
Then there is the troubling matter of his energy use. In the Washington, D.C., area, utility companies offer wind energy as an alternative to traditional energy. In Nashville, similar programs exist. Utility customers must simply pay a few extra pennies per kilowatt hour, and they can continue living their carbon-neutral lifestyles knowing that they are supporting wind energy. Plenty of businesses and institutions have signed up. Even the Bush administration is using green energy for some federal office buildings, as are thousands of area residents.
But according to public records, there is no evidence that Gore has signed up to use green energy in either of his large residences. When contacted Wednesday, Gore's office confirmed as much but said the Gores were looking into making the switch at both homes. Talk about inconvenient truths.
Gore is not alone. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has said, "Global warming is happening, and it threatens our very existence." The DNC website applauds the fact that Gore has "tried to move people to act." Yet, astoundingly, Gore's persuasive powers have failed to convince his own party: The DNC has not signed up to pay an additional two pennies a kilowatt hour to go green. For that matter, neither has the Republican National Committee.
Maybe our very existence isn't threatened.
Gore has held these apocalyptic views about the environment for some time. So why, then, didn't Gore dump his family's large stock holdings in Occidental (Oxy) Petroleum? As executor of his family's trust, over the years Gore has controlled hundreds of thousands of dollars in Oxy stock. Oxy has been mired in controversy over oil drilling in ecologically sensitive areas.
Living carbon-neutral apparently doesn't mean living oil-stock free. Nor does it necessarily mean giving up a mining royalty either.
Humanity might be "sitting on a ticking time bomb," but Gore's home in Carthage is sitting on a zinc mine. Gore receives $20,000 a year in royalties from Pasminco Zinc, which operates a zinc concession on his property. Tennessee has cited the company for adding large quantities of barium, iron and zinc to the nearby Caney Fork River.
The issue here is not simply Gore's hypocrisy; it's a question of credibility. If he genuinely believes the apocalyptic vision he has put forth and calls for radical changes in the way other people live, why hasn't he made any radical change in his life? Giving up the zinc mine or one of his homes is not asking much, given that he wants the rest of us to radically change our lives.
Peter Schweizer is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy.
LenDale White Shows His Ass To Titans - Spits In Face Of Player
No. He didn't do it to Vince Young!
Clash of Titans is spit for spat
White-Nickey fight draws ire of Fisher
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
CLARKSVILLE — On the final day of a stay at Austin Peay intended to help forge character, the Titans experienced an ugly incident Coach Jeff Fisher hopes is out of character.
Rookie running back LenDale White spit in the face of veteran safety Donnie Nickey during the morning practice, leading to a fight involving several players.
"There's a code of ethics on the field and it was violated,'' Fisher said. "We've addressed it, it is over and it is done with.
When it gets hot and you get at the end of camp and get going, things happen. You don't want to see that. But it has all been addressed and taken care of.
"LenDale understands he crossed the line and you just don't do that. It will not happen again. I assure you, it will not happen again.''
White, one of the nation's top running backs last season at Southern California, came to the Titans as a result of some controversy.
Most NFL Draft experts believe he slid all the way to the second round, where the Titans selected him 45th overall, because of questions about his attitude as much as his injured hamstring.
Thursday's developments probably didn't endear White to his new teammates, who were instructed by Fisher not to speak to the media about the spitting incident. Coming off the field, White wasn't talking much either.
"It's competition at its finest, that's all,'' he said of the fight.
Asked whether he spit on Nickey, White shook his head and said, "No comment.''
In the middle of a crowd of teammates following afternoon practice, White denied it.
"What are you talking about?" he said. "It didn't happen.''
Nickey, a fourth-year pro, declined comment.
It began when White, who was carrying the ball, collided with Nickey. At the end of the play, Nickey immediately accused White of spitting on him. Other defensive players immediately backed him up to nearby coaches. At one point, Nickey took his helmet off and took a swing at White with it.
Minutes later, Nickey ran across the field and knocked down White, who had failed to haul in a pass near the sideline. White got up and elbowed safety Vincent Fuller. Several other defenders jumped in, including rookie cornerback Cortland Finnegan, and Nickey began throwing punches.
When the players were separated, Fisher then sounded off, loud enough that everyone could hear him. He accused Nickey of a "cheap shot" and threatened to suspend him for a month if he removed his helmet again.
White is expected to be fined by the Titans. When Fisher spoke about the incident with reporters later in the day, a fine for Nickey seemed less likely.
"There are times when the head coach doesn't know everything that happens and this is one of those examples, and I apologized to Donnie,'' Fisher said. "But there is stuff that goes on out there that shouldn't have been out there. Donnie understands. LenDale understands he crossed the line and you just don't do that.
"You don't want to see that happen, but there will be no lasting, lingering effect. It has all been addressed and taken care of.''
The Titans left Austin Peay on Thursday night and open their preseason schedule on Saturday night against the New Orleans Saints at LP Field. Training camp resumes Monday at MetroCenter.
"It's hot out, the last day out here, we're just getting after it,'' linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "We haven't had a dress rehearsal yet. Maybe that's a prelude to Saturday night, minus all the extracurriculars. Hey, it's football. Tempers are going to flare in football.''
Matt Leinart At Cardinals Training Camp Before Holdout
This video captures Arizona Cardinals rookie QB Matt Leinart throwing footballs at Arizona Cardinals Training Camp. Leinart -- tied up in contract negotiations -- is out of training camp as of this writing.
Eagles 20, Browns 7 - Kellen Winslow Returns
Eagles post solid 20-7 win over Browns
NFL.com wire reports
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 10, 2006) -- Kellen Winslow made some blocks, caught a couple passes and took a few hits.
The highlight-reel catches and touchdown celebrations can wait. For now, this was progress.
Playing his first game in nearly two years, the Browns tight end made two catches in Cleveland's 20-7 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
"It was really good to get back out there," said Winslow, whose career was stalled by an in-game leg injury and a motorcycle accident. "I just wanted to get tackled to get some confidence back."
Donovan McNabb looked sharp for the second straight game, and Jeff Garcia connected with Darnerien McCants on a 32-yard touchdown pass for the Eagles (1-1).
McNabb completed his first five passes and finished 7 for 9 for 78 yards. He led the Eagles to a score on the opening drive and went to the sideline after the second series.
"We were able to execute when we needed to," McNabb said. "We've still got some work to do, but it's a great beginning."
Eager to get the season started, Winslow walked out to midfield in full uniform about two hours before kickoff while everyone else was still in warmups.
After blocking on the first two plays, Winslow caught a pass that was nullified by a defensive penalty on third down. He had a 6-yard reception on the following play, and added a 1-yard catch later.
"He made some plays and looked good making them," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "He looked like a pretty decent guy running around out there and that was encouraging to see."
The Browns didn't get much from anyone else. Both the starters and backups on offense were equally inept in their preseason opener, putting up 99 total yards through 3 1/2 quarters.
Starting quarterback Charlie Frye was 4 of 7 for 23 yards, before taking a seat. Backup quarterback Ken Dorsey completed 5 of 10 passes for 48 yards. Reuben Droughns rushed four times for 21 yards.
Winslow, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2004 draft, hadn't played since he broke his right fibula at Dallas on Sept. 19, 2004. He sat out all of last year after a motorcycle accident on May 1, 2005 injured his knee so badly that it required several surgeries and was complicated by a staph infection.
"I thought I did OK," Winslow said. "I wanted to get my feet underneath me and take a hit on my knee."
Philadelphia rookie wideout Hank Baskett made an outstanding diving catch on a 33-yard pass from McNabb to Cleveland's 2, but Philadelphia's opening drive stalled and the Eagles settled for a 22-yard field goal by David Akers.
Garcia hit McCants perfectly in stride on a go-route for a touchdown pass that put Philadelphia ahead 10-0 in the third quarter. He led the Eagles on another scoring drive capped by Thomas Tapeh 's 4-yard touchdown run that made it 17-0 late in the third.
Garcia finished 8 for 11 for 125 yards and one touchdown. Timmy Chang, competing for the No. 3 spot with Koy Detmer, completed his only pass. Detmer didn't play.
The Eagles used a makeshift backfield featuring fourth-string running back Reno Mahe because Brian Westbrook, Ryan Moats (knee), Correll Buckhalter (knee) and Bruce Perry (concussion) were sidelined. Mahe ran seven times for 10 yards on the first drive, but left with a concussion. Newly signed Marty Johnson had 47 yards on 12 carries.
Notes: Eagles coach Andy Reid angrily denied an apparent report that Pro Bowl long snapper Mike Bartrum had suffered a heart attack. The team said Bartrum didn't play because of an undisclosed illness. Reid said Bartrum will see a doctor on Aug. 11. ... Browns WR Braylon Edwards didn't make the trip. He's returning from a torn ACL and hopes to play in the season opener on Sept. 10. ... Eagles rookie DT Brodrick Bunkley almost recorded a sack on his third play. Bunkley, the 14th-overall pick in this year's draft, sat out Philadelphia's preseason opener after a two-week holdout. ... Browns CB Gary Baxter (pec) and DL J'Vonne Parker (foot) left with injuries.
LaVar Arrington Out For Giants Preseason Opener
Well, at least it's just the first preseason game...
Arrington to miss preseason opener
NFL.com wire reports
ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 9, 2006) -- The New York Giants will have to wait at least another week to see linebacker LaVar Arrington playing for them in a game.
Arrington, signed in the offseason and touted as a key addition as the Giants seek to elevate themselves into a Super Bowl contender, will miss New York's preseason opener against Baltimore Aug. 11 with soreness in his right knee.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed after practice that the three-time Pro Bowler would miss the game.
"We're in the process of developing a way in which we can manage this thing with him," Coughlin said. "As we go forward, we'll be under those guidelines. If we get him back next week, that will be fine. I'll be OK with that."
The soreness is affecting the same knee Arrington underwent two surgeries on in 2004 and 2005 when he was with the Washington Redskins. At Giants camp this month, he participated in team drills for the first week but has worked only briefly in one practice since Aug. 4. He watched from the sidelines again Aug. 9 at the University at Albany.
Arrington seemed unconcerned about the missed time.
"Whenever you have surgical procedures there's always things you have to pay attention to," he said. "I'm not in any danger zone, healthwise or anything like that. This is just the course the training staff has chosen to take. They're approaching it the right way. All I can do is pay attention and be a student of the game and pay attention and be ready."
Arrington suffered the original injury early in the 2004 season and had surgery to repair torn cartilage. He reinjured the knee in practice a month later, missed several more games and played a limited role in two more, then was put on injured reserve that December.
He underwent a second surgery in January 2005, at which time he publicly lashed out at the Redskins, claiming they didn't support him during the time he was injured and implying that he was rushed back too soon.
So far, he has given rave reviews to the Giants training staff.
"I'm not even in a situation where they would need to do what they're doing, but instead they're making 100 percent sure I'm OK and I think that's awesome," he said. "I think they saw how hard and how much I was doing when I was out there and they're forcing me to pace myself. It's a long season. You have to be mindful of that."
Arrington's history and his publicized disputes with the Redskins have focused extra attention on him at Giants camp. Arrington himself is keenly aware that his every move is being dissected and analyzed.
"I know at the end of the day when I get back on the field people will say, 'Oh, he really was telling the truth,"' he said. "The minute I knew they were going to slow me down, I knew this was going to be a media issue due to my having the injury in Washington. I'm telling you guys the total, 100 percent truth. I'm not holding anything back. We're staying the course, we're troubleshooting and making sure I'm as healthy as I possibly can be."
The Giants added Arrington for his pass-rushing abilities and to strengthen a linebacking corps that was wrecked by injuries last season. Starters Antonio Pierce, Reggie Torbor and Carlos Emmons finished the season on the sidelines, and four linebackers wound up on injured reserve.
Arrington to miss preseason opener
NFL.com wire reports
ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 9, 2006) -- The New York Giants will have to wait at least another week to see linebacker LaVar Arrington playing for them in a game.
Arrington, signed in the offseason and touted as a key addition as the Giants seek to elevate themselves into a Super Bowl contender, will miss New York's preseason opener against Baltimore Aug. 11 with soreness in his right knee.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed after practice that the three-time Pro Bowler would miss the game.
"We're in the process of developing a way in which we can manage this thing with him," Coughlin said. "As we go forward, we'll be under those guidelines. If we get him back next week, that will be fine. I'll be OK with that."
The soreness is affecting the same knee Arrington underwent two surgeries on in 2004 and 2005 when he was with the Washington Redskins. At Giants camp this month, he participated in team drills for the first week but has worked only briefly in one practice since Aug. 4. He watched from the sidelines again Aug. 9 at the University at Albany.
Arrington seemed unconcerned about the missed time.
"Whenever you have surgical procedures there's always things you have to pay attention to," he said. "I'm not in any danger zone, healthwise or anything like that. This is just the course the training staff has chosen to take. They're approaching it the right way. All I can do is pay attention and be a student of the game and pay attention and be ready."
Arrington suffered the original injury early in the 2004 season and had surgery to repair torn cartilage. He reinjured the knee in practice a month later, missed several more games and played a limited role in two more, then was put on injured reserve that December.
He underwent a second surgery in January 2005, at which time he publicly lashed out at the Redskins, claiming they didn't support him during the time he was injured and implying that he was rushed back too soon.
So far, he has given rave reviews to the Giants training staff.
"I'm not even in a situation where they would need to do what they're doing, but instead they're making 100 percent sure I'm OK and I think that's awesome," he said. "I think they saw how hard and how much I was doing when I was out there and they're forcing me to pace myself. It's a long season. You have to be mindful of that."
Arrington's history and his publicized disputes with the Redskins have focused extra attention on him at Giants camp. Arrington himself is keenly aware that his every move is being dissected and analyzed.
"I know at the end of the day when I get back on the field people will say, 'Oh, he really was telling the truth,"' he said. "The minute I knew they were going to slow me down, I knew this was going to be a media issue due to my having the injury in Washington. I'm telling you guys the total, 100 percent truth. I'm not holding anything back. We're staying the course, we're troubleshooting and making sure I'm as healthy as I possibly can be."
The Giants added Arrington for his pass-rushing abilities and to strengthen a linebacking corps that was wrecked by injuries last season. Starters Antonio Pierce, Reggie Torbor and Carlos Emmons finished the season on the sidelines, and four linebackers wound up on injured reserve.
Rams 19, Colts 17, Two Views Of A Game
Here are two views of the Rams / Colts preseason game -- the Colts' view, followed by the Rams view
Colts View:
OPENING UP
By John Oehser - Colts.com
Colts Lose to St. Louis Rams in Preseason Opener
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Colts’ preseason ideal is to win.
That doesn’t necessarily mean winning on the scoreboard, Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said this past week. Sometimes, it means winning segments of the game, in particular key phases when starters and prominent reserves play.
The Colts didn’t win their preseason opener.
Still, they had their share of solid moments – particularly early, before the reserves and rookies entered in the second quarter. The result was mixed emotions from Dungy following the preseason opener – a 19-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams Thursday night in front of an announced 60,620 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
Yes, the Colts very much wanted to win, which they haven’t done in the preseason since 2004.
But no, the scene afterward wasn’t all disappointment.
“We’re kind of in the same mode we were in ’05,” Dungy said, referring to last season, when the Colts went 0-5 during the preseason before winning their first 13 regular-season games.
“We did some good things, but not enough to win. We’re disappointed not to get the win. We’d like to give ourselves a chance at the end, but there were some positive things.”
The Colts had a chance late despite playing without five defensive starters, including safeties Mike Doss and Bob Sanders, defensive tackle Montae Reagor, cornerback Jason David and three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney.
Middle linebacker Gary Brackett left the game with a knee injury, but Dungy said it isn’t expected to be serious.
“We didn’t have a lot of defensive players, and we kind of wore down with the guys that did finish, but there were some positive things,” Dungy said.
The Colts not only started well against the Rams, moving 59 yards in seven efficient plays on the game’s first series, reserve quarterback Shaun King continued to show a knack for making key plays, rallying the Colts from a nine-point second-half deficit.
King, who last Saturday rallied the offense to victory in the team’s annual Blue-and-White game with a last-play touchdown pass, on Thursday played the entire second half. Late in the half, he nearly led the Colts to victory.
The Colts, who struggled offensively in the second, third and early fourth quarters, cut the nine-point second-half deficit to two when King threw deep to wide Levon Thomas.
Thomas, a first-year veteran from Georgia Tech, outwrestled a Rams defender for the ball, then dived into the end zone for the touchdown with 10:50 remaining.
Indianapolis regained possession, but after a punt, the Rams ran out the clock.
The Colts began in the fashion they hoped – with an efficient drive from the first-team offense.
The Colts surprised the Rams with an onside kick on the opening kickoff, and after cornerback Von Hutchins recovered, Indianapolis had possession on its 41.
With quarterback Peyton Manning, the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2003 and 2004, throwing accurately, the Colts moved 59 yards in seven plays, with Manning capping the drive with an 8-yard touchdown
pass to tight end Ben Utecht.
Manning completed three of five passes on the drive for 50 yards, including a 31-yard stop-and-go completion to six-year veteran Reggie Wayne. Dominic Rhodes, who started at running back, had 10 yards on four carries, playing only the first quarter.
Joseph Addai, the Colts’ first-round selection in this past April’s NFL Draft, played much of the second quarter, and finished with three yards on three carries.
Manning said he expects the duo to share carries – and for each to work extensively with the first team – throughout the preseason.
“It’s only fair if you give both of those guys equal reps with the first unit,” Manning said. “It’s really the best way to get a good evaluation and to be fair to those guys. I think we’ll give Joseph more opportunities to get in there with the first unit and get in the normal flow of the offense.”
Addai said no matter when he played, the experience of his first NFL game was valuable.
“It was cool, though,” Addai said. “It was a good learning experience, I think. Now, it’s going out and watching the plays, learning from it and trying to get better next week.”
Addai said he wasn’t disappointed with his carries.
“I understand how the preseason goes,” he said. “You’re trying to get everybody in the game and understand what’s going on. I understand it. I just try to make much of what I get.
“I’m more comfortable and relaxed now. Now, I understand what it takes in a real game.”
Defensively, the Rams played seven and eight defenders near the line of scrimmage. That helped keep the Colts’ running opportunities to a minimum, Dungy said.
“They’ll be fine,” Dungy said of Rhodes and Addai. “I don’t think people will want to play us like that all the time. We’ll take our chances if they do.”
Said Manning, “The Rams threw a lot at us early on.”
After the opening series, the Colts’ offense managed just 65 yards offensively in the half, with a 53-yard field goal by newly-signed kicker Adam Vinatieri later in the quarter giving Indianapolis a 10-5 lead.
The Rams, who pulled to within 7-5 on a safety and a 33-yard field goal by Remy Hamilton, took a 12-10 lead with 19 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The lead came on a 7-yard touchdown run by Travis Fisher.
With backup quarterback Jim Sorgi playing the second quarter with the Colts’ reserves, the Rams extended their lead to 19-10 on a 1-yard run by veteran running back Mo Williams.
Dungy had said this week it was tricky preparing for the Rams because St. Louis had a new coaching staff under first-year Head Coach Scott Linehan. That meant there was no game tape available, which made game-planning difficult.
“They blitzed us a lot, and if you can’t make them pay in the passing game, it’s going to be a tough day,” Dungy said. “Our first drive we did, and Shaun hit one, but overall, we didn’t make enough plays against the blitz.
“It was tough for us, not knowing exactly what type of defense they were going to choose. We couldn’t get a lot of tape on them.
“But all in all, some things we can build on.”
Rams View
Rams Edge Colts in Linehan Debut
Thursday, August 10, 2006
By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer
An inauspicious beginning to the Scott Linehan era turned into the type of power running/dominant defensive performance that Linehan hopes to instill in the new era of Rams football.
Tony Dungy wasted no time welcoming Linehan to the NFL. After the Rams won the coin toss and elected to receive, kicker Adam Vinatieri booted an onside kick that the Colts recovered and subsequently scored on.
“You expect anything during the preseason,” Linehan said. “Maybe it was a little indoctrination into the head coaching ranks by Coach Dungy, but I understand it. It worked. Hats off to them.”
By the time the Rams had settled down, their starters were off the field, but the second and third units came through with a powerful rushing attack complemented by a suffocating defense.
Ultimately, it was Linehan who got the last laugh as the Rams overcame the special teams blunder and hung on to beat Indianapolis 19-17 Thursday night at the Edward Jones Dome.
Soon after his hire, Linehan made it clear that the running game would be a big part of the team’s offense, something that hadn’t been the case in the previous regime. If his first go at being a head coach in any indication, Linehan is a man of his word.
St. Louis finished with 40 rushes for 202 yards and two touchdowns divided among a group of five running backs. The defense chipped in with four sacks, an interception, a safety and held the Colts to 249 yards, 38 of which were rushing yards.
“A couple of things I was very happy about was our ability to run the ball and stop the run,” Linehan said. “It’s an easier game when you are able to do those two things. We have obviously got players that can do a lot of things not only in the running game, but in the passing game. It certainly makes you feel in a rhythm and a lot better about what you are doing on a consistent basis when you feel like you can go to the run game.”
And, though the Rams blitzed fairly often, Linehan said that is a product of the way the system is going to be. It didn’t hurt that it came in response to an onside kick to start the game.
“You didn’t see 85 percent of Jim Haslett’s blitzes tonight,” Linehan said. “That’s how we play. Some teams are vanilla type of team. We are going to be multiple. We have things we have to work and things we have to prepare for. We have to get better at it. Multiple blitzes and onside kicks, I don’t know how you be too critical of either one.”
The Rams used a balanced attack in the first two series with the starters on the field, but soon after, it became predominantly a rushing attack that ran over the Colts.
Backup Tony Fisher proved his worth as the No. 2 to Steven Jackson, showing elusiveness previously unseen on his way to five carries for 33 yards and what would prove the touchdown that put the Rams ahead for good with 19 seconds left in the first quarter.
That 7-yard run and the ensuing extra point gave the Rams a 12-10 lead they would not relinquish. On their next possession, the Rams added to their lead as Ryan Fitzpatrick took over at quarterback.
Fitzpatrick, involved in a battle for the third signal caller job with Dave Ragone, promptly made his case for the job by marching the Rams 80 yards on the way to Moe Williams’ 1-yard touchdown run.
Fitzpatrick’s evening came to an end in the third quarter as he ended the evening eight-of-11 for 51 yards.
Williams, signed last week to compete with Fisher for the No. 2 running back job, made a strong case for himself as well. He finished with seven carries for 17 yards with a touchdown and had three catches for 19 yards. His touchdown plunge made it 19-10 Rams.
Those touchdowns helped erase the memory of the first quarter in which the Indianapolis starters outplayed the Rams’ first-unit. After the onside kick recovery, Peyton Manning took the Colts down the field quickly before hitting tight end Ben Utecht for an 8-yard touchdown to give Indianapolis a 7-0 lead.
“We have to be a little bit tighter in coverage, put a little bit more pressure on him,” Linehan said. “I was very happy with the way the defense came back out and never let it affect them. I know our defense is growing and becoming a tight unit and I’m really satisfied with where we are at right now.”
The Rams’ defense responded with its first points of the Jim Haslett era after Matt Turk’s punt pinned the Colts at their 2. On second down, cornerback Fakhir Brown made his first impression as a Ram, blindsiding Jim Sorgi and forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Colts in the end zone for a safety. That score made it 7-2.
On the ensuing possession, the Rams marched to the Indianapolis 15 before settling for Remy Hamilton’s 33-yard field goal to make it 7-5 Indianapolis. That drive was highlighted by Jackson’s 23-yard run and brought the first-team offense’s night to an end.
Jackson finished with 41 yards on five carries for an average of 8.2 per attempt. Quarterback Marc Bulger was three-of-six for 51 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. More important, though, is the fact that Bulger made it out of the game healthy after taking some shots from the Indianapolis defense.
The Colts made a late run at the win as Shaun King hit Levon Thomas for a 40-yard touchdown to make it 19-17 Rams. The St. Louis defense held serve, though, and the Rams escaped with the first preseason win of Linehan’s young career.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)