Atlanta Falcons - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington (10-12 plays), Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley, Lang Campbell.
Joey Harrington will start Friday. Then Petrino will likely hand the job to Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley, who are competing for the backup quarterback position. Redman has been working the No. 2 unit in practice. Lang Campbell may see late mop up duty.
Redman hasn't played since 2003, and Shockley hasn't played a down in a regular-season game.
TE Alge Crumpler, defensive tackle Rod Coleman and RB Warrick Dunn were declared "out" for the Jets game by Petrino.
Michael Koenen, who entered last season handling all three kicking duties, is punting. Billy Cundiff and Aaron Elling are competing for the kickoff and placekicking job.
Bobby Petrino is the new head coach, coming over from Louisville.
A Petrino camp is a more business-like place, almost corporate. "He's all about football," owner Arthur Blank said of Petrino.
Petrino has not been hesitant to put his stamp on this team, either by promoting or demoting players, opening competition, moving players or by kicking them to the curb. The release of WR Fred Gibson three days into training camp sent a warning that there is no tolerance for not doing things the right way.
NY Jets - QB Rotation: Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens, Marques Tuiasosopo.
Coach Eric Mangini refused to say how long the veterans would play against the Falcons, claiming it depends on the flow of the game.
The offense is in the second year of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's high-tech scheme that features an array of shifts and motions.
Secondary thin: CB Justin Miller (hamstring) sat out both practices and might not playy. CB Andre Dyson, the Jets' top cornerback, has been slowed by an undisclosed right leg injury for much of training camp. He was limping visibly during the morning workout. The Jets haven't moved in negotiations with rookie CB Darrelle Revis. S Eric Smith hurt his hamstring Wednesday and was carted off the field.
Offensive line concerns: Guard Pete Kendall is still holding out and has ripped the organization almost daily since the start of training camp. Starting right guard Brandon Moore sat out Tuesday's workout protesting his contract.
New England Patriots - QB Rotation: Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, Vinnie Testaverde, rookie Matt Gutierrez.
Secondary thin. CB Chad Scott is out for the season (knee) and CB Asante Samuel is holding out.
The right tackle spot is one of the most competitive in training camp, with third-year player Nick Kaczur (20 starts) and second-year man Ryan O'Callaghan (6 starts) and 6-8 Wesley Britt.
Tampa Bay Bucs - QB Rotation: Jeff Garcia (1st Q), Luke McCown (2nd-3rd Qs), Bruce Gradkowski (mop up), Chris Simms (see below).
Garcia will start, Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski will follow. McCown will see significant action Friday against New England. QB Chris Simms (elbow) won't play.
Despite RB Cadillac Williams' request for more snaps, Gruden will stick to same plan as the past two preseasons. "He's going to get a couple of carries and he's going to be an observer for a lot of the time," Gruden said.
Jeff Garcia's presence has prompted Coach Jon Gruden to consider the shotgun as a legitimate option for his version of the West Coast attack. Gruden is eager to expand his playbook in terms of rollouts and bootlegs to capitalize on Garcia's mobility.
Offensive line thin. Gruden all but ruled out the possibility of projected starting LT Luke Petitgout playing a role.
LB Ryan Nece looks like he will get the start at middle linebacker against New England. While MLB Barrett Ruud continues to nurse a left knee bruise, Nece, the former starting strongside linebacker, has been working out in the middle.
Defensively, the Bucs are considering new packages in an effort to disrupt timing and generate more heat on opposing quarterbacks. Last season, QBs feasted against Tampa Bay's defense, posting a cumulative 91.0 rating.
Gruden has been preaching for an aggressive team. "We've got to be a more physical football team," Gruden said. "That was an area that got away from us a bit last year. This year, I want to see us hit in most every practice. And I want us to hit hard." |