Cincinnati Bengals - QB Rotation: Carson Palmer (1st Q), Doug Johnson, rookies Jeff Rowe and Jeff Smith.
Carson Palmer will play more this week against New Orleans than the two series he got in last week.
Second-round draft pick RB Kenny Irons is out for the season with a torn ACL. Irons was expected to provide depth behind Rudi Johnson this year.
Offensive tackle Adam Kieft is expected to play Saturday against the Saints, as are safety John Busing, WRs Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman, CB Johnathan Joseph and rookie LB Earl Everett.
Offensive line changes: Gone are center Rich Braham and left guard Eric Steinbach from 2006. Eric Ghiaciuc takes over at center, while either Stacy Andrews or Andrew Whitworth will play left guard. LT Levi Jones is rehabbing from offseason knee surgery. 12-year right tackle Willie Anderson has not been practicing. The Bengals will benefit more if he doesn't have to take all the rigors of a normal training camp.
Depth on the defensive line is a concern.
Tampa Bay Bucs - QB Rotation: Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski, Chris Simms.
McCown is slated to get the bulk of the work in tonight's game. QB Chris Simms (elbow) won't play.
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.
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.
The Bucs were still tinkering with their defensive-line rotation when camp ended Thursday. The reason is simple. They have yet to figure out a way to generate the kind of pass rush they need to make their defense potent. This is a task that could go on all year.
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."
Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: Byron Leftwich (first half), David Garrard (3rd Q), Quinn Gray, Tim Couch, Lester Ricard.
Del Rio said the starters will likely play the entire first half on Saturday against Tampa Bay. So far in the preseason, Byron Leftwich and David Garrard have combined to complete 73.1 percent of their passes while hitting 13 different receivers.
With Quinn Gray (ankle) and Tim Couch (back) missing Wednesday's workout, Byron Leftwich, David Garrard and Lester Ricard took all the repetitions for the Jaguars.
Jacksonville has a new offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter, the former Boise State and Arizona State pass-happy coach.
Jaguars center Brad Meester broke a bone in his right foot and will be sidelined at least eight weeks. Meester has started 108 games for Jacksonville in seven years.
Free agent safety Sammy Knight joined the team this week. Jacksonville replaced starters Deon Grant and Donovin Darius in the offseason. The Jaguars drafted safety Reggie Nelson with the 21st overall pick, and he has played well. Strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh has also been impressive, but the team's backups have mostly struggled.
Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger (20 snaps), Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre, Bryan Randall.
The first teams will play longer against the Redskins, a normal progression as the Steelers go deeper into the preseason. "Tentatively we're going to play our first groups a lot longer than what we've done at this point," coach Mike Tomlin said. "But, like always, we're going to be prepared to play it by ear. But it's our intention to play guys more in this game."
Coach Mike Tomlin said yesterday Parker will play with the rest of the starters, who are expected to get about 20 snaps against the Redskins.
Mike Tomlin made two more moves this week to his starting lineup: Bryant McFadden replaced veteran incumbent Deshea Townsend at right cornerback, and WR Santonio Holmes moved ahead of Cedrick Wilson at split end. "We're still shopping, if you will," Tomlin said. It's likely McFadden and Holmes will start Saturday.
Third game for the Steelers, after opening in the Hall of Fame Game (8/5).
Outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (groin), the team's No. 1 pick, continued to do light workouts in uniform, but has not participated in any contact drills.
HC Mike Tomlin, the former defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, was hired by the Steelers. He is just their third coach in 38 years.
The Steelers plan to zone block more often this season.
The Steelers will break out their no-huddle offense soon in a preseason game. The Steelers also used it last season in the preseason against the Vikings. |