Saturdays Qb rotations and notes

[BangTheBook]

SATURDAY'S GAMES 8/13/05

Baltimore Ravens - QB Rotation: Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright, rookie Derek Anderson.

RB Jamal Lewis is expected to report after meeting with a probation officer in Baltimore this week. It will be determined after his physical whether he will be placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list. He had ankle surgery this offseason.

Billick said WR Mark Clayton will play about 10-12 snaps against the Falcons.

QBs Boller and Wright threw 6 interceptions in Tuesday's practice. Said coach Brian Billick, "The good news is my team intercepted the passes. The bad news is my team threw them."

New defensive coordinator Rex Ryan has done a great job of disguising his fourth pass rusher. With both Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas both able to play defensive end and outside linebacker, it's hard to tell which one is dropping into coverage and who is pressuring the quarterback.


Atlanta Falcons - QB Rotation: Michael Vick (1-2 series), Ty Detmer (2 Q+), Matt Schaub (3rd Q+), Bryan Randall.

Rookie free agent QB Bryan Randall didn't play in Tokyo, but may play Saturday against the Ravens depending on circumstances.

The Falcons played in Japan a week ago in their preseason opener. This is the first preseason game for the Ravens.

Michael Vick won't see much playing time again. Mora gave no indication how much he plans on using Vick in the preseason, but Vick may have already taken the most snaps he will take over the four remaining exhibitions.

Vick has said he feels far more comfortable entering his second season in offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's West Coast offense and Mora said the fluidity and familiarity in the way the first-team offense performed against the Colts Saturday was a good sign.

Miami Dolphins - QB Rotation: Gus Frerotte (1st Q), A.J. Feeley, (2nd Q), Sage Rosenfels, Brock Berlin.

Frerotte will start and A.J. Feeley will follow by the second quarter.

The Dolphins are expected to give more repetitions to RBs Ricky Williams and Lamar Gordon.

This is the second preseason game for Miami, the first for Jacksonville.

The offensive line was weak in the opener. It couldn't protect Feeley and didn't generate much of a running game.

Offensive line thin: The Dolphins, in search of help along their battered offensive line, signed free agent Frank Middleton. Backup center Wade Smith fractured his forearm Monday and is out. Joining Smith on the list of injured Dolphins centers was third-stringer Jason Thomas (arthroscopic knee surgery). With both players out, the Dolphins signed center Alonzo Ephraim. Saban also said right guard Rex Hadnot would get plenty of reps at center. Backup guard John St. Clair also has practiced at center.

Defense still adjusting: Nick Saban wants his defense to attack, to carry the fight to opponents by being unpredictable. Unlike past years when the Dolphins played pretty much the same defense down after down, game after game, Saban wants to change things around -- sometimes from one series to the next.

Secondary issues: In the wake of missed tackles and missed assignments in the opener, the Dolphins continued to look for ways to tweak their secondary by bringing in veteran safety Eric Brown for a visit. CB Reggie Howard had a rough night as wide receivers got behind him on at least two occasions. With Pro Bowl CB Patrick Surtain traded to Kansas City, the Dolphins have struggled to find a successor between Howard and rookie Travis Daniels.

Rookie cornerback Travis Daniels has been working with the first-team defense this week, which means he likely will get his first starting assignment tonight.

Scott O'Brien will run Miami's offense, after serving as Vikings' offensive coordinator. Defensively, Miami changed from a 4-3 to a 3-4.

Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, Quinn Gray, Nate Hybl.

The Jaguars' starting offense will get more work against Miami than the first-team defense. "For obvious reasons, with the new system and all," coach Jack Del Rio said, referring to the playbook being installed by new offensive coordinator Carl Smith. The Jaguars' No.1 offense played until early in the second quarter in last year's exhibition opener at Miami.

Byron Leftwich, who was held out of last Thursday's passing drills to rest a tired arm, threw just six passes in Friday's scrimmage and took just a handful of snaps in the mock game Saturday morning. Nate Hybl is competing with Quinn Gray for the Jaguars' No.3 QB job behind starter Byron Leftwich and No. 2 David Garrard.

RB Fred Taylor is recovering from surgery to repair two knee ligaments. He won't play Saturday.

RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala is nursing shoulder and leg injuries and appears unlikely to play against the Dolphins. Coupled with Fred Taylor's absence, the Jaguars will have plenty of chances to look at Pearman and fellow young RBs Derrick Wimbush and Rich Alexis.

Secondary thin: Starting right CB David Richardson was carted off the field Monday with an ankle injury. Rookie CB Scott Starks lined up again with the first team in Friday's walk-through and appears likely to start tonight at right corner against Miami.

Carl Smith is the new offensive coordinator. He is a proponent of play action, something you will see a lot with his QBs in preseason. Smith said, "We're going to use the whole field this season."

Buffalo Bills - QB Rotation: J.P. Losman (1 Q+), Kelly Holcomb (2nd-3rd Qs), Shane Matthews (4th Q), Tory Woodbury, Kevin Thompson.

QB J.P. Losman will start, veteran QB Kelly Holcomb is expected to bridge the second and third quarters of Saturday's preseason opener at Indianapolis.

Offensive line thin: Guards Lawrence Smith and Ben Sobieski were ruled out for the year.

Defensive Coordinator Jerry Gray let loose with an array of blitzes in a scrimmage last week, many basic in design but very effective, while backup nose tackle Justin Bannan had a big scrimmage with three would-be takedowns.

Indianapolis Colts - QB Rotation: Peyton Manning (one series), Jim Sorgi, Travis Brown (see below).

QB Peyton Manning is expected to play one series before turning the offense over to Jim Sorgi and Travis Brown.

The Colts played in Japan a week ago in their preseason opener. This is the opener for Buffalo.

The unofficial count of the Colts' walking wounded hit 22 players, nearly one-quarter of the team's 90-player roster. The list includes several front-line players: DE Dwight Freeney (shoulder), C Jeff Saturday (hamstring), WR Brandon Stokley (shoulder), DTs Montae Reagor (groin) and Josh Williams (groin), TE Dallas Clark (hamstring), S Mike Doss (groin) and CBs Nick Harper (foot), Donald Strickland (hamstring) and Von Hutchins (foot).

RB Edgerrin James is unlikely to play tonight. Injuries will keep 20 players, including seven projected defensive starters, out of action.

Coach Tony Dungy and his staff will closely monitor the players during the next several days to ensure they are sufficiently recovered from the long trip overseas. He noted that discussions with experts on the topic revealed it takes some players up to two weeks to return "absolutely normal" from a physical standpoint. "We'll try to take it as easy as we can on them," Dungy said. "But it will probably be another week before they're back to fully 100 percent."

Secondary is thin, and young. Joe Jefferson has moved from cornerback to safety to replace Mike Doss, who will sit out the first two games of the regular season (suspension). Second-year man Bob Sanders is the other safety, and rookie Marlin Jackson played well. Jackson started for Nick Harper (foot). With Donald Strickland (hamstring) also out, CB Kevin Hayden was the Colts' third corner.

Denver Broncos - QB Rotation: Jake Plummer (10-12 plays), Brad Van Pelt (willl follow), Matt Mauck, Danny Kanell (see below).

The starters and QB Jake Plummer will guide the Broncos' No. 1 offense for about 10 to 12 plays. Then it will be time for QB Brad Van Pelt to take over. The Broncos are expected to play three quarterbacks, Jake Plummer, Bradlee Van Pelt and Matt Mauck.

QB Jake Plummer is fine after suffering a slightly hyperextended left knee, the knee he had arthroscopic surgery on in May. If Plummer is still sore, he could be limited or held out of practice. The Broncos will practice with the Texans in Houston on Wednesday and Thursday. If Plummer sits, former Colorado State star Brad Van Pelt likely will work with the No. 1 offense. Plummer ran the starting offense in both workouts Monday.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan said CB Champ Bailey and defensive tackle Gerard Warren will not play because of hamstring injuries. Left tackle Matt Lepsis was ruled out because of the same injury. Rookie Darrent Williams is expected to start for Bailey.

QB Van Pelt improved his abilities throwing the ball and is in the No. 2 role to see if he can handle being the first option behind Jake Plummer. Danny Kanell had filled that role previously and still took some snaps behind the second-team offensive line. It's clear Van Pelt was the first choice in most drills.

RB Mike Anderson is getting most of the carries with the starting offense.

Houston Texans - QB Rotation: David Carr (1-2 series), Tony Banks (rest of 1st half), Dave Ragone (3rd Q), B.J. Symons (4th Q) (see below).

Coach Dom Capers said he'll play such starters as QB David Carr, RB Domanick Davis and WR Andre Johnson a couple of series at most against Denver tonight. QB Tony Banks will replace Carr and play the rest of the first half. Dave Ragone and B.J. Symons will play in the second half.

Houston wants to improve its running game. In preseason games, they want to see RBs rookie Vernand Morency and Tony Hollings as much as possible.

The Texans made moves on defense to improve the pass rush. Dom Capers and DC Vic Fangio said they want to improve quickness and speed, so players were added through the draft (lineman Travis Johnson), free agency (LB Morlon Greenwood) and a trade (CB Phillip Buchanon). They will be looking for more sacks this preseason. If Buchanon and CB Dunta Robinson can provide the kind of man-to-man coverage Fangio wants, he can commit more players to the pass rush.

NY Giants - QB Rotation: Eli Manning (12-15 snaps), Jesse Palmer (2nd Q), Tim Hasselbeck (3rd Q), Jared Lorenzen (4th Q).

QB El Manning and the first unit will take 12 to 15 snaps, with Jesse Palmer leading the second unit and Tim Hasselbeck next. Jared Lorenzon will see some time in the fourth quarter. Hasselbeck will get about a quarter-and-a-half of action leading the third string. Palmer will get the first shot in the battle to be the Giants' backup quarterback, playing the second quarter with the second team. Manning hasn't dazzled yet in practice.

Much of Tom Coughlin's energy this camp has been devoted to keeping his team healthier and fresher. There have been far fewer days with two practices, more time to heal between sessions with the addition of night workouts, the slicing of 10 or more minutes off a practice on more than one occasion, and less time in full pads, which means not as much hitting and physical contact.

Receivers thin: TE Jeremy Shockey (mild hamstring strain) missed a practice this week, while WR Tim Carter (hamstring) and WR Jamaar Taylor have not been 100%.

Cleveland Browns - QB Rotation: Trent Dilfer (1st Q), Doug Johnson (2nd Q), rookie Charlie Frye, Josh Harris, rookie Lang Campbell.

The starters will play about the first quarter. QB Trent Dilfer will start and play about a quarter, and Doug Johnson will come in after him. Next is Frye and then Josh Harris.

RB Reuben Droughns said he'll most likely sit out Saturday night's game against the NY Giants with a sore hamstring muscle, and knows it could hurt his chances to win the starting job. Droughns is currently listed at No. 2 on the depth chart, behind Lee Suggs and ahead of William Green and rookie Sultan McCullough. In Droughns' absence, Suggs and Green will play the bulk of the first half and McCullough will see plenty of action in the second half.

Cleveland has a new head coach in Romeo Crennel, who ran Bill Belichick's defense in New England the past five years. Crennel is switching Cleveland's defensive scheme to a 3-4.

RBs Lee Suggs and Reuben Droughns have been used at the same time, both in the backfield and split out wide. "If they make the team, there might be a possibility that we'll use that," said Crennel. "It does put a little pressure on the defense. They have to defend you differently with two halfbacks in the game."

Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Patrick Ramsey, Mark Brunell, rookie Jason Campbell (see below).

Campbell is the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Patrick Ramsey and backup Mark Brunell. Campbell figures to play extensively this Saturday.

Asked how long the starters will play, Joe Gibbs said: "I'm always reluctant to say because as soon as you tell them something, they're going to shut it off. I always like to go off feel. I like having everybody think they're going to play the whole game. You want to do enough to give your offense a chance to perform well, but you're guarded from the standpoint that there are certain things there that you don't want to show."

The Redskins are short on cornerbacks with Walt Harris and Artrell Hawkins out with minor injuries and Carlos Rogers (ankle) ailing. "We're definitely thin at corner," Joe Gibbs said.

Carolina Panthers - QB Rotation: Jake Delhomme (1st Q), Chris Weinke (2-3 Qs), Rod Rutherford (4th Q), rookie Stephan LeFlors (4th Q).

QB Jake Delhomme will play the first quarter. No. 3 QB Chris Weinke will likely play much of the second and third quarters. Said coach John Fox, "Typically we've gone with our first team the first quarter, the second in the second and third and the third group in the fourth quarter."

The Panthers like what they see in 6-foot-1, 246-pound rookie RB Eric Shelton. While DeShaun Foster is the acknowledged starter in Stephen Davis' absence, expect Shelton to see plenty of time in preseason.

The Panthers have won nine straight exhibitions and haven't lost one since Aug. 23, 2002, at New England.


INFORMATION COURTESY OF WWW.JIMFEIST.COM


Dallas Cowboys - QB Rotation: Drew Bledsoe (1st Q+), Tony Romo (2nd Q+), Drew Henson (late 3rd Q+).

For Saturday's preseason opener at Arizona, Bill Parcells said he will split the work among the quarterbacks in thirds. Henson and Romo have alternated each day working with the second-team offense. Parcells is having every pass the quarterbacks throw in team and 7-on-7 drills charted, so he has a feel for how they are performing. Romo has looked sharper than Henson thus far, but neither has been as consistent as Parcells would like.

Drew Bledsoe has looked sharp at Cowboys camp, teaming up with Terry Glenn on a number of deep passes and with TE Jason Witten on shorter throws. He also is in the best physical condition he's been in in four or five years.

Issues in the secondary: Parcells said he's not even close to deciding who will start at free safety. For now, Lynn Scott and Keith Davis are rotating at the position. CB Lance Frazier (sprained left ankle) is also ailing.

Cowboys nose tackle Jason Ferguson has played well in their new 3-4 defense.

Arizona Cardinals - QB Rotation: Kurt Warner, Josh McCown, John Navarre, Chris Lewis.

As of Friday, Cardinals coach Dennis Green said he didn't know how long the first-team units would play. Two starting offensive linemen, right tackle Oliver Ross (knee) and center Alex Stepanovich (hand), will miss the game, as will receiver Anquan Boldin (broken nose).

Coach Green went into camp wanting to beef up the running game, which was 22nd in 2004. That's even more imperative given the injuries on offense. In addition to Boldin, center Alex Stepanovich (hand) and right tackle Oliver Ross (knee), a key free-agency acquisition, are sidelined.

Oakland Raiders - QB Rotation: Kerry Collins (15-18 plays), Marques Tuiasosopo, rookie Andrew Walter, David Rivers.

Coach Norv Turner said the starters will get 15-18 plays. Collins will be followed by QBs Marques Tuiasosopo and rookie Andrew Walter.

WRs thin with hamstring injuries to Jerry Porter and Carlos Francis.

RBs thin: One player the Raiders hoped to look at extensively in the second half was RB DeJuan Green. Coaches hoped Green would get at least 15 carries against the 49ers. But he sustained what appeared to be a serious ankle sprain Thursday and left the training room on crutches. Friday, the Raiders were considering signing halfback Leonard Henry.

Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, much like his father, Buddy, loves to blitz and that's what his team needs to practice.

San Fran 49ers - QB Rotation: Rookie Alex Smith (20-25 snaps), Tim Rattay (20-25 snaps), Ken Dorsey (will play the rest of the game).

QB Alex Smith will start and play about 20-25 snaps. Rattay will follow with the same number of reps, and Ken Dorsey will play the remainder of the exhibition.HC Nolan said his starting defense is likely to play about one quarter.

Offensive line thin: G David Baas (pulled hamstring) might miss training camp. C Jeremy Newberry (knee) is recovering from offseason surgery and is hoping to begin practice next week. LT Jonas Jennings (finger) will miss a week after undergoing surgery Friday to attach muscle to bone. Justin Smiley has a bruised left calf. Baas' injury has the most impact. The second-rounder was expected to compete for a starting spot. Right tackle Kwame Harris could be the unit's only regular in the game this weekend that also marks the debut of quarterback Alex Smith, the NFL's No. 1 draft pick.

Secondary thin: CB Randee Drew has a stress fracture in his foot and is out indefinitely, CB Shawntae Spencer (hamstring) is ailing.

Mike Nolan is the new 49ers head coach (former defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens).

Billy Davis is the new defensive coordinator, Mike McCarthy is the new offensive coordinator.