Notes from the NFL Preseason

As I reported a few weeks back, you can't take too much away from the NFL's preseason, especially the won-loss record. I haven't watched all the games, but here are a few very early random observations from the 2007 NFL preseason.

The Good:

There has been so much good news coming out of the Cowboys camp it almost makes you worried. Let's hope they get beaten badly in at least one of their preseason games so they don't get too over confident. I think the way last year ended the Cowboys needed to get their mojo back, and by every early indication, they have. The only bad news is star linebacker Greg Ellis's slow recovery from last year's Achilles injury, but 2007 first round NFL Draft pick Anthony Spencer is playing so well I don't think anyone even cares. Hats off to Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones for compiling all that talent, now let's see if Wade Phillips can do something with it. If Wade Phillips does win a super bowl in the next couple of years, there should be an asterisk by his name that says, "With help from Bill Parcells."

Minnesota Linebacker Chad Greenway is looking very good and looks fully healed from last year's season ending injury. With outstanding defensive tackles in front of him, look for Greenway to make the pro bowl this year, if he stays healthy that is.

After almost crying during the 2007 NFL Draft, Cleveland Brown Quarterback Brady Quinn looks like he might have been unfairly evaluated. Early indications are that the NFL is not going to overwhelm this kid. My only concern coming out of college was his accuracy, and that is something that can be improved upon over time.

The Baltimore Raven rookie defensive end Edgar Jones looked spectacular against the Giants. I was really high on this Small School Super Star coming out of college and it looks like he has a real chance in the NFL.

I bet the Falcons wish they would have kept Matt Schaub, he has looked good so far for the Texans. Schaub was nine of 12 for 108 yards and ran 5 yards for a score against the Cardinals.

As if they didn't have enough weapons, the Chargers have a dynamic little bottle rocket in Darren Sproles. Against the Rams the
Former K-State star returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the first half.

The Bad:

Miami Quarterback Trent Green has looked absolutely horrendous. There seem to be no zip on his balls. It is still very early, I wouldn't write him off yet, but I wonder if he hasn't lost his mojo. Maybe the Chiefs saw something that I didn't. The Dolphins certainly hope Green can find his confidence again as they have almost bet their season on him.

Staying on the Quarterback theme, Dallas Cowboy QB Brad Johnson has also looked like crap. Experience is one thing, but the 39 year old quarterback is playing like he is 49. The Cowboys don't have a proven back up after Johnson and that might prove to haunt them if Tony Romo ever gets injured.

I am surprised Tom Coughlin hasn't been fired yet. He just hasn't been able to bring a fairly talented Giant team together. He is supposed to be a disciplinarian, but the Giants have never been a disciplined team. In the August 19^th preseason game against the Raven they were penalized 12 times for 111 yards. Coughlin is coaching on borrowed time, a one year contract extension for the 2007 season that is.

I can't believe I saw Darrell Hackney surface in the preseason playing quarterback for the Broncos. Passed up in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Browns signed him as a free agent, but cut him before the start of the season, The Falcons worked him out but passed on him, and now the Broncos have given him a shot this year (2007). Hopefully we have seen the last of this guy, yea he throws the ball very hard but, he couldn't hit the broad side of the barn with a football. Short (5' 11") and slow (4.82) his accuracy is horrendous. Not a good combination.

The Redskins offensive line, they are one of the worst units in the NFL and almost got their young franchise quarterback Jason Campbell killed against the Steelers. He only suffered a bruised knee, but by the looks of the hit, it could have easily been a season ending injury.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson looked fantastic running the football. I love his aggressive style of running and his spin move was world class. So why is he in the bad category? I am deeply concerned about his running style. He refuses to run out of bounds and he won't be able to stay healthy with that overly aggressive style.