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Depth and quality are
essential. The dropoff in quality is severe with
a team like the Colts, for instance.
Peyton Manning and the first team offense moved
the ball well last week, but the dropoff was sharp
when Jim Sorgi and Shaun King came in behind center.
The money rolled in on the Colts last week, but
they were steamrolled by Seattle at home. After
taking a 7-0 lead, Sorgi and King couldn’t
move the offense much. In fact, Sorgi got hurt
and won’t be available this weekend.
Less noticeable is depth in other areas. Take
a close look at the Arizona Cardinals. They have
talent at the skill positions on offense, but
are woefully short of talent and depth in many
other areas. They have offensive line problems,
as starting RT Oliver Ross (knee) is out two months.
The Cardinals traded a late-round draft pick this
week to New England for offensive right tackle
Brandon Gorin.
On the defensive line, defensive end Bertrand
Berry will miss the final two preseason games
after suffering a left knee injury. And they are
thin at linebacker, with Karlos Dansby hurting
and two other starters, Calvin Pace and Darryl
Blackstock, playing new positions. The Cardinals'
lack of depth on offense was highlighted during
their 30-3 loss to New England. "I guess
we're concerned we don't have three deep,"
Dennis Green said. "Our first offense can
move the ball. I just don't think we have as much
talented depth as the people we're playing against.”
As for their still non-existent running game,
Green added, "I'm concerned. I'm concerned
about every phase of the offense right now."
The Browns are only averaging 13.5 points in
preseason and also have depth problems on the
line. The offensive line is thin with the loss
of center LeCharles Bentley, their star free agent
signing. They just traded for another center this
week, which means QB Charlie Frye will have worked
with five starting centers! If you watched the
Saints get manhandled by the Cowboys Monday, that’s
another team with a lack of depth on both lines.
This week the Falcons made news trading for WR
Ashley Lelie and added free agent defensive tackle
Grady Jackson. Both will be interesting stories
to watch, as Atlanta had big problems searching
for a third wideout and has a defensive line that
is getting run over. Perhaps Jackson will help
them against the run. Tennessee is another team
with injuries all over its defense.
Another more important factor this time of year
is motivation, mainly because it’s tough
to find. Last week NY Giants coach Tom Coughlin
was furious with his team’s defensive performance
in Week 1, and asked for a determined effort in
Week 2. They got it, shutting out the Chiefs 17-0.
Lovie Smith was furious with the way the Bears
defense failed to show up in the opener, getting
run over at San Francisco. He asked for an intense
effort and got it, as Chicago routed San Diego
24-3.
Some things to keep an eye on this weekend: Bill
Cowher was upset after the loss to Minnesota,
ordering his team to wear their full pads for
practice Monday. Normally, they would wear shells
in the first practice after a preseason game.
"We're not where we need to be," said
Cowher. "We set too high of standards. We're
much better than we performed the other night.”
The Chiefs have looked awful starting 0-2 SU/ATS.
They are finally home this week and coach Herm
Edwards said, “This is a game we’ve
got to play with much more urgency and emotion.
I’m pretty sure guys will do that.”
Added QB Trent Green, “Is it time to panic?
No. But I think we definitely have to have a sense
of urgency going into this week’s game.”
Redskins coach Joe Gibbs was disgusted in a terse
three-minute post-game news conference. "I'm
concerned about the team," Gibbs said. "You've
got to play good as a team, and we're not. I couldn't
pick out one positive thing." This is the
weekend when starters play the most time, usually,
so it can be a fun (and profitable) time for football
fans!
Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
And don't miss my Preseason Football Game of
the Year going this week.
Big Al McMordie is a documented member of The
Professional Handicappers League.
Read more of his articles and get his premium
plays here.
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