ESPN Insider: some interesting preseason developments worth watching

[bubba9497]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=muench_steve&id=2142629

With organizations more interested in evaluating talent, implementing new schemes and staying healthy, it's understandable if the average fan doesn't catch many preseason games. However, the development of young players, the emergence of rookies and the play of certain veterans at this time of year can have an impact on a team's fortunes. Here are some observations from this year's preseason.

• Playing with consistency can mean the difference between winning and losing. Young players often have a hard time playing at the same level on every snap. Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers provided an excellent example of this in Washington's 24-17 loss to Cincinnati. While Rogers returned an interception 30 yards, he was beaten deep on consecutive plays later in the first half. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams likes to blitz, so Rogers has to do a better job of preventing the big play when left on an island.

Redskins QB Patrick Ramsey also struggled with his consistency. Ramsey made a gutsy throw over the middle resulting in a 25-yard touchdown pass, but later made a poor decision inside the red zone that resulted in Tory James' picking off a pass.

Washington needs the passing game to keep defenses honest and help open up the running game. However, it can't afford to take too many chances downfield, or in the red zone, if the quarterback doesn't protect the football. Washington hopes to get significant contributions from both players, so the Redskins need to remain poised after making a big play and consistently play up to their abilities.

• Dallas first-round pick Demarcus Ware showcased his playmaking ability in the Cowboys' 18-10 win over Seattle Monday Night. He did an excellent job stripping the quarterback rather than trying to deliver the big hit when rushing the passer, and he made a good play on the ball when asked to drop into coverage. However, it's important to realize the pass he intercepted was underthrown and teams will look to isolate him in coverage once the regular season begins.

Although Ware has excellent athletic ability and good top-end speed, he lined up at defensive end at the collegiate level so he doesn't have a lot of experience dropping into coverage. That lack of experience makes him vulnerable to play action and effective double moves.

• With Hines Ward holding out earlier in training camp, Pittsburgh's priority appeared to be signing the Pro Bowl receiver to a contract extension. However, it should come as no surprise that Pittsburgh signed Casey Hampton to a five-year contract extension.

Kerry Collins will need to avoid mistakes in the red zone. While Hampton is coming off a season-ending knee injury and doesn't make many big plays, he is a perfect fit for the Steelers' 3-4-scheme. He is a stout run defender who has the lower-body strength to occupy multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage, making it easier for the interior linebackers to flow to the ball. He can also collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks to roll toward a rushing outside linebacker or defensive end.

• San Francisco QB Tim Rattay has clearly outperformed Alex Smith, the first pick in this year's draft, and head coach Mike Nolan named him the opening day starter as a result. Making the decision with two preseason games left allows Rattay to get comfortable with the first-team offense and takes some pressure off Smith.

However, don't be surprised to see Smith regain the starting job some time during the regular season. He has more natural ability and should give the 49ers a better opportunity to win once he gets comfortable with the offense. It's also important to note that Smith appears to be handling the situation well. He agreed the move is in the best interest of the team right now and admitted he needed to get better.

• QB Kerry Collins has looked very good at times, but he's made some mistakes he shouldn't be making at this point in his career. In the Raiders' 19-17 loss to Houston, Collins completed the first six passes of the game, including two for touchdowns, but later threw into zone coverage in the red zone resulting in the safety intercepting the pass.

In addition, Oakland was called for two delay-of-game penalties while he was in the game. Although several factors can attribute to the play clock's running out, it's the responsibility of the quarterback to make sure the offense gets a play off or calls a timeout. The good news is Collins has two more preseason games to sharpen his game.

• Arizona's Bryant Johnson is having the strongest preseason of his three-year career and his development into a quality No. 3 receiver should help open up the passing game, as well as the running game. Johnson's ability to get open working against most nickel backs will make it harder for opposing teams to double cover Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald. His presence on the field when the Cardinals go to their three-receiver sets will also spread out defenses, creating running lanes for RBs Marcel Shipp and J.J. Arrington.

• Keep an eye on the progress of New Orleans DT Johnathan Sullivan.The former first-round pick hasn't developed as expected since entering the league and is dangerously close to being labeled a bust, but he has had a strong preseason. In fact, head coach Jim Haslett has moved him into the starting lineup.

If Sullivan, who possesses a great combination of size and quickness, continues to play well, the Saints should have a strong front four capable of getting to the quarterback. With DEs Charles Grant, Darren Howard and Will Smith drawing attention away from the middle when teams drop back to pass, Sullivan could make an impact rushing the passer up the middle.

• Oakland fans shouldn't be too concerned about PK Sebastian Janikowski's missing two field-goal attempts wide right in a 19-17 loss to Houston. With P Shane Lechler nursing a hamstring injury on the sideline, backup QB Marques Tuiasosopo assumed the holding duties. While Tuiasosopo shouldn't shoulder all the blame for the misses, adjusting to a different holder can disrupt a kicker's rhythm. The good news is Lechler is expected to be ready for the season opener and Janikowski can work on his timing with Tuiasosopo until he returns.

[bulldog]

what was mentioned about Ramsey is known by each of us that has watched him in 2004 and in this year's preseason.

Carlos Rogers, however, is a different story. I am sure he will get beaten at times as a rookie, but he was more than 5 yards back of those Cincy receivers in the second quarter because he was winded and out of game shape after riding a stationary bike for almost three weeks.

There is no substitute for game experience in getting you ready to play.

In any case, it helps to watch the team a little more closely and realize WHY certain players fail to make certain plays.

It isn't enough just to take the play in isolation and generalize.

[bubba9497]

Nice of him to ignore Rogers getting beat was a conditioning problem (lack of it due to injury) and Williams purposely left him out there as example/training.... hardly a normal situation.

[bulldog]

he was less hostile overall than I thought he was going to be, though............which says something about how fair of a shake we have been getting up to now :laugh:

[BadKarma]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=muench_steve&id=2142629

• Dallas first-round pick Demarcus Ware showcased his playmaking ability in the Cowboys' 18-10 win over Seattle Monday Night. He did an excellent job stripping the quarterback rather than trying to deliver the big hit when rushing the passer, and he made a good play on the ball when asked to drop into coverage. However, it's important to realize the pass he intercepted was underthrown and teams will look to isolate him in coverage once the regular season begins.

Although Ware has excellent athletic ability and good top-end speed, he lined up at defensive end at the collegiate level so he doesn't have a lot of experience dropping into coverage. That lack of experience makes him vulnerable to play action and effective double moves.

-Note to Ramsey-