Here we go, the start of the NFL preseason is underway. Games have began. Players are performing or underperforming. Here’s what I have my eyes on so far.
The Miami Dolphins
I can’t start off an NFL season without starting with my favorite team. The Dolphins are in a critical period right now. Are they just going to be a pretty team that win games against inferior competition in the regular season? Or, are they going to take it to the next level and start beating some good teams? Well two things will make the difference this season.
The first thing is how committed they are to running the ball. Cute teams pass the ball, a lot. Playoff teams establish the line of scrimmage and are able to run the ball between the tackles. Will Miami commit more to establishing a physical presence this season? I’m not convinced.
The second thing is the secondary. They will be playing with 2nd string cornerbacks after trading away Jalen Ramsey and experiencing two season ending injuries in practice to two potential starters. Will their secondary hold up with the cornerbacks they currently have on their roster? Those are my two biggest concerns and question marks. Let’s move on.
The Young QBs
As always, we all want to see what the Rookie and 2nd year QBs can do. Shedeur Sanders had a nice start to his Cleveland career with a solid 1st preseason game. Will it be enough to hold off the injured QBs on the roster and eventually replace Joe Flacco as the starter? Time will tell.
What about Chicago’s Caleb Williams? Can Ben Johnson help him develop into a dynamic starting QB? Will Cam Ward have the support he needs in Tennessee? He won’t even be challenged for the starting role after Will Levis bowed out for the season with an injury. What about Richardson for the Colts? He just might be an injury prone QB that can’t quite cut it. Let’s not forget that J.J. McCarthy is taking over a Vikings team that won 14 games last season. Will he be able to take over the offense and lead this team to the playoffs again? That won’t be an easy task.
There’s plenty of more questions for young QBs but these are the ones that stick out for me so far. I can’t wait to see what the year brings for all of these signal callers.
Familiar Faces, New Addresses
Speaking of quarterbacks, I wonder how a few of the recycled QBs will fare this season. First and foremost, Justin Fields gets another opportunity to prove he’s a starting QB. That New York media is awfully tough though. Good luck with the Jets, Fields.
I can’t believe Geno Smith will be starting for the Raiders. Who else do they have over there? Pete Carroll will try to work up some magic one more time. I’m not sure if it’s possible this time around. Again, good luck.
And then there’s Russell Wilson playing for the New York Giants. Most fans are saying he’s just a placeholder until Jaxson Dart is ready to start. I’m in the same boat. Rock on while you can Russell.
The Hall Call
The Hall of Fame is great honor. Speaking of, when Sterling Sharpe played, I thought he was one of the top 3 WRs in the game. There was him, Michael Irving and of course Jerry Rice. But Sterling’s career was cut short so he didnt have the numbers that most Hall of Fame WRs have. The man finally made it in the Hall though. However, if you look at his numbers you will have to wonder, will every WR that has four or more 1,000 yard seasons and 50 or more TDs get in? I don’t want to rain on Sterling’s parade but there will be a lot of WRs that will have a case to get in based on numbers alone. That’s just my thoughts on the matter (and a couple more people I know think like that too).
I will wrap this one up on that. We’ll have plenty more to talk about soon. The season is around the corner yall! Let’s go!