Patriots RB Sammy Morris got the start to keep it even (Laurence Maroney and Fred Taylor started the prior two games). Neither one of them is the anointed ?starter? as New England?s philosophy is that it doesn?t matter who it is so long as they win. Fantasy owners adore that type of situation as much as paying ballpark prices for beer. However, given the lack of rushing yards from Morris, I?d expect him to be the starting Fullback this season, NOT the starting Running back? While TE Alge Crumpler started once again, the star was Rob Gronkowski for another week. Not sure what the Pats will do here but Gronkowski is definitely the one who?s produced thus far. Knowing Coach Bill Belichick, he may ?red shirt? the rookie and start him next year? WR?s Randy Moss and Wes Welker started, but the entire first team offense was out of synch. Welker?s Karate Kid ?Miagi-like? healing powers have put him back into the starting lineup where he will stay? One important thing to note, the Patriots special teams looks far improved. Brandon Tate returned the opening kickoff for a TD and his other returns were one block away from being returned as well. Tate is definitely a threat to return any kick to the house and I?m sure we will hear Tate?s name called throughout the season on Sunday evening highlight shows. Rookie P Zoltan Mesko pinned down the Rams deep in their own territory a couple times (his specialty) but is unable to punt the ball for distance? The Patriots defense is no longer a squad in transition. The myriad of mid-round picks from 2009 all have their roles, but the fact that the lowly Rams were able to drive on this team raises levels of concern. Rams QB Sam Bradford started this game and looked amazing and not just for a rookie. There weren?t many downfield passes in this game, but Bradford connected with multiple high percentage plays that moved the chains consistently. He connected on one downfield pass to WR Donnie Avery that subsequently injured the receiver and ending his season. Speedy WR Danny Amendola looked to be the favorite target of Bradford. What I like about this gameplan is that the Rams aren?t imposing a ?system? or offensive philosophy on the rookie, they?re playing to HIS strength? Rookie TE Michael Hoomamawanui had a couple nice grabs (one of them a sweet one-handed snag in traffic) in this game and could definitely raise his stock on the depth chart? RB Steven Jackson started and looked strong for two series before being pulled? WR Laurent Robinson (now the #1 WR option) might as well be playing for the opposing team this season as he drops more than a leaky faucet? Overall, the Rams (yes the Rams) looked in synch and played well against a pretty good New England defense. Colts WR Pierre Garcon finally started in a preseason game and looked good. Anthony Gonzalez had been starting in his place, but given the fact that it took 22 seconds for Peyton Manning to connect with Garcon on a 18 yard TD pass to open the game, I can?t see Gonzalez being anything but a backup? RB Jospeh Addai started again and looked great. Given Addai?s performance, Donald Brown should be relegated to the dreaded ?change-of-pace? tailback? Manning did all he could to out-duel QB Aaron Rodgers and played well even with the new Umpire rule hindering him. Right now, Rodgers is the better quarterback even if Peyton has an edge on good television commercials? Reggie Wayne is clearly Manning?s favorite target, but that could only be because TE Dallas Clark has not played this preseason? The Colts defense is returning seven starters, but they were carved up by the Packers offense. This is the second game in a row where the defense was drug up and down the field? Packers Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense looks to be in legendary status as they scored AT WILL in this game against the Colts. In my opinion, NOTHING will stop this offense this season except themselves. The Packers defense will determine how far this team goes this season and in this game they played as well as a defense could against a very good Colts offense? RB Ryan Grant ran well in this game which is a good sign seeing that the Packers were limited last season due to a poor offensive line? WR James Jones started and played well for a resting WR Greg Jennings? TE Jermichael Finley once again caught a TD pass and I?d expect him to have a HUGE season- I?ll even say he will lead all TE?s in TD receptions this season. Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles started and fumbled away the opening play. In a fight for more playing time, Charles can ill afford any miscues. That being said, the Chiefs committed to Charles in this game and he was most productive when he ran outside the tackles and as a check down in the passing game. Thomas Jones first entered the game in the fourth offensive series and looked good. With Jones starting the first two preseason games and playing well, starting Charles in this game is a bit of a curveball from Head Coach Todd Haley. Charles is obviously the more explosive of the two but Jones has had better production as a starter. This situation could change throughout the season but don?t expect rookie RB Dexter Mccluster to be a part of this equation. The rookie looked lost once again and appeared to be impatient with his blocks setting up for him? QB Matt Cassel and the Chiefs offense were more out of rhythm than a middle school marching band. They looked so bad they made a flee-flicker look ugly. However, once Cassel started hooking up with WR Dwayne Bowe on the fourth series, the offense finally began to show a heartbeat. Bowe is far and away the only receiving threat for KC that?s not in the backfield and the primary target as well? Rookie S Eric Berry showed flashes of greatness in this game almost intercepting an ill-advised throw from QB Kevin Kolb? Overall, the Chiefs pass rush looked improved getting to Kolb on a more consistent basis. Eagles WR DeSean Jackson started and played well before getting injured. Jeremy Maclin also started and was targeted often but was unable to connect on the majority of the targets because he dropped everything? RB LeSean McCoy started again and looked great scoring an 18 yard TD run on the second play of their first series. McCoy will be the workhorse at tailback and demonstrated his versatility in this game catching a few passes as well. After the opening drive, RB Mike Bell substituted for Mccoy on the second series but nothing he did would suggest anything other than a backup role or short yardage plays? QB Kevin Kolb started and played decently, but the Eagles still insist on pursuing the Michael Vick project, inserting him into a handful of offensive plays. I can?t see the Eagles winning a game if he were to start, nor do I believe he will still be with the team in 2011. Overall, Kolb showed good pocket awareness, as well as the ability to make strong and accurate throws. However, consistency is what Kolb needs to demonstrate and I?d expect a learning curve for him this year? The Eagles defense completely shut down an inept Chiefs offense forcing two turnovers out of the first three series. This is a good sign for a defense that has a restructured linebacking corp.? Falcons In a very dull football game, all projected opening day starters started this game for the Falcons. QB Matt Ryan targeted TE Tony Gonzalez early and often but most were unsuccessful. Gonzalez appears to be the prime target in this passing game? RB Michael Turner ran very effectively on first down and looks like he will return to 2008-form. Turner did fumble on a carry in the second quarter but that shouldn?t be a pattern we expect from him? WR Roddy White caught a TD pass on the second series in one-on-one coverage. White appears to be the second most targeted receiver in this offense and the deep threat as well? As I watched this game, I couldn?t help but to notice how similar the two teams (Miami and Atlanta) are. Both want to establish the running game and both have young quarterbacks with an elite receiver. That being said, Atlanta is definitely the more explosive of the two even if they didn?t fully demonstrate that in this game? Atlanta?s defense played well against a decent Miami offense only allowing three points in the first half? K Matt Bryant has locked down the kicking duties drilling a 16 yard FG before the end of the half. Dolphins WR Brian Hartline once again started and had a decent game as the second option in the receiving corp. ? RB Ronnie Brown started with Ricky Williams coming in for Wildcat formations and as a backup, which is no surprise here. In preseason games, players in platoon situations will generally alternate series to get reps with the 1st team offenses, but I honestly believe that Miami may actually alternate Brown and Williams in the same fashion during the regular season? WR Brandon Marshall was targeted often and his production could push Miami to get away from the run-heavy offense that they have traditionally incorporated? TE Anthony Fasano was targeted in the red zone once again? WR Davonne Bess appears to not only have locked up the slot receiver position on offense but the return game as well. That being said, Bess wasn?t able to do much with his returns on special teams? Miami?s front seven is a very young group but played well against a decent offense in Atlanta. If Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan reproduces what he did with Denver, this young group could keep them in contention in close games. VIKINGS QB Brett Favre decided he?d play in this game and the Vikings? offense is a hundred times better with him at the helm. Favre had a good game overall even if he had three turnovers (one was WR Bernard Berrian?s fault when he bobbled a pass)? TE Visanthae Shiancoe finally made an appearance offensively this preseason with a couple receptions. Shiancoe is a favorite target for QB Brett Favre so with Favre as the starter, Shiancoe becomes a decent threat offensively? With WR Sidney Rice out for the majority of the season, Percy Harvin (preseason debut-migraines), Bernard Berrian and recently acquired Greg Camarillo started in this game. Harvin had a good game whereas Berrian looked terrible. Berrian missed a block on a bubble screen, dropped multiple passes, and bobbled a pass that resulted in a pick six. Newly acquired WR Javon Walker got some reps with the first team but didn?t see many legitimate targets? Safety position is still very much up for grabs with Minnesota?s defense? KR Darrius Reynaud returned a kickoff for 80 yards and has supplanted himself as the team?s return man over Harvin, who Minnesota will likely reserve for offensive duties. Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck started without his starting rookie RT, Russel Okung, who is out with a right ankle injury. Hasselbeck and the Seattle offense once again looked lost. If there was a bright spot on offense it was WR TJ Hoshmandzadeh catching a few passes? RB Leon Washington got the start at running back in this game and played decently. Julius Jones came in at the second quarter but was again ineffective running the ball. Justin Forsett got a limited amount of carries but was unable to generate anything either. The muddled RB situation for Seattle is hard to figure out and I?d expect it to change throughout the year but Washington appears to be the starter for now? WR Mike Williams played with the 1st team on a few snaps but didn?t get many targets mostly due to the offense being out of synch. Deion Branch, who Williams is competing with for the starting job, caught a wide open pass for 30+ yards on the third offensive series. Williams has looked better than Branch overall this preseason but it?s hard to say what Head Coach Pete Carroll will do here ? Rookie S Earl Thomas returned an interception for a touchdown and played very well overall. Ravens Joe Flacco looked great spreading the ball around to Anquan Boldin, Todd Heap and Derrick Mason. Heap had a fabulous game and looks to be one of the main targets in this potent offense. Mason was targeted multiple times in the red zone. RB Ray Rice dazzled in this game on screen plays and pure runs. To be honest, I can?t find a flaw on this offense and I think they might become one of the elite offenses in the league? Donte Stallworth broke his foot in this game, meaning Mark Clayton will assume the 3rd WR spot on this team for the first few weeks of the season. Although Stallworth is a good talent, his production this preseason (including this game) hasn?t justified him assuming the starting slot receiver role when he returns? NOBODY can run inside on this defensive front but sweeps and off tackle are both another story. GIANTS WR Hakeem Nicks is the starting wideout alongside Steve Smith and both played decently? Mario Manningham has taken the punt return duties for the Giants but failed to flash anything in this game? Eli Manning returned from his head injury he suffered in the first preseason game but played average at best. Perhaps it?s the oversized Darth Vader helmet he?s wearing that makes him look like a bobblehead. Smith is Manning?s favorite target by far? RB Ahmad Bradshaw got the start in what I foresee as him taking the starting job permanently after his performance against a TOUGH Ravens run defense. His elusiveness and ability to break tackles was on full display in this game. Bradshaw is a stud. Brandon Jacobs came in for a few plays and had a nice run outside for 30 yards. Titans If you enjoy offensive ineptitude, than the Panthers vs. the Titans was YOUR game? QB Vince Young started but played uninspired football? Chris Johnson ran a few plays and demonstrated why he?s a scoring threat on every play. That being said, his effort in this game squashed his claims that he will run for 2,500 yards this season. If I were to take a guess from what I?ve seen, I?d say closer to 1,500 yards? TE Craig Stevens started and was targeted often in the Titans short passing attack? WR Lavelle Hawkins got the start after a good game the week prior, but had an average game here as the offense struggled overall. WR Kenny Britt started as well but didn?t receive many targets (although on one target he didn?t tap his feet inbounds costing the Titans a first down)? Panthers QB Matt Moore started and was unable to lead his offense to a first down conversion. I wouldn?t expect much of anything from the Panthers? passing game this season and if that comes to fruition, we may see rookie Jimmy Clausen sooner than we think? RB DeAngelo Williams started but the running lanes just weren?t there for him? WR Dwayne Jarrett got the start at wideout as Carolina continues their search for someone to play alongside Steve Smith. However, Jarrett failed to show anything in this game and I?d be surprised, if not for depth issues, if they actually keep him on the roster. WR Brandon Lafell played as well and, although he dropped a pass, he made a tough catch on a two minute drive before the half? TE Dante Rosario got the start and had a couple nice grabs, but the Panthers intend to employ a rotation between Rosario and Jeff King during the regular season? The Panthers defense is definitely one of their few strengths (RB being the other) and it kept them in the game shutting down Titans dynamo back Chris Johnson. Second year DE Everette Brown looks poised for a breakout year and had a sack in this game. Bears WR?s Johnny Knox and Devin Hester started in this game and played decently. Knox is definitely the prime target in this offense followed by the Hester or WR Devin Aromoshodu in three wide receiver sets. Aromoshodu is the starting slot receiver if they don?t line up TE Greg Olsen in the slot? QB Jay Cutler and the offense moved the ball well overall just not with consistency. Breakdowns in pass protection, bone-headed interceptions from Cutler, and/or receivers not getting open stalled every drive? RB Matt Forte couldn?t find any running lanes behind this feather-pillow offensive line. After Forte was stuffed for the first two series, Chester Taylor came in and surprisingly broke a big 30 yard run. However, the norm set back in and he was stuffed by the defense thereafter. The Bears flat-out can?t run the ball? The Bears defense was without starting S Craig Steltz as well as LB Brian Urlacher. That being said, I?m not sure if they?d make that much of a difference? K Robbie Gould?s play shouldn?t make you guess on the pronunciation of his name because it certainly was not gold (two missed FG?s). Cardinals QB Derek Anderson got the start in this game, which unofficially ends the fight for the starting quarterback job with Matt Leinart. That is, until the Cardinals stop winning and/or Anderson plays terribly but it would have to be pretty bad for Head Coach Ken Wisenhunt to pull that trigger. It?s not as though Anderson played any better than Leinart in this game, but when I watched Anderson run the offense, it just seemed smoother (Never thought I?d say that about Anderson!) Oh how the mighty Trojan has fallen? TE Stephen Spach started and was targeted a handful of times and played decently? RB Tim Hightower started and played very well. If this game is any indication, Hightower is the starter here with Beanie Wells as the backup (the two split series). I still believe that both will split time in the regular season but not as much in Wells? favor as I?d expect for a recent 1st round pick. The reason I believe that is due to his production ? especially in this game as he dropped easy passes and fumbled away the ball on a good looking drive? WR?s Steve Breaston and Early Doucet started (Larry Fitzgerald out for the preseason) and played ?ok?. Steve Williams probably earned himself a roster spot with his performance in this game. Redskins QB Rex Grossman started for an injured Donovan McNabb? RB Willie Parker played in this game but was unable to run with purpose. Given Ryan Torrain?s play in this game, I?d be surprised if the Redskins keep Parker on their team. That being said, Clinton Portis should be the starter opening day, but who knows with Head Coach Mike Shanahan. All RB?s played in this game at various times giving no real indication. Portis and Torrain have looked the best out of the four? WR Santana Moss played well in this game making it three games in a row. With McNabb at the helm, I?d expect a big season from him? WR Anthony Armstrong failed to continue his excellent preseason in this game. I?d still expect him to make the team but he may have to keep fighting to climb up the depth chart before he can make an impact on this team? The defense played with decent effectiveness, but I?d attribute the Jets? inability to find their rhythm the reason for the lack of scoring. Still, this defense should be solid this year if this game is any indication. Jets QB Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense looked miserable in this game. The Jets just lack precision in their offense and I believe it has everything to do with Sanchez?s development as a quarterback. On one drive, Sanchez showed his age when DB DeAngelo Hall baited him into throwing an interception? The running game and RB LaDainian Tomlinson was the only bright spot on this offense as Tomlinson flashed the LT of old. Whatever step he may have ?lost?, I?d say the Jets got a bargain because he packed that step and took it with him on his trip to New York. RB Shonne Greene looked strong in this game as well? WR Braylon Edwards certainly appears to be the main target in this passing game and I don?t know if Santonio Holmes returning from a suspension during the middle of the regular season will change that? CB Antonio Cromartie?s excellent play is probably throwing a monkey wrench into DB Darelle Revis? negotiations. Saints QB Drew Brees and the Saints offense looked just as good as last year. To quote the great comic Stan Lee, ?Nuff Said!?? RB Pierre Thomas started and played pretty well. Reggie Bush came in for quite a few plays, which took away from Thomas? reps. This has been the norm for the preseason which leads me to believe that this will continue into the regular season? WR Marques Colston is the primary target on this offense when they?re not running screen plays or short passes to their talented running backs. WR Devery Henderson caught a deep bomb for a TD on their second drive and WR Robert Meacham was targeted on a bomb and caught a TD pass as well? The guy who will never have to pay for a drink in New Orleans, K Garrett Heartley, is the starting kicker for this team (if anyone needed to know that) and kicked well in this game? CB Jabari Greer played a great game almost intercepting a pass and defended WR Malcom Floyd well. This is important because the Saints will be defending the pass quite a bit this year if the offense continues at the pace they demonstrated in this game. Chargers QB Phillip Rivers and the Chargers offense looked great in this game? TE Antonio Gates is once again the primary target on this offense and looks poised for perhaps the biggest year of his career? The pair of WR?s, Legedu Nanee and Malcom Floyd, started and looked awesome. I don?t think that?s all just because of Rivers either? RB Ryan Matthews is the real deal and my pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year. In a strange occurrence, FB Jacob Hester got the goal line carry on the opening drive. Not sure if that?s going to be the norm but interesting to note? Flat out, this offense doesn?t need WR Vincent Jackson as they will have a top 5 offense this season regardless? The Chargers defense got torn apart by the Saints offense, but I expect that will happen to every defense this year anyways. 49ers RB Frank Gore finally played in a preseason game and it was more of last year in this game: stopped at the line for most running plays with one big 50 yard run. If the Niners expect to take the NFC West, the running game MUST improve? WR Josh Morgan started and looked great for a change? S Reggie Smith got caught on some bad fundamentals in man-to-man coverage and got burned for a long TD pass. There is still a contest there so that didn?t bode well for him. Overall, the defense played well and got pressure on the quarterback in this game. Raiders QB Jason Campbell started and looked average, which is the norm for him. What surprised me was how the team responded to Bruce Gradkowski. They played better with him running the offense than Campbell. There isn?t a QB controversy in Oakland, but if they start off slow, who knows? I?ll admit I doubt that scenario will happen, because I think the Raiders will finish second in their division? RB Michael Bush looked like a beast up until he broke his thumb? WR Louis Murphy is the best receiver the Raiders have and I?d be completely shocked if he doesn?t have a breakout year now that someone can actually throw the ball in Oakland. Cowboys QB Tony Romo wasn?t able to generate any offense but in no fault of his own. His offensive line simply didn?t show up in this game and his receivers sure didn?t lend a hand either? RB Marion Barber started in this game, but he just isn?t the fast power back he used to be. Felix Jones played on some series and if he could learn to block on passing plays as well as Barber can, he?d be THE guy in my opinion. He?s just too explosive and proved that when they used him on quick screens and draw plays? TE Jason Witten was targeted often in this game and given how much the ?Boys are struggling on offense, he could be setup for a big year as a safety valve? The only reason WR Roy Williams is still with Dallas is due to the injury to rookie WR Dez Bryant. Once again, Williams couldn?t get open and if he did (usually zone coverage) he?d drop more balls then he actually caught. One solid game in the regular season from the rookie Bryant and Williams will be cut? The defense looked strong against a very good Texans offense. Tough, tough schedule but from the way they looked, they could still be pretty good but only as good as the offense. Texans QB Matt Schaub played great against a good Dallas defense? RB Arian Foster is the clear cut starter on this team and played well. Then again, any running back would play well on this team so long as they don?t fumble? WR Andre Johnson was targeted often and is the primary focus of this passing game for good reason. Jacoby Jones had a great game receiving in this game. Too bad they don?t run three WR sets every down? The Texans defense played inspired football and were sideline to sideline, balls out. If the defense plays with that passion every game this season, they?ll win their division. Jaguars I?d rather help a friend move from a fifth floor apartment with no elevator then watch the Jaguars play. QB David Garrard played as average as average can get? Speedy WR Mike Thomas is the starting receiver alongside Mike Sims-Walker and both had a decent game. Sims-Walker is a great talent and demonstrated it in this game but it?s too bad he?s part of a mediocre offense? RB Rashard Jennings started for a banged up Maurice Jones-Drew, but that?s inconsequential to the regular season. Jennings couldn?t get anything going on the ground whereas his backup, Montel Owens, looked decent. Interesting thing is that Owens is listed as a fullback but they ran him like a tailback. Either way, I seriously doubt whoever is at RB for Jacksonville will be able to run the ball very well this season. Furthermore, I have a strong feeling that Jax will be playing from behind a lot? TE Mercedes Lewis was targeted often in the passing game early on? The defense did a poor job given that they gave up ten points to the Bucs- who were without their starting QB- in the first half. Buccaneers After watching this game, the Bucs made me believe that they?ll be better this year. QB Josh Johnson started for QB Josh Freeman who is out with a broken thumb and played as well as a backup? Rookie WR Mike Williams is the REAL DEAL. We will be hearing this guy?s name often this year and don?t be surprised if he?s a contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Sammie Stroughter started along side Williams, but they?d prefer to have him as the slot receiver. Reggie Brown didn?t play well in this game and neither did Michael Spurlock, so I assume it?s WR Maurice Stovall?s job? TE Kellen Winslow started his first preseason game and was targeted once before he was pulled out of the game. Hard to say if he will be a factor this year but if you base production on past history; my guess would be an emphatic NO? RB Cadillac Williams started but wasn?t able to gain many yards behind the poor effort of his offensive line? Conor Barth has won the kicking duties and may get quite a few opportunities as this offense may surprise some people? DT Gerald Mccoy had a fantastic game imploding the pocket and stuffing running lanes on almost every play. S Sean Jones is another new playmaker on this defense. Call me crazy but don?t sleep on this defense this year. Browns QB Jake Delhomme played very well and led the Browns on a few scoring drives, doing a great job of getting the ball to different receivers ? WR Mohamed Massaquoi started this game but didn?t play very long. He?s listed at the top of the depth chart but given the play of Brian Robiskie, he has to continue playing well. Same goes for Chansi Stuckey? TE Ben Watson started and played decently enough for me to believe that he has taken the starting job for now. Second year TE Evan Moore had another good game. Thus, I wouldn?t be surprised if they try and work him in this year as well? RB Jerome Harrison started, ran well, and more importantly did NOT fumble the ball. However, Peyton Hillis also came in for a number of snaps and the way he played last week and even now, this very well could be a timeshare situation now. Lions QB Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense looked awesome. It only took them three plays to score a touchdown on their opening drive. This team has turned things around quickly, but it?s unfortunate they play in such a tough division? RB Jahvid Best carried the ball one time for over 50 yards. This guy is amazing and will be the next Chris Johnson? The WR Johnson?s, Calvin and Bryant, both played very well. Nate Burleson is still the #2 receiver on the depth chart but was pretty quiet in this game. Former starter, RB Kevin Smith, didn?t do himself any favors to compete for playing time by fumbling his first carry of the game? The Lions defense, after allowing the Browns to drive down the field for a FG on the opening drive, was able to apply pressure on the quarterback consistently. Rookie DT Ndamkong Suh was the primary reason for the pressure as he is every bit as good as the experts predicted. I can?t believe I?m going to say this but- the Lions defense will shock some people this year.