Falcons QB Matt Ryan will start and play the first quarter against the Lions on Saturday night and each of the team’s other quarterbacks will play a quarter as well.
That rotation will help the Falcons sort out whether or not rookie John Parker Wilson can handle the third quarterback job, which would force Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley into a battle at number two.
Coach Mike Smith pointed to the players auditioning to replace Harry Douglas as the Falcons’ punt returner as something he’ll be watching closely on Saturday night.
Said Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez, “I’m not coming in here trying to catch 100 balls or save the day. I’m going to do the same thing I always do. When they call my number and call my play, I’m going to try to produce, and things will take care of themselves.” [Editor’s note: That approach worked well in Kansas City, where teams featuring Gonzalez won, um, zero playoff games.]
Monday night’s game with the Giants will be crucial to Matt Moore and Josh McCown as they battle for the Panthers’ backup quarterback job.
The more RB Jonathan Stewart sits with an injured Achilles, the more RB Mike Goodson gets a chance to impress the Panthers.
Panthers LB Dan Connor is excited to get back on the field after a torn ACL ended his rookie season following only three games.
Panthers DT Damione Lewis said that there’s no way other than hard work to replace DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu.
Saints QB Drew Brees played longer than expected in Friday’s preseason opener because the offense looked sloppy in the first quarter.
His return led to a touchdown pass to TE Jeremy Shockey, a long overdue connection after Shockey’s scoreless first season with the Saints.
The Saints defense forced two turnovers in the first quarter but neither resulted in any points.
Saints DE Charles Grant injured his left hamstring in the second quarter.
Said Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris of QB Luke McCown, “This is his time. We’ve told him, ‘Here’s your opportunity. You’re the starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let’s see if you can hold on to it.’”
McCown and Byron Leftwich will play 12-15 snaps each during the Buccaneers’ game with the Titans on Saturday night.
The Buccaneers won’t play RB Cadillac Williams until the third preseason game.
Seven years after succeeding John Lynch at safety, Jermaine Phillips will play his first game as a replacement for another Buccaneers defensive icon, LB Derrick Brooks.