Thursday, May 9, 2024

One thing we learned about every NFL team in Week 1 of 2023 preseason: Chiefs, Patriots have secret weapons

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rewrite this content material with complete duration and stay HTML tags The first complete week of 2023 NFL preseason is in the books. Some groups, just like the Bears and Saints, loved explosive debuts. Others, just like the Patriots and 49ers, discovered issues more difficult to return by means of. But all 32 can take one thing clear of the 1st around of exhibition motion. Here’s one thing we learned about every team in Week 1 of the preseason:Colt McCoy is almost certainly a secure wager to start out Week 1. There’d been some buzz about rookie Clayton Tune dealing with QB1 tasks for the rehabbing Kyler Murray, however he had a predictably asymmetric debut, while McCoy went 4 for 4 earlier than exiting to leisure. Don’t rule out feisty reserve David Blough as a dark-horse candidate for early-season snaps, too.The protection would possibly if truth be told be turning a nook. Primarily a sieve beneath Arthur Smith, the remodeled unit made performs at every point in opposition to the Dolphins. Ryan Nielsen’s access because the defensive coordinator is one thing to watch all over the 12 months.Tyler Huntley is the transparent No. 2 at QB. The native broadcast group talked up all-time journeyman Josh Johnson as a candidate to develop into Lamar Jackson’s most sensible backup, however Huntley stays the awesome athlete and QB even in a brand new device, discovering a forged rhythm running in opposition to the Eagles’ backups. Please take a look at the opt-in field to recognize that you just wish to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye fixed to your inbox. Sorry! There was once an error processing your subscription. There’s no purpose for fear with their offensive intensity. Against the Colts, Matt Barkley stood out as Josh Allen’s veteran backup, James Cook flashed his shiftiness along new sidekick Latavius Murray, and Andy Isabella stayed lively competing for a rotational position out vast. This team is primed for some other run.Bryce Young wishes reinforcements up entrance. The rookie QB did his section getting rid of the ball temporarily in opposition to the Jets’ go rush, however getting Austin Corbett wholesome would lend a hand shore issues up. They’ve were given just right workforce in Ikem Ekwonu, Bradley Bozeman, and many others., however they will want higher execution and intensity shifting ahead.Chicago BearsJustin Fields’ weapons are, certainly, higher. Of direction he nonetheless has to reinforce his decision-making over a complete season, however the younger QB wanted only some performs in opposition to the Titans to peer how a lot D.J. Moore may open up their offense. Khalil Herbert additionally seems able to emerge extra totally from David Montgomery’s shadow. Their offensive line intensity stays a priority. Joe Burrow’s entrance has gotten higher each and every 12 months, however Jackson Carman’s struggles at proper deal with in opposition to the Packers are a reminder of their lack of insurance coverage. Jonah Williams is ready to open the 12 months at RT, however expensive reserve La’el Collins remains to be improving from harm.Deshaun Watson may have a brand new backup. Joshua Dobbs has extra NFL enjoy, however rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been a celebrity of the preseason, excelling as a twin danger in two other video games. If he does not formally supplant Dobbs earlier than Week 1, you ponder whether Kevin Stefanski may incorporate him in different ways.They already have their RB2. Remember the entire communicate about an not going Ezekiel Elliott go back? Sixth-round rookie Deuce Vaughn made it transparent in his ultra-shifty debut that he is greater than succesful of complementing Tony Pollard in Dallas’ backfield. The Russell Wilson reclamation challenge remains to be in the works. It’s tricky to in point of fact assess his development integrating to Sean Payton’s device, however the longtime Seahawks celebrity was once from time to time slow and scattershot earlier than a overdue landing pressure vs. Arizona.It’s Teddy Bridgewater time (at the back of Jared Goff). Nate Sudfeld were given a lot of reinforce from Lions coaches this offseason, however after Detroit added Bridgewater as a extra skilled backup, Sudfeld threw two selections in a scoreless stretch in opposition to the Giants. It’d be an disappointed if Teddy does not open 2023 because the No. 2, despite the fact that he simply arrived.Green Bay PackersThe younger QB room generally is a lot higher than anticipated. Jordan Love was once all the time gonna input 2023 as a high-upside unknown, however he showcased elite contact on a TD go in opposition to the Bengals. Rookie reserve Sean Clifford was once much more unexpected, rebounding from two selections with athletic gunslinging in opposition to Cincinnati backups. Tank Dell might be their go-to weapon. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud struggled in restricted reps in opposition to the Patriots, however Dell’s electrical energy out vast will have to offset some of the fear. He simply provides probably the most juice of somebody at his place on Houston’s roster.Indianapolis ColtsThe Anthony Richardson curler coaster is showed. The Florida product entered as a uncooked passer with elite athletic characteristics, and that was once very obvious in opposition to the Bills, with the rookie QB slinging an unpleasant select but in addition appearing off an without difficulty robust arm.Nathan Rourke earned himself a task someplace. The former CFL QB had possibly the spotlight of the preseason, evading rushers to ship an implausible TD in opposition to the Cowboys. Whether in Jacksonville or in other places, he will indisputably to find paintings. It’s Richie James season. The former Giants wideout was once already an underrated addition to Kansas City’s shuffled WR corps. His good fortune downfield in opposition to the Saints proved he is were given the equipment to have a breakout along Patrick Mahomes in 2023.Josh McDaniels may have sneakily discovered his QB of the long run. OK, in order that’s untimely, however fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell was once almost very best working from the pocket in opposition to the 49ers, creating a case he already belongs as the highest reserve at the back of Jimmy Garoppolo. We know the Purdue product is not a danger to run, however he spun the ball well all recreation.Quentin Johnston is a piece in development. Continuing a reportedly up-and-down summer time, the first-rounder out of TCU scored but in addition dropped a couple of balls in opposition to the Rams. It would possibly take time for Justin Herbert to consider him as he does the opposite wideouts. Miami DolphinsTheir lack of QB insurance coverage is obtrusive. New backup Mike White failed again and again in the crimson zone in opposition to the Falcons, underscoring how a lot power the Dolphins are not directly striking on Tua Tagovailoa to each develop and keep wholesome in 2023.Jordan Addison is that dude relating to route-running. Impressive in camp, the rookie first-rounder displayed veteran-level footwork on a sideline catch that are meant to’ve been upheld. He’s primed for a hectic 12 months reverse Justin Jefferson.New England PatriotsThey will have to to find tactics to get Malik Cunningham at the box. The undrafted Louisville QB was once electrical at the flooring in opposition to the Texans, offering a welcome distinction to the extra scripted kinds of Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Whether or now not he if truth be told makes noise beneath middle in Bill O’Brien’s go back as offensive coordinator, the Pats want that sort of dynamism. New Orleans SaintsTheir offense might be dazzling if wholesome. The “if” is the important thing phrase. Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas have other availability issues, however Derek Carr slinging it to them in his Saints debut in opposition to Kansas City was once an attractive sight.New York GiantsThey nonetheless want go rushers. The G-Men added extra slot receivers than they may be able to rely this offseason, however what about lend a hand for Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux? The power off the brink was once missing in opposition to the Lions, and the intensity chart is not overly spectacular past the projected starters.New York JetsZach Wilson and Mekhi Becton seem to be settling in. The polarizing former first-rounders were given outstanding snaps in opposition to the Panthers and for probably the most section did their jobs, with Wilson controlling the ball and Becton upping his left-tackle tasks. They nonetheless challenge as reserves for 2023, however no less than the arrow is beginning to level up. Philadelphia EaglesTheir key offseason additions glance just right. New operating again D’Andre Swift confirmed off each shiftiness and gear in early snaps in opposition to the Ravens. And first-round select Jalen Carter wanted slightly any enjoying time to get after the opposing QB.The WRs are able to wreck out. George Pickens broke loose for a pleasing TD in opposition to the Buccaneers and already profiled as a candidate to make a large jump. But Calvin Austin additionally scored whilst appearing off deep pace. Throw in veterans Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson, and Kenny Pickett has the setup to do extra injury in the course of the air.San Francisco 49ersTrey Lance stays in purgatory. Starting in opposition to the Raiders, the previous first-rounder confirmed great improvisation at the back of an iffy line but in addition put the ball in hurt’s manner fairly somewhat, showing extra frenetic than Sam Darnold, his pageant at the back of Brock Purdy. With Purdy all however locked into the QB1 gig, it stays to observed what the long run has in retailer right here.…

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