Thursday Previews.

[Greenbacks]

Round 2 for Dolphins' Jay Cutler among things to watch vs. Eagles.

It’s been an eventful week for the Miami Dolphins in the “City of Brotherly Love.” In addition to a pair of joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, both teams face off in the third and most important preseason game Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Miami has several things to sort out before the regular season, and the game should provide answers.
Here are some things to watch from the Dolphins’ perspective:

Round 2 of Jay Cutler
It has been 19 days since Miami signed Cutler to a one-year, $10 million contract to replace injured starter Ryan Tannehill, who is out of the year with a left knee injury. The time is now for the Dolphins to ramp up the reps for Cutler in the third preseason game. Cutler took 12 snaps in two series during his Dolphins debut against the Baltimore Ravens. Cutler showed flashes during that small sample size, going 3-of-6 passing for 24 yards, but certainly not enough to prove the offense is regular-season ready. This might be the last time you see Cutler during the preseason. Therefore, expect at least a half of work for Cutler and the first-team offense.

Mike Pouncey’s preseason debut
Pouncey will reach an important landmark Thursday by getting game reps against the Eagles. The initial timeline was to have Pouncey ready for the regular season on Sept. 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he’s done very well in rehab from his surgically-repaired hip and is weeks ahead of that initial schedule. Pouncey and Cutler have worked together in practice on their communication and center-to-quarterback exchanges, but it will be good for both to work during live game action. Pouncey one of the best centers in the AFC and can be a difference-maker on the offensive line when healthy. It is also possible starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James will play, which will give Cutler and Miami’s offense a preview of what the offensive line looks like when healthy. This could be the only time the Dolphins’ starting offensive line plays together in the preseason.

Picture gets clearer at left guard
It’s been an eventful week for the Miami Dolphins in the “City of Brotherly Love.” In addition to a pair of joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, both teams face off in the third and most important preseason game Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Miami has several things to sort out before the regular season, and the game should provide answers.
Here are some things to watch from the Dolphins’ perspective:

Round 2 of Jay Cutler
It has been 19 days since Miami signed Cutler to a one-year, $10 million contract to replace injured starter Ryan Tannehill, who is out of the year with a left knee injury. The time is now for the Dolphins to ramp up the reps for Cutler in the third preseason game. Cutler took 12 snaps in two series during his Dolphins debut against the Baltimore Ravens. Cutler showed flashes during that small sample size, going 3-of-6 passing for 24 yards, but certainly not enough to prove the offense is regular-season ready. This might be the last time you see Cutler during the preseason. Therefore, expect at least a half of work for Cutler and the first-team offense.

Mike Pouncey’s preseason debut
Pouncey will reach an important landmark Thursday by getting game reps against the Eagles. The initial timeline was to have Pouncey ready for the regular season on Sept. 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he’s done very well in rehab from his surgically-repaired hip and is weeks ahead of that initial schedule. Pouncey and Cutler have worked together in practice on their communication and center-to-quarterback exchanges, but it will be good for both to work during live game action. Pouncey one of the best centers in the AFC and can be a difference-maker on the offensive line when healthy. It is also possible starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James will play, which will give Cutler and Miami’s offense a preview of what the offensive line looks like when healthy. This could be the only time the Dolphins’ starting offensive line plays together in the preseason.

Picture gets clearer at left guard
Hull is the favorite to replace injured middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan (knee) in Week 1. But the Dolphins brought in competition last week by signing veteran middle linebacker Rey Maualuga. However, Maualuga is not game-ready and will not play Thursday, which offers an opportunity for Hull to create separation in the race to become a starter. Hull has been solid in the preseason. He recorded five tackles, a tackle for loss and pass defensed against the Ravens and could earn more confidence with the coaching staff with another good game against Philadelphia. Maualuga is more proven, but still has ground to make up.

 

[Greenbacks]

Carson Wentz wants Eagles' offense 'sharp' vs. Dolphins.


PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles host the Miami Dolphins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET). Here's what we'll be watching:

• Quarterback Carson Wentz wants the offense to look "sharp." That's the term he kept coming back to earlier this week when discussing the game.
"We've kind of been all over the place offensively in the first two preseason games, and now we've had the chance to actually game plan for these guys," Wentz said following joint practice with the Dolphins. "The plan is to just go out and execute and be sharp."
He and the first team are expected to be on the field for about a half. That will give them time to sync up after some uneven play during their limited snaps in the first two preseason games. The offensive line -- missing left tackle Jason Peters last week and guard Brandon Brooks in the Aug. 10 opener against the Green Bay Packers -- has been leaky, and the Eagles have failed to establish any rhythm in the ground game. The first unit scored a touchdown in its cameo against Green Bay but had three points last week against the Buffalo Bills, and that field goal was set up by a Mychal Kendricks interception deep in Buffalo territory.
Wentz pointed to third-down efficiency as one area in need of improvement. The Eagles were 2-for-12 on third down against Buffalo.
Wentz got his first taste of game action with receiver Alshon Jeffery last week. There were a couple hiccups to start, but they hooked up for a pair of receptions on their fourth and final series. The chemistry seemed to be improved during the joint practices with Miami. Thursday will be their last chance to build it up in a live setting before the Sept. 10 season opener at the Washington Redskins.

• Rookie defensive end Derek Barnett got some snaps with the first-team defense this week and could get in the mix Thursday night. His star is on the rise. The first-round pick out of Tennessee has three sacks and three tackles for loss through two preseason games. Projected starter Vinny Curry, meanwhile, has not yet shown up on the stat sheet. Defensive line coach Chris Wilson cautioned against reading into preseason numbers and said it's too early to talk about Barnett as a potential starter, but defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz seems bullish on Barnett.
"He's certainly playing well, and the greatest reward is the opportunity to do more," said Schwartz, noting that the official title of "starter" isn't terribly important in his system since the Eagles rotate so many D-line players in. "And we're really, really pleased with where he is right now and also where he's going. Yeah, we'll let it play out. We've still got a little bit of time, but he's certainly put himself in that conversation."
Thursday is not an insignificant moment for Barnett and those who are competing against him for playing time.
There has been plenty of speculation this week surrounding running back LeGarrette Blount. Coach Doug Pederson pushed back against the notion Blount was on the roster bubble, saying he was going to be a "big part" of the offense. The 30-year-old veteran could calm some nerves with a strong performance against the Dolphins. He has 17 yards on nine carries to this point in the preseason and hasn't looked particularly explosive this summer. The regular season is what counts, but no one would complain if he kicked it up a gear Thursday.
Wendell Smallwood is a name to watch in the backfield competition. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury and has had some availability issues during his short time in the pros, but the second-year back out of West Virginia has looked powerful and quick during training camp when healthy and is in position to eat up some snaps, particularly if Blount is not producing at a good clip. Smallwood is set to make his preseason debut against Miami.

• Keep an eye on wide receivers Shelton Gibson, Greg Ward and Bryce Treggs as they fight for a spot on the roster. ... Donnel Pumphrey could use a strong showing to secure the fourth running-back slot, and the same could be said for fellow rookie Corey Clement. ... Two DEs are trying to make a push for the 53-man roster: Alex McCalister and Steven Means.

 

[Greenbacks]

 

[Greenbacks]

 

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[Greenbacks]

Panthers excited to get their leader Cam Newton back on the field.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton was face down on the grass as a trainer stretched his back, legs and arms, a normal part of his daily routine before practice and games.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback bobbed his head – and much of the rest of his body -- to keep up with the beat of the warmup music. And he did it so hard on this day that it made the trainer’s job more difficult than usual.
This was Monday morning, and the 2015 NFL MVP obviously was excited.
For the first time in weeks he and his surgically-repaired shoulder were going to be turned loose in team drills. For the first time in weeks, he was going to throw to receivers running routes of longer than 15 yards.
For the first time since last season, he was preparing for a game.
Newton will start Thursday night's preseason game at Jacksonville, his first snaps in live competition since the Panthers lost their 2016 finale at Tampa Bay to complete a 6-10 season.
His presence on the field will bring comfort to those that had their finger on the panic button the past three weeks as Newton spent more time throwing to trainers than his receivers.
This will let those who wondered if Newton truly would be ready for the Sept. 10 opener at San Francisco know sthe sky isn’t falling.
The Panthers did the right thing by bringing their franchise quarterback back slowly from offseason surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. Now it’s time for everyone to see what Newton can do with all the new toys the organization surrounded him with during the offseason.
Nobody is more excited than Newton.
“Cam loves football, man,” wide receiver Russell Shepard said. “Regardless if it’s practice, Thursday night [preseason], anytime he can go out and lead this team and show his talent and play the game which changed not only his life, but his family life …
“One thing I’ve learned in my short time with him is he loves football. He’s going to be happy.”
Coach Ron Rivera will be happy to have Newton standing next to him for a preseason game in a uniform and not sweats. He is as excited as anyone to see what the offense can be with No. 1 and his new weapons.
“I am excited because it will be an opportunity to see him with all the different type of players we brought in, the playmakers we thought we had,” Rivera said. “It should be fun.”
Rivera will be even more excited if Newton doesn’t experience soreness or fatigue in the shoulder after the game so he can start preparing for the opener.
Evolving the offense to depend less on Newton as a runner and more on other playmakers has been the focus of the offseason. Newton has kept himself mentally involved even though he hasn’t been able to consistently throw in practice.
It’s all been part of a plan not to rush Newton back and cause a setback.
So far, so good.
“He does a really good job going from film room to the field,” Shepard said. “He hasn’t been on the field as much as he has previous years, but he’s been overtime in the film room and meeting room with us.”
Thursday night will give Newton an opportunity to dust off the rustiness he experienced on Monday in team drills. He already showed signs of recapturing his timing and decision-making on Tuesday.
“I really am confident this group will come together,” Rivera said. “The sooner they all get out there and work together, the quicker we’ll know.”
Rivera believes this offense can return to the dominance it showed in 2015 when the Panthers led the league in scoring (31.3 points per game). The addition of first-round and second-round picks Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel will help.
McCaffrey, the No. 8 pick out of Stanford, has shown an ability to make plays as a running back and receiver. He had a 17-yard touchdown run and 38-yard reception on a screen pass in Saturday’s preseason loss at Tennessee.
Samuel, a wide receiver out of Ohio State, has been recovering from a hamstring injury and, like Newton, could see his first preseason action on Thursday. Like McCaffrey, Samuel has the speed and wow factor that adds another dimension to the offense that already had playmakers in Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, wide receiver Devin Funchess and running back Jonathan Stewart.
But getting Newton on track from a disastrous 2016 season that statistically was his worst will be key.
Thursday's game is another step.
“It’ll be nice to get our full squad,” Olsen said. “Start putting some ideas out there that we’re going to do as we move forward.”
Shepard in particular can’t wait to get in a game with Newton, the first pick of the 2011 draft. He is a big reason Shepard left Tampa Bay in free agency to come to Carolina.
“It’s a team sport, but certain players bring an element to the game which can’t be replaced,” Shepard said. “He’s one of those guys. His energy, his style of play, his playmaking ability both with his legs and his arm, it does wonders for this team.
“We look forward to having our leader back out there.

 

[Greenbacks]

Chad Henne picked to start Jags' next preseason game over Blake Bortles.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Quarterback Chad Henne has been named the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars' preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, a move that puts Blake Bortles' future with the team in question.
Coach Doug Marrone made the announcement Wednesday evening after Henne and Bortles split reps with the first team over the past five practices. Marrone decided to have the two compete for the starting job after another lackluster performance by Bortles in last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Marrone also announced that Bortles will get first-ream reps against the Panthers. Marrone will address the quarterback situation after the game and whether this is a permanent move for the regular season.
Henne, 32, has started 22 games (5-17) in four seasons with the Jaguars and has appeared in seven others. He has thrown 27 touchdowns passes and 16 interceptions but has taken only one regular-season snap since he was benched in favor of Bortles at halftime of Week 3 in 2014.
Henne has thrown 58 touchdown passes and 63 interceptions in 65 career games. He was a second-round pick by Miami in 2008 and started 31 games for the Dolphins from 2008-11 before signing a free-agent contract with the Jaguars in 2012.
If the Jaguars opt to go with Henne as the regular-season starter, the team must decide what to do with Bortles. The Jaguars could keep him on the roster to give them an experienced backup familiar with the offensive system in case Henne were to be injured. That presents an expensive problem, though.
The Jaguars picked up Bortles' fifth-year option, which would pay him $19.053 million in 2018. That amount is guaranteed for injury only, meaning that if Bortles were to suffer an injury that made him unable to pass a physical next year, the Jaguars would have to pay him that amount even if he cannot play.
The other option would be cutting Bortles, which would be yet another miss on a first-round draft pick for a franchise that hasn't had a winning record since 2007 and has finished with double-digit losses for six consecutive seasons.
Bortles was the third overall pick in 2014 and threw 11 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions as a rookie. He had what appeared to be a breakout season in 2015, setting single-season franchise records in passing yards (4,428) and passing touchdowns (35), but regressed last season.
His mechanics, which he worked to improve in his first offseason, degraded to the point where his throwing motion was unrecognizable by his college offensive coordinator. Bortles threw 23 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions and the Jaguars finished 3-13.
Bortles biggest issue has been turnovers. Since he entered the league he has committed an NFL-high 63 and his 51 interceptions are the second-most in that span behind Philip Rivers (52). Even more troubling is that Bortles has 11 pick sixes -- which corresponds to his number of victories as a starter (11-34).
Bortles does have 69 touchdown passes, but only five of those have come when the Jaguars were leading the game.
Bortles was put on notice in the spring by executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin about his turnover problem. Bortles looked pretty good on the first two days of training camp but threw five interceptions in the third practice, which was the first time the team was in full pads.
He had several other poor practices -- including a 5-for-17 day in 11-on-11 work during a joint practice with New England -- and threw a pair of interceptions during an Aug. 13 practice, which prompted Marrone to give Henne work with the first-team offense against the Bucs on Aug. 17.
Bortles completed 8-of-13 passes for 65 yards and three times misfired on passes to Allen Robinson, including two in which Robinson was wide open. Marrone said after the game that Bortles and Henne would compete for the starting job.

 

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[indiana]

G/B........BOL with your action this week.........indy

 

[jakebickle]

Great info! Thanks.