Foxborough is going to be crowded on Monday with big name veterans looking for work.
Safety Darren Sharper will work out for the Patriots, according to Len Pasquarelli of Sports XChange. Safety Renaldo Hill will also work out, and we previously mentioned that T.J. Houshmandzadeh will also be in town.
The Patriots could just be performing their due diligence, or this is a sign they aren’t happy with their safety depth. Signing Sharper or Hill would make a lot more sense than adding another aging receiver like Housh to the mix.
By popular demand, we’re going to keep these preseason recaps rolling. (My mom likes them.) Here’s a look back at Thursday and Friday if you missed them.
Browns 27, Packers 17
1. Colt McCoylooked very sharp, fitting passes into tight windows during a 9-for-10, 135 yard performance. Guess the Packers should have done those player-only workouts.
It’s going to take Cam Newton time to develop into a quality starting quarterback.
In the meantime, at least the Panthers are a lot more interesting to watch.
Newton entered his first preseason game in the second quarter to a huge ovation, which only grew during a thrilling first drive. Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski kept Newton on the move throughout the drive.
Newton made a short toss on the run and sold a terrific play-action where the defense all went with Newton because they feared his running ability. Newton even had a run-pass option near the goal line. Throw in a 30-yard dart to Greg Olsenup the seam and it felt like the Jimmy Clausen era was ready to end.
The Panthers wound up settling for a field goal on the drive, and the rest of Newton’s night wasn’t quite as exciting.
He did a lot of throwing off his back foot. His accuracy was on and off, although he hit a few big plays. The Panthers didn’t move the ball consistently, and Newton took a couple of hard hits. (And he got up with a huge smile after them.)
Newton finished 8-of-19 for for 134 yards. The numbers tell the story well. He showed a knack for the chunk play, but was erratic. Newton got nearly one half of action, and the Panthers scored six points with him in the game.
Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker isn’t expected to win the starting job to start the 2011 season, given the presence of — and the large chunk of money given to — Matthew Hasselbeck.
But Locker looks pretty good so far, keeping a cool head under pressure and, moments ago, firing a 45-yard touchdown pass to Yamon Figurs.
Locker, the eighth overall pick in the 2011 draft, dropped the snap on the play, scooped it up, and then fired the ball on target to Figurs. The one-play drive came after the Titans recovered a Lorenzo Booker fumble.
Locker has completed six of seven passes for 74 yards. Hasselbeck, in one drive, completed five of six passes for 55 yards.
The Titans lead, 7-0. Vikings rookie first-rounder Christian Ponder was not the second quarterback into the game; Joe Webb came off the bench after Donovan McNabb completed six of 11 passes for 40 yards.
Two of Buffalo’s big offseason signings made a quick impact in their Bills preseason debuts.
Shawne Merriman picked up back-to-back sacks on Bears’ Caleb Hanie late in the first quarter Saturday night.
Sure, caveats apply. It was the Bears. Both sacks could arguably be called “coverage sacks.” We are still impressed.
Merriman showed a great motor fighting through blocks on both plays. He showed some power before tossing Hanie to the ground. It’s only a small start, but it’s something. And we haven’t seen much of anything from Merriman in years.
Buffalo picked up Merriman on waivers last year, but this was the first time he suited up for a game.
The Bills also showed they will use free agent acquisition Brad Smith plenty. They brought him in to take snaps in two early third down situations. He took the direct snap both times and rushed for first downs.
Buffalo should get plenty of value from Smith between his return skills and his running/quarterback ability.
UPDATE: The Bears have a reclamation projection having a good night too. Two sacks for Amobi Okoye.
