NFL Notebook: Preseason Week II

Johnny Sunchips

The second week of the pre season is upon us and the focus of every coaching staff throughout the league is to not only evaluate the talent before them, construct the best possible roster,but to avoid the injury bug. Losing a key player could derail a teams contending hopes, even if it's for a mere portion of conditioning time, much less into the regular season. Just ask Denver head coach John Fox, whose team will be without LB Danny Trevathan for 6 to 8 weeks due to a fracture just below his left knee joint he suffered on Tuesday. Those missed weeks could possibly set him back even more. Reps this time of year are tough to make up, and the art of playing catch up may seem endless. On the other hand, a future star could be in waiting, hungry for the opportunity. Isn't it grand.

Teddy the "Bridge over Troubled Waters" in Minnesota:

Matt Cassel is confident that he will remain the number 1 signal caller for the Vikings, but it will be hard not to look over his shoulder. Not at back up Christian Ponder, who could supplant the former
New England QB as the week 1 starter, and has been at the helm before, but to first round draft pick

Teddy Bridgewater. The former Louisville passer has shown some poise in camp. His pro style offense in college should allow him to step in if the situation presents itself, making the transition a bit
more seamless. Don't get me wrong, there will be many a bump in the road, but I like his maturity entering the pro game to help immensely in his chance for success. He reminds me of a former Viking, Randall Cunningham. How do those shoes fit. If there is trouble winning in Minnesota, Teddy could be the answer.

Not so fast...

New England QB Jimmy Garoppolo was the toast of the town in Boston this past week after completing 9/13
passes for 157 yards and a score. We tend to overrate performances in the NFL Pre Season, and this was
a great example. Keep in mind this second round draft pick out of Eastern Illinois' performance was in the
second half against players that, at best, will be third or fourth string for the Redskins this season.
Many of them will not make the cut. Let's not put the cart before the horse. He certainly looked good
for his first NFL action, but only time will tell if he has what it takes.

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Here are this weeks match ups:

Thursday: Jacksonville at Chicago

Friday: Philadelphia at New England
        Tennessee at New Orleans
        Detroit at Oakland
        San Diego at Seattle

Saturday: Green Bay at St. Louis
          N.Y. Giants at Indianapolis
          N.Y. Jets at Cincinnati
          Baltimore at Dallas
          Miami at Tampa Bay
          Buffalo at Pittsburgh
          Atlanta at Houston
          Arizona at Minnesota

Sunday: Denver at San Francisco
        Kansas City at Carolina

Monday: Cleveland at Washington

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