If anyone really looks forward to exhibition football games Jake Matthews Jersey , this is the week to pay attention. One good place to start is in Oakland.
Not because Aaron Rodgers will see plenty of action for Green Bay; he won’t, might not play at all. And the Raiders‘ best player, Khalil Mack, still is holding out. Such is the approach for players and coaches in the preseason.
But Rodgers gets to hang out — if not warm up with — an old friend and his former favorite target.
The departure of receiver Jordy Nelson has left Rodgers in need of a new partner to take part in one of his pregame routines. In the end zone before a game, there would be Rodgers and Nelson playing catch and spinning footballs on their fingertips. That won’t happen Friday night now that Nelson is a Raider, though they remain good friends.
“He said he has his own pregame routine now so we can’t play catch before the game, so I’m a little disappointed by that,” Rodgers quipped. “He’s changed. … He’s a new guy.”
The competition between Brett Hundley and offseason acquisition DeShone Kizer to back up Rodgers will be a focal point for the Packers. Plus, depth is starting to become an issue at running back because injuries have slowed Jamaal Williams Tim Brown Jersey , Aaron Jones and Devante Mays. Jones could play Friday as he comes back from a hamstring injury, though the Packers will be without him for the first two weeks of the season because of an NFL suspension. Ty Montgomery is the only healthy holdover from last year.
On the other side, Raiders coach Jon Gruden calls his running backs the strength of his team even if the top guys haven’t gotten to show much in the preseason. Marshawn Lynch had a 60-yard TD run called back by penalty on his only touch, and No. 2 back Doug Martin has one carry for 3 yards.
Both could get a longer look when Gruden plans to play his starters into the second quarter.
“We’re not going to play them a whole lot, but they will get some time,” he said. “Hopefully they have some success.”
Undrafted rookie Chris Warren III has made the most of the time Lynch and Martin have spent on the sideline. Warren leads the NFL with 196 yards rushing this preseason.
MVPS IN ACTION
The third preseason game is usually when Bill Belichick uses his starters most. Last year, Tom Brady played about two quarters, then sat out the exhibition finale. Look for Brady, the 2017 league MVP Rex Burkhead Jersey , to be on the field at Carolina for perhaps the first half.
Rob Gronkowski could see his first action of the year. The Patriots are also looking for help on the offensive line after losing tackle Isaiah Wynn, the No. 23 overall pick, in the last game. With Kenny Britt cut this week, the team will also be seeking depth at receiver, especially for the four weeks Julian Edelman serves his performance-enhancers suspension.
2015 MVP Cam Newton and the Panthers‘ first-team offense will see their most extensive action of the preseason, playing into the third quarter. Newton has dramatically improved his accuracy this preseason under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, completing 71.4 percent as compared to a career completion percentage of 58.5 percent.
Protecting Newton could be an issue as the Panthers will be without three starting offensive linemen due to injuries.
O-LINE PROBLEMS
Minnesota’s task of improvement on offense begins with the line, where right tackle Rashod Hill and right guard Mike Remmers are expected to suit up against Seattle after sitting out the previous game with ankle injuries. Center Pat Elflein has been on the PUP list for the entire training camp, still rehabilitating from offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries. Left guard Nick Easton is out for the year with a neck injury.
“We’re not the only ones in the league to be having these issues Donald Penn Jersey ,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “We just have a few more than we should have at this point in time. It’s life.”
Seattle’s recommitment to being a run-first team will get a stiff test. The Seahawks believe they’ve strayed from their successful formula as NFC champions in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, and re-establishing the run to control the game has been an offseason focus. While first-round pick Rashaad Penny won’t play (finger), second-year running back Chris Carson is likely to see his most extensive playing time of the preseason.
The Seahawks will also get long looks at second-year safeties Delano Hill and Tedric Thompson.
“ALL DAY” GETS A SHOT
Adrian Peterson will make his preseason debut four days after signing with the Redskins.
Coach Jay Gruden said Peterson’s workload vs. the Broncos may depend on how much playing time the starting offensive line gets. Peterson will split carries with incumbent Rob Kelley, who emerged as the front-runner to start after rookie Derrius Guice tore the ACL in his left knee.
Left tackle Trent Williams is still questionable as he comes off major knee surgery.
Denver’s defense played much better last week against Chicago than in the opener against the Vikings. Coach Vance Joseph said he wants his defensive identity to be “stopping the run” so the Broncos can turn loose the likes of Von Miller, rookie Bradley Chubb, Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray on the quarterback.
“Stopping the run and putting the offense in a one-dimensional phase, making them be a passing team so we can rush the passer. And, playing with a lead. That’s important also for our defense. We do have great pass rushers, but if you don’t have a lead Will Hernandez Jersey , you won’t ever see them come out,” Joseph said.
WHERE’S THE RUSH
Matt Patricia was the defensive guru in New England,
New York Jets linebacker Dylan Donahue pleaded guilty to DWI charges stemming from a wrong-way crash in the Lincoln Tunnel in February.
According to the Patrick Villanova of NJ.com, Donahue entered a guilty plea on Wednesday in Weehauken Municipal Court.
Donahue will have a suspended driver’s license for three months and then have an ignition interlock device on his vehicle for an additional year. He also has to complete 12 hours of intoxicated drivers resource center classes.
An additional three charges – reckless driving, failure to observe a traffic control device, and driving with a suspended license – were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Donahue drove the wrong way down the tunnel and collided with a bus during an accident in February, The incident came nine months after a DUI charge in his home state of Montana, which remains unresolved with a hearing scheduled for August 9. Donahue booked himself into a treatment facility in Jacksonville for a 30-day in-patient stay after the Lincoln Tunnel incident.
Donahue appeared in four games for the Jets last season.
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