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OL: The performance of the Bucs’ offensive line was deemed “unacceptable” by head coach Lovie Smith. Quarterback Jameis Winston has been sacked thirteen times in the preseason, by far the most in the league. That begs the question, why are they still graded as a mid-tier unit in our rankings? Much of the problem is coming from the quarterback. Teams are willing to gamble that Winston will be slow to recognize overloads, forget to make pre-snap adjustments, and they are not scared of being burned at this early stage of Winston’s career. A more seasoned quarterback would be aware of the situation and find the open man quicker. Here is an example: an overload zone blitz, the running back (Doug Martin) doesn’t pick up anyone but the quarterback needs to either get rid of the ball or take the sack and live to play another down. The Browns were blitzing like crazy Saturday night and why not? The media will talk about how this is all the offensive line’s fault (and there is some blame to be sure) but at root, better and quicker decisions from the quarterback are needed. The rookies that are starting are a mixed bag, as left tackle Donovan Smith held up very well against the Browns, while guard Ali Marpet struggled in pass protection. The line did have positive moments in run blocking, as evidenced by Doug Martin’s 19-yard touchdown scamper. Despite all the issues, this line continues to grade out as a mid-tier unit. Buccaneers Depth Chart QB: Jameis Winston, Mike Glennon, Seth Lobato RB: Doug Martin, Charles Sims (3RB), Bobby Rainey, Mike James FB: Jorvorskie Lane WR: Mike Evans (inj), Vincent Jackson, Louis Murphy, Kenny Bell, Rannell Hall, Russell Shepard, Kaelin Clay (KR/PR), Tavarres King, Donteea Dye, Adam Humphries, Robert Herron (IR) TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brandon Myers, Luke Stocker, Cameron Brate LT: Donovan Smith LG: Logan Mankins, Kadeem Edwards C: Evan Smith, Garrett Gilkey RG: Ali Marpet, Patrick Omameh RT: Gosder Cherilus, Demar Dotson (inj), Kevin Pamphile, Matt Patchan K: Patrick Murray, Connor Barth, Kyle Brindza DT: Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald, Henry Melton, Tony McDaniel, Da′Quan Bowers, Matthew Masifilo, Caushaud Lyons, Akeem Spence (PUP) DE: Jacquies Smith, George Johnson, William Gholston, Larry English, Lawrence Sidbury, T.J. Fatinikun, Ryan Delaire MLB: Kwon Alexander, Orie Lemon (IR) OLB: Lavonte David (W), Danny Lansanah (S), Bruce Carter (S),Jason Williams, Damaso Munoz, Larry Dean, Khaseem Greene CB: Alterraun Verner, Johnthan Banks, Sterling Moore, Leonard Johnson (inj), Mike Jenkins, Isaiah Frey, Deshazor Everett S: Bradley McDougald (FS), D.J. Swearinger (SS), Major Wright (SS), Christopher Conte (FS), Keith Tandy (FS), Jocquel Skinner Tennessee Titans QB: Marcus Mariota faced one of the toughest tests a rookie quarterback can face in his third preseason game, a trip to Arrowhead to face the Kansas City Chiefs. Mariota dealt with Bob Sutton's deceptive play calling well for most of the night and also got an opportunity to show off his athleticism in the open field. Mariota completed 7-of-11 passes (64% completion rate) for 99 yards (9.0 per attempt) while rushing for another 22 yards. The Titans were so satisfied with his display that they pulled him at half time. Zach Mettenberger didn’t do much in the second half; completing just 3-of-11 passes for 38 yards. RB: David Cobb wasn't available for the Titans' crucial third preseason game of the year, meaning that he is unlikely to feature prominently early in the season. Bishop Sankey remains the favorite to start and will likely be the closest thing the team has to a bellcow over the first quarter of the year. Sankey may only be that by default though, as he had a fumble against the Chiefs. Ball security will be crucial for the second-year back because there are multiple players looking to take snaps away from him, Cobb included. Dexter McCluster is secure in his 3rd down role, while Antonio Andrews scored the Titans' only touchdown of the first half from two yards out. WR: Kendall Wright is expected to be the biggest beneficiary or Marcus Mariota’s arrival. Wright led the Titans with 60 yards on three catches. Hakeem Nicks started opposite Wright and caught two passes for 19 yards. Justin Hunter played in the second half with the backups, and has failed to mount a credible push to regain his lost starting spot. Rookie Dorial Green-Beckham is likely ahead of Hunter, but he hasn't cracked the top three in the depth chart either. Much like at the running back spot, the Titans have clarity with who they are keeping on their roster, but are less sure about who should start. Rookie Tre McBride has flashed but has struggled to earn meaningful playing time in preseason games. TE: Delanie Walker's return wasn't marked by a big play or even a reception, but his presence was encouraging nonetheless. Walker came through his week of practice unscathed and should be close to 100 percent for Week One. ESPN's Paul Kuharsky projects four tight ends making the Titans final roster. Walker and Anthony Fasano are clearly at the top with Craig Stevens and Chase Coffman also making the cut. Defense: Jason McCourty's absence continues and may persist into the regular season. He is dealing with a groin injury that he hopes he can work back from earlier than expected. McCourty's starting partner at cornerback, Perrish Cox, had a mixed outing against the Chiefs. He was beaten for a long touchdown by Jeremy Maclin on an out route, but Cox later came away with an interception. The Titans need better play upfront. There is buzz around outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan. Both will provide big value if they can be strong run defenders on the edges while also providing an improved pass rush. The Titans don't have great depth at linebacker, so they will need Morgan and Orakpo to play well and stay healthy. Kuharsky suggests the team retain more defensive linemen than usual simply to keep the most talented players. OL: Converted right tackle Byron Bell has played well at left guard in the preseason. It’s increasingly likely that high priced veteran left guard Andy Levitre gets cut; he’s not in the starting lineup. The team will try to work out a trade before that point. Rookie right tackle Jeremiah Poutasi has played well in his first career starts. Right guard Chance Warmack appears to have rebounded from toe problems. The Titans released center Fernando Velasco on Monday. Velasco, who was slated to be a backup, did not impress the coaching staff in his latest stint with the team. Overall the Titans’ offensive line grades out as a mid-tier unit, 21st in the latest offensive line rankings. Titans Depth Chart QB: Marcus Mariota, Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst, Alex Tanney RB: Bishop Sankey, David Cobb, Antonio Andrews, Dexter McCluster (3RB/WR), David Fluellen FB: Jalston Fowler, Zach Boren WR: Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas, Hakeem Nicks, Justin Hunter, Dorial Green-Beckham, Tre McBride, Jacoby Ford, Clyde Gates, Josh Stewart, Ricardo Richardson, Andrew Turzilli (IR) TE: Delanie Walker, Anthony Fasano, Craig Stevens, Chase Coffman, Phillip Supernaw, Dorin Dickerson (IR) LT: Taylor Lewan, Jamon Meredith, Byron Stingily LG: Andy Levitre, Justin McCray C: Brian Schwenke, Andy Gallik RG: Chance Warmack, Gabe Ikard RT: Bryon Bell, Jeremiah Poutasi K: Ryan Succop NT: Sammie Lee Hill, Angelo Blackson, Al Woods, DaQuan Jones DE: Jurell Casey (DT), Ropati Pitoitua, Mike Martin, Karl Klug, Angelo Blackson ILB: Avery Williamson, Zach Brown, Wesley Woodyard, Zaviar Gooden (inj), Kaelin Burnett, Yawin Smallwood, Justin Staples OLB: Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Deiontrez Mount, Jonathan Massaquoi, Andy Studebaker, J.R. Tavai, Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil (IR) CB: Jason McCourty (inj), Perrish Cox, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Coty Sensabaugh, Ri′Shard Anderson, Cody Riggs, Brandon Harris (IR) S: Michael Griffin (FS), Da′Norris Searcy (SS), Daimion Stafford (SS), Marqueston Huff, Jemea Thomas (FS), Khalid Wooten (FS),Cody Prewitt (IR) Washington Redskins QB: If you’ve been reading these reports, you know Robert Griffin hasn’t been productive throughout the preseason. A strange and winding journey in Washington appears to be coming to a sad end, with reports that Head Coach Jay Gruden has named Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback. This isn’t simply a Week One move because of Griffin’s concussion worries; this is meant to be for the season. "When it's all said and done, after all the film we've gone through, after all the offseason activity, all the training camp footage, we feel like at this time, Kirk Cousins gives us the best chance to win and that's where we're going," Gruden said. "It's Kirk's team." Although Cousins got the nod, don’t rule out Colt McCoy too quickly. McCoy completed 10-of-12 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns versus the Ravens; and has been sharp throughout the preseason. RB: Alfred Morris looks lost running behind the new power-blocking scheme. He managed just four yards on 7 carries against the Ravens and has been unable to get yards after contact. While it’s tempting to blame the offensive line, rookie Matt Jones continues to produce behind the same unit. Jones had 57 yards rushing on 7 carries (8.1 per attempt) and a 17-yard reception. There’s no indication Morris’ starting job is in danger, but as we’ve seen with Robert Griffin this week, anything is possible particularly if Jones continues to outplay the incumbent. Chris Thompson is doing his best to earn a role on 3rd downs. He scored a touchdown versus the Ravens and caught three passes for 18 yards. WR: DeSean Jackson didn’t play (shoulder) and Pierre Garcon played sparingly (1 target) which gave Washington plenty of opportunity to figure out the depth chart. Ryan Grant led the team with 5 receptions for 64 yards and has secured a spot either as the #3 or #4, depending on whether Andre Roberts (2 for 20 yards) has done enough to hold onto the slot position. Jamison Crowder had a strong outing versus the Ravens, catching four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Roster longshot Rashad Ross caught six passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns; will that be enough to earn a look from another team? TE: Jordan Reed had two catches for 21 yards and has absolutely zero competition for snaps. If he stays healthy – a big if admittedly – Reed will make a fantasy impact. Defense: Washington let Brian Orakpo walk in free agency, but hoped it had found a cheaper, but more effective replacement in the form of Junior Galette. Unfortunately Galette is lost for the season with a torn Achilles, setting the defense back considerably. Ryan Kerrigan remains a stalwart on one side, but who can answer the bell on the other side of the line? In spite of Galette’s injury, the defensive roster has completely bought into new defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s system. “It’s like brotherhood. The whole defense, man, it’s great,” veteran Jason Hatcher said. “We’ve got a great group. The DBs get along with the linebackers, the linebackers get along with the D-line. We all need each other. They need us to rush the quarterback. We need them to cover, so it all works together. But we’re a great unit man. No egos, everybody’s going in the right direction, and I’m just proud to be a small piece of it. I love being around these young guys, man. It’s great for me in my tenth year.” PK: Kai Forbath made a 44-yard field goal, but also put a kickoff out of bounds. He was battling a quad injury earlier in the week. He is still not on 100% solid ground, although is still a decent bet to open the season as the team’s kicker. OL: The pass protection, widely perceived to be terrible in last week’s preseason game, really shaped up this week against Baltimore. With left tackle Trent Williams back in the lineup, this unit is like night and day, much improved. The team made Williams the highest paid tackle in the league this week, and his play lives up to that value. Right guard Brandon Scherff was called out by coaches for doing a good job in blitz pickup. It’s not entirely clear what new right tackle Morgan Moses was doing on the Terrell Suggs interception. But these sorts of growing pains are what the preseason is for and overall this line is trending upward. The Washington line currently grades out as a top-tier unit, 10th overall in the latest offensive line rankings. Redskins Depth Chart QB: Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Robert Griffin III (inj) RB: Alfred Morris, Matt Jones (3RB), Chris Thompson, Trey Williams, Mack Brown, Silas Redd (IR) FB: Darrel Young, Jordan Campbell WR: DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts, Jamison Crowder (KR/PR), Ryan Grant, Evan Spencer, Colin Lockett, Rashad Ross, Reggie Bell, Quinton Dunbar TE: Jordan Reed, Derek Carrier, Je′Ron Hamm, D.J. Williams, Niles Paul (IR), Logan Paulsen (IR) LT: Trent Williams, Xavier Nixon LG: Shawn Lauvao, Josh LeRibeus C: Kory Lichtensteiger, Tyler Larsen, Austin Reiter RG: Brandon Scherff, Spencer Long, Arie Kouandijo RT: Morgan Moses, Tom Compton K: Kai Forbath NT: Terrance Knighton, Robert Thomas, Travian Robertson, Lakendrick Ross DE: Stephen Paea, Jason Hatcher, Ricky Jean-Francois, Chris Baker, Kedric Golston ILB: Perry Riley, Keenan Robinson, Will Compton, Terrance Plummer, Adam Hayward (IR) OLB: Ryan Kerrigan (inj), Trent Murphy, Preston Smith, Jackson Jeffcoat, Martrell Spaight, Gabe Miller, Trevardo Williams, Junior Galette (IR) CB: Chris Culliver, Bashaud Breeland (inj) (susp), DeAngelo Hall, David Amerson, Justin Rogers S: Dashon Goldson (FS), Duke Ihenacho (SS), Jeron Johnson (SS), Trent Robinson (FS), Kyshoen Jarrett, Akeem Davis, Da′Mon Cromartie-Smith |