[Patrick Sun]

I think it's time to start up the 2004-2005 NFL thread as pre-season has finally gotten underway.

[Chuck Mayer]

It's fun watching some of the preseason games (well, a few drives here and there) on NFL Network. My DirecTV finally showed up, so I get to enjoy this network, and get ready for the ticket.

4 weeks until real football. Thanks for the new thread.

Take care,
Chuck

[Chris]

Yep, it twas time

[Scott Merryfield]

Ron Dayne's good showing last night will only encourage Coughlan to play him more, which will be a big mistake. Dayne is a terrible running back -- he's slow to the hole, and never breaks a tackle. The guy was way overrated coming out of college -- many of those "record-breaking" yards were gained in the 2nd halves of blowout games against Wisconsin's traditional cupcake opponents. Heck, anyone can get 100 yards playing against a girls reform school in the Badgers pathetic pre-conference schedule. He only had one career 100 yard rushing game vs. the Big Ten's best teams -- Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State.

The Giants would be much better off playing Tiki Barber and leaving Dayne in street clothes, just like last season.

I'm looking forward to watching some of the Lions preseason opener tonight. Unfortunately, it looks like Kevin Jones will not play, so we'll get a good look at Artose Pinner at RB.

[Tim Markley]

I'm looking forward to that Detroit game also Scott but it's because they're playing the Steelers. I can't wait to see Big Ben and the "new" Steelers D with LeBeau back as defensive coordinator.

[Carl Miller]

Quote:

The Giants would be much better off playing Tiki Barber and leaving Dayne in street clothes, just like last season.

This should be the season to not only come to a conclusion about Dayne, but also come to a conclusion about Tiki. I'm tired of the same old refrain about Tiki being a good running back if he could only hold onto the football.

[Casey Trowbridg]

Quote:

The Giants would be much better off playing Tiki Barber and leaving Dayne in street clothes, just like last season.

Tiki fumbles a lot, which I'm sure the coaching staff won't like, although every year it seems we have a story like this one about Dayne.

Someone puts up good numbers in the preseason and is thought to either be on the verge of breaking through, making a comeback after years of struggling or some such thing. They get all the hype, make the regular season roster and do absolutely nothing because...among all the hype the fact that they did all of those things against guys that were training camp fillers, or special teamers is somehow forgotten until they play the first teamers and go back to struggling again.

Hmmm, the 49ers only managed a couple of field goals in the first half against Oakland against what I assume is the first team defense, but I'm not sure that its a good or a bad sign, they were playing the 9ers afterall.

[Brandon_T]

Well, the Lions first team offense looked nice last night. Especially Harrington to Rogers. I hope that is a look at things to come. The pass rush from the firt team looked pathetic and they couldn't stop the run. That is the part of the team that worries me.

Any debate over who should be the starting quarterback for the Lions must end now. You may or may not know that half the people of the city think Mike McMahon should start over Joey. Well, last night showed the progress for both quarterbacks, and Mike looked like a deer in headlights, while Joey looked more like the seasoned veteran.

Already can't wait til next week.

Brandon

[Casey Trowbridg]

Quote:

You may or may not know that half the people of the city think Mike McMahon
should start over Joey.

Well, perhaps I'd agree with that half if they thought he should start over Joey Tribbiani or something, but Harrington has to be the guy this season.

Having said that, if he doesn't make a leap forward this season, then it might be time to start worrying about him as a long term player.

The Raiders pulled it out 33-30 last night, but I only really watch what happens in the first half of the first preseason game, the fact that San Francisco ran up 17 points in the final quarter and 27 in the second half overall doesn't really worry me. If it were the main defensive personel in there, and they were doing it then I'd be panicing.

Actually, last preseason I had a hint that something bad might happen to the Raiders during the year, based on the way their first team offense looked, I don't think the first team scored a touchdown that whole preseason. So while the preseason may not matter, sometimes you can get some encouraging signs or discouraging signs out of what you see from your first teams.

[Brandon_T]

Joey still gets somewhat of a free pass this year too in my book. Look at what tools he has had to work with the last year. Now that doesn't excuse some of his play, but still, one of national guys from ESPN said there were always playing two deep on Joey, with double coverage all over the field because of the lack of running game. So now the Lions have this great off season and now everyone is like, this is Joeys year, he has these weapons, if he doesn't do it now he never will. Well all of these weapons have a combined 5 games expierence between Rogers, Williams and Jones. FIVE. It will take some time. Although, I think I would take a chance on Joey late in the fantasy draft.

Oh yeah, Mike McMahon has NEVER in his career completed %50 of his passes.

[Shane Martin]

Except for a rookie mistake(looking down a reciever in the red zone), Henson(for the Cowboys) looked GREAT. They still got beat but it's preseason still.

What I have seen of the preseason games, it makes me think that it will be a battle of "Who gets to play the Patriots in the Super Bowl". They look like a machine.

Right now I'm watching the games to see who looks good enough for me to draft. I'm looking for sleeper type picks(like Chris Brown of the Titans looks good)..