Preseason Week 3

Most players and coaches aren’t as motivated to win in the preseason. His goals are mainly health and personnel, deciding who to cut or which players to move. A key betting factor to understand is the importance of depth. We’ve all seen teams use three and four quarterbacks in every preseason game. Depth and quality are essential. The drop in quality is severe with a team like the Colts, for example.

Peyton Manning and the first-team offense moved the ball around well last week, but the fallout was abrupt when Jim Sorgi and Shaun King came on behind center. The money came to the Colts last week, but Seattle crushed them at home. After taking a 7-0 lead, Sorgi and King were unable to move the offense much. In fact, Sorgi was injured and will not be available this weekend.

Less noticeable is the depth in other areas. Take a close look at the Arizona Cardinals. They have talent in the skill positions on offense, but sadly they lack talent and depth in many other areas. They’re struggling on the offensive line as starting RT Oliver Ross (knee) is out for two months. The Cardinals traded a late-round draft pick this week to New England for right offensive tackle Brandon Gorin.

On the defensive line, defensive end Bertrand Berry will miss the final two preseason games after suffering a left knee injury. And they’re sparse at linebacker, with Karlos Dansby injured and two other starters, Calvin Pace and Darryl Blackstock, playing new positions. The Cardinals’ lack of offensive depth was highlighted during their 30-3 loss to New England. “I guess we’re concerned that we don’t have three safeties,” Dennis Green said. “Our first offense can move the ball. I just don’t think we have as much talented depth as the people we’re playing against.” As for his still-nonexistent running game, Green added: “I’m worried. I’m worried about every phase of the offense right now.”

The Browns are only averaging 13.5 points in the preseason and also have line depth issues. The offensive line is thin with the loss of center LeCharles Bentley, their star signing as a free agent. They just traded for another center this week, which means quarterback Charlie Frye will have worked with five starting centers! If you saw the Saints get roughed up by the Cowboys on Monday, that’s another team lacking depth on both lines.

This week, the Falcons made a news trade for WR Ashley Lelie and added free agent defensive tackle Grady Jackson. Both will be interesting stories to watch, as Atlanta had big trouble looking for a third wide receiver and has a defensive line that is getting run over. Maybe Jackson will help them against the run. Tennessee is another team with injuries all over its defense.

Another very important factor at this time of year is motivation, mainly because it is hard to find. Last week, NY Giants coach Tom Coughlin was furious with his team’s defensive performance in Week 1 and called for a determined effort in Week 2. They got it, shutting out the Chiefs 17-0. Lovie Smith was furious with the way the Bears defense didn’t show up in Game 1 and got run over in San Francisco. He called for an intense effort and he got it, as Chicago defeated San Diego 24-3.

A few things to watch out for this weekend: Bill Cowher was upset after the loss in Minnesota, and ordered his team to wear their full pads for Monday’s practice. Normally, they would wear shells at the first practice after a preseason game. “We’re not where we need to be,” Cowher said. “We set the standards too high. We’re so much better than we performed the other night.”

The Chiefs have looked horrible starting 0-2 SU/ATS. They are finally home this week and manager Herm Edwards said: “This is a game we need to play with a lot more urgency and emotion. I’m pretty sure the guys will.” Quarterback Trent Green added: “Is it time to panic? No. But I think we definitely need to have a sense of urgency for this week’s game.”

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs was displeased in a brief three-minute postgame press conference. “I’m worried about the team,” Gibbs said. “You have to play well as a team, and we don’t. I couldn’t point to anything positive.” This is the weekend when the starters play most of the time, so it can be a fun (and profitable) time for soccer fans. Good luck, as always… To McMordie. And don’t miss my Preseason Football Game of the Year this week.