The Expendables: Wrapping Up Preseason
It’s time to finish up our look around the league at some of the guys the Jets got rid of since the end of last season, to see whether there are any early indications that these releases could prove to be shrewd moves or disastrous mistakes on behalf of both the Jets and the new teams for the crop of ex-Jets. The Expendables will return during the season at four weekly intervals. Sound good? If you missed part one, click here. For part two, click here and part three is here.
I’ve watched a ton of preseason football and been searching for articles and blog posts about our former players and I’ll share my findings after the jump.
Disclaimer: Yes, I know, it’s only preseason and the results and performances often prove to have little correlation with regular season production. Still, I can look for positive and negative signs, so that’s all I’m trying to do here.
Most of the ex-Jets didn’t get much playing time this week, but most of the ones that did made an impact, albeit against reserves…
Alan Faneca (CARDINALS) – Started, Arizona running backs carried 29 times for 52 yards.
Faneca locked up his starting spot this week, when Reggie Wells was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth round pick. After Deuce Lutui, who had been disgruntled about his contract situation, decided to show up and play, there was no way the Cardinals were going to retain both Faneca ($2.5m) and Wells ($2.4m). There wasn’t much difference between them in preseason (if anything, Wells looked better, albeit working with the two’s), but it would have been less likely that they could get a pick for a player of Faneca’s age.
He did play in the final preseason game, and was matched up against Albert Haynesworth, who started for the first time in preseason and went the distance. This gives us an excellent chance for direct comparison, because both Matt Slauson and Vladimir Ducasse faced him one-on-one in the third preseason game and managed to hold their own. He was actually facing a lineup less potent than the one Sanchez drove for a score against with Ducasse at left guard.
He only played on the first two series and initially looked good on the first few plays, pulling for a block, although the run was stuffed and getting a surge to the second level, as well as handling Haynesworth on the first pass. However, on the next throw, Haynesworth literally shoved him over, flat on his back, and then on a third and eight, he got beaten inside and the DT got a hit on the QB forcing an incompletion. On the next drive he got bullrushed and driven back by a safety. On his final play, he did a good job on Haynesworth, but somebody else got a sack. Go figure.
What they’re saying:
Free-agent guard Alan Faneca was signed and advertised as a major upgrade to the offensive line, but the fact of the matter is, Faneca has lost a lot of speed and isn’t a very good offensive lineman anymore. I know I’m going against the grain by saying this, because Faneca has a reputation as one of the best linemen in the game, but my opinion is supported by at least one writer who has a lot more experience judging players’ performance than I do:
“Players often gain a reputation for high-quality play and those perceptions are not real, regardless of any Pro Bowl vote” NFL.com’s Michel Lombardi wrote in a recent column about the Cardinals. “For example, everyone outside the NFL thought the Jets were crazy for releasing guard Alan Faneca this past spring, but most everyone in the league knew the veteran’s play was far from Pro Bowl caliber, despite getting the nod, and his salary was not in sync with his performance. Hence Faneca could no longer help the Jets, and they released him.”
Kerry Rhodes (CARDINALS) – Started, no stats recorded.
Rhodes started and played the first couple of series before taking the rest of the night off. He probably should’ve had a TD as he came from a long way away to almost recover a fumble after a sack, but he completely botched it and the Redskins recovered. The Cards jumped offsides anyway, so it wouldn’t have counted. He was in deep centerfield almost all the time, but did blitz once, only to be chipped by the tight end and knocked off his feet.
What they’re saying:
Both Rolle and Dansby are replaceable talent-wise at a more cost efficient rate. The drop off from Rolle/Dansby to Kerry Rhodes and second round pick Daryl Washington won’t be as significant as some think.
Marques Murrell (PATRIOTS) – Four tackles (one solo).
It looks like Murrell made the team because Derrick Burgess was cut, but it was very close and some are predicting that the Pats will make another move. In fact, as I was writing this, they traded for Tracy White, a special teamer/linebacker, which might put his spot in jeopardy.
He did get plenty of playing time in the final preseason game against the Giants, entering the game early in 1st quarter with Giants already in the redzone. On Murrell’s second play, Kevin Boss lined up opposite Murrell and was completely unaccounted for as Murrell, Mike Wright and Brandon Spikes all rushed the passer on the left side, so a quick dumpoff pass led to an easy score. He then backpedalled and almost fell over as he was beaten for a first down catch in the flat by Madison Hedgecock. For some reason they dropped him into coverage to cover Victor Cruz, who easily blew by him for a big gain down the middle. They then lined him up against Cruz in the slot and they threw to him at the goalline and the pass fell incomplete as Murrell appeared to get away with a blatant hold.
He rushed the passer more in the second half, mostly playing as a DE, but didn’t have much of an impact until the 4th quarter. Had one tackle on a short run right at him, one play after they had just run to his side for a huge gain. He got a few pressures in the fourth quarter by beating the backup right tackle, who was getting torched so badly I decided I had to look up who it was. Funnily enough, it was another ex-Jet, Jason Bender. Murrell missed a tackle in the backfield when he could’ve had a sack after the QB stepped up and his teammate got credit instead.
What they’re saying:
Marques Murrell: Pierre Woods is a better run stopper/special teams contributor and Rob Ninkovich is a better pass rusher.
What else they’re saying:
He’s not a front-line defensive end but it seems to me that, when he’s in there, Marques Murrell knows where to be and makes plays.
Something else that they’re saying:
Looks like defensive breakdown between Mike Wright and Marques Murrell as Eli Manning completes 13-yard touchdown pass to an open Kevin Boss.
And they’re also saying:
Marques Murrell is applying tons of pressure. He has to make this team. He’s played extremely well this preseason.
Howard Green (REDSKINS) – Two tackles (one solo).
Green never progressed past third string and the emergence of some young players meant that it was no surprise to see him cut. He did not look particularly good, but the Jets might consider bringing him in for a workout because he’s a guy that knows the system and can contribute in small doses.
He did play in the final preseason game and it was apparent that he has no speed whatsoever, which is a liability when he is at DE, but does hold his ground most of the time and occasionally gets penetration, although he is in no way dominant. He did drive the RT back and pick up half a sack, although I’m not sure if he got credit.
What they’re saying:
Not surprised by Howard Green’s release. Strong guy in the middle, but just didn’t run well. At all. And maybe had the thickest calves I’d ever seen.
Marques Douglas (DOLPHINS) – Two tackles (one solo)
Douglas hasn’t had a huge impact, but continues to play really hard. He shot the gap, but the quarterback made a quick throw before he could get there, so he hustled across and assisted on a tackle in the flat. In the third quarter, he made a great play when he shot the gap again and tackled the runner in the backfield for a loss. He was double teamed a lot, but did miss a tackle in the hole on one occasion. While being blocked he managed to haul down a runner on the edge by the ankles. He also beat the left guard, went to tackle the running back, realized it was a playaction pass and got a hit on the QB as he threw the ball away.
What they’re saying:
…you could have the coaches decide that Odrick needs to be eased in to the role, and start Marques Douglas instead.
Thomas Jones (CHIEFS) – 5 carries for 26 yards rushing.
The Chiefs running game looks really good. He still was only KC’s third best runner on the day, but this was easily his best game of the preseason. On the first drive, he made a good blitz pickup, although his guy got back up and flushed the QB out of the pocket. All five of his carries came on KC’s second drive. He got 9 on his first carry, hitting the hole with a burst and making a spin move at the end of the run for a few extra yards, but was stuffed for no gain on second and one. McCluster picked up the first down, then they went back to Jones. He bounced to the outside and lowered his head to drive for 8, then bounced outside again with good patience for 10. Jones did well to get back to the line of scrimmage on his final carry, but then Matt Cassel threw a pick and Jones was done for the day.
What they’re saying:
The talk has been all about Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles, but neither of the Chiefs’ two main running backs wound up leading the team in rushing in the preseason … [Jackie] Battle rushed for 180 yards and a healthy average of 5.1 yards per carry. He has been the runner in goal-line situations in recent games, though it’s unclear whether the Chiefs will use Battle or Jones in that role when the regular season begins.
Donald Strickland (CHARGERS) – One solo tackle
Strickland outperformed Nathan Vasher to win the Chargers’ nickelback job. Vasher was cut.
In the final game against the 49ers, Strickland played sparingly. He blitzed on third and six, but they threw a WR screen for the first down. He also almost downed a punt at the goalline, but just failed to keep it out of the endzone. I’m not sure how he got credit for a tackle, because I didn’t see him make one.
What they’re saying:
Donald Strickland has been pegged as Rivera’s “prototype nickel CB” and….again, if he can stay healthy….he could be a big key to how good this defense is in 2010.
Lito Sheppard (VIKINGS) – One tackle
It looks like Lito Sheppard might win the starting job in Minnesota, albeit by default. With Cedric Griffin already injured, rookie CB Chris Cook was named as a starter, but then hurt his knee and will be out for two weeks. That means it will come down to Lito and Asher Allen as to who starts opposite Antoine Winfield.
He was one of only two potential starters to get any playing time in the Vikings final preseason game and only played in the first half, with mixed results. On the first throw to his side, he gave the receiver a cushion, but the pass was offline and was dropped. Then he made a saving tackle after a long gain on a screen pass. We was in zone coverage quite a lot, but had a nice breakup on a throw downfield, closing to hit the receiver as the ball arrived, only to then get beaten to the outside for a first down catch on the next play (3rd and 14), as he slipped when Brandon Lloyd made his cut. In press coverage on 3rd and 3, he struggled to find the football and was flagged for illegal contact. Finally, a receiver had a step on him down the seam but the safety came over for an easy interception of Tim Tebow’s floated pass.
What they’re saying:
Lito Sheppard admits he hasn’t made many plays in preseason games … Sheppard acknowledged having “issues,” but he blamed it on a lack of opportunities.
Others: Jay Feely (CARDINALS) had one tackle, where he actually stayed at home and played safety for a change. He also made two extra points and two field goals, one a chip shot and one a 42 yarder. James Dearth (REDSKINS) was cut, having not seen any action as their reserve long snapper. Wallace Wright (PANTHERS) was put on injured reserve following his shoulder injury last week and will miss the entire season. Leon Washington (SEAHAWKS) was rested for the final preseason game. In two games, he rushed 10 times for 35 yards and a touchdown.
8 Responses to The Expendables: Wrapping Up Preseason
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Bent says:
Hilarious. Has he flip-flopped on his “Gholston will be cut this offseason and will never amount to anything” tirade yet?
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Bent wrote:
He [Marques Murrell]got a few pressures in the fourth quarter by beating the backup right tackle, who was getting torched so badly I decided I had to look up who it was. Funnily enough, it was another ex-Jet, Jason Bender.
Funnily enough, the Giants also noticed…and Bender was cut.
After the Jets found out they couldn’t teach him how to pass block, New England and San Francisco had to be convinced.
Now the Giants are also on the same page.
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Bent, again, thank you for this series.
I would love a midseason update if you are up to it.
harlan
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Bent says:
Every 4 weeks is the plan.
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Bent says:
That’s true, I’ll have to expand it to guys they cut since camp opened.
interesting quote from lombardi. he was killing the jets a few days ago for releasing faneca on nfl total access.