Let’s take a look at some games with potential story lines that could affect teams heading into the opening week of the NFL:
New Orleans at. Cleveland, 1pm ET Sunday
Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, is reporting that the Browns will most likely go with D’Qwell Jackson at linebacker this Sunday against the Saints over Chaun Thompson. Jackson will start as the right inside linebacker in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 defense.
Cabot is also reporting that quarterback Charlie Frye is expected to have more freedom within the team’s offense than he did a year ago.
“He will have some freedom to audible, yes,” head coach Romeo Crennel said. “There are some other options that are available to him this year that were not available last year.”
If Crennel follows through on his comments, I think this is an excellent move because it doesn’t handicap Frye as far as the game plan goes. Frye can go out and just play, instead of worrying about the technical aspects of running the offense. He can allow the game to come to him instead of trying to force things because that’s what a particular play was designed to do.
Minnesota at. Washington, 7pm ET Monday
Two things of note in this game: number one, Joe Gibbs is now saying that Clinton Portis will be in uniform as a back up for the Redskins on Monday night. Portis came out in the middle of this week and told the media that he would not play in Week 1, but has a good shot to come back in Week 2 when Washington goes to Dallas.
Portis hasn’t practiced all week (including today), so it would be shocking to see him on the field at all come Monday night. This is either a veteran coaching move by Gibbs in throwing the Vikings for a loop or this has been a CIA-type effort in keeping Portis’s recovery a major secret. My guess would be the latter.
The other news out of Washington is that cornerback Shawn Springs has been officially ruled out for the Vikings game. Although a team never wants to lose a starting defensive back with Springs’ credentials, Minnesota doesn’t necessarily have a deep receiving corps and the Redskins should be fine with back ups Mike Rumph and Kenny Wright.
Seattle at. Detroit, 1pm ET Sunday
Clare Farnsworth, of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is planning to use wide receiver Darrell Jackson in roughly 25 plays on Sunday.
Jackson has been bothered by a knee injury and at first was listed as questionable to play against the Lions. However, Jackson felt good enough in practice to go this weekend, but I wouldn’t expect Holmgren to push the envelope with his No. 1 receiver, especially considering he has Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson in reserve.
Got a question or comment about your team or any games on the schedule? Post it and I’ll be happy to field any questions.
