A couple thoughts per NFC West team heading into the third week of the 2010 NFL exhibition season:
St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
The setting changes dramatically -- and favorably, in some ways -- for rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. The No. 1 overall draft choice went into the opener unsure when he would get into the game. A Rams punt return for a touchdown and a lost fumble during a Rams punt return delayed his entrance. A week later, Bradford got into the game at Cleveland sooner than expected when starter A.J. Feeley suffered a thumb injury during the Rams' first drive. Rainy weather didn't help. Bradford has a better idea what he's getting into this time. It's a tough situation in some ways. Tom Brady is playing for the other team, the Patriots could be looking to gain some momentum on defense, and Bradford cannot be sure whether his protection will hold up. But he goes into the game knowing the deal. He's the starter, weather conditions should be more favorable than they were in Cleveland, and he'll have Steven Jackson on the field with him for the first time. Sounds like a good opportunity to state his case for Week 1.
Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET)
This is a tough matchup for the Seahawks. They're without their starting left tackle heading into a road game against Jared Allen and the Vikings' stout defensive front. The Metrodome could be rocking more than usual in August with Brett Favre's recent return. The Vikings will probably want to get Favre into a rhythm after Favre played only four snaps against the San Francisco 49ers last week. This game does hold some excitement for Seattle, however, as running back Leon Washington makes his first start with the team. The Seahawks' ground game hasn't produced as desired through the first couple exhibition games. Running against the Vikings' front will be tough, but the Seahawks can feel better about things if Washington breaks off a couple longer runs. Washington has looked good to this point in his return from a broken leg. His quickness was evident during an 11-yard touchdown run against Green Bay last week.
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Derek Anderson gets the start, and that means both he and Matt Leinart will be under additional scrutiny. Much was made, and rightfully so, about coach Ken Whisenhunt's decision to replace Leinart with Anderson to start this game. But nothing has necessarily changed for good. If Anderson struggles and Leinart finally breaks out, Whisenhunt will look like a master motivator. If Anderson outplays Leinart, hey, Whisenhunt must have known what he was doing all along. The priority, though, isn't for Whisenhunt to look smart. It's for the Cardinals to get the most out of their quarterbacks. Perhaps this shake-up will help. Either way, the starting job in Arizona is the No. 1 story in the division, and the race could be far from finished. Two years ago, Whisenhunt started Leinart in the first and third exhibition games, with Kurt Warner starting the second and fourth games. Whisenhunt made the call in Warner's favor after the fourth exhibition game. On defense, keep an eye on cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. I thought he was more physical as a tackler in the exhibition opener.
San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders (Saturday, 9 p.m. ET)
The pressure is off quarterback Alex Smith, at least to a degree, after the 49ers' first-team offense went on a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive against the Vikings last week. The 49ers want to see more from their running game. That could be the emphasis more than quarterback play. How Smith performs remains topical, but the 49ers aren't holding an open competition for the starting job. Smith is the guy, for better or worse, and that will not change heading into the regular season. The team would like to get receiver Michael Crabtree back into the flow after a neck injury. And there's a chance Frank Gore could get some carries, too. On defense, the 49ers are coming off a generally strong performance from the starters. Patrick Willis in particular appears hungry after getting a new contract and missing most of the offseason while recovering from knee surgery. Look out, Jason Campbell.
St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
The setting changes dramatically -- and favorably, in some ways -- for rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. The No. 1 overall draft choice went into the opener unsure when he would get into the game. A Rams punt return for a touchdown and a lost fumble during a Rams punt return delayed his entrance. A week later, Bradford got into the game at Cleveland sooner than expected when starter A.J. Feeley suffered a thumb injury during the Rams' first drive. Rainy weather didn't help. Bradford has a better idea what he's getting into this time. It's a tough situation in some ways. Tom Brady is playing for the other team, the Patriots could be looking to gain some momentum on defense, and Bradford cannot be sure whether his protection will hold up. But he goes into the game knowing the deal. He's the starter, weather conditions should be more favorable than they were in Cleveland, and he'll have Steven Jackson on the field with him for the first time. Sounds like a good opportunity to state his case for Week 1.
Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET)
This is a tough matchup for the Seahawks. They're without their starting left tackle heading into a road game against Jared Allen and the Vikings' stout defensive front. The Metrodome could be rocking more than usual in August with Brett Favre's recent return. The Vikings will probably want to get Favre into a rhythm after Favre played only four snaps against the San Francisco 49ers last week. This game does hold some excitement for Seattle, however, as running back Leon Washington makes his first start with the team. The Seahawks' ground game hasn't produced as desired through the first couple exhibition games. Running against the Vikings' front will be tough, but the Seahawks can feel better about things if Washington breaks off a couple longer runs. Washington has looked good to this point in his return from a broken leg. His quickness was evident during an 11-yard touchdown run against Green Bay last week.
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Derek Anderson gets the start, and that means both he and Matt Leinart will be under additional scrutiny. Much was made, and rightfully so, about coach Ken Whisenhunt's decision to replace Leinart with Anderson to start this game. But nothing has necessarily changed for good. If Anderson struggles and Leinart finally breaks out, Whisenhunt will look like a master motivator. If Anderson outplays Leinart, hey, Whisenhunt must have known what he was doing all along. The priority, though, isn't for Whisenhunt to look smart. It's for the Cardinals to get the most out of their quarterbacks. Perhaps this shake-up will help. Either way, the starting job in Arizona is the No. 1 story in the division, and the race could be far from finished. Two years ago, Whisenhunt started Leinart in the first and third exhibition games, with Kurt Warner starting the second and fourth games. Whisenhunt made the call in Warner's favor after the fourth exhibition game. On defense, keep an eye on cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. I thought he was more physical as a tackler in the exhibition opener.
San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders (Saturday, 9 p.m. ET)
The pressure is off quarterback Alex Smith, at least to a degree, after the 49ers' first-team offense went on a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive against the Vikings last week. The 49ers want to see more from their running game. That could be the emphasis more than quarterback play. How Smith performs remains topical, but the 49ers aren't holding an open competition for the starting job. Smith is the guy, for better or worse, and that will not change heading into the regular season. The team would like to get receiver Michael Crabtree back into the flow after a neck injury. And there's a chance Frank Gore could get some carries, too. On defense, the 49ers are coming off a generally strong performance from the starters. Patrick Willis in particular appears hungry after getting a new contract and missing most of the offseason while recovering from knee surgery. Look out, Jason Campbell.
Mike Sando | email
NFL- NFC West Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2007
- Lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
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