Well let's get started for a nice weekend.
Reminder: odds are the current posted at Pinnacle, times are EST., bolding is mine to highlite important info, italics after my name are my personal comments.
And 1st up we have:
Arizona Cardinals - QB Rotation: Kurt Warner (first half and into the 3rd Q), rookie Matt Leinart (3rd Q+), John Navarre, Rohan Davey.
The starters will play into the third quarter. Rookie QB Matt Leinart will be the first quarterback off the bench, but Dennis Green isn't ready to name him the No. 2 quarterback. Green anticipates RB Edgerrin James playing only a series or two.
Offensive line problems: Starting RT Oliver Ross (knee) is out two months. The Cardinals traded a late-round draft pick to New England for offensive right tackle Brandon Gorin. Jeremy Bridges is starting there now, and Ross is expected back in the first two weeks of the season.
The Cardinals' lack of depth on offense was highlighted during their 30-3 loss to New England. "I guess we're concerned we don't have three deep," HC 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.
Defensive end Bertrand Berry will miss the final two preseason games after suffering a left knee injury.
The running game has been poor. "I'm concerned," coach Dennis Green said. "I'm concerned about every phase of the offense right now."
Cardinals coach Dennis Green wants to run a one-back, three-receiver offense.
LB concerns: One of the team's best linebackers, Karlos Dansby, hasn't even practiced yet. A couple of others, starter Calvin Pace and Darryl Blackstock, are playing new positions. And James Darling and Gerald Hayes are in a tight competition to start in the middle. So no one is quite sure what the depth chart at linebacker will look like when everything is settled.
Chicago Bears - QB Rotation: Rex Grossman (first half and into the 3rd), Brian Griese (3rd Q+), Kyle Orton (mop up), B.J. Symons.
Starters are set to play into the second half. Backup QB Brian Griese will not necessarily play all of the fourth quarter. He got only two possessions last week, and it sounds as if Kyle Orton will get work.
RB Thomas Jones will start against the Cardinals after missing the first two preseason games with a pulled hamstring. The Bears say the offense is a work in progress, and the three TDs Brian Griese has produced in four preseason possessions are evidence he was a smart signing. RB Adrian Peterson could get some work with the first team, and P.J. Pope and Andre Hall figure to finish up.
Wide receivers thin. Mark Bradley is still bothered by his right knee. The possibility exists that the Bears' No. 2 receiver is not on the roster yet.
Secondary thin: Cornerback Nathan Vasher remained out with his mid-back injury and is not expected to play Friday. Strong safety Mike Brown will rest his sore left Achilles tendon for the remainder of the preseason as a precaution.
Reminder: odds are the current posted at Pinnacle, times are EST., bolding is mine to highlite important info, italics after my name are my personal comments.
And 1st up we have:
Arizona Cardinals - QB Rotation: Kurt Warner (first half and into the 3rd Q), rookie Matt Leinart (3rd Q+), John Navarre, Rohan Davey.
The starters will play into the third quarter. Rookie QB Matt Leinart will be the first quarterback off the bench, but Dennis Green isn't ready to name him the No. 2 quarterback. Green anticipates RB Edgerrin James playing only a series or two.
Offensive line problems: Starting RT Oliver Ross (knee) is out two months. The Cardinals traded a late-round draft pick to New England for offensive right tackle Brandon Gorin. Jeremy Bridges is starting there now, and Ross is expected back in the first two weeks of the season.
The Cardinals' lack of depth on offense was highlighted during their 30-3 loss to New England. "I guess we're concerned we don't have three deep," HC 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.
Defensive end Bertrand Berry will miss the final two preseason games after suffering a left knee injury.
The running game has been poor. "I'm concerned," coach Dennis Green said. "I'm concerned about every phase of the offense right now."
Cardinals coach Dennis Green wants to run a one-back, three-receiver offense.
LB concerns: One of the team's best linebackers, Karlos Dansby, hasn't even practiced yet. A couple of others, starter Calvin Pace and Darryl Blackstock, are playing new positions. And James Darling and Gerald Hayes are in a tight competition to start in the middle. So no one is quite sure what the depth chart at linebacker will look like when everything is settled.
Chicago Bears - QB Rotation: Rex Grossman (first half and into the 3rd), Brian Griese (3rd Q+), Kyle Orton (mop up), B.J. Symons.
Starters are set to play into the second half. Backup QB Brian Griese will not necessarily play all of the fourth quarter. He got only two possessions last week, and it sounds as if Kyle Orton will get work.
RB Thomas Jones will start against the Cardinals after missing the first two preseason games with a pulled hamstring. The Bears say the offense is a work in progress, and the three TDs Brian Griese has produced in four preseason possessions are evidence he was a smart signing. RB Adrian Peterson could get some work with the first team, and P.J. Pope and Andre Hall figure to finish up.
Wide receivers thin. Mark Bradley is still bothered by his right knee. The possibility exists that the Bears' No. 2 receiver is not on the roster yet.
Secondary thin: Cornerback Nathan Vasher remained out with his mid-back injury and is not expected to play Friday. Strong safety Mike Brown will rest his sore left Achilles tendon for the remainder of the preseason as a precaution.