What to watch in Saturday's NFL action

By foxsports
Published

With seven games on the schedule, we’ll start learning more about the 14 teams who will be playing this evening.

In Miami, we’ll finally get a look at QB Chad Henne and WR Brandon Marshall for the first time in a game situation. But that’s not all for the recently acquired Dolphins. Linebacker Karlos Dansby will also make his debut. It will be interesting to see if they use him as a pass rusher against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this evening. Tampa Bay will trot out rookie WRs Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn in this matchup. It’s imperative that they start to develop chemistry with second-year QB Josh Freeman. Williams, if he is committed to doing what’s right on and off the field, could be a major factor in Tampa Bay’s passing game for years to come.

In Pittsburgh, the new-look Detroit Lions offense will go up against the usually stout Steelers defense. We’ll get to see second-year QB Matthew Stafford, who has put together a very strong training camp. Fans will get their first look at first-round pick RB Jahvid Best and acquisitions WR Nate Burleson and TE Tony Scheffler, who is really the first vertical threat the team has had at the position in many years. Will we get a chance to see the return of QB Ben Roethlisberger on the playing field for the Steelers? At some point, the coaches have to make sure he’s ready to go after his suspension is over, so why not get him a little playing time in this game?

In Green Bay, Cleveland Browns fans will get their first look at third-round pick QB Colt McCoy. How will he handle going up against the 3-4 defensive scheme of the Packers? Before McCoy enters the game, we’ll get a look at how Jake Delhomme is progressing in the offense. We’ll also get a decent look at the revamped secondary, where we could see up to three new starters. For Green Bay, keep an eye on the changes on the interior of their offensive line. Defensively, we’ll get our first look at third-round pick SS Morgan Burnett, who could be the long-term starter at the position.

In Arizona, the Houston Texans will bring their exciting offense to visit the Cardinals. The running back jobs are up for grabs. Fourth-year pro Chris Henry, who has been the most impressive of the five backs on the 80-man roster, could be showcasing his talent for another team. Henry is a long shot to make the 53-man roster to start the regular season, but he has rare speed for a back at 230 pounds. We’ll get our first look at the up-and-down Matt Leinart as Arizona’s starting quarterback. He needs to get off to a good start or Derek Anderson could start to chip away at the No. 1 role.

In St. Louis, we’ll get a good look at first overall selection QB Sam Bradford. The rookie, in the minds of practice observers, might be a little ahead of schedule in his learning curve. But how he handles the blitz or pass protection against the Minnesota Vikings this evening will go a long way to showing where he stands in his progression. The Vikings will march on without Brett Favre, at least for the time being, but the vibes haven’t been very good coming out of camp thus far in regard to their offense—most of it due to injuries.

In San Diego, we were hoping to get a look at second-year OLB Larry English, who has been filling in for Shawne Merriman, but it appears he’ll be held out against the Chicago Bears tonight due to injury. But with injury comes opportunity for other players. Fourth-year OLB Jyles Tucker, who was a big surprise for the team after being signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2007, will get another chance to shine. Finally, all the hype of the Jay Cutler-Mike Martz show will be on trial for Bear fans. Teams usually are usually very vanilla with play calling in the preseason, but it will be interesting to see how Martz is managing Cutler, nevertheless.

In Seattle, the new look Seahawk offense will be on display against the Tennessee Titans. The Julius Jones-Justin Forsett battle for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart at running back will heat up in this contest. And we’ll get a chance to see Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback, who Seattle gave up a few draft picks for. Oh, and they’re paying him $4 million as a backup this season. The Titans should have a pretty solid offense, but who will rush the passer on defense? Not one defensive end on their 80-man roster has ever had more than seven sacks in a season.