Thursday, August 24, 2006
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Dolphins-Panthers
Sun Sentinel
For the first time this preseason, several Dolphins
players sported the jersey numbers worn by their counterparts on the Carolina
Panthers at practice to prepare for Thursday’s exhibition.At
Monday’s practice Dolphins receivers Fred Gibson, Marcus Vick and Jamall Broussard were doing their best imitations of
Panthers receivers Keyshawn Johnson, Steve Smith and Keary
Colbert. Running back Kay-Jay Harris was wearing William DeAngelo’s
No. 34, and defensive end Ben Ishola had on No. 90
for Julius Peppers. “We go out there and have more of an in-season practice,
some stuff against each other, some stuff against the scout team,” Saban said. “Everybody is kind of a little bit out of
synch, but I was really pleased with the way the players responded as the
practice went on.” Bet the
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Dolphins coach Nick Saban said
that his starters likely will still be on the field for the start of the third
quarter of Thursday night’s preseason game at Carolina.
“We’ll probably play our starting team a little bit more,” Saban
said following Tuesday’s practice. “At least a half, maybe a
series in the second half. Not just the starting team, but more the
rotation of how we would play a game. I think you’ve got to pick one of these
[exhibition games] and say, ‘Everybody’s got to know the game isn’t over at
halftime.’ “ Starting cornerback Travis Daniels (ankle) and backup defensive
backs Michael Lehan (knee) and Norman LeJeune (undisclosed) also didn’t play in last Saturday’s
13-10 victory over Tampa Bay.Cornerback Eddie
Jackson, who missed the Bucs game because of a strained abdominal muscle,
practiced on a limited basis Tuesday and could play against the Panthers. Other
players who practiced on a limited basis Tuesday were wide receiver Kelly
Campbell (quadriceps) and tight ends Justin Peelle
(ankle) and Jason Rader (undisclosed). Guards Seth McKinney (neck) and Joe
Toledo (knee) didn’t practice and won’t play against Carolina.
Miami is
greatly lacking depth in the defensive secondary because of injuries.
Friday, August 25,
2006
Cardinals-Bears
Daily Herald
Quarterback Rex
Grossman and the Bears’ offense, both struggling through the first two
preseason games, will get three quarters to work out the kinks Friday night
against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier
Field. Grossman isn’t
expecting a repeat of the first two mediocre performances. Grossman has
completed 10 of 25 passes for 130 yards, no touchdowns and 1 interception,
while nine-year veteran Brian Griese is 8 of 9 for 150 yards with 3 touchdowns
and no interceptions, playing with and against second-stringers.
Four starters,
including running back Cedric Benson (shoulder), safety Mike Brown (Achilles),
fullback Bryan Johnson (hamstring) and cornerback Nate
Vasher (back), already have been declared out of
Friday’s game. A fifth
starter, defensive tackle Ian Scott (knee), is doubtful. Defensive tackles Tank
Johnson (quad), Michael Haynes (back) and rookie Dusty Dvoracek
(foot) are questionable, as is wide receiver Airese
Currie (knee). Guard Ruben
Brown (general soreness) and running back Thomas Jones (hamstring) are
probable. Bet this game now through BetUs. Check out the lines now
Suburban Chicago News
Bears coach Lovie Smith said he’s
hopeful RB Jones will play Friday night at Soldier
Field against the Arizona Cardinals while Cedric Benson will have to wait at
least another week. A couple good runs by anyone would only benefit the Bears’
offense right now. They’ve gained only 127 total rushing yards on 43 carries,
for a 3-yard average, without a run longer than 15 yards.
Arizona is
expected to play starters into the third quarter.
Ravens-Vikings
Baltimore RB Jamal Lewis will
rest the remainder of the preseason
Steelers-Eagles
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward
will likely miss. Philadelphia is
pressing their wide receiver Todd Pinkston to play, as he has yet to play a down
because of injury. Bet this game now through BetUs. Check out the lines now
Lions-Raiders
San Francisco Chronicle
Quarterback Aaron Brooks had his best game of the
preseason, leading the Raiders’ starting offense to a 10-0 halftime lead in
Sunday’s win over the 49ers, and backup Andrew Walter turned in a pretty nifty
performance himself. Walter finished the game with eight completions in 10
attempts for 99 yards, leading two second-half scoring drives that put away the
Raiders’ 23-7 victory. Brooks appeared to secure his grip on the role as No. 1
quarterback in what is becoming a two-man show. All in all, it was an
impressive showing on both sides of the ball, but a particular step forward for
an offense that has had its share of misfires. “Winning is a part of what we do
… it creates good habits,” coach Art Shell said. “Even
though we won three games … there are a lot of mistakes we have to take care
of.” The improvement on offense was seen all the way down the depth chart with
the second- and third-string players holding their own.
Shell acknowledged that the performances in Sunday night’s
game could force some difficult decisions when it comes time to begin trimming
the roster to get to the 53-man regular-season limit. Strong safety Michael
Huff, the team’s No. 1 draft pick this year who turned his left ankle on the
infield dirt in Sunday night’s game, probably will miss Friday night’s
exhibition against the Lions at the Coliseum. Bet now through the Greek, home of the 21
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Detroit Free
Press
Barring any setbacks, linebacker Boss Bailey (hamstring) will play the first half Friday when the
Lions visit the Oakland Raiders
Saturday, August 26,
2006
Falcons-Titans
Tennessean
The Titans stunk up the rarified Rocky
Mountain air in losing 35-10 to the
Denver Broncos. The Falcons departed at halftime trailing Green
Bay, 24-10. Atlanta’s
reserves packed it in as the Birds wound up on the wrong end of a 38-10
blowout. Bet the NFL now
at -107 juice! Check out the
latest odds at CanBet.
49ers-Cowboys
San Francisco Chronicle
The Titans stunk up the rarified Rocky
Mountain air in losing 35-10 to the
Denver Broncos. The Falcons departed at halftime trailing Green Bay, 24-10. Atlanta’s
reserves packed it in as the Birds wound up on the wrong end of a 38-10
blowout.
