Yesterday we brought back the 32 Observation series and today we’re going to do it again. Here you’ll find some interesting factoid about some backup or undrafted rookie and how they fared in the first preseason games of 2013.
While some of these players might not make their current team’s roster, they are certainly players to keep an eye on as the preseason continues. As I said yesterday, while it’s not good to make assumptions off of just one game, for the time being this is what we have to work off of and could be a sign of things to come.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel made a strong case for a roster spot with an Accuracy Percentage of 95.5% which led the league last weekend.
Miami Dolphins: The Jaguars targeted backup cornerback Julian Posey eight times on Friday. Posey allowed only three of those to be caught for 14 yards.
New England Patriots: Offensive tackle Brice Schwab made his case for a backup roster spot. His +1.1 run block rating was third-highest for all right tackles, and he didn’t allow a single pressure.
New York Jets: Veteran receiver Ben Obomanu had 59 receiving yards coming from the slot, which was tied for the most slot yards last week. His 3.93 Yards Per Route Run from the slot was also highest for those with more than 10 routes.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback Asa Jackson had arguably the best day of the Ravens' backup defenders with one interception against two catches allowed while being targeted seven times.
Cincinnati Bengals: Backup middle linebacker J.K. Schaffer had a very strong 33.3 Run Stop Percentage thanks to four run stops on 12 run snaps.
Cleveland Browns: Justin Cole led all 3-4 outside linebackers in pressures last weekend with five. His Pass Rushing Productivity of 25.0 was the highest for those with at least seven pass rushes.
Pittsburgh Steelers: While plenty of the defensive players on the Steelers' second and third teams had strong showings, none did more than Al Woods. He had seven stops which was three more than any other defensive lineman.
AFC South
Houston Texans: Quarterback T.J. Yates was a perfect 10-for-10 on all passes that weren’t to the middle of the field and in the air between 0 and 9 yards. On his eight attempts in that area, he had three passes completed and four passes dropped.
Indianapolis Colts: The player with the most preseason snaps last weekend was safety Delano Howell at 91. He was the second-highest-rated safety at +3.2 thanks to solid performances both in the run game and in coverage.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Guard Jason Spitz was one of the best in the league in 2008. He hasn’t seen the field much since, but started the preseason strong with a +2.3 overall rating which was tied for the best among left guards.
Tennessee Titans: In 2012 Fernando Velasco was a starter and played well for the most part at center. After revamping the offensive line, Velasco didn’t perform well as a backup in this game. Both his pass block and run block ratings were in the Bottom 5 for guards.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: If the Broncos were hoping one of the backup tight ends would end up as a strong run blocker to use at the end of games, then they were disappointed by their stock in this game. Jake O’Connell and Virgil Green had a combined -4.9 run block rating.
Kansas City Chiefs: Cornerback Neiko Thorpe had 0.00 Yards Per Coverage Snap which tied with many other players for the lead. His 32 coverage snaps, however, were the most for those who didn’t allow a receiving yard.
Oakland Raiders: Recently signed guard Andre Gurode had 28 snaps with the backups, and in that time had a +1.6 run block rating which was tied for the most for all guards.
San Diego Chargers: Safety Sean Cattouse had two run stops on 10 snaps against the run. His 20.0 Run Stop Percentage was tied for the most among safeties.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Wide Receiver Cole Beasley made the most of his eight pass routes with the second team, catching all three passes thrown his way for 48 yards.
New York Giants: The two leaders in Pass Rushing Productivity from the 4-3 Defensive End position are Adewale Ojomo at 26.9, and Damontre Moore at 20.8.
Philadelphia Eagles: Undrafted Rookie Inside Linebacker Jake Knott looked great blitzing with a sack and a hit on four pass rushes. He also added two run stops and batted a pass.
Washington Redskins: Although he is unlikely to make the Redskins' roster, Pat White made a case for making one somewhere. He scrambled twice for 15 yards and a touchdown. He also had a high Accuracy Percentage of 87.5% with five of his eight passes completed and another two dropped.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Offensive tackle Eben Britton looked like a bust after getting picked in the second round by Jacksonville in 2009. A fresh start may be all he needed, as he earned the second-best run block rating for left tackles at +1.5.
Detroit Lions: One of the Lions' biggest strengths is at defensive tackle, and it’s not only because of their starters. Veteran backups Ogemdi Nwabuo and Andre Fluellen had four pressures each on a combined 31 pass rushes. Their Pass Rushing Productivies of 21.4 and 17.6 were the two highest for defensive tackles.
Green Bay Packers: In his first game back with the Packers since 2009, Defensive Lineman Johnny Jolly had two tackles for losses and two hurries.
Minnesota Vikings: Although all of the talk in Minnesota is about their starting receivers, 2011 seventh-round pick Stephen Burton had the best game with three catches for 67 yards and a good day blocking.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Undrafted rookie Paul Worrilow was impressive in coverage as the backup inside linebacker. He was thrown at three times defensed on pass and allowed two catches for no yards.
Carolina Panthers: Second-year undrafted defensive end Louis Nzegwu was one of just six players last weekend with two sacks. He did this on just 14 pass rushes.
New Orleans Saints: Undrafted rookie Khiry Robinson had the highest Elusive Rating at 104.2. This was in large part thanks to four players missing tackles on him on his runs, and another three on his catches.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quarterback Mike Glennon’s day looks bad enough when you see just 11 completions on 23 pass attempts. It’s even worse when you consider he was a perfect 6-for-6 on passes behind the line of scrimmage, leaving him at 5-for-17 on passes beyond the line of scrimmage.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Undrafted rookie Adam Bice had the third-highest run block rating for centers this week at +1.2 in his 15 run block snaps in the second half.
St. Louis Rams: Second-year defensive tackle Matt Conrath had four run stops on just nine run snaps, making for an outstanding 44.4 Run Stop Percentage.
San Francisco 49ers: Recent free agent pickup Lavelle Hawkins was one of four wide receivers to drop two passes last weekend but he was the only one to do it on only two targets.
Seattle Seahawks: Backup receiver Stephen Williams had the most deep receiving yards with 83 on two catches.
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