NFL Preseason Blitz: Kiko Alonso, another big Eagles addition, debuts
The Philadelphia Eagles made a huge trade this offseason to acquire a big-name player coming off an ACL surgery.
Oh, and then they traded for quarterback Sam Bradford, too.
Don’t forget inside linebacker Kiko Alonso, who came over to Philadelphia in the controversial LeSean McCoy trade with the Buffalo Bills. Alonso was fantastic in 2013, then tore his ACL last offseason. He hadn’t played a game since the end of the 2013 season — he missed Philadelphia’s first three preseason games — so Thursday night’s debut was a big step for him.
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Alonso looked pretty good. He played one drive and moved well. Officially he was credited with two tackles but was around the ball on many plays. Not wanting to push things, Alonso didn’t play after that first series in a game the New York Jets won 24-18. Alonso had dealt with tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee this preseason.
Alonso is a big part of the Eagles’ defense this year (he better be, considering what the team gave up to get him). On a night where most of the players who actually appeared in NFL preseason games were those fighting to grab one of the final few roster spots or make an impression to get on the practice squad, Alonso’s long-awaited debut was a big moment for Philadelphia.
Perhaps the New England Patriots’ preseason TV station should have just cut away from the game and showed analysts speaking about Tom Brady.
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That talk dominated the broadcast, including a few minutes early in the game when studio analysts talked about Brady on a split screen while the action took place on the field. And it made sense; there was no bigger news in the NFL recently than Brady having his four-game suspension vacated. I mean, even Bill Belichick was really fired up!
The Patriots still had some things to iron out in the preseason finale, which the New York Giants won 12-9, though they rested so many players that even Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t start at quarterback and the broadcasters said Brady, receiver Brandon LaFell and some other starters were sent home during the game to rest (h/t to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
Ryan Wendell started at center, making his preseason debut. He started camp on the PUP list. That’s a good sign. Running back LeGarrette Blount started, which was a little odd, but remember that he’ll be sitting out Week 1 due to suspension. He had four carries for 5 yards. Veteran receiver Reggie Wayne, still getting up to speed with his new team, played too. He had a couple of catches for 24 yards.
Obviously none of that was the main headline for the Patriots on Thursday, but New England seems ready for the season to start. Especially with the quarterback situation settled.
Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman hadn’t done much before the fourth preseason game to earn early-season playing time.
Then Coleman, the explosive third-round pick out of Indiana, made a nice final impression on Thursday night in a 20-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens. On the first drive, Coleman had 56 yards on eight carries.
On his first carry he hit the hole hard off right tackle for 5 yards. Then he ran wide left, around the end and used his speed to pick up 15 yards. On his third carry he started left, then cut back and went wide right for 26. He might not be able to beat starting defenses to the edge that easily once the regular season starts, but it was nice to see his speed in action after he missed a lot of the preseason and training camp with injuries.
Through the offseason, reports said Devonta Freeman had a big edge to be the Falcons’ starter. Freeman missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury, though he’s supposed to be ready to go by Week 1. It will be interesting to see if Thursday’s performance helps Coleman get some extra playing time.
Packers 38, Saints 10: We won’t see Green Bay Packers rookie quarterback Brett Hundley again for a while, maybe until next August, but he had a pretty successful preseason. Hundley, the former UCLA star, went 16-of-23 for 236 yards and four touchdowns after coming in for Scott Tolzien, who started. On a 77-yard touchdown to Larry Pinkard, Hundley made a nice, strong timing pass and Pinkard took it the rest of the way for the score.
Bengals 9, Colts 6: It was not a good night for Colts running backs. Josh Robinson suffered what might be a concussion, Vick Ballard left the game with a hamstring injury and Dan Herron suffered a shoulder injury. Ballard probably needed a good night to make the roster, and that seems unlikely now. Depending on the extent of the injuries, the Colts might be hurting for depth at tailback. And, no, they’re probably not giving Trent Richardson’s agent a call.
Buccaneers 22, Dolphins 17: Remember when Jay Ajayi was a big name before the draft? Well he fell to the fifth-round and has been mostly forgotten about since then. He did play well on Thursday night. He had 66 yards on nine carries including a 22-yard run. He can provide the Dolphins some depth this season.
Lions 17, Bills 10: Lions quarterback Kellen Moore, the former Boise State star, pops up every preseason. He had a solid preseason finale, going 16-of-22 for 150 yards and a touchdown as he tries to earn a roster spot again.
Panthers 23, Steelers 6: Rookie Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne could be one Jonathan Stewart injury away from playing a major role for Carolina. He has looked good this preseason and had 67 yards on 12 carries in the preseason finale.
Jaguars 17, Redskins 16: Washington passed over Colt McCoy for Kirk Cousins when they benched Robert Griffin III, even though McCoy looked OK in limited action last season. McCoy played decently against the Jaguars. He completed 22-of-33 for 208 yards and a touchdown.
Bears 24, Browns 0: Most reports out of Chicago indicated running back Ka’Deem Carey, the former All-American at the University of Arizona, was on the roster bubble. He might have saved his job, getting 68 yards on 12 carries.
Cowboys 21, Texans 14: Houston somehow didn’t land Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater or Derek Carr in the 2014 draft, but did pick quarterback Tom Savage. Savage made such an impression the team signed Brian Hoyer this offseason. Savage was given the chance to play the entire finale, and had mixed results before he left the game with an injury. He went 18-of-30 for 135 yards, not even cracking 5 yards per attempt. He did throw two touchdowns though. Savage was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter after a hard hit left him clutching his right shoulder.
Chiefs 24, Rams 17: It’s not a great sign if you’re playing a decent amount in the fourth preseason game, but 2013 No. 8 overall pick Tavon Austin did for the Rams. And he made something happen on one of his three touches, picking up 43 yards on a catch.
Titans 24, Vikings 17: Marcus Mariota gave us one more highlight before the preseason was over. Mariota was patient, as he was well protected, waited for Harry Douglas to clear on a crossing pattern and then hit him in stride. Douglas did the rest, outrunning the defense for a 59-yard touchdown. Mariota had a promising preseason, and now we can see how he looks when the games count.
Cardinals 22, Broncos 20: Chris Johnson made his Cardinals preseason debut and made a good impression. Johnson had 45 yards on 11 carries.
Seahawks 31, Raiders 21: Rookie Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett continues to impress. He got behind the defense and made a 63-yard touchdown look easy. He has incredible speed. He’ll make an impact on special teams as a dynamic returner and could be a nice weapon in the passing game too.
49ers 14, Chargers 12: 49ers receiver Bruce Ellington, who didn’t do much as a rookie last season, had a big play on Thursday. He caught a 70-yard touchdown in the first half.
• During the Packers-Saints game, Aaron Rodgers did a sideline interview with the Packers TV network, and was asked about Brady. He had a pretty interesting answer.
“I think it’s a good day for the players,” Rodgers, the NFL’s reigning MVP, said. “Anytime we can get one of our own back, that’s a good win for us. I think there’s maybe too much of the absolute power that, frankly, the players, we had a chance in 2011 to really make a difference in the CBA and we didn’t. We left the commissioner in charge of a lot of those things. But our union has done a good job of appealing and helping our guys out.”
• In the fourth quarter of the Eagles-Jets game, the referee was taken off the field and replaced by the side judge. The announcers explained that around the NFL, the officials were practicing working with a six-man crew in case that situation ever happens during the regular season.
• Saints receiver Brandon Coleman has gotten a lot of buzz this month, and he finished the preseason well. He had four catches for 82 yards. He’s a huge 6-6, 225-pound target in an offense with Drew Brees, one of the best quarterbacks ever. He could have a nice breakout.
• Terrelle Pryor, who had been kept out of the first three preseason games with a strained hamstring, played in the finale for the Browns. The quarterback-turned-receiver had two touches, both rushing attempts for 9 yards. The Browns face a tough choice of whether to keep him on the roster.
• Speaking of it being bad to be playing in the fourth preseason game, Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball was playing in the fourth quarter on Thursday. Ball, a 2013 second-round pick who was selected ahead of Eddie Lacy, lost the backup spot to Ronnie Hillman earlier this preseason. He struggled against Arizona, getting 27 yards on 16 carries. It looks like he’s on the roster bubble, at best, in Denver.
• Finally, Matt Simms made a play that sums up the entire fourth preseason week in the NFL. Who is he throwing to? Nobody knows! Until next preseason …
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
