NFL Preseason Handicapping Report

This week we'll look at the final week of the preseason, including significant roster moves and see which teams looked good or bad, in the preseason.

Detroit finished the preseason 4-0, the only unbeaten team in the league. While this isn't a portent of things to come, HC Rod Marinelli wants to ingrain a winning atmosphere with a club that has known nothing but losing for years. They are switching to a power-running offense and look for new Off. Co. Jim Colletto to stick with the run even when it isn't working. The Lions are also banking on WR Calvin Johnson to break out in his second season in the league but the defense will let this club down…Cleveland and New England were the only winless teams in the preseason. The Patriots defense looked bad and even old at times. They are trying to work in several players in their back seven and the results have been mixed. They signed CB Deltha O'Neal (a cut from Cincinnati, more on that later) and he could be the best corner on the roster. NE cut FA additions OLB Victor Hobson and CB Fernando Bryant as neither player could contribute at positions of need. Rookie ILB Jerod Mayo has drawn plenty of raves for his play but rookies don't usually make an impact in HC Bill Belichick's defense. Look for Mayo to change that. QB Tom Brady didn't take a snap in the preseason as he rehabs a foot injury. He didn't participate in the offseason program like he had in previous years and he could be a little rusty in the early going. Browns HC Romeo Crennel is worried his young team is reading their press clippings and not focusing on the task at hand. They spent a lot of money to improve the front seven but their secondary looks suspect. QB Derek Anderson is coping with a concussion but will start Week 1…Like every season, there were some surprise cuts in the final cut down but Cincinnati garnered all the headlines with their moves. They let 10-year starter RT Willie Anderson go while there are several teams in need of tackle help. They also cut O'Neal who was promptly snapped up by the Pats. MLB Ahmad Brooks wasn't on the street long before he signed with the 49ers. RB Rudi Johnson was in Detroit but hasn't signed yet. If Cincinnati wants to go in a different direction, fine. But casting away proven assets and getting nothing in return is just dumb. It will be a long season in the Queen City…QB Joey Harrington was released and while he's not a proven winner, he is definitely better than some backup QBs out there (are you listening Indy and NE). Same with Daunte Culpepper…Green Bay has three QBs on their roster that have started a total of zero games in the NFL. Having two rookies as a backup to a first-time starter who's had injury concerns is very risky indeed. They did offer Culpepper a contract but he turned them down. Still, they need to get a backup in there with experience…RT Joe Jansen was demoted to backup guard as Redskins HC Jim Zorn wants to go with the younger Stephon Heyer. Jansen has been a starter his whole career but injuries have taken him off the field in 3 of the last 4 seasons…Rookie QB Andre' Woodson was once touted as a 1st-round pick but fell to the 6th round this year and was released by the Giants on Sunday. A dramatic fall for a player that looked to be on the fast track…New Orleans was one of the better teams in the preseason, especially their 1st-team defense. The additions of MLB Jonathan Vilma (trade) and DT Sedrick Ellis (draft) have strengthened the front seven and don't forget the addition of DE Bobby McCray. His presence will allow DE Charles Grant to slide inside on passing downs. The Saints had to leave New Orleans because of Hurricane Gustav but this team will cope with that better than the '05 squad did.