Alabama Football in the NFL: A Review of Preseason Week 2
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Two weeks of preseason games are in the books as the NFL regular season creeps closer and closer. A plethora of former Alabama Crimson Tide players have been making their mark in the preseason as they prepare for the start of the real season. Here’s a review of how they did in the second week of exhibition games:
High Tide
Terrence Cody, NT, Baltimore Ravens
Terrence Cody received a lot of criticism for the way he played last season, and his roster spot was in jeopardy coming into training camp this year. However, Cody has earned the praise of Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, and seems to be well on his way to a bounce back year in 2013. According to Pro Football Focus, Cody has graded out as the second best Ravens defensive player this preseason. He’s looked strong in training camp and in preseason games as he’s worked with the first and second team defenses for Baltimore. This looks to be Cody’s final shot with the Ravens, and he is off to a strong start.
Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland Browns
After sitting out Cleveland’s preseason opener due to a shin injury and missing out on all of last year’s preseason action after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee, Trent Richardson made his preseason debut for the Browns last Thursday against the Lions. Richardson saw the field in the first quarter, and was impressive with 6 carries for 33 yards. Richardson looked healthy and had the burst that made him so dangerous during his playing days in Tuscaloosa. Richardson rushed for a Browns rookie record of 950 yards in 2012 despite playing the majority of the year with two broken ribs. If he can stay healthy for the full season, then I believe Trent will supplant himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL by season’s end.
Chance Warmack, OG, Tennessee Titans
Chance Warmack had a strong preseason opener for the Titans, and made even more strides in his second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. Head coach Mike Munchak praised Warmack’s run blocking and his work against Bengals All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Warmack looks poised for a strong rookie season in Nashville, and in due time he should develop into one of the best guards in the league.
Nico Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Nico Johnson was selected with the first pick in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and has quickly made a name for himself in Cheifs camp. Johnson has been lauded for his hard hitting in practices and scrimmages, and has carried that over into the first two preseason games. We’ve seen the same from Johnson in the NFL thus far as we saw from him during his time at Alabama. He’s a fantastic run-stopping linebacker who struggles in coverage, which is why he rarely saw the field on passing downs during his playing days at the Capstone. Johnson is seemingly in a dead heat with Akeem Jordan for the right to start alongside Derrick Johnson at inside linebacker. Regardless of whether or not he earns the starting job, Johnson should have a prominent role on Kansas City’s defense in 2013.
D.J. Fluker, OT, San Diego Chargers
A lot of pundits and fans were puzzled when the Chargers used their 11th overall pick in the first round on D.J. Fluker, who had earned a reputation in college as a dominant run blocker, but a liability in pass blocking. Well, so far in the preseason Fluker looks well on his way to being a star right tackle in the NFL. The 6-foot-5 339 pound Fluker has taken his lumps this preseason, and that included giving up an early sack against the Bears last Thursday. He rebounded after that and opened up big holes in the running game and held up well in pass protection.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers
Eddie Lacy made his much anticipated preseason debut for the Green Bay Packers on Saturday against the St. Louis Rams, and it went about as well as anybody could have expected. Lacy led the way for Green Bay with 40 yards rushing on 8 carries as he showcased the same abilities that made him so successful during his playing days at Alabama. The second round pick was spinning his way past defenders or just outright running through them. He looked as healthy as he has ever been, and seems well on his way to earning the starting running back job. Lacy was so impressive he earned the praise of the best running back in the NFL, Adrian Peterson.
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Julio Jones missed Atlanta’s preseason opener, but no worry because he came back for their second game against the defending Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens and looked as dominant as ever. Julio abused Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith all on one drive as he caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. His chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan looked better than ever as Julio looks to improve on last season’s performance that earned him a spot on the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster. Julio Jones is a freak of nature, and has already established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
Low Tide
John Parker Wilson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
After a so-so performance in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener, former Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson didn’t get a single snap in the team’s second preseason game against the Washington Redskins. JPW had received high praise from Steelers coaches and media for his performance during training camp, but it was always going to be an uphill battle for him to make the team. The Steelers signed Bruce Gradkowski to a multi-year contract to be Ben Roethlisberger’s backup, and then spent a fourth round draft pick on former Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones. Wilson has been competing with Jones for the third-string job, and Jones got the majority of the snaps under center on Monday night. JPW will likely be relegated to the team’s practice squad or outright released before the season begins.
Dee Milliner, CB, New York Jets
Dee Milliner had a solid preseason debut with the Jets and it didn’t take him much time to earn a starting job for the Jets at corner. That being said, his second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t go so well, and he heard criticism from Jets head coach Rex Ryan and veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Milliner has been dealing with a sore calf, which could help explain his struggles against the Jaguars. Expectations are high for Milliner as he looks to fill the big shoes left by Darrelle Revis, who is widely considered the best corner in the NFL. He should expect to be picked on quite a bit during his rookie year as opposing quarterbacks look to the other side of the field from the proven veteran Cromartie.
Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
Mark Ingram has set some lofty goals for himself this season, but he has yet to live up to that so far in the preseason for the Saints. He set the goal to average 4 and a half to 5 yards per carry this year, which is high considering he has averaged under four yards per carry for his career. The former Heisman Trophy winner looks to be getting the majority of first team reps for New Orleans in camp, but has still yet to live up to the expectations that followed him when the Saints made him a first round draft pick in 2011. Against the Raiders, Ingram scored an early touchdown, but still only managed 30 yards on 9 carries for a measly 3.3 yards per carry average. This could potentially be Ingram’s final opportunity with the Saints, and if he wants to remain in New Orleans, he’ll need to improve his yards per carry average in year three.
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