Tar Heels NFL Preseason Week 1 Recap

Kendric Burney, Matt Merletti, Robert Quinn
(Via Kendric Burney's Twitter Page)

Buffalo Bills:

• Johnny White (RB)- Had five carries carries for 25 yards including a nice 17 yard run in the third quarter that helped setup a Buffalo field goal.

Washington Redskins:

• Kentwan Balmer (DE)- After leaving Redskins camp about two weeks ago without telling anyone, Washington was finally able to reach the defensive lineman this weekend.  This is the second time in his short NFL career that he has went AWOL from his teams training camp (2010 with San Francisco). I am not sure how much longer he will remain a Redskin and could be released before I publish this article.

Redskins- 7 Bills- 6

Chicago Bears:

• Julius Peppers (DE): Peppers, along with Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Brandon Marshall set out the first preseason game to rest.  The absence of these players including Peppers were just precautionary.

Broncos-31 Bears- 3

Green Bay Packers:

• Jeff Saturday (C): Saturday is still protecting an All Pro Quarterback but it is the first time his name is not Peyton Manning.  Saturday decided to move on from the Colts and their rebuilding phase and signed with NFC powerhouse the Green Bay Packers. Saturday is still learning the offense and the Packers "language".

Chargers- 21 Packers- 13

Cincinnati Bengals: 

• Brandon Tate (WR): The Bengals appear to be ready to go with a wide receiver by committee this preseason, to line up opposite A.J. Green, with Brandon Tate, Mohamed Sanu and Armon Binns

New York Jets:

• Quinton Coples (DE): Coples had a very solid game coming off the bench. He had five tackles, two of which were for a loss, a deflected pass and a sack. Following the game this is what Coples had to say about his performance: 

"I did very well. I don't have a grade for it, but I was very productive. I also have a lot to improve upon as well. It starts on Sunday when we go back to practice. I look forward to looking at this game on film and correcting my mistakes. 
Bengals-17 Jets-6

Houston Texans:

• T.J. Yates (QB)Yates and looked really good in the backup role completing 8 of 12 passes and throwing for 89 yards. He will remain the backup unless starter Matt Schaub is injured again this season.

Texans- 26 Panthers- 13

Kansas City Chiefs:

• Shaun Draughn (RB): Draughns scored a touchdown for the first time as an NFL player. Draughns carried the ball 12 times for 26 yards. He is expected to battle with rookie Cyrus Gray for the third running back behind Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis.

Chiefs- 27 Cardinals- 17


Tennessee Titans: 

• Zach Brown (OLB):  Zach Brown had 4 tackles and one of those were for a loss.  Brown looked good his preseason debut showing off his speed and athleticism.

Seahawks- 27 Titans- 17


New York Giants:

• Marvin Austin (DT): Marvin Austin might have been shut out in the defensive box score but he made his impact on Special Teams. He was a blocker on kick return which seen two nice runs by rookie running back, David Wilson. This marked the first time Austin played in real football action in almost two and half years.
• Hakeem Nicks (WR): Hakeem Nicks did not play in the Giants first preseason game and  is still nursing his broken foot that he suffered in May.  Nicks is expected to ready by the start of the season but will probably not play any of the preseason. He was removed from the PUP list Monday after passing his physical.

Jaguars- 32 Giants- 31

Cleveland Browns:

• Greg Little (WR): Cleveland's first string offense struggled in the first quarter against the Lions. Little was held without a catch and quarterback, Brandon Weeden, only targeted him once.

Browns- 19 Lions- 17


Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

• Conner Barth (K): Barth only kicked the Bucs two extra point attempts in which he was perfect.
• Zack Pianalto (TE): Pianalto caught the one pass that was thrown to him for six yards.
• Wallace Wright (WR): Wright had two targets, one catch for 13 yards.

Bucs- 20 Dolphins- 7


St. Louis Rams:

• Robert Quinn (DE): Robert Quinn is expected to start opposite Chris Long at defensive end. During the game Sunday Quinn was able to get pressure on the quarterback the short time he was on the field.

Colts- 38 Rams- 3

Dallas Cowboys:

• Gerald Sensabaugh (FS): Sensabaugh ended Oakland's opening drive by intercepting Carson Palmer and returning it 31 yards. Sensabaugh only played in the first quarter with the rest of the first string.

Cowboys- 3 Raiders- 0



Follow us on Twitter: @UNCPros