Top 10 QB
1) Peyton Manning -117.54
2) Aaron Rodgers -107.72
3) Joe Flacco -104.92
4) Drew Brees -104.84
5) Ben Roethlisberger - 100.02
6) Matt Schaub - 98.28
7) Philip Rivers - 95.90
8) Brett Favre - 95.38
9) Eli Manning - 94.16
10) Jay Cutler - 92.84
Top 10 RB
1) Chris Johnson - 74.90
2) MJD - 72.50
3) Adrian Peterson - 72.40
4) Ronnie Brown - 67.10
5) Willis McGahee - 65.90
6) Fred Jackson - 55.90
7) Frank Gore - 55.40
8) Cedric Benson - 54.80
9) Ray Rice - 52.10
10) Julius Jones - 51.80
Top 10 WR
1) Steve Smith NYG - 71.90
2) Reggie Wayne - 63.10
3) Dallas Clark - 54.30
4) Vincent Jackson - 53.30
5) Antonio Gates - 51.70
6) DeSean Jackson - 51.10
7) Andre Johnson - 49.60
8) Chad Ochocinco - 48.00
9) Mike Sims-Walker - 46.60
10)Calvin Johnson - 46.20
Top 10 DEF
1) Denver - 107.00
2) New Orleans - 98.00
3) San Fransisco - 96.00
4) NY Jets - 77.00
5) Minnesota - 76.00
6) NY Giants - 73.00
7) Cincinnati - 64.00
8) Philadelphia - 62.00
9) Indianapolis - 61.00
10) Green Bay - 59.00
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Brandon Marshall to the Jets?
The Denver Broncos would want New York Jets linebacker David Harris in any trade scenario for wide receiver Brandon Marshall, two NFL sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
There is no indication that the Jets would surrender Harris, who was fifth on the team in tackles last season despite playing only 11 games due to groin surgery. He led the Jets in tackles the previous season.
Marshall has requested a trade from the Broncos, and new coach Josh McDaniels finally suspended him this week for conduct detrimental to the team.
In any trade for Marshall, Denver would reportedly like a player who could contribute to its team this season and a draft pick that would help later on. But the Broncos aren't making any deal if they don't think it improves them now. That has left them without a viable deal. McDaniels went so far as to say that the Broncos aren't shopping their disgruntled receiver.
"There are no discussions whatsoever taking place between the Denver Broncos and any team in the National Football League regarding Brandon Marshall," McDaniels said Wednesday. "We are looking forward to having Brandon back on the sixth of September and starting our preparation for Cincinnati with him."
There is no indication that the Jets would surrender Harris, who was fifth on the team in tackles last season despite playing only 11 games due to groin surgery. He led the Jets in tackles the previous season.
Marshall has requested a trade from the Broncos, and new coach Josh McDaniels finally suspended him this week for conduct detrimental to the team.
In any trade for Marshall, Denver would reportedly like a player who could contribute to its team this season and a draft pick that would help later on. But the Broncos aren't making any deal if they don't think it improves them now. That has left them without a viable deal. McDaniels went so far as to say that the Broncos aren't shopping their disgruntled receiver.
"There are no discussions whatsoever taking place between the Denver Broncos and any team in the National Football League regarding Brandon Marshall," McDaniels said Wednesday. "We are looking forward to having Brandon back on the sixth of September and starting our preparation for Cincinnati with him."
Monday, August 31, 2009
Matt Cassel out 3-4 Weeks!!!
Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel has a strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and could miss the Chiefs' season opener and beyond, Yahoo Sports! reported on Monday.
Cassel
Citing a source within the organization, Yahoo Sports! reported Cassel could miss two to four weeks. He was hurt Saturday night when sacked on the third play of a 14-10 preseason loss to Seattle.
The Chiefs open the regular season Sept. 13 at Baltimore. They return to practice Monday and are expected to have injury updates on Cassel and others, including wide receiver Devard Darling (leg).
Tyler Thigpen is Cassel's primary backup.
Cassel was acquired by Kansas City in an offseason trade with New England and signed a $63 million, six-year contract with the Chiefs. The contract contains $28 million in guaranteed money.
Cassel replaced injured Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the first week of the 2008 season and threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Cassel
Citing a source within the organization, Yahoo Sports! reported Cassel could miss two to four weeks. He was hurt Saturday night when sacked on the third play of a 14-10 preseason loss to Seattle.
The Chiefs open the regular season Sept. 13 at Baltimore. They return to practice Monday and are expected to have injury updates on Cassel and others, including wide receiver Devard Darling (leg).
Tyler Thigpen is Cassel's primary backup.
Cassel was acquired by Kansas City in an offseason trade with New England and signed a $63 million, six-year contract with the Chiefs. The contract contains $28 million in guaranteed money.
Cassel replaced injured Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the first week of the 2008 season and threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Brady Quinn looking good for the Browns!
One Cleveland Browns quarterback threw a touchdown pass. The other did not.
And for Brady Quinn, that perfect pass may have pushed him over the top.
Quinn threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards and outplayed Derek Anderson in perhaps their final auditions for coach Eric Mangini to be Cleveland's starting quarterback, and the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans 23-17 in an exhibition game Saturday night.
Quinn and Anderson entered the third preseason game in a virtual dead heat. Earlier this week, Mangini described their summer-long competition as "very close" and it remains that way. They've posted similar stats with Quinn's TD pass -- the only one by a Cleveland QB in the preseason -- as the only thing separating the pair.
Mangini said he is no nearer to naming his starter for the Sept. 13 opener against Minnesota.
"I'll look at the tape tomorrow, talk to the coaches and continue to evaluate it," Mangini said. "When the decision is made, I'll let everyone know."
After coming off the bench last week, Quinn got the start and finished 11-of-15 for 128 yards. He led the Browns to one TD and two field goals in his four series.
Anderson went 7-of-11 for 77 yards and led the Browns to one field goal on two possessions. He didn't have an interception, but one poorly thrown ball was dropped by Tennessee cornerback Tenard Davis.
Both QBs were happy with their performances and both did their best to sidestep questions about who they think will win their race.
"It's out of my hands," Anderson said. "Let the chips fall."
Quinn was asked if he expected a decision to come this week.
"I expect to practice on Monday," he said. "Derek and I are mentally tough guys. If our coach wants us to go forever, I'm sure we can go forever."
Quinn was given a short field to work with in the third quarter when the Browns recovered a Tennessee fumble on a kickoff at the Titans' 34. On first down, Quinn threw underneath to Jamal Lewis who weaved 14 yards on a screen.
Quinn then fired his TD pass on an inside slant to Edwards, who moments earlier made a sensational one-handed catch in the end zone on a pass from Anderson but could only get one foot down.
Edwards refused to handicap the Browns' quarterback derby.
"That's up to coach," he said. "Whatever decision he makes we'll support. Right now, they both look good."
While Cleveland's quarterbacks were under the microscope, Tennessee's Kerry Collins looked best.
Collins went 11-of-14 for 102 yards and threw a 6-yard TD pass to Justin Gage in the first quarter. The 36-year-old Collins can still throw it as hard and far as always and he showed soft touch on several balls.
"Kerry spread the ball around quite a bit," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "We got some things accomplished that we didn't see last week. I was pleased with the drives. We gave up a couple of plays, but I thought we handled the run with the starters"
With Patrick Ramsey nursing sore ribs, Vince Young played three quarters and went 17-of-24 for 174 yards. He threw a 15-yard TD pass to tight end Matthew Mulligan but also threw an interception that was returned 11 yards for a TD by Browns linebacker Alex Hall.
Young accepted blame for the pick.
"It was my fault," he said. "[Hall] made a great play. I threw a ball behind him [Mulligan]. I should have thrown it into the ground."
Collins threw a touchdown pass and played the whole first half last week in a loss at Dallas. But Tennessee's first-team offense managed just 78 yards. The Titans nearly equaled that the second time they had the ball as Collins capped a 75-yard drive with his TD pass to Gage.
Quinn displayed nice arm strength on an 18-yard pass to Mike Furrey and later stepped up and drilled a pass to Joshua Cribbs on third down for another 18 as Cleveland moved to the Titans' 10. But the Browns had to settle for Phil Dawson's 21-yard field goal to pull within 7-3.
Anderson impacted the game in a strange way before it was his turn to play.
On Tennessee's first play after Dawson's kick, Collins threw a deep pass down the right side that fell incomplete. However, field judge Terry Brown called a 15-yard penalty on Anderson, who was standing on the Browns sideline, for being outside the restricted bench area.
Brown tripped and fell over Anderson, who appeared to be trying to get out of the official's way.
Anderson admitted he was watching the play on the scoreboard and the next thing he knew the play was on top of him.
And for Brady Quinn, that perfect pass may have pushed him over the top.
Quinn threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards and outplayed Derek Anderson in perhaps their final auditions for coach Eric Mangini to be Cleveland's starting quarterback, and the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans 23-17 in an exhibition game Saturday night.
Quinn and Anderson entered the third preseason game in a virtual dead heat. Earlier this week, Mangini described their summer-long competition as "very close" and it remains that way. They've posted similar stats with Quinn's TD pass -- the only one by a Cleveland QB in the preseason -- as the only thing separating the pair.
Mangini said he is no nearer to naming his starter for the Sept. 13 opener against Minnesota.
"I'll look at the tape tomorrow, talk to the coaches and continue to evaluate it," Mangini said. "When the decision is made, I'll let everyone know."
After coming off the bench last week, Quinn got the start and finished 11-of-15 for 128 yards. He led the Browns to one TD and two field goals in his four series.
Anderson went 7-of-11 for 77 yards and led the Browns to one field goal on two possessions. He didn't have an interception, but one poorly thrown ball was dropped by Tennessee cornerback Tenard Davis.
Both QBs were happy with their performances and both did their best to sidestep questions about who they think will win their race.
"It's out of my hands," Anderson said. "Let the chips fall."
Quinn was asked if he expected a decision to come this week.
"I expect to practice on Monday," he said. "Derek and I are mentally tough guys. If our coach wants us to go forever, I'm sure we can go forever."
Quinn was given a short field to work with in the third quarter when the Browns recovered a Tennessee fumble on a kickoff at the Titans' 34. On first down, Quinn threw underneath to Jamal Lewis who weaved 14 yards on a screen.
Quinn then fired his TD pass on an inside slant to Edwards, who moments earlier made a sensational one-handed catch in the end zone on a pass from Anderson but could only get one foot down.
Edwards refused to handicap the Browns' quarterback derby.
"That's up to coach," he said. "Whatever decision he makes we'll support. Right now, they both look good."
While Cleveland's quarterbacks were under the microscope, Tennessee's Kerry Collins looked best.
Collins went 11-of-14 for 102 yards and threw a 6-yard TD pass to Justin Gage in the first quarter. The 36-year-old Collins can still throw it as hard and far as always and he showed soft touch on several balls.
"Kerry spread the ball around quite a bit," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "We got some things accomplished that we didn't see last week. I was pleased with the drives. We gave up a couple of plays, but I thought we handled the run with the starters"
With Patrick Ramsey nursing sore ribs, Vince Young played three quarters and went 17-of-24 for 174 yards. He threw a 15-yard TD pass to tight end Matthew Mulligan but also threw an interception that was returned 11 yards for a TD by Browns linebacker Alex Hall.
Young accepted blame for the pick.
"It was my fault," he said. "[Hall] made a great play. I threw a ball behind him [Mulligan]. I should have thrown it into the ground."
Collins threw a touchdown pass and played the whole first half last week in a loss at Dallas. But Tennessee's first-team offense managed just 78 yards. The Titans nearly equaled that the second time they had the ball as Collins capped a 75-yard drive with his TD pass to Gage.
Quinn displayed nice arm strength on an 18-yard pass to Mike Furrey and later stepped up and drilled a pass to Joshua Cribbs on third down for another 18 as Cleveland moved to the Titans' 10. But the Browns had to settle for Phil Dawson's 21-yard field goal to pull within 7-3.
Anderson impacted the game in a strange way before it was his turn to play.
On Tennessee's first play after Dawson's kick, Collins threw a deep pass down the right side that fell incomplete. However, field judge Terry Brown called a 15-yard penalty on Anderson, who was standing on the Browns sideline, for being outside the restricted bench area.
Brown tripped and fell over Anderson, who appeared to be trying to get out of the official's way.
Anderson admitted he was watching the play on the scoreboard and the next thing he knew the play was on top of him.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Donald Brown to gain bigger role in offense!
Under the Tony Dungy regime, censorship reigned supreme. Emulating Bill Beezlechick, the soft spoken coach exhibited guardedness whenever pressed about player roles or injuries. The often limited information presented drove many fantasy freaks to seek consultation from a certain spiced Captain.
Unsurprisingly, Jim Caldwell has adopted the old coach's prudent diplomacy.
This year, owners who invest in the Indy backfield better have a straight-jacket within arm's reach. It's sure to be infuriating. Incumbent Joseph Addai(notes), who was wildly inconsistent last season running behind a disheveled offensive line while battling through constant nicks and scrapes, and flashy newcomer Donald Brown(notes) are expected to be involved in an unspecified platoon, a situation Caldwell appropriately danced around earlier this month:
"Looking back at our history, it has always been a part of what we've done," Caldwell said of using two running backs. "The years when we've been really effective, we've had someone who could take a little load off of the guy who was carrying it a majority of the time. It depends on who you face and the type of defensive structure that you have to deal with. But one thing we know for sure is there will be some type of rotation."
How exactly the carries will be divided is anyone's guess. If Addai's balky knee doesn't flare up, he will begin the season as the starter. But make no mistake, it's a loose designation.
A season ago the fantasy heartbreaker followed a banner 1,436-total yard, 15-TD campaign with a Benson-esque effort. Over 12 games he averaged a mere 3.5 yards per carry, 62.5 total yards and 9.8 points per game, a mark which ranked one spot behind Earnest Graham(notes) or 28th overall at his position. With Brown breathing down his neck, it's safe to assume the pressure on the veteran to perform is massive. Even though his mid-40s ADP is sizably discounted, employing the Indy rusher as an RB2 is an enhanced risk.
Drawing rave reviews from Caldwell for his studious preparation, maturity and skill set, Brown will likely be the more valuable of the two by midseason. The Colts selected the Connecticut product in Round 1 for a reason.
Equipped with dodgy elusiveness, hole-penetrating explosiveness and terrific vision, the shifty rookie's tools blend perfectly with Tom Moore's spread scheme. However, caught from behind by Minnesota defensive end Jayme Mitchell(notes) last week (See the scamper here), he doesn't possess a second gear to outrun defenders. But his balance across-the-board will prove effective, especially with Peyton Manning(notes) stretching out defenses. After rushing impressively for 58 yards on five carries against the Vikings in his preseason debut, Brown has already gained the admiration of his teammates, especially center Jeff Saturday(notes):
"I thought he did a great job. Got through the hole, was shifty, made big runs, got outside, showed his speed. You've got to be impressed with the way he ran the ball. He did a good job when he ran the ball. He did a good job when he got the opportunity to make a big play."
Because Addai is composed of 45 percent papier-mâche, 55 percent wuss, Brown is a tremendous value selection in the middle rounds. His odds of developing into a viable deep-league RB2 are strong. For the thrifty-minded, his 85.21 ADP (RB34) is certainly attractive. But if he shines against a stingy Eagles defense tonight on national TV, it's a foregone conclusion his stock will march north.
Unsurprisingly, Jim Caldwell has adopted the old coach's prudent diplomacy.
This year, owners who invest in the Indy backfield better have a straight-jacket within arm's reach. It's sure to be infuriating. Incumbent Joseph Addai(notes), who was wildly inconsistent last season running behind a disheveled offensive line while battling through constant nicks and scrapes, and flashy newcomer Donald Brown(notes) are expected to be involved in an unspecified platoon, a situation Caldwell appropriately danced around earlier this month:
"Looking back at our history, it has always been a part of what we've done," Caldwell said of using two running backs. "The years when we've been really effective, we've had someone who could take a little load off of the guy who was carrying it a majority of the time. It depends on who you face and the type of defensive structure that you have to deal with. But one thing we know for sure is there will be some type of rotation."
How exactly the carries will be divided is anyone's guess. If Addai's balky knee doesn't flare up, he will begin the season as the starter. But make no mistake, it's a loose designation.
A season ago the fantasy heartbreaker followed a banner 1,436-total yard, 15-TD campaign with a Benson-esque effort. Over 12 games he averaged a mere 3.5 yards per carry, 62.5 total yards and 9.8 points per game, a mark which ranked one spot behind Earnest Graham(notes) or 28th overall at his position. With Brown breathing down his neck, it's safe to assume the pressure on the veteran to perform is massive. Even though his mid-40s ADP is sizably discounted, employing the Indy rusher as an RB2 is an enhanced risk.
Drawing rave reviews from Caldwell for his studious preparation, maturity and skill set, Brown will likely be the more valuable of the two by midseason. The Colts selected the Connecticut product in Round 1 for a reason.
Equipped with dodgy elusiveness, hole-penetrating explosiveness and terrific vision, the shifty rookie's tools blend perfectly with Tom Moore's spread scheme. However, caught from behind by Minnesota defensive end Jayme Mitchell(notes) last week (See the scamper here), he doesn't possess a second gear to outrun defenders. But his balance across-the-board will prove effective, especially with Peyton Manning(notes) stretching out defenses. After rushing impressively for 58 yards on five carries against the Vikings in his preseason debut, Brown has already gained the admiration of his teammates, especially center Jeff Saturday(notes):
"I thought he did a great job. Got through the hole, was shifty, made big runs, got outside, showed his speed. You've got to be impressed with the way he ran the ball. He did a good job when he ran the ball. He did a good job when he got the opportunity to make a big play."
Because Addai is composed of 45 percent papier-mâche, 55 percent wuss, Brown is a tremendous value selection in the middle rounds. His odds of developing into a viable deep-league RB2 are strong. For the thrifty-minded, his 85.21 ADP (RB34) is certainly attractive. But if he shines against a stingy Eagles defense tonight on national TV, it's a foregone conclusion his stock will march north.
Preseason updates
Carolina's Jonathan Stewart(notes) has been sidelined for most of camp by Achilles soreness, and it's allowed rookie fourth-rounder Mike Goodson(notes) a bit more visibility. That dude is dangerous. In the Panthers' preseason opener versus the Giants, Goodson had eight touches for 59 total yards and a TD. If Stewart's issues persist, remember Goodson's name. Here's a key quote from a local source: "This rookie is a big-play guy who will shake up Carolina's offense." [Charlotte Observer]
Chris Wells(notes) (ankle) is back at practice. Sort of. He's going through individual drills, then watching when the grown-ups take the field. "[Ken] Whisenhunt said Wells looked good. Wells' play will be progressed as the week goes, Whisenhunt said, as long as his ankle responds well daily." And of course there's no reason to doubt that Wells' ankle will respond superbly, right? [AZCardinals.com]
This is bad news for all Seahawks, past and present: Seattle LT Walter Jones(notes) needs another knee procedure. Ignore offensive lines at your own peril, fantasy owner. This is bad for Matt Hasselbeck(notes), bad for the ground game, bad for Funston … just bad, period. When asked about the amount of time Jones is expected to miss, coach Jim Mora had this to say: "I don't know. We'll have more information in the morning. We don't think that it's anything mind-blowing serious, but we want to be sure." [Seattle Times]
John Hansen delivered a collection of notes from the opening preseason games, and it's definitely worth a review. (Please note that it's pre-Favre). Here's a quick blurb on America's favorite Bengal: "I thought Cedric Benson(notes) ran hard, which is good. But I was really impressed with Bernard Scott(notes). He came in off the bench second, and I think if he continues to do well Scott will be the backup. If Benson goes down, Scott’s a major, major sleeper. He’s very talented and has a lot to offer. [Fantasy Guru]
Chris Wells(notes) (ankle) is back at practice. Sort of. He's going through individual drills, then watching when the grown-ups take the field. "[Ken] Whisenhunt said Wells looked good. Wells' play will be progressed as the week goes, Whisenhunt said, as long as his ankle responds well daily." And of course there's no reason to doubt that Wells' ankle will respond superbly, right? [AZCardinals.com]
This is bad news for all Seahawks, past and present: Seattle LT Walter Jones(notes) needs another knee procedure. Ignore offensive lines at your own peril, fantasy owner. This is bad for Matt Hasselbeck(notes), bad for the ground game, bad for Funston … just bad, period. When asked about the amount of time Jones is expected to miss, coach Jim Mora had this to say: "I don't know. We'll have more information in the morning. We don't think that it's anything mind-blowing serious, but we want to be sure." [Seattle Times]
John Hansen delivered a collection of notes from the opening preseason games, and it's definitely worth a review. (Please note that it's pre-Favre). Here's a quick blurb on America's favorite Bengal: "I thought Cedric Benson(notes) ran hard, which is good. But I was really impressed with Bernard Scott(notes). He came in off the bench second, and I think if he continues to do well Scott will be the backup. If Benson goes down, Scott’s a major, major sleeper. He’s very talented and has a lot to offer. [Fantasy Guru]
Monday, August 17, 2009
Lions already winning! :)
Matthew Stafford took his first snap as a pro and perfectly executed a play-action pass.
The problem: Keary Colbert dropped the ball.
Welcome to the Detroit Lions, kid.
Stafford threw a touchdown, an interception and had some passes dropped in his pro debut that Detroit rallied to win 27-26 over the Atlanta Falcons on Jason Hanson's 47-yard field goal as time expired.
"They're going to drop some balls just like I'm going to miss some," he said. "I was excited. I felt like I had a good day."
Stafford, the No. 1 pick of the NFL's first 0-16 team, completed half of his 14 passes for 114 yards.
He was pressured into making a poor pass, which was intercepted and returned by Tony Gilbert for a score. He responded by leading an 80-yard drive that ended with him looking left, throwing right and taking a hit on a 25-yard TD pass to fellow rookie Derrick Williams.
Detroit coach Jim Schwartz was impressed with how Stafford bounced back quickly after making a mistake.
Schwartz plans to start Stafford in the second exhibition game, but told reporters not to read into anything regarding the QB competition.
"They don't put preseason games on your tombstone or your resume," Schwartz said.
Detroit's Daunte Culpepper was 5-of-6 for 41 yards and moved around enough to show he's healthy after a knee injury stunted his career.
"I feel like I've finally gotten back to the player I want to be," he said.
The Falcons, meanwhile, just hope Matt Ryan and Michael Turner perform as they did last year for them and 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez and veteran linebacker Mike Peterson prove to be valuable additions.
In limited chances, each looked good.
Ryan was 5-of-7 for 33 yards. Turner ran for a 40-yard TD. Gonzalez caught a pass to convert a third down on the opening drive. Peterson had a team-high three tackles in the first quarter.
"We just didn't get the outcome that we wanted," coach Mike Smith said. "But I think there were some good things, some bad things and some ugly things."
The Lions scratched 16 players, including six projected starters and two of the team's top three picks, from the lineup with injuries. Schwartz said about half of those players would've played if it was the regular season.
Culpepper and Stafford didn't have any of their top three receivers, including Calvin Johnson, and were without first-round tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
That created opportunities and Colbert failed to take advantage, dropping three of Stafford's passes.
"I feel like I could have made every one of those plays," Colbert said. "That would have made his day look better from the outside, but he had a good day anyway."
Ryan is clearly the man under center for Atlanta after being drafted No. 3 overall, starting every game last season, becoming Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the team to the playoffs.
"We were a little bit rusty," he said. "But that's what the preseason is for."
Turner, who also had a lot to do with Atlanta's surprising season, had 63 yards rushing on six carries and ran into a hole and through a couple defenders on a long TD that put Atlanta ahead 7-3.
"It always feels good to get back into the groove of things," he said.
Detroit took an early lead on Hanson's field goal. Sixth-round pick Aaron Brown gave the Lions a chance to go ahead again with a 32-yard run for a score in the third period and a 45-yard TD reception with 2:05 left, when he was flagged for celebrating with a flip.
"I don't have the size," the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Brown said. "But I make up for it with speed."
The Lions got the ball back with no timeouts at their 27 with 1:36 remainder and third-string quarterback Drew Stanton ran for 18 yards to set up Hanson's winning kick.
"I got goosebumps when Jason hit that," Schwartz said after his first game as a head coach at any level.
The problem: Keary Colbert dropped the ball.
Welcome to the Detroit Lions, kid.
Stafford threw a touchdown, an interception and had some passes dropped in his pro debut that Detroit rallied to win 27-26 over the Atlanta Falcons on Jason Hanson's 47-yard field goal as time expired.
"They're going to drop some balls just like I'm going to miss some," he said. "I was excited. I felt like I had a good day."
Stafford, the No. 1 pick of the NFL's first 0-16 team, completed half of his 14 passes for 114 yards.
He was pressured into making a poor pass, which was intercepted and returned by Tony Gilbert for a score. He responded by leading an 80-yard drive that ended with him looking left, throwing right and taking a hit on a 25-yard TD pass to fellow rookie Derrick Williams.
Detroit coach Jim Schwartz was impressed with how Stafford bounced back quickly after making a mistake.
Schwartz plans to start Stafford in the second exhibition game, but told reporters not to read into anything regarding the QB competition.
"They don't put preseason games on your tombstone or your resume," Schwartz said.
Detroit's Daunte Culpepper was 5-of-6 for 41 yards and moved around enough to show he's healthy after a knee injury stunted his career.
"I feel like I've finally gotten back to the player I want to be," he said.
The Falcons, meanwhile, just hope Matt Ryan and Michael Turner perform as they did last year for them and 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez and veteran linebacker Mike Peterson prove to be valuable additions.
In limited chances, each looked good.
Ryan was 5-of-7 for 33 yards. Turner ran for a 40-yard TD. Gonzalez caught a pass to convert a third down on the opening drive. Peterson had a team-high three tackles in the first quarter.
"We just didn't get the outcome that we wanted," coach Mike Smith said. "But I think there were some good things, some bad things and some ugly things."
The Lions scratched 16 players, including six projected starters and two of the team's top three picks, from the lineup with injuries. Schwartz said about half of those players would've played if it was the regular season.
Culpepper and Stafford didn't have any of their top three receivers, including Calvin Johnson, and were without first-round tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
That created opportunities and Colbert failed to take advantage, dropping three of Stafford's passes.
"I feel like I could have made every one of those plays," Colbert said. "That would have made his day look better from the outside, but he had a good day anyway."
Ryan is clearly the man under center for Atlanta after being drafted No. 3 overall, starting every game last season, becoming Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the team to the playoffs.
"We were a little bit rusty," he said. "But that's what the preseason is for."
Turner, who also had a lot to do with Atlanta's surprising season, had 63 yards rushing on six carries and ran into a hole and through a couple defenders on a long TD that put Atlanta ahead 7-3.
"It always feels good to get back into the groove of things," he said.
Detroit took an early lead on Hanson's field goal. Sixth-round pick Aaron Brown gave the Lions a chance to go ahead again with a 32-yard run for a score in the third period and a 45-yard TD reception with 2:05 left, when he was flagged for celebrating with a flip.
"I don't have the size," the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Brown said. "But I make up for it with speed."
The Lions got the ball back with no timeouts at their 27 with 1:36 remainder and third-string quarterback Drew Stanton ran for 18 yards to set up Hanson's winning kick.
"I got goosebumps when Jason hit that," Schwartz said after his first game as a head coach at any level.
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