The starters around the NFL sat and watched the opening games on the preseason schedule.

I watched the top picks play and saw some impressive things.

A quick scan…1st impressions of the 1st preseason games:

CHARGERS-HOUSTON…The Bolts got better and better as the game went on.

..QB-Trey Lance (166P-27R) and looks like he fits this new look offense.

..RB-Amari Johnson had a TD run and a 55Y-catch and run-maybe a taxi squad guy

..WR-KeAndre Lambert-Smith..big step up from last year..catches 11-15-16

..DE-Ahkeem Mesidor-explosive off the ball but got blocked-never got there.

..OC-Jake Slaughter-played alot at the pivot spot-solid in protection

..WR-Brennan Thompson got open-is fast inside

..LB-Marlo Wax-really active-will get more playing time

..CB-Genesis Smith-tall rangy and fast in coverage-bears watching

..HOUSTON was awful, and killed themselves with 9-penalties too.

Of course Mike McDaniel did not unveil much of his motion package.  The wide variety of backups showed great speed and athleticism across the whole roster.  On to next weekend.

RAIDERS-ARIZONA…The debut of Fernando Mendoza was solid,  and he competed (10-16) 97Y-but he was under siege alot, which means the OL problems are still there.  He hung in there and made plays.  WR-Jack Bech had 3-catches.  The one to watch is RB-Mike Washington, with size, toughness and explosive power at the second level (63Y) rushing.  The defense, who knows.  They got beat up.

STEELERS-PACKERS…The debut of Mike McCarthy as head coach.  They threw the ball everywhere (483Y) in offense.  Even rookie QB-Drew Allar (153P-2Td) was dazzling and the backups Mason Rudolph-Will Howard went (17-20) 179P.  Think of that, Pittsburgh threw the ball all over the lot.

BENGALS-DETROIT..Yes Joe Burrow started but the big Bengals story was a rebuilt defense, with 2-interceptions and 2-sacks in the first half.

PATRIOTS-COLTS…It wound up in a tie, but it was a win for former #1 pick QB-Anthony Richardson-who might be on the trade block…Some night (158APY) run and throw…Remember Tommy DeVito-the ex Giants QB?  Started for the Pats (138P).

49ERS-TITANS…Cam Ward, the Titans number 1-pick struggled (5-12-48)….The Niners 3rd string QB-CFL-guy Kurtis Rourke (111P) and the young WR they have been talking about-showed why-DeZhaun Stribling (7R-63Y).

Just a start.  More games Friday and Saturday, but football is back.

My first impressions of the first games.

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