Previewing NFL Preseason Week 3 by looking at five players who need to impress.
Mark Sanchez, Denver Broncos
Mark Sanchez signed with the Denver Broncos with the hopes that it would be his best opportunity to play for a Super Bowl contender at this stage of his career, but so far this preseason the veteran passer has been faltering with poor play in two games. Opening the door for Trevor Siemian along with first round pick Paxton Lynch to compete for the job.
Head coach Gary Kubiak announced this week that all three quarterbacks will get equal playing time during the Broncos third preseason game. A sign that the job is up for grabs entering the final half of the preseason thanks to the poor play of Sanchez as well as Siemian.
With two quarterbacks behind Sanchez on the depth chart getting an extended look from the head coach, Sanchez needs to turn it around badly this week if he wants to keep his hold on the starting job. One more mediocre outing for Sanchez could cost him his job and potentially his last chance to start for a contender.
Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos
Like Sanchez, Siemian opened the door for rookie Paxton Lynch with an equally poor performance against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend. Contributing to a turnover-plagued night for the Broncos veterans while Lynch through Denver’s only two passing touchdowns of the game with the third unit offense.
Siemian’s poor play has hurt his chances of starting as he competes with Sanchez, now instead there is a window of possibility that the Broncos run with their rookie if the poor play continues from Siemian and Sanchez. Putting the pressure on Siemian to show that he can bounce back to win the job.
If Siemian can outplay Sanchez against the Rams this week, there is a good chance he can win the starting job even after his equally poor play. There is no position battle with higher stakes than the quarterback competition for the defending champs, something that will make this weekend’s game a must watch as Siemian and Sanchez will be going at it to start for the Broncos Week 1.
Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders
Latavius Murray finished second in the AFC in rushing last season and after the Oakland Raiders declined to sign a complimentary back this offseason the young running back was expected to resume his role as a dependable feature back. Something that has yet to be on display this preseason as the Raiders rushing attack has struggled.
Against the Packers last week, Murray struggled with just 21 yards off six carries. Murray and rookie running back DeAndre Washington struggling to get yards after contact against the Green Bay Packers, combining for just 15 yards after contact on the night as Murray lacked explosiveness on Thursday.
Raiders RBs Latavius Murray and DeAndre Washington had a combined 11 carries for a combined 15 yards after contact
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) August 19, 2016
Murray has the starting job on lock this year as the Raiders don’t really have an option behind him to take the majority of the carries in his place, but another bad performance could start the rumblings that general manager Reggie McKenzie made a mistake not signing a secondary option in the free agency market.
Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings
It is odd to see a veteran kicker under the gun in the preseason, but when it happens it is usually after a catastrophic miss in the playoffs. Such is the case with Blair Walsh, who is trying to avoid the fate of Scott Norwood and Mike Vanderjagt in Minnesota after his soul crushing game winning shank against the Seahawks last January.
Walsh missed a short FG again last week as the Vikings played the Seahawks, leading to the talk about Walsh having the yips. A fair discussion considering that Walsh already is amongst the kickers with the most misses in the past three seasons before the miss in the playoffs against Seattle.
https://twitter.com/billbarnwell/status/766501730368520192
Most Missed FGs – Last 3 Seasons
Caleb Sturgis 20
Randy Bullock 18
Blair Walsh 18
Greg Zuerlein 18 https://t.co/5nUEiPNHJh— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 22, 2016
It appears that the Vikings will stick with Walsh and give him a chance at redemption from his gaffe last year, but if the close range misses continue the whispers surrounding Walsh’s ability to consistently make field goals will continue. After 18 misses in the last season and a bad miss last week, Walsh needs a 100% day to quiet down the critics before the regular season starts.
Arian Foster, Miami Dolphins
Coming back from an Achilles’ tear, Arian Foster’s preseason debut with the Miami Dolphins last week against the Dallas Cowboys was a bust for the veteran running back. Foster taking two carries for -5 yards in his return to the field after a 10-month absence.
Despite the disappointing return, head coach Adam Gase told reporters this week he wants to get a good look at Foster this week. The Dolphins planning on evaluating what Foster has left in the tank with an increased workload in the third preseason game, giving Foster a chance to compete with Jay Ajayi for the feature back role.
After failing to gain a yard on two carries, the spotlight will be on Foster this week as it still isn’t known if the 30-year-old can turn back the clock after the Achilles’ tear. If Foster wants to end the speculation, a few flashes of his former skills could go a long way as the Dolphins are planning on giving Foster a chance to prove himself this week.
