Last Thursday night, the 2016 NFL preseason officially kicked off, ending the drought of no football until February. During the first weekend, we got a chance to see the starters play their usual first drive, along with rookies getting their first taste of NFL action. Even the biggest critics of preseason football, enjoyed themselves as we saw some rookies put together impressive debuts, along with veterans showing the league that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
But, before we get ready for the second week of preseason action, which begins on Thursday night. Here are three takeaways from the first weekend of the NFL preseason:
1. The Dallas Cowboys may have found their backup quarterback
A lot of discussion this offseason surrounding the Dallas Cowboys was about who will be their backup quarterback after Kellen Moore suffered a broken ankle in training camp. With Moore out, there was a lot of speculation that the Cowboys were looking at either Nick Foles or Josh McCown. However, they could not get Foles as he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and did not make a trade for McCown.
Instead, they stuck with their current stable of quarterbacks and it looks like they were right to do so as fourth round pick Dak Prescott had an outstanding preseason debut. Prescott got the start with the first team on offense and completed 10-of-12 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. He looked confident under center and placed the football where only his wide receivers could make plays.
Nevertheless, while we all have to remember its just one preseason game. It is still exciting to see a player, who was a late round pick execute the way he did. If Tony Romo does go down a few games this season, at least they can depend on Prescott.
2. Robert Griffin III looks solid in debut, despite an interception
While all the attention were on the rookie quarterbacks under center last weekend, veteran Robert Griffin III made his Cleveland Browns’ debut as the team’s starting quarterback. As the team’s starting quarterback, he did not disappoint at all, passing for 67 yards and an interception, while completing 50 percent of his passes.
The interception was partly his fault as he overthrew tight end Gary Barnidge. But the highlight of the game, came on the first play when Griffin III unleashed a deep pass for 49-yards to wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, who went up and got the ball. If Griffin III can play with confidence and his young weapons help him out, then the Browns could be a fun team to watch this season.
3. The 49ers’ quarterback competition is still wide open
Finally, on Sunday, Chip Kelly made his head coaching debut with the San Francisco 49ers bringing his uptempo offense to the Bay Area. His starting quarterback for the preseason opener was Blaine Gabbert, not Colin Kaepernick, who is dealing with a dead arm.
Against the Houston Texans, this was Gabbert’s opportunity to cement himself as the starting quarterback. However, he did not do that. Gabbert threw for 63 yards and a touchdown, but only completed 40 percent of his passes. Kelly’s offense is predicated on accuracy and Gabbert was far from that on Sunday.
Consequently, this now gives Kaepernick an opportunity to redeem himself, if he gets healthy sometime this preseason. But if he doesn’t, Gabbert will continue to be in the driver’s seat by default.
