NFL Preseason Friday: What Bettors Need to Know
By Marc Lawrence
Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts (+5.5, 34)
Starter report
Washington: Coach Mike Shanahan announced that John Beck will start at quarterback Friday. Beck is battling Rex Grossman for the starting job in Washington. Grossman started against the Steelers and completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown last week. Beck, who sat out the game with a strained groin, says he doesn't feel pressure to match Grossman's preseason debut.
“I’m just excited to play because I missed an opportunity,” he told the media.
Corner Josh Wilson, FS Oshiomogho Atogwe, SS LaRon Landry and WR Brandon Banks are out for Friday’s contest.
Indianapolis: The Colts’ M.O. is to look at as many players as possible in exhibition games. That’s why they’re 5.5-point home dogs in Week 2. Nonetheless, QB Curtis Painter who is filling in for the injured Peyton Manning this exhibition season, started last week's game versus the Rams and was in for two offensive series (13 total plays in all). Painter will start again Friday night against Washington and get an increased workload.
"He'll play more," Jim Caldwell hinted to reporters.
Tight end Dallas Clark also figures to put in more time against the Redskins. Clark got in for only a few plays last week. Although WR Reggie Wayne missed practice Wednesday for personal matters, he is expected to play Friday.
Things to note: Shannan is 0-4 SU and ATS in exhibition games off a preseason win since 2007… Colts head coach Jim Caldwell is 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS in all games during the preseason… forecast in D.C. is calling for a chance of thundershowers.
Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns (-2.5, 36.5)
Starter report
Detroit: Jim Schwartz’ focus heading into Friday’s game remains on installing his offense, not on planning for the Browns.
“We’re still in training camp mode, going out and practicing,” Schwartz told reporters.
Meanwhile, two former Browns are looking forward to this Week 2 contest. Corner Brandon McDonald wants to make an impact when he returns to Cleveland for the first time since the Browns cut him last year.
“It’s personal to me,” he told the media. “In 2010, I thought I was getting a raw deal (being cut). I’m really looking forward to going back there.”
Running back Jerome Harrison says facing the Cleveland team that traded him last season does not leave him with warm feelings for the Browns.
“I just want to prepare, try and have a good game, and get the hell out of Cleveland,” Harrison said.
Cleveland: Head coach Pat Shurmur announced his starters will play close to a half against the Lions. He added that he’s seeking to increase the number of reps for the starting offensive and defensive lines to more than 20 plays.
Starting G Eric Steinbach (back) won't play Friday and RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring) is questionable. The Browns primary focus in practice this week was on their rush offense and defense. They executed 9-on-9 drills with no WRs and CBs on the field.
Things to note: The host team in this series is 6-2 SU and ATS the last eight preseason meetings... forecast in Cleveland calls for partially cloudy skies and winds blowing around 10 mph.
Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins (-5.5, 33.5)
Starter report
Carolina: After announcing that prized first-round pick Cam Newton would get the start against the Dolphins, Ron Rivera said the first-team offense will play about half of Friday's game and that Jimmy Clausen will also get reps with the first teamers, thus keeping the QB competition even.
"We'll do like we did last week, where Cam came in and played with the first group in the second quarter," Rivera told the media.
The Panthers are expected to be without five starters against Miami: RT Jeff Otah (knee), RG Geoff Schwartz (hip), LB Jon Beason (Achilles), DE Greg Hardy (foot) and CB Chris Gamble (groin) and possibly FB Tony Fiammetta (neck stinger).
Miami: Head coach Tony Sparano said starters will play about one half versus Carolina. New RB Reggie Bush will start in the preseason home opener and rookie RB Daniel Thomas will serve as backup against the Panthers.
Bush is the last one off the practice field almost every day, putting in extra time with wind sprints and pulling the sled. Sparano said Bush, who has never had more than 157 carries in a season, knows he’ll be “carrying a bigger load” this season.
Things to note: The Dolphins are catching a lot of flack from the locals about the poor play of the starters last week (they were outscored 17-0 in their first quarter against the Falcons last week). The boo-birds will be out early and often should QB Chad Henne and the Fish falter again… Miami is 10-3 SU and 8-4-1 ATS in exhibition games under Sparano… the forecast in Miami is calling for thundershowers around kickoff, which will give way to cloudy skies and 13-mph winds.
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens (-7, 32.5)
Starter report
Kansas City: There’s no question the Kansas City defense is ahead of the offense. For the third straight practice, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel’s crew stifled their teammates, forcing turnovers and getting sacks.
As a result the No. 1 offense has grown frustrated with the pounding. When OLB Andy Studebaker broke the unwritten rule of not hitting the quarterback as he finished a pass rush, head coach Todd Haley blew up. He verbally blasted his entire defense, using the word “stupid” more than a half-dozen times.
Baltimore: Coach John Harbaugh said the starters will play "well into the second quarter" against Kansas City. With the shorter offseason, Harbaugh feels it's important for his team to get game experience.
Harbaugh added veterans LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed won't play as long. Corner Cary Williams will get a look with the first-team defense against Kansas City.
“It’s something you dream of as a child, to play with (Reed and Lewis)” Williams said. “You imagine you are those guys.”
Things to note: Since his arrival in 2009, Haley is 1-8 SU and 0-9 ATS in preseason games with the Chiefs… Harbaugh is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS as a preseason favorite of three or more points… the forecast in Baltimore is calling for a chance of thundershowers.
Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers (-6, 37.5)
Starter report
Arizona: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt stated he isn't sure how much playing time QB Kevin Kolb or the first-team offense will get versus the Packers, although he said it could potentially extend into the second quarter. Whisenhunt compared learning a new offense, like Kolb is doing, to learning a new language.
"At some point in the process you'll start to hear it in Spanish and think of it in Spanish. How long that takes, you don't know,” he told reporters.
Green Bay: Last week, the Packers’ starters were hardly on the field long enough to put in their mouth guards against the Browns. They figure to get much more playing time versus the Cardinals.
Rookie WR Randall Cobb, a college QB and noted playbook workaholic, is having a sterling camp. His route-running and pass-catching is down to a science. But unlike many receivers, he wants to know the offense on a macro level.
“I have a good grip on (the offense), but I still haven’t conquered it. I want to know about the pass protections and I want to know about the running plays as well."
Things to note: After starting 3-11 SU and 4-10 ATS in his initial 14 preseason games, Whisenhunt is 3-0 SU and ATS his last three contests… Defending Super Bowl champions are 3-0 SU and ATS in preseason home openers the last three years… the forecast in Green Bay is calling for a chance of thundershowers.
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3, 35.5)
Starter report
Atlanta: The teams had a dual practice at the Jaguars’ facility Wednesday. Head coach Mike Smith said C Todd McClure won’t play in the preseason game against Jacksonville for rest reasons. In addition, Falcons CB Dunta Robinson won’t play because of a hamstring injury. Linebacker Akeem Dent (knee), TE Justin Peelle (knee) and QB John Parker Wilson (concussion) are all question marks for Week 2’s game.
Jacksonville: Starting QB David Garrard is back with the team after sustaining a back injury during opening week of training camp. Jaguars rookie QB Blaine Gabbert got some work with the first team during practice Tuesday. He had worked with the starters previously in camp while Garrard was on the mend.
Jacksonville will be without two starters for the rest of the preseason. Right tackle Eben Britton (bad back) and TE Zach Miller (sprained knee) will miss at least two weeks. Del Rio says linebacker Clint Session and running back Rashad Jennings will be held out of Friday’s contest against the Falcons with concussions sustained at New England last week.
Things to note: Smith is 4-1-1 ATS on the preseason road and 3-1 ATS in exhibition games off a loss… The Jaguars’ 47-12 loss to New England last week was the worst ever in Jacksonville’s preseason history… the forecast is calling for cloudy skies and winds around 10 mph in Jacksonville.