The most important things we learned from watching Friday's NFL exhibition games:
McCoy is for real. Browns second-year quarterback Colt McCoy (10 for 18, 96 yards, 3 TDs) continues to thrive in first-year coach Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense. He clicked with two fellow youngsters, rookie wide receiver Greg Little and tight end Evan Moore, while moving the ball efficiently against Detroit. With his mobility and an arm tailored to short and intermediate throws, McCoy fits well in a rhythmic passing game.
Cam stays the course. Panthers No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton (7 for14, 66 yards) started ahead of Jimmy Clausen at Miami, and his performance--in few ways--was similar to the extensive action he saw against the Giants last week. He again made good use of his skilled tight ends and again didn't throw an interception, but this time he couldn't connect downfield or lead Carolina on any scoring drives in the first half. He remains an inconsistent passer, but it's the second small step in a long learning process.
Bush provides a spark. In the same game, Chad Henne shined as Newton's counterpart, and the debut of Reggie Bush played a big part in that. Bush showed some of his old pop as a runner and receiver, turning 10 touches into 81 yards from scrimmage. The other half of the Dolphins' new-look rushing committee, rookie Daniel Thomas, complemented Bush well with his power running.
Redskins run well with Beck. So much has been made of the quarterback competition in Washington, but the reason John Beck (14 for 17, 140 yards) made a strong case to start under center was the promise provided by two newcomers in the team's wide-open running back battle. Rookie Roy Helu and former Cardinal Tim Hightower both reeled off of a run of longer than 50 yards against the Colts.
Packers home in on title defense. Green Bay played its first game in Lambeau Field since winning Super Bowl XLV and treated the Cheeseheads to a hint of just how much better its stellar offense can be with feature back Ryan Grant and tight end Jermichael Finely healthy. When you add up all their running and receiving talent, no team in the NFL can match the Pack.
Stafford sticks with it. There was nothing spectacular about Lions quarterback Matt Stafford's night in Cleveland, but he was solid (6-for-10, 85 yards, TD) and continued to show no lingering effects from right shoulder surgery. Detroit, however, needs to get better line play and a better running game to make sure he stays upright and healthy.
Chiefs concerns on offense? Matt Cassel and the rest of the first-team offense didn't do too much in Baltimore against a Ravens defense missing Ray Lewis. As much as Cassel and his teammates benefited from the oversight of Charlie Weis last season, there are natural kinks as they adjust to a scheme without Weis.
Kolb just fine for now. Kevin Kolb looks settled in as the Cardinals' starting quarterback, and it helps to inherit a go-to guy like Larry Fitzgerald. But how well Kolb grades out in the first year of his big deal will depend on how much running back Beanie Wells and complementary wideouts Early Doucet and Andre Roberts -- all made some nice plays in Green Bay -- can contribute.
Garrard still ahead of Gabbert. It's not the most exciting of the quarterback battles in the NFL, probably because it seems a given the Jaguars will start David Garrard early and take a wait-and-see approach with rookie first-round pick Blaine Gabbert. They each looked so-so at home against another top team, Atlanta, after falling at New England. It's hard to evaluate either QB while Jacksonville's best offensive player, Maurice Jones-Drew, remains out while recovering from knee surgery.
The Colts aren't the Colts. Scratch learning anything about how good or not-so good perennial power Indianapolis will be in the regular season based on the preseason. Without Peyton Manning, there's no point in worry about how they're not scoring points. But how they're playing without Manning is exactly why they aren't taking any chances in risking further injury by rushing him back after offseason neck surgery
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