With The First Pick
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Winners of Preseason Week 2

By Frank Sumrall

Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) runs onto the field prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) runs onto the field prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Week 2 of preseason displayed varying levels of play as more rust falls off the shoulders of athletes and onto the turf of their homes. Thursday’s showcase of football had a lot of action with plenty of winners to pick through.

Jimmy Garoppolo used Week 1 in preseason as a building block to really excel with his first professional start looming. After a solid yet shaky preseason debut, he looked poised, confident and near perfect with a performance that finished 16-for-21 for 181 yards and one score on his way to a 117.4 passer rating. He may be a simple cog in Belichick’s complicated and well-oiled machine but his patience and accuracy on the field gave him the skill and know-how to create plays and make tough throws. Despite a lot of his throws being check downs and screens, he displayed his vision and pocket presence when needed. His touchdown zinger to A.J. Derby was a great example.

Rober Griffin III had some great plays and some terrible plays in Week 1. No terrible plays were visible in Week 2. RG3 went 6-for-8 for 96 yards and two touchdown throws. His near-perfect passer rating of 154.2 showcased his tremendous football IQ and his potential to be a legitimate starter. Both of his two scores were tremendous throws with one to Terelle Pryor for 50 yards and another to Gary Barnidge in double coverage for 29 yards. RG3 also ran for a team-high 36 yards including a 22-yard run where he slid avoiding all contact. By the way, Pryor has combined for 107 yards off of three catches and a touchdown in two preseason games.

Philadelphia Eagles Defense continues to dominate in preseason with forcing turnovers over the first half of preseason. After plummeting the Bucs by taking the ball away from them five times, they bullied Landry Jones all half. After Jones threw an ugly pick-six, they forced another three interceptions including two in the end zone. The Eagles turnover differential is off the charts at +7. Whether the Eagles can keep up the impressive start is up to them.

Detroit Lions receivers are trying to seamlessly bridge the Megatron-era to the post Megatron-era. Golden Tate missed the first game while Marvin Jones had limited action, but they both excelled in Week 2. Tate and Jones combined for 106 yards receiving on 7 catches. They each made big plays while averaging over 10 yards a grab. If they can continue to put numbers up like this for a full 60 minutes; their offensive attack may not be as dismal as it seems.

Seattle’s rushing attack is very similar to Detroit’s passing attack. Losing Marshawn Lynch seemed like an end of an era but his injury-plagued 2015 campaign opened the way for Carroll and co. to find new replacements. Thomas Rawls has been heavily hyped despite returning from a season-ending injury, but other backs are continuing to step up. Christine Michael is ready to steal carries from Rawls after a strong Week 2 performance where he finished for 55 yards on 10 carries after a 7-carry 44-yard game against Kansas City. Troymaine Pope finished with a tremendous game going for 86 yards on just 10 carries and a touchdown after receiving just 2 carries in their first game. Many running backs are showing the potential of leading the rushing attack, leaving Seattle in potentially good hands after Lynch’s abrupt retirement.

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