NFL Capsules - NFC: Redskins go long to play a friendly, visit Arizona
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Like many of his Washington Redskins teammates, Derrick Dockery shook his head when asked about this week's game.
"Why," Dockery said, "couldn't they come here?"
Better yet, why are these two teams playing at all? For the final preseason game — the one that usually means the least — the NFL's schedule-makers are sending the Redskins to visit the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
"It is a little unusual," coach Mike Shanahan said, "traveling that far."
Not counting their American Bowl trip to Japan in 2002, the Redskins haven't had such a long journey for a friendly since a game against the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992. For the sake of convenience — and also because it's cheaper — exhibitions are usually held against nearby teams, if possible. Washington's usual staple of preseason destinations includes places such as Baltimore, Jacksonville and Carolina.
The flight to Phoenix is the longest any NFL team will make during the preseason this year and is longer than any the Redskins will make during the regular season. In addition, a good chunk of the roster will be flying 3,300 miles roundtrip just to stand on the sideline, because Shanahan usually sits his starters, as well as his top backups, in the final preseason game.
"It's kind of like a bye week," No. 2 quarterback Rex Grossman said.
Grossman hadn't expected to play, although Shanahan said Grossman might get the start before yielding to fellow backups John Beck and Richard Bartel. Starting quarterback Donovan McNabb wouldn't have played even if he weren't dealing with a sprained ankle.
The division of labor was stark this week. Players who won't be playing against the Cardinals had a different schedule that included a head start on preparation for the season opener against Dallas on Sept. 12.
"There are players on this team that are preparing for Week One," center Casey Rabach said. "I'm looking at Dallas."
For players further down the depth chart, however, this isn't a throwaway game at all. The final cuts are Saturday, when the roster is slashed from 75 to 53 for the start of the regular season. This is the last shot for anyone on the bubble.
"This game, of course, I've got a big mindset to go out there and make some big plays," said undrafted rookie receiver Brandon Banks, "and show the coaches what I've got and that I belong here."
So, while Dockery and other starters were at their lockers Tuesday answering questions about the movies they plan to watch on the flight, others were finding ways to deflect the tension that comes as cutdown day looms.
"There's no pressure playing football," said Bartel, who has been trying to make a regular season roster since 2007 and has been cut by three other teams. "There's a lot of people unemployed trying to provide for their families, that's pressure. Whether or not you're going to play in the NFL, that's not pressure."
Notes: The Redskins cut LB Hall Davis, LS James Dearth, S Lendy Holmes and OL Edwin Williams in the first round of cuts to get the roster down to 75. Davis lasted only one practice after being acquired in a trade from the St. Louis Rams for a conditional draft pick that the Redskins will likely get back. Dearth's release shows the coaches are content to go with inexperienced Nick Sundberg at long snapper, despite his struggles early in training camp.
With Sorgi out, Bomar is Giants No. 2 QB for now
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Rhett Bomar is the New York Giants' backup quarterback, at least for now.
Bomar took over the No. 2 spot behind Eli Manning on Tuesday when the Giants placed veteran Jim Sorgi on injured reserve with a torn muscle in his right shoulder.
With the regular season less than two weeks away, it is uncertain whether Bomar will keep the job. The second-year pro has improved dramatically in training camp, but he has never played in a regular-season game. That must concern a franchise looking to return to the playoffs after missing out last year.
Bomar will get a chance to show he deserves the job on Thursday when the Giants (1-2) finish the preseason with a game against the New England Patriots (2-1) at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
"I've always been confident in myself," Bomar said. "I feel comfortable in the offense. I just need to cut down on some mistakes and things like that. Like I said, I can't control everything. I can only control how I play, and that's it. Hopefully they're comfortable enough with me."
If Bomar doesn't play well, Giants coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese might scour the waiver wire this weekend when teams cut their rosters to the 53-man limit. Usually, a couple of veterans quarterbacks are available.
The problem with bringing in a new quarterback, however, is that he has to learn the system.
Bomar has made strides since training camp opened and got a chance to play with the first team for a week after Manning and Sorgi were hurt in the preseason opener against the Jets.
Bomar played the entire second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he'll probably play at least at a half against the Patriots.
"It was a huge advantage for him to play with us, get the reps and be the main guy out there," offensive tackle David Diehl said. "He has handled everything well, even if something bad has happened. That's key for a quarterback. When something bad happens, are they going to hang their head or step up and learn? He has done a tremendous job of bouncing back and being ready to go."
Manning said that the 25-year-old Bomar has grown up this season.
"He doesn't have a lot of playing experience, just some preseason. But you have seen him these last few weeks get a lot more reps and get more comfortable with everything going on," Manning said. "He is in there competing, making plays and doing good stuff."
Bomar has completed 29 of 53 passes for 374 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the preseason. He also gives the offense an extra dimension that Manning doesn't provide. He can run, rushing six times for 43 yards, a 7.2 yard average.
"I have had my moments in the games," Bomar said. "They haven't been perfect. I am still learning as I go, but I am trying to get better every game, every rep."
Receiver Steve Smith, who set a franchise record with 107 catches last season, says the strong-armed Bomar has more touch on the ball this season and is making quicker decisions.
"He's a tough kid," Smith said. "You have to see some of the shots he has taken the last two weeks. He hasn't said a word. He keeps his mouth closed and keeps on going."
A fifth-round draft pick out of Sam Houston State in 2009, Bomar spent most of last season on the Giants' practice squad. He came to training camp as an outsider for the No. 2 spot.
Sorgi was signed as a free agent in the offseason after backing up Eli's brother, Peyton, in Indianapolis for the past six years. Coughlin said he will probably need surgery on his shoulder.
NOTES: CB Aaron Ross had the cast removed from his right foot on Sunday and continues to rehab his torn plantar fascia. ...TE Travis Beckum missed Tuesday's practice with an undisclosed neck problem. ..G Chris Snee's wife, Kate, gave birth to their third son, Walker Ryan on Monday night. It's Tom Coughlin's 10th grandchild. ... Coughlin celebrated his 64th birthday on Tuesday. Players sang "Happy Birthday" after practice.
Vick to get start in final preseason game
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Vick will start Philadelphia's final preseason game because the Eagles are resting their starters.
Coach Andy Reid says Vick will play the first half against the New York Jets on Thursday night. Rookie Mike Kafka is slated to play the second half. Kevin Kolb will be on the sideline.
Vick, a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with Atlanta, hasn't started since Dec. 31, 2006. He signed with the Eagles last summer after missing two seasons due to his imprisonment.
Vick has 133 yards passing, no touchdowns, three interceptions and a 33.7 quarterback rating this preseason.
Brees' drive appears undiminished by accolades
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Drew Brees stood alone on the goal line, reflecting on everything that went wrong in practice. Then he took off, running the length of the New Orleans Saints' practice field several times over.
It's his way of punishing himself for bad throws and poor execution during practice.
At 31, Brees is at the top of his game — and he wants to stay there.
He routinely throws extra passes after practice to a handful receivers, and when Brees is the last player remaining on the field, helmet still on, he runs sprints that no one but himself has required of him.
"I punish myself from time to time with conditioning or whatever," Brees said. "When you feel like you don't have something down ... you spend the extra time to get it done and make sure you feel comfortable and confident with it."
Brees said he usually determines his extra work load depending on the number of mistakes he makes.
"If I throw a pick, I might say for every pick I throw, I will run two extra gassers," he said. "Or, for every incompletion or bad decision, I am going to do this. If I ran a 2-minute drill that I am not happy with, I might go back through it again and visualize the defense I saw and run the through the routes that I wish I would have done or the throws I wish I would have made."
Brees doesn't have to wish for much off the field.
He is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, newly published best-selling author and cover boy for the popular "Madden" football video game.
But defending Super Bowl titles has proven tough the past decade or so, according to statistics which Brees can rattle off from memory.
Five of the previous 11 Super Bowl winners didn't make it back to the playoffs one season later. Only the New England Patriots of 2003-04 have repeated as champions in the past decade.
Brees has spoken of being motivated by the fear of failure, and he said soon after the Saints began offseason training that there was no better time to instill such fear in the squad than right after their championship. So when coach Sean Payton highlighted the failures or recent NFL champs during a meeting last spring, Brees was pleased.
"We haven't been down this road before as defending champs, but the fact of the matter is we all know this is a new season and everybody has the same hopes and aspirations," Brees said. "There are 32 teams that believe this can be their year. ... We know that we are going to get everybody's best shot. We know we have to put our best foot forward every time we step on the field."
Regardless of how this season plays out, one thing that seems clear to Brees' coaches and teammates — the Pro Bowl quarterback's preparation has not been diminished by his busy offseason.
Brees bounced around the talk-show, book tour and video game promotion circuit; his wife, Brittany, is pregnant with their second child — a boy due in October; and his community service endeavors were extensive, largely on behalf of children's programs, schools and the military.
"One thing you don't have to worry about with Drew is his work ethic and his leadership," said running back Reggie Bush, who also plays receiver in Payton's high-octane offense. "What you see on the football field is what you get here at the facility every day, Monday through Saturday. That's why he's the leader of this team and that's why he's been so successful."
Payton said there is no reason for his quarterback's self-imposed punishment, but he isn't about to interfere with Brees' routine.
"It's probably more of him working on aspects of getting better. I think he's trying to give himself an edge, whether that's the time he's spending (throwing to receivers after practice) or whether it's conditioning," Payton said. "I just think it's his competitive nature to keep pressing himself."
The two have a connection that works.
Since Brees and Payton, who calls offensive plays, both arrived in New Orleans in 2006, the Saints have lead the NFL in offense in three of four years and were fourth in 2007. During that time, Brees has complete 66.8 percent of his passes for 18,298 yards — the highest four-year yardage total in NFL history. In 2008, he joined Dan Marino as the second player in NFL history to eclipse 5,000 yards passing in a season. Brees' 5,069 yards fell 15 yards short of Marino's single-season record 5,084.
Brees, who has thrown for more than 4,000 yards each season with New Orleans, now needs 3,437 yards break Archie Manning's franchise record of 21,734 yards passing. Brees is already the Saints' all-time leader in TD tosses with 122.
And he could get better.
"He started out (with the Saints) at a super-high level and it's hard to get better, but he finds some way to do it," receiver Marques Colston said. "The thing he's really done well is communicate to us what exactly he wants, and that's what makes the offense click the way it does."
Brees, somewhat small for a quarterback at 6-feet tall, has been underestimated much of his career. He was passed on by the entire NFL in the first round of the 2001 draft coming out of Purdue.
His journey to Super Bowl MVP with the once sad-sack Saints, which included his rehabilitation from a career-threatening throwing shoulder injury in 2005, formed the foundation of his first book, "Coming Back Stronger."
Now, as Brees enters his 10th season, he has established a reputation as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Former Saints and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Bobby Hebert, now a sports radio personality in New Orleans, said he has "never seen a player work harder to lead by example."
Bush said Brees has both mental and physical ability to lead.
"He's extremely athletic," Bush said. "He's extremely talented and regardless of whether he's 6-4, 6-5 or 5-9, he's still going to be Drew Brees. And he's a great quarterback."
-- Brett Martel
Bryant's preseason misses have Falcons worried
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Matt Bryant knows how fickle the kicking profession can be.
He's made nearly 82 percent of the field-goal attempts in his career. Still, three misses in the preseason — including an extra point — have the Atlanta Falcons worrying about another uncertain season in the kicking game.
"That's one of many concerns I have," coach Mike Smith said Tuesday. "You've got to kick the ball between the uprights, especially on extra points. When you're kicking a 50-yarder, it's a little bit different situation. But we've got to make extra points."
Bryant is 3-of-5 on field goals in the first three exhibition games, missing from 47 and 50 yards. That wouldn't be a major issue if not for a botched PAT in last week's win at Miami.
He's kicking himself for making a slight change in his motion after the dirt of the baseball infield at Sun Life Stadium nearly caused him to slip on his first extra point.
"I like going out here in practice and doing everything a certain way. Then, to try to do something different, it's not good," the 35-year-old Bryant said. "It's a lesson learned. Do everything the same way every time. Two wrongs don't make a right. I've got to move on and have amnesia for the next game."
Although Bryant feels like he's got the confidence of his teammates and coaches, he knows it only takes another miss or two to put his job on the line. The Falcons face Jacksonville in their final preseason game Thursday.
The Falcons don't have any other kickers on the roster, but there could be some intriguing possibilities once teams make their final cuts. In Houston, for instance, the Texans must decide between Kris Brown, the last original member of the franchise, and Neil Rackers.
Bryant knew that nothing was secure, even after the Falcons cut ex-Baltimore kicker Steve Hauschka in mid-August.
"People asked me how the competition was going, and I was like, 'I'm not just competing against him,'" Bryant said. "There's 31 other teams with two kickers apiece (in training camp). You've got to go out there and own your spot, own your position."
Stability at this high-profile position has eluded the Falcons since Jay Feely left after 2003. They've gone through six kickers in the last six years. More troubling, they've had to make a midseason change three of the last four years.
Michael Koenen — still the team's punter — flopped in 2006 when the Falcons tried to give him all the kicking duties. Matt Prater missed three of four attempts before he was dumped two games into the '07 season. Both times, Atlanta turned to ancient Morten Andersen to finish out.
The Falcons seemed to have solved the problem when longtime Denver star Jason Elam was signed as a free agent in 2008. He had one brilliant season — 29 of 31 on field goals and perfect on 42 extra points — but inexplicably lost his touch in '09.
Elam was cut after 11 games, having made just 12 of 19 field goals and missing a PAT. Enter Bryant, who had been kicking in the UFL after being cut loose by the Buccaneers.
Although Bryant was certainly more effective than Elam (7 of 10), he connected only once in four attempts from at least 40 yards. That's what cost him his job in Tampa Bay, where he made 32 of 38 in 2008 — but only 5 of 11 from 40 yards and beyond.
"When a kicker makes a mistake, everybody in the stadium knows about it," Smith said. "When an offensive lineman or defensive lineman makes a mistake, you have to have a trained eye to really know who made the mistake. But special teams are not like offense and defense. When you're out there on special teams, you've got one snap. ... You don't get a second chance."
Bryant said he's hardly missed at all during practice, and he's certainly shown plenty of mental toughness during his career.
His 3-month-old son died unexpectedly in 2008. One day after the funeral, Bryant returned to kicked three goals in Tampa Bay's victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Last December, his father — a major influence in helping him reach the NFL — succumbed to Lou Gehrig's disease. After attending the funeral in Texas, Bryant rejoined the Falcons and kicked two field goals in their season-ending victory over the Buccaneers, which gave Atlanta back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
"I'm kicking with all these people on my back, so to speak," he said. "You can find motivation everywhere."
NOTES: The Falcons cut two more players Tuesday to reach the NFL-mandated limit of 75 before the final exhibition game. The most notable name was DT Thomas Johnson, who was waived after starting 10 games last season. Injuries hurt his chances to stay on the team. The Falcons also terminated S Matt Giordano with an injury settlement. He signed with the Falcons in March after spending last season with Green Bay.
-- Paul Newberry
Preseason finale a chance for Packers' backup QBs
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers knows from experience that it isn't easy to live life as an understudy in the NFL.
Now that Rodgers finally has broken free from Brett Favre's shadow to become an elite starting quarterback, he sees a little bit of his former self in Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn: a guy willing to do what it takes to prepare as if he's the starter every week, knowing that he might never play.
"I was telling a friend this summer, I couldn't think of a better backup, because it's tough to be a backup," Rodgers said. "You have to have the right personality, the right attitude and find ways to be a leader but also be very supportive. He's one of my best friends on this team, and he's improved and done a great job."
If everything goes according to plan for the Packers, Thursday night's preseason finale in Kansas City will be the last time anybody sees Flynn at quarterback for a while.
Still, Flynn must be ready to step in if called upon, so he and the rest of the Packers' No. 2 offense see the game as a significant chance to sharpen their skills.
"It's definitely a big week and a week that I think all of the 'twos' look forward to," Flynn said. "We're going to get more reps than we have all camp and any of the games, so it's something to look forward to. We're going to have a lot of fun and hopefully go out there and execute and put up some points."
Meanwhile, No. 3 quarterback Graham Harrell has shown steady improvement during training camp and could use Thursday's game to solidify his spot on the team — even if it's just on the practice squad.
Harrell was a record-setting quarterback at Texas Tech, but couldn't get an extended, serious look in the NFL until now.
"I've always thought I was able to play at this level, and I just thought sooner or later I'll get a shot to do it," Harrell said. "The more success I have here and the more comfortable I get in this offense and on this team, the more confidence I get and the more drive or reassurance I have that yeah, I can play on this level. I am good enough, and quarterbacks from spread systems can succeed in the NFL, and it's been a very positive experience so far, and I hope to continue to improve and do whatever it is that they ask me to do."
In Harrell's case, that could be a stint on the practice squad.
The Packers only kept two quarterbacks, Flynn and Rodgers, on their roster last season.
Given Rodgers' durability and a logjam at other positions, including fullback and tight end, it stands to reason that the team will keep only two quarterbacks again.
"If they put me on the 53-man roster, obviously I'd be really happy about that," Harrell said. "If they kept me on the practice squad, that's still a great opportunity to learn and continue to improve my game and learn a prostyle offense and get more comfortable in that."
Flynn said he didn't have a sense of which way the team was leaning, but he has been impressed by Harrell.
"He's picked it up very fast and the guy can play football," Flynn said. "He's been good, he's a fun guy to hang out with and be around having him in the locker room. He's done a really good job."
Already known for his poise, Flynn spent the offseason working on his footwork and arm strength. But he said his biggest strides came in his overall knowledge of the offense.
"I think that really has the most to do with it, just being more comfortable with the offense, knowing what plays to check to against certain defenses and getting everyone in the right play," Flynn said. "I feel like in the games and in practice too, we've done a real good job of it."
It showed in last week's preseason romp over Indianapolis, as Flynn threw two touchdown passes. And after getting an extended look during Thursday's game, Flynn will once again become a backup.
He'll run the scout team, just like Rodgers did, and Rodgers will be counting on him for help in the film room.
"The toughest thing is trying to find a way to still be relevant on a team where you're not having any playing time," Rodgers said. "But I think Matt's going to do a great job of that."
-- Chris Jenkins
Offensive struggles don't faze Cutler
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jay Cutler understands the angst. He also has a message — relax.
Whether it's breakdowns on the line or just poor execution overall, the Chicago Bears aren't getting what they envisioned from their starting offense.
Good thing for them it's just the preseason. The games don't count until Sept. 12, when Chicago opens against Detroit, meaning there's time to figure it all out.
With a new offensive coordinator in Mike Martz, Cutler said the Bears are running plays "just to get it on film" so he's not too worried about what he's seen so far.
The line has been shaky, and the points simply aren't coming. The starters were held scoreless in last week's 14-9 loss to Arizona, drawing boos from antsy fans who have seen the Bears fail to make the playoffs since the 2006 team's Super Bowl run.
"Is there a reason for concern? Maybe, maybe not," Cutler said. "I'm not concerned. I don't think anybody in that locker room is really concerned of where we're at. I think we're happy where we're at. There's room to improve, absolutely, but I think we'll be ready."
The Bears have scored on just three of 16 drives with Cutler, getting a field goal from Robbie Gould along with an 89-yard touchdown run by Matt Forte and TD pass to Johnny Knox.
Gould also had one field goal blocked and another hit the upright against Arizona, but it wasn't exactly a smooth performance for the offense, either.
Cutler was 10 of 20 for 129 yards and intercepted twice by Greg Toler while being sacked four times. He was taken down five times the previous week. On one of the sacks against Arizona, he tripped, but the pass protection was better.
Even so, he admittedly was skittish. And the offense again was out of sync. It didn't help, either, that Cutler had some problems with the audio. Even so, Martz was "a little surprised" by some of the mistakes he saw.
Cutler acknowledged that the Bears were a little too tense and insisted the mistakes are a matter of small tweaks rather than major fixes.
"Guys have a really good feel of what we're trying to do, what their routes should be," he said. "We don't have a lot of mental mistakes out there of guys lining up wrong or guys running the wrong routes. It's just minor things: not getting the depth, cutting too soon, missing if it's single-high or middle of the field open. Just little things right now."
Those "little things" loom large in a system that relies on precision and timing, and they will go a long way toward determining the team's success.
There's little room for error this season. Coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo are operating on a win-or-else mandate, and the Bears made some big changes during the offseason, acquiring Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers and running back Chester Taylor while shaking up the coaching staff.
Martz brings a successful track record, not to mention a playbook that's as thick as a lineman's waist. He also has receivers who at times struggled to grasp former coordinator Ron Turner's system, a quarterback with a gunslinging mentality and a line with question marks.
Yet, there's potential — potential for big results or big failure.
"It's pretty tough at the beginning, but once you get down the concepts and all the minor details — which are very important — you'll pick it up," said receiver Earl Bennett, who returned to practice this week after being out with a pulled hamstring.
It might not matter, though, if the line doesn't block.
Martz said the protection improved "remarkably" in the third preseason game, particularly with left tackle Chris Williams doing a better job after he got outplayed Oakland's Kamerion Wimbley.
"Each week, that group grows together and gets better and better," he said. "I was very pleased with the progress, particularly in the protections."
So was Cutler, who's been sacked 10 times. And he remains confident the offense will be clicking by the opener.
"It has to be," he said. "We don't have a choice."
-- Andrew Seligman
Boiman getting crash course in Lions' defense
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Rocky Boiman isn't going to get a chance to ease his way into the Detroit Lions' defense.
It's going to be more like cramming for final exams in his days at Notre Dame.
The veteran linebacker signed with the Detroit Lions earlier in the week and is scheduled to play in Thursday's final preseason game against Buffalo.
"We didn't bring him in here to stand around," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Tuesday. "He's here to play. We expect him to be out there against the Bills."
Learning an NFL scheme in three days sounds like an overwhelming task, especially for a middle linebacker who will be responsible for defensive calls, but Boiman has an advantage.
The 30-year-old started his career with the Titans, with Schwartz as his defensive coordinator and Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham as his position coach. Then he later played for the Chiefs when Cunningham was the defensive coordinator.
"He knows the scheme and he knows the terminology," Schwartz said. "That will help him a lot."
Boiman's history with Schwartz and Cunningham is the reason he was called to Detroit this week. The Lions were already struggling with inexperience at linebacker before injuries to DeAndre Levy, expected to start in the middle, and Jordon Dizon, his main backup.
"We worked Rocky out before training camp, and he did a nice job, so we knew he was in shape," Schwartz said. "We kept him in mind in case we ended up in this kind of situation, where we found ourselves short-handed late in camp. He was a guy that we knew we could fit into the system fairly quickly."
That doesn't mean Boiman is having an easy week.
"Learning this is going to take every waking minute I have before the game," he said. "And there's still going to be stuff I don't know."
Boiman won a Super Bowl ring with Indianapolis in 2006, but has bounced around the league in the past two seasons.
"I've been in Cincinnati, my hometown, just trying to stay in shape and waiting for someone to call," he said. "I knew I had a really good workout with the Lions before camp started, and I have a comfort level with coach Schwartz and coach Cunningham, so this was a good place for me to land."
Boiman also brings versatility, which will help him after Levy returns from a groin injury.
"He's a guy that we can use in the middle or on the outside, plus he can play special teams," Schwartz said. "That's what you need from that part of the roster."
Boiman said he doesn't have a preference, since he's never had a chance to settle at one linebacker spot.
"My whole career, I've been bouncing around from one position to another, so that's what I'm used to doing," he said.
Seattle looking for big plays from Thomas
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — In full pads, it took Seattle rookie safety Earl Thomas less than 10 seconds to take an interception back 86 yards for a touchdown against Minnesota last week.
And that included some Deion Sanders-esque high-stepping the last couple of yards.
Maybe those claims of Thomas coming out of Texas with 4.3-second 40-yard speed weren't so outlandish.
"I never had that speed at all," Seattle veteran safety Lawyer Milloy said. "That's something you can't coach. He's definitely blessed with some legs."
The Seahawks are hoping Thomas' return against the Vikings is a sign of a defense able to create more big plays after just giving them up a year ago and ranking 22nd in the NFL in interceptions.
For Thomas, it was another step in his education this preseason of adjusting to the expectations of being a starting safety in the NFL at just 21 years old.
"I came a long way from the first game and even from the first practice," Thomas said. "I think I get better every time I get on the field and just from learning the mistakes I had previously and getting them corrected."
The Seahawks never left any doubt about their intent of making Thomas their starting safety from the beginning. Even with just two years of college experience, head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider felt comfortable enough with Thomas' skills that he has run with the No. 1 defense from the first post-draft minicamp.
That's not to say there aren't moments of frustration or plenty of mistakes.
During Seattle's second preseason game against Green Bay, Thomas and Milloy were engaged in an animated conversation on the sideline after a blown coverage left Jermichael Finley wide open for a touchdown — after Seattle had called a time out. He also got beat on the first play of the game, a perfectly thrown deep ball from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings for 56 yards
"We still have some work to do. He definitely needed last week. It simplified it for him, take some of the elements away from him and have him concentrate on just football, his preparation, and the ball will come to you," Milloy said. "He did that and we saw what happened. It's a process with him."
Making impact plays is what Thomas did at Texas. In just two seasons Thomas had 10 interceptions, ranking 11th on the Longhorns all-time list. Eight of those came last year when Thomas led the nation in interceptions and was a first-team all-American by The Associated Press and seemingly every other publication.
Part of the reason for his knack for the ball is that Thomas started his career at cornerback. After playing a myriad of positions in high school, Thomas was undersized when he arrived in Austin and started his Texas career as a 180-pound cornerback. Even as he grew, Thomas was about to begin his redshirt freshman season as a cornerback until a last-minute switch to safety.
Still, he started as a backup.
"But when I got out there I started making a bunch of plays," Thomas said.
Just like last week against Minnesota. Before grabbing a deflection off the hands of Bernard Berrian and racing for his score, Thomas almost had another pick when a deflected pass fell in and out of his hands. He also showed that even at just 200 pounds, Thomas can bring some force, flattening Vikings receiver Percy Harvin.
Now comes Thursday night in Oakland and the final rehearsal for Milloy and Thomas before the regular season begins.
"Me and Lawyer have a great relationship. He took me under his wing," Thomas said. "I sit by him in every meeting we have and we're always going over stuff we messed up in the previous game, previous practice. He's helped me out a lot."
-- Tim Booth
Anderson starting again, Leinart meets with coach
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Derek Anderson will start at quarterback again for Arizona when the Cardinals play Washington on Thursday night in their final preseason game.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he will use the same playing order as he did in last Saturday's 14-9 win at Chicago. That means Matt Leinart will come in to replace Anderson at some point.
"It worked for us," the coach said, "so we'll see if it continues to work that way."
He said neither quarterback will get as much playing time as they did against the Bears, "but both guys will get the opportunity."
Whisenhunt's decision came following a meeting with Leinart on Monday afternoon after the former Heisman Trophy winner told reporters that he had outplayed Anderson in training camp and preseason, and that his problem with his coach "probably goes beyond football."
Whisenhunt called it "a good talk"
"We obviously touched base on where everything was," he said, "which I've always said I wanted. If players have an issue or a problem to come see me. We had communicated before about where we were and obviously we needed to talk a little bit more, but it was a good talk."
Leinart did not make himself available to reporters after the Cardinals worked out on Tuesday for the first time at Arizona State University's indoor practice facility. His meeting with the coach came amid widespread speculation that his days with Arizona could be numbered, that the team was looking to trade him or might even release him.
Unless the Cardinals acquire another quarterback, the team would be left with the unlikely prospect of having two rookies — John Skelton and Max Hall — back up Anderson.
General manager Rod Graves did not return a message left on his cell phone Tuesday.
Whisenhunt said he has been consistent in the way he communicates with players since he took over as head coach in 2007.
"I'm comfortable with the way we've done that," Whisenhunt said. "Obviously there must have been some breakdown because he didn't hear what he wanted, but hopefully we got that cleared up yesterday."
He said he has nothing personal against Leinart.
"I've always liked Matt," Whisenhunt said. "I think Matt is a tremendous person and he's done a lot for this city and this community, but it's my job as the head coach of this team to pick the best players for our squad. I didn't think, as the preseason progressed, that we were as efficient as we needed to be."
He said the team played better last week.
"I don't know if that was a function of making the changes, or whether that was a function of our guys waking up a little bit," Whisenhunt said. "We get an opportunity to see this week.
Whisenhunt has not announced the starting quarterback for the regular season opener Sept. 12 at St. Louis, but Anderson appears to be the front-runner, considering he's making the last two starts.
Leinart said on Monday that he didn't know what else he "could possibly do" to earn the job.
"It probably goes beyond football, beyond the field actually," he said. "For me, I am not making excuses. I am not going to complain. For me, I just really want an explanation and I haven't been given one."
Whisenhunt wasn't happy that Leinart had expressed his feelings to reporters.
"Would I have rather he come to me and talked to me? Yes, to be perfectly honest, I would," he said. "But you know that's what sometimes happens in this business. Matt and I had an opportunity to talk yesterday. He definitely had some feelings that he needed to get out and he came up and saw me, and that was important."
Anderson, signed as a free agent after being released by Cleveland, has seen far more playing time than Leinart in the preseason. The former Oregon State quarterback has completed 31 of 53 passes (59 percent) for 287 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions.
Leinart has completed 83 percent (19 of 23), most of them short-range throws, for 161 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.
-- Bob Baum
49ers hope to carry preseason momentum into opener
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Frank Gore believes this season will be different, that his San Francisco 49ers are finally ready to take that step to the playoffs after all the missed chances in an 8-8 season a year ago.
In coach Mike Singletary's mind, they have to.
The Niners are unbeaten in the preseason heading into their exhibition finale at home Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers. And while everybody knows these games don't count, San Francisco could use some momentum heading into its season opener at NFC West rival Seattle on Sept. 12.
The team has a returning quarterback in 2005 No. 1 pick Alex Smith — not to mention the same offensive coordinator in Jimmy Raye for consecutive seasons for the first time in seven years.
"It feels a lot different, especially just by the guys, man, how we work and have been together," Gore said after Tuesday morning's walkthrough practice. "Especially having Alex, he's stepping up like a man. Especially having Jimmy Raye back, we don't have to start over. Around the time in camp, everybody who has the same coordinator, they can just move on from what they did last year and clean up all the mistakes. This year we have the chance to do that."
Yet Gore is eager to see the entire offense intact. Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis has yet to play because of a strained right knee, while second-year receiver Michael Crabtree is nursing a neck injury and also hasn't played. Their status for Thursday was still uncertain. Crabtree hasn't addressed his injury or spoken formally since the start of camp Aug. 1, declining multiple media requests.
Josh Morgan, the 49ers' healthy starting wideout at the moment, wants to do everything he can to have a breakout season and take pressure off Crabtree and Davis. Those two are likely to draw regular double-teams.
There are plenty of play-makers for Smith to look for in this offense.
"You always want to do better and see yourself get better every year," Morgan said. "I call it the crazy 8's, man. My goal is 80 catches, eight touchdowns, 800 yards. I think that's a reasonable goal."
Raye has seen improvement this offseason from Morgan, who is most dangerous in the short to intermediate routes. Morgan enters his third NFL season after starting 15 games last year. He had 52 catches for 527 yards and three touchdowns.
"I would think he would be a factor and his play will improve because of the other people on the field," Raye said.
Once those guys get on the field, that is.
Morgan isn't overly concerned about Crabtree and Davis not being in sync with Smith. They're all together in enough meetings that Morgan is convinced things will come together in a hurry in the regular season.
The 49ers know the importance of a fast start — and maintaining consistency for an entire season. They began 3-1 in 2009 and there was instantly talk of playoffs. Then things changed and San Francisco dropped its next four games and five of six. The 49ers also lost six straight road games, five in a row by a combined 19 points, before winning their season finale at St. Louis.
Consistency will be a big key if this team is going to end a seven-year postseason drought. Going 3-0 so far in the preseason is nice, but means little at this stage.
"I wouldn't say momentum because nothing really counts in the preseason," Morgan said. "But I do feel we've got that camaraderie as a team. We are basically gelling together, the whole offense, the defense, the special teams. Things are starting to click. You see the plays that we can make, the plays that are going to be made on Sundays. You get excited because of the talent we've got. The main thing in preseason is you want to see execution."
Notes: Backup RB Brian Westbrook (hamstring) and LT Joe Staley (knee sprain) sat out the afternoon's full practice and were listed as day to day. ... The 49ers announced that Brandon Dale, a 16-year-old cancer patient who visited their facility with his family in May, died Tuesday. He came to team headquarters as part of the "49ers wish fulfillment" to spend the day with his favorite team. Dale had a rare form of liver cancer.
-- Janie McCauley
