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Brian Swaw

Training Camp Notes 8/21/09

Our 2009 Comeback player of the year is on a roll Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco looked good for the 2nd straight preseason game last night. He hauled in 3 catches for 69 yards in just a quarter-and-a-half of work. But his night wasn't over yet. With K Shayne Graham sidelined with a sore groin, Ocho was called on to kick a PAT in the 2nd quarter -- and he nailed it. He also booted a kickoff 61 yards to the New England 9. Ochocinco has looked 100% healthy this offseason and will not let us down.

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Vikings QB Brett Favre is expected to play just 1 series in tonight's preseason game. The Vikes figure to ease the old man back into game action and will keep him on a strict pitch count for the entire season.

Saints Pro Bowl LT Jammal Brown is out indefinitely with a possible sports hernia. Brown was evaluated on Thursday, and the results of that visit should be known today. If the injury is indeed a sports hernia, the Saints could be down their best pass protector for an extended period of time. Drew Brees has his fingers crossed.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had his ankle rolled up during yesterday's practice. He wasn't taken off the field and was seen limping around a while later. But ESPN's Adam Schefter and Fox Sports' Jay Glazer both report that the injury is not serious. "I'm told it was a superficial injury, and if a regular season game was Sunday he'd be able to play," Glazer said. Big Ben owners can breathe a sigh of relief, but this is just another reminder that Roethlisberger struggles with durability

Cardinals HC Ken Wisenhunt says RB Beanie Wells has a chance to play in the team's upcoming preseason game on Saturday, despite aggravating his sprained right ankle. "He fought through that, and (Thursday) was a little bit better," Whisenhunt said. "Hopefully it will progress enough that we can get him in there (Saturday) for a few snaps." The Cards would be wise to keep their franchise back from any kind of extensive action.

Panthers HC John Fox said RB Jonathan Stewart hasn't had any additional tests on his bothersome Achilles. Fox added that Stewart just needs to rest before he sees the field again. This injury has the potential to linger, so we'll continue to keep an eye on his status.

With WR Brandon Marshall sitting out for a myriad of reasons, QB Kyle Orton and TE Tony Scheffler have displayed remarkable chemistry over the past few days. Scheffler has emerged as one of Orton's favorite targets despite HC John McDaniel's TE-unfriendly offense. Still, we expect his numbers to dip a bit. He's a fine TE2.

Cardinals WR Steve Breaston is not expected to play in the team's 2nd preseason game on Saturday. Breaston is still recovering from a strained PCL, as well as a bone bruise in his leg. The injury isn't expected to sideline him into the regular season, but we'll be keeping a close eye on his progress. In the mean time, Jerehme Urban will fill his spot as the 3rd WR.

In the words of Cris Carter, WR Chris Henry has been ;meshuggener" (aka crazy-good) for the Bengals so far this preseason. For the 2nd straight game in a row, Henry has been one of the best players on the field, this time recording 4 catches for 55 yards. In a perfect world, the Bengals would move Laveranues Coles to the slot and let Henry use his size on the outside. We'll keep an eye on this

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News believes Domenik Hixon has been the best receiver in Giants camp. He believes Hixon has been the most consistent WR on the team and has shown the best ability to get open. Despite the abundance of Giant WRs, Hixon is a near lock to start week 1. He's a fine WR4 you can get cheap.

Not that it unscrambles the Patriots' RB mess, but Fred Taylor took to the field with the starters in Thursday night's game against the Bengals and carried the ball 7 times for 26 yards. Last week Laurence Maroney got the start and was unimpressive. Kevin Faulk will almost exclusively be used on 3rd downs and Sammy Morris will take care of the short-yardage stuff. Stay away from this unless it's Kevin Faulk in a PPR league.