NFL position battles: Is Andre Williams gaining on Rashad Jennings?
Williams made his case with a strong performance in the first preseason game on Sunday. Elsewhere, Geno Smith and Brian Hoyer have been named to the top of their respective depth charts and Knowshon Moreno’s lingering rehab could cost him the starting spot in Miami.
Rashad Jennings is the presumed starting running back for the New York Giants, but it appeared as though rookie Andre Williams tightened the gap on Sunday in the Hall of Fame Game. Williams and Jennings alternated with the first team, splitting carries right down the middle with seven apiece. Williams was more impressive, though, going for 48 yards (6.9 average) and a touchdown compared to Jennings's 23 yards (3.3 average). The fourth-round pick from Boston College proved he's more than just a power back, showing off burst and vision on a 21-yard rumble to set up his 3-yard touchdown plunge.
The Giants backfield did gain a little more clarity with the sad news that David Wilson's career is over. Peyton Hillis will step into the No. 3 spot moving forward.
Brian Hoyer tops Johnny Manziel in first depth chart
Johnny Manziel took first-team reps in practice on Monday, but he hasn't overtaken Brian Hoyer on the depth chart. We know that because the Cleveland Browns released their first depth chart on Tuesday, and Hoyer is on top (with Tyler Thigpen and Connor Shaw coming in at Nos. 3 and 4).
Manziel had been working exclusively with the second team throughout training camp, so going with the ones was a step up. It was just a scheduled step up though, according to coach Mike Pettine, who downplayed the significance of the move.
“It’s just part of our plan,” Pettine told The Associated Press. “We said we were going to allow the quarterbacks to compete, at some point you’ve got to mix up the supporting cast a little bit. It’s all part of it.”
Geno Smith will start first preseason game
As expected, Geno Smith's name was written in above Michael Vick's when the New York Jets released the first draft of their depth chart on Monday, and Smith has been given the nod to start the team's first preseason game this weekend. For now Rex Ryan is still using a pencil -- he has yet to commit to a Week 1 starter -- but this is definitely Smith's job to lose. Barring an injury or major setback in preseason play, the 2013 second-round pick will start under center when the season opens.
Lamar Miller pulling away from rehabbing Knowshon Moreno
Following his career year in Denver, it's looking more and more like Knowshon Moreno is destined for a backup spot for the Miami Dolphins, at least to begin the season. Moreno remains on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to clean up his left knee in June. Lamar Miller, who was taking most of the first-team reps even before Moreno's surgery, is solidifying himself as the No. 1 back (he'll start on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons).
Moreno’s initial recovery time was expected to be five weeks, but it’s been six weeks and he’s still unsure when he’ll be ready to play. He told the Miami Herald he didn’t know if he’ll be back in time to play a preseason game.
“I feel good, but at the same time, I just want to be right, be real good, so when I go out there, I can just be full-speed and not have any setbacks.”
After the St. Louis Rams took running back Tre Mason in the third round of the draft, there was speculation that he could make an immediate run at the starting position, especially considering Zac Stacy's struggles last year. But according to the Rams' first depth chart, that doesn't seem to be the case. Mason is stuck at No. 4 behind Stacy, Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead.
See More:
