Studs (Part 1)
Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) takes a snap from center in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Locker
Don’t evaluate Jake Locker solely on his stat line. Locker completed 12-of-20 for 116 yards. Of course, three of his incompletions were drive-killing drops that hit his receivers right in the numbers. All of the receivers have been making bad decisions and drops that are preventing this offense from finishing drives.
For the most part, Locker made smart decisions and threw the football away when he needed too. Clay Travis doesn’t seem to agree…
How long until there's a Jake Locker vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick QB controversy? Are we already there?
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) August 18, 2013
Jurrell Casey
At least one defensive player looked like he cared. Why does Jurrell Casey always seem like that one player?
Early on, Casey dominated the interior of the Bengals offensive line. He had a strip sack where he ripped the football out of Andy Dalton’s hands. On a dropped pass that was close to a fumble, Casey was right there ready to scoop it up. Although it was ruled incomplete, one must admire his hustle and staying around the football to make big plays.
Not sure how much of a role he played in the deteriorating run-defense that was evident after the opening drive. It seemed like Giovani Bernard was making most of his runs toward the outside, taking advantage of an over-aggressive Zach Brown or Akeem Ayers who were lined up too far on the inside.