Take Aways From Preseason Week 1

There is not a whole lot you can learn about how an NFL team is going to perform during the preseason. However, it is the perfect time to watch and judge the rookies scooped up during the draft, as they get a ton of playing team with the second teams.

No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney is of course someone that everyone was going to be watching.

Clowney’s team was not particularly impressive. They lost to the Arizona Cardinals 32-0, perhaps showing they may be more similar to the team that only won two games last season than one that is read to seriously contend. Houston Texans fans were also likely lamenting that their team did not take a quarterback at the No. 1 pick in the draft as they watched Ryan Fitzpatrick make to throws to guys in the wrong jerseys. Clowney, though, proved that he may just have been worth the pick.

Clowney blew up the tight end in his only record tackle play and layed out running back Stepfan Taylor for a five-yard loss. It was a play that should just how explosive he could be. However, he is still clearly adjusting. He will only get better from here.

Another player that eveyrone would be watching was Teddy Bridgewater, who was the first QB taken in the draft. Bridgewater’s stats were not impressive. 

He only completed six of his 13 passing attempts and none of those were for more than nine yards. He wound up with just 49 passing yards total. He did show some shimmers of potential when he completed a beautiful 21-yard pass but that play was scrapped due to a penalty. He also showed his athleticism when scrambling in the pocket, though, his accuracy did suffer when he was on the run and was running more often that he should have been due to holding on to the ball for too long.

Lastly, we have to talk about Johnny Manziel.

Manziel ompleted seven of 11 passing attempts for 63 yards. He was accurate but cautious, with his longest completion only clocking in at 10 yards. He also still has the tendency to run the ball quite a bit, perhaps some bad habits left over form his college days.

It was not a terrible outing by any means, but a disappointing one none-the-less considering the guys last name is Football.