NFL Preseason Ends and Now Decisions Will Be Made Rudolph Hardly Got a Chance

The NFL preseason finished with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking a 19-9 win over the Detroit Lions. The game featured two Oklahoma State Cowboys rookies that have stood out this training cmp and preseason for both teams. In Detroit, Malcolm Rodriguez has been a star on the Hard Knocks series and has started each preseason game. Today he split first team reps at linebacker and played on kickoff, punt, and kickoff return. His lone tackle came on a punt as he buried the returner at the seven-yard-line. Rodriguez also showed he knew his responsibilities in pass coverage and in spilling plays to his defensive teammates. Warren carried seven time for only 11-yards, but had some excellent pass protection pick-ups. 

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Mason Rudolph hands the ball to Warren in an earlier preseason game.

The tough story was veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph. The former Cowboy once drafted with the idea he could be next in Pittsburgh following Ben Roethlisberger played last among the three quarterbacks. His teammates say he has had a strong camp but so have Mitch Trubiskey and top round rookie draft pick Kenny Pickett out of Pittsburgh. Trubiskey was 15-of-19 for 160-yards and a touchdown playing the entire first half. Pickett was 10-of-14 for 90-yards in the third quarter. Rudolph got two series in the fourth and was 0-for-3, but hit tight end Jace Sternberger in the hands on a deep ball he could not hang onto. The hope has to be that somebody will trade for Rudolph. 

Around the league there were a number of Cowboys that did not register any stats. We know that Rodarius Williams is still the number three corner with the New York Giants. A.J. Green did not register any snaps at corner for the Cleveland Browns. On Thursday, Tay Martin did not get a pass in the 49ers 17-0 loss to the Houston Texans. 

That is not a good sign as I dodn’t expect Martin to make it or Josh Sills at guard for Philadelphia.

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Holmes (34) in action against Baltimore.

In Washington, Christian Holmes had a strong game with six tackles, all unassisted in the 17-15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. On the Ravens side Justice Hill did not have a carry or a catch and Tylan Wallace is still coming off a sprained knee. 

I think Holmes might make it and you can bank on linebacker Devin Harper in Dallas. The rookie had seven tackles and five unassisted in the Cowboys 27-26 win over Seattle. Harper is also having great success on special teams.  

One more rookie that has a chance is defensive tackle Israel Antwine in Jacksonville. Antwine had that sack and tackle for loss in the Hall of Fame game and he had two unassisted tackles in the loss to Atlanta. In that 28-12 Falcons win veteran defensive end Jordan Brailford has one tackle for Atlanta. 

In Miami’s 48-10 win over the Eagles, Tyreek Hill had two catches for 64-yards and defensive end Emmnauel Ogbah had a quarterback hit. 

Chuba Hubbard will be back for Carolina asThe had four carries for four-yards and three receptions for 25-yards in the Panthers 21-0 win over Buffalo.

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Dillon Stoner of the Raiders.

In Las Vegas, Tyron Johnson had one catch for 45-yards and Dillon Stoner in action for the first time in the preseason coming off the injured list had two receptions for 15-yards

Friday in the Bengals 16-7 win over the Super Bowl champion L.A. Rams, Tre Flowers had a pass defended. 

The next few days the teams will make final cuts as they have close to two weeks to get ready for the season. The NFL opens on Thursday, Sept. 8.