NFL PRESEASON CONCLUDES WITH THREE NATIONAL TV GAMES AND FINAL ROSTER CUTS - Ingles

It’s the final week of the preseason and young players around the league know this is their time to shine.

With final NFL roster cuts to 53 players this Saturday, this week’s games are a last chance for many players to make their team’s roster. The starters are basically set throughout the league as are the key backup positions. It’s the “bubble” players who are out to impress.

“The young guys in the NFL, they know this is their game,” says ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach HERM EDWARDS. “It’s real important for a young player and a rookie trying to make a team.”

Pittsburgh linebacker JAMES HARRISON, a two-time All-Star who helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII with a 100-yard interception-return touchdown, understands the importance of the fourth preseason game. The 2008 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year entered the league as an undrafted free agent and made the most of his opportunity.

“For guys like me, who come into the league undrafted,” says Harrison, “the third and fourth preseason games are when you have the opportunity to show what you can do.”

The final preseason week features three national TV games:

PHILADELPHIA at NEW YORK JETS
(Thursday, NFLN, 7:00 PM ET): Last week, first-year head coach REX RYAN got his first victory as the Jets defeated the Giants 27-25. Leading the way was rookie starting quarterback MARK SANCHEZ, the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Sanchez completed 13 of 20 passes (65.0 percent) for 149 yards and one touchdown as the rookie put up 20 points in two-and-a-half quarters of play.

“Once you’re named the starter, there’s a little bit of confidence that comes with that,” says Sanchez. “Your head coach trusts you. Naming me the starter allows me to be a leader.”

His head coach was pleased with Sanchez’s play and is confident with his team moving forward.

“The kid played great,” Ryan said after the game. “He is what we thought he was.”

Facing the Jets this week is another NFC East opponent – the Philadelphia Eagles. For the Eagles, this game will mark the team’s first trip to the Meadowlands since upsetting the Giants in an NFC Divisional Playoff game last year.

Philadelphia quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB passed for 244 yards and a touchdown last week as the team defeated Jacksonville 33-32. The game also featured the Eagles debut of quarterback MICHAEL VICK, who was on the field for six plays and was used in various formations.

The team has also added a couple of playmaking rookies in wide receiver JEREMY MACLIN (first round) and running back LE SEAN MC COY (second round).


OAKLAND at SEATTLE
(Thursday, NFLN, 10:00 PM ET): Rookie head coach TOM CABLE of Oakland will face Seattle first-year head coach JIM MORA in this Thursday-night showdown.

For the Raiders, quarterback JA MARCUS RUSSELL will get a final tune-up before starting in Week 1 against San Diego.

“We’re very fortunate he’s getting better,” says Cable. “He’s progressing the way you want him to. He’s not perfect yet, but he’s the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders.”

The Seahawks recently signed veteran running back EDGERRIN JAMES but quarterback MATT HASSELBECK stole the show in the team’s 14-10 win over Kansas City. Hasselbeck threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns, including one to prized free agent wide receiver T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH.

“Matt was sharp,” says Mora. “It is good to see the timing between him and the guys is coming along.

DALLAS at MINNESOTA
(Friday, NFLN, 8:00 PM ET): Two teams with Super Bowl aspirations will meet on Friday night, marking the fourth consecutive year that Dallas and Minnesota will play in their preseason finale.

Last week, the running back trio “Smash, Dash and Tash” – MARION BARBER, FELIX JONES and TASHARD CHOICE – combined for 125 rushing yards.

“We want to carry this on through the regular season,” says Jones. “We are just going to continue to run hard and get better.”

Head coach WADE PHILLIPS was pleased with the starters on offense, including his three running backs.

“Our offense looks strong,” says Phillips. “It looks like we can really run the ball and also throw it. I feel good about where we are right now.”

Minnesota’s offense also looked good in the Vikings’ 17-10 win at Houston Monday night.

Playing in his home state of Texas, Pro Bowl running back ADRIAN PETERSON rushed for 117 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.

“The guys up front did a great job,” says Peterson. “You have to give them the credit.”

Veteran quarterback BRETT FAVRE completed 13 of 18 passes (72.2 percent) for 142 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown to running back CHESTER TAYLOR.

“Brett did some really good things as far as putting the ball where it needed to be,” says Childress. “He made a couple of nice plays with his feet and he had enough of a pocket presence to move around when he had to and still get the football where it needed to be.”


PRESEASON CLOSE GAMES:
This preseason, 32 of the 49 (65.3 percent) games played have been decided by one score (eight points or less). That is the highest percentage through the first three weeks of the preseason since 2005 (33 of 50, 66.0 percent).

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