NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

John McClain and Jordan Godwin of the Houston Chronicle reported on Tuesday that Mario Williams was cleared to play in Saturday's first preseason game in Arizona.  He practices for thirty minutes in Tuesday morning's practice.  Nick Scurfield of HoustonTexans.com reported after Wednesday's morning practice:

In more defensive end news, Mario Williams (hip/pelvis) upped his work in practice by participating in individual drills and two team periods. He did only one team period on Tuesday. "I heard him talking a lot during the practice, so he must've felt pretty good," Kubiak said. "We've just got to keep his progress going hoping there are no setbacks. Like I said, I want him to get on the field and play a little bit (10-12 snaps) this week."

And here we go…finally, the games start.  Key for the Raiders this Thursday:

*Offensive line

Gave up the 3rd most sacks last year, were 3rd from last on passing yards per attempt, and were in the bottom half of rushes per attempt.  All together, an abysmal performance last year, and any expectation that Jason Campbell can lead the offense to respectability requires him to be kept upright.  The Cowboys put pressure on Carson Palmer in their first game, so the line will need to step up their game.  Will Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell be thrusted into the line up immediately to see what impact they can bring?

*Defensive line

They first started by re-vamping their entire LB core, and already the impact has been felt as Rolando McClain is already the QB of the defense.  LaMarr Houston was drafted and has earned the start at the LE, allowing Richard Seymour to move to the RE where he can match up with teams LT and give the rest of the defense a chance to penetrate up the middle.  How they perform against a team that ran nearly 200 yards against them last regular season will show how far this unit is coming along.

*QB Backup Battle

Colt Brennan's pick up this week was a head scratcher, except that he has played in the system.  Who comes out of the pack of 3 between Colt, Charlie Frye, and Kyle Boller will be determined in the first or second pre-season game.

*Consistency

If nothing else, Jason Campbell has been consistent in his career.  Never spectacular, but right now all the Raiders need is consistency.  Between the play calling of new Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson and the performance of Jason Campbell, how they move the ball and have some consistency will do wonders for the overall team.  Remember, the offense averaged almost 20 pts in the pre-season last year, so it won't be the points that matter, just consistency.

The Ravens have made a few moves to add depth to the cornerback position in the recent weeks. Though you have to ask yourself, are they going to make another move at the position?  As it stands now the likely starting corners will be Fabian Washington and Chris Carr.  Moving forward it would make sense to bring in another veteran cornerback for depth or to fill in as a starter.

Hiccups in the contingency plan

Recently the team traded QB John Beck for cornerback Doug Dutch who was on the Redskins practice squad.  Just a few days ago the team signed undrafted rookie Chris Hawkins, a young prospect who played at LSU. While having some developmental players are important to the organization, it would be hard pressed to think that these young prospects could step in immediately.

We've also learned that veteran Walt Harris is on injured reserve and there are indications the team may not keep him around too long. Tony Lombardi, www.ravens24×7.com points out, "Veterans Travis Fisher and Walt Harris have done very little so far in camp. Fisher no longer possesses the speed that he once had and is almost always a step behind. Harris didn't see the field much prior to hitting IR and he's now awaiting an injury settlement."  Let's not forget that Cary Williams was suspended for the first two games of the season.

Obviously, the unexpected injury to starter CB Domonique Foxworth coupled with some hiccups in the contingency plan might have the team looking at a few options.

Trade Rumblings for CB

One option for the team is make a trade and Adam Schefter, ESPN analyst, believes that option is a possibility. Schefter stated, "They're going to have to make a trade for a cornerback, and I think the team will be active in searching for a cornerback. As the preseason goes on, they'll keep close tabs on other teams and what they need."

Schefter goes on to say, "I'd be suprised if the season opened up and the Ravens had the cornerbacks on their roster then that they do today. I think this team still has another move at the cornerback position in it."

Sign Experienced CB's

Another option is to take a look at a few other veteran cornerbacks.  A veteran cornerback can provide some stability in order to make a serious run at the post season and serve as a stop gap until Lardarius Webb can return.

Making A Move

If there is any good news it is that Fabian Washington has been practicing in training camp and lets not forget that eventually Lardarius Webb will be back, perhaps sooner than later.  The team has put much into the off-season acquiring players in free agency and the draft to make a serious title run. At this point all options are on the table–so don't be surprised to see the team make another move to solidify the secondary.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke with a group of reporters as he left the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium this afternoon, and the subject of quarterback Tom Brady's contract came up. Boston.com reports: Kraft was asked "anything shaking on the front with No. 12?" He responded, rushing off from the noisy area, "We're cooking." And when approached later about what he meant, he went silent and seem even a little confused about the context.

Brady has handled the contract situation like a true professional, and this latest comment from Kraft gives Patriots fans optimism that a deal will get struck between the two sides before the preseason comes to a close. Patriots fans can draw their own conclusions from Kraft's silence when approached about the comment later.

In preparation for Saturday's game against the Dolphins, Raheem the Dream seems to be daydreaming. The predicted 12-snap playing time for the exciting first units has drawn the ire of fans and even former Bucs coach Tony Dungy.

The Bucs might want to scout the opponent's CBs and DEs, positions which the Phins are thick in talent. Miami's top four corners are promising. As intriguing as remaining corners Nate Ness and Nolan Carroll are, it's possible they decide to keep five of them onto their 53-man roster. The Dolphins have done a great job of bringing in top defensive prospects from past drafts who failed to live up to their draft position at their first stops: Titans 2004 3rd round pick DE/DT Randy Starks, Raiders 2007 3rd round pick LB Quentin Moses, and 2007 Lions 2nd round pick DE Ikaika Alama-Francis. Will the coordinators have the newest Bucs ready to test out, sixth TE Martin Rucker and S Vince Anderson?

At linebacker and corner, it will be difficult to believe they will make giant strides in allowing fewer big plays on in just one off-season, however it will be nice if they can at least pick up where they left off last season. Hopefully, the Dolphins will get a look at the speed of Quincy Black and Geno Hayes.

It would be nice if Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning would inject a lot of wildcat and five-wide looks, particularly with the first team, to give the Buccaneers' first team defense stuff they don't see in practice. It would be encouraging if some of the players, not just ones who did get multiple turnovers last year, could come up with a takeaway. Ricky Williams may have gone 6 years between 1000 yard seasons, but he was a top-10 back last year and has fresher legs than most his age. Oh, and the more plays the young Bucs like Lewis and Mack can get against one of the most dominant one-one-one receivers in the NFL, Brandon Marshall, the better. They should have scheduled inter-squad practices.

I don't read too much into the depth chart, but the Michael Clayton Cut Watch is in full swing, with him listed as fourth string.

Having no Talib and Ruud, two of the players that need the least amount of practice, would be a blessing in disguise. It means more meaningful snaps for their back-ups and, in the case of corner, would mean a player who is going to get tested in nickel and dime sets starting week 1. Hey, if Raheem only wants to play the starters 12 snaps, then these guys aren't missing much.

I hope the 12-snaps plan means almost a full half for Rudy Carpenter to either surprise or induce a roster move. All in all, you don't watch these games for the outcome and I hope if the first team gets in the red zone they will get 7 to give the team some confidence. There are just so many young players that it's a shame they aren't taking full advantage of the four preseason games. We will still have the RG, WR, and CB battles.

TV and radio: CBS4 has coverage in Miami and NBC2 is airing it in Southwest Florida. NFL Network will air it live at 7 Eastern. Sirius Radio channel 90 will have the Bucs broadcast.