What we learned from watching Thursday night's Week 3 NFL preseason action, leading off with passers under the spotlight in Nashville:
Jake looks comfortable; Cardinals still unsettled
The Tennessee Titans felt good about their starting quarterback decision, but the Arizona Cardinals continue to have an uneasy feeling about the choice they have yet to make.
Jake Locker, the Titans' first-round draft pick last year, didn't disappoint in his first game since getting the nod as the No. 1 QB. He displayed the arm and athleticism the team loves. Locker (11-for-20, 134 yards passing, two touchdowns) could have been more accurate?some of his throws sailed high?but otherwise he starred in front of the home crowd.
Locker was locked into his best receivers even without Kenny Britt, throwing short TD passes to wideouts Nate Washington and Kendall Wright. It's clear Locker has developed good chemistry with Wright, the Titans' 2012 first-round pick. It helps that he's also supported by Chris Johnson's running and a strong offensive line.
On the other hand, the Cardinals' competing quarterbacks, John Skelton and Kevin Kolb, continue to get little help up front. Left tackle D.J. Young, thrust into the lineup to replace injured Levi Brown (torn triceps), struggled mightily, and the interior line also consistently succumbed to the Titans' pressure.
Skelton didn't do much with his short first-half stint (4-for-10, 41 yards, interception), opening the door for the resilient Kolb. The good news for the Cards is that Kolb looked comfortable and had his healthiest, most efficient game (17-for-22, 156 yards, TD) of the preseason. On the downside, he also threw a pair of bad interceptions.
Kolb had nowhere to go but up and probably did enough to move into a dead heat with Skelton. The hard truth, however, is the Cardinals aren't a playoff team with either quarterback starting in 2012.
Packers run with Benson
Although quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the most productive Green Bay rusher (six carries, 52 yards, two TDs) in a 27-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the team had to be pleased by the debut of former Bengal Cedric Benson.
The recent free-agent addition (6 carries, 38 yards) looks well-equipped to handle being a complementary power runner to Rodgers and the Pack's high-flying passing attack. That may signal the end in Green Bay for banged-up former starter James Starks.
Another Packer offensive player in trouble is Rodgers' backup, Graham Harrell. After having a dismal game against Cleveland, Harrell completed only five of 12 attempts for 26 yards against Cincinnati and also lost a fumble. It will be interesting to see if team officials start looking for outside help at No. 2.
Raves for Ravens' Flacco
Joe Flacco is out to prove he belongs among the NFL's select quarterbacks this season and earn a lucrative long-term extension in the process. He was razor- sharp in Baltimore's dress rehearsal, cutting through the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense (27-for-36, 266 yards, two TDs, INT) while spreading the ball around in an up-tempo passing game.
Flacco and emerging second-year speed receiver Torrey Smith (8 catches, 103 yards) are picking up where they left off in the AFC Championship game in putting more pop in the Ravens' offense. The result Thursday was a 48-17 romp.
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