#275: NFL Preseason Week 1 Recap, Latest NFL News and Notes + More (with Hal Bent, Full Press Coverage)

Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. While I still firmly believe Trevor Lawrence will be the man under center on September 12, is it just absolutely bonkers for Urban Meyer to give Gardner Minshew any kind of chance to start?

2. This year, the NFL plans to crack down on taunting, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported a few weeks ago. Two taunting fouls per game will now result in an automatic ejection, plus fines and even suspensions. Yet in Week 1 of preseason action, officials were flagging even the most innocent of celebrations as taunting. Do you think this is just one of those things where the refs penalize a lot of stuff in preseason, then let a lot of it fly when the games count, or are you very worried that a bad taunting call will end up costing several teams key wins in 2021?

3. With the Delta variant wave expected to get worse during the fall and winter, can you see many other teams following the Raiders lead?

4. Main Takeaways from Week 1 of Preseason

-David: Several lesser known rookie edge-rushers show they are ready to contribute (Gregory Rousseau, Joe Tryon, and Joseph Ossai stood out)

-Hal: QB situations being ironed out

5. Truth or Exaggeration

-The 49ers MUST hand the reins over to Trey Lance, by no later than Week 4, if not sooner

-Mac Jones will sit behind Cam Newton in New England for half of the season or longer before getting his chance to start

-Even though defensive backs don’t win NFL defensive rookie of the year honors that often, the Broncos Patrick Surtain II has an excellent chance to buck that trend

-The most productive WR in Jacksonville this season will not be D.J. Chark. It will not be Laviska Shenault. It will be Marvin Jones

-Rondale Moore will be the Cardinals most dangerous skill position weapon not named DeAndre Hopkins

-Given the Chiefs remarkably improved offensive line, Patrick Mahomes will have the best season of his young, illustrious career in 2021

6. Of all the teams that finished in last place in 2020, which is most likely to win their division in 2021?

7. Which playoff team from 2020 will see the biggest drop-off?

8. Who will be the NFL’s two breakout superstars in 2021, one on offense, the other on defense?

-David: CeeDee Lamb (offense), Brian Burns (defense)

-Hal: Brandon Aiyuk (offense), Chase Young (defense)

9. What is the main thing you’re looking for in Week 2 of the preseason?

David: Zach Wilson, can you build on your efficient first outing by leading multiple TD drives this week?

Hal: Health, health, health