The 2014 NFL preseason really started to get going on Thursday evening with 12 teams taking to the field for the first time in live-game action this summer. There were some major flops in terms of overall performances, as is expected with Week 1 of the preseason, but some players stood out and made a name for themselves.
1. Brian Tyms, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
Highlight: Brian Tyms 26-yard TD
WATCH: http://t.co/xqwCxEBK4u #Patriots— Patriots.com (@PATRIOTSdotCOM) August 8, 2014
Tyms, an undrafted free agent from Florida A&M back in 2012, is looking to make his impact on a Patriots team that could use some help at wide receiver. If his performance on Thursday against the Washington Redskins was any indication, Tyms is a guy to watch for the remainder of the preseason. He put up five receptions for 116 yards and a scored a late-game touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo with just over a minute left in the game.
The exceptional part about Tyms performance is that he did all this on just six targets and put up 105 of those yards in the fourth quarter alone. Tyms may be given a shot to show his stuff against better competition moving forward this preseason. That’s where he could really make his name known.
2. Matt Scott, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
So the Bengals QB threw up before throwing a TD today http://t.co/v3bebkVWOC
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) August 8, 2014
Scott was considered an electric playmaker coming out of Arizona in 2013, but he ended up seeing a dramatic drop completely out of the draft before the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him up as an undrafted free agent. He eventually signed on with Jacksonville’s practice squad prior to being released in May. Scott’s now looking to catch on with the Bengals.
And his performance on Thursday may have helped big time.
The dual-threat quarterback completed 7-of-11 passes for 66 yards and two scores while adding 68 yards on six rush attempts. He connected with James Wright on a nine-yard touchdown to open the fourth before closing out the scoring with a 12-yard score to Conner Vernon. Considering Cincinnati’s backup quarterback issues, Scott could very well earn a spot on its 53-man roster if he continues to perform like this…the puking aside.
3. Carlos Hyde, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
Courtesy of 49ers.com
An official with the 49ers organization indicated to me over the past week that Hyde has looked “elite” in camp thus far. This isn’t too much of a surprise considering just how well the rookie performed at Ohio State. A second-round pick of the 49ers, Hyde started their preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens with Frank Gore taking his normal rest in a meaningless game.
The results were immediate. Hyde ran the ball three times for 34 yards, including a 19 yarder in San Francisco’s initial possession of the game. He showed an outstanding ability to hit the hole and wasn’t afraid to take on contact, even against the Ravens’ first-team defense. Overall, Hyde tallied 39 yards on five rush attempts. While those numbers aren’t too sexy in the grand scheme of things, they pretty much guaranteed that Hyde will be Gore’s primary backup when the regular season gets going. And watch out, this dude is legit.
4. De’Anthony Thomas, Athlete, Kansas City Chiefs
Courtesy of SB Nation
Thomas touched the ball a grand total of two times, but it was an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown in the first quarter that dazzled fans in Kansas City. Known mostly for his speed coming out of Oregon, Thomas was drafted to replace Dexter McCluster, who departed for the Tennessee Titans in free agency. If his performance on Thursday is any indication, DAT will be a mighty fine replacement.
Photo: Chiefs.com