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NFL Preseason: Clemens Struggles, James Makes Debut

By Brian Spaen

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Oregon’s lone former quarterback in the NFL didn’t have a great showing and LaMichael James makes his debut in the first week of the NFL preseason.

It wasn’t a pretty display for quarterback Kellen Clemens, who came in late in the first quarter and finished with  4-6 passing and 18 yards for the St. Louis Rams against the Indianapolis Colts. The line didn’t hold up well, giving up two sacks and running back Isaiah Pead fumbled the ball on Clemens’ first possession.

Thanks to a defensive pass interference call on the first deep pass in the next possession for Clemens, the Rams were able to get on the board with a field goal. His third possession had three straight incomplete passes, and after halftime Austin Davis ran the team for the rest of the game.

Southern Miss’ former quarterback had a better game than either Clemens or starter Sam Bradford; he went 12-18 for 84 yards but threw one interception.

James made appearances on both special teams and the offense against the Minnesota Vikings. He had two kickoff returns for 46 yards, both individually were equal returns of just above 20 yards. His three carries all came in the second quarter.

The best was late in the period when he ran the ball to the left for 11 yards to start the drive. He picked up the first down to set up the 49ers to try and score before half, but the team ran out of time.

Other Former Ducks in Action

  • Tampa Bay running back LeGarrette Blount had seven carries for 30 yards and a one-yard dive for a touchdown in a 20-7 victory over Miami.
  • Houston wide receiver Jeff Maehl had two catches for 13 yards in the Texan’s 26-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Defensive back Eddie Pleasant had two tackles in the second half.
  • Baltimore tight end Ed Dickson had two catches for 15 yards in the 31-17 victory over Atlanta. Falcons wide receiver D.J. Davis had one catch for three yards

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo, follow the site on Facebook and Twitter. Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Watson Talk Lacrosse.