The NFL kicks of its season tonight with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts will square off against each other at 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time on NBC. The Redskins, who are playing as the home team, are currently a -4.5 favorite (-110) at online sports book SBGglobal.com. The Colts are a +4.5 (-110) and the over/under is set at 31.5 (-110).
The preseason is usually a feeling out period for both coaches and players. Coaches li
ke to see what the new talent can do and veterans see little action especially in early preseason games. That should be no different in this contest as a rash of minor injuries have hit both teams. Washington has already said that tackle Chris Samuels, linebacker London Fletcher, running back Ladell Betts, cornerback Carlos Rogers, and safety LaRon Laundry will not see action. The Colts will sit the likes of quarterback Payton Manning, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Gary Brackett, guard Ryan Lilja, and safety Bob Sanders.
Jim Zorn will experience life as the head man for the first time on the sidelines tonight and he will get ample opportunity to see what some young Redskins can do. The club was not that active in free agency but added 10 new players through the draft. Zorn will also be looking to see how quarterback Jason Campbell rebounds from injury and assimilates to the newly installed offense. Veteran Todd Collins and sixth round pick Colt Brennan should also see some time under center in this ball game.
Also dawning a Redskins uniform for the first time will be newly acquired defensive end Jason Taylor. It is likely the veteran standout will play just a handful of snaps for his new team.
For Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy this is old hat but he too will be anxious to look at some new roster additions. Developments on the offensive line and tight end postition could be critical for Indianapolis in the next year or two as center Jeff Saturday has one year left on his contract and the club lost back up tight end Ben Utecht in the off season. The Colts selected three lineman and two tight ends in this year's draft.
Long time Manning backup Jim Sorgi will get a chance to show what he can do with the first team offense this evening, but it will not be anything the coaching staff hasn't already seen in practice. Playing behind Sorgi will be Josh Betts and rookie free agent signee Adam Tafralis.
Hall of Fame Game Betting Angle: The total has not been under 31.5 in the Colts last five opening preseason games.
