NFL: Preseason Team by Team Observations – Bengals

Bengals

(Bengals 2nd game observation)

-WR Jordan Shipley looked sharp in a win over the Bengals. Shipley caught 5 balls for 50 yards. He also looked good on the punt return where he gained 21 yards. With word of WR Antonio Bryant possibly being cut, Shipley could be moving into the slot.

-TE Jermaine Gresham looks good and is the tight end the Bengals and Carson Palmer have been lacking. Gresham caught 3 balls for 37 yards, he was targeted 3 times. Gresham is going to open up the Bengals passing game.

QB- Carson Palmer looked solid. Palmer completed 12 of 15 passes for 105 yards. He found many targets and looked as if this success would continue into the season. Gresham, Owens, and Shipley were among his favorites.

QB- J.T. O’Sullivan looks like the clear cut favorite for backup. Jordan Palmer had next to none opportunity to prove himself. Sullivan was 7 for 15 for 118 yards.

RB- Benard Scott and James Johnson surprised as they dominated the ground game. Scott had 8 carries for 65 yards, not to mention 2 catches for 48 yards. Johnson had 10 carries for 42 yards, and 1 touchdown. Benson, Scott, and Johnson can become a 3 headed monster on the ground game adding more weapons to the already lethal Bengals offense.

-K Dave Rayner who missed his first field goal went on to hit 4 straight. He is battling Mike Nugent for the starting kicker. Rayner made field goals from 26, 27, 31, and 36 yards.

-WR/PR Quan Cosby was exciting on punt return, returning 2 punts for 60 yards including a 43 yarder. He is battling Adam Jones, and Jordan Shipley for the starting punt returner.

Defensive Lineman Geno Atkins and Frostee Rucker had solid games. Atkins had 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 4 yards. Rucker had 2 tackles, and 1 pass deflection. Tank Johnson was dismal in his start including a roughing the passer penalty.

Linebackers Vincent Rey, Michael Johnson, Brian Johnson, and Ray Maualuga played good. Rey who was the tackle leader in the first preseason game, was here as well. Rey had 4 tackles. M. Johnson had 3 tackles, and 1 pass deflection. B. Johnson had 3 tackles, and 1 pass deflection. Maualuga had 3 tackles, and 1 assisted tackle. Rey is really being impressive.

Defensive Back David Jones was played solid. Jones had 2 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception for 24 yards, and 1 touchdown. Leon Hall was called for a pass interference.

-Coach Marvin Lewis wasn’t too pleased with the defense comitting penalties.

– The Secondary needs to improve, and the pass rush needs to be better.