| 27 August 2011
Hey, it was just against Carolina Panthers – who will likely be even worse than Cincinnati this season – but the Bengals finally showed signs of life in their 24-13 preseason victory Thursday night.
There is still no question in my mind the Bengals are headed for a dreadful season, but there are a few things to be excited about.
* Andy Dalton is looking more comfortable each time out and I think he’s going to be a solid NFL quarterback at the very least. Probably not this year as a rookie, but Dalton is a long-term investment and that’s what we have to keep in mind.
* The running tandem of Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott is impressive, and they compliment each other well. Benson is more of a power runner, while Scott adds more of a speed element.
* Rookie wide receiver A.J. Green and second-year tight end Jermaine Gresham are extremely-enticing athletes and it’s going to be fun to watch their progression. As the last two first-round picks of the team, much is expected from them, but there are sure to be rough moments as they grow with a rookie quarterback.
* Defensive tackle Geno Atkins was an absolute steal in the fourth-round of the 2010 draft and has really stood out in his new role as a starter. I’ve always been very high on Domata Peko, so I’m feeling good about the starting tandem at DT.
* Carlos Dunlap – who might be the best defensive player on the roster – hasn’t even played yet this preseason. Once he returns, the Bengals will have the makings of a formidable front four. Dunlap is expected to return for the regular-season opener.
* The linebackers are much-improved this season. Third-year pro Rey Maualuga looks markedly better following his move to the middle (you know, with that being his natural position and all) and will be a huge upgrade over Dhani Jones. Also, the free-agent outside ‘backers the Bengals signed this offseason – Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard – have been good, especially Lawson. I also like Brandon Johnson as the top backup. The team might cut bait with 2008 first-round pick Keith Rivers who has been a complete bust. He’s hurt quite often and even when he plays he never makes a big impact. Rivers just isn’t a physical player and that’s a big problem for a linebacker in the NFL.
* The kicking and punting tandem of Mike Nugent and Kevin Huber looks outstanding. Huber in particular has been impressive as he's boomed nearly every punt this preseason. And Nugent drilled a 55-yard field goal against the Panthers and reports are he's been extremely accurate in practice as well.
* We’ll see how the Bengals look against the Kerry Collins-led Indianapolis Colts in the preseason finale this Thursday … and then the games start for real on Sept. 11 when Cincinnati will travel North on I-71 (or perhaps take a train depending on Mike Brown’s level of cheapness that particular day) to take on the Cleveland Browns. Stay tuned to TWC in the coming days for our 2011 season predictions.
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