Top 10 Storylines for Thursday's Game Against New England

1. Will Carson Play?

He was wearing a boot late Friday. While the Bengals were clearly being cautious I still wouldn't play him. Carson showed (despite just average stats) that he is healthy and is one the same page as his receivers. His throws had zip and with the exception of the deep ball to Chad and the pick were very accurate. He completed a pass to Coles, Henry, Chad, Coats and Benson. He looked good and if I was Marvin Lewis I would sit him until the preseason finale, then give him a series or two.

2. Leon Hall vs Randy Moss

Remember in '07 when the Bengals played the Pats? Remember that jump ball in the endzone that Randy Moss effortlessly caught over Jonathan Joseph? Well, now he'll have to do it over Leon Hall. Leon Hall has shown the strentgh to cover the tall, athletic, physical wideouts in the league. No one sums those attributes up better than Randy Moss. Moss and Hall will each only play a few series but I think how Hall does in that time will show if he is ready to cover the elite physical freaks in this league. Hall will probably cover Brandon Marshall, Braylon Edwards, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Vincent Jackson and Dwayne Bowe this year. This will be a practice run.

3. Dede Dorsey and James Johnson

With Benson being the feature back and Scott and Leonard both being solid backups there is probably enough room for only one more HB on the roster. These two will fight for that spot. Dorsey has shown good burst and big play ability but he hasn't been able to stay healthy and has struggled blocking. Johnson has solid all around skills but his lack of explosiveness and receiving ability make people wonder why keep him? For now, I give the edge to Dorsey but this battle will be decided by preseason game action.

4. A Sack Maybe?

The only legitimate complaint about the Bengals defense last year was their lack of pass rush. On top of being last in sacks they didn't get one in the preseason opener. Antwan Odom needs to show us he deserves the money we gave him. I like Robert Geathers, always have, but I'm starting to question whether or not he can be a starting end in the league. Maybe Michael Johnson can continue his progress and lay licking on Tom Brady. Hell, I'd like to see Chris Crocker blitz a few times.

5. Is Jerome Simpson finally ready?

Simpson began to show us why we picked him in the 2nd round. He ran good routes and had 3 grabs for 3o yards on Friday. I would like to see him get a ton of reps in this one. I am comfortable with our top 4 WR's (Chad, Coles, Henry and Caldwell) but I would like to have one more established target going into the year. With the continued improvement of Maurice Purify the pressure is on Simpson, let's see how he repsonds.

6. Bernard Scott, Bengals Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Let's not underhype this, Scott was amazing on Friday. He showed great burst, quickness and vision. A lot of his carries were against the first team defense as well. I think he was a steal in the 6th round. He can provide a change of pace for the bruising style of Ced. I'm excited to see more explosive cuts from him.

7. Can the O-Line keep it up?



The starting O-Line played very well friday. They protected Palmer, gave Benson holes and just controlled the game. The Saints lineman are notihng compared to Seymour, Wilfork, Green and Warren for New England. I am excited to see how we handle a talented D-line.



8. The Linebacker Battle.

We can all agree that 7 LB's will make the team. Jeanty, Jones, Rivers, Johnson and Maualuga are all in. That leaves two spots for 4 guys. I like Dan Skuta, the rookie is very athletic (he runs a 4.7 40, has a 35" vertical and becnhed 20 reps at 225 lbs) and versatile (he can play all three spots). Darryl Blackstock is alright but he doesn't play well on special teams and isn't good enough to crack the rotation on defense. Jim Maxwell has 12 career tackles in 5 seasons, he has proven he can't produce in the NFL. Abdul Hodge struggles in coverage but he can play special teams and shows good hitting ability. I like Hodge and Skuta to make the team, but preseason play will decide this battle.

9. Are Chris Crocker and Roy Williams the toughest safety combo in football?

You can sya what you want about Roy Williams' lack of speed, his age and his inability to cover wideouts. But I still look at this guy as one of the best intimidators in the NFL. Chris Crocker was a monster last season and he can hit. Did you see that licking he put on Robert Meachem on Friday? I am excited to see if these guys can rough up Moss and Welker.

10. Can Chatman step up?

He may lose his spot. Andre Caldwell, Quan Cosby and Bernard Scott have all shown the ability to return kicks and punts. And with our deep group of receivers I can't see Chatman getting any time on offense. It's unfortunate that we probably won't be able to find a role for a solid player. He needs a huge showing this preseason or he may be out of a job.

Analyzing the Receivers

Win T.J. signed with Seattle people said the Bengals needed help at WR. People said Chad was shaky and you never know with Chris Henry. The Bengals went out and signed Coles but people said that he wasn't the receiver Housh was. I like out receivers here's why,

Chad Ochocinco: If you've been watching any training camp plays you know he's back physically. His performance in the preseason opener proved it. The plays where he made that catch, broke a tackle and burst down the field for a 55 yard reception was the best we've seen of Chad in a while. Who really cares about the tweeting and all his internet antics? That stuff keeps Chad happy. And when Chad's happy he is one of the top receivers in the NFL. I really think people have forgotten how good of a football player this guy is. The guy has career numbers of 612 catches, 8,905 yards and 53 TD's. Chad is back. Hall of Fame anyone?

Laveranues Coles: Everyone knows the guy can get deep. But his role will be replacing Housh with the underneath routes. I think he can excel. He is very quick and runs sharp routes. People really under-rate his catching ability and toughness. How about that 16 yard grab over the middle Friday night where he plucked the ball away from a defender, took a shot and held on? This guy has the toughness, and that will compliment his big play ability.

Chris Henry: The star of Friday is a star in the making. He's 6' 4", runs very well and has good skills. It's time people stop comparing him to Randy Moss and other guys. Soon we will be comapring young guys to him. I really think Marvin got his head on straight and I'd expect a season like his 2006 campaign.

Andre Caldwell: People are really high on him. He is big, fast and has the skills to be a very productive player. He can return kicks and even run the ball. He won't be a great receiver but he will be a great role player whose skill will get him a ton of field time.

Jerome Simpson: People were upset when we drafted him last year, I was one of those people. Sure, he's 6' 2", has good speed and is a great athelete. But he played a Coastal Carolina. I didn't think he'd be able to make the transition. But on Friday he ran great routes on his way to a 3 catch, 30 yard night. He's still developing but he may be starting to tap into his potential.

Maurice Purify: He hasn't gotten much time and he is looked at as a special teams guy. But watching him in college I saw a player with a lot of potential. He's 6' 3", very strong and has shown the ability to win the jump ball. He's slow and needs to polish his game but I think this guy deserves a shot and could beocme a good red zone option.

Quan Cosby: His value will be as a punt returner. He's short, slow and has questionable skills. But he was good at Texas and I think if he works enough he could one day become a decent slot man in the league.

Preseason Game 1 Stock Report

Rising:

Chris Henry, WR: The stats say enough (7 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD) but he looked great. He seemed to have great chemitry with Palmer and O'Sullivan. He was faster than the Saints DB's. His routes looked good and he didn't drop anything.

J.T. O'Sullivan, QB: He looked very athletic. And while he didn't put a ton of zip on the ball he hit the spots perectly. His throws including a 39 yard streak to Chris Henry and a TD to Henry as well. He finished 9/11 with 100 yards and a TD.

Bernard Scott, RB: The 6th round pick showed great quickness, burst and vision. Coming into the game I expected DeDe Dorsey to be the change of pace guy, but Scott looked great. He had 6 rushes for 30 yards and showed why he deserves to make the roster.

Brian Leonard, RB: 6 rushes for 10 yards isn't good, but he made guys miss. The only reason his numbers weren't better is because he never got a shot to run behind the first team line. He also showed his pass catching abilities by snagging a 10 yard reception.

Kyle Cook, C: He was opening up holes for Benson and Scott and along with Nate Livings and Bobbie Williams dominated the Saints DT's.

Keith Rivers, LB: When he was out there he looked like the most athletic guy on the field. He was all ove rthe place and finished with 5 tackles. He seems healthy and motivated and could very well end up being the best player on the defense.

Domata Peko, DT: He looked so quick in the middle. He continues to show improvement and I have a feeling this is year he breaks out and becomes a star on this defense.

Jonathan Joseph, CB: With the exception of one short pass to Meachem he shut down whoever he was covering. He showed great burst and quickness which makes me think he is 100% healthy. He also blew up a Reggie Bush run causing a 2 yard loss.

Michael Johnson, DE: He had a couple of tackles and showed his elite lentgh by kncoking down a screen pass. Even the Saints announcers said it, this guy was a steal.

Abdul Hodge, LB: He's fighting to make the team and he made a strong case by making 6 tackles and forcing a fumble. He looked very quick and seemed to be able to read where the backs were going. We'll probably take 7 LB's. Rivers, Jones, Jeanty, Johnson and Maualuga are locks. I like Hodge and rooke Dan Skuta to win out.


Falling:

James Johnson and Dede Dorsey, RB: Johnson didn't play and Dorsey only had 3 carries. The staff feels rookie Bernard Scott is better than both of them. They will battle each other for the last HB spot on the roster.

Andre Smith, OT: He isn't even in camp. He may be working out and staying in shape but the starting line looks great without him. When he reports he may have to start the season as a reserve.

Shayne Graham, K: Yes, he's very accurate, but really?

Jamar Fletcher, CB: He got torched for a touchdown and looked helpless in coverage. The team will most likely take 5 CB's. Hall, Joseph, Pope and Jones are in. And rookie Morgan Trent may have the edge on Fletcher because of his special teams ability.

Antwan Odom, DE: He couldn't beat the tackles. He starting spot if safe for now. The bengals paid him a ton of money but if he continues to struggle and Michael Johnson excels will the team consider making a move?