Game Preview- Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

By Adam Kiefaber

Both the Bengals and Falcons need to have good games

Obviously, you will hear Michael Vick’s name not once, not twice but at least a thousand times when you tune into tonight’s Monday Night Football game.

However, this is Bengalstripes.com not ESPN.com, so that is all I’m going to mention about the dirty birds in this game preview.

Through Cincinnati’s first two preseason games, the first-team offense hasn’t scored a touchdown. Against the Lions, quarterback Carson Palmer led the offense on two solid drives (in two first-team drives total) that ended in field goals. Then last weekend, Palmer and his first-team offense had four drives and ended with only one score, which was 51-yard field goal.

Much of the play calling on offense has been very conservative to say the least. On the lone first-team offensive scoring drive (51-yard FG), the Bengals called a quick wide receiver screen on third and 11. The play wasn’t designed to get the first down. The reason it was called, was to get the ball into Tab Perry’s hands.

Speaking of play calling, head coach Marvin Lewis will coach from the Atlanta press box as he recovers from Wednesday’s ankle surgery.

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph dressed for the game against New Orleans, but didn’t play. If Joseph plays, which I expect him to, he will definitely be one to watch since he is expected to be the Bengals’ top corner this season.

On June 2nd, during the Bengals’ mandatory mincamp, Joseph fractured a bone in his left foot.

I expect Safety Herana-Daze Jones (who was great against the Saints), defensive end Robert Geathers, linebacker Earl Everett and wide receiver Glenn Holt not to play due to injuries.

Not counting injuries, the Bengals have 79 players on their roster. They must cut their roster down to 75 by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Then Cincinnati must trim their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote that college free-agent T.J. Wright (Ohio University) might have beat out Keiwan Ratliff for one of the last cornerback positions. I wouldn’t be surprised to see wide receiver Tony Kays let go on Tuesday.

Keep a close eye on these players:

1) OT Levi Jones: Jones might not play. However, it sounds like he will play with the second-team offense. It will be interesting to see him play. Jones might be in knee braces (not one, but two) all season, which might hurt his normally stellar play.
2) WR Tab Perry: Perry is one of the most important players on the roster with Chris Henry to miss the first half of the season. Perry practically missed the entire 2006 season when he was injured late in the second game of the year. Supposedly Perry is stronger, faster and has better hands than Henry. Perry looked terrible in the Saints preseason game, none of his quarterbacks seemed to know where to throw it to him. Five of six of Carson Palmer’s incompletions were intended for Perry.
3) CB Johnathan Joseph: Last year, Joseph stepped in for an injured and drunk Deltha O’Neal. Joseph led the team with 19 pass breakups. Joseph could become one of the AFC best corners if he learned how to catch this offseason. The expectations are high for Joseph and he needs to pick up where he left off last season. Joseph hasn’t played all preseason and it will interesting to finally see him play.
4) CB Leon Hall: Hall worried fans with his lackluster performance in the Detroit game. He was beat by rookie WR Calvin Johnson and WR Shaun McDonald multiple times. It was Hall’s first game, and I thought he played well in the Saints game. I would be surprised if he doesn’t continue to improve with every game that he plays.
5) LB Ahmad Brooks: Brooks played the entire first half of the Detroit game and didn’t register a tackle. After starting four games in ’06, Brooks is penciled in as the starting middle linebacker. Keep a close eye on Brooks; he could be the most important player this season. Brooks had four tackles against the Saints, but he played much of the game including deep into the second half. Brooks still has a lot to learn and time is running out.
6) WR/KR/PR Skyler Green: Two weeks ago at this time, Green had an up-hill battle to earn a roster spot on this team. In Detroit, I believe he earned that spot. Then in the Saints game, he didn’t impress anyone that much, but he caught a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. I will be very surprised if Green isn’t the team’s starting punt returner in the season opener against the Ravens.
7) : LB Lemar Marshall: It is always interesting to see how the newest addition to the team performs. Marshall will hopefully show fans that he is a worthy player.
8) : WR Chad Johnson Sent signed copies of his book I Can’t Be Stopped to all of the Falcons’ defensive backs. You know that he wants to score a touchdown. The first-team offense hasn’t scored yet. I expect him to get one tonight.
9) WR Bennie Brazell: Fans love Brazell for the fact that he is an Olympic track athlete. Members of the Bengals’ media have praised Brazell performance all spring. However, once the preseason started, that praise is non-existent. Brazell needs to do something quick that is unless he wants to spend the year on the practice squad.
10) S Chinedum Ndukwe: Nedu has impressed the coaches and the media during training camp, now it is time to impress the fans. He played well in the Detroit game and finished with four tackles and recovered a fumble. The most impressive thing about Ndukwe is his ability to make open-field solo tackles. However, Nedu looked like he may have been at fault for the blown coverage on the 83-yard touchdown pass from Lions’ QB J.T. O’Sullivan to Shaun McDonald.

Other players I want to mention are S Marvin White, WR Reggie McNeal, DE Frostee Rucker, DT Matt Toeaina, DT Kenderick Allen, CB Keiwan Ratliff, WR Chris Henry, OT Adam Kieft, CB Brandon Williams, TE Nate Lawrie and TE Daniel Coats.