Open Thread: Pre-season game #2 - Lions @ Bengals

Personnel out (plus lineup changes for tonight) — as per Curnutte.

Tailback Rudi Johnson, expected to play tonight against the Lions in the second preseason game, was a late scratch for the Bengals. Chris Perry will start in his place.

Other Bengals not playing tonight: fullback Jeremi Johnson, safety Chinedum Ndukwe (leg), cornerback Ethan Kilmer, safety Herana-Daze Jones (groin), defensive end Eric Henderson, center Dan Santucci (ankle), wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring), tight end Matt Sherry, linebacker Rashad Jeanty (leg, knee) and defensive end Antwan Odom (foot).

In addition to Perry starting for Johnson at tailback, there are two other changes in the starting lineup: Marcus Maxwell will start at wide receiver for Houshmandzadeh, and Johnathan Fanene will start at right defensive end for Odom.

Detroit Free Press writes their five things to look for.

- Running game.
- MLB
- RT
- Return game
- Backup QBs

It would seem that Eric Henderson’s stay as a Bengals DE/LB might be going, going, gone. This will be the second pre-season game that he’ll miss. Unless the team sees more with Henderson than Rucker (and I don’t see that based on Henderson having more durability questions), I’m not sure how the Bengals can justify using a roster spot for Henderson who’s all but non-existent in games.

Now with Dan Santucci out, the Bengals may be using their “Jurassic Line” formations tonight. I would assume that it would come during the first team to give Bobbie Williams some snaps — though Kyle Cook is still the first backup center behind Eric G.

Ethan Kilmer, though considered a CB, has been dealing with injury this entire pre-season. The competition for the backup job is tight.. and Kilmer was a decent ST player when he’s healthy. Daze-Jones, also out, is another good ST player that’s competing in a tight secondary competition.

With T.J. out, the WR opposite Chad Johnson was Antonio Chatman. This week, it’s Maxwell who, I thought, had a couple of T.J.-like receptions against the Packers last week.

In a 31-27 win over the Saints, the Houston Texans (and former Bengals) wide receiver, Kevin Walter caught six grabs, 100 yards and a TD.

Jon Kitna throws down the left sidelines to Calvin Johnson. Leon Hall, covering one-on-one… Lions pick up 46 yards

Jones – MLB
WILL – Brandon
SAM – Blackstock

Keith Rivers (I think), missed the first tackle about five yard again. Smith (#34, for the Lions), runs for another 10 yards after Rivers miss.

Double TE, Perry ran off the Whitworth and Jones and picked up six yards. The line had a good push.

Lions blitzed, Perry picked up. Palmer hit Maxwell who ran about 5-8 yards and then curved out. First down.

No TE, 2 WR left, one WR right, I formation. Chad Johnson, running a slant route, has the ball hit his hands and drops.

Shotgun, pass to Chad Johnson who jumps up the air. He juggles the ball when the pass and DB hit Chad at the same time. Kelly (Lions DB), grabbed the juggling ball and picked off the pass.

Chad fell on his elbow and hurt his shoulder. In some pain.

Kitna drops back, hits Calvin Johnson. JJ was on Johnson who ran a deep crossing pattern. Zone coverage.

Shoulder problem. Likely getting X-Rays.

Five-yard completion, incomplete pass to Chad and Interception — intended for Chad.

Play-action. Palmer over-threw Daniel Coats but Glenn Holt was coming back and caught the pass. Palmer has been dropped several times.

Chris Perry runs through the line, takes on #42, lowered his shoulder, and DUMPED over him.

He’s chugging his legs, lowering his shoulder on every hit, etc..

After a bad spot that set up third-and-inches, the Bengals lined up in illegal formation setting up third and 5+inches. Maxwell catches another pass from Palmer (in shotgun). Maxwell lined up right and squared in. Nice grab.

Palmer threw the pass up to Maxwell (with Bodden covering). Maxwell got in front of Bodden AND the safety, but couldn’t bring it down.

Good coverage… Palmer had to keep the ball, threw it away after (barely) getting out of the tackle box and getting leveled.

Palmer is getting hit a lot tonight..

He went 3/3 for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Third and eight from the 38. QB, in shotgun, throws left to Calvin Johnson (running about a five yard hook), and Johnathan Joseph covering Johnson, made a sure tackle. Fourth down.

With six carries, Perry has only picked up 20 yards. But let me emphasize, he’s running great. I’ll be he breaks a few 20+ yarders.

Big pressure up the middle, one of the gaps that Williams patrols (but I don’t want to blame him).

Palmer in shotgun… Stacy Andrews guy made the sack. When the ball was snapped, Andrews pushed the DL closest to him inside (Williams took him on) and the LB blitzed and wasn’t touched by Mr. Franchise.

On the first Lions play. He stayed at home where the RB would naturally cut back and made the hit and tackle. Four yard gain though…

Play-action. Pass goes to Middleton, totally bounced off the WR hands and White couldn’t react quickly enough to pick the pass (it bounced off his hands too)

Deltha O’Neal has covered the WR on the past two first down completions.

Takes on the left tackle, out runs him past the edge, swipes the ball out of the QB hands! QB got it back… but still. Great job Blackstock!

Two DL held up Perry in a pile of bodies. When he finally broke free, the entire Lions defense saw the screen coming and gained nothing.

Pass to Coats in the right flats, juggled the ball and Bodden nearly picked the pass. Coats made sure he didn’t get the pick.

Just can’t keep up with faster defensive ends.

Are getting absolutely no pass rush.

Lions FB runs into QB, but QB hands off to RB anyway. Play was dead before it started. Blackstock and Rivers made the stop.

Lions, third-and-10, roll out left and pass to #10. The WR run up and a hook route, just beyond the first-down marker. David Jones turned with the WR and nearly picked the pass.

If the Bengals offense could put together a drive. But the Lions are just pressuring Palmer way too much for anything to get going, you know? And we’re not rushing much right now with any consistency.

Bobbie Williams still at center, Stacy Andrews at left guard, Watson made one LB miss and picked up 11 yards.

this preseason is not a precursor. This team looks like the mid 90’s, SRSLY

Is actually pretty impressive looking. They lock in with their guys, and the Lions aren’t getting off their blocks. However, it would seem we’re a bit slow getting to the second line… which Watson is taking care of RIGHT NOW.

Except for the last run that ran about a yard. Andrew Whitworth pulled from left guard to the defensive end. The defensive end held his ground, forced Watson inside and grabbed his legs. Watson went down.

I know that Coats is very green at the FB spot, but Jeremi Johnson is MUCH MUCH better.

About 15 yards deep, jumps in the air and lets the football bounce off his shoulder pads.

does uUtecht need those balls to land?

Shotgun, Utecht and Watson flanking him… Fitzpatrick drops back, runs around a little bit and RUNS FOR THE FIRST DOWN. This guy is exciting. Has some legs on him. That’s his second rushing first down of over 10 yards. This one went for 21 yards.

Fitzpatrick… 32 yards. Watson… 31 yards. Perry… 23 yards.

First-and-ten, Fitzpatrick drops back and hits Chatman who catches the pass and doves forward for the first down.

Eric G got pwned.

Watson motions wide right, Fitzpatrick in shotgun, Fitzpatrick fires a FAST BALL — harder than Brett Favre — into Glenn Holt’s basket who was diving/falling/sliding for the catch. TOUCHDOWN

Fitzpatrick just ran a 13-play 99-yard play touchdown drive.

Fitzpatrick just fired a fastball down the middle, nearly murdering the ref, barely getting past the DB.

…is definitely playing deep and 10 yards of the receiver. Marvin White SMOKED the WR on the last play — and wrapped too!

Half the Bengals were suckers for it… however, Blackstock, in the backfield when the pass was thrown, ran down the RB.

QB for Lions attempts for WR. Deltha O’Neal covering and hit the WR at the same time the pass hit the WR. Good play by O’Neal. Nearly a pick too.

Take a knee. I always wish they just reached back and launched. That’s my Madden-like fantasy watching NFL games. :)

Maxwell… 3 receptions, 37 yards
Chatman… 3 receptions, 26 yards
Holt… 2 receptions, 22 yards, TD

In the first half of the second pre-season game, my vote for #3 receiver goes to Maxwell.

The Lions have passed 19 times (once sacked) to nine rush attempts. In those nine rush attempts, the Lions gained 28 yards and 16 came on one play (the Rivers miss tackle). Take out that play, the Lions have rushed eight times for 12 yards.

I won’t describe every play… just try to make a picture of the better plays.

I’m stuck watching the Pats-Bucs on NFL network. 700 wlw is not coming in here in Washington DC.

RT – Stacy Andrews
RG – Nate Livings
C – Eric G. still in
LG – Kooistra
LT – Collins

Though Butch Hobson also called it a shoulder injury…

QB in shotgun, plenty of time, passes deep left for a good pickup. First down. Castille on coverage.

Just got here…gonna go catch up.

Play-action, throws left to Ellis (WR). Jones was off a bit, and the WR completed the pass for eight yards.

Good blocking against the Lions. First down.

Hand off to RB. Sims fell backwards and helped Corey Mays stop the RB for a loss.

Pass was too high on a quick slant-like route. The high pass rattled off O’Neal’s fingers and nearly picked. Falls incomplete.

I’m really liking the guy. He has a ton of energy, and he fights for his place on the line — aka, not being moved around.

Radio guys (Dave and Lap) say the shoulder may have popped out and got it popped back in. Though they’re not saying that officially.

This site has seen a tremendous jump in traffic and comments. I want to thank all of you.. a lot. That’s awesome. My goal this season is develop more of a community.

Fitzpatrick throws to DeDe Dorsey, running out to the right flats, picks up nothing.

Fitzpatrick throws a fast ball to Jerome Simpson. Simpson lined up wide right and squared in for about a 17 yard gain. Simpson was sliding when he made the catch. The Bengals are running hurry-up.

After a six-yard pickup by Dorsey up the middle, Fitzpatrick drops back and hits Utecht on a beautiful fade route. He lunged and caught the pass for 18 yards.

Two guys in motion. Simpson and Caldwell went into motion at the same time. Well, it’s not a penalty. Bengals called a timeout.

Single-back formation, TE left, 2 WRs left… Fitzparick drops back and throws to Simpson (single WR on the right). He turned about 10 yards, caught the pass, and turned smoking the covering DB. 24 yards.

Dorsey gets the hand off, miss reads the blocking FB (he blocked out, and Dorsey ran out), but picked up four.

In a nutshell…Carson got abused and had neither of his go-to guys, answering my question about “are they trying to force it to figure out a 3rd WR like last week…” Question answered, everyone on the FIELD is a 3rd WR candidate right now apparently…

Utecht has a drop and a couple of quality rec’s…

Front seven looks good on D, corners are still adjusting to being on an island (and you really can’t complain about getting abused by Calvin Johnson anyway)…

Marvin White learned his lesson about wrapping last week.

That about right? :)

No gain. Coats, again, doesn’t block the point of attack (though, that could be by design)

Third-and-G at the three. Fitzpatrick drops back. Caldwell runs up two yards and then flares out at the one-yard line. Catches the pass and is tackled.

Congrats again on the PFT link, Kirkendall. :)

Hand off to Dorsey, Lions defensive line submarines the offensive line and picks up nothing. BS.

WOW. Corey Lynch. QB passes over the middle and Corey Lynch just hits the WR and jars the ball lose. A sure complete turns incomplete.

Just did a Justin Smith impression. Drags down the RB with a single hand.

QB drops back, with two WR to the right… play fake and BRANDON JOHNSON wraps QB in the endzone. The QB throws the ball into the ground and AVOIDS the safety!

DEANGELO CRAIG just “blowed” someone up, BAD on punt return. And Antonio Chatman had a great return.

Never run a screen.

Rowe drops back, throws left for Caldwell. Caldwell was kinda falling backwards when the pattern appeared to be some hook route.

Bengals tied the game with a Graham FG.

He kicked it to the two-yard line on kickoff. :-)

It appears our front-seven looks like…

DT – Shirley and Sims
DE – Craig and Rucker
LB – Maxwell, Mays and ?

Clearly the offenses best player. Fitzpatrick went 11/14, 111 yards and a TD. And that’s, essentially, about two quarters of play.

Oh, and Fitzpatrick rushed for 31 yards… still tied for the team high (with Watson).

Improve every season. That’s good.

QB drops back, has to move up the pocket, and throws deep down the left side. Brandon Johnson was pressuring the QB hard. WR had a step on David Jones for 45 yards.

Without looking up last weeks stats, I think Rowe has completed only two of 10 passes.

Taken off with the cart.

Hand off to RB, Corey Mays sticks the RB at the LOS and picks up little.

QB, in shotgun, throws to WR and Deltha hits WR, knocks pass away. Good play… again. O’Neal has done well tonight after a slowish start.

Caldwell hurt foot.
Sims, right foot injury.

No one returning.

Leads the team in receiving… two catches, 41 yards including a 24-yarder.

QB in shotgun, hands off to RB and runs the ball up the middle and hits a big wall of bodies. Lions take the lead with FG, 13-10.

Seems healthy again.

Rowe, play-action, naked boot right and hits Danial Coats running out around the LOS… no gain.

Play-action, Rowe forced up in the pocket and over throws Glatthaar (is that it?)

Rowe, with James Johnson and Lawrie flanking him in shotgun, throws over the middle to Chatman. The ball jumps off his fingers for an incomplete. Punt.

Is 1-5 tonight.
3-13 for the pre-season.

He finds the gap on the first down run and drops the RB.

Quick slant to WR with Gaines covering for about eight yards. First down.

Ahmad Brooks and Jason Shirley around the tackle for a minimal gain.

Maxwell and Craig slow up RB for another minimal gain (that includes one-yard losses.. apparently).

QB in shotgun, under pressure, QB runs up the middle, spins to the right and runs for the first down. Ahmad Brooks couldn’t track him down and didn’t take a good (not at all) angle at the QB.

QB fakes the run, throws it deep and touchdown. Corey Lynch and Castille in coverage. The WR had about three steps on both rookie DBs. It wasn’t even close. Totally blown away.

Lynch came up, and Castille let him go. One of the two were supposed to cover and thought it was supposed ot be the other one.

“We have a lot of work to do.”

And this team needs to work on their pass protection. Rowe, in fairness, has been forced to rush the pass.

D-linemen jumps the line and Cook snaps it early.

Avoids a sack, and then gets sacked.

throws to Lawrie for a massive three-yard gain (by Rowe’s standards)…

and shot (sacked).

With just over four minutes left in the game, then Lions return back to the 44-43 yard line.

thinks judging by the tape that Chad may have a sep. shoulder.

Have the Bengals already determined their depth chart at QB? This is the second game in a row that the Bengals put in Rowe as the third QB, waiting until late in the fourth quarter to give Jordan any snaps. I’m sure they know what they’re doing (yo, Kirk, are you sure???), but little Palmer has to be better than Rowe.

Though, I think I’m being tough on Rowe. He really hasn’t had much time to pass… and when he does have some time, he fires off a pass thinking he’s going to get smoked.

Pass protection. This has been a horrible display of pass protection. When Carson was in, he was hit on nearly every pass attempt. Fitzpatrick found some breathing room, but that’s partially thanks to a running game that actually worked and his ability to find yardage with his legs.

Rowe is just begging for this game to be over.

27-10… Naked QB boot leg to the right and the QB ran into the endzone.

Packers… 2/8, 24 yards, INT
Lions… 2/6, 3 yards

Total… 4/14, 27 yards, INT

Which equates to a 55.2 passer rating.

I’m getting a bite to eat, checking out the newest ep. of Generation Kill.

and good night moon.

…and big balls. (gotta watch Wipeout.)