Bengals Rookies Rise While Offense Rebounds: Cincinnati Bengals 33, Denver Broncos 24
by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 15, 2010 10:17 PM EDT
in Game Log
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PrintNight and day. That's Cincinnati's past week. Night, in that the team played with no lights existing in the world, running around as if lost in darkness. Day, in that everything was much clearer and focused against the Denver Broncos. The passing game much improved, thanks to solid offensive line play. Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley, two rookies worthy of being this week's spotlight players, were much more involved. Gresham recorded three receptions and made a key block on Cedric Benson's 21-yard explosion early in the first quarter. Jordan Shipley recorded a team high five receptions for 50 yards receiving. Including his kickoff returns and punt returns, Shipley recorded 89 yards total.
As a team, the Bengals outpaced the Broncos, recording 409 yards total to the Broncos 287 yards total. Cincinnati put the game away after a 12-play touchdown drive that went 92 yards ended with a one-yard touchdown run by James Johnson, giving the Bengals a 30-17 lead with 12:47 left in the fourth quarter.
The backups struggled at times, but also there were positives. Jerome Simpson caught a nice 21-yard reception from a well placed pass by J.T. O'Sullivan in stride. Matt Jones, on the other hand, didn't record a reception. After missing his first four passes, O'Sullivan completed five of his next six passes for 84 yards passing, generating two field goal drives. Backup cornerback David Jones picked off a Brady Quinn pass, returning it 24 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bengals a 17-14 lead in the second.
With two preseason games in the books, the Bengals appeared much improved as a team. The team will get four days to prepare for Friday Night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This will be the Bengals third preseason game of the year, often called the dress rehearsal. However, expect the team to play their starters similar as they did Sunday night due to their five-game preseason schedule.
What were your impressions?
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Bernard Scott
is making it clear that he is a hell of a football player. I would like to get him the ball A LOT this season
Impressed!
100% turnaround from the first game. Palmer looked much better and we got to see some of Gresham. Shipley played well and every punt returner was on. Defense was solid except for the first quarter. James Johnson looked alright too.
However,
The first quarter was with our starters and that was when our D looks shakiest
by BuckeyeBearcat on Aug 16, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
My favorite
Jordan’s acrobatics have to be near the top. That was very impressive to see him not slide, but get airborne to grab the extra yards.
B Scott is becoming more and more impressive. Shipley is going to prove what a steal he was. Unfortunately, Matt Jones didn’t look too hot tonight. I really want to see him make it.
Defense had its moments. Rey looked more mobile and seemed to be comfortable in the middle.
In week 1, Simpson played with JTO, Jones worked with JP, Jones looked good, week 2 SImpson played with JP and Jones JTO, you do the math. (then cut JTO and keep Cosby).
I am not sure why everyone loves Cosby as a receiver
he’s a fine special teams player and all. But if one of the big guys could get it in gear you’ll get a lot more offense of them than you will out of Cosby.
Personally I’d rather Jerome Simpson finally works out instead of going down as a bust, but I’d definitely take Jones playing almost up to his previous peak with the Jags.
I’m also not sold on Caldwell, frankly. He had a couple good efforts last year, dropped a kickoff in Oakland, and then vanished.
I could see a rotation of Ocho, TO, AB, Shipley, and both of the big guys Simpson and Jones.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Aug 15, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
By the end of last year
Cosby was our second best receiver. I don’t know why Marvin never put him in, he was the only receiver that could get open against the Jets in the Wild Card game.
by Doc Scratch on Aug 15, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I love him as a teams guy
I don’t think he is a NFL reciever, but He is an excellent returner, blocker and cover guy on teams. I don’t think Cosby makes the team as one of the 6 recievers, he is clearly competing to make the team on teams.
Cook injury
Was Cook’s injury bad? I didn’t see the game.
by sgiridharan1982 on Aug 15, 2010 10:33 PM EDT reply actions
Also
How was the o-line? James Walker wasn’t impressed with the overall offense. And I read that penalties were a big problem. What were people’s impressions?
by sgiridharan1982 on Aug 15, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
imho, penalties were less of an issue
this week. Offense, where they have been having trouble, played pretty cleanly. The defense had a couple big blunders by Tank (roughing) and Leon (pass interference) that kept Denver drives alive.
Offense overall just needs to finish.
the pi against leon was a load of crap.
james walker wasn’t watching the same game i was. you don’t put up 33 points (should have been 40, because frostee got robbed by the ref) without a good effort by the offense. carson completed 80% of his passes for 7 yards a completion. all three running backs (ced, b scott, and johnson) produced runs that picked up big chunks of yardage. nobody turned the ball over. jordan went aerial and willed himself to first downs. there was a jerome simpson sighting. the shortest punt return of the night was about 20 yards (not really offense, but still). the only downside to the offense was a brief sputter early on third down, but they did better with that later.
on another note, tim tebow is who i thought he was; as long as he keeps that byron leftwich windup going on his throws, he’ll be a turnover machine.
i'm going to go america all over your ass!
by Raging Clue on Aug 16, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Better
This game was (o real surprise) a big step forward over the Hall of Fame game. The offense still needs work, but they moved the ball and ought to have had points versus the Denver No. 1s. Just a lot of mental stuff to fix on both sides of the ball — TO needs to get the first, Tank and Leon need to clean it up, etc.
O-line looked better, good to see Stephens come in and not get destroyed (hope Cook’s OK). Benson got a big run, Chad didn’t false start, and Gresham got some action as well. Even Simpson showed up. Just want to see more progress in the coming weeks.
I would like to see the first team D tighten up a little early
other than that no complaints
My three favorite things in the world in no particular order: My wife, sex with my wife, and The Cincinnati Bengals
as i recall, the first-team defense also played really soft last preseason, especially the corners. at least, i’m hoping that’s how i remember it, otherwise i wouldn’t understand why zimmer would be playing leon and j-joe in anything other than press coverage, because that would be bresnahan-esque.
i'm going to go america all over your ass!
by Raging Clue on Aug 16, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Quan Cosby
Better make the team. Tonight’s performance showed why.
by Anthony Cosenza on Aug 15, 2010 10:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
+1 unless Cosby stabs someone or robs a bank
I would be stunned to see him get cut after tonight
by Bengals NFL Champs on Aug 15, 2010 11:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You're right
It’s great that it appears we have three very good punt returners. If we cut Cosby he could get picked up by the Steelers or Ravens and we’d have to deal with him twice per year. Please he makes other special teams plays, like the tackle at the 13 yard line on the last kickoff tonight…
Honestly. We Got Lucky
Basically we should a been better,this is our second preseason game,that was Denvers first,lots a dropped balls by Denver,I can think of two that should a been touchdowns,so lets not get over excited yet,yes they did better,and no offense to Cook who has been getting put on his arse lately,but Stephens looked pretty good vs Denvers #1’s,and where was Nugent tonight,is the Kicker already been decided? Simpson clearly moved himself above the others,did you hear Cauldwell,Jones,or Briscoes name at all tonight? And what about Benard Scott tonight (wow) he added excitement everytime he touched the ball,finally,was it me or was you really hoped that the defense didnt give Tebow that last seconf TD,and you just knew Tebow was gonna run it too,all in all it was better,but it was their first and our second preseason game,and now its on to Friday with the Eagles,lots a work to do in so little time to do it.
Our "first" preseason game
Was really no different than our mock game and scrimmage. We’re not any farther along than Denver is.
Nugent made both XPs
IIRC he was also in for that 50 yard FG they were going to try before getting pushed back by a penalty. Not sure why he didn’t get another shot at a FG all night. Maybe they just didn’t want to risk him getting hurt again, maybe they just wanted to see how Rayner would respond after the miss.
I posted the live feed and it went offline a few times
didnt see Nugent,and missed a few plays,it was the only live feed I could find.
The big question mark was the play of the offensive line and of course the mountain of penalties.
O-line stepped up and gave Carson the time to make plays and he played great. Palmer is really trying to get Gresham and Owens early and often. Jermaine showed his speed and his hands connecting with Palmer on a crucial 3rd and long play.
Once again the Bengals are killing themselves with the stupid penalties. Most of them are before the ball is even snapped or on 3rd down when the defense has done it’s job and there is a stupid penalty that gives the opp a first.
Michael Johnson flashed here and there but once again Geno Atkins is showing a lightning quick first step and had 1.5 sacks and is giving this defense something it has never had. I would not be suprised if Atkins is starting by mid-season.
Kicking game will keep Bengal fans up at night.
Kenneth Lewis Moore
Shipley and Gresham look like the real deal.
Rucker’s TD should have counted.
TO had 3 or 4 nice grabs.
One problem – a kid in the stands had a Batman mask on with no 85. I thought Ocho was Robin?
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Rucker's TD should have counted
Totally! I think that’s what the ref was about to crack up laughing at…here he is, thinking, "What a crock! The kid TOTALLY lost that ball, and Frostee’s about to get robbed out of the only touchdown, college or pro, that he’s ever scored (even though the “turf monster” almost ate him for a snack), but I’m going to call this an incomplete pass JUST because the cat’s arm was going forward, NOT because he was actually trying to throw the ball or anything, but…oh, this is hysterical…I guess I have to make the call now."
by TheWalrus1971 on Aug 16, 2010 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions
TeBows Arm
Was moving forward because he was getting crumpled, not because he was trying to throw the ball. Rucker got screwed on that one. Another solid game for him.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
forget whether his arm was going forware
the ball went backwards from where he released the ball, so it was definitely a bad call. nobody has considered this and i am amazed. has there been a rule change where a backwards pass is not considered a fumble. o well, preseason who cares.
by gregjohnson on Aug 16, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
IF it meant something, then Marvin would have thrown the red BS flag
That smirking ref really annoyed me, but not as much as the Cowboys throwing their red flag in the 4th quarter about a sideline catch. Really? You really care about preseason that much? Really classless.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
by UpStateMike on Aug 16, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Pass rush was bad early
and pass coverage was quite bad by Hall, Sears, all the safeties as usual, and Morgan Trent. Only JJ was on.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Aug 15, 2010 11:37 PM EDT reply actions
+1
trent was especially bad, which is very disappointing.
by gregjohnson on Aug 16, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
The pass rush had better be
by Bengals NFL Champs on Aug 15, 2010 11:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
oops
meant to say the pass rush had better be insane by wk. 1 cuz it looks like our safeties are gonna get torched by the offenses we face this year.
by Bengals NFL Champs on Aug 15, 2010 11:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
pass protection was solid
that’s all I was looking for. carson will find the open man just fine.
defense gave up some big plays / penalties, but I’m not very worried about them… they’ll be fine.
was an extra bonus that shipley and gresham looked so good and that we suffered no major injuries.
by nashville_chris on Aug 16, 2010 12:44 AM EDT reply actions
hey, whereabouts are you in Nashville, man?
You anywhere near Gallatin?
by TheWalrus1971 on Aug 16, 2010 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions
pass interference?
whats up with those penalties. are you allowed to face guard in the nfl or what? Those calls were sketchy
You have to turn around
and attempt to play the ball. But Hall’s penalty was BS
I missed the first 20 minutes of the game, so I'll have to watch the replay on NFL network
So I didn’t see how we were down 14 points early on. Did we spot them 14 because they suck?
What I did see was Carson having a good night, Palmer Lite having a good night, and JT continuing to suck. Matt Jones should have had a couple of catches but JT was flinging them around with no accuracy whatsoever.
I was impressed with Gresham, Shipley, Cosby, and Rey-Rey. Simpson had a great catch and YAC. No thanks to JT who threw it way off of target.
We’d have much better numbers without JT clogging things up.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
James Johnson
Oh yeah and hey, JJ had a good solid game last night. He was making some moves and cuts and did well for only being in camp a couple of days before.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
Is it just me or is Caldwell suddenly looking like the odd man out?
The coaches say he is much improved but he has been lining up with the 3rd/4th team and is still non-existent.
Odom isn’t going to be very effective until we puts that 30 lbs back on. He’s getting pushed around too much.
Safeties still can’t cover mediocre TE’s let alone the good ones.
Adam Jones, M. Johnson and Geno are still looking good.
I want to see Simpson get some 1st team reps.
caldwell
I don’t see caldwell getting cut
by JCompton41 on Aug 16, 2010 9:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
It's like saying OCHO isn't performing in preseason so cut him
Caldwell is on the team, unless he’s inured and we don’t know about it.
I think it’s more about him not getting the ball because of TO timing issues with Carson, and JT and Lil’Carson not being in sync, but there’s certainly a lot of evaluating going on. Shipley getting a ton of throws and that’s got to be priority right now.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
by UpStateMike on Aug 16, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you kidding me?
You’re actually comparing Ocho’s status on this team to Caldwell’s?
I see Caldwell having no contribution to this team and as bold as it may seem, he’s on the verge of getting cut.
Doesn’t the fact that Shipley getting reps with the 1st team and Caldwell with the 3rd/4th team means exactly that?
by jimbasa on Aug 16, 2010 10:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I see what you mean
However, I think the difference is that Ocho is a clear-cut starter while Caldwell is not. I don’t think that the coaching staff is so overly confident or comfortable in Caldwell that he just runs interference to allow the other receivers to be evaluated more accurately. Shipley is a very talented player and should win the starting slot in my opinion. Caldwell has been invisible so far this preseason, and that is consistent with the end of last season. I like Andre, but I don’t think a roster spot is a foregone conclusion considering the competition at WR. Simpson is looking promising, Cosby is a special teams beast, Jones has made some plays and who knows where Bryant figures in. Whatever the case, I think Caldwell needs to prove in the preseason that he deserves a spot on the team… otherwise, we should move on.
by SnapCount80 on Aug 16, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
PFT reporting that a Cincinnati media member asked Tebow for an autograph after the game
And was rightly booted from the locker room.
So how was it?
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
my favorite part was watching Tebow get pounded a couple times.
too bad one of them was on a TD run but still, the guy got drilled. that makes me happy.
i also wish the media would stop talking about “how few balls there are to go around” and that “it’s a matter of time before the locker is destroyed by chad and TO”…
"Now onto more important things: Punching Errorlando Cabrerror in the fucking tits." -Geki
My favorite part was TO
making a jumping catch on a Palmer pass that would have sailed over anybody else’s head. That seemed to settle Carson down and the passing game started clicking. Owens was a very nice late addition.
by SnapCount80 on Aug 16, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Morgan Trent should be cut and David Jones in.
by jimbasa on Aug 16, 2010 10:35 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Andre Caldwell
Look for Caldwell to be traded for a 2011 draft pick.
by Richard Distasi on Aug 16, 2010 10:39 AM EDT reply actions
I said that above. Cut JTO and keep Cosby.
But right now, the 7 I would keep are:
Ocho
TO
Bryant
Jones
Shipley
Simpson
Cosby
Trade for Pike and put him on the PS. Trading for him would show a commitment to him in the future. Maybe add in a late round pick. There is no way we get better than a 5th for him. Why not take a PS player and a conditional pick.
the problem with the idea of a trade..
..is any team knows we’re going to have to cut one of these guys, so why would a team give up an asset when they can jut get a wideout on waivers…
of course, with a guy like caldwell (or anyone above him on the depth chart) that might not be as true, but still.
by nashville_chris on Aug 16, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
i was impressed with stephens….he looked solid for a rookie! overall it was a much better performance….but still its preseason so i don’t think its anything to get excited over either way. the one constant is o’sullivan who is absolutely awful! everything from his attitude to his release is terrible! simpson looked better this week bc he didn’t play with that idiot…jones should have had a few catches had o’sullivan not been his qb…..bottom line is this guy cannot make this team…..he is not capable of running this offense.
Carson Palmer
Att Comp Yds Comp % yds/Att TD INT Sack RTG
Carson Palmer 20 14 123 70.0 6.1 0 0 0 1 86.0
Lost in the WR talk, DB talk, talk of the ofensive line and exciting youngsters, Carson Palmer is having a very nice preseason. He is completing 70% of his passes, thrown no INT and only been sacked once. We haven’t noticed because the lack of TDs and he hasn’t really thrown anything deep, but I think that they are working timing with TO working on the short game, and don’t want to show their deep cards yet. He has spread the ball aound to TO, Shipley and Gresham. I am not worried about Chad and Carson, they will reconnect int he 3rd preseason game and the regular season.
Can we hope for shutout games now?
Considering our offense should now return to its “potent” status and our defense should be in the top five, can the Bengals repeatedly put up “shutout” numbers often?
perchance to dream.
i'm going to go america all over your ass!
by Raging Clue on Aug 16, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I am inclined to eat a Ham Sammy.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
by UpStateMike on Aug 16, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Potent?
how about the 1st team offense puts up points against a 1st team defense and then we can say potent.
by Throw the ball on Aug 16, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn't watch game
Wish I could’ve.
They’re connecting, give ‘em time, good things are happening now and opening day isn’t for another few weeks. Nothing’s perfect yet.
by Doc Scratch on Aug 16, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
My impressions
as a Bronco fan is that the Bengals have alot of offensive weapons, and will do well this year. However, before patting yourselves on the back too much, realize that the first quarter was more indicative of how the Broncos will play this year. In fact, many 1st stringers didn’t play at all, including a starting LB and Safety on defense. The score after one quarter was 14-0 Denver. After that, the Broncos put in their second string defense and offense, and you saw how Quinn imploded— his first completion as a Bronco was a pick 6. Having no offense in the 2nd quarter, using a No. 4 RB (Moreno out; Buckhalter out; White out), and with the subs on defense, changed the game completely. I’m not saying that the Bengals may not have scored points, No. 1 offense against No. 1 defense the rest of the game, I’m just saying that the Denver team that you scored on won’t be the same one taking the field during the regular season.
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