Time To Prepare for Preseason Game #3: What Improvements Do You Look For Against The Eagles?

I do not think the preseason is the best indicator of regular season performance overall, but there are some basics that translate into the regular season. Offensive line play was horrendous a couple seasons ago and it bled (in Carson’s case literally) into the regular season. Penalties are something that have continued since last season. How much of that is rust and how much is becoming habit? I don’t know but I do know you can’t be that sloppy and win a Super Bowl, let alone get out of the first round.
I’m also looking for improvement in the o-line protection. I pointed out last week that without Dumervil, Denver doesn’t have a credible pass rusher. The Eagles will show if the line has improved since Dallas or if Denver just has a horrible front seven.
Personally I think Simpson’s time has run out. Jones has improved and I think has shown more of a grasp on the playbook in a short time whereas Simpson has had years. I want Shipley to get more reps with the first team and I would like to see Chad get more passes his way so he and Carson can remain on the same page going forward.
I would also like to see a third runningback emerge. With Leonard out, someone will have to step up occasionally when Benson needs a rest or if Scott gets nicked up a bit in a game.
Last thing, I want to see Rayner hit a 40+ yard field goal. To me if he can drill it from 45 and in he wins the job right now. I’m an OSU guy, but Nugent just cannot stay healthy. If they let Rayner go some team that gets frustrated with their kicking situation will pick him up and we’ll be left with even less at the position.

I want to see more of Carson as he was last week with a good stat line, no happy feet and connecting with his receivers. Last week seemed like a good step forward, and that of course comes back to what you said about the line’s performance.

Continued development of Gresham. He was exciting to watch last week, as was Shipley.

I’d like to see Simpson get some looks from Carson. That’s going to be the test that we and the coaches need to see. Maybe he gets his chance this week.

Coffman making another catch or two like his catch against the Cowboys, which was a thing of beauty.

Defensively I’d love to see Leon rebound. He got abused last week and I know he’s better than that. Of course in the regular season we aren’t likely to see him giving the cushion he gave last week either.

There are a lot of position battles that we’ll get a good look at tonight, namely defensive backs and wide receivers. I’d like to see Cosby make another good case for his retention tonight, and I think we’ll see just that.

I want to see JT O’Sullivan come out an lay another egg tonight so that the coaches may start coming along to our line of thinking of cutting him and going forward with the Brothers Palmer, opening another roster spot for all the talent we have on this team.

Wouldn’t mind another win too, but that’s less important than seeing good technique and solid contributions from everybody.

from Carson Palmer. If he doesn’t throw 5 touchdowns in the first QUARTER. The season is over.

I couldn’t agree more. I’d love to see 2 TE sets with these 2 guys. I think Coffman has flashed some really good stuff…and if that isn’t awesome, then Gresham looking every bit as good as anyone could hope is even better. I think these 2 guys could wreak some major havoc alongside a good running attack and our all of a sudden massive depth at WR. I don’t know why the 1st defense has looked as bad as it has, but after seeing last year’s performance and Mike Zimmer’s determination, I just can’t bring myself to see our defense as a weakness…just not gonna happen. They will undoubtably get it together by the season and really should be a dominating force out there once again. Not to mention Bernard Scott has been amazing so far, rushing, catching(as well as YAC), returning…I think this will be a major break out year for him. Let’s not forget Leonard who should at most only miss a game or 2. The O-Line was much improved, all though still needs some work. But as you said, improvement is the key. If they keep improving as they are, they will be more than ready by game 1.

“He may get more than Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Jordan Shipley to throw to because the club has to make decisions on the last two receiver spots among the healthy Jerome Simpson, Matt Jones, Quan Cosby and Dez Briscoe. Purify’s health is up in the air, as is that of Antonio Bryant (knee), but those other four look to be in a logjam behind The Ocho, Owens, Shipley and Andre Caldwell.”

So can we put the “Caldwell isn’t going to make the team” crap behind us, please? Thanks.

I live in SoCal and I’m getting the game live on FOX out here. It blows my mind that games get blacked out locallly in Cincinnati…

Pass Protection.. If this unit doesn’t keep Carson upright with a considerable amount of time to let the play develop, the majority of the time we pass the ball than we don’t have a flying chance in H.E. double hockey sticks to be a good passing offense.. Everyone worrying about a backup Quarterback is a direct reflection of there inner worries about this unit… Hopefully Andre can produce at the level he was selected from..