Bengals Preseason Opener: Biggest Disappointment

Preseason or not, when a team gives up 41 points, there are going to be some disappointing performances. While Jason Campbell (6/15, 72 yds and 2 INTs - both returned for TDs) or the defense (41 points) may be the easy selections for biggest disappointment, my biggest disappointment would have to be Darrin Simmons.

With a team as deep as the Bengals, Simmons has a ton of talent to work with and to see his squad surrender 1 TD and returns of 80, 65, and 35 while being torched for a 32.3 yards per punt and 30.8 yards per kick return has to be frustrating (and concerning).

The Bengals built an early 10-0 lead, but that quickly evaporated thanks to a pair of special teams breakdowns. The first came on the kickoff following the Bengals' first TD, as Chiefs returner Albert Wilson broke a couple of tackles and returned the ball down to the 25-yard line after an Adam Jone personal foul added 15 yards to the return.

The one that went for a score came at the hands of rookie returner DeAnthony Thomas, who frankly should have been tackled by Dre Kirkpatrick, but several other players taking bad angles were as much at fault.

To add insult to injury, Simmons punter, Huber, did not have a good night either with a pedestrian 44.5 average and a Net average of 24.5. It is only the first preseason game and Simmons has a good track record, so I am not panicking just yet, but I certainly will be looking for some big improvements from the Bengals special teams in fake football game #2.