Keys To The Game
Monday, August 6, 2007
Preseason Week 1 – Lions
Keys to the Game.
Watching preseason football is much like watching two girls play Tecmo Super Bowl. A lot of random plays will be called which make no sense, and you are not sure if anyone really cares if they win. So with that in mind, the Keys to the Game will be much different in the preseason. We are not looking for keys to a Bengal’s victory, but signs that the Bengals will be ready come regular season. Coaches do not really game plan for the preseason. Instead, they have lists of plays and players they want to see in specific situations to see how they work and look on film. Some things to look for that will have an effect on the regular season.
1) The third receiver. One thing to notice against the Lions is the action of receivers not named Chad or TJ. On the first 3rd and 7, who goes in and what type of route does he run? If Bennie Brazell, Antonio Chatman, Tab Perry or anyone else comes in, lines up as the outside receiver and goes deep, the coaches are trying to see if they have a legitimate replacement for Chris Henry. Or you may see them try other solutions on 3rd down, such as, lining up Tab Perry and the inside receiver and testing him over the middle. You may also see an unusual amount of passes to Kenny Irons to test his hands as a 3rd down back out of the backfield.
In the end, what you see Thursday night will be some test runs for what the Bengals will desperately need to beat Baltimore in week 1, multiple options on 3rd down. Ultimately, it may not matter because we all know on 3rd and long that a Shovel Pass to Kenny Watson will be Bratkowski’s call 9 out of 10 times.
2) The new offensive line. The offensive line really isn’t that new, but there will be two new starters from opening day last year bringing a new dynamic to the line play. Rich Braham (Pour one out for your homie) will be replaced by the more athletic, but less experienced Eric Ghiacuic. Stacey Andrews- The largest human on Earth- or Andrew Whitworth-The second largest human on Earth- will replace Eric Steinbach(Lots of BUI space on Lake Erie). Steinbach’s best attributes are his athleticism and technique while Braham was the ideal NFL center with game IQ and a West Virginia Appalachian Deliverance style mean streak. While the new starters may not be as good as Steinbach and Braham, line play may improve due to the new starters fitting into the Bengal’s system. With Rudi being a grinding running back and Carson being a straight dropback passer, the Bengals line does not need much athleticism. Nobody is getting around Whitworth or Andrews without a map, and Ghiacuic will have a 350 pound Guard on either side of him. While the loss of Braham will be felt, the bengals dealt with that last season. The offensive line, Reggie Kelly, Jeremi and Rudi Johnson, I don’t think they could spell the word ‘finesse’ between the eight of them.
What to notice Thursday night will be the difference in the running game. There will be more straight ahead running without Steinbach as a pulling guard, similar to the Ravens a few years ago. If the Bengals can run straight ahead at teams with success, that will open up the play action pass and allow more room for the passing game to operate.
3) Ahmad Brooks. Even morons that live in Bevis know the key to the Bengals defense this year is the play of Ahmad Brooks. But it is harder to analyze defense in the preseason because, again, coaches do not gameplan for preseason games. The defense will have very little idea what plays will be coming, and mainly will be working on alignment and responibilities for different defensive calls. Beyond that, the defense will not be trying to attack the offense or take away the strengths of the offense. We will, however, be able to judge the basic skills of the defense; speed, pursuit, tackling, etc. So from that standpoint, Ahmad Brooks should look very good on Thursday night based on all of the hype about his potential. We can see how comfortable he operates now that he is the leader of the defense.
What you do want to see: Ahmad Brooks running through Tatum Bell in the backfield.
What you don’t want to see: Stacey Andrews being flatbacked by highest paid NFL tackle Cory Redding on the Bengals first pass attempt.
Matchup of mullets: Alan Reuber vs Langston Moore –
The Bengals lost most of their good mullets during the offseason when Keiwan Ratliff got a haircut and Jonathan Fanene decided to un-cornrow his hair. This could be a bad sign that Reuber is the closest thing the Bengals have. Former Bengal Moore brings it home. Lions Win
Matchup of moustaches: DB coach Kevin Coyle vs Matt Millen –
Everyone Wins.
Little known Lions fact: Jon Kitna, who will throw for 50 TDs this season, was arrested for shoplifting, was a drunk and a womanizer while in college. After being caught cheating on his girlfriend, he became the cross hat wearing, Jesus loving QB we all know and love.
Keys to the Game.
Watching preseason football is much like watching two girls play Tecmo Super Bowl. A lot of random plays will be called which make no sense, and you are not sure if anyone really cares if they win. So with that in mind, the Keys to the Game will be much different in the preseason. We are not looking for keys to a Bengal’s victory, but signs that the Bengals will be ready come regular season. Coaches do not really game plan for the preseason. Instead, they have lists of plays and players they want to see in specific situations to see how they work and look on film. Some things to look for that will have an effect on the regular season.
1) The third receiver. One thing to notice against the Lions is the action of receivers not named Chad or TJ. On the first 3rd and 7, who goes in and what type of route does he run? If Bennie Brazell, Antonio Chatman, Tab Perry or anyone else comes in, lines up as the outside receiver and goes deep, the coaches are trying to see if they have a legitimate replacement for Chris Henry. Or you may see them try other solutions on 3rd down, such as, lining up Tab Perry and the inside receiver and testing him over the middle. You may also see an unusual amount of passes to Kenny Irons to test his hands as a 3rd down back out of the backfield.
In the end, what you see Thursday night will be some test runs for what the Bengals will desperately need to beat Baltimore in week 1, multiple options on 3rd down. Ultimately, it may not matter because we all know on 3rd and long that a Shovel Pass to Kenny Watson will be Bratkowski’s call 9 out of 10 times.
2) The new offensive line. The offensive line really isn’t that new, but there will be two new starters from opening day last year bringing a new dynamic to the line play. Rich Braham (Pour one out for your homie) will be replaced by the more athletic, but less experienced Eric Ghiacuic. Stacey Andrews- The largest human on Earth- or Andrew Whitworth-The second largest human on Earth- will replace Eric Steinbach(Lots of BUI space on Lake Erie). Steinbach’s best attributes are his athleticism and technique while Braham was the ideal NFL center with game IQ and a West Virginia Appalachian Deliverance style mean streak. While the new starters may not be as good as Steinbach and Braham, line play may improve due to the new starters fitting into the Bengal’s system. With Rudi being a grinding running back and Carson being a straight dropback passer, the Bengals line does not need much athleticism. Nobody is getting around Whitworth or Andrews without a map, and Ghiacuic will have a 350 pound Guard on either side of him. While the loss of Braham will be felt, the bengals dealt with that last season. The offensive line, Reggie Kelly, Jeremi and Rudi Johnson, I don’t think they could spell the word ‘finesse’ between the eight of them.
What to notice Thursday night will be the difference in the running game. There will be more straight ahead running without Steinbach as a pulling guard, similar to the Ravens a few years ago. If the Bengals can run straight ahead at teams with success, that will open up the play action pass and allow more room for the passing game to operate.
3) Ahmad Brooks. Even morons that live in Bevis know the key to the Bengals defense this year is the play of Ahmad Brooks. But it is harder to analyze defense in the preseason because, again, coaches do not gameplan for preseason games. The defense will have very little idea what plays will be coming, and mainly will be working on alignment and responibilities for different defensive calls. Beyond that, the defense will not be trying to attack the offense or take away the strengths of the offense. We will, however, be able to judge the basic skills of the defense; speed, pursuit, tackling, etc. So from that standpoint, Ahmad Brooks should look very good on Thursday night based on all of the hype about his potential. We can see how comfortable he operates now that he is the leader of the defense.
What you do want to see: Ahmad Brooks running through Tatum Bell in the backfield.
What you don’t want to see: Stacey Andrews being flatbacked by highest paid NFL tackle Cory Redding on the Bengals first pass attempt.
Matchup of mullets: Alan Reuber vs Langston Moore –
The Bengals lost most of their good mullets during the offseason when Keiwan Ratliff got a haircut and Jonathan Fanene decided to un-cornrow his hair. This could be a bad sign that Reuber is the closest thing the Bengals have. Former Bengal Moore brings it home. Lions Win
Matchup of moustaches: DB coach Kevin Coyle vs Matt Millen –
Sadly, the Bengals do not have a truly good moustache on the player roster ala Brian Milne. Adam Kieft gets honorable mention due to his overall facial hair compilation.
It still doesn’t matter as Matt Millen dominates being President and CEO of the Lions. Lions Win
Duel of the uglies: Jeff Rowe vs. Barry Stokes –
Bengals solidify ugly depth with strong draft pick. Bengals Win
Bengals solidify ugly depth with strong draft pick. Bengals Win Battle of old men: Bryan Robinson(33) vs Jason Hanson(37) –
Hanson may be older, but he is a kicker, Bengals Win
Hanson may be older, but he is a kicker, Bengals Win Biggest loser fan: Stormtrooper vs This guy
I know a lot of people like the stormtrooper, but this guy is a loser. It's cool to wear something unique that is put together for the Bengals. But in order to have a Bengal painted stormtrooper suit, you first have to be a grown man with his own fitted stormtrooper suit AKA a loser.
You had to love it when the Lions fans did the 'orange out' to fire Matt Millen. Lions Win
Trashiest looking cheerbabe: The Bengals win by forfeit due to the Lions not having cheerbabes. It’s a tough choice, but Lexi appears to be the Bengals top competitor as she is pulling up her miniskirt while the photo is being taken.
Everyone Wins.Little known Lions fact: Jon Kitna, who will throw for 50 TDs this season, was arrested for shoplifting, was a drunk and a womanizer while in college. After being caught cheating on his girlfriend, he became the cross hat wearing, Jesus loving QB we all know and love.
Labels: Awesome, Matt Millen, Totally Kick Ass
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