With the seven Hall of Fame candidates already inducted it was time for the traditional Hall of Fame game. The Cowboys had the privilege to take on the Cincinnati Bengals. With some familiar faces on the opposite sideline the Cowboys wanted to get a quick look at their starters and a good long look at some of the depth that they have. In the end the score favored the Cowboys, not that it really matters. While head coach Wade Phillips will be happy with the win, it is the opportunity to watch the young guys that the Cowboys coaching staff was after.

The game started well with CFL standout Titus Ryan returning the opening kickoff 38 yards. The Cowboys 1st team offence then drove down the field for what would end up being a field goal. Romo and crew picked up right where they left off last season, having no problem getting to the redzone, and then just like last year, stalling out. Felix Jones had a fumble that was erased thanks to an offside penalty on the Bengals. The Cowboys then ran three straight pass plays from the 5-yard line which yielded nothing. Left-Tackle Doug Free had a great drive mauling pass rush specialist Antwan Odom. Romo looked sharp when he had time. The biggest surprise of the first quarter had to be the play of backup TE John Phillips. Phillips had two great catches that led to first down. He also did what he does best and that is block. He had a couple of great blocks spring Tashard Choice for a couple of decent runs.

While the first team only played one series on both sides of the ball, the defence dominated the bengals allowing only one first down one a 12-yard completion to former Cowboy Terrell Owens.

Once the second team entered the game, the execution for both teams dropped off. The Cowboys defense was very tough for the entire second half. DE Stephen Bowen stood out for the Cowboys getting pressure consistently on both Bengal quarterbacks. OLB Victor Butler also showed his great speed racing down a Bengal running-back after coming all the way across the line.

Tashard Choice looked really good running the ball for the Cowboys breaking off a couple of really good runs. Third-string quarterback Stephen McGee took over after Jon Kitna was largely ineffective through 4 series. McGee showed flashes of potential but also his inexperience.

The first half ended with K David Buehler being the difference with two field-goals, and the Cowboys defence shutting out the Bengals.

The third quarter started off with some promise after the Cowboys held the Bengals to a three and out to begin the half, Stephen McGee took the team on a decent drive that ended with a missed 49-yard field-goal from Buehler. The Cowboys caught a break when LB Brandon Williams, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, picked off Bengals quarterback Jordan Palmer and returned the ball to the Bengals 9 yard-line. McGee perpetuated the Cowboys struggles by not capitalizing in the redzone. Buehler came in and finished the drive with a 23-yard field-goal.

The game got a little sloppy with some penalties and with the young players eager to make an impression losing their discipline. The game slowed down even more and seemed to crawl until free agent rookie LB Brandon Sharpe picked off Jordan Palmer and ran the ball 11 yards into the endzone for the game’s only touchdown.

The Bengals scored a late touchdown, but for the most part the game was over. It was not the prettiest of games but the Cowboys staff should get a good read on some of the unknown players on the roster.

Players Who Stood Out To Me:

John Phillips – The 3rd string TE had a great game both catching and blocking. He did leave with a minor knee injury and will be re-examined on Monday.

Tashard Choice – The 3rd part of the Cowboys “three headed monster” at running-back had a solid game and a couple of really impressive runs with the ball.

Stephen Bowen – Marcus Spears’ backup had a great game putting a lot of pressure on the Bengals first and second team players.

Linebacking Core – The entire Cowboys linebacking core had a great game. From the starters all through the backups, they all played very well.

Players Who Failed To Impress:

Alex Barron – Trying to compete for the starting LT spot, Barron was schooled by the Bengals backup DE Fanene.

2nd & 3rd Sting Offensive Line – This whole unit seemed to struggle against the Bengals backups.

Jamar Wall – While it sounds like he is having a decent camp, the rookie CB got picked on quite a bit during the game and did not step up once.C

When: Sunday, August 8, 2010, 8:00 PM

Where: Fawcett Stadium, Canton, OH.

TV: NBC in HD

The months of agony and baseball-only television are finally over.  Tomorrow night we get our first glimpses of that blessed entertainment known as NFL football. Under normal circumstances, the annual Hall of Fame Game kicks off the league’s pre-season and gives fans throughout the country (including myself) some football to watch. Finally.

This year, as a devout member of Bengaldom, there’s even more reason to salivate in advance of the game as our team participates for the first time since 1988. That game, a 14-7 victory over the then-Los Angeles Rams, was the first win in what became an AFC Championship season and berth in Super Bowl XXIII.

As this year’s game approaches, the Bengals find themselves loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, carrying with them championship aspirations and high expectations.  They’ll face a Cowboys team similarly optimistic about their prospects in 2010.

But don’t anticipate a street brawl or slugfest as the preseason in general, and the first preseason game in particular, are for player evaluation.  Schemes are watered-down, strategic game-plans aren’t employed with any sophistication, and starters barely see the field.

That’s not to say that there won’t be a myriad of reasons to watch.  Here are just a few things to look for during Sunday night’s telecast:

• Carson Palmer’s Accuracy: The starters might only play a series or two, but in that time we’ll want to see how well the franchise works with his new receivers, and if he can give us any assurances that his accuracy problems from late last year and surgically repaired elbow are truly a thing of the past.
• Batman & Robin Premiere: Even if its for only a handful of snaps, it will be good to see the Ochocinco and Ochouno combination on the field together. It will be particularly interesting to see how they might get the ball to T.O. and how well he works with number 9. 
• Offensive Line Play: The Bengals surprised the NFL with the consistency and strength they got from their makeshift offensive line in 2009.  Despite first-round pick Andre Smith’s struggles, unheralded players like Kyle Cook, Nate Livings, Evan Mathis, and Dennis Roland made huge contributions to the team’s success in running the ball.  Offensive Coordinator Bob Bratkowski’s recent comments that the line must improve are a bit discomforting, so it will be important to see how well the line does against Dallas’ powerful 3-4.  The Cowboys play a similar defense to those found in the AFC North, so it will be important for the team to see how well the line (first string and back-ups) holds up against them.
• Rookie Receivers: It’s anticipated that the team may rely heavily on rookie first round TE Jermaine Gresham and 3^rd-round slot receiver Jordan Shipley in 2010.  Seeing them get their first action against NFL defenders will be interesting.
• Michael Johnson:  Linebacker. It will be of particular interest to see how second-year defender Michael Johnson, a DE in college, has adjusted to playing outside linebacker in Mike Zimmer’s defense.  The team likes Johnson’s size, speed and smarts, and are making the transition to give them greater flexibility and more pass rush.
• Adam Jones:  The man formerly known as “Pacman” will get his first game action in over two years as both a cornerback and punt returner. Will he display the skills that made him a 2005 top-10 draft pick? Will he be able to unseat WR Quan Cosby as the team’s primary punt returner?
• Long-snapper: Former UC Bearcat Mike Windt is looking to unseed Clark Harris, the man who rescued the Bengals from Brad St. Louis last year.  Crisp, quick, accurate snaps will win the job.
• Kicker: With Mike Nugent out with an injury, Dave Rayner has a chance to solidify the upper hand he currently enjoys in the place-kicker competition.
• Cowboy re-unions: The Bengals have several former Cowboys on their roster, including Terrell Owens, Adam Jones, Roy Williams, and Tank Johnson.
• Matt Jones versus Jerome Simpson: The underachieving former Jacksonville first-round pick and the underachieving former Bengal second rounder are in a put-up or shut-up fight for a roster spot as a vertical threat.  Jones has experience and size, but Simpson is younger, has greater athleticism, and may finally be turning the corner after 2 season of underwhelming coaches. They are fighting for their football lives with Antonio Bryant, Jordan Shipley, and Andre Caldwell ahead of them as back-ups to T.O. and Chad.
• Jordan Palmer vs. J.T. O’Sullivan: The team likes O’Sullivan’s experience, but the younger Palmer has been impressive as of late, and O’Sullivan hasn’t done himself any favors with his play–particularly in week 17 last year against the Jets.  With Carson Palmer’s injury history, a capable and effective back-up is vital.

These are just a few of the Bengal sub-plots to look for as the game approaches.  I anticipate that the starters will play about 2 series.  Starters that look to sit out the game with ailments include LB Rey Maualuga, CB Johnathan Joseph, FB Fui Vakapuna, and Bryant. Back-ups OT Andre Smith, DE Carlos Dunlap, and RB Cedric Peerman look to be rested as well.

Bengals.com was unsure of whether starting RE Antwan Odom and nickel back Morgan Trent’s availability as they recoup from minor dings.

Just remember, we have three primary objectives Sunday Night:

1. Don’t lose anyone to injuries—particularly starters
2. Get some evaluation tape—particularly back-ups.
3. See Number 1.

Winning the game is secondary.

Perhaps, as we all hope, this game will be the start of something great.  Perhaps we’ll see this same Cowboy team in February.  It’s great to dream big.

For now, it’s great to just see football.

Fellow Bengals fans, its been a great offseason. Let’s face it, our team had a solid turnaround season last year, and followed it up by doing us proud in free agency and the draft. On paper, at least, we look good. And another NFL insider is noticing.

Dave Razzano, a 22-year veteran NFL scout and member of five Super Bowl scouting staffs had nothing but great things to say about the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals in an interview published yesterday.

It’s definitely worth checking out here.

Razzano isn’t the first “expert” to proclaim the Bengals a team to beat.  However, his comments were especially strong in describing this year’s men in stripes.  Here are just a few of his thoughts from the interview:

On paper this is the best Bengals team in the history of their franchise.

and…

They are absolutely loaded with talent.

and…

This team… doesn’t really have any weaknesses.

and how about this for a record prediction?

They have a chance to win 12 games. They really do.

He goes on to call RB Bernard Scott, “a clone of Jamaal Charles” and WR Jordan Shipley, “a bigger Wes Welker.”  He says that Andre Smith will prove to be an elite RT, and that LB Keith Rivers, once healthy, will become a pro-bowler.

All of which of course  is music to my ears. It also concurs with other faint whispers heard here and there in various corners and pockets of the NFL universe.  While most attention is fixated on  Rex Ryan’s uber-confident Jets, Norv Turner’s talent-laden Chargers, and John Harbaugh’s tough-as-nails Ravens, Marvin Lewis’ focused and determined charges are quietly preparing to steal the show. Underrated and under the radar–just how we like it.

At least that’s the hope.

On the other hand, you know as well as I do that we’ve all been burned before; that we’ve developed justifiably high expectations and been the league’s darling team only to find our fates sealed before Thanksgiving.

While this year be different?  Will it finally be our year? For once, the talent is there.  As Razzano says, “They’ve got every piece you need. Now it’s a matter of lining up and winning games.

“They have no excuses this year.”

Some things never change.  The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.  Summers follow springs, and autumns follow summers.  The moon orbits the earth as the earth orbits the sun.

And the Cincinnati Bengals will spend every spring and summer being disrespected by Peter King.

I learned a long time ago that while I respect his opinion when it has to do with the other 31 teams in the league, its best to simply disregard anything he says about the Bengals.

The latest evidence came on Monday, when King unveiled his first post-offseason power rankings.  Where did Cincinnati land on his list?

Twenty-three.

Despite coming off a division sweep and playoff appearance, the Bengals are only better than nine of the league’s 32 teams in King’s “expert” opinion.  They are twenty spots below the Ravens, and eleven spots below the Steelers both of whom they swept.

Also apparently better to King area Seattle, Carolina, Atlanta, Miami, Washington, Arizona and Jacksonville.

Thankfully they did manage to finish one spot above the Detroit Lions.

Annoyed, I set out to see why King could logically come to this conclusion (against my better judgement).  I began looking at the facts.

On a general basis, I could understand if the team lost impact players in the offseason, drafted poorly, or was in the midst of player suspensions, coaching changes or similar upheaval.

On the contrary, the 2010 offseason has to be the best the team has had in over two decades.  They lost no players they wanted to keep.  The players they let go were disappointments and have been replaced by better alternatives.

The defense that finished in the top 10 in all major categories in 2009 returns all eleven starters, and upgraded the depth with guys like cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, Safety Gibril Wilson, and second-round Defensive end Carlos Dunlap.  Defensive end Antwan Odom, who recorded nine sacks and a blocked field goal in a mere five games last year, returns from an Achilles injury.

Did the defense regress?  Absolutely not.

The offense wasn’t very good last year, granted, but it was good enough to finish 10-6.  The passing game has been upgraded significantly at tight end and receiver.  Former starting tight end Reggie Kelly returns after being out last year with injury suffered in training camp, and the team has young stars in the making in first round pick Jermaine Gresham and 2009 third rounder Chase Coffman.  Disappointing WR Laveranues Coles was replaced by Tampa’s Antonio Bryant, former Jaguar first rounder Matt Jones was signed, and the team added Texas’ Jordan Shipley and Kansas’ Dez Briscoe in the draft.  The entire offensive line returns intact, and Carson Palmer is healthy.

Did the offense regress?  Heck no.

Special teams was largely solid in 2009, with the one glaring weakness being kicker Shayne Graham’s choke-artist tendencies, which were on display in the wildcard loss to the Jets. The team brought in Dave Rayner and Mike Nugent to fill this void, both of whom sport a stronger leg.  The return game, already strong, benefits from the additions of Shipley and Adam Jones.

Did special teams regress?  Nope.

So why the hatin’?

Did Baltimore and Pittsburgh do more to get better?  Baltimore certainly tried to address their similar needs at WR, adding Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth, but I don’t think they did more than Cincinnati in the offseason.  Pittsburgh added some former players and had a solid draft, but they’ve had “Ben-gate” going on all offseason, his suspension coming and they lost their best receiver in Santonio Holmes.

Did the Bengals regress versus their division rivals?  I don’t think so.

Next I thought that maybe King was just taking queues from his colleagues around the league. So I looked that up:

Latest Preseason Power Rankings for the Cincinnati Bengals:

• USA Today: 11
• ESPN:  11
• Fox Sports:  10
• CBS Sportsline:  10

So the answer to that one is another “no.”

Thus, I’m forced to conclude, again, that Peter King simply has an irrational bias against our Bengals.  And once again I’m reminded not to read his column.

Maybe he just hates skyline chili.

Mike Lombardi’s recent column in NFP tells us that this is nothing but good news for Marvin Lewis and his striped charges.  Being underestimated has always helped the Bengals, and Lewis tends to find effective ways of using things like this to inspire his players, and us their fans.

Perhaps a t-shirt is already in the works.