Thoughts on the Cincinnati Bengals' Preseason Opener

After an extended weekend in Cincinnati, I am back to the monotony of work.

The Bengals opened the preseason with a 17-7 loss in New Orleans. Of course, the outcome of a preseason game is not important. However, the performance of individual players does hold value.

Preseason games mean different things to different people. Coaches look at it as an opportunity to evaluate players in game situations. Established veterans want to avoid injury while rookies and backup players are fighting for their professional lives.

Fans (or at least this fan) really don't care what happens after the first quarter.

The fact is that I really don't want to see J.T. O'Sullivan on the field much this year. I want to see Carson Palmer.

However, I do understand the significance of the backup player and the need for him to get repetitions in game situations. No one knows when his number might be called.

Anyway, I was satisfied with the Bengals' first-team offense. Nothing really blew me away, but I did see some positive things.

The pass-protection was good. Palmer had time to throw the ball and looked good doing it. 

Chris Henry made a nice catch on third down. Chad Ochocinco tip-toed down the sideline for a big gain after a catch.

After Jonathan Vilma intercepted Palmer in the first quarter, Andre Caldwell chased him down and caused a fumble. Andrew Whitworth, who was also hustling down the field, recovered the loose ball. It's nice to see that type of intensity during a preseason game.

The first-team defense looked really good. After a Cedric Benson fumble gave the Saints the ball on the Bengals' six-yard line, they forced a three-and-out. The defensive line put pressure on Drew Brees, forcing him to get rid of the ball sooner than he wanted to. 

Safety Chris Crocker said, "That's the way we practice, very intense, very focused."