Cincinnati Bengals vs N.Y. Giants: Post Observations

Aug 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Josh Johnson (8) looks to pass in the first half against the New York Giants in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Football is back! Even if it is preseason, it was good to see the boys in stripes back out on the game field again. What is even better is how impressive the first units looked against the New York Giants after practicing with them last week. With everyone seemingly happy with how the first preseason game looked, here are four impressions I took away from the game.

Observations

1. 1st Team Offense

Before we start envisioning the 2000 St. Louis Rams, let’s pump the breaks a little. This was the first preseason game and one series of football. Now that I got that out of the way, that one series in the preseason was amazing! Super Bowl or bust! What we saw was a glimpse of what this team can be on offense, with a foundation back, franchise receiver, mismatch tight end, big bodied tough number two receiver, top five offensive line, and capable quarterback.

We also saw some good play from the second and third units. Wide receiver Greg Little continued his solid camp leading the team with 65 yards on 3 catches. Quarterback Josh Johnson also looked good, leading several drives down the field using his arm and legs.  Perceived backup AJ McCarron had better get back on the field, as the veteran Johnson looks like he is making a push to be Andy Dalton‘s backup.

2. Depth At Defensive Back

We know that there are going to be some hard cuts on the defensive line and at linebacker, but defensive back also has several players that are playing for one or two spots. What I saw on Friday night was some really good play out of the group as a whole.  Starting with the corners, 4th round rookie Josh Shaw and UDFA Tony Hill both had really nice games. Shaw contributed 6 total tackles with a pass break up on 53 snaps, while Hill had four tackles and two passes defended on 39 snaps.

At safety, veteran Shiloh Kilo looked good in both run and pass defense. He is in a battle with play making rookie Derron Smith. Kilo played 49 snaps while Smith was in for 34. Shawn Williams also saw  27 snaps and looked good contributing four combined tackles. With starting safeties George Iloka and Reggie Nelson in the last year of their contracts, the Bengals are looking for some players to not only contribute this year, but next year as a possible starter.