The Cincinnati Bengals will attempt to answer more preseason questions against the Chiefs. Joe Mixon and Jeremy Hill are the Week 2 hot topics.
My how the time flies when you’re having withdrawal symptoms. Week 1 of the preseason flew by and it’s time to gear it up again. As the Bengals prepare to do battle with the Kansas City Chiefs, questions are still lingering. Will the O-line have another decent performance? Can Andy Dalton lead the troops downfield and score in the red zone? These and other questions will be answered Saturday night at Paul Brown Stadium. Well. not so much answered as investigated.
Another essential question would be concerning the playing time of Joe Mixon. The Boy Wonder was electrifying in his Week 1 debut. He was able to scamper through the Buccaneers defense for 31 yards and a 5.2 average. His moves and style were all reminiscent of Corey Dillon and James Brooks. Seeing that number active again is certainly a thrilling sight. But, can Mixon do the same thing against the Kansas City defense?
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It will be interesting to see what Andy Reid has in store for Mixon, after getting enough of his style on tape. Like a true Bengals fan, I’m going to say he does the same damage. Yet, it’ll come after he adjusts to the schemes that KC will throw at the offense. Let’s be realistic, Mixon is still a rookie and finding his way. What doesn’t need to happen is an injury from trying to do too much too soon. Coaches and fans know what he’s capable of. If things start to look over-the-top, take him out of the game.
Here We Go Again
Another question mark that the Bengals need a line through is Jeremy Hill. In Week 1, he ran with more authority than he has in some time. His cuts were to the hole that was there and he didn’t hesitate while looking for that big-hitter.
Hill is actually looking good both physically and technically. And since that’s in the cards, so are the trade rumors. An NFL.com article has sparked new interest in Hill possibly going to the New York Giants.
"Bengals coach Marvin Lewis loves to slow-cook his rookies, but who are we kidding? By all accounts, Joe Mixon has the goods to start immediately as a workhorse in Cincy’s backfield. In the final year of his contract, Hill won’t cost much for suitors in search of running-game help. Coming off a playoff season, the Giants could address one of last year’s enduring issues — their stuck-in-the-mud ground game — by shipping a low-level draft pick to the Bengals in exchange for Hill. He would have the chance to contribute right away ahead of Paul Perkins, who has failed to shine this summer for the G-Men. With the Cowboys holding their breath on the fate of Ezekiel Elliott‘s six-game ban, the time to strike in the NFC East is now."
The Only Way
Marc Sessler gave his idea of a draft pick for Hill and everyone living in harmony. Nope. Mike Brown will want serious compensation for Jeremy. The current asking price for AJ McCarron is a doozy. Why would the Bengals go low ball with a deal for Hill?
If fans want to imagine Hill in the Big Apple or any other city, that’s fine. But, unless he has the worst year of his career, he’s going to be the starter. Mixon wasn’t drafted to be a pretty fixture in PBS. His talents are going to be utilized to the max.
Until Mixon is proven as the new workhorse, Hill has veteran status. Brown and Marvin Lewis are big on the vets and slow to put the rookies in the spotlight. However, this could be the one instance that trumps the formula.