Bengals roll in Atlanta

The Bengals second and third stringers put on a show in Atlanta on Thursday night by defeating the NFC runner up Falcons 34-10 in the opening game of the season. The Bengals' starters left the contest with a 3-0 deficit, but the team gained all of the momentum shortly after the start of the second quarter. Dominant offensive line play and outstanding plays by skill players allowed the Bengals to build up their lead, enough so to feature the victory formation at the end of the game.

-The starters on defense looked solid with the exception of one play. The Bengals showed blitz and Matt Ryan capitalized with a forty-two yard screen pass to Harry Douglas. Other than that, the secondary, linebackers, and defensive line held the Atlanta offense to quick passes and average runs. Geno Atkins and James Harrison both showed their supreme strength with tackles of Stephen Jackson for losses. Offensively, the Bengals were shaky with their starters. Andy Dalton couldn't get into a rhythm with Brandon Tate and Ryan Whalen. The Bengals desperately need AJ Green and Marvin Jones to return to the receiving corps. The Bengals also didn't show enough of their two tight end sets on passing downs. Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert both can't be covered when they are on the field at the same time. Passing to the two tight ends should be the Bengals' bread and butter.

-The story of the night was Josh Johnson. Johnson looked to put a stronghold on the backup quarterback job, as he looked much better than Andy Dalton throughout the night. Johnson had one hundred yards throwing and a touchdown, and also rushed for 64 yards, including a scamper of 43 yards. Johnson has noticeable arm strength and has an ability to throw the ball on the run. At this point, Johnson looks like a clear upgrade over Bruce Gradkowski and should confuse defenses with his duel threat quarterback style.

-The running backs showed up big time. The Bengals offensive line consistently was able to get a push on the Atlanta defensive line. The second group led by Trevor Robinson and Tanner Hawkinson was rock solid. Hawkinson is looking like a true value pick by the Bengals, so hopefully the ankle injury he sustained will only keep him out next week. Rex Burkhead rushed for fifty-two yards on nine carries. Burkhead is a running back that has the opportunity to unseat Boom Herron and Ced Peerman on the depth chart because of his do it all nature. Burkhead is a tough runner, a solid pass catcher, and a  consistent pass blocker. Peerman and Herron both averaged just below four yards per carry, but both did have a couple of nice runs. Giovani Bernard had a rough first game in the pros. He rushed ten times for 28 yards and scored a touchdown, but he slipped on a catch that would have been a first down and had trouble eluding NFL tacklers. Bernard's nerves certainly played a role in his performance on Thursday.

-Everyone, including Brad Keselowski, was talking about Dane Sanzenbacher last night. Sanzenbacher scored twice, once catching the ball and also on a punt return. Sanzenbacher's 71 yard return looked very smooth as he showed some serious quickness. Sanzenbacher has an evident second gear at the receiver position that fools defenders. He may have earned himself some slot play with the first team unit next week. Sanzenbacher's thirty-six yard touchdown was the textbook play that the Bengals want to see from a slot receiver. John Skelton, who rose to Johnson's competition level with a 4/5 night with 72 yards and a touchdown, also did a nice job of fitting the ball in on the play.

-Dre Kirkpatrick and Rey Maualuga stood out on the Bengals' defense. Kirkpatrick locked down the Atlanta receivers he defended and almost came up with an acrobatic interception. Kirkpatrick is such a tall corner that he can compete for the ball on longer routes. Maualuga looks considerably more motivated and disciplined as a linebacker at this early stage. Maualuga had a nice coverage play against Chase Coffman and was able to chase down ball carriers with much more ease. Maualuga has definitely lost weight and has begun to resurrect his 2012 campaign with better play.

-The only true disappointment last night in my book was Margus Hunt. Hunt looked a little lost during most plays yesterday, standing straight up and even finding himself stationary and just staring at the quarterback. Hunt is currently just relying on brute strength and size, which won't get it done in the NFL. Hunt needs to develop a technique with a lower pad level to beat these offensive linemen. Hunt has the ability to improve over the next few weeks, but right now, he looks no better than almost sure cut Dontay Moch.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot

Top 5 Bengals rookies to make an impact

The Bengals welcomed ten new prospects onto their NFL roster by way of April's draft at least for the duration of training camp, when they will have to earn the opportunity to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. The Bengals also added a number of undrafted free agents hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's star UDFA, Vontaze Burfict. Some of these college standouts are more well known than others based on their college programs and production, but each will be given the same shot at the NFL. Here are the top 5 players that the Bengals will have great expectations for right off the bat.

5. Cobi Hamilton-Don't be surprised if Hamilton makes the roster and climbs up the ladder to surpass Marvin Jones for playing time. Hamilton was a standout his senior season at Arkansas where he enjoyed a breakout year by catching ninety passes for 1335 yards and five touchdowns. Hamilton has a large stature for a wide receiver with a 6'2, 205 pound frame, perfect for running routes against taller cornerbacks in the AFC North like Ike Taylor and Jimmy Smith. The twenty-two year old performed well in rookie minicamp and mandatory minicamp with some nice intermediate routes. If he can develop a chemistry with Andy Dalton, Hamilton will surely be a factor in the 2013 Bengals offense in the slot and on the outside.

4. Tanner Hawkinson-The Bengals set their sights on insurance and depth for the roster in the later rounds of the draft, and fifth round pick Tanner Hawkinson fits the bill perfectly. Bengals fans were slightly confused when the team selected Hawkinson because of his obscurity at the college level, but Hawkinson is extremely underrated and a smart pick by Cincinnati. Hawkinson holds the record for games started and consecutive games started for Kansas after he played both left and right tackle from 2010-12 on the Jayhawks. He also was an All-Big 12 second-teamer last year. Paul Alexander has raved about Hawkinson's versatility on the offensive line. The Bengals have moved him around the line at center, guard, and his natural tackle position, and if someone goes down in the starting lineup on the offensive line, Hawkinson could be the first substitute. Hawkinson is a valuable prospect who should already be a serviceable player at the NFL level. I definitely see him making the 53-man roster this season as a backup at every position on the line. If someone goes down, Hawkinson will likely get the call as the top fill-in.

3. Tyler Eifert-Eifert was the Bengals' top selection at pick number twenty-one, and there are big plans for the tight end out of Notre Dame starting this season. The Bengals already have an established Pro Bowl tight end in Jermaine Gresham, so there is no need to rush the progression of Eifert. However, the possibility of double tight end sets with two deadly pass catchers is very appealing to play caller Jay Gruden. Eifert will struggle in his first year with blocking defensive ends at the professional level, but his playmaking ability is currently better than any player on the roster besides AJ Green. The 6'6 Eifert won the Mackey Award for the top tight end in the country last season with Notre Dame where he caught fifty passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns. Eifert will be expected to play right away based on his status in the draft and ability to create mismatches on the field. The Bengals are certainly hoping he can do more than just be a pass catcher like Chase Coffman coming out of Missouri in 2009.

2. Shawn Williams-Williams will be pressed to play right away as a part of the top ten defense that remains largely in tact this season for the Bengals. Williams is expected to take over for Chris Crocker after he commanded the huddle for SEC runner-up Georgia. Williams is a hard hitter who is not afraid of being a vocal leader, which is just what the Bengals need to replace Crocker. It won't be an easy battle to earn the starting strong safety spot for Williams. He will have to beat out George Iloka for a spot on the elite eleven in the lineup. Williams is rock solid in the run defense category and wrapping up ball carriers as he was second on the team in tackles at Georgia with 98. The only question about his play is his pass coverage, which Williams will look to improve on in training camp with tutoring from secondary coach Mark Carrier. At the very least, Williams will be a key contributor on special teams in 2013.

1. Giovani Bernard-Based on reports from the Bengals coaches, including Bernard's position coach Hue Jackson, the rookie running back is a polished player ready for the challenges of the NFL. Bernard could easily be the NFL's next breakout running back after Alfred Morris and Doug Martin filled that role last year. Bernard will line up at receiver and in the backfield catching passes and running the ball through the tackles. His resume is top notch from his time at North Carolina where he became one of the most explosive backs in the country. Bernard is earning comparisons to Ray Rice because of his all around game and 5'9, 210 pound body. I could see Bernard taking Benjarvus Green-Ellis' starting position by the time the season starts because of the impression he has left on the coaches. If Bernard can come anywhere close to his production at UNC last season of over 1,700 total yards and seventeen touchdowns, he will immediately become a factor in the MVP race.