Landon Johnson and Keiwan

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I was really impressed with Johnson Friday night, and Keiwan was around the ball all the time as well. I hope Johnson gets some looks and it's too bad he was out so much of the preseason...you wonder if he could push Hardy for his job at some point if the defense struggles.

It's one thing to just be fast for your size, it's another to actually make plays at the LOS and step up and stop people and break up plays....something Caleb Miller didn't do all preseason yet was praised for really doing nothing but jumping on guys 10 yards downfield a la Justin Smith.

I'm not sure about Keiwan's man coverage skills in the NFL but could easily see him making the nickel package soon - he looks like the playmaker everyone thought he might be coming out of Florida.

I take it Askew is hurt as I haven't seen him since the first preseason game or two and was hoping he'd show something as well.

Also too bad we didn't get to see Geathers.

the more I see of these putrid FA's and veterans (other than Tony Williams - the only vet on defense who had a good preseason) the more I want to see young/new guys in there who can play some.

[volcom69]

one thing about our defense the new guys and stuff is they got speed and i like that. thats what ml wanted and thats what he got speed, so im hoping we can get some pressure on the qb now im hoping.

[schweinhart]

ML knows how to pick 'em

Here's to the Silent Assassin keeping his shoulders in his sockets. He looked major vs. Colts. Maybe even the SS if anything happens to Beckett.

Ratliff lived up to his billing vs. Colts. But he's a gambler at the LOS playing the run. Good play action gets him torched.

Miller seems reliable beyond expectations.

Askew is definitely a project and probably 1 of the 5 inactives for every game.

Geathers did play in either games 1 and 2 or just 2. He looked great on special teams and quick off the line at DE. He'll push Powell for 3rd DE and may even oust Clemons as starter this year even though he's not as strong as Duane.

The rooks will have to play a big part for the Bengals success in 2004 and the early take is that ML assembled an excellent crew.

[jditty47]

u can talk s**t about all the defensive players on our team besides simmons. simmons is the only regular on defense, every year, and bust his ass and step up. Im hoping the rest of our veterans, James, Beckett, Hardy, Thornton, Clemens, Smith, and Williams all step the F up this year and make this a defense to fear.