Preseason Game 2 Ramsey Predictions

Well, first off I think we saw some really good things from our offense tonight. Namely Patten and Moss (especially Patten). They got good separation from their defenders, held on to the ball and showed some nice footwork along the sidelines. And these weren't little dink and dunk screen passes. They really opened things up and Ramsey had some pretty throws, hitting the receivers right where only they could catch the ball.

However, Ramsey wasted some nice passes by following it up with dumb decisions. Especially that interception in the end zone. He forced something that wasn't there, instead of just throwing it away and getting ready for the next play.

Brunell looked sharp, really sharp.

I'm a Brunell fan and I'm really happy to see that he's doing well. But I want him to be a great backup. It will be nice to know we have a solid, reliable backup but this should be Ramsey's team. But he has to start taking control of that QB position, making the right decisions, showing some consistency, etc.

Rock looked good today also, by the way.

who was dropping Brunell's passes in the 2nd half?

But what is up with the defense? Looks like the Bengals were able to just drive down the field at will on a few drives. I just checked the game stats, couldn't watch it. Is Williams just taking it easy? Injuries a big issue? Or does it look like we may have dropped off from last year? Or, it's preseason, who gives a f**k. Thoughts.

i think both the running back's looked good today. As for Ramsey, what i saw today looked good (except for the int's). I think we accomplished some longer downfield plays that stretched the defense a bit. But those interceptions hurt. We had another red zone interception that could've been avoided. One of the things that did kill us in this game was Nemo's fumble on our last drive. I think if he didn't fumble we could've scored a touchdown. Fumbles have killed us these past two games, in Carolina that one right next to the goalline, and the one on one of our drives by Jonathan Combs, and now this one. We really have to learn how to keep the football in our hands. I think now that we've partially learned the deep throws, all Ramsey needs to do is cut down on the stupid plays, the interceptions, and he could be a good quarterback.

some scrub receivers with no shot of making the team were dropping Brunell's passes.

The defense is a minor concern I think. I still don't know who, if anyone, has stepped up to be our starting MLB. Carlos Rogers looks out of shape. He should be ok, just needs to get in football shape. Shawn and Sean looked great, as did Marcus Washington.

i have no worries about our first string defense, just carlos rogers needs to get in shape. Our second and third string should be performing better, though.

Ramsey was 9 for 18, 190 yards, 1 TD, 2 ints.

The good news is that Ramsey hit a few long passes and was able to move the ball, and the TD to Thrash was threading the needle through two defenders. The long pass to Patten was thrown perfectly.

The bad news is that every good throw was overshadowed by incredibly stupid throws. Both picks were not bad routes by the intended receivers, just outright ridiculous throws.

It looked like Ramsey was so eager to hit the big play, he overlooked a lot of the underneath stuff and intermediate throws. And like someone else pointed out, on those he missed, they weren't just incompletions, they were big turnovers. There was only one completion to a tight end -- Robert Royal, and none to a running back, except one that bounced right out of Ladell Betts hands on the second series of the game. It would have been a third down conversion, but Betts flat out dropped it. Not Ramsey's fault at all.

These are just initial reactions at approximately 12:20 am, and I'm really tired. I need to sleep on it and assess my thoughts tomorrow morning after several cups of coffee.

I will say that we need to see Brunell against the Pittsburgh starters just to see what he can do. I would say this even if Ramsey was flawless. You've got to get a good idea of Brunell, as he looked sharp again, with real zip on his throws and good poise in the pocket -- sidestepping and sliding away from the rush, along with a long completion after a good scramble. It reminded me of the Brunell of old. Really did.

For those who could not watch or hear the game, Joe Theismann, Jeff Bostic, and Charles Mann all agreed that there's a QB controversy brewing. Looking at Ramsey's play, you cannot conclude otherwise.

But what is up with the defense? Looks like the Bengals were able to just drive down the field at will on a few drives. I just checked the game stats, couldn't watch it. Is Williams just taking it easy? Injuries a big issue? Or does it look like we may have dropped off from last year? Or, it's preseason, who gives a f**k. Thoughts.


The starters did fine, but the Bengals were working on Carlos Rogers big time. On three consecutive plays, Carson Palmer attacked. The first completion went for a first down, the next was a sure TD that Houshmendazah (don't even ask me how to spell it) flat out dropped. On the very next play, they went at Rogers again, this time with a different receiver, #87 (whoever that is) and scored on a 45 yard TD pass.

They brutalized Rogers on three straight plays. Rogers was completely winded, and the Bengals knew it.

Might as well get those out of his system now, but yes, he needs to get into shape.

all in all, it looks like we had more 20+yd passes in this preseason game then we had all last season. that's considerable progress any way you look at it.

On the very next play, they went at Rogers again, this time with a different receiver, #87 (whoever that is) and scored on a 45 yard TD pass.


87 is Kelley Washington- I was really good friends with his brother at Sherando H.S. (Stephens City, VA) while he was a frosh. He went directly to MLB minor leagues after graduating- didn't do too well. Became a stud at Tennessee (the year after Donte Stallworth left).

Drafted with the first pick of the third round by the Bengals the same year Carson Palmer was taken (neck injury concerns dropped KW's draft status). I know i'm sounding like i'm hyping a friend up, but i really believe he takes over the #2 WR spot from Houshmandzadeh this year.