[Izulde]

Preseason Rundown - Games 1 and 2

Game #1: @ Green Bay
Good contest that saw us take the lead early on a first quarter 2 yard TD run by Napoleon McCallum and occasionally be tied, but we were never behind and gutted out the win.

Starting QB Battle
Erik Wilhem - 6 of 7 for 97 yards, a long of 30
David Klingler - 8 of 14 for 63 yards and a TD, long of 19

Thus far Wilhelm seems to hold the edge, but Klingler will continue to get PT.

Starting RB Battle
Ostell Miles - 16 carries, 69 yards, 4.31 YPC, 9 long
Napoleon McCallum - 15 carries, 40 yards, 2.67 YPC, 1 TD, 10 long, 1 catch for 6 yards

Miles was the more consistent runner, but McCallum had a couple nice gains and, more importantly, was a key part of the Special Teams Play of the Day (more on that later). I'm still intent on making McCallum the #2 back, but I'll give other rookies their shot at #1.

Defensive Play of the Day
CB Marquez Pope made his mark felt immediately, popping a scrambling Brett Favre so hard, Favre fumbled, allowing starting RDT Hugh Giovannelli to scoop it up and rumble 17 yards for a second quarter score, changing a 10-7 game into a 17-7 one.

Special Teams Play of the Day
McCallum laid out a monster hit on Robert Brooks on a punt return with 12:17 left in the game. Brooks fumbled, backup G Ken Moyer recovered and we got a Jim Breech 29 yard FG for the game's final margin.

Notable Performances - Bengals
None

Notable Performances - Packers
QB Marcus Williams - 16 of 27 for 216 yards and a TD, 5 carries for 29 yards
DE Shawn Patterson 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 hurry

Cincinnati 27 Green Bay 20

Injury Report
WR Carl Pickens bruises his sternum and is probable for 3 weeks. I'm not about to let our star rookie WR risk further injury so he'll go on the inactive list. Jeff Query steps in as the starting flanker in his place.

Game 2: vs. Detroit
Barry Sanders is always a scary factor, but we hold him to 16 rushes for 42 yards and a TD, a pathetic 2.63 YPC. And if Barry doesn't go, the Lions don't go and so we win in a laugher.

Starting QB Battle
Erik Wilhelm - 5 of 6 for 59 yards, 22 long
David Klingler - 17 of 26 for 194 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs, 24 long, 3 rushes for 8 yards

Although he has yet to get a TD in the preseason, Wilhelm's looking more and more like the starter.

Starting RB Battle
Lester Hellestrae - 13 carries for 32 yards, 2.46 average, 2 TDs, 1 fumble, long 12, 2 catches for 12 yards, 1 TD
Ostell Miles - 12 carries for 57 yards, 4.75 average, a fumble, long 19, 3 catches for 15 yards, 1 forced fumble

Miles, like Wilhelm, is putting away the competition despite not crossing the goal line. He's still got a couple more games to go, though.

Drive of the Game
David Klingler, of all people, went 8 for 9 for 98 yards and the capstone TD near the end of the third quarter. Maybe there's something to him after all?

Notable Performances - Bengals
DE Alonzo Mitz - 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 hurry, 1 forced fumble - Player of the Game
CB Marquez Pope - 3 tackles, an assist, 2 interceptions, 15 yards returned
SS David Fulcher - 9 tackles, 3 assists, 1 pass defense
DE Elston Ridgle - 3 tackles, 2 assists, 1.5 sacks, 1 hurry

Great game by our defense. I'm loving Pope more and more and nice to see Fulcher playing to his talent level.

Notable Performances - Lions
None

Injury Report
C Mike Arthur - Strained Hamstring - Questionable - Return Unknown
DE Danny Stubbs - Strained Hamstring - Questionable - Return Unknown

Well that's just swell. I'll keep Arthur in there because he's a rookie and needs the PT to develop. We've also got Bruce Kozerski as capable backup in case Arthur gets hurt more. Stubbs, however, is sitting. If he gets hurt worse, our defensive line goes down in flames. Roosevelt Nix has a strong affinity with our defensive front captain and has the highest upside at 15/44, so he'll get the start to see how he shakes out. Lot of rookies we're starting it seems.