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Sports TwitterBrowns, Bengals stumbling into last tuneup
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Staff Report
Undeniably dismal this preseason, the Bengals and Browns have one last chance tonight, Aug. 28, to convince fans they haven't been watching a regular-season preview.
The Bengals (1-2) get their first look at Lucas Oil Stadium when they travel to Indianapolis to play the Colts. The Browns (0-3) conclude their practice slate against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Don't expect many revelations. Preseason finales generally are tedious exercises during which both coaches simply cross their fingers and pray nobody gets hurt.
Three BENGALS issues
1. Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, acquired from St. Louis last year, makes his first start in a Bengals uniform with Carson Palmer resting his broken nose. Accuracy and mobility are Fitzpatrick's supposed strengths.
2. Tailback Rudi Johnson is due to make his first appearance of the preseason. He'll likely be auditioning for other clubs because he's being dangled as trade bait.
3. Mike Zimmer, new defensive coordinator, wants better effort: "I want to find out when we get punched a few times, who wants to punch back? Who wants to take it, and who wants to get up and give us something?"
Three BROWNS issues
1. Backup QB Brady Quinn needs to inspire confidence because concussions are tricky and once you get one, others tend to follow. If starter Derek Anderson (who won't play tonight) goes fuzzy again, the Quinn era could commence sooner than expected. Like Week 2.
2. Free agent DB Ty Law will be able to name his price if breakdowns in the secondary continue. However, the Bears don't have the firepower to expose weaknesses through the air.
3. Head coach Romeo Crennel is threatening to play his starters (many of whom are backups) until they "look decent." A reduction in penalties would help. The Browns were flagged eight times for 67 yards against Detroit.
Tonight's games
Bengals at Colts: 7 p.m. Ch. 12/22
Browns vs. Bears: 7:30 p.m. Ch. 7
