The first game of the preseason for any team means little in the way of starters and quite a lot for roster longshots and those involved in positional battles.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, several notable names will have a big opportunity to improve either their roster or starting chances by putting their best foot forward Saturday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Michael Jordan
Jordan already earned some first-team reps at left guard — but others such as John Jerry, Christian Westerman and Trey Hopkins have, too.
Still, Jordan is one of those players many didn’t peg as a potential rookie starter because he was a mid-round guy with the established Clint Boling in front of him, not to mention all those other names.
But Jordan is guaranteed chances Saturday. If he plays well, he could keep himself in the conversation.
Josh Malone
This is apparently one of the best moments of Malone’s career so far.
That’s encouraging, as Malone couldn’t break on the field last year when the team needed him. With A.J. Green hurt though, he has a chance to actually start at that spot in Week 1.
But that takes winning over a new coaching staff on the field, which Malone will have to do beginning Saturday. Things could always swing in the other direction and he could find himself fighting for a roster spot.
Damion Willis
Elsewhere at wideout, undrafteds like Willis are making some noise.
Willis already had an uphill battle because it was Stanley Morgan who was the most well-known undrafted wideout in Cincinnati.
But Willis has already changed that by tearing up camp. If that continues in Kansas City, he’ll start moving past Morgan.
Andrew Brown
Remember Brown?
The fifth-round pick from a year ago didn’t make a big splash but might as a sophomore. Per the team’s website, he’s getting some work at the ends this camp.
Brown was always an intriguing prospect because of his ability to disrupt, so if he’s doing that from multiple spots in live action, he could solidify his roster standing, if not take a role in the rotation.
Germaine Pratt
Pratt wowed onlookers at a camp event by taking an interception back for a touchdown.
But that’s merely the beginning for Pratt, who was calling the second-team defense in practices and using his athleticism to make plays.
If Pratt’s coverage skills can translate to the field right away, he’s going to end up making the coaching staff look brilliant for nabbing him in the mid-rounds as their first attempt at fixing the linebacker unit.
Drew Sample
Sample has had a rather quiet preseason so far, though that changes in a hurry if he flashes some pass-catching upside in a real game.
Bengals coaches have sworn Sample can catch well and brings something to the table no other tight end on the roster does.
The game in Kansas City is Sample’s first chance to fend off some of the initial shock from onlookers about his coming off the board in the second round.
