2 Bengals that secured starting roles with strong showings on Saturday
Not a lot of Cincinnati Bengals starters took the field on Saturday for the second preseason game of the year. However, that doesn't mean that the few fighting for some of the remaining vacancies didn't do their job. Specifically, two of these Bengals stood out in Sunday's loss to the New York Giants. Let's dive […]
Not a lot of Cincinnati Bengals starters took the field on Saturday for the second preseason game of the year. However, that doesn't mean that the few fighting for some of the remaining vacancies didn't do their job.
Specifically, two of these Bengals stood out in Sunday's loss to the New York Giants. Let's dive in.
LG Cordell Volson
With Jackson Carman out with COVID-19 and Trey Hill staying a center Volson was in a prime position to show out and maybe secure the starting role. In fact, he ended up getting each and every one of the Bengals' 61 offensive snaps. Talk about a chance at proving yourself on the playing field.
I'd make a significant bet the rookie succeeded in his task of establishing himself as the best option at left guard.
Volson allowed one sack but that came by way of a communication issue on a Giants' defensive back blitz. While you still want to clean that up, I'd rather have a rookie lineman give up a sack because of communication than have him lose a block.
Otherwise, Volson looked solid and significantly better than Carman last week. The Bengals rookie got to the second level, showed balance in recovery, and absolutely moved people in the run game.
Not saying it's the perfect situation at left guard but for Carman, the outlook seems bleak.
KR Chris Evans
We can't get enough from the former sixth-round draft pick since he was introduced to Bengals fans in last year's playoffs.
Once more, he showed his playmaking ability as a returner by displaying his speed and balance by tip-toeing near the sidelines on a 77-yard kickoff return. With that, he follows a 41-yard kickoff return from the preseason opener.
As someone who has also shown rushing and receiving skills, Evans' spot on the depth chart could still rise throughout the season.
For now, he's at the top of the list at kick returner.
Featured image via Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
