What I'll be watching tonight (beside Palmer)

-- How well does Sam Adams clog the middle on first down when the Packers run? Can he still occupy two blockers simultaneously?

-- Does David Pollack look that much more comfortable at strong-side linebacker? A hamstring pull in the scrimmage kept him out of practice for two weeks. Now he's back, and he's supposed to be back to the type of big-play playmaker he was at Georgia. Will he be able to play faster, thinking less and reacting and anticipating more?

-- How will coordinator Chuck Bresnahan piece together his specialty players and use them? Adams out on second down? Bryan Robinson moves inside? Linebacker Ahmad Brooks blitzing?

-- When will Marvin Lewis put Anthony Wright in the game at quarterback? Wright still needs a lot of work if there is any doubt that Carson Palmer will be ready for the opener Sept. 10.

-- Can cornerback Keiwan Ratliff come up with another big game? He already has two interceptions in the preseason.

-- How does the depth in the defensive secondary shake out? The Bengals have lost two veteran DBs in the preseason, safety Anthony Mitchell and cornerback Rashad Bauman, and which young players will step up into the vacuums?

-- Wide receivers Bennie Brazell and Antonio Chatman have been slowed all preseason by injuries. They both should be full speed, and can either of them make a statement to be counted on this season? Chatman is a possible No. 3 if Chris Henry is suspended at any point.