What interests me in opener

Hello from Dearborn, Mich. The Bengals are 24 hours away from kickoff for their preseason opener against the Lions.

I'm interested in seeing which wide receivers, behind the starters, can run good routes, catch the ball and avoid injury. Tab Perry is being held out by coaches and the medical staff because, in Perry's words, they are being extremely cautious with the hip he injured in Game 2 last year. I don't look for Perry to play much on special teams this season because of his increased value to the offense.

At wide receiver, then, Reggie McNeal will have the chance to play his way out of the rotation. He must catch the ball and stay mentally engaged. Bennie Brazell is a deep threat and can help if he, too, avoids injury. Skyler Green has a strong shot to make the team as the No. 1 punt returner, and he can do things in the offense, especially short, where he can use his quickness.

I'm also looking forward to watching the young players in the secondary. It's loaded. There are three first-round draft picks, with Leon Hall joining Deltha O'Neal (Broncos, 2000) and the currently sidelined Johnathan Joseph (Bengals, 2006). The two rookie safeties, Chinedum Ndukwe and Marvin White, have created some excitement in training camp. Ndukwe could be a great find for a seventh-round pick. He knows what he's doing.

The Bengals need a solid showing from their top backup quarterback, Doug Johnson, who has been inconsistent at best so far at training camp. Johnson is likely to play at least two quarters, the second and third. Rookie Jeff Rowe is likely to play in the fourth.

And, of course, the most contested spots -- at the end of the roster -- will be won and lost on special teams.