Game Preview: Preseason 1: Pats @ Cincinnati

I just love football so much. Tonight, the New England Patriots open their preseason schedule with a trip to Cincinnati. This morning I was foaming at the mouth thinking about it. I was brushing my teeth at the time.

Anyway, it shouldn't be much of a night of surprises. Unlike last year following the Corey Dillon trade, New England and Cincy do not meet during the regular season, so there's no reason for Bill Belichick to hide the game plan and take a beating from the Bengals only to deliver a more severe beating later in the year, much as I predicted in both cases, not that there's any record of it. But there's no real reason to show anyone anything either.

The game isn't totally meaningless, though, for those of us who seek deeper meaning in such things. This will be an opportunity for players to make impressions on coaches, for some to settle themselves, for others to prove if only to themselves that they BELONG here.

For the coaches, this is an opportunity to look at newcomers, tune the veterans; but, far more important this year, get used to the first major changes on the sideline in four years. Two coordinators gone doesn't mean a new system, but it means CHANGE. New coaches need to adjust to new roles, and Belichick needs to get used to different faces that same-old used to occupy.

The good news is that no one is totally brand new; and, like Pats teams of the last few years, they're not reinventing, they're reloading.

Ok, so what is there to watch for tonight?

The big "controversy" this season is who will be the number two quarterback? Ah, to have such worries! Doug Flutie is wise and weathered, a hardened veteran who has beat far greater odds since there were 7 seconds left in a college game at Miami on Thanksgiving Day more than 20 years ago. Rohan Davey is the underachiever named NFL Europe Offensive Player of the Year for 2004, and he really has to prove himself -- NOW. This is his fourth year in the NFL, and if he doesn't make an immediate impression, look for him to fall to third on the depth chart behind Flutie, and possibly fourth behind draftee Matt Cassel.

Of greater significance, keep an eye on No. 70 Logan Mankins. While officially second at left guard on the depth chart behind Russ Hochstein, Mankins is the future and the guy who will be (a) protecting Tom Brady and (b) clearing swaths for Dillon. This guy is a monster. He looks like Reggie White playing offensive line. But this isn't college, so we'll see how he plays when he picks on guys his own size.

Another place to be watchful is at linebacker. Certainly, there's enough depth, but who is going to be on the field with who, and of ultimate importance, in the absence of Tedy Bruschi, who is going to take charge and assume leadership of that unit, and thus the defensive front?

Finally, this is the official dawn of the Rodney Harrison era. No real surprises, since this unit has been together for more than half a season, but watch for how they gel without Ty Law.

As far as game-planning, don't expect much, especially from the starters. One series, and get out with no injuries. That's the plan.

As far as winning? It's of less consequence than Madonna claiming to be British.

ABC affiliate WCVB Ch. 5 in Boston carries the game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.