Bengals to test Birds

The Eagles' second tune-up on their way to the regular season matches them against an opponent with a tough defense and potent passing game, providing two challenges the starters did not see in their first preseason game.

The young Eagles will be in Cincinnati on Friday to face a defense that finished sixth in points allowed last season and an offense led by Carson Palmer throwing to two receivers you may have heard of: Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.

Although an exhibition contest does not carry the intensity of the regular season, the game still should provide a tougher grading curve for the Eagles' first team than the tepid Jaguars did last week. For the Bengals, this will be their third preseason game, so they have had more time to sharpen their skills.

"It's really a playoff team on both sides of the ball," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "It'll be a great test for us to see where we are."

The game will provide another round in the jousting for jobs at center, cornerback, wide receiver and running back.

Eagles coaches obviously hope no players suffer major injuries. They are also looking for signs of improvement, hoping their young team shows an ability to correct errors as the weeks progress.

On offense, coach Andy Reid said he wants to see ball movement turned into touchdowns, something the first team failed to do in its first preseason game. Quarterback Kevin Kolb should have more of an opportunity this time around, with the Eagles' starters slated to play for the entire first half.

Despite rolling up 324 yards of first-half offense, the Eagles' first and second teams scored 16 points in the first two quarters against Jacksonville.

"Not enough points," said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

The defense, which saw only six plays against Jacksonville while forcing two three-and-out series, was not on the field long enough to be exposed to much danger.

The Bengals should provide a better test, especially with the 6-foot-1 Ochocinco and 6-3 Owens running at the Eagles' relatively small cornerbacks.

The Eagles' top cover man, Asante Samuel, might not play, though, after injuring his hamstring. He is listed as questionable. In his place the Eagles would likely start Joselio Hanson. Dimitri Patterson also could see more playing time.

While Samuel and fellow starter Ellis Hobbs have had solid camps, their reserves were torched by the Jaguars' backup quarterback, Luke McCown.

Also worth watching in the secondary will be starting free safety Nate Allen, who had almost nothing to do in his short time on the field last week.

Reid said he wants his defense to create turnovers, something it excelled at last year, tallying 38 takeaways, third best in the NFL.

He is also looking for better kickoff coverage after the Eagles gave up returns of 41 and 68 yards last week, forcing kicker Ken Parrish (since released) to make two tackles.

Individually, the game gives center Mike McGlynn another chance to stake his claim to the starting job, at least until Jamaal Jackson returns from off-season knee surgery. McGlynn's main competition, Nick Cole, will sit out again with a knee injury.

The center position is one of the only starting spots still in question.

Those on the roster bubble who have another chance to make a push include receiver/kick returner Chad Hall and running back Martell Mallett, who ran well last week against the Jaguars' third team.

Kelley Washington and Hank Baskett will resume a battle for the team's fifth wide receiver spot. At cornerback, Macho Harris will be back after missing the first preseason game with a hamstring injury. He also may be playing to stay on the team.

Running back Mike Bell (calf) is questionable. Jackson, guard Todd Herremans, defensive end Victor Abiamiri and cornerback David Pender will sit out.