7/31 — The day at camp

[oldschooler]

[b]PARTICIPATION REPORT[/b]

[b]Active PUP –[/b] CB Adam Jones (neck), DT Pat Sims (knee)

[b]Non-football injury list –[/b] LB Keith Rivers (wrist).

[b]Not practicing –[/b] CB Morgan Trent (knee), OT Andre Smith (foot), RB Bernard Scott (hamstring), FB Fui Vakapuna (hamstring), DE Tank Johnson (vet rest)

[b]Injured during practice –[/b] CB Jonathan Wade (shoulder)

[b]Signed free agents who can not practice until Aug. 4 –[/b] QB Jordan Palmer, QB Bruce Gradkowski, WR Quan Cosby, S Gibril Wilson, RB Cedric Peerman, RB Brian Leonard, S Tom Nelson, LS Clark Harris, LB Thomas Howard, LB Dan Skuta, C Kyle Cook, OG Nate Livings, OT Dennis Roland.

[b]OVERALL[/b]

The first practice in pads featured a couple of good hits, but for the most part the players had to get used to having them on for the first time in nearly eight months.

[b]HIGHLIGHT[/b]

Colerain’s Brian Lainhart blocked a punt during special teams drills as he rushed past the right tackle.

[b]LOWLIGHT[/b]

Andy Dalton and Jerome Simpson struggled to connect as a couple long passes fell short.

[b]QUARTERBACK DERBY[/b]

[b]Andy Dalton:[/b] Struggled to get into rhythm for most of the day and threw a Pick 6 to Korey Lindsey.

[b]Dan LeFevour:[/b] Was more consistent than on Saturday.

[b]Jordan Palmer and Bruce Gradkowski:[/b] Can not practice until Aug. 4.



(Click the link for the entire article)


[url="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2011/07/31/731-the-day-at-camp/"]http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2011/07/31/731-the-day-at-camp/[/url]

[oldschooler]

[size="5"][b]Sunday update: Ced in;Deuce out: Hall already Clements fan; LBs search[/b]
[/size]By GEOFF HOBSON

Updated: 6:25 p.m.

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The agent for Bengals running back [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/cedric-benson/4b42e3bf-7831-490c-97e2-523f8d4d2291/"][color="#f04e23"]Cedric Benson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] confirmed a one-year contract for his client to return to Cincinnati Sunday and left room for talks about a longer deal.

Meanwhile at Camp Turnstile, guard Deuce Lutui failed his physical and went back to Arizona on a one-year deal as Benson signed up with the Bengals. In classic 21st century fashion, head coach Marvin Lewis was expouding on the virtues of the young running backs after Sunday's practice when the cell phone of ESPN 1530 producer Lindsay Patterson tweeted NFL Network's news of Benson's deal. ESPN reported Lutui failed the exam because he was overweight

"Cedric has a good relationship with the Bengals. The Bengals have a good relationship with Cedric," said Eugene Parker. "It has been mutually beneficial. Cedric wanted to get this done and get in there. We'll leave the door open and keep monitoring the situation."

The signing came amid reports that Ahmad Bradshaw was headed here for a visit, Reports put Benson's deal at potentially $5 million with $2 million in incentives.

There are no indications the Bengals are going to sign another veteran to join Benson and Lewis seems to have no concerns about the durability of backup running back [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/bernard-scott/4743d5f6-4661-44c1-a6da-d2970031e393/"][color="#f04e23"]Bernard Scott[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url]. Scott sat out Sunday with a tight hamstring and Lewis said he'll miss some time, but he also plans to get Scott more touches.

Also sitting out Sunday with only soreness was defensive tackle [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/tank-johnson/56c60130-f938-45cf-aba0-62dece1c4fde/"][color="#f04e23"]Tank Johnson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] and fullback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/fui-vakapuna/a3f6702b-4170-42e7-a20c-e2f022fb45fb/"][color="#f04e23"]Fui Vakapuna[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url]. Cornerback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/morgan-trent/7ad33623-a4fd-4584-9e90-cab2c6ca5876/"][color="#f04e23"]Morgan Trent[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (knee), defensive tackle [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/pat-sims/7394af12-2914-477a-af09-c0194967fd16/"][color="#f04e23"]Pat Sims[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (knee), and right tackle [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/andre-smith/5796e85d-6992-4b91-9630-fde615747967/"][color="#f04e23"]Andre Smith[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (foot) continued to sit out. Cornerback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/jonathan-wade/a1d65885-0124-4248-a411-c24cf077f6ee/"][color="#f04e23"]Jonathan Wade[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (shoulder) left after diving on the ground for a ball.

[b]HALL ALREADY BIG CLEMENTS FAN:[/b] Michigan's [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/leon-hall/0f379744-8ae4-4952-8f53-75c2f38f43ec/"][color="#f04e23"]Leon Hall[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] isn't going to ask Ohio State's Nate Clements for his autograph or anything like that when the newest Bengal gets here Sunday night.

But when Hall was in high school and the Bills took Clements with the 21st pick 10 years ago, Clements became one of his favorite players. Then when Hall was coming out in the 2007 draft, Clements signed with the 49ers. That just happened to be Hall's favorite team growing up.

"Obviously I've watched him quite a bit," Hall said Sunday, the morning after the Clements move broke. "I'm a fan of anybody who plays my position in the NFL and plays it well."

Hall watched Clements as recently as last season when he was scouting offenses on tape against the 49ers, a reminder why he liked him in the first place.

"He does a lot of good things at the nickel position," Hall said. "Good to get another guy in here that can help this team and is proven. He can (play the slot) and played it very well, too. He made quite a few big plays last year intercepting the ball and making plays on the ball in the slot. ... You can tell he plays smart, he's always in good position and when he makes great plays it's making great reads on the quarterback."

If it's beginning to sound a little familiar … Hall is 5-11, 195. Clements is 6-0, 205.

"He's probably a little bigger than I am," Hall said. "When I think of him I think physical, smart, probably a little savvy."

Then a small smile.

"We could be a little similar. We'll see," he said. Anytime you get a good player like him you're happy to have him."

Recalling the tape from last season, Hall, 26, thinks the 31-year-old Clements has something left.

"I think he does. Sometimes being 30 is overhyped," he said. "It's all relative. You can be 28 and lose a step."

[b]ZIM LOOKING AT OPTIONS:[/b] Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is officially out of the Johnathan Joseph tank thanks to Clements, but Sunday morning he had moved on to another huge problem. With backup middle linebacker [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/roddrick-muckelroy/b1bf7caf-486c-469a-97b4-cc13064cb140/"][color="#f04e23"]Roddrick Muckelroy[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (Achilles) done for the year and starting WILL linebacker [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/keith-rivers/dceb19f7-d3f4-4c9f-a0b2-07286f398461/"][color="#f04e23"]Keith Rivers[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (wrist) shelved indefinitely, Zimmer says the team is on the prowl for starters in free agency.

"I'm looking for guys that can come in and start and whoever wins the job, wins the job," Zimmer said. "If they can start I assume they can play special teams. I'm not looking for special teams guys that can't play defense. That's always been a pet peeve of mine."

Zimmer said he plans to play the newly-signed [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/thomas-howard/f5e10c69-eb41-48c5-a572-93cf2c5ae315/"][color="#f04e23"]Thomas Howard[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] at WILL and in nickel, but the SAM spot is in play with [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/dan-skuta/1a013160-8ab3-4f48-88a4-3959b11bdc34/"][color="#f04e23"]Dan Skuta[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url], rookie [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/dontay-moch/e9d1f1b8-9b58-481c-822f-6fc47d9e14ce/"][color="#f04e23"]Dontay Moch[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url], or that free agent the Bengals seek. He couldn't talk about Seattle middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu because he had not been officially released.

Zimmer did say he's not inclined to move guys out of position because the camp is so truncated, so look for him to keep [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/michael-johnson/b56aa7d9-808e-4cf2-a28c-ba03f25ef902/"][color="#f04e23"]Michael Johnson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] at right end.

"We're not done looking. I think what's on the field is not our final team," he said. "It may be, but I don't think this is done."





[url="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Sunday-update-Ced-inDeuce-out-Hall-already-Clements-fan-LBs-search/bdb26d6c-01b2-4f23-bd9c-4de636f0cd40"]http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Sunday-update-Ced-inDeuce-out-Hall-already-Clements-fan-LBs-search/bdb26d6c-01b2-4f23-bd9c-4de636f0cd40[/url]

[happyrid]

[quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1312159923' post='1008587']
[size="5"][b]Sunday update: Ced in;Deuce out: Hall already Clements fan; LBs search[/b]
[/size]By GEOFF HOBSON

Updated: 6:25 p.m.

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The agent for Bengals running back [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/cedric-benson/4b42e3bf-7831-490c-97e2-523f8d4d2291/"][color="#f04e23"]Cedric Benson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] confirmed a one-year contract for his client to return to Cincinnati Sunday and left room for talks about a longer deal.

Meanwhile at Camp Turnstile, guard Deuce Lutui failed his physical and went back to Arizona on a one-year deal as Benson signed up with the Bengals. In classic 21st century fashion, head coach Marvin Lewis was expouding on the virtues of the young running backs after Sunday's practice when the cell phone of ESPN 1530 producer Lindsay Patterson tweeted NFL Network's news of Benson's deal. ESPN reported Lutui failed the exam because he was overweight

"Cedric has a good relationship with the Bengals. The Bengals have a good relationship with Cedric," said Eugene Parker. "It has been mutually beneficial. Cedric wanted to get this done and get in there. We'll leave the door open and keep monitoring the situation."

The signing came amid reports that Ahmad Bradshaw was headed here for a visit, Reports put Benson's deal at potentially $5 million with $2 million in incentives.

There are no indications the Bengals are going to sign another veteran to join Benson and Lewis seems to have no concerns about the durability of backup running back [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/bernard-scott/4743d5f6-4661-44c1-a6da-d2970031e393/"][color="#f04e23"]Bernard Scott[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url]. Scott sat out Sunday with a tight hamstring and Lewis said he'll miss some time, but he also plans to get Scott more touches.

Also sitting out Sunday with only soreness was defensive tackle [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/tank-johnson/56c60130-f938-45cf-aba0-62dece1c4fde/"][color="#f04e23"]Tank Johnson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] and fullback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/fui-vakapuna/a3f6702b-4170-42e7-a20c-e2f022fb45fb/"][color="#f04e23"]Fui Vakapuna[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url]. Cornerback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/morgan-trent/7ad33623-a4fd-4584-9e90-cab2c6ca5876/"][color="#f04e23"]Morgan Trent[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (knee), defensive tackle [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/pat-sims/7394af12-2914-477a-af09-c0194967fd16/"][color="#f04e23"]Pat Sims[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (knee), and right tackle [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/andre-smith/5796e85d-6992-4b91-9630-fde615747967/"][color="#f04e23"]Andre Smith[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (foot) continued to sit out. Cornerback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/jonathan-wade/a1d65885-0124-4248-a411-c24cf077f6ee/"][color="#f04e23"]Jonathan Wade[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (shoulder) left after diving on the ground for a ball.

[b]HALL ALREADY BIG CLEMENTS FAN:[/b] Michigan's [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/leon-hall/0f379744-8ae4-4952-8f53-75c2f38f43ec/"][color="#f04e23"]Leon Hall[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] isn't going to ask Ohio State's Nate Clements for his autograph or anything like that when the newest Bengal gets here Sunday night.

But when Hall was in high school and the Bills took Clements with the 21st pick 10 years ago, Clements became one of his favorite players. Then when Hall was coming out in the 2007 draft, Clements signed with the 49ers. That just happened to be Hall's favorite team growing up.

"Obviously I've watched him quite a bit," Hall said Sunday, the morning after the Clements move broke. "I'm a fan of anybody who plays my position in the NFL and plays it well."

Hall watched Clements as recently as last season when he was scouting offenses on tape against the 49ers, a reminder why he liked him in the first place.

"He does a lot of good things at the nickel position," Hall said. "Good to get another guy in here that can help this team and is proven. He can (play the slot) and played it very well, too. He made quite a few big plays last year intercepting the ball and making plays on the ball in the slot. ... You can tell he plays smart, he's always in good position and when he makes great plays it's making great reads on the quarterback."

If it's beginning to sound a little familiar … Hall is 5-11, 195. Clements is 6-0, 205.

"He's probably a little bigger than I am," Hall said. "When I think of him I think physical, smart, probably a little savvy."

Then a small smile.

"We could be a little similar. We'll see," he said. Anytime you get a good player like him you're happy to have him."

Recalling the tape from last season, Hall, 26, thinks the 31-year-old Clements has something left.

"I think he does. Sometimes being 30 is overhyped," he said. "It's all relative. You can be 28 and lose a step."

[b]ZIM LOOKING AT OPTIONS:[/b] Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is officially out of the Johnathan Joseph tank thanks to Clements, but Sunday morning he had moved on to another huge problem. With backup middle linebacker [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/roddrick-muckelroy/b1bf7caf-486c-469a-97b4-cc13064cb140/"][color="#f04e23"]Roddrick Muckelroy[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (Achilles) done for the year and starting WILL linebacker [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/keith-rivers/dceb19f7-d3f4-4c9f-a0b2-07286f398461/"][color="#f04e23"]Keith Rivers[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] (wrist) shelved indefinitely, Zimmer says the team is on the prowl for starters in free agency.

"I'm looking for guys that can come in and start and whoever wins the job, wins the job," Zimmer said. "If they can start I assume they can play special teams. I'm not looking for special teams guys that can't play defense. That's always been a pet peeve of mine."

Zimmer said he plans to play the newly-signed [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/thomas-howard/f5e10c69-eb41-48c5-a572-93cf2c5ae315/"][color="#f04e23"]Thomas Howard[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] at WILL and in nickel, but the SAM spot is in play with [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/dan-skuta/1a013160-8ab3-4f48-88a4-3959b11bdc34/"][color="#f04e23"]Dan Skuta[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url], rookie [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/dontay-moch/e9d1f1b8-9b58-481c-822f-6fc47d9e14ce/"][color="#f04e23"]Dontay Moch[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url], or that free agent the Bengals seek. He couldn't talk about Seattle middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu because he had not been officially released.

Zimmer did say he's not inclined to move guys out of position because the camp is so truncated, so look for him to keep [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/michael-johnson/b56aa7d9-808e-4cf2-a28c-ba03f25ef902/"][color="#f04e23"]Michael Johnson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/color][/url] at right end.
[b]
"We're not done looking. I think what's on the field is not our final team," he said. "It may be, but I don't think this is done."[/b]





[url="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Sunday-update-Ced-inDeuce-out-Hall-already-Clements-fan-LBs-search/bdb26d6c-01b2-4f23-bd9c-4de636f0cd40"]http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Sunday-update-Ced-inDeuce-out-Hall-already-Clements-fan-LBs-search/bdb26d6c-01b2-4f23-bd9c-4de636f0cd40[/url]
[/quote]

Kind of obvious, but still nice to hear.

[Arkansas Bengal]

[quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1312159770' post='1008583']
[b]PARTICIPATION REPORT[/b]

[b]Active PUP –[/b] CB Adam Jones (neck), DT Pat Sims (knee)

[b]Non-football injury list –[/b] LB Keith Rivers (wrist).

[b][size="6"]Not practicing[/size] –[/b] CB Morgan Trent (knee), [size="6"][b]OT Andre Smith (foot)[/b][/size], RB Bernard Scott (hamstring), FB Fui Vakapuna (hamstring), DE Tank Johnson (vet rest)


[b]QUARTERBACK DERBY[/b]

[b]Andy Dalton:[/b] Struggled to get into rhythm for most of the day and threw a Pick 6 to Korey Lindsey.

[b]Dan LeFevour:[/b] Was more consistent than on Saturday.

[b]Jordan Palmer and Bruce Gradkowski:[/b] Can not practice until Aug. 4.



(Click the link for the entire article)


[url="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2011/07/31/731-the-day-at-camp/"]http://cincinnati.co...he-day-at-camp/[/url]



[/quote]

Are you kidding me? How many friggin years does it take for his goddam foot to heal?

How many years have we been waiting for this guy to be ready?

He's STILL not practicing?

What a waist (spelled correctly) of a draft pick!

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Arkansas Bengal' timestamp='1312169375' post='1008679']
Are you kidding me? How many friggin years does it take for his goddam foot to heal?

How many years have we been waiting for this guy to be ready?

He's STILL not practicing?

What a waist (spelled correctly) of a draft pick!
[/quote]



He just had surgery on it in like February after breaking it in November.

He said coming into camp he was about 95%. And showed up 40 pounds lighter than last year's camp. They're probably just playing it safe. A healthy Andre Smith for 16 games probably adds 1-2 wins to this season.

[Bengals1181]

[color="#333333"][font="Georgia,"]
[b]Training Camp Notes[/b]
[color="#cccccc"][font="LubalinMed, sans-serif"][size="3"]July 31st, 2011[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#ffffff"][size="3"][color="#f3f3f3"][font="Helvetica, sans-serif"][size="2"][center][url="http://www.allproblogger.com/2011/07/31/training-camp-notes/#comments"]8[/url][/center][/size][/font][/color]

[/size][/color][color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"]
[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"] [/font][/color]
It was good seeing a lot of familiar faces at Georgetown College today as I watched the Bengals practice. The players wore shoulder pads, helmets, and shorts. Thats pretty similar to wearing full pads because tackling is rarely allowed in practice anyway. But the players did a full normal practice. I talked to most of the coaches during and after practice, catching up on the team and their families. The players that I played with always come up and speak, even the guys I didn't play with have seen me around, so they introduce themselves too.[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"]As for what I saw on the field, it was mixed reviews for me. It's hard for me to judge players or teams based off of what I see in training camp. Veterans know how to get through practice, getting what they need out it. Rookies are still learning so they might look sloppy at times. But this year with the limited time before the season starts, things will be sped up a little. Players have to be careful not to injure themselves because the season will be starting soon and they've been off since January.[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"]I wanted to take a close look at Andy Dalton. I've been pretty consistent in saying how I feel about him. I don't think he should open the season as the starter. After watching him today, and talking to a lot of people in camp, he's going to get every chance to be the starter. He's a smooth looking player, does a lot of things well, and tries to command the huddle. All good things for a young QB. My main concern with Andy is the arm strength. In one on one drills, he threw a few nice deep balls and one nice one to WR AJ Green, who beat DBs all day. But in team drills, when the speed picked up and decisions had to be made faster, his balls came up a little short. These things will get better with time, but the season is quickly approaching. The thing that will save him is having two athletic WRs in AJ Green and Jerome Simpson. Those guys go up and get everything. If Bruce Gradkowski proves to be more ready to play than Andy Dalton, I say play him and let Andy come along naturally. If he's ready by week 3, or 6, or 8, then insert him in then. Less pressure by doing it that way. He does have a calm way about him, impressive for a young guy.[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"]Other things that stood out…the way that AJ Green attacks the ball. Dalton under threw a deep ball and AJ went up above two DBs to catch the ball. But when he came down, the ball popped out. But the fact that he came back and fought for the ball was impressive. The running game looks like it will have more outside runs. The offense has lots of motions and shifts, something that Jon Gruden teams always do, so Jay Gruden looks like he's bringing that to Cincy. The defense looks like they are flying around. But key players like Nate Clemens and the LBs were missing. So it was hard to judge.[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"]I have a feeling that this roster will change a lot before opening day. The coaches are judging guys now, and monitoring the waiver wire. With money to spend, I can see them adding some vets as they become available. I think and DL or two will be added, a LB, another CB, and maybe two OL.[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"]I felt better about the team after talking to Marvin Lewis. He reminded me that it's mostly a veteran group, with young skill players. The DL, OL, RBs, DBs, and LBs are veteran guys. The QBs and WRs are young(and athletic). QBs usually dictate how good you are going to be in the NFL, so I guess we'll have to see how good the QB position will play.[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"]Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com and Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer see these guys a lot more than I do and have good write ups of what goes on everyday. I saw those guys working pretty hard today to cover every angle of the team. The preseason games will be important for the Bengals. They need to have success so that the young guys understand winning right away.[/size][/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"] [/font][/color]

[color="#5e5e5e"][font="Helvetica, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif"][size="4"][url="http://www.allproblogger.com/2011/07/31/training-camp-notes/"]http://www.allproblo...ing-camp-notes/[/url][/size][/font][/color]

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[oldschooler]

[size="5"][b]Whirlwind[/b]
[/size]By GEOFF HOBSON

Posted 58 minutes ago


GEORGETOWN, Ky. _ As head coach Marvin Lewis said after Sunday's second practice here at Georgetown College, this is football you've never seen before. And this is why you've never seen a training camp quite like this one. Maybe your Dad did when Paul Brown's buses spit out different guys ever day that Nixon-Humphrey summer of '68, but not you.

And they haven't even strapped up the full pads yet.

That's supposed to come Monday morning in what has become Camp Turnstile all around the NFL. On Sunday they lost one player to a physical (Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui), gained their bell cow running back ([url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/cedric-benson/4b42e3bf-7831-490c-97e2-523f8d4d2291/"]Cedric Benson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url]), and saw Twitter blow up about being close to another deal (Bills safety Donte Whitner) while they already prepared to add one starter to the secondary (49ers cornerback Nate Clements.) Usually these deals are done in March, April, May. Not during stretching.

And that's not all in this post-lockout grind where they are adding to the roster while Lewis tries to monitor the conditioning of his players and decipher their health. This is a completely different team, even more changed than the one he blew up when he first arrived in 2003.

Over here is the No. 1 receiver signing autographs for the second straight day on his 23[sup][size="2"]rd[/size][/sup] birthday after quarterback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/bruce-gradkowski/57583383-3d4b-4bc3-806c-146278ff452b/"]Bruce Gradkowski[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url] came up to him after practice and told [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/aj-green/d1e7b054-2722-4a10-9dad-687267489bd5/"]A.J. Green[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url] he could be one of the greats. Over there [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/tank-johnson/56c60130-f938-45cf-aba0-62dece1c4fde/"]Tank Johnson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url], getting monitored after Saturday's workout, bolted from the cameras because he knew he'd take terrific heat from defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer after not practicing and appearing on TV. Over here is a guy telling you he swore he heard a coach bark, "Walk." It was in one of the newly mandated walk throughs. Over there is offensive coordinator Jay Gruden talking about watching the running game up front after the first day of shoulder pads and shorts.

"You can never work too much on the running game," said Gruden after a year they were hammered for throwing too much.

A few snapshots in the ever-changing whirl:

_ESPN reported Whitner was close Sunday night, but that didn't look to be the case Monday morning. The Bengals were also dealing with outside linebackers and cornerbacks in a wild and wooly ride that seemed to change instantly around the league.

On Saturday night, Lewis talked about the lethargic Benson negotiations. Sunday after practice, while he raved about seventh-round draft pick [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/jay-finley/b46a2248-6ebe-4129-b326-1a99b28ebdb5/"]Jay Finley[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url], the running back from Baylor, ESPN 1530 Homer producer Lindsay Patterson informed him NFL Network was reporting Benson had agreed to a one-year deal. Lewis cackled. He still likes Finley, but he offered, "I'm glad to have Cedric back."

_Patterson won't get in trouble with left tackle [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/andrew-whitworth/3a81696e-e6b3-4abd-8dd0-85e8748fa086/"]Andrew Whitworth[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url] and right guard [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/bobbie-williams/05db5b12-9c1f-4a94-b6c8-61f72348303f/"]Bobbie Williams[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url] a few days after they laid down a new law to their teammates.

"We just wanted them not to discuss team issues through tweeting," Whitworth said. "Tweet anything you want. Just don't be discussing anything we're doing as a team or issues that come up in our group. Most everyone responded well. Understood. As long as we keep our issues in house."

_Some of the leaders weren't enamored with some of the stuff tweeted last year _ no names of course _ but then, this is TV Land now and not HBO. Whitworth said one of the topics at lunch was how different camp is this year.

"The biggest thing right now is just the (lack of) distractions and seeing guys working hard and just having a good attitude. Whitworth said. "It's way different. I think a lot of guys are excited to be playing and not talking about how hard this is and how difficult it is. Guys are out here having fun. Biggest thing is guys are smiling. There's a new kind of fresh attitude."

Whitworth also thinks their legs are fresh after not taking the pounding of the spring.

"You're not going to be in the same conditioning shape you got in in normal years," he said. "But we had a long time to recoup and get fresh. So a lot of guys \are fresh at this point."

_As he poured one last dup of Gatorade into a cup as players took the field, head strength and conditioning coach Chip Morton offered some general thoughts on what kind of shape they're in now.

"Pretty good," he said. "Body weight is up slightly. Percentage of body fat is up slightly. There's not been a big change in guys with a major weight gain, but you have evidence now it's better for guys to be in the team structure working out in the offseason. It's more consistent, more accountability, and there's the team dynamic and working better in the group because of the challenges. Guys are going to lift weights, but still fewer don't do a lot of hard running or enough change of direction and agility. But generally they're in pretty good shape."

Morton thought Friday's standardized conditioning tests went well and he was able to compare them to years past so the coaches could get a read on where individuals are.

"It's only a couple of days, but the coaches have bought into monitoring their guys heavily," Morton said. "Coach Lewis has really been aware of it and has a nice feel of it."

Since it's more like May 1 than Aug. 1 for his players but the schedule hasn't changed, Lewis must keep balancing. He'll check the tape, check with Morton and trainer Paul Sparling, and figure out Monday morning on Sunday night.

"It's the second day of OTAs. Unfortunately that's kind of where we are," Lewis said Sunday. "We're installing and getting the feel of football at the same time adjusting for conditioning. It's all one continuous cycle. Today was good. We got used to carrying the pads and we'll adjust to where we are as opposed to where we want to be football wise. I thought we had a crispness to things. They've been out here running around for three days. I thought we had more soreness yesterday. I think guys' legs were better today than yesterday."

There seemed to be the usual number of cases of dehydration and hamstring issues. If it was a normal offseason, Lewis might not have sat running back [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/bernard-scott/4743d5f6-4661-44c1-a6da-d2970031e393/"]Bernard Scott[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url] and fullback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/fui-vakapuna/a3f6702b-4170-42e7-a20c-e2f022fb45fb/"]Fui Vakapuna[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url] with muscle tightness on Sunday.

_It sounded like Lewis doesn't want to sit any of the young backs and maybe that was for Benson's benefit pre deal. But it doesn't change what he saw from Finley along with free agents from East Carolina ([url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/jonathan-williams/b5fa29eb-01b3-4b1f-9eae-e88908d438a4/"]Jonathan Williams[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url]) and Massachusetts ([url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/john-griffin/1d806660-4602-4fc2-a8d1-26709ff19c51/"]John Griffin[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url]).

"(Williams and Griffin) both guys caught my eye in what they were doing," Lewis said. "Finley's got great quickness. He shows an ability to make people miss. Yesterday in the one on one drills with the linebackers he did a great job separating away from the backers. He gets his shoulders turned up the field. That's what you saw on his college tape at Baylor. Once he got that crack, he had the speed to go the 60, 70 yards."

For the second straight day Lewis talked about the evolution of the NFL running back and how more teams have gone to two and three backs even if they have a Benson-like lead back. He's clearly looking to get more out of backup Bernard Scott and third-down back [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/brian-leonard/c6204230-e3c1-41f5-8859-8bbb950b7631/"]Brian Leonard[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url]. He said, "You probably have to blame me," for Scott not getting more touches last season and he's excited about a healthy Leonard. He didn't think he was ever right after suffering a foot injury in the Hall of Fame Game.

_Rookie quarterback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/andy-dalton/9378c4ed-938c-434c-929d-4d45fe252101/"]Andy Dalton[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url] didn't have as good a day Sunday as he did Saturday. He never got into a groove during the 11-on-11, which was more intense Sunday because of the shoulder pads, and came up short on a couple of deep balls. Gruden said there will be days like this, but he can't have too many. Wearing pads for the first time since the Rose Bowl, Dalton never looked comfortable.

"He's got to be more efficient, more consistent. He had a good day yesterday, he fell off a little today," Gruden said. "To be expected. Tomorrow's a new day. He missed a couple of throws he usually makes, but on some of them his receivers could have helped them out.

_Green keeps doing what he can as he quietly puts on a show. They haven't covered him yet and on Sunday his huge ball skills were on display when he had to come back for a Dalton bomb. He knifed through two defenders to easily catch the ball at the top of the leap, but he lost the handle when before he could pull it in as he came down, it got tipped out.

"I still have the hops," said.

Gradkowski (adding to the goofiness he's one of about 15 guys that can't practice until on or about Thursday) couldn't throw him a ball after practice but he could toss support by telling him he's got a shot to be one of the greats.

"He told me to keep fighting hard and he likes my attitude and he's been around some of the greats," Green said. "It's good to have him and Jordan palmer around teaching and coaching me up."

The fans greeted him with "Happy you're here," "Thank you," and "Rookie of the Year." Green knew what was next.

"Cold tub," he said.

Finally, the day would slow down.

But there's always tomorrow in your father's training camp.





[url="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Whirlwind/547311f9-6021-4a63-bca5-3b0fa889a0c0"]http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Whirlwind/547311f9-6021-4a63-bca5-3b0fa889a0c0[/url]

[JC]

God. I love our receiving core. It oozes with so much potential.

[oldschooler]

[url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/post/15383297"][b]2 minutes ago[/b][/url] - by Paul Dehner Jr. - [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/post/15383297"][b]WR Green's talents on display[/b][/url]
WR A.J Green showed why he was the No. 4 overall pick. Green jumped over top of S [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/player/395940/chris-crocker"]Chris Crocker[/url] and another defender Monday to steal away a deep, underthrown pass down the sidelines. It was far and away the highlight of training camp thus far.

[mongo]

Heh. Gone are the days of the overthrown deep ball, it would seem.

[BengalsOwn]

[quote name='Arkansas Bengal' timestamp='1312169375' post='1008679']
Are you kidding me? How many friggin years does it take for his goddam foot to heal?

How many years have we been waiting for this guy to be ready?

He's STILL not practicing?

What a waist (spelled correctly) of a draft pick!
[/quote]

[img]http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41569_275563968249_1553456_n.jpg[/img]

[akiliMVP]

Green is going to be a top 5 receiver very soon

[BengalsOwn]

[quote name='mongo' timestamp='1312208878' post='1008788']
Heh. Gone are the days of the overthrown deep ball, it would seem.
[/quote]

Yay, now we get to under throw them and have even more interceptions!

[bengaled]

[quote name='mongo' timestamp='1312208878' post='1008788']
Heh. Gone are the days of the overthrown deep ball, it would seem.
[/quote]

those days have been gone for some time now.

[snarkster]

With Green, Simpson, Shipley and Gresham on the field together, someone is gonna be wideopen - often Green or Simpson deep. I knew that Dalton's arm strength wssn't at the top of his strengths, but I hope these underthrows are more a case of nerves and learning the system/receivers instead of a chronic liability. It would suck not to be able to gett the most from homerun hitters like Green and Simpson.

[|SF2|]

[quote name='BengalsOwn' timestamp='1312209075' post='1008792']
Yay, now we get to under throw them and have even more interceptions!


[/quote]
That is what I worry about. If you can't get it out there deep quickly then their speed is kinda minimized.

[Cricket]

[quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1312159770' post='1008583']

[b]HIGHLIGHT[/b]

Colerain’s Brian Lainhart blocked a punt during special teams drills as he rushed past the right tackle.

[b]LOWLIGHT[/b]

Andy Dalton and Jerome Simpson struggled to connect as a couple long passes fell short.

[url="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2011/07/31/731-the-day-at-camp/"]http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2011/07/31/731-the-day-at-camp/[/url]
[/quote]


After that "HIGHLIGHT", I expected the "LOWLIGHT" to be punt protection.

[|Harley|]

I suspect that with this style offense and a rookie QB, we will see passes of 8 yards or less almost exclusively. The underthrows will be minimized.

[mullichicken25]

i think i love every sinlge thing i've ever read about green

i hope he's the real deal and we can get some good seasons out of him before he wants to get the fuck out of this organization

[texbengal]

[quote name='SF2' timestamp='1312217526' post='1008900']
That is what I worry about. If you can't get it out there deep quickly then their speed is kinda minimized.
[/quote]

While I understand the concern, it's the second day of camp - he's really never thrown to these guys, except to some in a a few player-organized workouts. While Dalton's arm will never get confused with John Elway's, I would think that they'd do a better job of connecting over time - even on long passes. It'll come.

[bengaled]

[quote name='SF2' timestamp='1312217526' post='1008900']
That is what I worry about. If you can't get it out there deep quickly then their speed is kinda minimized.
[/quote]


should that happen, i have faith that the OC would NOW make adjustments. that hasn't been the case in the past.

[Jason]

[quote name='SF2' timestamp='1312217526' post='1008900']
That is what I worry about. If you can't get it out there deep quickly then their speed is kinda minimized.
[/quote]

Dalton does not have the arm Carson does, but it's not "bad" either. In one of the highlight clips someone posted of Dalton he made a throw from inside the hash marks to the sideline that went 50 yards down field and right to the receiver. It's not "laser-rocket", but it's not limp noodle either.

[Bengals1181]

how often does a QB throw a ball more than 40yds in the air during the season (not counting hail mary's)? 1, 2 times?

[Jamie_B]

Its not so much that his long ball is lacking its that it doesnt get there with speed and in the NFL that gets you picked off.

[|SF2|]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1312222276' post='1008959']
how often does a QB throw a ball more than 40yds in the air during the season (not counting hail mary's)? 1, 2 times?
[/quote]
When you got burners like Green and Simpson you will do it more than that. TO and Carson hooked up for a few last year and TO isn't the burner (anymore) those two are. Gotta be able to keep the CBs honest.

I can't comment on Dalton's arm until I see him throw live in a game. TV and video makes everything look slow to include Indy Cars. The first time I saw Carson throw live in a game I was like "DAMN".