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Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2009 > August > 04 > Entry
Bengals highs and lows in camp
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The Bengals wrapped up Day 4 of training camp on Monday with their share of highs and lows. The two-a-day practice brought out the good, the bad and the ugly in the team.
Making progress
Second-year wide receiver Jerome Simpson was at it again during the evening practice session. Simpson made a nice one-hand stab in the back of the endzone during receiving drills. He performed well throughout practice but still needs to work on his route-running. Simpson is a little flat coming out of his breaks, making it easy for defenders to jump the route. He has shown very little separation at the breaking point. It’s not uncommon to see defenders jump Simpson’s routes and come away with an easy interception. However, Simpson is making progress in all other areas, especially blocking downfield and catching the ball.
Ground game
Running back Brian Leonard appears to be the frontrunner for the No. 2 spot behind Cedric Benson. Leonard is a bruiser and reminds me a lot of Mike Alstott but slightly quicker. He’s an outstanding short-yardage runner with the ability to gain huge chunks of yardage. Leonard rarely goes down on initial contact and has the speed to bounce the run outside.
Behind Leonard, rookie sixth round pick Bernard Scott is making a strong bid not only to make the roster, but for playing time. He has looked pretty impressive running the ball. Scott broke loose on a long run during 11-on-11 drills darting through the hole like a bullet. He’s a slasher with the ability to make people miss and shows no hesitation when hitting the hole. Scott did a decent job picking up the blitz when called upon.
StingRey
The Bengals are finding out rather quickly just how effective linebacker Rey Maualuga can be as a pass-rusher. I can tell you this, you’re not going to block him with a running back. Just ask Kenny Watson, who was thumped by Maualuga on a play when rushing the passer. Watson was left sprawled on the field like road kill. He had to shake out the cobwebs before being helped to his feet by teammates.
Maualuga is having a good overall showing in camp and is better in pass-coverage then he’s been given credit. He may be ahead of linebacker Rashad Jeanty in that category who has struggled in coverage.
Big butts in the middle
NFL teams may want to think twice about trying to run up the middle on the Bengals defense. Defensive tackles Domata Peko and Tank Johnson are proving to be a force clogging the middle up like the Hoover Dam. Johnson is nasty in the trenches and Peko is very agile for a big man. I watched Peko track down a 25-yard run to the outside. They play off one another extremely well.
Low points
Wide receiver Chris Henry is suffering from a case of the drops. He has let a number of easy, catchable passes fall to the turf.
Rookie tight end Chase Coffman continues to get overpowered during blocking assignments, but does pack a powerful hand-punch.
The Bengals cornerbacks have struggled in coverage with the exception of Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. Joseph is having a really good camp early.
Tight end Reggie Kelly ruptured his Achilles tendon and will have surgery on Wednesday. He is expected to be sidelined for at least six months.
Keep checking Big C’s NFL Blitz for updates on the Bengals training camp throughout the week.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Rey Maualuga in your face
August 4, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this
Thanks for all the updates Big C. Glad to hear StingRey and B-Scott are makin some noise.
By Cindy
August 4, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
Big C, I have enjoyed reading your Bengals training camp coverage immensely. Is there really hope for the Bengals this season?
By Kentucky FarmBoy
August 4, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Yo Big C, I was at Bengals training camp over the weekend and have to ask. Are you the black reporter who was on the sideline with the freakin’ huge guns? Don’t mean to offend. If so, damn son we need to suit you up. Also, I thought the offensive line did a great job protecting the quarterback and opening holds for Ced the day I was there.
By Big C
August 4, 2009 8:49 PM | Link to this
LOL Kentucky FarmBoy!
By GA Preacher
August 4, 2009 11:13 PM | Link to this
Carlos: Easily, you have the best reports from Georgetown amongst the regulars covering. As a former Cincinnatian, it’s sad to say that you and Chick smoke anything the Enquirer sends down there. Good enthusiasm, some realism and a sense that the reporter once played the game — that makes for some good reading. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the first-hand look I can’t get.
By GA Preacher
August 4, 2009 11:40 PM | Link to this
OK, answer the “10 HOT Questions,” Big C, and get ready for your Pulitzer: How about the possibility that we keep 2 FBs and 2 TES instead of our more traditional 1/3 formula? Could Jeremi (at 270-275) also line at at TE and get some push at the LOS without the head start he gets from the FB position? I wonder if this isn’t an angle that should be explored given that Johnson has looked better than most of us have expected, that Vakapuna is living up to the scouting report of Jim Anderson (that guy is an unbelievable talent at scouting RBs) and that Daniel Coats is pretty marginal as the guy we’d need as our #1 blocking TE (and perhaps backup FB on game day)? Go ahead and take a risk Big C and let me know how the Kelly injury actually weans us faster from the old guard and puts our newer players out there now to represent. Carlos, let’s get on this CB depth situation — we’ve got our apparent nickel from our own trash heap with a multi-cut former undrafted CFA and rookie 6th Round pick fighting for #4? Say it ain’t so (or say what we should do) cuz it just shouldn’t be like that with veteran playas like R.W. McQuarters and Sam Madison sitting at home right now. Alvin Keels is all about Alvin Keels. OK, it’s out there. Does Andre Smith recover from this BS? He ain’t no Anthony Munoz in talent, mind set or heart. After looking at these guys, what are the initial impressions from the schedule of who we can’t beat? Pittsburgh (at Pitt)? Baltimore (in Balt)? San Diego? Green Bay/Minnesota/Chicago? Jason Shirley: Contender or Pretender? Is this statement correct?: Carson - Frontal Lobe = Jordan Backup OT race — I know Kooistra is one ugly looking guy, but is he still better than Roland and Mathis (who was being put out there as a potential backup at RT)? I like Roland because he reminds me of a combination of Lerch and “Jaws” from Moonraker (you know, the guy that broke a “friggin neck” in the original “Longest Yard”? Instead of playing games this year, do you think that Goodell would just let us run the Oklahoma Drill vs. our opponent for 3 hours? That would certainly make for some good viewing. How’s the food up there at training table? Does Mike Brown ever take you on an interview drive around the KY Horse Park countryside in his Lumina? BONUS QUESTION: Can Bernard Scott be our Punt Returner? By reports he hasn’t had that chore since High School.
By Chris
August 5, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
Good to hear that “Psycho Ced” Cedric Benson pretty much has the Starting job wrapped up! Who dey!!!!!!
By GA Preacher
August 6, 2009 8:04 AM | Link to this
Big C: I thought you’d be all over those questions by now (LOL). Hey, the Jeremi at TE concept doesn’t look so crazy now, huh? We’re hearing about guys like Bubba Franks and Mark Breuner being considered for a shot here. What about Ben Troupe? THE PREACHER MAN