1. Backup Quarterback-Bruce Gradkowski adopted the role of Andy Dalton's backup over the last two seasons, but now he is gone after signing with Pittsburgh to become Ben Roethlisberger's backup. The Bengals brought in a couple veterans as potential replacements for Gradkowski. Josh Johnson has experience in the West Coast system, but hasn't taken an NFL snap since 2011. The 6'3 former fifth round pick is athletic enough to have some packages with the first stringers to throw off defenses with his duel threat ability. John Skelton is probably the most logical choice for the job. Skelton has one some big games as the starter with the Cardinals in part time capacity since his rookie 2010 season. Skelton can manage the game for a team and threw for almost 2,000 yards and eleven touchdowns in 2011.
2. Strong safety-The most up in the air battle of camp is for a starting spot at an extremely important position. The Bengals will send out three young players to compete for the position. George Iloka, Taylor Mays, and Shawn Williams will each have an equal chance to earn the gig, as Iloka and Mays have lined up as the starter at different points in offseason workouts. Williams was the highest draft pick spent on a safety since Madieu Williams, and certainly brings talent and leadership skills to the table. Expect this position to be sorted out late in the preseason.3. Center-This starting spot is also up for grabs at the start of training camp, but I fully expect Kyle Cook to earn back the job after being outplayed by Trevor Robinson last year. Cook was never healthy last season after suffering an ankle injury, yet the Bengals threw him in the games for the last few weeks of the season and in the playoffs. Robinson is certainly a valuable young player who can back up both the guard and center positions, but the Bengals need a savvy vet like Cook to anchor an offensive line that is pretty unproven at the two guard spots.
4. Second Cornerback-Leon Hall is a lock to match up against the best opposing receiver, but the corner on the other side still has to be figured out this summer. Dre Kirkpatrick bounced on and off the inactive list last season, playing in five games, including on defense against the Chiefs. Kirkpatrick has the size and coverage skills to be a prototypical corner, but can his knee hold up? The first round pick out of Alabama in 2012 needs to show the toughness he played with in the National Championship season. The Bengals struck lightning in a bottle with the signing of Terence Newman. He was very consistent over the last half of last season with two interceptions while holding quarterbacks to a rating under eighty. Newman is 34 years old, and the Bengals would prefer to pass the torch and use Newman for depth purposes.
5. Fullback-There's a debate going on in Bengals circles as to whether the team will even keep a fullback this season. The last time the Bengals went without one was in 2010, and it was a disaster as the run game stalled and Cedric Benson returned to his mediocre yards per carry average after a superb 2009. The Bengals need to hold on to at least one fullback in 2013, whether that be John Conner, Chris Pressley, or a converted Orson Charles. Pressley is still rehabbing from a knee injury that forced the team to sign Conner last season. Pressley may not be ready when training camp opens, and is a candidate for the PUP list. Conner was supposed to be the best young fullback in the league coming out of Kentucky in 2010 when he was selected by the Jets, but it hasn't quite worked out for him since that rookie season. Conner still may have a bright future in the NFL if he can regain his physicality in run blocking. Don't count out the West Chester native from stealing the starting gig from Pressley. Charles is more of a Jay Gruden experiment that could result in some passing formations with the 2012 fourth round pick in the backfield, but nothing from last year says that he could take on the blocking responsibilities of a fullback. Charles is a useful weapon to have with his playmaking ability, but look for Conner or Pressley to earn the job as a traditional fullback.
Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot
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