Training camp observations

The preparation for 2013 has fully begun with the start of training camp. The Bengals play in a week against the Falcons, and they are beginning to integrate the important details to make the approach of this season successful. The first family night of the Bengals season was a success for fans and players alike on Thursday evening. The team was able to practice inside Paul Brown Stadium and begin to compete with some live hitting action in pads. 

-Tyler Eifert looked like an elite red zone weapon. The Bengals found him on the goal line by lining him up on the outside and throwing a fade route that Eifert fought for and secured. Eifert is tall and strong enough to battle defensive backs from the outside. Putting Eifert on one side of the field and AJ Green on the other should open up some holes in the defense.

-Missing Green and Carlos Dunlap is hurting this team. The starters need to be in practicing with the first unit and an explosive pass rusher and a dominant receiver are two key cogs in any system. Robert Geathers and Marvin Jones are respectable players who will contribute in 2013, but without Green and Dunlap, the potential to have two top five sides of the ball is not quite there.

-The make or break spot on defense this year is the linebacker position group. All three projected starters are thick run stoppers who are known for ferocious hits. It remains to be seen whether Rey Maualuga, James Harrison, and Vontaze Burfict can cover tight ends and receivers over the middle. Maualuga is in better shape than last season and has the attitude to bounce back from a rough last game in 2012, but even if he covers well, the team needs big years from their pass rushing ace Harrison and Burfict, a second year man.

-Injuries are starting to pile up. The Bengals hope to have everyone back by the start of the season, but Green, Brandon Thompson, Andrew Whitworth, Carlos Dunlap, and Andrew Hawkins have all suffered reasonably serious injuries. These players each need a couple of weeks to get into playing shape, so the goal for all of them should be to play in preseason game number three. Realistically, the Bengals will take it very slow with Green and Whitworth, who are leaders of the offense. 

-Is continuity king? The Bengals will have a chance to play all their offensive starters back from a season ago, and the defense will only insert Harrison, Dunlap, and George Iloka or Shawn Williams into the opening day starting eleven. The Bengals have more weapons off the bench like Eifert and Gio Bernard on offense and Emanuel Lamur and Dre Kirkpatrick on defense, but the team better hope each of the starters continue to grow and develop together, or the same problems on third down and covering tight ends could once again haunt the team.

Rich Hidy 

Cincy Sports Spot