Hard Knocks observations

Doesn't the opening episode of Hard Knocks bring excitement and anticipation for the football season? Last night's debut of the 2013 edition of the show featuring the Cincinnati Bengals packed a great deal of insights into the team and training camp in Cincinnati right from the get go. Training camp has only been occurring for a couple of weeks now, yet it seems like so much has happened with the team. The first show with the Bengals was probably better than any of the Dolphins Hard Knocks episodes last season. Everyone on this year's Bengals team seems unified and determined to reach the goals set forth by the coaching staff. The players seem to be bonding along the way, and their enthusiasm for the game is evident while watching.

-Hue Jackson is an extremely involved Associate Head Coach. His experience with the Raiders in the top job gives him credibility to influence the team almost as much as Marvin Lewis. The players genuinely like and respect Jackson, even jawing with him throughout practice. Jackson has the perspective of working with both the offense and defensive sides of the ball, and he has relationships with each of the Bengals' players. The show reveals Giovani Bernard as Jackson's golden child, and he rightly wants to keep his rookie playmaker healthy. Jackson is a charismatic speech maker and is now on the short list of assistants to watch for in interviews for potential head coaching positions at the end of the year. 

-Watch out for Jermaine Gresham. Not only did Gresham dominate the Oklahoma drill by pancaking star defensive tackle Geno Atkins, but his overall attitude this season seems to be me against the world. I don't care if Gresham may have jumped off the line early in that drill. Taking Geno Atkins to the ground is no small feat. The Bengals are expecting a great deal out of Gresham, who is getting less attention than Tyler Eifert in a contract year. Gresham is determined to rebound after a tough playoff game in 2012 and has a chance to break out as a top five tight end. 

-Gio Bernard is getting a lot of attention. Especially from his teammates on defense, who have seemed to target the diminutive running back in practices. Vontaze Burfict even joked that Bernard is like a tackling dummy. The Bengals have a fierce defense that is not afraid to bring the hammer, so Bernard is getting a crash course in the physicality of the NFL every day in practice. This is the best way for the rookie running back to develop an AFC North running style. Bernard seems like a genuinely nice person who is a great addition to the locker room. 

-The pursuit of excellence. I thought that was the best line of the entire show last night. Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer made it known to his defense that this team has expectations to win the Super Bowl. Jay Gruden said the same thing to his offense. The return of most of the successful players from last year along with an in tact coaching staff makes that dream a possibility. Zimmer's defense may have to carry the Bengals early on with new weapons impacting the lineup on offense such as Bernard, Tyler Eifert, and Orson Charles, but the team on paper is one of the three most talented rosters in football. 

-The emotions of the NFL were shown in the grimmest of ways towards the end of the episode with the season ending knee and ankle injuries of Larry Black. Black, according to Jay Hayes, had the potential to become a solid NFL nose tackle, and now he might not be back on the field for a year. The Bengals placed Black on the waived/IR list, but he will have an opportunity to rejoin the club and rehab for the future. The raw disappointment on Black's face was evident in the trainer's room during Hard Knocks. Black was sobbing after calling his parents to let them know about his injury. The NFL is a cutthroat business, and Black is smart enough to realize this might have been his only shot at the league. Black's teammates are behind him as Domata Peko spoke for everyone by saying Black is part of the Bengals family. Hopefully Black can successfully heal and reach his dream of playing in NFL games. 

Rich Hidy 

Cincy Sports Spot

Depth chart released--Insights on the defense

The Bengals' defense is largely expected to take that next step into the NFL elite this season after retaining every key player on the unit and keeping underrated Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer. The offseason has been reasonably quiet in terms of positioning battles with the defense, so when the depth chart was released, a scan of the starting lineup looks similar to last season at each position group. There can still be movement and spots on the team up for grabs especially at the backup units on the defensive side of the ball, however.

-After receiving his forty plus million dollar extension, it seems Carlos Dunlap has finally been inserted into the starting lineup. Dunlap suffered a concussion in practice, but that won't keep him out more than a week. Dunlap and Michael Johnson on the other side of the defensive line can generated over twenty sacks in 2013. Domata Peko and Geno Atkins start at the inside spots on the defensive line, but expect Devon Still to get plenty of action next to Atkins this season.

-The linebacking starters have been known since James Harrison signed with the Bengals this offseason. Harrison, Rey Maualuga, and Vontaze Burfict can punish players with the ball, so expect some forced fumbles to show up on the stat sheet this season from that position group. Emmanuel Lamur is the fourth linebacker on the team and will be in on third down and longs over the course of the year. He is one of the best young prospects on the Bengals. Sean Porter is the only other linebacker on the roster who can earn snaps with the starters. Aaron Maybin and Vinny Rey have been in the NFL for a few seasons now and it is time for them to step up.

-Dre Kirkpatrick is somehow behind Brandon Ghee on the depth chart at this stage, but that could very well be for motivational purposes. Kirkpatrick has flashed ball skills during training camp and has provided a blanket of coverage that has to be recognized by the coaches. He is beginning to flash his first round potential. The cornerback position looks like it is pretty solid heading into 2013.

-Reggie Nelson is the consistent starter at the free safety spot, but the news of the day is George Iloka getting the nod at strong safety. He is the right pick based on his coverage skills, which are better than the competition right now. Iloka has learned how to read the quarterback from Chris Crocker, who stepped in out of nowhere and played well in 2012. Iloka was one of the greatest defenders in Boise State history, and his rangy athleticism could hold off Shawn Williams and Taylor Mays until the start of the season, although I'm still not convinced the Bengals won't make a call to Crocker at some point.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot