Bengals roll in Atlanta

The Bengals second and third stringers put on a show in Atlanta on Thursday night by defeating the NFC runner up Falcons 34-10 in the opening game of the season. The Bengals' starters left the contest with a 3-0 deficit, but the team gained all of the momentum shortly after the start of the second quarter. Dominant offensive line play and outstanding plays by skill players allowed the Bengals to build up their lead, enough so to feature the victory formation at the end of the game.

-The starters on defense looked solid with the exception of one play. The Bengals showed blitz and Matt Ryan capitalized with a forty-two yard screen pass to Harry Douglas. Other than that, the secondary, linebackers, and defensive line held the Atlanta offense to quick passes and average runs. Geno Atkins and James Harrison both showed their supreme strength with tackles of Stephen Jackson for losses. Offensively, the Bengals were shaky with their starters. Andy Dalton couldn't get into a rhythm with Brandon Tate and Ryan Whalen. The Bengals desperately need AJ Green and Marvin Jones to return to the receiving corps. The Bengals also didn't show enough of their two tight end sets on passing downs. Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert both can't be covered when they are on the field at the same time. Passing to the two tight ends should be the Bengals' bread and butter.

-The story of the night was Josh Johnson. Johnson looked to put a stronghold on the backup quarterback job, as he looked much better than Andy Dalton throughout the night. Johnson had one hundred yards throwing and a touchdown, and also rushed for 64 yards, including a scamper of 43 yards. Johnson has noticeable arm strength and has an ability to throw the ball on the run. At this point, Johnson looks like a clear upgrade over Bruce Gradkowski and should confuse defenses with his duel threat quarterback style.

-The running backs showed up big time. The Bengals offensive line consistently was able to get a push on the Atlanta defensive line. The second group led by Trevor Robinson and Tanner Hawkinson was rock solid. Hawkinson is looking like a true value pick by the Bengals, so hopefully the ankle injury he sustained will only keep him out next week. Rex Burkhead rushed for fifty-two yards on nine carries. Burkhead is a running back that has the opportunity to unseat Boom Herron and Ced Peerman on the depth chart because of his do it all nature. Burkhead is a tough runner, a solid pass catcher, and a  consistent pass blocker. Peerman and Herron both averaged just below four yards per carry, but both did have a couple of nice runs. Giovani Bernard had a rough first game in the pros. He rushed ten times for 28 yards and scored a touchdown, but he slipped on a catch that would have been a first down and had trouble eluding NFL tacklers. Bernard's nerves certainly played a role in his performance on Thursday.

-Everyone, including Brad Keselowski, was talking about Dane Sanzenbacher last night. Sanzenbacher scored twice, once catching the ball and also on a punt return. Sanzenbacher's 71 yard return looked very smooth as he showed some serious quickness. Sanzenbacher has an evident second gear at the receiver position that fools defenders. He may have earned himself some slot play with the first team unit next week. Sanzenbacher's thirty-six yard touchdown was the textbook play that the Bengals want to see from a slot receiver. John Skelton, who rose to Johnson's competition level with a 4/5 night with 72 yards and a touchdown, also did a nice job of fitting the ball in on the play.

-Dre Kirkpatrick and Rey Maualuga stood out on the Bengals' defense. Kirkpatrick locked down the Atlanta receivers he defended and almost came up with an acrobatic interception. Kirkpatrick is such a tall corner that he can compete for the ball on longer routes. Maualuga looks considerably more motivated and disciplined as a linebacker at this early stage. Maualuga had a nice coverage play against Chase Coffman and was able to chase down ball carriers with much more ease. Maualuga has definitely lost weight and has begun to resurrect his 2012 campaign with better play.

-The only true disappointment last night in my book was Margus Hunt. Hunt looked a little lost during most plays yesterday, standing straight up and even finding himself stationary and just staring at the quarterback. Hunt is currently just relying on brute strength and size, which won't get it done in the NFL. Hunt needs to develop a technique with a lower pad level to beat these offensive linemen. Hunt has the ability to improve over the next few weeks, but right now, he looks no better than almost sure cut Dontay Moch.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot

Sanzenbacher sets sights on slot

Injuries play a large role in earning regular season opportunities for players in football. The Packers won the Super Bowl with fifteen players on IR back in 2011. Lesser known players had to step up that year and fit into the winning ways of the team. The 2013 Bengals would prefer to keep everyone healthy heading into opening day of the football season in September, but the reality is they probably will be without at the very least third year receiver Andrew Hawkins for a number of weeks. Hawkins is a candidate to start the year on the IR-designated to return list, much like Kyle Cook last season when he was able to step into the rotation halfway through the year. The Bengals were certainly relying on Hawkins to progress from his fifty catch season in the slot last year. The explosive Hawkins is an electrifying route runner who relies on his speed to fool defenders, so the ankle injury he suffered will have to completely heal before he steps back on the field.

Into the fray steps Dane Sanzenbacher, one of the most celebrated wideouts in the Jim Tressel era at Ohio State. The 5'11 Sanzenbacher is just twenty-four years old and signed with the Bengals at the end of last season after he was cut by Chicago. He is the ideal slot receiver for a team that has thrived with Hawkins and Jordan Shipley in the recent past. Ryan Whalen will also get a shot to earn snaps with the three wideout first team sets, but Sanzenbacher has proven to be a savvy competitor with an attitude of always defying the odds.

Teams have always questioned Sanzenbacher's physical stature throughout his NFL career. Nobody can question Sanzenbacher's ability to make tight catches and his toughness to be able to stick to his routes. Those traits make up the undervalued duties of a slot man. Sanzenbacher survived final cuts in 2011 after signing with the Bears as an undrafted free agent, and went on to become a valuable weapon for Jay Cutler, playing in all sixteen games and catching twenty-seven balls for almost three hundred yards and three touchdowns. All that production came after a senior season at Ohio State in which Sanzenbacher has 948 yards, thirteen touchdowns, and 17.2 yards per catch. Sanzenbacher finished his Ohio State career eleventh in school history in terms of receiving behind the likes of Joey Galloway, Santonio Holmes, and 2013 Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter.

Sanzenbacher has had a relatively quiet training camp, but since the Hawkins injury, reports have come from Bengals reporters that say Sanzenbacher has been beating coverages and consistently providing a stable weapon. Sanzenbacher apparently played well in the two practices against the Falcons. Andy Dalton doesn't need many big yardage plays from the slot receiver. AJ Green and Marvin Jones will be the primary deep threats and the receivers that have the ability to squeeze by potential tacklers. Green and Mohamed Sanu also will be rotated into the slot position along with tight end Tyler Eifert.

Sanzenbacher is looking at a two man battle for a roster spot with Ryan Whalen. Give Sanzenbacher the edge with his innate traits for the slot position. Whalen fits more on the outside where he has played in a few games with the Bengals. Green, Sanu, Brandon Tate, and Marvin Jones are locks to make the team with Hawkins on the shelf. Cobi Hamilton will most likely beat the final cuts with an intriguing potential to develop later in the year and into the future. Sanzenbacher and Whalen will separate themselves based on positive preseason snaps with both the first and second team units starting Thursday night in Atlanta. The Falcons have one of the most experienced teams in the NFC, so they will provide a test for the young receivers to try to excel with quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Josh Johnson in the West Coast Offense.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot

Hard Knocks: What to watch for in premier

The first episode of the Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals 2013 edition of the show premiers tonight at 10 p.m. on HBO. The Bengals are used to the Hard Knocks spotlight after participating in the documentary in 2009. Camera crews made up of tons of workers have been on the practice field and in Paul Brown Stadium during each practice filming every inch of team activities. The show will certainly focus on a number of story lines and players as the weeks of training camp progress, but the opening show will ultimately set the stage for what is to come.

AJ Green Injury: This might be the most interesting part of the show tonight. There's no doubt the Hard Knocks cameras got shots of Green taking an awkward fall battling Terrence Newman for a deep ball. Green injured his knee and will be out of the lineup over the course of the next couple of weeks. Look for Hard Knocks to capture the play itself with their advanced cameras and follow Green into the locker room to meet with the doctors to get a prognosis.

Bengals pep rally/family night: The Bengals had a rare opportunity to allow a large audience of fans into Paul Brown Stadium to get a glimpse of the players and coaches in the pep rally and the following family night for practice. It will be interesting to hear what the players thought of the events and see how they interact with the fans if the Hard Knocks crew chooses to document those nights. The practices inside Paul Brown Stadium probably aid the crew in taking better shots of plays because of the increase in space in comparison to the practice fields.

Marvin Lewis: It is interesting to witness Lewis' temperament and demeanor this summer. Lewis seems to be more relaxed and confident in this team than in many of the seasons past. Lewis even said he could cut his roster down to about sixty players at this very moment. Hard Knocks always does a thorough job in following the duties and personality of an NFL Head Coach. Not many Bengals fans truly know the real Marvin Lewis because of his nondescript press conferences and tendency to stay under the radar. I think viewers will be surprised to see Lewis loosen up during the show and rave about the 2013 Bengals, a team that he has the highest of hopes for to win multiple playoff games.

Adam Jones: We haven't heard much about Jones in the training camp practices thus far, but there have been reports of the Hard Knocks cameras following Jones into his home to see him interact with his family. Jones is coming off of his most consistent season as a professional in the league, and he is expected to fulfill his duty as the third corner and punt returner once again this season. Jones is eventually going to get a ruling from Commissioner Roger Goodell on whether or not Jones is looking at a suspension because of an incident earlier in the summer in downtown Cincinnati. The Hard Knocks crew will attempt to reveal the real Adam "Pacman" Jones, a man who might be different than the perception of the public eye.

Rookies: One of the best parts about the NFL is the initiation process of players just entering the league. The Bengals have two marquee draft picks who are going to impact the team right away in Giovani Bernard and Tyler Eifert. That doesn't mean those two and the other draft picks won't receive a little bit of hazing from the veterans. There may be a few surprise jokesters on the team. Maybe even a few of the leaders like Geno Atkins and Andy Dalton have funnier personalities than people think. Hard Knocks will help shed light on what the rookies have to do when they first enter the league and some of the pranks that are directed at them in the present day.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot

Top Bengals fantasy options

The Hall of Fame Game officially kicked off the preseason last night, and that means computers across the country will begin to fire up with fantasy football owners participating in online drafts leading up to the regular season. Fantasy football has molded into an annual tradition for both casual and intense fans of the NFL who want to get more involved in following the statistical production of the players in the league. The Bengals have a few players on their roster that can help rack up points throughout the fantasy year. AJ Green was fourth in scoring among wide receivers last season with almost 203 points, and the Bengals defense finished fifth in fantasy scoring, just behind Seattle and Denver. 2013 will feature new weapons within the offense that can become sleepers in any fantasy league and as a result make owners look smart or maybe just plain lucky.

1. Andy Dalton-Quarterbacks are the most valuable players in fantasy football. Drew Brees outpaced Aaron Rodgers last season as the best player in fantasy football with almost 350 points. Dalton finished the year ranked twelfth in terms of fantasy quarterbacks. Dalton would have had more points if he cut down on some of his midyear interceptions. Dalton threw sixteen total interceptions last year and will almost certainly cut down on that number this season due to an increase in receiving weapons and a growing confidence with consistent personnel. Dalton's talented offensive line also returns in tact, which should allow him to gain more time in the pocket. Look for Andy Dalton to eclipse the 4,000 yard mark for the first time in his career and also throw for more than thirty touchdowns and decrease his picks to less than fifteen. If Dalton takes that next step and becomes more efficient with the ball, he will be considered in elite company with names such as Brees, Rodgers, and Tom Brady.

2. AJ Green-Green's 1,350 yards and eleven touchdowns put him directly behind Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, and Dez Bryant in fantasy points. Green also has the capability to run reverses in the offense as he picked up 38 receiving yards last year. Green is currently sitting out training camp practices with a knee injury, but he is expected to be back in the lineup by preseason game number three. Green dropped a few passes last season, but he only fumbled the ball once and is as sure handed a receiver as anyone in the league. Green should surpass the one hundred catch mark this year and continue his climb to the top of the receiver ladder. Green will benefit from a lot of single coverage this year due to two tight end sets the Bengals will put on the field.

3. Bengals Defense/ST-The Bengals defense showed the ability to do it all last season, especially down the stretch. The Bengals generated the third most sacks in the NFL last year with 51, and they also scored three touchdowns and returned one on special teams. The fourteen interceptions that the defense collected is not a number that pops out at you, but that should be improved with Leon Hall getting his feet back under him completely last year and Reggie Nelson emerging as a top flight safety. A healthy Dre Kirkpatrick and an athletic George Iloka may surprise some people with a few interceptions. Also, don't forget about a rangy defensive line that can bat balls up in the air and end up forcing turnovers. I rank the Bengals third in defense right behind San Francisco and Chicago.

4. Giovani Bernard-Here is one of the dark horse players to take the NFL fantasy game by storm this season. Bernard will not be drafted early in fantasy football drafts, but he may turn out to be one of the most useful running backs in earning easy points every Sunday. Bernard will catch about fifty balls out of the backfield and run on the outside and between the tackles. There's no doubt the Bengals will find a way to get Bernard close to twenty touches per game in the offense starting from the get go. Fantasy owners should take a mid round flier on Bernard because of his positive status with the Bengals coaches and impressive college career. There is no reason the second round pick can't become what Doug Martin was to the Bucs and in fantasy leagues last year. Watch out for Gio.

5. Jermaine Gresham/Tyler Eifert-Jermaine Gresham just missed the top ten in fantasy tight ends last year with his 737 yards and five touchdowns. Gresha
m probably won't receive the same yardage totals as last year because of the addition of first rounder Tyler Eifert. The reason these two players will be so valuable is because of their red zone presence. Gresham and Eifert will probably both earn over five hundred receiving yards, but whichever player can find the end zone more often will be more valuable to fantasy owners. I think Eifert will end up with more touchdowns because of his ability to line up anywhere within the offense, but don't ignore Gresham's tendency to break tackles and punish covering defenders.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot

Depth chart released--Insights on the offense

The Bengals released their first depth chart of the 2013 season this morning, and at first glance, it doesn't look like the listings of the starters on the chart will change too much from now until the first game of the season in September. There were a few surprises on the first depth chart, but nothing majorly out of the blue and nothing that couldn't be anticipated based on noting the happenings of training camp at this early juncture.

-Josh Johnson is the backup quarterback as things start to take shape. The man Jay Gruden specifically targeted to assist with the West Coast system this offseason has taken noticeably more snaps than John Skelton, and can open up specifically designed read option possibilities with the first team unit. Expect Skelton and Zac Robinson to get cut before the season begins.

-Even though Giovani Bernard is listed as the second string running back, he will almost assuredly pass Benjarvus Green-Ellis in carries as the season gets underway. Green-Ellis will take back the role he played so well in New England by fighting for tough yardage on second and third downs and serving as the primary goal line back. Bernard is the more electrifying of the two quality players, although he needs to work on breaking tackles and staying on his feet while being hit.

-The biggest surprise on the offensive side of the ball comes at fullback with Orson Charles grabbing the role as the starter. Charles is not a great blocker but can present blatant mismatches to defenses with his catching aptitude and H-back ment
ality. The Bengals may keep two fullbacks this season with Chris Pressley returning at some point. John Conner will need to develop a hard nosed edge in the preseason and retain the run blocking presence he showed with the Jets his rookie season.

-The offensive line features the same lineup as last season even with Andre Smith getting off to a slow start, and the tight end group has Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert as the first and second options. Richard Quinn and Alex Smith will probably fight for a spot on the team. Quinn has the edge on the depth chart right now but Smith is the more versatile option because he can be a red zone target for Andy Dalton. Quinn has below average receiving skills but a superb blocking ability.

-Brandon Tate is ahead of Ryan Whalen and Cobi Hamilton on the depth chart right now. Hamilton may just be one of Marvin Lewis' typical late round rookies that is expected to prove his acumen for the game on the field. Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones were low on last season's depth chart at the beginning of the year, but they flashed brilliance in the preseason and quickly found the field. Tate may be the first string return man, but Hamilton will probably be the fifth receiver on the team.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot

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 

Top 5 Bengals rookies to make an impact

The Bengals welcomed ten new prospects onto their NFL roster by way of April's draft at least for the duration of training camp, when they will have to earn the opportunity to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. The Bengals also added a number of undrafted free agents hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's star UDFA, Vontaze Burfict. Some of these college standouts are more well known than others based on their college programs and production, but each will be given the same shot at the NFL. Here are the top 5 players that the Bengals will have great expectations for right off the bat.

5. Cobi Hamilton-Don't be surprised if Hamilton makes the roster and climbs up the ladder to surpass Marvin Jones for playing time. Hamilton was a standout his senior season at Arkansas where he enjoyed a breakout year by catching ninety passes for 1335 yards and five touchdowns. Hamilton has a large stature for a wide receiver with a 6'2, 205 pound frame, perfect for running routes against taller cornerbacks in the AFC North like Ike Taylor and Jimmy Smith. The twenty-two year old performed well in rookie minicamp and mandatory minicamp with some nice intermediate routes. If he can develop a chemistry with Andy Dalton, Hamilton will surely be a factor in the 2013 Bengals offense in the slot and on the outside.

4. Tanner Hawkinson-The Bengals set their sights on insurance and depth for the roster in the later rounds of the draft, and fifth round pick Tanner Hawkinson fits the bill perfectly. Bengals fans were slightly confused when the team selected Hawkinson because of his obscurity at the college level, but Hawkinson is extremely underrated and a smart pick by Cincinnati. Hawkinson holds the record for games started and consecutive games started for Kansas after he played both left and right tackle from 2010-12 on the Jayhawks. He also was an All-Big 12 second-teamer last year. Paul Alexander has raved about Hawkinson's versatility on the offensive line. The Bengals have moved him around the line at center, guard, and his natural tackle position, and if someone goes down in the starting lineup on the offensive line, Hawkinson could be the first substitute. Hawkinson is a valuable prospect who should already be a serviceable player at the NFL level. I definitely see him making the 53-man roster this season as a backup at every position on the line. If someone goes down, Hawkinson will likely get the call as the top fill-in.

3. Tyler Eifert-Eifert was the Bengals' top selection at pick number twenty-one, and there are big plans for the tight end out of Notre Dame starting this season. The Bengals already have an established Pro Bowl tight end in Jermaine Gresham, so there is no need to rush the progression of Eifert. However, the possibility of double tight end sets with two deadly pass catchers is very appealing to play caller Jay Gruden. Eifert will struggle in his first year with blocking defensive ends at the professional level, but his playmaking ability is currently better than any player on the roster besides AJ Green. The 6'6 Eifert won the Mackey Award for the top tight end in the country last season with Notre Dame where he caught fifty passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns. Eifert will be expected to play right away based on his status in the draft and ability to create mismatches on the field. The Bengals are certainly hoping he can do more than just be a pass catcher like Chase Coffman coming out of Missouri in 2009.

2. Shawn Williams-Williams will be pressed to play right away as a part of the top ten defense that remains largely in tact this season for the Bengals. Williams is expected to take over for Chris Crocker after he commanded the huddle for SEC runner-up Georgia. Williams is a hard hitter who is not afraid of being a vocal leader, which is just what the Bengals need to replace Crocker. It won't be an easy battle to earn the starting strong safety spot for Williams. He will have to beat out George Iloka for a spot on the elite eleven in the lineup. Williams is rock solid in the run defense category and wrapping up ball carriers as he was second on the team in tackles at Georgia with 98. The only question about his play is his pass coverage, which Williams will look to improve on in training camp with tutoring from secondary coach Mark Carrier. At the very least, Williams will be a key contributor on special teams in 2013.

1. Giovani Bernard-Based on reports from the Bengals coaches, including Bernard's position coach Hue Jackson, the rookie running back is a polished player ready for the challenges of the NFL. Bernard could easily be the NFL's next breakout running back after Alfred Morris and Doug Martin filled that role last year. Bernard will line up at receiver and in the backfield catching passes and running the ball through the tackles. His resume is top notch from his time at North Carolina where he became one of the most explosive backs in the country. Bernard is earning comparisons to Ray Rice because of his all around game and 5'9, 210 pound body. I could see Bernard taking Benjarvus Green-Ellis' starting position by the time the season starts because of the impression he has left on the coaches. If Bernard can come anywhere close to his production at UNC last season of over 1,700 total yards and seventeen touchdowns, he will immediately become a factor in the MVP race.

Dalton's passing weapons

The Bengals enter this season with something to prove offensively. The team ranked 17th last year in passing offense, which fits the bill of a pretty average passing team with not many weapons besides AJ Green. The Bengals were in a rhythm early in the season with Andrew Hawkins, AJ Green, and Mohamed Sanu playing well on the outside and in the slot. However, when Sanu got hurt in the ladder part of the season, the team spiraled offensively, culminating in a quarterback rating in the postseason of 44.7 for Andy Dalton. 

The Bengals made sure the receiving threats would be improved this year for Dalton in his 3rd NFL season. Green is back and could have a historic year for the Bengals. Green caught 97 balls for 1350 yards and 11 td's for the Bengals last season, but had some drops and was double covered a great deal. Green should improve even more this season and will catch at least 100 passes. Jermaine Gresham will look for a big pay day after this season and will try to improve on a Pro Bowl season where he didn't look like a Pro Bowler towards the end of the year. Gresham is a bruiser who is athletic enough to separate from linebackers and big enough to outmaneuver defensive backs. He will team up with Tyler Eifert to form a deadly duo. Look for the Bengals to run a lot of offensive sets with Green, Sanu, Gresham, and Eifert on the field. 

Sanu, Andrew Hawkins, and Marvin Jones will expand upon what they did last season. Sanu and Jones were rookies last year, and Hawkins was basically the same thing after not being much of a receiving threat his rookie year. Hawkins and Sanu can each be very tough to cover in the slot, and Jones has the athleticism to break away on deep passes. Rookies Cobi Hamilton and Gio Bernard will assist Dalton in catching passes as well. Hamilton is a physical receiver who isn't afraid to go over the middle, and Bernard has explosiveness. Alex Smith and Orson Charles could each see some time in the West Coast Offense as well. 

Overall, the Bengals are pretty set with weapons in the receiving game for training camp. There should be some great battles at wide receiver and tight end, and a couple of decent players will get cut from the team. If the Bengals can sustain passing success over the course of the season, the sky is the limit.

Eifert's impact year 1 and status of Bengals' tight end position

I have watched Tyler Eifert in-person extensively, including in every Notre Dame home game last season. When you least expect it, Eifert will strike on a fade towards the sidelines or an intermediate route over the middle. Eifert, the 22 year old from Fort Wayne, Indiana, isn't a flashy receiver; you won't see him celebrate after scoring touchdowns or demand media attention. Maybe that's why he fell a little bit lower than he should have when he was drafted 21st in this past April's NFL Draft. However, Eifert was by far the most consistent and unquestionably the best receiver in Brian Kelly's spread offense last season. When Notre Dame needed a big play, the team would dial up Eifert's number, as shown by his 113 receptions and 1,488 yards over the last two seasons and a yards per catch average of 13.7 last year. Now, instead of being one of the leaders on an elite college team, Eifert joins a group of experienced NFL players with the Bengals. 

The tight end group is crowded and talented, starting with the two-time Pro Bowler, Jermaine Gresham. Gresham was much like Eifert when he was drafted in 2010. He was the best tight end in the nation coming out of Oklahoma and had the resume to back it up. He has been criticized and heavily scrutinized for his minor but apparent problem of dropped passes. Gresham doesn't drop many, but when he does drop a pass, it seems to come in the big moments. He had multiple dropped passes in the Bengals playoff loss at Houston in January. Gresham caught two balls in that game for 7 yards after being targeted 7 times. Eifert's presence should step up Gresham's level of play. Third-year Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden will have toys to play with on the exterior of the line. Double tight end sets will be much more evident on this team next season. The 49ers (Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker) and Patriots (Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez) have done this in the past with a great deal of success. Notice these teams win multiple playoff games and usually end up in the AFC and NFC Championships. Gresham and Eifert will line up on the line with their hands in the ground a lot and help with the blocking schemes if necessary, but both, especially Eifert, can run routes from the slot or across from AJ Green on the outside near the red zone. Expect the Bengals to utilize these two tight end sets at least 50% of the time because if you spend two first round picks on receiver-oriented tight ends in the past 4 years, you have to use them. 

The Bengals also have 2011 4th rounder Orson Charles and 9 year veteran Alex Smith. Smith was primarily a blocker in Cleveland the last three seasons, and if he makes the team, he should fill a similar role in Cincinnati. Charles is as talented and physically strong as anyone. He is 6'3, 250 pounds, and caught 8 passes for 101 yards from Andy Dalton last season. The West Coast Offense fits Charles' skill set well. If he can adapt to an NFL style of play, Charles could have a very high upside as a 3rd tight end in the system. The tight end position will be one of the deepest and most competitive positions for the Bengals in 2013-14. It will also be arguably the team's most important position. If Gresham and Eifert play well, the offense as a whole will improve from 22nd to a spot in the top 10.