Bengals Training Camp Day 9 Recap
By Jason Marcum
On the injury front, WR Ryan Whalen (hamstring), CB Jason Allen QB Tyler Hansen (unknown), CB Shaun Prater (knee), CB Brandon Ghee (wrist), RB Bernard Scott (hand), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (knee), and DT Pat Sims (ankle) missed today.
RB Dan Herron, and DT Vaughn Meatoga will returned to practice after minor injuries held them out the previous sessions. Those two are listed as probable for Friday’s game against the New York Jets.
WR Marvin Jones was the highlight of today’s practice. He continues to improve during every practice, and at this rate, he’ll likely be getting his share of snaps at the #2 WR spot soon enough. Some believe Jones has the talent to eventually become the #2 or #3 WR on this team, and his steady improvement from practice to practice may lead to that reality.
The lowlight today was the low fan attendance. Only 810 made it out today, though the 97 degree heat didn’t make things easy for fans who wanted to attend.
Nate Clements has begun taking snaps at safety in the event that Taylor Mays proves to be too much of a liability, especially in pass coverage, something a veteran like Clements is more suited for even though he’s never played safety in his NFL career. If anyone can get him to do it effectively, Mike Zimmer is the man to do so.
In preparation for Friday’s game vs. the Jets and Tim Tebow, the scout team offense featured Mohamed Sau lining up at QB.
I think Sanu just threw a better deep pass than Tebow #bengals
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) August 8, 2012
LB Vontaze Burfict continued his solid start to training camp, and showed his willingness to do whatever it takes to make the squad by lining up on all four coverage and return units on special teams. He may have All-American talent, but his greatest contributions this year will be on special teams if he’s able to make the final 53-man roster. LB coach Paul Guenther said this of Burfict:
"I think he understands the defense, he just has to get better with the details of his work. He’s making the calls good now and has a grasp of what we’re doing. He’s just trying to refine his game."
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