Bengals Camp Recap: Orson Charles Embracing the H-back. Oklahoma Recap
By Jason Marcum
Jul 26, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Orson Charles (80) runs in a play during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Orson Charles is looking to increase his odds of remaining on the team after being relegated to fourth-string TE after the Bengals signed veteran Alex Smith, who has looked impressive enough this offseason to leave Charles’ roster spot uncertain.
The former fourth-rounder out of Georgia showed promise last year, but with so many TEs on the roster, it’s unlikely they’ll all be on the roster when the Bengals open the season September 8th vs. the Chicago Bears.
Once the offseason began, Charles began embracing the potential role of becoming a fullback/H-back, a role he has looked good in thur far into camp:
After watching the Oklahoma Drill, this Orson Charles thing at fullback might actually work out
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) July 28, 2013
Charles was labeled as one of the most impressive performers in the Oklahoma Drill, and continues to play both his natural TE spot, as well as FB. That essentially makes him an h-back, which could be ultimately what keeps him on the roster.
Receiver Marvin Jones continued to look impressive in practice, highlighted by several deep-passes Andy Dalton connected to him with. Jones did leave the field towards the end of practice with a slight injury, and we’ll keep you posted on his status. For now, he’s been Dalton’s #1 target with A.J. Green being out.
Speaking of which, Green doesn’t know when he’ll be back, as the All-Pro receiver continues to miss practice due to swelling in his knee as the result of a bone bruise he suffered during the first camp session on Thursday. He doesn’t even know when he will test his knee to determine a return date:
"We don’t know yet. We’re not going to rush it. We have time, so we’re going to play it by ear. But it’s feeling much better now.I’m not going to test it out no time soon. We’re just going to wait it out. The swelling is down, so it’s all good."
Perhaps Green was held out today in anticipation of the physical practice that was about to ensue, highlighted by the Oklahoma Drill, which Jay Morrison of the Cincinnati Enquirer recapped very nicely:
"All told, the offense won 22 battles to the defense’s 13, and there were 11 draws.Here are the round-by-round results:Anthony Collins vs. Michael Johnson. Winner: CollinsKyle Cook vs. Domata Peko. Winner: DrawKevin Zeitler vs. Geno Atkins. Winner: AtkinsJermaine Gresham vs. James Harrison. Winner: GreshamOrson Charles vs. Rey Maualuga. Winner: CharlesMarvin Jones vs. Reggie Nelson. Winner: Nelson via split decisionMohamed Sanu vs. Leon Hall. Winner: SanuAndrew Hawkins vs. Terence Newman. Winner: HawkinsReid Fragel vs. Robert Geathers. Winner: FragelTanner Hawkinson vs. Carlos Dunlap: DunlapTrevor Robinson vs. Wallace Gilberry: RobinsonAaron Maybin vs. Tyler Eifert: MaybinJohn Conner vs. Vontaze Burfict: ConnerRoy Roundtree vs. Taylor Mays: MaysRyan Whalen vs. Adam Jones: WhalenCobi Hamilton vs. Brandon Ghee: HamiltonDennis Roland vs. Margus Hunt: HuntMike Pollak vs. Devon Still: StillTyler Eifert vs. Emmauel Lamur: DrawT.J. Johnson vs. Brandon Thompson: JohnsonOrson Charles vs. Vincent Rey: CharlesMarvin Jones vs. Jeromy Miles: DrawTyrone Goard vs. Dre Kirkpatrick: GoardDane Sanzenbacher vs. Chris Lewis-Harris: SanzenbacherTanner Hawkinson vs. DeQuin Evans: EvansDennis Roland vs. Dontay Moch: MochTrevor Robinson vs. Larry Black: DrawRichard Quinn vs. Jayson DiManche: QuinnJohn Conner vs. Sean Porter: PorterRoy Roundtree vs. Shawn Williams: Williams (convincingly)Ryan Whalen vs. Shaun Prater: DrawCobi Hamilton vs. Onterio McCalebb: DrawJohn Sullen vs. Terrence Stephens: SullenRichard Quinn vs. Brandon Joiner: DrawOrson Charles vs. J.K. Schaffer: CharlesTaveon Rogers vs. Tony Dye: RogersTyrone Goard vs. Terrence Brown: GoardDane Sanzenbacher vs. Troy Stoudemire: StoudemireRichard Quinn vs. Jordan Campbell: DrawJohn Conner vs. Bruce Taylor: TaylorRoy Roundtree vs. George Iloka: IlokaTanner Hawkinson vs. Brandon Thompson: HawkinsonReid Fragel vs. Devon Still: FragelKyle Cook vs. Rey Maualuga: DrawMarvin Jones vs. Shawn Williams: DrawJermaine Gresham vs. Geno Atkins: Gresham (with a possible false start)"
Bengals are one of the NFL's toughest teams up front, and I think a willingness to practice that way is a reason why. No substitute for it.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 28, 2013
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