Utecht Promised Big Receiving Role

In a hometown-boy-done-good piece, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune gives Bengals fans a look at how the team plans to use tight end Ben Utecht. Here’s Utecht on his experience at the recent OTA:

"“I had the chance to get in the offense for the first time, and it was great,” said Utecht, a Hastings native, who caught 68 passes over the past two seasons. “They had told me, ‘We know you can block. So that’s going to allow us to get into two-tight-end sets, spread the field and let you do what you do best.’“That was exciting for me to hear. Even playing with the Gophers … the last eight years I’ve been forced to be in a situation where I had to be the blocker. That’s OK because it made me better as a blocker. But this is the first time I’ve been on a team that says, ‘We know your strength is receiving and we’re going to use you that way.’ “"

Music to your ears, Ben? Same here. Other news of note…

Geoff Hobson takes a look at the competition at wide receiver. He floats the idea that seventh round pick Mario Urrutia could end up on the practice squad as a tight end.

Fullback Jeremi Johnson showed up out of shape. Again.