Day 7 Training Camp Tracker (Aug. 5)

OFFENSE:
Quarterback: (usually retain 3)
Andy Dalton: 7/30: The most highly-scrutinized guy in camp. Has taken 60-70% snaps, with J. Palmer and Bruce sitting out. Was impressive with his confidence and demeanor. 7/31: A bit more inconsistent. Had trouble developing rhythm with Jerome Simpson. Thornton: Accuracy was fine, Dalton lost a bit of his zip and underthrew receivers when he had to make a split-second decision. 8/1: Some nice deep balls to AJ Green and connected better with Simpson. Marvin: Overall needs to work on technique; knows playbook very well, already correcting players when they line up. 8/2: visit: Zimmer threw blitzes at Dalton for the first time and he struggled; simply holding on to the ball too long; quite a few interceptions dropped by the defense. 8/4: Reedy: “Bounced back from a bad night on Tuesday and was solid and consistent on Thursday”. Videos: still struggles a bit past 25-30 yard throws, but his intermediate and short throws are great; ran a touchdown in during goal-line drills. 8/5: Reedy: Another good night for Dalton. Connected to Green and Simpson on several nice passes. Hobson: much better against the blitz than he was on Tuesday. 8/6: Did some no huddle plays in the “mock game” on Saturday, handled the new pace well. 8/6: Reedy: “Started off by missing his first two passes in the two-minute drill but bounced back and was solid the rest of practice.”
Bruce Gradkowski: 8/4: Videos: Was very rusty for his first practice. Reedy: “Had a long ball to Simpson that looked like a wounded duck and was intercepted by Reggie Nelson.”8/5: Reedy: Bounced back from his rusty first practice, nice 40 yard TD to Green. Hobson: greatly improved from Thursday. 8/6: Hobson: Gradkowski moved the ball better than Dalton did in the 2-minute drill.
Jordan Palmer: 8/4 Reedy: limited participation in his first practice, but wasn’t bad. Videos: Vision and decision making need to improve, but great arm strength. 8/5: Reedy: limited attempts again, but wasn’t bad. Looks like he’s is pulling ahead of Lefevour for the QB3 slot. 8/6: Reedy: finally got a bit more playing time, and was solid.
Dan Lefevour: 7/30: Was inconsistent; struggled to get in a rhythm. 7/31: Settled down and seemed much more calm. 8/2 visit: doesn’t seem very mobile- which is surprising, given his rushing records in college. 8/4: Videos: Continues to be outshone by the other QBs. Reedy: really struggled in goal line drills. 8/5: Reedy: “Struggled, including an interception by Tom Nelson”. 8/6: Reedy: Had one of his better practices today; accuracy and decision-making improved.

Runningback: (3-4)
Cedric Benson: 8/4: First practice. Marvin: “What Ced needs to do is become a better receiver with the football”. Hobson: only took one snap, a screen on the first play of the night; did individual training for the rest of the night because the coaches want to “ease him in”. 8/5: Hobson: didn’t play much again, coaches know what they have in Benson and are trying to ease him in; coaches want to see the young backs at it.
Bernard Scott: 7/31: Sitting out due to tightness/soreness in hamstrings, will miss several days. Marvin: decision to sit him is a precautionary move due to the shortened offseason. 8/6: still sitting out.
Brian Leonard: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice.
Cedric Peerman: 8/4: Videos: Great first practice. Has good breakaway speed and makes people miss.
Jay Finley: 8/2: visit: Seeing a lot of playing time because the 4 non-rookie RBs aren’t practicing. Was running a lot sweeps. Running well to the outside. Marvin: looked good and was making the right reads; had a lot of quickness and was making people miss. 8/5: Reedy: “Nice quickness to the outside but also isn’t afraid to lower his shoulders and get physical. Good start so far.”
John Griffin: 8/1: Marvin: Finley, Griffin and Williams are all impressing me. 8/2: Hobson: several nice runs with a little shake-n-bake; not afraid of contact when he carries the ball. 8/4: Videos: Catches the ball well out of the backfield. Continues to break a lot of tackles too. [Something to note about these two remaining CFA rookies RBs, according to Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson, apparently the Bengals organization really perked their ears up when RB Arian Foster (UDFA in 2009) became the NFL’s leading rusher last year…]
Jonathan Williams: 8/1: Had some fumbling issues. But Williams not alone, all the young backs had fumbling issues on Monday. Marvin: Williams and Griffin really standing out. 8/2: Was also running a lot of sweeps. Reedy: One of the top five players in camp so far. 8/3: Reedy: “Offensive College Free Agent to Watch”, “nice burst to the outside and also has versatility as a returner”.
Stephen Robinson: 8/4 cut.

Fullback: (0-1)
Chris Pressley: 8/4: Videos: Taking almost all the FB snaps with Vakapuna still on the sideline; Develin taking the remaining snaps.
Fui Vakapuna: 7/31: sat out with hamstring issues. 8/6: still sitting out.
James Develin: 8/2: visit: the tallest ball-carrier out there at 6’3″, he stands out in appearances, but didn’t look too impressive.

Wide Receiver: (6)
AJ Green: 8/1: visit: Lined up with the first team opposite Simpson, but generally lining up everywhere, including slot; incredible to watch in person. Marvin: very impressed with “physical prowess”. Reedy: Repeatedly jumping over DBs and burning them on routes; developed a nice chemistry with Dalton. 8/2: Videos: Has made some very nice moves to get by DBs, especially Leon Hall; a clear ability to snag the jump ball out of the air. 8/3: Reedy: “First Five Days Offensive MVP”, “continues to make one or two highlight plays per practice.” 8/5: continues to impress all the media and fans. Clearly the star of this year’s training camp thus far. Reedy: dominated DBs in blocking drills as well. Hobson: “Another practice, another highlight film”. 8/6: Marvin: “He can make the Quarterback look good on every play”.
Jerome Simpson: 7/30: claimed that Jay Gruden’s new playbook fit his style much more than the Bratkowski’s did. 7/31: Reedy: He is lining up with the first team opposite AJ Green, but didn’t have great timing chemistry with Dalton. 8/1: Showed up slightly late for practice and Marvin ripped on him. 8/2: Videos: was much more impressive, showed chemistry with Dalton. Matching the highlights of Green; athleticism really shows. 8/5: LT Andrew Whitworth: “I could take a chair out to seven-on-seven and just watch 18 (Green) and 89 (Jerome Simpson).” 8/6: Reedy: Highlight of the day was “a nice reception by Jerome Simpson during a two-minute drill session as he was able to beat Leon Hall in coverage”.
Jordan Shipley: 8/1: Video: Shipley has made a few crowd-pleasing catches, and done very well overall but not perfect; taking reps at punt returner, catching two footballs at once in a drill.
Andre Caldwell: 8/1: Showed up with bright orange shorts (Ocho often wore orange pants & gold shoes in training camp last year). Marvin ripped on him, apparently there’s a new team rule that doesn’t allow exceptions to the training camp outfits. 8/2: Reedy: Similar to Simpson, playing much better today; used his speed to make some great catches; isn’t lining up first team.
Quan Cosby: no news.
Ryan Whalen: 7/31: Videos: Looks exactly like Shipley out there, except a smidge taller. Catching everything thrown his way too. 8/2: visit: Nice diving TD in the back of the endzone against Leon Hall. Has been very impressive thus far.
Bart Johnson: 8/2: visit: looks pretty solid, but not outshining Ryan Whalen. Generally, all the CFA WRs are struggling.
Landon Cox: 8/6: only bit of news for Cox so far is that he is sitting out today with an unknown injury.
Jamere Holland: 8/1: visit: has dropped quite a few balls, seems very nervous; but took reps at punt returner and seemed much more comfortable; didn’t drop many; catching 2 footballs at once.
Andrew Hawkins: 8/2: Hobson: the shortest guy in camp at 5’7″, but isn’t a bad blocker by any means. 8/5: Videos: He’s very quick; it’s possible, but fairly unlikely, that he could replace Quan Cosby as the 6th WR and return-man.

Tight End: (3)
Jermaine Gresham: 8/1: Videos: One of the biggest standouts thus far; looks impressive- big, athletic, quick, and powerful. Marvin: pleased with his growth. 8/2 visit: continues to run strong. Breaks arm tackle after arm tackle.
Bo Scaife: 8/6: arrives at practice:
Chase Coffman: 7/31: Videos:  looks much better since we drafted him in 2009. But, still has slow-ish feet. 8/2 visit: Looks stronger and more confident than in past training camps. Isn’t the wide-eyed rookie he once was. Hasn’t dropped many balls either.
Colin Cochart: 8/2: visit: Safety Reggie Nelson laid a big hit on him after a sideline catch, but Cochart later returned the favor on the defense when he trucked Chris Crocker over for a touchdown. 8/4: Marvin: Cochart has been one of the CFAs that has really impressed me so far. Videos: Cochart has the physical tools, but seemed to struggle with the playbook during drills. 8/5: Hobson: The signing of Bo Scaife means that “Cochart, who has been impressive in the first week, is going to get a long look as a potential fourth tight end or practice squad candidate”; “Cochart has caught everyone’s eye”.
Garrett Mills: 8/1: had a walking boot on his foot for an undisclosed reason. 8/6: still sitting out.
John Nalbone: 8/6: arrives at practice

Offensive Line: (9-10)
Left Tackle:
Andrew Whitworth: 8/2: mentoring guys on the sidelines, especially Andre Smith and Matt O’Donnell.
Andrew Gardner: no news.
Matt O’Donnell: 8/4 Videos: In goal-line drills, played on the first team line.
Left Guard:
Nate Livings: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice.
Max Jean-Gilles: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice.
Clint Boling: 8/1: Reedy: Playing well already, getting starts at LG with Livings and Jean-Gilles waiting to play; has really impressed OL coach Paul Alexander.
Chris Riley: no news.
Center:
Kyle Cook: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice.
Reggie Stephens: 8/1: Starting at Center while Cook is unable to play. Shows some potential.
Ryan McKnight: 8/5: cut.
Right Guard:
Bobbie Williams: 8/1: Hobson: Wiliams remarked how different this season’s training camp is, and that the new offense is “a breath of fresh air”.
Otis Hudson: 8/2: OL Coach Paul Alexander: Hudson has been the most improved lineman (other than Andre Smith) thus far.
Mark Wetterer: no news.
Right Tackle:
Anthony Collins: 8/2: taking snaps at the starter with Roland (free agent rules) and Smith (foot recovering from surgery) on the sideline. Hobson: he really wants to start, and is proud that he started the last three games in 2010.
Andre Smith: 7/31: still sitting out in practice with a boot on his foot. Should be ready to play soon. 8/1: Has his weight way down to 333 (he was reportedly 370-380 the last two years). 8/2: finally practiced for the first time ever at Georgetown College. Looked “lightning fast” (from OL coach Alexander) in drills, though has a lot of work to do. Whitworth mentored him a bit on the sideline. 8/5: Hobson: Continues to improve, Alexander really pleased with what he sees, but isn’t pressuring too much work on Smith due to his past foot issues. Reedy: Lining up with the second team, but did well overall, especially at run-blocking.
Dennis Roland:8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice. 8/5 Hobson: Started at RT on Friday; OL Coach Alexander wants to rotate these three tackles in there.

DEFENSE
Defensive Line: (8)
Defensive End:
Michael Johnson: no news.
Robert Geathers: 8/2: emerging as a veteran leader on defense. Same with Peko, Hall, Crocker. 8/5: Hobson: Was very active in Friday night’s scrimmage, around the ball often.
Carlos Dunlap: 8/1: Marvin: pleased with his growth thus far, recalled that he didn’t practice well last year; he has greatly matured in practice. 8/4: hurt his foot and had to leave practice. But returned shortly and had a tackle in his first play. 8/5 Hobson: Several stops against the run; even ended up covering TE Chase Coffman 25 yards down the field on one play. 8/6: sitting out for practice; hopefully this is just a precautionary measure to keep his foot from too much activity.
Frostee Rucker: no news.
Victor Adeyanju: no news.
James Ruffin: no news.
Defensive Tackle:
Domata Peko: 8/5: Hobson: Was very active in Friday night’s scrimmage, around the ball often.
Tank Johnson: 7/31: had to take a “veteran’s rest”. Might have put on a little weight. 8/5: Another veterans’s rest. Perhaps some knee issues. 8/6: back in practice.
Geno Atkins: 8/1: visit: looks like he’s put on a little weight, a bit slow in drills.
Pat Sims: injured, out for unknown time. 7/30: Knee is not ready to go. On the Active PUP list. Sims says he “won’t be out long”. 8/2: visit: Doing upper body workouts on the sideline
Clinton McDonald: no news.
Jason Shirley: no news.
Lolomana Mikaele: 8/6: Videos: Hasn’t looked great in the few snaps I’ve seen. And, the Bengals already have a lot of depth at DT.

Linebacker: (6)
Strongside:
Manny Lawson: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice. 8/5: Hobson: Lawson has already stepped in and made some highlight plays. Disruptive in both the run and pass game.
Dontay Moch: 8/1: Hobson: Very active, plays very fast, looks good; the rookie RBs had a very hard time blocking him in pass rush; “Long way to go with switch to LB, but drips with the traits”. 8/2: visit: Was carted off with cramps, nothing serious. 8/4 returned to practice; Reedy: Moch was very active, several tackles for loss. 8/5: Hobson: Continues to find the ballcarrier often; was very active in Friday night’s scrimmage.
Dan Skuta: 8/1: Reedy: Had a shot at starting at Strongside until Lawson came in; is more starter-ready than Moch.
Middle:
Rey Maualuga: 8/2: Marvin:  he’s taking over his new role in the middle well. Visit: Still has some coverage issues; has been stopping the run well; overall impressive. 8/3: Reedy: “First 5 Days Defensive MVP”, “transitioned well to his natural position in the middle, disrupting the run game.”
Vincent Rey: no news.
DeQuin Evans: 8/1: Reedy: One of the best UDFA’s in camp; has been very solid in his switch from DE to the MLB position; but he’s still a long-shot to make the team. 8/2: visit: emerging as a crowd-favorite because of his big hits (also, he graduated from UK); also did great in goal line situations, had stops on Jermaine Gresham and Brian Leonard. 8/3: Reedy: “Defensive College Free Agent to Watch”. 8/5: Hobson: He’s studying hard; “Morning, noon and night he’s in linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald’s room, whether anybody else is in there or not.”
Roddrick Muckelroy: injured, out for year. 7/30: Tore his Achilles tendon on the first day of practice. What a shame, he was an emerging second-year sure to see some playing time.
Weakside:
Brandon Johnson: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice.
Thomas Howard: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice.
Stephen Franklin: no news.
Keith Rivers: injured, out for several games. 7/30: on the Non-football Injury List. Had surgery on wrist during the offseason. It’s rumored he may not be ready to play until October.
Keith Darbut: cut on 8/2

Defensive Backs: (10)
Cornerbacks:
Leon Hall: 8/1: Video: has been beaten several times by AJ Green, badly. Reedy: Hall traditionally starts training camps slowly.
Nate Clements: after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice.
Adam Jones: injured, out for most of training camp. 7/30: Still recovering from neck surgery in the offseason. On the active PUP list. Claimed he will be ready for the season opener Sep. 11.
Morgan Trent: 7/31: sitting out with a sore knee.  8/4 back in practice, his knee looked fine in drills. 8/5 Hobson: Delivered the “hit of the night” in Friday night’s scrimmage on rookie RB Jay Finley.
Brandon Ghee: 8/5: sitting out with an “undisclosed” injury. 8/6: still sitting out
Jonathan Wade: 7/31: sitting out with a sore shoulder. Had been taking first team snaps opposite Leon Hall previously. 8/6: still sitting out.
Corey Lindsey: no news.
Fred Bennett: 8/1: Videos: Dropped an easy interception at one point. Coaches weren’t pleased. Coverage seems decent though.
David Pender: 8/1: Hobson: had a pick six on Lefevour in 11 on 11 drills. Marvin: Pender is one of the youngsters who have impressed. 8/5: sitting out with an “undisclosed injury. 8/6: still sitting out.
Rico Murray: 7/30: Videos: Had a nice strip and fumble recovery of rookie RB Jonathan Williams. 8/5: videos: Doing drills with the safeties; this Moeller HS graduate may not make the team, but if he does, it could be at either defensive back position.
Safeties:
Reggie Nelson: 8/1 Videos: Made a nice diving interception when rookie WR Bart Johnson slipped on the turf 8/2: Visit: sent rookie TE Colin Cochart sprawling with a big hit on the sideline and Marvin wasn’t happy with Nelson for the excessive hit.
Chris Crocker: 8/2: Visit: hasn’t done much to impress. Repeatedly burned by AJ Green [but then again, everyone is getting burned by AJ Green]
Robert Sands: 8/1: Coaches like him, taking a lot of snaps. If they don’t sign a FA safety, Sands looks to see a decent amount of playing time this year.
Gibril Wilson: 8/4: injured, will be back next week. On the active PUP with a knee issue. 8/6: Hobson: “Coyle was pleased  to report that safety Gibril Wilson is back to practice next week, 50 weeks after he suffered an ACL injury in a preseason game”.
Tom Nelson: 8/4 after sitting out due to free agent status, returns to practice. 8/5: had a nice interception of QB Dan Lefevour during a scrimmage.
Jeromy Miles: 8/1: Marvin: wants to see Sands and Miles play. Hobson: made a nice INT when Finley bobbled a pass.
Brian Lainhart: 7/31: Hobson: blocked a punt on special teams; he’s an athlete.

SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kicker: (1)
Mike Nugent: 7/31: Hobson: Healthy and taking kicks. Hit all field goals from multiple distances- 36, 39, 44. 8/1: Marvin: Has been pleased with Nugent thus far, says he’s near 100 percent healthy. 8/6: Reedy: Hasn’t missed a FG in camp yet; made a 54-yarder today at the end of practice. Hobson: “Mike Nugent is the ‘Comeback Player of Training Camp'”.
Thomas Weber: 7/31: hit all kicks from shorter distances than Nugent- 26, 30, 32. 8/2: Hobson: Nugent and Weber traded 49 yarders, with Weber’s actually having more power to it. 8/6: Hobson: actually matched Nugent’s 54-yarder, but all-in-all not as accurate as Nugent.
Punter: (1)
Kevin Huber: no news.
Long Snapper: (1)
Clark Harris: 7/31: expected to retain the position. Nice relationship with Kevin Huber and Nugent.
Neil Dahlman: 8/2: cut