Scroll down to view the Bengals training camp slideshow
GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- The Cincinnati Bengals opened training camp Friday the same way they ended the 2008 season: confident.
Just ask seven-year veteran, quarterback Carson Palmer. "We feel that we have a good team. So we expect to come out and work everyday. If we work the right way practice well and stay healthy, get better each day, each week, each preseason game up to September."
Palmer at times did not look like a quarterback who sustained a potential career-ending injury during the 2008 campaign. Most of Palmer’s passes had zip and looked crisp as he threaded the needle several times to receivers across the middle of the field. He did have a few passes that weren't on target, but it was the first day of training camp.
"My timing was off on a number of things, but that's why you have training camp," Palmer said.
When Palmer was asked about the new "installs" in the offense, he said, "We still have a lot of offense to put in, but you kind of start slow the first couple of days."
"It wasn't a real heavy day but got a lot of good stuff, got a lot of work done," Palmer added.
Even with the cameras from HBO and NFL Films who are following the Bengals for this year's version of Hard Knocks, Palmer and the rest of the team understands the importance of coming together as a team.
The Bengals are coming off one of their most disappointing seasons in history. They finished 4-11-1 and at times, didn't play like a team that could even win four games.
Palmer suffered an elbow injury against the Giants and was never the same. The team started Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback for the final 11 games while Palmer continued to answer questions about the status of his elbow. He opted against surgery and began the long road back to becoming one of the elite quarterbacks in the National Football League. He is on a "pitch count" to make sure he doesn't aggravate his elbow.
After a 2005 season that saw the Bengals capture the AFC North crown, the team was heading in the wrong direction. Blame what you will and who you will but the bottom line was things needed to change. One of things that saw a drastic change this offseason was the offensive line. The team released left tackle Levi Jones and decided not to re-sign right tackle Stacy Andrews and center Eric Ghiaciuc.
Cincinnati used their first-round draft pick on Andre Smith, the 2008 Outland Trophy winner given to the nation's best offensive lineman.
The team also moved Andrew Whitworth to left tackle and inserted Kyle Cook.
Smith was not on the field Friday because he has yet to sign.
Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, playing his first season without T.J. Houshmandzadeh, continues to draw double teams from defenders. One play, Palmer and Ochocinco seemed to be on the same page, but the Bengals all-time receptions leader was once again trying to break free from a double team down the field.
Fellow wide receiver Chris Henry, who many say has worked harder this offseason than years past, made several impressive catches throughout the day. Antonio Chatman, who has battled injuries since his time in Bengals stripes, looked good and made a couple of nice catches while eluding defenders. Who will join Ochocinco, Henry, Laveranues Coles and Andrew Caldwell in the receiving corps will be an interesting competition this training camp. The team has a slew of young receivers trying to make the team.
For the Bengals passing game to be successful this season, the running game has to be productive. Running back Cedric Benson, the team’s feature back, found gaps and stretched plays as did veteran Kenny Watson on Friday.
After one play, Benson and second-year linebacker Keith Rivers got into a scuffle. It wasn't a big fight, but just enough to show how much these guys get into the game. Those emotions ran high for several more plays after that as some players had to be broken up.
Third-round draft pick, defensive end Michael Johnson, showed why many believe he has the potential to be a solid player in the National Football League. At times he showed explosiveness off the line of scrimmage as well as his ability to defend the pass. Johnson is one of many players vying for a starting spot on the defensive line: one of the fiercest position battles in camp.
Former University of Cincinnati Bearcat and Queen City native, punter Kevin Huber showed why he was voted the nation’s top punter last season. The fifth-round draft pick did an excellent job tactically placing the ball on the sideline. With how talented some defenses are in the AFC North, having a punter who can pin teams is a nice weapon to have.
Even though it was only the first day, there seemed to be a swagger about this team.
Some of the position battles fans should pay attention to are safety, defensive line, linebacker and running back.
For a schedule of training camp, click
here.
