The offensive line is the main story for training camp; the Cincinnati Bengals lottery instant game

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 22, 2009 10:02 AM EDT in Analysis

The biggest story during the Bengals training camp will be the offensive line. Who plays where? I doubt that the initial starting lineup, or leading candidates to start, will all start against the Denver Broncos. Can Kyle Cook keep the center spot? What about Nate Livings? Will Anthony Collins start over Andre Smith because of a prolonged holdout? If so, when does Smith start?

Sure, there's plenty of other stories to focus on during training camp. Carson Palmer's return. The Chris Henry maturation angle. Chad Johnson "returns". Linebackers battling for playing time. Antwan Odom rebuilding his body to become a more effective pass rusher. But none of this compares to the offensive line. If they fail, then then Bengals fail and we're watching J.T. O'Sullivan taking snaps by November.

On Wednesday, the Lottery Commission in Ohio approved a Cincinnati Bengals instant game, which should start selling later this month, writes Joe Reedy. "Tickets will cost $5 each with a top prize of $100,000. There would also be a second-chance drawing that would offer prizes like merchandise, autographed gear, season tickets and road trips."

The Enquirer's Chat with Marvin Lewis takes place today.

Carson Palmer chats with Ed Werder.

Reedy examines running backs in his countdown to training camp.

James Walker writes an AFC North training camp preview for all four AFCN teams.

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Comments

Camp is SOON

And that is AWESOME. I need football now that the Reds are in the gutter.

by jsl413 on Jul 22, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

So much for the Reds keeping our interest until football season. The annual choke job begins.

by smoormandiddy on Jul 22, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Not so much choke job.

More like no talent job. And injury job.

They had exceeded expectations. Now they’re playing more to their talent, and the management can finally realize that the veterans are just here at the wrong time.

But.. yay football!

by jsl413 on Jul 22, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Im just wondering

if Palmer goes down will O’sullivan be better than Fitzpatrick was last year?

"There's no substitute for guts."
-- Paul "Bear" Bryant

by cincyboy on Jul 22, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Short answer "NO"...Long answer "NO"

by smoormandiddy on Jul 22, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

JCT 2nds that motion

by JohnCockToastin on Jul 23, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Marvin Lewis Chat

the best question and comment so far..

[Comment From john ]
the cincinnati bengals has been perceived as one of the worst organizations in the nfl along with detroit ans oakland. what can you do to change the brand impression of nfl fans, other than win?

Marvin Lewis: There are a number of franchises in the NFL who have never participated in a Super Bowl. The Bengals have been there twice but over the last 15 or so years there’s no doubt the team has not returned to that form. In order to change perception you must win games on the field and produce in the playoffs.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jul 22, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

Winning Helps!

Winning will change everyone’s perceptions of this organization. The difference in the previous Super Bowl apperances and how this team is run now is the owner. Mike Brown and Paul Brown are as different as night and day it seems as far as running the team. Thats obvious though.

by Manpaw on Jul 23, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions