There has been talk since February about Bengals receiver Armon Binns being involved in the passing game this season. Binns spent last season on the practice squad. Marvin Lewis admitted to Bengals radio broadcaster Dan Hoard that coaches were asking to put get Binns playing time last season:

"Our offensive coaches at the end of the year wanted me to put him in the game. They wanted to not only dress him but, ‘Can we start him?’ There’s another player that we identified last year as a good prospect. We’re not afraid to play young players if the guy can do it."

Binns told Hoard that he appreciates the compliments from the coaching staff, and he understands that there is a starting spot available:

"It felt good to know that the coaches had confidence in me – especially the head coach – and that the work that I was putting in at practice was paying off," said Binns. "It makes me feel good to know that the coaches here believe in me and think that I can help this team win games. There’s an open spot out there and you just have to go out there and compete and go get a job. I’m very eager. I sat back for a year and got to learn and watch everybody. It was kind of like a redshirt year for me and I’m just ready to get back out there and play the game again."

The young receiver seems to know that there is a chance for him to impress this spring through training camp, potentially emerging as the number two wideout opposite A.J. Green. He would have to beat out rookies Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. Lewis also seems to think that Brandon Tate may be familiar enough with the offense to contribute this season.

Binns returned to the University of Cincinnati after the season to finish his degree and graduate. He majored in criminal justice with a minor in sociology. Binns will go through graduation ceremonies on June 8. Binns is understandably excited.

""I’ve been in Cincinnati for so long and to come away with a degree is going to mean the world to me and my mom. I was a student-athlete again so it’s all good."

Congratulations to Binns on finishing up his degree. Hopefully he can put the degree on hold for awhile and contribute to the Bengals for the foreseeable future.