When the full pads finally came on Sunday, it was a joyous day for 11-year defensive end Robert Geathers. After missing the majority of last year with an elbow injury, Geathers is making some noise early in camp while he tries to hold off Dontay Moch and Christo Bilukidi for what likely comes down to the fifth and final DE spot.
Geoff Hobson offered this little nugget at the end of his Sunday camp report that bodes well for Geathers, but not so much for Moch:
Veteran end Robert Geathers' technique is as sound as music, and veteran ends Dontay Moch and Christo Bilukidi are going have an impact on preseason games even though there seems to be no place for them on the roster....
Assuming the Bengals have Carlos Dunlap, Margus Hunt, Wallace Gilberry and Will Clarke on the final 53-man roster, Geathers, Moch, Bilukidi and Sam Montgomery will be fighting for that fifth and final spot. Because Geathers can play both DE and DT (as he was used on Sunday), he's got an edge in versatility and experience.
And in case you haven't noticed, the Bengals tend to favor veterans over younger, less experienced options who may have more upside.