Training camp is here for the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals.
Over the next month, fans can head over to Paul Brown Stadium and watch the Bengals as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season, which hopes to be another special one. After making the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, Cincinnati returns much of the core of those teams along with some new additions that may help push this team over the playoff hump.
Here's a look at everything you need to know for Bengals training camp 2015:
New Faces
The first new addition the Bengals made this offseason was signing LB A.J. Hawk. The former Packers starter and all-time tackle leader inked a two-year deal to bolster Cincinnati's thin LB depth. He'll wear the No. 51 this season.
The biggest free-agent signing came in the form of DE Michael Johnson. He signed a four-year deal with the Bengals after spending just one year in Tampa Bay before they cut him. He'll wear the No. 90 this year after previously wearing the No. 93 with the Bengals, so don't be surprised to see a few Michael Johnson 93 jerseys around PBS.
DT Pat Sims was also brought back to Cincinnati on a one-year deal after a two-year hiatus in Oakland. The big man will wear the No. 92 this season.
Another former Raiders player signed by the Bengals this offseason was WR Denarius Moore, who also got a one-year deal in hopes of giving the offense another playmaker. Moore will wear the No. 17.
The Bengals also added two QBs this offseason in Keith Wenning and Josh Johnson. Wenning is a project who spent last year on the Ravens' practice squad who will wear the No. 3. Johnson is a veteran of seven seasons, one of which came as the Bengals' backup in 2013. He'll wear No. 8 this year, the same he wore in '13.
As for the 2015 NFL draft, here's a chart of the Bengals' 2015 draft picks, along with their contract breakdowns and roster numbers:
ROUND |
OVERALL |
PLAYER |
POS |
SIGNED |
TOTAL DOLLAR |
Jersey No. |
1 |
21 |
Cedric Ogbuehi |
OT |
70 |
||
2 |
53 |
Jake Fisher |
OT |
74 |
||
3 |
85 |
Tyler Kroft |
TE |
81 |
||
3 |
99* |
Paul Dawson |
LB |
47 |
||
4 |
120 |
Josh Shaw |
DB |
26 |
||
4 |
135* |
Marcus Hardison |
DL |
91 |
||
5 |
157 |
C.J. Uzomah |
TE |
87 |
||
6 |
197 |
Derron Smith |
S |
40 |
||
7 |
238 |
Mario Alford |
WR |
15 |
Departures
- Cincinnati's biggest loss this offseason was starting CB Terence Newman, who left to sign with Minnesota on a one-year deal to reunite with his old DC, Mike Zimmer.
- Backup S Taylor Mays also left to sign with the Vikings, but wound up being cut and later signing with Detroit.
- OG Mike Pollak was cut this offseason. Backup OT Marshall Newhouse left to sign with the Giants.
Other than that, most of the same faces you saw at camp last year will be here once again this time around.
Injury Roundup
Several Bengals will open camp with injuries of varying degrees that will affect their availability. The team announced defensive end Margus Hunt and linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Sean Porter will open training camp on the team's Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Hunt and Porter are expected to return soon, but Burfict may not return until later in camp, or may just open the year on PUP and miss the first six games.
Also, rookie offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list (Active/NFI). He's not expected to practice in training camp.
Second-year wide receiver James Wright was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list due to a knee injury that may require surgery.
2015 Previews
Bengals Rookie Preview: Josh Shaw and Derron Smith
Bengals 2015 Rookie Preview: Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher
2015 Bengals Position Preview: Linebackers
2015 Bengals position Preview: Wide Receivers
2015 Bengals Position Preview: Defensive End
2015 Bengals Position Preview: Running Backs
2015 Bengals Position Preview: Tight End
2015 Bengals Position Previews: Cornerback
2015 Bengals Position Preview: Safety
AFC North: Full 2015 Preview and Predictions
Bengals' 2015 Schedule Review, Preview and Analysis
Fantasy Football Cincinnati Bengals Preview 2015
Bengals Beat Writers to Follow
Here's a list of people you should be following for the latest Bengals coverage (OTHER than Cincy Jungle of course):
Richard Skinner @Local12Skinny
Lance McAlister @LanceMcAlister
Attending Camp
For the fourth consecutive year, the Bengals will hold their training camp at Paul Brown Stadium, and many of their practices will be open to the public. The first day of camp is July 31 and the final day is Aug. 20. Most practices will be held on the practice fields just west of PBS.
The exception will be "Family Day" practice events inside PBS, on Saturday Aug. 8. This practice day will feature attractions and activities for children and many national media members will be in attendance including the NFL Network and maybe MMQB. At the conclusion of every practice on the practice fields, groups of players will be available for autographs for 15 minutes after practice ends.
For the safety of pedestrians, no autographs will be permitted as players enter or leave the practice fields.
Here is the complete training camp schedule:
BENGALS 2015 TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE | |||
DATE | PRACTICE TIME | PRACTICE LOCATION | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|
Fri., Jul. 31 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Sat., Aug. 1 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Sun., Aug. 2 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Mon., Aug. 3 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Tue., Aug. 4 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Thu., Aug. 6 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Fri., Aug. 7 | 6:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 5:30 p.m. |
Sat., Aug. 8 | 1:30 p.m. | "FAMILY DAY" INSIDE PBS | Gates open at 12:30 p.m. |
Mon., Aug. 10 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Tue. Aug. 11 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD - (WITH NY GIANTS) | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Wed. Aug. 12 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD - (WITH NY GIANTS) | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Mon. Aug. 17 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD |
Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Wed. Aug. 19 | 3:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 2:30 p.m. |
Thu. Aug. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | PRACTICE FIELD | Gates open at 12:30 p.m. |
Admission to every practice is free and the duration of each session is estimated at 90 minutes, but subject to adjustments by the coaching staff. All practices will take place on the practice fields just west of Paul Brown Stadium unless otherwise noted.
Parking and Directions
Parking for all practices is available in the public lots downtown at established prices for those lots. Prices vary on days of Reds home games. Here are directions how to get to the parking lots from the interstate:
- From I-75 Southbound, use exits at Freeman Avenue and 2nd Street.
- From I-75 Northbound, use exits at 2nd Street and 5th Street in Ohio.
- From I-71 Southbound, use exits at 3rd Street or Gilbert Avenue.
- From I-471 Northbound, use exits at 3rd Street or 6th Street.