It's been a busy few days for the Bengals--both in good news and bad. Today was the team's first day in pads and according to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, there's a lot to keep Bengal fans updated on.
Thankfully, on the injury front, there's not too much to report other than a shoulder injury to Cornerback Jonathan Wade. With Johnathan Joseph's recent departure via free agency, Wade was penciled in as the other starting Cornerback, opposite Leon Hall. That's bound to change with Nate Clements arriving at camp today and set to start practicing with the team on August 4th. Along with Clements, the rest of the Bengals' free agents, Unrestricted and Restricted, will also be able to join the team this Thursday.
The Bengals also have had a tough go of it with the inexperienced stable of running back on the roster described with "plenty of fumbles by the running backs and "one botched snap by Andy Dalton."
Needless to say, the Bengals' coaching staff have to be relieved that they've re-signed Cedric Benson to a one-year deal with the Running Back. They'll also be excited when Brian Leonard returns to practice and joins the rotation.
The big focus, of course, is on the Bengals first two draft picks of 2011: A.J. Green and Andy Dalton. After Dalton struggled in practice Sunday, Reedy reports that he bounced back well on Monday and "had a better day throwing". He made some nice throws to Andre Caldwell and rookie Jerome Holland. The A.J. Green highlight show also continued Monday. Green, by all accounts, has had a fantastic start to camp and has been described as "attacking the ball" and "stealing balls" away from defensive backs. On Monday, Reedy also noted a specific play from Green:
HIGHLIGHTS
– A.J. Green made a double move on Leon Hall, where Hall slipped and Green was wide open for the reception.
The full-pad practice on Monday was a two-hour session and the next practice will be tomorrow and will begin at 7 PM EST.