Bengals Banter: Leon Hall Ready For Training Camp And First Round Cornerback During NFL Draft?

Bengals cornerback Leon Hall is recovering from a torn Achilles that he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Though he's not expected to participate during any OTAs this summer, he's hoping to be ready by training camp.

That being said there's a very realistic chance that Hall may not be ready for the regular season, placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list through the first six weeks of the 2012 regular season (which allows the team a roster exemption). This could rather distressing considering that the team is already shorthanded with cornerbacks, compounded with a possibility that free agency may thin the ranks even more.

It's why we're led to believe that the team will offer one of their first round draft selections as the true Johnathan Joseph replacement while veterans continue keeping the spot warm. One of those players, writes Brennen Warner, could be Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.

+ One mock draft has Cincinnati using one of their first round selections and second round picks to move up in the draft to acquire running back Trent Richardson. Great talent, but no thanks. Those are premium selections used to acquire the best talent in the draft at positions that are harder to obtain. In other words are you more likely to find a running back that can help your offense later in the draft as oppose to a cornerback, safety or offensive linemen?

+ With the contracts of Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell expiring on March 13, the Bengals will likely be in the market for a veteran wide receiver opposite A.J. Green. Jack Cassidy wonders if that could be Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham.

+ Pro Football Focus writes that Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith was the most improved Bengals player on the team last year.

+ CBS Sports ranks the Bengals No. 10 in their final power rankings of the season. SB Nation drops the Bengals to No. 11.

+ Reflecting on a list of underrated defensive players in this year's class | ...and offensive players.

+ The complete list of invitees for this year's NFL Combine.

+ To say that the Cincinnati Bengals have a ton of cap room would be an understatement.

+ Jason Garrison wonders which free agents that the Cincinnati Bengals should retain.

+ Bengals linebacker Thomas Howard reflects on Cincinnati's defense and the 2011 season.

+ Joe Goodberry argues that Cincinnati's development could result in a team with a similar make-up as the New York Giants.

+ The Cincinnati Bengals have 40-1 odds of winning the Super Bowl in 2012, according to Bovada.

+ Super Bowl XVI between the Bengals and 49ers remains one of the top watched games of all-time.

+ Former Bengals linebacker Rashad Jeanty returned to the Canadian Football League.

+ Wondering if there's a log-jam at linebacker with Keith Rivers' return and what that means for Manny Lawson.

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