Wide Receiver Armon Binns Seizes Opportunity, Impresses Coaches Again

As we've written about many times, the battle for the second starting wide receiver spot will probably be the most hotly contested position on the Bengals roster.

With no clear favorites, and two mid-round draft picks used on wide receivers, the spot is truly wide open. At this point, the favorites to win are this year's third rounder Mohamed Sanu, this year's fifth rounder Marvin Jones, second year University of Cincinnati standout Armon Binns, and receiver/return specialist Brandon Tate.

All but Tate are participating in this weekend's rookie minicamp. And while outside eyes probably expect Sanu or Jones to shine this week, it's Armon Binns who has won over the coaches again.

Binns is actually the only player who has been on the Bengals' 53 man roster before, but he's using this rookie minicamp to get some extra work in. In fact, it was Marvin Lewis' idea, reports CBSSports.com's Paul Dehner Jr.

Marvin Lewis thought it would benefit Binns to take part in rookie minicamp. "He's getting a chance to learn from the ground floor because he wasn't with us in training camp," Lewis said.

Binns is making the most of his time, too. Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden was glowing after seeing in Armon Binns this weekend:

"He's done nothing but impress me since he got here. Armon's a better player when there is a defense than he is just one-on-ones or routes versus air. In the team setting he runs all the routes the right way and makes good, strong catches."

The Bengals coaches had plenty of praise for Armon Binns as he made his way from the practice squad to the active roster last year. Sanu and Jones have just arrived here and though it's unclear who has the inside track at this point in time, Binns is definitely leaving his mark. The two rookies have looked well in practices so far, but Binns has been the subject of praise for quite a few months this offseason. Again, it's a competition that will likely carry on deep into Training Camp, so we'll see how it all plays out.