Bengals Banter: Leon Hall Continues Promoting His Return

+ Bengals cornerback Leon Hall continues emphasizing that he'll be ready for training camp. On Thursday he talked with Mo Egger on ESPN 1530 about his rehabilitation and expectations in the coming month.

"I feel pretty close. I don’t have a percentage for you but as far as the work that I’m doing and how well I’m doing it, I feel pretty close. Obviously it’s a little different from doing my drills on the side and being on the actual football field with 10 other players. I feel confident that I will be able to do it. I’m going to be smart about it but at the same time, training camp is my goal and I’m going to stick to it."

Hall also reflected on rookie Dre Kirkpatrick and the defense in general.

+ Much of the media that covers the NFL can argue that Kevin Zeitler, not David DeCastro, was the best offensive lineman in the 2012 NFL draft.

+ Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap hosted his inaugural Carlos Dunlap Football Camp with kids between 6-14 years of age. The turnout was both unexpected and very high.

"It was crazy. I was not expecting that many kids. But I was excited, glad that people supported me and trusted me with their kids. I plan on doing it every year."

"I wanted to give back to my community, help get the kids active, motivate them and enlighten them to the opportunities that are available to them," Dunlap said.

+ ESPN Analyst Ron Jaworski is ranking his top 32 quarterbacks in the NFL, naming former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer at No. 21.

+ In some non-Bengals news: the BCS Commissioners have approved a college football playoff format that will soon be presented to the Presidents for approval.

+ Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Brandon Tate:

He's been one of the best surprises of camp for me," said Gruden. "Last year he came in late (after being acquired on waivers from New England) and was mainly a return guy and our fifth receiver and never really got in the flow with the group at wide receiver. Now I think he's more confident, he sees that he belongs as an NFL wide receiver, and I think the confidence level that he has is showing. He's got all the ability. He runs all of the routes great, he's got great feel, and he's done an outstanding job."