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Here we are.
Tuesday marks the final week of the team's offseason training program when the Bengals kickoff a three-day mandatory minicamp. Physicals were conducted on Monday, allowing the team to work out on Tuesday through Thursday. Per Article 22, Section Two of the collective bargaining agreement, two of the three days allows for two-a-day practices, provided players are not on the field for more than 3.5 hours per day and that the second practice is limited to walk-throughs with a one-hour break in between.
Media availability. Three practices will be open to the media with video cameras limited to the first 30 minutes.
Schedule. Andy Dalton will have a news conference at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by Marvin Lewis at 12:35 p.m. The team will practice 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday with the final practice on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.
There are some storylines to monitor.
Andre Smith's return. Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith applied the definition of voluntary to each of the team's OTA practices through the first three weeks. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis expects Smith to attend this week.
Adam Jones' status. Will Adam Jones, who is now facing another legal off-the-field issue, attend on Tuesday? Though a calf injury suffered a couple of weeks ago likely keeps him off the field during practice.
Backup quarterback. Between Josh Johnson, John Skelton and Zac Robinson, Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden noted during the first three weeks of OTA sessions that no one has taken the bull by the horns for the vacancy.
Final running back spot. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard are locks. Cedric Peerman is as close to one as any, leaving one spot (presuming that the team takes four running backs) for Daniel Herron, Bernard Scott and Rex Burkhead. This observation will be better suited for special teams impressions.
Cornerback roster. With Leon Hall and Terence Newman healthy and Adam Jones expected to attend, where does that leave Brandon Ghee? With Jones on the shelf with a calf, Ghee will have his opportunities to impress.
Safety battle continues. Part IV of the Taylor Mays vs. Shawn Williams position battle, which will presumably go through the preseason.
Offensive line make-up. Clint Boling, Trevor Robinson and Andrew Whitworth are not expected to practice and we're not sure about Travelle Wharton. That allows Tanner Hawkinson to continue participating, but with the probable return of Smith, we're expecting Anthony Collins to slide to left tackle.
Here's that section of the CBA:
Section 2. Mandatory Veteran Minicamp: No mandatory veteran minicamp may exceed three days in length, plus one day for physical examinations. The minicamp must be conducted during the week (Monday through Friday), with physicals taking place on Monday but no practice or workouts on that day, practices on Tuesday through Thursday and a day off on Friday. The minicamp must be conducted during week three or week four of Phase Three of the Club's offseason workout program. The Phase Three rules set forth in Article 21, Section 2(b)(iii) of this Agreement shall apply to all minicamp activities. Two-a-day practices shall be permitted at two of the three practice days of the Club's one mandatory minicamp, subject to the following rules: (i) players may be on the field for a total of no more than three and one-half hours per day; (ii) players may participate in one practice for no more than two and one-half hours of on-field activities under Phase Three rules; (iii) the second practice may only be for the remaining portion of the players' daily three and one-half hour on-field activities and shall be limited to walk-through instruction only; (iv) no organized team activities (including treatment and taping) may begin prior to 7:00am local time or end after 8:30pm local time, and players shall be given at least one hour for lunch and dinner each; (v) players may only be asked to participate in Club activities for a maximum of ten hours per day including taping and treatment but excluding meal time. The on-field time limits described above shall begin as soon as position coaches begin to coach players on the field.