Bengals Training Camp: Geno Atkins "best player on the field"

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins is drawing considerable praise early during training camp, almost to the point that his pass rush has turned into a complete annoyance for the offense.

Bengals.com writes:

At the moment, this guy is the best player on the field either side of the ball. You can't block him. Run or pass. Kevin Zeitler is one of the finest right guards in the league and he's got his hands full.

Our own Brennen Warner featured a handful of Vines showing Atkins production from Saturday.

Geno Atkins breaks up this play with a disruption https://t.co/Y0eWgfD1cq

— Brennen Warner (@BrennenWarner) August 1, 2015

Geno Atkins disrupts play in vackfield https://t.co/KGuNV4qfro

— Brennen Warner (@BrennenWarner) August 1, 2015

Atkins began impressing the coaching staff during spring practices, where his position coach Jay Hayes called him "scary". "It's scary how fast and explosive he is right now," said Hayes in June. "I think he has the confidence that he has his legs under him. He feels like he did. You can see it. He looks like himself. He looks as quick and as fast I've seen him."

Atkins spent last offseason repairing and rehabilitating from a torn ACL suffered in October 2013. Even though he made the 2015 Pro Bowl roster, his 2014 season didn't project the usual production we've come to expect. Instead of rehabilitating during the offseason this year, he trained and the early results are impressive.

"He looks as good as any guy we've got on our team. On the defensive side at least," Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said during June's mandatory minicamp. "He's real explosive. He looks strong. He looks as good as he's ever had. I'm proud of the way he's come back. He gives us a huge boost. Huge. You're talking about one of the elite players in the league."