Dave Lapham doesn’t see Dwight Freeney on an NFL roster until after Week 1

Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham was on Mo Egger's ESPN 1530 radio show today and discussed a number of topics related to Bengals training camp, emerging players and potential free agent signings.

One of the interesting things Lapham mentioned was that he doesn’t envision Dwight Freeney joining an NFL roster until after the regular season begins.

"It will be interesting to see what Dwight Freeney decides to do," Lapham said. "I don't anticipate him being on anyone's roster until after Week 1... I don’t think he’ll be on a roster (before Week 1) unless there’s a tragic injury."

A wait and see approach would probably be best for the Bengals, too. They can test out their depth players along the defensive line this summer in training camp and the preseason and get them the most reps they can. Then, if better depth is needed once the season starts, the Bengals could sign Freeney, if he’s still on the market at that time.

Lapham also mentioned that the Bengals’ scouting department does a good job at scouting the talent on other team’s NFL rosters, in case a good player is cut. "They’re always trying to improve it from top to bottom," Lapham said of the Bengals’ roster building techniques, while also adding that the team knows, for example, which NFL teams have stocked wide receiver groups, and whose depth players may be better than their own.

Of the rookies, Lapham gave his opinion on seventh round pick Clayton Fejedelem, saying he is a physical stud and that he’s very interested in seeing Fejedelem perform. Additionally, he mentioned that Cody Core probably won’t show himself until he puts shoulder pads on. And, that won’t happen during the first few days of OTAs.

Lapham also had praise for the assumed starter at right tackle, 2015 first round draft pick, Cedric Ogbuehi.

"His feet are so good, the one thing he has to watch out for is over-setting," Lapham said of Ogbuehi. "Sometimes you have to adjust the speed of your game or adjust to the speed of others’ game."

For Ogbuehi, Lapham thinks he has the mental elements of the game down, and it’s just a matter of practicing with his teammates and physically preparing for the season.