Bengals training camp 2016: Recapping Day 2 in Cincinnati

Day 2 of Bengals training camp saw some highs and lows as many young Bengals stood out for making plays, but, two young Bengals also went down on the field with what everyone is hoping was simply cramps on a hot day in the Cincinnati heat. Let’s recap what we know about Day 2 of Bengals training camp. Day 3 kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on the practice fields adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium.

Who impressed?

• With AJ McCarron at quarterback, Alonzo Russell, an undrafted rookie receiver out of Toledo, snagged a touchdown with rookie safety Clayton Fejedelem in coverage.
• Tyler Boyd was making nice plays on Saturday, just as he did on Day 1. He caught a great pass from McCarron with Darqueze Dennard and Josh Shaw covering him. “I wanted to give him a chance to go up and get it,” McCarron told Bengals.com of the pass. “TB (Tyler Boyd) works hard, busts his ass and that’s all you can ask. Good teammate. He’s awesome to be around.” It’s great to not only see McCarron talking positively about his rookie teammate but also that he has the leadership to help out his teammates and try to get them the ball to make plays.
• As for a Mike Nugent update, Geoff Hobson noted Nugent looked to be perfect on five field goals between the 40 and 52.
• Derron Smith, who was one of the most impressive players in training camp last year, is starting to impress once again. Smith only played 14 defensive snaps last year, but this year, he’s in line to be the team’s No. 3 safety and should see more of the field. Smith stole a pass from Cody Core for an interception on Saturday and later, forced Dalton into overthrowing a pass to Tyler Boyd by disallowing Boyd to get to the sideline. “In man-to-man the ball comes out quick, whether you go over the top or it’s just a quick throw,” Smith told Bengals.com. “If you play within the scheme of the defense, you know what to expect. You know the quarterback doesn’t have much time on that blitz.”

First camp scuffle

• Clint Boling and Geno Atkins, two Georgia Bulldogs turned Bengals got into a bit of a tiff in practice. Per Bengals.com, Atkins ripped off Boling’s helmet and threw it 30-yards to the other practice field. “Yeah, I saw it. It was my helmet. . . He threw the shot put in college,” Boling said of the incident.

It appeared they both got locked up with their hands getting under each other’s helmets.

“I think we both got tied up. He took exception,” Boling said. “Things happen. We’re not supposed to be fighting out there anyway. We talked after and everything is fine.”

Boling is a fine player in his own right and he always goes out of his way to credit Atkins for some of that development.

“He’s probably the best guy I’ve gone against in my career,” Boling said. “Obviously when you get a chance to go against a guy like that it makes you a lot better.”

Boling says Atkins in Season No. 7 looks as good as ever: “He had a hell of a year last year and it looks like he’s picked up right where he’s left off.”

Of course, everybody ended up laughing about it and when Guenther saw Boling at the end of the period he told him, “A Bulldog scrum. Fighting like an old married couple.”

Wide receiver update

• Tyler Boyd and Jake Kumerow each had one drop on Saturday. Though, that’s not a big deal as A.J. Green had a drop on Friday. It happens and it’s Day 2 after a long offseason. As Marvin Lewis says, the real time to impress isn’t in non-padded training camp practices, it’s in the preseason. Of note, the Bengals should begin practicing with pads on Monday.
• Cincinnati.com also noted Mario Alford with one drop on Saturday.

Who went down on the field?

• Cody Core and Tyler Boyd were both carted off the field. But, the hope is that it was just cramping. The Bengals don’t need to update the media on injuries at this point in the offseason, so we’ll keep an eye on whether or not the rookies are practicing today. There are some conflicting reports on Core as Hobson said the injury was foot related and that the extent is unknown. Other reports had it as leg cramps.
• Dre Kirkpatrick also went down with an injury and was seen limping around. But, it turned out to be nothing as he returned to play moments later. We will keep an eye on these occurrences and any other potential injuries.