GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Three days into training camp, here are five observations on the Cincinnati Bengals:
1. Who's No. 3?
No one has stood out through the early portions of training camp in the race to replace Chris Henry as the third wide receiver behind Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Veteran Antonio Chatman has an edge because of his experience -- he was clearly the most adept at recognizing blitz packages during one workout and running the correct hot route. That's something rookies Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell have to adjust to at this level. Caldwell has been impressive in blocking drills, including getting the better of cornerback Johnathan Joseph during their matchup when the Bengals ran the one-on-one Oklahoma drill.
Newly acquired tight end Ben Utecht will be an asset in the passing game. Utecht has given Bengals linebackers trouble matching up so far in passing drills, something quarterback Carson Palmer will look to utilize during the regular season. Utecht has been lining up in slot positions as well as on the line, bringing the offense more versatility.
2. Waiting on Rivers
The one negative to the camp has been the absence of top draft choice Keith Rivers due to a contract holdout. Rivers, an outside linebacker from the University of Southern California, has missed the first five practice sessions. The Bengals are counting on him to be a focal point of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's 4-3 scheme, but until that time Brandon Johnson is filling the role.
The weakside linebacker spot is designed to get the opportunities for big plays in this scheme, and while Johnson has shown good instincts and decision making in which angles to take, he lacks Rivers' overall athleticism.
3. There's a new sheriff in town
Speaking of Zimmer and his scheme, much of its success will predicate on how well the secondary holds up. Cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall are anxious to play more of the man coverage that Zimmer likes, but Zimmer wasn't pleased with the group's execution at practice Wednesday morning.
Zimmer took off his hat and threw it in the direction of second-year cornerback David Jones, who had allowed too much room for his receiver. Jones got a tongue-lashing, then retrieved Zimmer's hat for the coach and went back to work.
"These guys have had no success, so they think they're pretty good when they have a good day," said Zimmer. "I have to be careful with giving them too much sugar. Or giving them any sugar."
4. Running back revival
On the first play of 11-on-11 team drills, Rudi Johnson took a handoff, ran through the right side of the line and bounced off a collision with safety Dexter Jackson. Two plays later, Chris Perry caught a screen pass, shot through a wave of defenders and sprinted down the sideline. Those are two plays that could not have brought a bigger smile to the face of offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.
[Camp: Georgetown, Ky.
Preseason games:
Aug. 11: at Green Bay, 8 p.m. ET
Aug. 17: Detroit, 7:35 p.m. ET
Aug. 23: New Orleans, 7:35 p.m. ET
Aug. 28: at Indianapolis, 7 p.m. ET
The last time the two running backs were healthy in the same season the Bengals won the AFC North. It has been a good start to this training camp for Johnson and Perry. Johnson was hampered by a hamstring injury last season, while Perry is making his comeback from a dislocated ankle suffered late in the 2006 season.
"I find out each and every day what I can do and what more I can do," said Perry, who caught 51 passes out of the backfield in '05. "There's not too much I can't do. I haven't found anything that's limiting."
5. Changing of the tackle
The Bengals made offensive lineman Stacy Andrews their franchise player even though he had started just 17 games in four seasons. He's showing everyone why.
Andrews is slated to start at right tackle ahead of 13-year veteran Willie Anderson. He is the same size as Anderson (340 pounds) but quicker off the ball and more mobile at this point. The Bengals haven't had much full pad contact yet but Andrews has learned his techniques well from Anderson. Rookie defensive tackle Jason Shirley is equal to Andrews in size but was no match for him in the Oklahoma drill. Andrews got leverage and pushed Shirley 10-plus yards down field during the drill.
"Welcome to the NFL, rookie," Andrews said. "I remember mine as a rookie. It was Langston Moore. He got me from the side and kind of gave me a 'Bam' and I flew. I still remember that play."
