4 stories to watch during Bengals OTAs
On Tuesday, the Bengals commence the next phase of their offseason program with the first of three organized-team-activity sessions. Each of the sessions will last three days and not allow live contact or pads.
These will serve as the first true integration of hands-on practice sessions simulating the basics of training camp, but won't provide much else - with restrictions placed on the activities.
This year's OTAs take place Tuesday-Thursday this week, then again June 2-4 and June 9-11. The final offseason activity will be a three-day minicamp from June 16-18 before the team retreats for five weeks off prior to the start of camp.
While these three weeks won't define the direction of the season, specific developments will be worth tracking as the Bengals work toward the open of camp. Here are four things we will be watching for the next three weeks of OTAs.
1) Stay injury free
The only season-altering development to come out of these practices would be a potential injury. Last year, Dallas lost star linebacker Sean Lee during OTAs. Chargers first-round pick Melvin Ingram and 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree tore their ACLs in 2013. In 2012, Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles. The list goes on.
Beyond any installation or rookie impressions, no priority comes close to health. That holds especially true for a Bengals team buoyed by continuity on the roster.
The lone advantage to suffering an injury in May would be that efficient rehabs often allow players to open the year on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and make late-season returns. Beyond that, any injury occurring with little on the line and players avoiding significant contact creates a demoralizing cloud hanging over offseason practices.
2) Tracking rehab
A number of players coming off injury in 2014 will take the field in official practice for the first time. Many have already been taking part in the on-field workouts, but this will mark their first public test of recovery.
Among the notable rehabbing players will be receiver Marvin Jones. Coming off his breakout 2013, he missed all of last year with ankle and foot injuries but said he was cleared for all activity and feels like he can perform every move he could prior to his injury. One of the entertaining elements of the non-contact sessions is watching receiver-cornerback matchups, and any involving Jones will start to paint the picture of exactly how healthy he looks.
Maybe the most important rehab of the offseason involves the knee of Vontaze Burfict. But don't expect any major developments in that area right now. His rehab will be a long process, and any thought he would participate in these workouts wouldn't make sense. A closer eye will be placed on him when the team opens training camp to judge his status then.
Tight end Tyler Eifert said last month he's not been cleared for contact but expects to be cleared by training camp.
3) Monitoring McCarron
While not a rehab necessarily, progress on the return of AJ McCarron following essentially a lost year due to shoulder issues will draw the focus of coaches. They've cleared his path to the backup quarterback job, but he needs snaps to show what he can do given control of the offense in a team environment. Marvin Lewis created small situations for him late last season, but those weren't much more than a few snaps with the scout team.
If McCarron truly is throwing the ball as well as any point in his life and has shown enough that coaches believe he can handle the job backing Andy Dalton, the true proving ground begins now.
4) Rookie flashes
These three weeks mark the first chance for the new class of rookies to show where they stand in comparison to veterans. Coaches often speak about the initial impressions from OTAs, altering expectations of young players. Burfict stood out in 2012, and Ryan Hewitt began his ascension during this run of practices last year.
Maybe the most important rookie to watch will be third-round pick Tyler Kroft. The Rutgers rookie will be asked to contribute as much as any on the roster, and the Bengals count on his quick retention of the playbook and as a playmaker. His blocking skills can't be judged much in this environment, but how he fares in coverage against linebackers will offer a glimpse of where he stands.
The same can be said for project tight end C.J. Uzomah, drafted in the fifth round. Uzomah didn't even have a position coach at Auburn, and the Bengals are counting on hands-on experience spiking his development. Spotting a dramatic difference over the next month marks the start of that at an important position.
Elsewhere, watching the speed of seventh-round pick Mario Alford against the Bengals' stable of defensive backs will offer insight, along with coverage skills of linebacker P.J. Dawson, who was knocked for his slow times coming out of TCU.