GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Observations from Cincinnati Bengals camp:
1. Chad Ochocinco predicts he will have a big season and the Bengals will have a big year. With Carson Palmer back, that's possible. Ochocinco, who made his unhappiness with the organization known last season, has been a model player so far this camp. He has always worked hard in practice, which his teammates admire. Ochocinco still isn't happy with his contract, but he is resigned to the fact that he isn't getting a new one now. With Laveranues Coles, Andre Caldwell and Chris Henry, the Bengals have a strong receiving group. Palmer talked about playing with Ochocinco. "Chad and I have a great working relationship," Palmer said. "He listens and I listen to him. We've gotten into it. We've had heated arguments. I've pushed and shoved him and gotten on him. He's been mad at me as well. But we always come back together. That's what's important."
| Out of Nowhere Man |
 The Bengals drafted CB Morgan Trent in the sixth round out of Michigan and he has played well since coming to the team. At 6-feet-1, he has good size. Trent won't push for a starting spot, but he could get in the mix as the nickel corner. He will also contribute on special teams. |
| buckeyenut12 picks RB Bernard Scott |
| He will be a great change of pace to Cedric Benson and should easily beat out Kenny Watson and James Johnson. |
| Who is your Out of Nowhere Man? |
2. There is a lot of concern about the Bengals' offensive line. But after watching them work I think I think they will be better than expected. Palmer agrees. "I don't have a concern about them at all," Palmer said. The key will be the tackles and center Kyle Cook. Andrew Whitworth will play left tackle, a position he has played in the past, but moves over after playing guard last season. The right tackle was expected to be rookie Andre Smith, but he's a holdout, and Anthony Collins is working there. Collins is a good pass blocker, but the Bengals want him tougher in the run game. Cook is a feisty player who should be able to handle the nose tackles better than predecessor Eric Ghiaciuc. It's a big group, although an inexperienced one. One thing's for sure: They will be feisty.
3. The Bengals suffered a huge hit when tight end Reggie Kelly was lost for the season on the first day of practice with a torn Achilles' tendon. Kelly's blocking, which some have compared to a tackle, will be missed in the run game. Daniel Coats is a player the Bengals are counting on to fill that blocking role. Ben Utecht and rookie Chase Coffman are pass-catching tight ends. Coffman is a player who should be heavily involved in the passing game. But he never played with his hand down until coming to the Bengals, which is an adjustment.
4. I'm not a big fan of safety Roy Williams, but he is penciled in as the starter. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer knows Williams from his days with him in Dallas. Williams lacks great cover skills, which is why the Cowboys let him walk, and plays more like a linebacker than a safety. Teams throw over the top of him a lot. But as one Bengals player noted, the AFC North is full of teams that want to run the football, which is where Williams excels. Even so, it's a risk having him on the field. It helps that the corner duo of Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph is one of the better tandems in the league. Williams does look trimmer than he did in Dallas.
5. The interior defense has been an issue for the Bengals for a long time. But that should change this season. Domato Peko is already a good player inside at tackle, but the Bengals have high hopes for second-year player Pat Sims. He is a big, physical player who showed some quickness during the drills I watched. Veteran Tank Johnson is in reserve and gives the Bengals a nice three-man rotation. Look for Sims to really step up his game this season.
Bengals: Camp report | RapidReports | Camp tour
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