Even though the Bengals drafted Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones to compete for the second receiver spot, there remain concerns about the lack of a veteran at the position and who will line up opposite A.J. Green.
The Bengals' receivers average 2.2 years of NFL experience and have a combined 172 receptions. Only one receiver -- Brandon Tate -- has more than three years in the league. Andrew Hawkins is going into this fourth professional season, but two of those were in the CFL.
Outside of Anquan Boldin, the Ravens were in a similar boat until they signed Jacoby Jones. The Ravens are now the leaders in the division in average experience (4.2 years) and combined receptions (888). As for the rest of the division -- Browns (3.3 years/288 receptions), Steelers (3.1 years/680 receptions).
The signing of Jones by the Ravens has brought back rumors of the Bengals possibly looking at Braylon Edwards. That though would not happen immediately. Edwards remains down in Florida rehabbing from a knee injury suffered last year while with the Niners and is not expected to be in shape until next month.
By that time the Bengals will have completed their offseason program and have an idea of what they have at the position. As for now, Lewis wants to see what he has out of his rookies and Brandon Tate.
"I think Brandon getting here last year and now seeing an opportunity to rise and see his moment, he's happy about that. I think he's dedicated himself to that," Lewis said. "A.J. has grown immensely in his stature. It's fun to hear him talk and communicate now. I don't know, we may have a pretty veteran player even though he is in his second year as far as experience and leadership."
The biggest concern some have had about a possible signing of Edwards is if he would disrupt the locker room, considering his problems at past stops with the Browns and Jets. Lewis said he didn't think that would be the case for anyone considering how the locker room is currently constructed.
He also noted that when it comes to the receivers, Green is the unquestioned leader, saying that the receivers room is his room and that "its his offensive football team and he has come back with that attitude."
With the roster currently at 87 players, there isn't much room to add many more since they are three under the 90-player limit. They usually save a spot or two for tryout guys.
"We're pretty full with players and we'll keep seeing if there are guys who are released who can help us and make us competitive," Lewis said. "We want to strike the balance with the young players too. I don't want to fill up our 90 spots with all old players. We've got to have some young guys to help supplement the draft picks and so at the end of the day you have an opportunity of guys trending up. We don't want to have too many guys on the other side of their careers."
NOTES, QUOTES
Risk, reward: Burfict connected with Lewis
Coach Marvin Lewis said one of the reasons why the Bengals decided to sign undrafted linebacker Vontaze Burfict is because Burfict reached out to Lewis after Arizona State's pro day in March.
When Lewis was in Arizona last week for his daughter's wedding, he met with Burfict for a couple hours to go through the playbook and what he needed to do this weekend. Burfict will start out at middle linebacker.
"I struck a chord with him and maybe that's what he needs. He's got a lot of story. I don't have to believe any of it. It doesn't matter one way or another to me now," Lewis said. "What he does now from this point forward is going to determine whether or not he can be a NFL player. I think he has some ability. When you watch the tape there are a lot of things he didn't do very well. But he does some things I can't coach that he can do."
--Offensive guard Jacob Bell, who had signed with the team on April 11, abruptly announced his retirement on Tuesday. Bell, who was going to be entering his ninth season, said that the suicide of Junior Seau was a determining factor and that he had been thinking about retiring for awhile.
Said Bell of his decision: "Everyone has a price and for me I wanted to make sure that I don't have any regrets about my future in regards to what I've done in the NFL. At this point I can walk away with no regrets and left on my own terms where the NFL didn't force me out and I made that decision on my own."
With the Bengals signing Travelle Wharton and drafting Kevin Zeitler in the first round, Bell was going to be a backup guy who could play both sides. He also faced a roster battle with Otis Hudson and Clint Boling for the final two spots.
--Defensive end Carlos Dunlap has two goals for the upcoming season -- lead the team in sacks and earn a starting spot. After having 9.5 sacks in 2010, Dunlap had just 4.5 last season as he missed four games due to a hamstring injury.
"You saw Geno (Atkins) emerge last year. I have to get the title back from him," Dunlap said. "Geno has the Pro Bowl (recognition) and I think he'll draw just as many double teams as I will. But it is still my job to get to the quarterback whether they double team me or not."
Despite missing a quarter of the season, Dunlap was still rated as one of the top pass rushers. According to Pro Football Focus, he was seventh in total pressures (sacks, quarterback hits and pressures) with 47.
"I've heard that I was performing on their level but at that time I wasn't getting the numbers. I haven't broken the 10 (sacks) barrier," Dunlap said. "I want to work and be that starting guy." --With the team moving training camp to its own complex, the team is installing grass on two new practice fields which should be ready in time for the start of training camp. There is also a new fieldturf surface that has been installed inside Paul Brown Stadium.
Training camp is expected to start on July 26, but a final date has not been announced.
QUOTE OF NOTE: "There's no down side. What's the down side? The positives are: Get in shape. You weren't in shape your last season at Arizona State. Get rid of the selfishness in your play. Learn how to bend your knees. Let us coach you and let's see if you are what people thought you could have been. Because I have no idea who you are. And so you're starting from scratch here." -- Lewis on Vontaze Burfict.
