It sounds like the Bengals are going to have a majority of players Tuesday when they gather for their first voluntary practice in two years on the Paul Brown Stadium grass fields.
Here are five things we'll be watching:
LET'S BE FRANK
It's the first time new/old offensive line coach Frank Pollack is on the field with his veterans and the old 49ers guard likes to be hands-on in the middle of it all. Remember, only two of the linemen (Trey Hopkins, Billy Price) were here when he was last here in 2018. Hopkins (knee) is rehabbing, so he'll be setting that aggressive, up-tempo style right away. They'll also be faced with more field equipment than a small farm because Pollack uses it to emphasize the fundamentals.
ED BLOCK'S STARTING LINEUP
Each NFL team annually gives the Ed Block Courage Award to a player who has typically come back from injury. When you look at potential candidates for the next one for the Bengals, you're looking at a starting unit and Tuesday is the first glimpse of all that talent together on the field after last year's devastating spate of injuries.
Now, some guys, like Joe Burrow (knee), are in various forms of rehab and while their spring agenda is unknown, they're on the path to return Opening Day. But just to see them out there is a reminder how last year's injured reserve list has almost turned into supplemental free agency with the return of running back Joe Mixon, nose tackle D.J. Reader, cornerback Trae Waynes, left tackle Jonah Williams, tight end C.J. Uzomah, Hopkins, middle linebacker Logan Wilson and nose tackle Renell Wren.
TABLE FOR WHAT 5?
All Bengaldom is wondering what starting line Pollack is going to roll out there. Four spots would seem to be certain with Billy Price at center having a new look right side as second-rounder Jackson Carman begins his transition from tackle to guard and free-agent pickup Riley Reiff lines up at right. Who lines up next to left tackle Jonah Williams? The line at left guard starts here.
Is it veteran Xavier Su'a-Fuilo, who started there in the final four games last season? Or another veteran, Quinton Spain, who started the last five games at right guard? Or last year's starter there on Opening Day, third-year Michael Jordan, before Su'a-Filo got the nod? Or last year's promising sixth-round pick, Hakeem Adeniji, who showed an ability to play four spots?
But maybe the bigger question is, will Pollack pull any surprises? He's got a bunch of guys (Adeniji, Reiff, Carman, maybe Jonah Williams) that can play guard and tackle.
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May 22, 2021 at 02:08AM
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Five Items To Watch As Bengals Set To Practice - Bengals.com
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