Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp: 5 Early Storylines to Watch

As the Cincinnati Bengals approach the 2015 iteration of training camp, several interesting storylines surround the team. 

The notion applies to all levels of the organization, too. Coach Marvin Lewis and the front office have to figure out things such as contracts and will also have to deal with critical positional battles, which the players will fight out on the field. 

It makes for an interesting time, although where fans should allocate their attention during the lull of the offseason isn't always clear. 

Within, let's paint the picture in plain terms by nailing down the five critical storylines to watch with training camp on the way. 

The Growing WR Battle

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Wide receiver is by far the most interesting position in Cincinnati this offseason.

A.J. Green has the off-field stuff surrounding him, while Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu get set to fight for playing time and health. The offseason addition of Denarius Moore gives the team necessary depth and a deep threat, but it doesn't deal with the "Growing" portion of the subhead above.

No, the honor goes to Onterio McCalebb, a former corner whom the team will try at wideout this offseason.

McCalebb was one of the most explosive players in the country in college on special teams. He can still fill such a role with the Bengals, and it is clear the team wants to find his proper niche to justify keeping him on the roster.

The above names, combined with Brandon Tate, Cobi Hamilton and James Wright, make for quite the battle and one of the top storylines to watch.

Battle of the Beef

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For a team like the Bengals, strength at defensive tackle is a focal point.

It explains why the front office went out and grabbed former member Pat Sims this offseason, who can be productive against the run.

Last year, Domata Peko's play dipped, and Geno Atkins didn't look his usual self as he worked back from a knee injury. Plain and simple, Brandon Thompson and Devon Still didn't impress in spot duty.

The thing is, there are now too many tackles on the roster, especially with ends who can kick inside on passing downs. Players such as Thompson go under the microscope more than ever this offseason.

ESPN.com's Coley Harvey provides some eye-popping stats on Thompson: "When Thompson wasn't on the field, the Bengals surrendered an average 4.63 yards per carry to opposing running backs, according to ESPN Sports & Information. When he was in the game, the Bengals' defense held opposing rushers to a 3.13 rushing average."

While impressive, on-field play this summer will decide the battle. The importance cannot be understated.

TE Performances

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Tight end is an odd position for the Bengals this offseason.

Jermaine Gresham, a regular, is gone. Tyler Eifert is around, but the season-ending injury from last year continues to linger in the minds of many. Even so, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com says things look good so far:

"

Eifert has re-captured his 15 pounds and is back to 250. I told him he looked bigger through the neck and shoulders this spring and he said, no, it’s just that he hasn’t looked like this in a year. He says he’s been back to normal in the weight room but, yeah, that’s the concern. Durability. But they think he can hold up like he did his rookie year, when he missed only one game.

"

Another tight end to watch? Try rookie project C.J. Uzomah, who says his lack of a true position and experience blocking excites him for the summer, per Hobson's colleague, Dan Hoard:

"

I’m really anxious to show the coaches what I’ve got. They took a chance on me not being a traditional tight end. They said, ‘You’re going to have to prove yourself as a blocker and prove that you’re physical enough to do this.’ I’m getting chills right now just thinking about proving to them that the interest and the investment that they’ve given to me is going to be worth it.

"

If Uzomah can make good on his versatility to see the field more, the offense will be better off than with him on the bench.

Of course, this goes double for Eifert from a health standpoint, if not a production standpoint considering he is now alone as the top tight end, so keep an eye on both.

RB Hype

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The cat—or Bengals—left the bag last year as Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill formed a solid one-two punch, the latter taking over the starting duties in time, as most expected.

Now it seems the duo is a tad lost in the offseason chatter with so much attention on the wide receiver position, both because of the depth and battles there, as well as the contract situation.

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson isn't one sleeping on the situation.

"The sky's the limit for him and Gio," Jackson said, per ESPN.com's Coley Harvey. "But they've got to go out and do it. They've got to do it on a consistent basis, week in and week out. It can't be about the plays that are called, the defenses that they're facing. You've got to make plays."

Hill looked great last year, but now defenses know he's coming. He also has a full year of pro wear on his tires. Speaking of wear, Bernard missed three games last year despite his role as spell from a rushing standpoint.

How Jackson uses the two moving forward, as well as their ability to remain healthy and productive, remains something to watch.

A.J. Green's Contract

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Like it or not, and no matter how many folks say the conversation is dead, the A.J. Green-contract storyline won't go anywhere. It is just the nature of the beast when one of the league's top players enters the final year of his contract.

Green has one year left on his rookie deal, but rumblings popped up this month about extensions, holdouts, all the buzzwords. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport shut them down with some insider info:

"

#Bengals WR AJ Green is a top contract priority for Cincy, but he’ll wait until next offseason, won’t hold out. Set to make $10.1M in 2015

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2015"

Again, it won't just poof and go away, though.

As ESPN.com's Coley Harvey broke down, there are pros and cons to the present-future debate:

"

As to the when of Green's signing, a lot of that will be up to him. He's already said he wouldn't mind waiting until next offseason. In the short term, that might be his best move. Because if he waits until next year before entertaining a long-term offer, he still could claim a franchise tag for 2016 if a deal doesn't get worked out. He has a chance to make a lot of money if he waits. As far as the long term, though, maybe it's in his best financial interest to work a deal right now. I've been told the Bengals have no qualms with paying him, and they certainly value him as the team's centerpiece. But when does he want to sign?

"

Over the past few years, the Bengals have shocked a few times with unexpected extensions to key players. Green is the key player. Green waiting might make more sense and earn him more cash in the long run, but doing a deal this offseason would be a safer route should he suffer an injury or his performance dips. 

This is why the storyline won't just go away, especially not with other high-profile wideouts involved in contract talks. Maybe something comes of it, maybe it means nothing. Either way, it's one of the most interesting storylines to watch before training camp.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of July 19. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.