Cincinnati Bengals Mailbag: 7/26 Edition

The wait has been a long one, but the Cincinnati Bengals are finally headed to camp. With that, of course, comes a multitude of questions that have only begun to start being answered. 

This week we'll talk the Dre Kirkpatrick injury, potential of rookies, potential Pro Bowlers and more. First up: 

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@Chris_Roling Can Brandon Ghee live up to being a 3rd pick and help the secondary this year?

— Adam Scolatti (@AdamScolatti) July 25, 2012"

Great question here, Adam. Brandon Ghee has had issues with health throughout the course of his career to date and has even been cut. Personally, I love Ghee's skill set. His size at 6'0" is nice, but it is his sub 4.4 40-yard dash speed that I think gives him a shot. 

Ghee has a long way to go now that there are so many players on the roster at cornerback. By the time training camp is done, I think Terence Newman will be released and Shaun Prater will hit the practice squad. 

Personally, I think Ghee can play a significant role as a nickel corner at the very least next season. He won't be able to pass Leon Hall and Nate Clements on the depth chart, but I think he'll contribute more than he ever has to this point if he is healthy. 

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@Chris_RolingWho do you think takes Kirkpatrick's spot Ghee or Prater?

— Corey Schmidt (@Corey513) July 25, 2012"

Hey, Corey, it has got to be Ghee at this point. He has a huge advantage of already knowing the defense well and the speed of the NFL. I'm a huge fan of Shaun Prater, having watched him at Iowa so much, and I think he could be a major contributor for the team in the next few years. 

Ghee and Prater are the two who benefit most from the Kirkpatrick injury in camp, so it will be one heck of a battle. When Kirkpatrick is finally able to hit the field later in the season, it would not surprise me to see him push Ghee for playing time.

Kirkpatrick is still very raw, but the time off will allow him to master the playbook if he applies himself. That and his physicality alone will allow him to earn some playing time as the nickel corner by the tail-end of the season. 

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@Chris_Roling Which Bengals do you feel have the best chance for a "Pro-Bowl"-like season?

— poop head (@scottw5150) July 25, 2012"

Hey, Scott. Pro Bowl is such a funny term now considering it is a popularity contest, but there are a few Bengals who can put up the type of numbers to justify a selection. 

A.J. Green is the obvious one, and I like Jermaine Gresham's chances as well. He had average numbers last year and still made it. This year, with more targets in an offense that favors tight ends, I think Gresham will take a major jump statistically. 

I doubt Andy Dalton will make it again unless he improves on his numbers from last year and luck helps him out. The one guy who should be a lock is Geno Atkins. He's one of the best in the league at what he does and should only improve. 

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@Chris_Roling do you think that Zimmer's extension means head coaching job in 2013?

— Lex Brolezal (@pianonerd3394) July 25, 2012"

Great question, Lex. My short answer would be not necessarily. I think the door is open and it would be a smart move, but I wouldn't count out Jay Gruden either. Both have done a tremendous job since arriving in Cincinnati. 

Zimmer's impact on the franchise has been more significant to this point though. He is a special football mind and also seems to be more of a Marvin Lewis-type in his strict demeanor.

Personally, I want to see more from Gruden before I pick him over Zimmer. It's not that I don't appreciate what he has done, but I would want to see some consistency there. 

I also would not underestimate Marvin Lewis' staying power. He has endured a lot since taking over. It wouldn't be a shock to see him stick around to see his hard work finally, finally pay off in some form. 

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@Chris_Roling do you think Still can be as good as Atkins? First downs Thompson & Peko. Second and long, and third downs Atkins & Still?

—Gary Johnston (@Tikinola) July 26, 2012"

That's a tough one, Gary. I like Devon Still a lot because he can play from both defensive end and defensive tackle. That alone could allow him to be as effective as Geno Atkins statistically. In terms of overall impact on the flow of a game, the Bengals aren't going to find someone as game-changing as Atkins again for a while.

I like what you are thinking in terms of first and second downs. At 320 pounds, Brandon Thompson is large enough to stop the run but is an effective rusher as well. At this point, I would still think Atkins would get most of the snaps over Thompson. 

However, imagine a very long down and distance with Still and Carlos Dunlap on the ends and Atkins and Thompson in the middle. The combinations and rotations are endless with this roster, so nothing would surprise me next season. 

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@Chris_Roling Is Travelle Wharton answer at left guard?

— fret (@frettyj) July 26, 2012"

Yes and no. Long-term, I doubt it considering he is already 31 years old. He is absolutely the answer at left guard for the next few seasons though. 

Bengals fans had to suffer through Nate Livings last season, but Wharton is an upgrade to be sure. His pass-blocking is consistent, and he is a sound run-blocker. He played well for the Carolina Panthers last season and now gets to play next to Andrew Whitworth. 

The line as a whole should be improved from a year ago. Andre Smith is in a contract year, and rookie Kevin Zeitler has a chance to be a special player. Kyle Cook is good enough, and Whitworth is not falling off any time soon. Wharton may have been the best signing out of all by the time the season is over. 

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