Bengals DC Al Golden highlights players who shined in practice without Trey Hendrickson, Shemar Stewart participating
The depth of the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line has been tested throughout the duration of their offseason workout program. Trey Hendrickson is AWOL, Shemar Stewart was present for every day except the last and healthy but not participating, and even B.J. Hill is still working back from a foot injury. Left without two starters and […]
The depth of the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line has been tested throughout the duration of their offseason workout program.
Trey Hendrickson is AWOL, Shemar Stewart was present for every day except the last and healthy but not participating, and even B.J. Hill is still working back from a foot injury.
Left without two starters and the team's first-round draft pick, newly hired defensive coordinator Al Golden has had to adjust personnel as he installs his scheme. Leave it to him to look on the bright side of the situation.
Golden knows attrition is inevitable long after June passes. Defensive lines are built sometimes 10-11 players deep and every single one of them will be counted on at some point between September and January. Cincinnati is simply getting ahead of that now when reps are all that matters.
"It affects us in a positive way as ironic as that is," Golden said Wednesday. "Because you're already preparing for that injury when it exposes itself during the year, you force guys into playing multiple positions, what we call basically just horizontal depth. Ends playing tackle, tackles playing end, some linebackers, playing on the edge, those type of things.
"I think from that standpoint, we always see the good in it and the opportunity, and I'm being serious on that," Golden said. "Some guys have really taken advantage of their reps and their opportunity. And obviously I think we'll be more formidable when those guys come back."
Bengals players catching Al Golden's eye during offseason program
Hendrickson, Hill, and Stewart will eventually be back in the fold, but the past month has been enlightening to see players who will be lower on the depth chart perform in elevated roles. Golden's eyes first looked to the edge.
"Joseph Ossai has had a good camp," Golden said. "Cam Sample coming off the Achilles has overachieved to this point only because I didn't expect that type of athleticism to spring back as quickly. So that's been great.
"Cedric Johnson is another one that has really seized that opportunity."
Ossai has been taking starter reps alongside Myles Murphy without Hendrickson present. Murphy is locked in under contract for the next two years, but Ossai is playing on a prove-it one-year deal and would gladly run with more opportunities to shine.
Stewart would've likely been behind both players if he participated, but guys like Sample and Johnson benefitted from his decision to be a bystander. Sample tore his Achilles a little over 10 months ago and based on Golden's observations, he's setting himself up for a promising training camp. Johnson, a sixth-round pick from last year's NFL Draft, is looking to make the team again and is off to a good start.
"This is a positive in some ways," head coach Zac Taylor affirmed Thursday. "Because so many guys have got so many reps, and they've been able to cross train, so it's been really good for guys. As we build that depth, guys are fighting for opportunity in that way. It's been a very positive thing."
Golden and Taylor would love to have their entire defensive line ready and available when training camp rolls around on July 23, but they at least know which players have proven worthy of larger roles if they become available.
Germaine Pratt ends up following his former teammate after being released by Bengals
Reunited out in the desert.
