Bengals WR2 Training Camp Battle (1 Viewer)

[loose circuits]

Whoever wins this battle should see single coverage early and often. If Dalton matures, they have a chance to make an impact.

The candidates:

Brandon Tate was highly thought of at one time, but after struggling to learn New England's playbook he was released in early Sept. He never really had a shot to learn Bengals offense, but was very effective in the return game. He reportedly took the 1st snaps as the guy across from AJ Green and is still only 24 years old

Armon Binns tore up the starting D at times last year while playing for the scout team and shined during OTAs rotating with Tate. They are supposed to be very close.

Mo Sanu was drafted in the 3rd round as the guy. All reports have been positive, but he seems to be behind the 2 veterans at this time because they aren't giving up the spot very easily.

Marvin Jones has some wiggle and more vertical skills than the Sanu, but was drafted 2 rounds later.

Jordan Shipley sent to PUP?

Ryan Whalen: former target of Andrew Luck's is worth mentioning...

 

[loose circuits]

sounds like Tate is already dinged...

Notes: Binns won't put cart ahead of catch; Sunday practice at fan capacityPosted 2 hours ago Geoff HobsonEditorBengals.comFollow Me BlogOn Friday, Bengals wide receiver Armon Binns made an outstanding catch that didn't count and on Saturday he dropped one that did.Binns managed to make a nice yards after golf cart catch on the sidelines on a play that rookie cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris (no relation to Marvin Lewis or Clark Harris) ran into the contraption. Looking for playing time in the crowded field opposite Pro Bowler A.J. Green, Binns knows people are watching whether it was out of bounds or not."If you have an opportunity to catch a ball you want to catch it. I think stuff like that doesn't go unnoticed," Binns said. "If that was inbounds it would have been a great play. I just try to catch the ball if it is in the air."And he knows he'll have to take the good with the bad. He's made his mark in practice as a physical and reliable possession receiver, so that ball he dropped Saturday on a perfect crossing route from quarterback Andy Dalton can't be dropped. Particularly with middle linebacker Rey Maualuga covering him. That's his kind of play.Although Binns and Brandon Tate are the first two guys rotating at that No. 2 receiver spot, the guy he may really be battling is his training camp roommate, third-rounder Mohamed Sanu. They are similar in speed and frame and rely on savvy rather than separation."The thing I try to focus on the most is being the same me every day and making improvements when I get a coaching point," he said, "and when I don't do something right avoid making the same mistakes and just staying consistent out there."Binns' biggest fans while he was on the Bengals practice squad last year were his teammates on both offense and defense. He earned a rep for a good work ethic while putting in extra time with practice squad quarterback Zac Robinson and wide receivers coach James Urban."It makes me feel good about my abilities and the work I put in," Binns said. "I've always known what I can do, but just to know the coaching staff sees it and they are pulling for me is a good thing."It turns out one of his closest friends on the team is Tate. They often worked together during the offseason at Ignition Sports and he says it hasn't been at all awkward."I was on the practice squad so he's kind of brought me up as the older head in the receiver group," Binns said. "I don't really think of it like that. I think of it as we are both just out there trying to play. We know we both are going to get opportunities so whoever is in there we just have to make plays."Tate may not be out there Sunday night getting the chance. He hardly worked after his hamstring tightened early in Saturday's practice.Binns wasn't the only guy who should have made a catch Saturday. Rookie Marvin Jones got great separation on a long ball and was in the clear for an easy touchdown catch when he short-armed it, appearing to go right through his hands. Bu then, maybe this is why you keep Jones around as the sixth receiver and develop him. He can run.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I think Gresham will be the #2 in Cincy... so the 2nd WR will be the third target. IMO the passing offense there won't be strong enough for that (at least not with marginal guys playing the role).

 

[super sleeper]

I'm obviously biased, but I'd be shocked if Sanu didn't finish the year ahead of that group. Although I do think Gresham steps up, too and is the #2 target.

 

[loose circuits]

I think Gresham will be the #2 in Cincy... so the 2nd WR will be the third target. IMO the passing offense there won't be strong enough for that (at least not with marginal guys playing the role).

was Steve Johnson marginal in your opinion when he was battling James Hardy?was Miles Austin marginal in your opinion when he was battling Sam Hurd?...I could go on with a million WR's that came out of no where to be successful including TJ Houz who spent years playing behind Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans with the uber talented Jon Kitna at the helm yet they were able to put up some numbers...

 

[todisco1]

I'm obviously biased, but I'd be shocked if Sanu didn't finish the year ahead of that group. Although I do think Gresham steps up, too and is the #2 target.

I agree with this, though rookies can be tough to predict. I just think Sanu is better than any of the other guys and is a terrific complement to AJ Green. If he can get up to speed quickly I think he'll be on the field a lot.

 

[whatadai]

Drafted Sanu with a 6th round rookie pick. Sitting on my practice squad. Don't need him, but it would be awesome to see him step up!

 

[bengalbuck]

I was down at training camp and it definitely seems like at this point only Tate and Binns are getting snaps with the 1st team offense. Sanu and Jones were both with the 3rd team. I was also a little bit surprised that Sanu has been getting reps almost exclusively outside instead of the slot. Even with Shipley out, its been mainly Andrew Hawkins (with a little bit of Ryan Whalen) as the slot WR when they go to 3 wide.

If I had to put money on a guy at this point, it would be Binns. He looks pretty good out there and is just a solid overall player who does everything pretty well. That being said, I wouldn't expect much fantasy relevancy from whoever wins the #2 WR spot. Green and Gresham will likely lead the team in targets. And I think there are going to be a lot of guys rotating through that #2 WR spot even if one guy is named the starter.

 

[MAC_32]

Binns problem is his game is limited. He isn't all that fast and isn't great over the middle. Most of his game is outside the hash and he lacks the deep speed of a home run threat. That game is exceptional though. Great high pointer + sideline awareness, should translate well to the red zone. Just seems like the 3-4/40-60 type so you're left hoping for a TD. It very well could be him + Tate as Tate would better serve the home run role, the compliment each other well - just won't translate to fantasy.

If there's a fantasy guy to emerge it's Sanu, as described early in the off season he's a faster Housh. It just might not be this year.

 

[bengalbuck]

Binns problem is his game is limited. He isn't all that fast and isn't great over the middle. Most of his game is outside the hash and he lacks the deep speed of a home run threat. That game is exceptional though. Great high pointer + sideline awareness, should translate well to the red zone. Just seems like the 3-4/40-60 type so you're left hoping for a TD. It very well could be him + Tate as Tate would better serve the home run role, the compliment each other well - just won't translate to fantasy.If there's a fantasy guy to emerge it's Sanu, as described early in the off season he's a faster Housh. It just might not be this year.

I agree with you on just about all of this. However, I think the faster Housh stuff gets people thinking about the possibility of Sanu being a 100+ catch guy like Housh was. I'd be pretty shocked if that ever happens. I think an offense somewhat similar to the Texans is the best case somewhat realistic scenario for the Bengals offense long-term. They will need to acquire a more talented RB (I suspect either FA or next year's draft) who can catch the ball out of the backfield and they'll need their young OL (Kevin Zeitler, Andre Smith) to make progress. But I think passing-wise it'll be AJ emerging as a target hog and possible 100-1,500 guy like Andre Johnson with the TE being the 2nd guy and then the RBs and other WRs all splitting up the remaining targets/yards.On a somewhat related note, there's rumors that Jordan Shipley will come off of the PUP list and be allowed to fully participate in practice either today or tomorrow. Another guy with a chance to take a piece of that non-AJ/Gresham passing pie.

 

[bengalbuck]

Just a bit more confirmation on earlier suspicions, there probably isn't going to be a 2nd WR that's fantasy relevant this year:

Brandon Tate is listed as first string at the receiver spot opposite A.J. Green. This is not really a surprise since Tate, when healthy, has lined up opposite Green during the first couple plays of 11-on-11 drills during practice. Tate is also listed on the first line at both return spots followed by Andrew Hawkins, Adam Jones and Marvin Jones.

Armon Binns played well in Sunday’s Mock Game but as Andy Dalton noted yesterday: “There’s not going to be one guy that’s going to be in there. There’s going to be the guy that’s going to walk out there for the first snap of the game, but other than that, everybody’s done enough here to where they’re going to be getting some playing time. We know A.J.’s going to be on the field. That’s the only one we know that’s going to be out there.”

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

this year I would say avoid the WR2 in Cincy for re-draft, not alot of value.

Long term, snag Sanu and wait it out

 

[notdarkyet]

My money is on Binns being the official WR2, with Sanu getting significant playing time. I am not sure how relevant they will be fantasy wise. I think Gresham will get a lot of looks and the rookie TE Orson Charles I would expect to find some playing time in some split 2TE sets. That is a lot of targets, this offense will use them all and will still spend a significant time on the ground.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Binns waived.