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Ten things Bengals fans should know

Cincinnati’s minicamp kicks off today with players fighting for starting spots at all positions except quarterback.

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By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer Updated 6:29 PM Thursday, June 18, 2009

CINCINNATI — Ten things all Cincinnati Bengals aficionados should know as minicamp unfolds today, June 18, through Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium.

Up for grabs: There’s stiff competition at every position except quarterback, where Carson Palmer is the clear-cut starter. Backup QB J.T. O’Sullivan has much greater arm strength than former backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed with Buffalo on Feb. 27.

Spread offense: Look for Chad Ochocinco, Chris Henry and Laveranues Coles to be on the field when the Bengals go with three wideouts.

“You’re going to see that combination, plus others,” offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said.

Line dance: Left to right, the offensive line looks like this — Andrew Whitworth, Nate Livings, Kyle Cook, Bobbie Williams and Andre Smith.

“We haven’t put the pads on yet,” Cook said, “but things are going well.”

Sam I am: Rey Maualuga was the starting middle linebacker at the University of Southern California for three seasons. Why switch him to Sam (strong-side outside linebacker)?

Two reasons. 1) There’s no way he’s going to beat out starting middle linebacker Dhani Jones, who is the leader of the defense. 2) Head coach Marvin Lewis wants Maualuga to expand his role and learn a new position. Maualuga will battle Rashad Jeanty for the starting job.

End game: Defensive ends Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom and Michael Johnson are locks to make the squad. That leaves Jonathan Fanene and Frostee Rucker to slug it out for the fourth spot.

The advantage goes to Fanene because he can play tackle and end. Rucker’s a good pass rusher, but injuries have limited him to 16 games in three seasons.

Tight quarters: Drafting tight end Chase Coffman in the third round could spell doom for Daniel Coats, who dropped a potential TD pass in a demoralizing 35-3 loss at Indianapolis on Dec. 7, 2008.

Weighty issue: Fullback Jeremi Johnson, who was cut last season and re-signed this year, is attempting to win back the starting job. Chris Pressley, Fui Vakapuna and J.D. Runnels provide the competition.

Fantasy draft: What draft advice does Palmer give fantasy football players?

“Draft Cedric Benson,” he said. “He’s going to have an awesome year.”

Fans welcome: Saturday’s final minicamp practice (9:55 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.) is open to the public.

Bengals season tickets are available for the first time since 2006, and fans can inspect available seats from 9 a.m. until noon for the “Select-A-Seat” event.

First and 10: Rookie sixth-round cornerback Morgan Trent signed a four-year contract worth $1.862 million Wednesday. He got a $112,000 bonus to go with minimum salaries of $310,000, $395,000, $480,000 and $565,000. Trent is the first of the Bengals’ 11 draft picks to sign.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253  or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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