CINCINNATI -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp:
We're only two days into training camp, but already the Bengals are showing a few wrinkles that could find their way into the offense when camp breaks at the end of August. On Thursday, they incorporated a no-huddle offense. It seemed that very rarely did they get a play called from a huddle before executing it. While the no-huddle was evident again for parts of Friday's practice, it wasn't the only recent addition made to offensive coordinator Hue Jackson's new scheme. The Bengals also worked on shovel passes at times during the workout, slipping the quick screens to their backs in the middle of the field. Few around the team are talking about what all the no-huddle is all about. Believe me, myself and others have tried to get folks talking. At the very least, the up-tempo pacing will have the benefit of helping the defense prepare for the number of no-huddle schemes it will face this season, even if the Bengals seldom run it offensively in games themselves.
After a relatively clean first day with few drops and no fumbles or botched snaps, the Bengals were slightly messier Friday. Twice they fumbled. Once running back Giovani Bernard and quarterback Andy Dalton had trouble with an exchange during an offense-only drill. Later, during an 11-on-11 exercise, Bernard couldn't hold on to a low pitch from quarterback Jason Campbell. There also was one false start in the full-team drills. Offensive tackle Will Svitek moved early. Even with those miscues, both the offense and defense had their positive highlights. Cornerbacks Adam Jones and Terence Newman were among those who broke up their share of passes after getting burned for a couple catches from A.J. Green the day before. Green took his revenge, though, beating Newman on one reception off an out route.
Speaking of coverage, once during an 11-on-11 drill I noticed that outside linebacker Emmanuel Lamur was split out wide, lined up against tight end Tyler Eifert who was set up like a receiver. Just like the Bengals will do with Bernard, they might at times move Eifert outside. It will provide just another dimension to what we're beginning to see could be a more dynamic and more expansive offense than before. In the meantime, it could make for good practice for Lamur, who will be charged with covering pass-catching tight ends like New Orleans' Jimmy Graham later this season. Lamur's experience as a safety in college also makes him an ideal candidate to play such coverage positions.
Another interesting offensive development revolved around the flip-flopping that linemen Clint Boling and Mike Pollak will be doing for at least some part of camp. After Boling practiced Thursday at left guard, Pollak played there Friday, giving Boling the day off. Presumably, Pollak will be getting Saturday off while Boling will practice again. According to Pollak, the changes are the coaches' way of attempting to keep the linemen fresh. Both are coming off knee injuries and are still slowly easing their way back into the regular flow of things.
And yes, you read that correctly: Pollak played left guard. All offseason the expectation has been for him to battle rookie Russell Bodine for playing time at center. Pollak said he has no idea if those plans have changed. He told me after practice: "I was told to play guard [Friday]. So that's what I'm going to do. If they tell me to play another position, then I'll do that. I'm kind of in the dark. ... Things can change. All I can do is get back on the field healthy 100 percent."