The Cincinnati Bengals will be featured on HBO's Hard Knocks for the second time in five seasons, according to reports. The last time the Bengals hit the silver screen, then-star wide receiver Chad Johnson made the phrase "Child Please!" a nationwide sensation.
ESPN reports that interest was low among several teams with regards to being under the camera's glare, just like last season when the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons both declined to participate.
The Bengals are likely a good choice for this edition, because of their young star power and recent success. Last season Cincinnati was 10-6, and finished second in the AFC North behind the eventual champion Baltimore Ravens.
Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was not too high on the idea of returning to the show. "Coach Marvin Lewis has been leery of making a return, but with a young team and a more mature locker room, this might be a good time to do it again."
This season, quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green return for the Bengals, and they have more explosive help in the offense. Rookie tight end Tyler Eifert and fellow rookie running back Giovani Bernard are expected to add more big play potential.
Last season Green build on a tremendous rookie season by snatching 97 passes for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns. Green averaged 84 yards per game receiving, and now defenses will need to divert some of their attention toward the new additions.
Eifert, the Notre Dame tight end, will likely be the biggest impact on the offense outside of Green. In his senior season Eifert caught 50 passes, piling up 650 yards and four scores.
Bernard, a runner out of North Carolina, rushed 124 times for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns. In addition to gashing defenses for 6.7 yards per carry, he caught 47 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns.
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