Updated: 11 p.m.
Bengals cornerback Leon Hall says he'd be shocked if he went on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and said he believes he'll take the first snap of practice at training camp on July 27.
Before the first Bengals practice of the mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis stopped just short of confirming it, but said Hall's rehab has exceeded expectations.
Hall has rebounded well enough from his Nov. 15 surgery for a torn Achilles that he says he's virtually done everything but put on the helmet. For the past two weeks he's been mirroring the moves of the defense on the side, including the all-important backpedal, under director of rehab Nick Cosgray's gaze.
"I can do anything he asks of me," Hall said. "I have confidence in my Achilles for the most part. The Achilles is strong enough. I just mentally have to believe it and just do it."
UP AND ADAM: It seems that Roger Goodell has called on Adam Jones.
Jones smiled before Tuesday's first practice of the mandatory minicamp.
"I guess you could say that," he said.
The NFL, which banned Jones five years ago for a season because of his legal problems, has called on him to help it advise the league's youth at the rookie symposium later this month in Cleveland.
Jones said he'll participate in a panel discussion every day of the event, June 25-28, and is already preparing what he'll say.
"The message is, this is not a joke. At the end of the day you have to treat it like a business," he said. "And you're a business owner and every decision you make is a reflection of you."
Jones is happy to do it and his plan is to do what he always does. Talk about the things he could have done better. He knows his name carries a recognition with the younger group that isn't all good.
"It rings a bell," said Jones, who aims to make them think about him in a different light when they listen to him.
"What you do on the field, what you do off the field, it's all a reflection of you," Jones said. "Going to the club here, going to the club there. Having 100 people with you. Checking your advisors, your accountants. Just basic stuff."
Jones got back to basics on the field Tuesday. He had missed the last two weeks of voluntary workouts with a sore hamstring, but returned to the No. 1 defense with Terence Newman on the other side as Leon Hall and Nate Clements continued to rehab.
SLANTS AND SCREENS
» Rookie tight end Orson Charles, the fourth-round pick from Georgia, has shown up. Gruden says he's swimming mentally just because tight ends have to learn both the run and pass game ("It's the toughest position to come in and play," Gruden says), but he also says the guy is an eye-opener.
"Physically he's shown things that are very exciting," said Gruden, who lobes Charles's route running. "His strength is unreal."
Lewis has also been impressed.
"Orson has exceeded in every way my expectations," he said. "I knew he was a big, strong guy. But his ability to run and catch the ball has been impressive."
» Lewis says tight end Jermaine Gresham's experience at the Pro Bowl last year has been huge for him: "He's a different man. He's very, very confident in himself."
» When Lewis walked into a crowded media room Tuesday, he wondered, "Are we breaking news?"
"Only if you signed an extension," said a reporter of Lewis's contract that is up at the end of the season.
"No," Lewis said.
» Lewis is playing it safe with some players this week as he emphasizes "the long term." Rookie defensive tackle Devon Still, who has missed the past two weeks with what he says is a back injury, says he won't go this week but that he'll be ready for training camp. Rookie running back Daniel Herron (foot) is in the same boat after missing the last two weeks and he's not expected to go this week but he also says he's ready to go July 27. Ditto cornerback Nate Clements (abdomen). Running back Brian Leonard looked like he tweaked his leg at the end of a run Tuesday and indications are he won't go the rest of the week but that he'll be back July 27.
» The Bengals opened their three-day, three-practice minicamp Tuesday with 85 players and it won't be much different than what has transpired in the voluntary workouts.
All players have been here either practicing or rehabbing and the only difference is that they are allowed more time on the field, so the schedule looks more like a regular-season practice day. Head coach Marvin Lewis plans to conduct morning walkthroughs and afternoon practices Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning's final workout.
When the Bengals report to camp July 27 they can have up to 90 players.
» With the retirement of Hines Ward earlier this year and Derrick Mason earlier this week, old friend Chad Ochocinco becomes the most prolific wide receiver the Bengals face this season when the Dolphins play a 1 p.m. game on Oct. 7 at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Ocho, who secured a one-year deal in his hometown of Miami on Monday, is 26th on the all-time list with 11,059 yards as he begins his 12th season. Ward is 18th with 12,083 in 14 seasons and Mason 19th with 12,061 in 15 years.
The Ocho had 10,789 of those yards during his 10 seasons in Cincinnati. In 11 of his seasons, Mason played in the Bengals division and along with Ward there has to be place for him on their all-opponent list. According to Elias, in 24 games against Cincinnati, Mason had 86 catches for 1,176 yards with nine TDs and a 13.7-yard average.
"There's no downside for them," Lewis said of the Dolphins signing The Ocho. "He was obviously a great player when he was here."
