Saturday Update: Dropped Jaws, Popped Shoulders, and Returned Kicks

In case the story Lance posted below didn't convince you that Bernard Scott is making an impact at Bengals Training Camp, here's another nugget from Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer:

"I like him a lot. I think he's going to be really good. I think he's a really good change of pace for us, especially with a big bruiser like Cedric who stays in between the tackles. But Bernard's got a lot of speed. I don't know if he's as fast as Cedric, but he's explosive and quick. I'd say he's been the star so far of all the rookies. He's made the most plays. He's dropped the most jaws."

It wasn't others' jaws but Bernard's shoulder that kept him out of Friday's team scrimmage. Late Thursday, he had to have his shoulder popped back in after getting hit in practice. But his cousin, WR Clyde Gates, said at ACU's team lunch today that he'd spoken to Bernard and that it isn't serious.

Meanwhile, the team from the City of Big Shoulders will have a very purple-tinted kick return team this season. News out of Chicago Bears' Training Camp is that Devin Hester, who returned the opening kickoff in Super Bowl 41 for a touchdown against the Colts but gradually relinquished those responsibilities to Danieal Manning last season, will still return punts but will not return kickoffs at all in 2009.

That means Danieal's the Man, and that's good news for Bears fans. Manning leads all active NFL players who have a minimum of 40 returns with a 28.2 yard average on kickoff returns. Last season, despite taking over for Hester midway through the season, Manning led the NFL in number of 30+ yard returns, including an 83-yarder for a touchdown on the opening kickoff against New Orleans on Dec. 11.

Have fun with both of these videos:

First, the call from the NFL Network guys.

Then this one from someone in the stands. (I think this guy is a Bears fan. Could be wrong.)

Turns out Manning could be joined by fellow former Wildcat Johnny Knox, who's also taking reps on kickoff returns. Coach Thomsen today said the scribes covering the Bears disagreed over the order of the team's fastest players. One group ranked them Hester, Knox, Manning. The dissenting opinion had the order as Manning, Knox, Hester.

Is this any fun or what?

Back on The Hill, the team practiced this morning for 2 hours, their only on-field session today. They'll spend the rest of their Saturday in the weight room and watching film. They're back on the field Sunday afternoon.

Not to be outdone by the guy he handed the ball off to a bunch last year, QB Zach Stewart had his own jaw-dropper this morning. Some of the coaches were still buzzing about one particular 12-yard out route. Zach absorbed the heat of an on-coming pass rush and zinged a bullet that hit Rutgers transfer WR Dennis Campbell in the hands. It wasn't just the speed and accuracy of the throw but the fact that Zach has only worked with Campbell a couple of days.

This isn't these coaches' first rodeo. And some, like new RB coach Keith Wagner, who came in like Chris Thomsen to play one year under Bob Strader back in 1993, have NFL and other professional experience. I didn't see the pass, but I did see some of them actually high five each other when talking about it two hours later at lunch. That's about all I needed to know.

Zach's coming off surgery to repair the labrum on his throwing (right) shoulder the week after the playoff loss to Northwest Missouri State and couldn't throw 'til June. Coaches love his arm strength - enough obviously to high five each other - but also his ability to improv and make plays.

The key concern is how he'll respond to getting popped a few times. That's a concern he now shares in common with his old backfield teammate.