Robert

Sands

Bengals DC Mike Zimmer indicated he’s nowhere near naming a starter, but the organization has been high on Mays since he came out of USC in 2010. Mays is trying to hold off Jeromy Miles, Robert Sands, and rookie George Iloka. For now, the Bengals aren’t considering moving CBs Nate Clements or Jason Allen.

He may have had broken ribs, although details are unclear. A second-year safety out of West Virginia, Sands might not have made the 53 even had he been healthy. A week from final cuts, the Bengals will move forward with George Iloka, Tony Dye, and Jeromy Miles behind Reggie Nelson and Taylor Mays.

Sands missed all of last season due to a chest injury and has yet to report to OTAs. His health status and off-field issues have him on the roster bubble. Sands is doubtful to challenge George Iloka for the backup job to Reggie Nelson.

Sands wasn’t participating in OTAs due to a chest injury that kept him out of the entire 2012 season. He was also arrested and charged with domestic violence in January. Sands, a fifth-round pick of the Bengals in 2011, has appeared in one NFL game.

Police say the incident occurred in the couples’ home. Sands’ wife was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries. The 2011 fifth-rounder missed the entire season with a chest injury.

They’re very good times for a behemoth of a safety. Sands measured in at 6-foot-4 3/8 and 217 pounds earlier in the week, and he also possesses impressive 33 3/8-inch arms. Sands projects as an early day-two prospect.

He reportedly “didn’t look athletic enough” to be an NFL safety at last week’s Combine. This, despite the fact that he ran a solid 4.57 in the 40. At 6-foot-4, 217 pounds to go along with that speed, he would be a very interesting athlete at linebacker.

The three-year starter projects as a free safety in the NFL after seeing time at multiple defensive back positions in college. At 6'5/220, Sands has the size and athleticism to be a starter at the next level, and he leaves college as one of NCAA’s most feared open-field hitters. There’s a good chance he impresses enough at the combine to become a second-round pick.

One of the knocks on Sands is that he struggles to tackle in space, so perhaps our assumption that he’d be a strong safety at 6'4/217 was off. “He has good speed and has shown a great ability to cover ground,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “He has some of the things that you really can’t coach, and that’s his size and speed and ability to go play the ball in his range.”

Turning 31 this summer, Williams has played just 19-of-48 games the past three seasons. Reggie Nelson, who fared better than expected in his first year with the Bengals, is expected to take over at strong safety. Fifth-rounder Robert Sands could push Nelson by the end of the season.