2024 Training Camp stuff

[Cincyfan78]

Brown is on the NFI list - had some tightness so they are going to ease him back. As a long-term veteran with some injury history - this is the right move.

Mims has been opening some eyes early in OTA's and will now get a chance to run as the 1 in camp. Tobin with some unusual high praise for the rookie stating he would not be surprised if he opens the season as the #1 RT...

On the Burrow front - the arm/wrist look to be in prime form. Had zero issues with zip or deep passes yesterday. Love that they will be working him out of the rotation with some rest days, and glad he's finally realizing that he doesn't need, nor should he take, every single rep in every single practice. The season is long, and primary guys who have been around awhile now just don't need all the reps.

Bullish on the Bengals defense this year. Love the Rankins' addition, plus I think the experience last year at DB will help everyone with the addition of Stone and re-addition of Bell to help add much needed experience. The key, IMO, is going to be Murphy taking that next step to generate more sacks from his pressure rate (which was 2nd behind Hendrickson last year).

 

[cincygrad]

Brown is on the NFI list - had some tightness so they are going to ease him back. As a long-term veteran with some injury history - this is the right move.

Mims has been opening some eyes early in OTA's and will now get a chance to run as the 1 in camp. Tobin with some unusual high praise for the rookie stating he would not be surprised if he opens the season as the #1 RT...

On the Burrow front - the arm/wrist look to be in prime form. Had zero issues with zip or deep passes yesterday. Love that they will be working him out of the rotation with some rest days, and glad he's finally realizing that he doesn't need, nor should he take, every single rep in every single practice. The season is long, and primary guys who have been around awhile now just don't need all the reps.

Bullish on the Bengals defense this year. Love the Rankins' addition, plus I think the experience last year at DB will help everyone with the addition of Stone and re-addition of Bell to help add much needed experience. The key, IMO, is going to be Murphy taking that next step to generate more sacks from his pressure rate (which was 2nd behind Hendrickson last year).

A few other points -

Chase has yet to practice. He dressed but hasn't practiced. Taylor won't comment on whether this is contract related or if he is dealing with anything coming out of the offseason. I'm not concerned about either scenario, but it is notable.

I'm interested to see Dax Hill play corner. He has all of the tools and if he's allowed to think less and use his skills more, he might really bring something to the table. A defensive backfield with CTB, Dax Hill, Mike Hilton, Vonn Bell, and Gino Stone would be one of the most physical backfields in the league. It doesn't solve our issues against the run, but it would contribute in a meaningful way.

I'm excited to see what happens with this offense. As much as Boyd and Mixon deserve credit for their roles in the Bengals turn-around, their presence on the team limited the options for the offense. Both of those guys are limited on the roles they play for an offense. The potential versatility of the weapon group is stargering. Pitch just needs to make it work.

 

[alf8478]

I don't care much about the scuttlebutt around the Chase extension, I want to know why there's no talk about a McPherson extension.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I don't care much about the scuttlebutt around the Chase extension, I want to know why there's no talk about a McPherson extension.

They have actually been working on a McPherson deal this camp.

 

[Cincyfan78]

A few other points -

Chase has yet to practice. He dressed but hasn't practiced. Taylor won't comment on whether this is contract related or if he is dealing with anything coming out of the offseason. I'm not concerned about either scenario, but it is notable.

I'm interested to see Dax Hill play corner. He has all of the tools and if he's allowed to think less and use his skills more, he might really bring something to the table. A defensive backfield with CTB, Dax Hill, Mike Hilton, Vonn Bell, and Gino Stone would be one of the most physical backfields in the league. It doesn't solve our issues against the run, but it would contribute in a meaningful way.

I'm excited to see what happens with this offense. As much as Boyd and Mixon deserve credit for their roles in the Bengals turn-around, their presence on the team limited the options for the offense. Both of those guys are limited on the roles they play for an offense. The potential versatility of the weapon group is stargering. Pitch just needs to make it work.

I think the Chase thing is much-ado-about-nothing. Likely contract related, but he'll end up playing. So, I'm not really concerned with this. Afterall, this is the path he said he wanted.

I agree with Hill. He flashed at CB as a rookie. His size and willingness to come up quickly and tackle as well as short area burst make him a solid DB, and one who could help set the edge in the running game that was missing last year. Many of the runs that broke out were because the DB did not come up quick enough or got stuck inside rather than staying outside to contain. I think Dax can help fix this issue.

Love Boyd. Love Mixon. Both should have been gone before last season. It is what it is. Father time is undefeated, and as a Franchise, you have to kind of move on to keep the window open - especially when you still have guys like Burrow, Chase, Higgins entering their mid-prime years.

Burton is going to be a STUD. Mark it down. The 3-headed monster is going to EAT this year.

I also think we'll see more of the TE this year with a true split-out TE in Gesicki. This offense has a ton of potential to put up some serious yards/points...but I'd settle for just being able to drive the ball consistently and avoid going 3-out as often as it seems like they have over the past few seasons.

 

[alf8478]

They have actually been working on a McPherson deal this camp.

I hadn't seen that anywhere, thank you for letting me know.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I hadn't seen that anywhere, thank you for letting me know.

Mike Brown confirms Bengals, Evan McPherson contract extension talks

The Bengals want to get one of their key pieces extended.

bengalswire.usatoday.com

 

[cincygrad]

I hadn't seen that anywhere, thank you for letting me know.

The way Duke joked about it during the media luncheon made me think the deal would be done by the end of camp. The top-end kickers all make approximately the same amount per year, and I don't think guaranteed money is something you'll see with kickers. So, this deal is kinda in the Bengals wheelhouse.

 

[DanBengalfan]

hubbard had some issues, you can look for lapham's cast on youtube.

 

[redskinsfan1963]

where is bengals tc anyway?

 

[Cincyfan78]

where is bengals tc anyway?

It's held in downtown Cincinnati.

Many years ago, it was held at Wilmington College, and then it moved to Georgetown College - but about 10 years ago, give or take, it was moved back to Cincinnati.

 

[redskinsfan1963]

It's held in downtown Cincinnati.

Many years ago, it was held at Wilmington College, and then it moved to Georgetown College - but about 10 years ago, give or take, it was moved back to Cincinnati.

thanks

 

[Cincyfan78]

thanks

No problem.

I actually really liked when the Bengals were in Wilmington/Georgetown because it was a cool trip to take for the weekend and I think the players enjoyed a change in the setting...

That being said - the way stadiums and practice facilities are today - especially with all of the equipment, medical staff, etc...it just made too much sense to end up back in Cincinnati.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Hubbard walked off with a knee issue yesterday. MRI was clean.

DJ Turner continues to have a really good camp.

Yoshi continues to impress along with Brown (who has been taking some reps with the WR group to continue improving as a catcher).

Mims is a LARGE human who moves like he's 7" shorter and 100lbs lighter...it's ridiculous.

Burrow to Gesicki is going to ruin 3rd down defenses.

 

[cincygrad]

No problem.

I actually really liked when the Bengals were in Wilmington/Georgetown because it was a cool trip to take for the weekend and I think the players enjoyed a change in the setting...

That being said - the way stadiums and practice facilities are today - especially with all of the equipment, medical staff, etc...it just made too much sense to end up back in Cincinnati.

Back when they were in Wilmington, training camp was much longer. And there were a lot more practices. Go back long enough and lots of players had jobs in the offseason and routinely showed up to camp out of football shape. These days the Bengals country club features 3 days of practice followed by 1 day off for the first 2 weeks. Then it is 2 days of practice and one day off. I don't think any practice goes beyond 2 hours and they never have 2-a-days.... It's a different era.

 

[cincygrad]

Hubbard walked off with a knee issue yesterday. MRI was clean.

DJ Turner continues to have a really good camp.

Yoshi continues to impress along with Brown (who has been taking some reps with the WR group to continue improving as a catcher).

Mims is a LARGE human who moves like he's 7" shorter and 100lbs lighter...it's ridiculous.

Burrow to Gesicki is going to ruin 3rd down defenses.

Chase is still sitting out. Hendrickson has practiced once. Taylor has an interesting approach, but I wonder if at some point it will backfire. He's basically taken the heat himself - Neither player is talking to the press and Taylor keeps referencing a 'plan' that he has in place. In a way, it makes sense that you make concessions for your top players that are aiming for contract changes.... On the other hand, what happens when it is a mid-tier starter that is holding in? Do they get the same treatment? And how do you handle all of the absences that will come up over time? It seems like we talk ourselves into this idea that players don't really need to practice, but if that's the case, why do we have camp at all?

Whether we want to pin it on injuries/surgeries/COVID, etc, we have to acknowledge that Burrow is a slow starter. Having 1/3 of Tee and nothing from Chase will have an impact on their ability to evolve this offense in the summer months. It's not the same personnel from the last 2 seasons.

I wouldn't say I have much in the way of panic, but the precedent bugs me and I wonder how tolerant Taylor can continue to be of this stuff over time.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Chase is still sitting out. Hendrickson has practiced once. Taylor has an interesting approach, but I wonder if at some point it will backfire. He's basically taken the heat himself - Neither player is talking to the press and Taylor keeps referencing a 'plan' that he has in place. In a way, it makes sense that you make concessions for your top players that are aiming for contract changes.... On the other hand, what happens when it is a mid-tier starter that is holding in? Do they get the same treatment? And how do you handle all of the absences that will come up over time? It seems like we talk ourselves into this idea that players don't really need to practice, but if that's the case, why do we have camp at all?

Whether we want to pin it on injuries/surgeries/COVID, etc, we have to acknowledge that Burrow is a slow starter. Having 1/3 of Tee and nothing from Chase will have an impact on their ability to evolve this offense in the summer months. It's not the same personnel from the last 2 seasons.

I wouldn't say I have much in the way of panic, but the precedent bugs me and I wonder how tolerant Taylor can continue to be of this stuff over time.

Yeah - we'll see where these guys land in terms of when they return.

The reality is - if it's a mid/lower tier guy they likely aren't trying this stunt because the answer/result they get won't be what they like. I mean, it's one thing for Chase/Hendrickson to do this...it's another for say someone like Carter (DT), or Jones (WR). Reality is - stars get treated differently - everyone knows it. It is what it is. But, I don't disagree with your overriding point.

There's a lot of talk of getting guys more work this year in pre-season. Taylor has talked about it - Starters will get reps in the games. How many? We'll see - but there has been at least an acknowledgement that this team needs to start faster and a part of that plan is to get everyone more run in the pre-season games.

 

[DanBengalfan]

meter your expectations about Gesicki, he hasn't been productive since 2021. he's filling in a roster spot, and the hope is with Burrow he'll do a little bit better than he did with average QBs.

Rememer Irv Smith Jr was supposed to be an all pro here, yea, bullshit.
we had a few TE that had decent chemistry before that, so that's probably the real expectation.

 

[Cincyfan78]

meter your expectations about Gesicki, he hasn't been productive since 2021. he's filling in a roster spot, and the hope is with Burrow he'll do a little bit better than he did with average QBs.

Rememer Irv Smith Jr was supposed to be an all pro here, yea, bullshit.
we had a few TE that had decent chemistry before that, so that's probably the real expectation.

Gesicki >>>> Smith...Smith was ALWAYS a reach. He was a 2nd round pick that had a small sample of doing well and then was hurt all the time. Bengals took a swing, but it missed. Gesicki has a much better record of production.

His last year in Mia saw less targets (32) than he had since his rookie year (22). That also coincided with having both Waddle and Hill who commanded over 51% of all targets that year by all receiving targets. However, he was still 3rd in both targets and receptions.

I don't think I need to go into depth on how bad the QB play in NE was last year or the offense in general. Let's just say that their leading receptions leader was a RB and their leading yardage guy barely had 500 yards.

Gesicki doesn't need to be a stud TE. What he will be is a guy who knows how to get down in zones, and find ways to get open on 3rd downs to help keep moving the chains, and I think that is the exact expectation that most have for him. Last year Hudson and Sample combined for 61 receptions...and that was with Hudson only getting in 12 games because of how long it took for the Coaches to finally move on from Smith and let Hudson do his thing. Hudson also had 21 of his 39 receptions go for 1st downs.

Gesicki is going to be a good fit with Burrow and the offense spreading things out. He'll be a guy that can help move the chains, and IMO - that is a huge need that has been missing. This team has, under Burrow, struggled too often to move the chains consistently - I think a guy like Gesicki is going to help change that. As teams continually focus on taking away Chase, Higgins and likely Burton....you need a smart TE who just knows how to find ways to get open and move the sticks.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Gesicki >>>> Smith...Smith was ALWAYS a reach. He was a 2nd round pick that had a small sample of doing well and then was hurt all the time. Bengals took a swing, but it missed. Gesicki has a much better record of production.

His last year in Mia saw less targets (32) than he had since his rookie year (22). That also coincided with having both Waddle and Hill who commanded over 51% of all targets that year by all receiving targets. However, he was still 3rd in both targets and receptions.

I don't think I need to go into depth on how bad the QB play in NE was last year or the offense in general. Let's just say that their leading receptions leader was a RB and their leading yardage guy barely had 500 yards.

Gesicki doesn't need to be a stud TE. What he will be is a guy who knows how to get down in zones, and find ways to get open on 3rd downs to help keep moving the chains, and I think that is the exact expectation that most have for him. Last year Hudson and Sample combined for 61 receptions...and that was with Hudson only getting in 12 games because of how long it took for the Coaches to finally move on from Smith and let Hudson do his thing. Hudson also had 21 of his 39 receptions go for 1st downs.

Gesicki is going to be a good fit with Burrow and the offense spreading things out. He'll be a guy that can help move the chains, and IMO - that is a huge need that has been missing. This team has, under Burrow, struggled too often to move the chains consistently - I think a guy like Gesicki is going to help change that. As teams continually focus on taking away Chase, Higgins and likely Burton....you need a smart TE who just knows how to find ways to get open and move the sticks.

if we're lucky, he'll bring production similar to Hurst. I'm not expecting a pro-bowl year. it seems people overhype new free agents every f'n year.