Notes from Off-Season Practice

[*pally*]

Seems like Ja'Marr really want to step up that leadership role this season

"Seeing new tendencies and old tendencies...(things) I could point out and help them with."

Ja'Marr Chase spent some intentional time at the end of practice today with the #Bengals safeties. @fox19

Ja'Marr narrates what his message was under the video. pic.twitter.com/zomIYvVjvM

— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) May 27, 2025

  

[*pally*]

2. Newcomer Lucas Patrick is a candidate to start at RG. The 9-year vet is impressed with new O-line coach Scott Peters.
“It’s the most detailed I’ve ever been during OTA’s,” said Patrick. “You really get to hone in on new techniques, set a tone, and take the fight to D-lineman.” pic.twitter.com/PQ3XkJsRKJ

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) May 27, 2025

4. Undrafted WR Jordan Moore out of Duke (177 career catches, 21 TD) will be a player to keep an eye on in the preseason.
“He’s an A+ young man, fits our culture, and wants to be great,” said WR coach Troy Walters. “He’s coachable, and I’m excited to have him as one of our guys.” pic.twitter.com/pNfKVdx8db

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) May 27, 2025

5. Big contract extensions haven’t changed Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. They rewarded fans that waited in the rain by signing autographs after practice.
“They’ve been awesome,” said Walters. “They understand to whom much is given, much is required and expected.” pic.twitter.com/nHONzv0JCw

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) May 27, 2025

[Essex Johnson]

(05-13-2025, 09:15 AM)Millhouse Wrote: The rooks that are 'sitting out' until fully signed are doing the right thing.

The Bengals on the other hand need to join the the other 31 teams to have full injury protections. Why they haven't, who knows why with this club.

not just the Bengals, like 30 2nd round picks are not signed for same reason, 

[*pally*]

Cam Sample posted that he has been medically cleared from his torn achilles

[J24]

(05-28-2025, 12:30 AM)pally Wrote: Cam Sample posted that he has been medically cleared from his torn achilles

If he can return to form then that would be huge get for the defense. He might be our best hope for an elite interior rusher. Always found it odd that Lou didn't utilize him more on the inside at DT.

[Sled21]

(05-27-2025, 07:46 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: That was a very charismatic way of him handling the question. But yes, the need to play some in preseason. They don't need to go for the entire first half, but at least a drive or two to keep the machine oiled. Now the OL, I would argue needs to play well into the second quarter of preseason games. Too many times in recent years they show up on opening day and look like they all just met each other for the first time.

It's a double-edged sword. Yes, we would probably start faster in the regular season if the starters played a lot in the pre-season. On the other hand, we could be starting without several of our best players if they get injured.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(05-27-2025, 07:37 PM)Nepa Wrote: Here a segment of the ESPN story on Chase's comments:

"In the middle of an interview, he started asking questions to find an answer that has eluded the Bengals for several years. When asked about whether playing in the preseason could help Cincinnati solve its slow starts, Chase eyed the semicircle of media members by his locker and rattled off a series of questions with a simple premise: What were the records for the Bengals in the first two weeks of the season and how much did Cincinnati practice in the preseason?

In coach Zac Taylor's six seasons, the Bengals have sparingly used starters in preseason games. During that span, Cincinnati has a 1-11 record, the worst in the NFL. After running reporters through the slew of 0-2 starts to multiple seasons, Chase wrapped up his questions and arrived at a conclusion.

"Sounds like we need to play in the preseason, huh?" Chase quipped after the team's first voluntary OTA."

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45348955/jamarr-chase-believes-preseason-key-bengals-slow-starts

This has been painfully obvious for at least 3 years, if not longer. Well, unless your name is Zach, anyway. 

Glad Chase sees it. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(05-28-2025, 12:30 AM)pally Wrote: Cam Sample posted that he has been medically cleared from his torn achilles

Good news. Being cleared and being back up to snuff are two very different things, however. 

If he is, however, I am assuming he becomes effectively DT5 on passing downs. Ossai played inside some, too. And the coaches have lauded Stewart for doing so in college.

[WeezyBengal]

Good stuff about Jenkins. We desperately need either him and Jackson to work out.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(05-28-2025, 10:11 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Good stuff about Jenkins. We desperately need either him and Jackson to work out.

They both will.

McKinnley looked like the real deal last year in his limited snaps.

[SunsetBengal]

(05-28-2025, 08:53 AM)Sled21 Wrote: It's a double-edged sword. Yes, we would probably start faster in the regular season if the starters played a lot in the pre-season. On the other hand, we could be starting without several of our best players if they get injured.

I didn't say that any of the starters should play "a lot", I said that the entire offense should run a couple of series together and then allow the OL to play into the second QTR. This is also good as it gives your #2 skill players some reps with the starting OL, and allows the opportunity for example the backup Center to operate with the rest of the starting OL.

[c766]

(05-28-2025, 08:53 AM)Sled21 Wrote: It's a double-edged sword. Yes, we would probably start faster in the regular season if the starters played a lot in the pre-season. On the other hand, we could be starting without several of our best players if they get injured.

This might be the most hilarious thing I have ever seen a 'fan' write on a message board. 

-

Yes, the Bengals would be better prepared to start the season if they had all their players practicing...BUT, be careful cause that might also mean some get injured while practicing. 

Poor Bengals fans have legit had their brains fried over 30+ years of losing

[Sled21]

(05-28-2025, 11:59 AM)c766 Wrote: This might be the most hilarious thing I have ever seen a 'fan' write on a message board. 

-

Yes, the Bengals would be better prepared to start the season if they had all their players practicing...BUT, be careful cause that might also mean some get injured while practicing. 

Poor Bengals fans have legit had their brains fried over 30+ years of losing

Really, which part do you find funny, the part where they are better prepared if they play pre-season, or the part where it's a gamble that could see your starters end their season before it even starts? Because coaches struggle with that decision each and every year. 

[THE PISTONS]

(05-28-2025, 11:59 AM)c766 Wrote: This might be the most hilarious thing I have ever seen a 'fan' write on a message board. 

-

Yes, the Bengals would be better prepared to start the season if they had all their players practicing...BUT, be careful cause that might also mean some get injured while practicing. 

Poor Bengals fans have legit had their brains fried over 30+ years of losing

I think if we had a slow start 1 or 2 years, it's one thing. We've had a slow start every year of Zac's career. Something needs changed.

But, yeah injuries are a slight concern. Guys can just get hurt at camp too without contact. Always a variable of football.

[jj22]

I'm torn with playing starters in the preseason.

Steelers are an excellent example. They play starters in the preseason and come out the gate firing on all cylinders. However by week 11 they are done and look done. They look tired, and the energy is no longer there. They close the season in the midst of losing streaks and end up 1 and done in playoffs.

There has to be a happy medium.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(05-28-2025, 02:31 PM)jj22 Wrote: I'm torn with playing starters in the preseason.

Steelers are an excellent example. They play starters in the preseason and come out the gate firing on all cylinders. However by week 11 they are done and look done. They look tired, and the energy is no longer there. They close the season in the midst of losing streaks and end up 1 and done in playoffs.

There has to be a happy medium.

Good point honestly. I love how this team looks at the end of the season every year. Just wish we could start out faster as well.

[Southpaw Frerotte]

(05-28-2025, 12:40 AM)J24 Wrote: If he can return to form then that would be huge get for the defense. He might be our best hope for an elite interior rusher. Always found it odd that Lou didn't utilize him more on the inside at DT.

Not trying to knock Cam Sample since he's an average rotational piece, but if the Bengals are banking on him to become an elite interior rusher, this defense is already cooked.  

[J24]

(05-28-2025, 03:52 PM)Southpaw Frerotte Wrote:

Not trying to knock Cam Sample since he's an average rotational piece, but if the Bengals are banking on him to become an elite interior rusher, this defense is already cooked.  

You might be right on that!

[*bfine32*]

(05-28-2025, 02:31 PM)jj22 Wrote: I'm torn with playing starters in the preseason.

Steelers are an excellent example. They play starters in the preseason and come out the gate firing on all cylinders. However by week 11 they are done and look done. They look tired, and the energy is no longer there. They close the season in the midst of losing streaks and end up 1 and done in playoffs.

There has to be a happy medium.

I've said it before. We used to be unhappy about how we ended the season, now we're unhappy with how we start the season. 

[jj22]

(05-28-2025, 04:22 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I've said it before. We used to be unhappy about how we ended the season, now we're unhappy with how we start the season. 

NE (while not as slow of a start as we've seen with our Bengals), if they were to lose games would happen in week 1-5. After that the run started. It was like that every year.... 

Same with KC. 

The slow starts are an issue, but the championship teams we've seen this generation .... the best bet to defeat them did come in September before they locked in. 

I'd be curious to look back at the teams they play. We've just lost to some very bad teams (Cleveland, NE, No QB having Steelers) and that makes it all the worse.