Notes From Training Camp 2025

[Soonerpeace]

(08-04-2025, 12:10 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Then he needs to ramp up (earlier) leading into the season. 

They can't go into a year working through the first couple games to "get on track". That needs to be done before game #1 starts, so that they hit the ground running. No excuses, get ready earlier, come out firing. 

No doubt. It’d help if they had a run game. But it sounds like they’ve got a better handle on it. Was interesting to hear that Patrick loves run blocking as does Mims. That would be great if we had a hole to attack on crucial downs. So many of us think a much better run game helps the passing game immensely

[*pally*]

(08-04-2025, 12:10 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Then he needs to ramp up (earlier) leading into the season. 

They can't go into a year working through the first couple games to "get on track". That needs to be done before game #1 starts, so that they hit the ground running. No excuses, get ready earlier, come out firing. 

You want to let us know which pre-season he could focus entirely on "ramping up"

2020-COVID year..no OTAs, limited training camp, weird practices
2021-coming off of a quick knee rehab...because of the knee totally revamped his throwing motion, still limited in camp
2022-NORMAL...oops ruptured appendix on day 2 which caused him to miss the majority of training camp.  And then have to regain the lost weight and muscle mass loss due to the illness
2023-finally a normal off season-serious strained calf on day 1 of TC.  Still not fully healed when the season started
2024-wrist recovery...very limited throwing during off season; Ja'Marr hold in, Tee injuries

[Nepa]

(08-04-2025, 12:31 PM)pally Wrote: You want to let us know which pre-season he could focus entirely on "ramping up"

2020-COVID year..no OTAs, limited training camp, weird practices
2021-coming off of a quick knee rehab...because of the knee totally revamped his throwing motion, still limited in camp
2022-NORMAL...oops ruptured appendix on day 2 which caused him to miss the majority of training camp.  And then have to regain the lost weight and muscle mass loss due to the illness
2023-finally a normal off season-serious strained calf on day 1 of TC.  Still not fully healed when the season started
2024-wrist recovery...very limited throwing during off season; Ja'Marr hold in, Tee injuries

That was painful to read. 
And Burrow ends up being Comeback Player of the Year two times. In just 5 seasons of playing. 

Burrow deserves some good fortune. Knock on wood that it be this year. Certainly, enough karma has been paid -- by Burrow and by Bengals fans. 

[Essex Johnson]

(08-04-2025, 12:31 PM)pally Wrote: You want to let us know which pre-season he could focus entirely on "ramping up"

2020-COVID year..no OTAs, limited training camp, weird practices
2021-coming off of a quick knee rehab...because of the knee totally revamped his throwing motion, still limited in camp
2022-NORMAL...oops ruptured appendix on day 2 which caused him to miss the majority of training camp.  And then have to regain the lost weight and muscle mass loss due to the illness
2023-finally a normal off season-serious strained calf on day 1 of TC.  Still not fully healed when the season started
2024-wrist recovery...very limited throwing during off season; Ja'Marr hold in, Tee injuries

Let's hope he stays healthy been a issue for him especially leading into season, and he should play the most snaps this year in preseason games.. I think it will pay off finally with a 2-0 start to season

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(08-04-2025, 12:23 PM)Nepa Wrote: Tee Higgins 6'4"
Mike Gesicki 6'6"
Noah Fant 6'4"
Andrei Iosivas 6'3"
Ja'Marr Chase 6'0"

And all talented.

There are going to be so many mismatches for the defense to try and defend. It is going to be sleepless nights for opposing DCs.

Other teams looking at our Receiving options.

[Luvnit2]

(08-04-2025, 12:31 PM)pally Wrote: You want to let us know which pre-season he could focus entirely on "ramping up"

2020-COVID year..no OTAs, limited training camp, weird practices
2021-coming off of a quick knee rehab...because of the knee totally revamped his throwing motion, still limited in camp
2022-NORMAL...oops ruptured appendix on day 2 which caused him to miss the majority of training camp.  And then have to regain the lost weight and muscle mass loss due to the illness
2023-finally a normal off season-serious strained calf on day 1 of TC.  Still not fully healed when the season started
2024-wrist recovery...very limited throwing during off season; Ja'Marr hold in, Tee injuries

Yep Joe has not had one camp fulll go. It is very obvious why we could not ramp it up on offense in TC since JB enterted the league. Let's hope he can get through 1 camp healthy and see how the offense performs in September.

[Luvnit2]

(08-04-2025, 01:28 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Other teams looking at our Receiving options.

There may be teams looking at both our CB and WR room for future players. Maybe we can trade a CB/WR combo for a solid vet guard before final cut down.

[WeezyBengal]

(08-04-2025, 12:31 PM)pally Wrote: You want to let us know which pre-season he could focus entirely on "ramping up"

2020-COVID year..no OTAs, limited training camp, weird practices
2021-coming off of a quick knee rehab...because of the knee totally revamped his throwing motion, still limited in camp
2022-NORMAL...oops ruptured appendix on day 2 which caused him to miss the majority of training camp.  And then have to regain the lost weight and muscle mass loss due to the illness
2023-finally a normal off season-serious strained calf on day 1 of TC.  Still not fully healed when the season started
2024-wrist recovery...very limited throwing during off season; Ja'Marr hold in, Tee injuries

This alone is the reason why playing these guys in pre-season is such a stupid idea. 

The team starts slow because Burrow starts slow every year...mainly because he's hampered by some kind of injury. 

If he has a good camp, avoids injury, etc. he will be fine to start the season and the team will play better. 

[Essex Johnson]

(08-04-2025, 02:36 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: This alone is the reason why playing these guys in pre-season is such a stupid idea. 

The team starts slow because Burrow starts slow every year...mainly because he's hampered by some kind of injury. 

If he has a good camp, avoids injury, etc. he will be fine to start the season and the team will play better. 

Well Joe has stated he needs and wants to play some preseason games. I actually think preseason is more important now with the very light training camps we have now .

[Nicomo Cosca]

(08-04-2025, 02:36 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: This alone is the reason why playing these guys in pre-season is such a stupid idea. 

The team starts slow because Burrow starts slow every year...mainly because he's hampered by some kind of injury. 

If he has a good camp, avoids injury, etc. he will be fine to start the season and the team will play better. 

Again, the defense has been just as prone to slow starts under Zac. 14 missed tackles against a pathetic Patriots team last season in week one.

Not mention they have 2 new guards, a new OL coach, and a new DC. These guys need all the reps they can get.

[*pally*]

(08-04-2025, 02:45 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Well Joe has stated he needs and wants to play some preseason games. I actually think preseason is more important now with the very light training camps we have now .

I don't expect him to get a crazy amount of reps but running all of the ones in a series or 2 during preseason gives them a chance to play together at game speed.  The last couple of years, our starting OL and DL didn't come together as a unit until game one

[Sled21]

(08-04-2025, 10:53 AM)pally Wrote: One of the podcasts sia that Mims is wearing a soft cast on the right hand.  If it is his thumb that is unstable he may end up wearing some support on that hand all season.  Just something to watch...

looks like Tee is going to be playing all over the field in order to take advantage of that height mismatch he has on so many DBs.  Imagine trying to degense the Bengals when they can play Ja'Marr, Tee, or Gesicki all in the slot depending on the situation

Interview with Jeremy Fowler
https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/cincinnati-bengals-making-key-change-with-tee-higgins-this-season-01k1tkh4teyz

I never played OT, so I have no idea really, but a buddy of mine at work played RT in college and he said Mims can play with a cast with no problem. He said he played with a club on his hand one year and it didn't hinder him 

[WeezyBengal]

(08-04-2025, 03:31 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Again, the defense has been just as prone to slow starts under Zac. 14 missed tackles against a pathetic Patriots team last season in week one.

Not mention they have 2 new guards, a new OL coach, and a new DC. These guys need all the reps they can get.

Defense was bad all year last year. It wasn't a slow start for them, they just stunk. 

[Nicomo Cosca]

(08-04-2025, 04:08 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Defense was bad all year last year. It wasn't a slow start for them, they just stunk. 

Right. Which isn’t exactly an argument for less reps in the preseason now is it. Between all the guys coming back from injuries, to several rookies/2nd year players, to all the new coaches, the time to work on things is not when the games actually count.

[*rfaulk34*]

(08-04-2025, 12:31 PM)pally Wrote: You want to let us know which pre-season he could focus entirely on "ramping up"

2020-COVID year..no OTAs, limited training camp, weird practices
2021-coming off of a quick knee rehab...because of the knee totally revamped his throwing motion, still limited in camp
2022-NORMAL...oops ruptured appendix on day 2 which caused him to miss the majority of training camp.  And then have to regain the lost weight and muscle mass loss due to the illness
2023-finally a normal off season-serious strained calf on day 1 of TC.  Still not fully healed when the season started
2024-wrist recovery...very limited throwing during off season; Ja'Marr hold in, Tee injuries

Yeah. I saw your post after i answered him and it makes more sense for Joe specifically. I was answering more the mental part of it, but for him it's been more physical. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(08-04-2025, 03:31 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Again, the defense has been just as prone to slow starts under Zac. 14 missed tackles against a pathetic Patriots team last season in week one.

Not mention they have 2 new guards, a new OL coach, and a new DC. These guys need all the reps they can get.

(08-04-2025, 04:45 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Right. Which isn’t exactly an argument for less reps in the preseason now is it. Between all the guys coming back from injuries, to several rookies/2nd year players, to all the new coaches, the time to work on things is not when the games actually count.

Yep, it is a gamble either way but the way the Bengals have started seasons since Zac got here we have to change things up.

Players get hurt in practice just the same as preseason games. Get the new players plenty of reps so they aren't rusty going into the opener 
against the Stains.

[jj22]

It was a little messy for them to place Hendrickson 4th string on the depth chart. They know he sensitive. Why poke him.

I prefer Burrow and Stewart to sit out Thursday. See if the starting Oline can protect (Browning), and give Stewart 1 more week to get into “football shape”. No ota’s, no minicamp, the goal should be to have him ready for the opener not preseason game 1.

Watching the Oline in camp I need to see if they can protect before risking Burrow, already getting quickly bumped into in camp, taking unnecessary hits.

I believe  in sitting the rb (Brown) too. No need to add the extra mileage in preseason. Take a long look at the young guys 

[Soonerpeace]

(08-04-2025, 06:44 PM)jj22 Wrote: It was a little messy for them to place Hendrickson 4th string on the depth chart. They know he sensitive. Why poke him.

I prefer Burrow and Stewart to sit out Thursday. See if the starting Oline can protect (Browning), and give Stewart 1 more week to get into “football shape”. No ota’s, no minicamp, the goal should be to have him ready for the opener not preseason game 1.

Watching the Oline in camp I need to see if they can protect before risking Burrow, already getting quickly bumped into in camp, taking unnecessary hits.

I believe  in sitting the rb (Brown) too. No need to add the extra mileage in preseason. Take a long look at the young guys 

I think Stewart will play. I think few other starters play. They have to look at the marginal players for roster spots.

[sandwedge]

(08-04-2025, 11:35 AM)pally Wrote: Ja'Marr is listed with Jermaine as his back-up at the very top of the list

https://www.bengals.com/team/depth-chart

We were looking at the list you posted yesterday. They are not listed

[Stewy]

(08-04-2025, 11:17 AM)sandwedge Wrote: I noticed that yesterday when I looked at the roster. Don't remember seeing Burton either.

(08-04-2025, 11:35 AM)pally Wrote: Ja'Marr is listed with Jermaine as his back-up at the very top of the list

https://www.bengals.com/team/depth-chart

(08-04-2025, 07:15 PM)sandwedge Wrote: We were looking at the list you posted yesterday. They are not listed

Yes they were.   X crops images to outside links.  To get the full image you have to actually click on the tweet and go to it on twitter/x.  If you had done that you would have seen Jamarr right at the top just like the Bengals posted.  And I know it hasn't since been retweeted with corrections because I clicked on it at the time Pally posted it.  So anyone claiming Jamarr wasn't on the original DC is just plain wrong and didn't bother to actually click the original content.