Arkansas Bengal

by SportsGrid 3 hours ago The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the NFL‘s most talented offenses, and some players can be difference-makers for the team in 2023. Headlined by Joe Burrow, the Bengals are forecasted to have one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses again this year. Besides highlighting the key cogs like Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase, we’re looking toward players who have the potential to be impactful but haven’t hit their ceilings yet. Below, we’ll highlight three players on the Bengals’ offense that can stand out in 2023. Chase Brown, RB You might be a bit surprised at who we’re touting to make an impact for the Bengals in 2023 to lead off the group. Running back Chase Brown is labeled as the second or third string on most depth charts, but he’s someone we’re keeping a close eye on. Yes, Joe Mixon is the starter, and Chris Evans should have a role, but Brown has the explosiveness that’s really been lacking from the running back position in Cincinnati. Mixon has managed to be productive, but explosiveness and production aren’t always the same. There are some question marks about how much the Bengals really like Mixon. Although he will get the bulk of the work to start, we foresee a real world where Brown receives an uptick in touches, especially if Mixon continues to be as inefficient as last season. Jonah Williams, OT When you look at the Bengals, one thing is clear, protecting Joe Burrow is of the utmost importance. The Bengals have their franchise quarterback and will be a Super Bowl contender as long as he’s their signal-caller. Still, Burrow has been taken advantage of in the pocket and is often left scrambling because of a lackluster offensive line. One player we believe has the tool kit to break out in 2023 is offensive tackle, Jonah Williams. Williams was a high draft pick for the Bengals in 2019 and has yet to reach his ceiling fully. He’s struggled to work out as a pass-blocker, but Williams can now shift to right tackle with the team signing Orlando Brown Jr. This should lessen the load for Williams, and it’s much more likely you will see him continue growing in this role, and being productive. Irv Smith Jr., TE Tight ends have rarely played a significant role in the Bengals’ offense of late, but after the club acquired Irv Smith Jr. in the offseason, we believe that may change in 2023. With a wide receiver core already loaded with difference-makers, we’re looking toward Smith Jr. having some solid production in the red zone. Even with Burrow not targeting his tight ends at a high clip, having a target like Smith Jr., that can produce over the middle of the field and be a safety blanket will undoubtedly help him. We’re not claiming that he will light the world on fire in Cincinnati and live up to his former lofty draft status, but we believe a big year is on the horizon for Smith Jr. https://nesn.com/bets/2023/08/3-cincinnati-bengals-to-watch-for-on-offense/?src=rss

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer Thu, Aug 17, 2023, 9:41 AM CDT·6 min read Defensive tackle Domenique Davis’ football career should have ended in July 2020. Right before the start of training camp, the New York Jets cut him and told him to stop trying to play through a significant injury that eventually took Davis two years to recover from. Undrafted free agents from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke aren’t supposed to make it in the NFL. Players who are out of football for two entire years aren’t supposed to make it either, and Davis was sidelined for two long stretches at different points of his career. And yet here Davis is at Cincinnati Bengals training camp, making a real push for the 53rd spot on the roster. “Domenique Davis, oh man, that’s my guy,” Bengals defensive tackle BJ Hill said. “He’s showing his talent every day. I think he’s going to be good for us.” “Davis has come out of nowhere,” defensive end Sam Hubbard said. “But I know the preparation and work he put in this offseason.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis is making a bid for a roster spot in training camp this year. Davis is a 6-foot-2, 326-pound, 27-year-old run-stuffing nose tackle. While Davis had four pressures in the game and set up Bengals safety Tycen Anderson’s pick-six against the Green Bay Packers with his pass rush up the middle, his biggest strength is his ability to hold his ground at the line of scrimmage and stop the run. From 'late bloomer' to missing years of football There’s not a player in Bengals’ training camp who was more overlooked than Davis. “I was a late bloomer,” Davis said. “I went from 5-foot-9, 205 pounds to 6-3, 250. “I was focused on things I shouldn’t have been. I was getting into trouble. Then in high school, my mom told me I needed to find something to do.” Davis didn’t get much playing time at Scotland High School in North Carolina until his junior year. Then, he became a two-time all-conference player for a team that appeared in the state championship game. “I didn’t have good grades,” Davis said. “I didn’t know if I was going to go to college. I had bigger schools looking at me, but I didn't have the grades.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis has impressed his teammates during training camp with his versatile game. In 2014, Davis went to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and redshirted the season. Then he transferred to Pembroke, where he found out he was ineligible for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He didn’t play a single down of live football between when his high school career ended in 2013 and 2017. “The toughest part was staying motivated,” Davis said. “I knew I wanted to make it to the NFL and take care of my family. I was literally on my own.” Davis' football journey reaches the NFL Davis was a role player at Pembroke in 2017, he found his stride in 2018 and he really caught scouts’ attention as a sixth-year senior in 2019. According to the Laurinburg Exchange, Pembroke has only had four players in the school’s history even get a tryout for an NFL team, and none of those players appeared in an NFL game. Davis played well enough in the Mountain East Conference that NFL teams were scouting him as an undrafted free agent. Davis signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in May of 2020. Then before the start of training camp, Davis failed his physical, and got waived. “I had a broken bone in my foot, and I was still trying to play on it,” Davis said. “It was rough. I took that year off. I trained at Pembroke in their facility. I told my agent I was healthy. I was talking to teams, but they were scared to pull the trigger on me. I didn’t have any recent film. I was already a small school prospect.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis was one of the most impactful players on the Bengals' defense during the preseason opener. After spending the entire 2020 football season rehabbing on his own, Davis and his agent tried to find him a shot for a rookie minicamp in 2021. No one was interested in a nose tackle from a small college who hadn’t played in a game in nearly two years. Davis never gave up on NFL dream Davis had his chance to give up, but he didn’t even get another full-time job. He kept his focus on his football career. His priorities were training and taking care of his son. He knew that a football career was the best way for him to take care of his family in the longrun, so he kept going. Finally, he got a call back from a team: The Houston Gamblers of the USFL. “The rest is history,” Davis said. Davis spent the 2022 spring season in the USFL, recording 57 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Gamblers coach Ty Warren, a long-time starter for the New England Patriots, changed Davis’ career with what he taught him. “He saw something in me,” Davis said. “He helped me develop real skills. He saw I was raw. He helped me mentally, with film and with everything on the field. You always have to perfect your craft because someone is always working harder than you. He gave me that boost to go hard every day.” Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domenique Davis' career picked up momentum after a stint in the USFL. After Davis played well in the USFL, Davis said a lot of teams started returning his agent’s call. He had multiple offers for training camp in 2022, and Davis’ agent told him that the Bengals didn’t have as much depth at defensive tackle as some other teams that were interested in him. Davis had a solid 2022 training camp for a nose tackle who was just trying to break into the NFL, but he was also exhausted jumping back into football right after the USFL season ended. Davis showed the Bengals enough to earn a spot on their practice squad, and he appeared in two games last season while DJ Reader was injured. Now, Davis is playing the best football of his career, and he’s competing with Jay Tufele to be the Bengals’ fifth defensive tackle this season. Even if Davis doesn’t make the team, he looks like he’s on track for a spot on the Bengals’ practice squad again in 2023. Finally, he’s getting the chance to play football and figure out how good of a player he can be. “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life,” Davis said. “When the time comes, and you’ve been preparing for it non-stop, it isn’t a big adjustment. I’m 27, so I’m already supposed to be here. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. I’m not that young anymore. I’ve got to put more work in so I can keep being on this field. In my head, I’m late. I’ve just got to keep going.” https://sports.yahoo.com/domenique-davis-showed-nowhere-bid-144130427.html?src=rss

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff Writer Aug 16, 2023, 06:00 AM ET CINCINNATI -- Getting settled quickly in their new surroundings can make the transition to the NFL easier for rookies. For Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, that meant finding an apartment. Then came the process of adding furniture, which included a bed with custom settings to make falling asleep a little easier. Brown said he also bought a car to take him from his apartment to the team’s facility in downtown Cincinnati. Having those things figured out has allowed him to focus on the more difficult parts of being a rookie -- finding a place on their new team. But for Brown, the urgency is increased. Cincinnati enters 2023 with a void at back-up running back behind starter Joe Mixon. Brown and veterans Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans are all in contention to take the snaps vacated by last year's No. 2 Samaje Perine, who signed with the Denver Broncos during free agency. The Bengals could also be looking for a new starter in 2024, depending on what happens with Mixon next offseason. This year will give the Bengals an extended look at what Brown offers this season and beyond. Brown wanted to get his living and transportation needs met so he could get acclimated as quickly as possible. “That's why I have so much time to just focus on the playbook and not spending time worrying about where I'm gonna sign a lease or how I'm gonna get to practice in the morning,” Brown said. “So that, that's really settling for me.” Cincinnati drafted the former Illinois standout in the fifth round of April’s draft. It was the first time the Bengals selected a running back that early since acquiring Mark Walton in the fourth round in 2018. Brown brings a bevy of production with him to the NFL. In 2022, the fifth-year senior was second among all Power 5 running backs with 1,643 rushing yards. He could boost a Bengals ground attack that was beset by missed opportunities last season. Despite facing defensive schemes geared to limit the passing game, Cincinnati ranked 30th in percentage of carries that went for 10 or more yards. Brown was prolific running the ball in college. But he will need to be an asset in the pass game for Cincinnati as well. Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire Bengals offensive line coach Frank Pollack, who also holds the title as the team’s run-game coordinator, said Brown is explosive and has good vision. While there are some nuances that Brown must learn, such as the timing of exchanges and how quickly to attack in a run-pass option, Pollack praised the rookie. “It's been impressive. From a run-game perspective, that jumps out at me,” Pollack said. “He's a talented back. I'm excited to see that guy continue to do this through training camp.” Brown is a unique addition given the current state of the franchise. When Mixon was drafted in 2017, the Bengals were in the twilight of coach Marvin Lewis’ tenure and Andy Dalton’s run at quarterback. When Cincinnati hired Zac Taylor to replace Lewis in 2019 and drafted Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in 2020, nearly every aspect of the franchise was transformed. From an offensive perspective, it meant that the Bengals were going to be built around Burrow and the passing attack, which was communicated during Brown’s pre-draft meetings with Cincinnati. “They talk about how this is a pass-first offense,” Brown said. “Running the ball is secondary.” That also means pass protection is primary for all of Cincinnati’s running backs. Perine was the team’s designated third-down back the past two seasons, mainly because of his reliability in pass protection. Brown, Evans and Williams are all vying for those snaps in 2023. And Brown has plenty of experience being on the field on third down. Among all running backs at the Power 5 level in 2022, Brown had the fifth-highest number of third-down snaps, according to ESPN Stats & Information. And even though Brown racked up a ton of yards, he spent his time in the film room on another aspect. “I spent way more time on pressures than anything else,” Brown said. “I think that's why I'm successful with it in college.” Getting a lengthy evaluation of the running backs in the preseason will be tricky. After the team’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, Taylor lamented the limited opportunities in the 36-19 loss. But Taylor did point out that Brown did well as a receiver, highlighting a 21-yard completion off a checkdown. He also converted two third-and-1 opportunities. “We expect those guys to be able to get us enough, and he stepped up and did that,” Taylor said of the conversions. If Brown develops into a reliable option for the Bengals in rushing and passing situations, it could position him as a viable starter for the future. But for now, Brown is just working on getting the little things squared away as he settles into his new digs in Cincinnati. “However they want to use me, however they see me contributing,” Brown said, “I’m going to take every opportunity that I can and make the most of it.” https://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/34549/rookie-chase-brown-jumping-at-opportunity-to-be-bengals-backup-rb

Chris Roling Tue, Aug 15, 2023, 10:15 PM CDT·1 min read It’s becoming a poorly-kept secret that Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Myles Murphy is off to a slow start as a rookie. Murphy has been a quiet presence during training camp so far, then went out and recorded just two tackles and a quarterback hit in his preseason NFL debut. Normally a slow start wouldn’t be a big ordeal — a rookie pass-rusher could still get involved in a rotation and keep developing during the regular season. But it’s not so simple on a stacked Bengals roster. As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic noted, the situation with Muprhy continues to be “less than enthusiastic.” As of now, Murphy isn’t running in the top eight defensive linemen on the Bengals, with Cam Sample the primary rotational guy behind bigger names like Sam Hubbard, Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai. That would likely mean Murphy doesn’t get on the active roster for a game, or if he is active, he won’t get on the field to get in the rotation. This isn’t the end of the world for Murphy. He didn’t join a bad team that needed immediate help — quite the opposite. But he’ll have to prove quickly that should something happen to the guys in front of him, he’ll be ready to make an impact. https://sports.yahoo.com/myles-murphy-slow-start-bengals-031505806.html?src=rss

Updated Aug. 15, 2023 11:59 a.m. ET Martin Rogers FOX Sports Insider Spare a thought for the most scrutinized muscle group in the National Football League — Joe Burrow's right calf. The poor old calf, a section of the athletic anatomy no one talks about until something goes wrong. In Burrow's case, it is now forced to carry the burden of all those Cincinnati Bengals hopes and dreams. On July 27, Burrow pulled up lame while undertaking a scrambling drill during training camp and was carted from the field. Such a sight is akin to a horror movie for supporters, whatever the injury might turn out to be. This one was particularly worrisome, coming just when Justin Herbert had signed his mega-money deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, making it seem like Burrow was next in line to get inked in the great modern quarterback cashapalooza. The Bengals were swift to dismiss any kind of worst-case scenario, but haven't said a whole lot more, which has had the effect of turning a scary film into a different kind of cinematic production: a mystery. Head coach Zac Taylor has his script and he is sticking to it, describing Burrow's recovery time as "several weeks." But does several weeks mean several weeks from late July, or several weeks from the time Taylor is saying and repeating it, or several weeks of the actual regular season? And how many is "several," anyway? "Several weeks," Taylor told reporters with complete accuracy and zero helpfulness last Friday, "Is several weeks." Burrow's health is the Bengals' business and Burrow's. But whenever a team keeps things so coy, it sends the speculation and rumor mill into overdrive — and even more so when it involves such a high-profile and pivotal player as Burrow. A few scattered bits of insight have framed the narrative on Burrow's injury. Let's begin with the most recent, which was last Friday, in the buildup to the Bengals' preseason tilt against the Green Bay Packers. Before the game at Paycor Stadium, there was Burrow, on the field, taking part in a throwing session of reasonable length. Obviously, he could have done it anywhere. He could have thrown extra at practice, he could have flung around the pigskin away from prying eyes, he could have done it at home, or … wherever. But he chose to do it in public, knowing full well how it would be seen and shared and commented upon. The message seemed to be very clear; that there is no sense of disaster, that things are moving forward smoothly. A kind of "hey, look at this, there's nothing to see here." But football fans like to deal in definitives. They are also aware of the smoke and mirrors that teams use to fool each other and obscure reality. Was the Burrow pre-game show all part of the plan? Was it meant to reassure fans? Was it to fool early-season opponents into planning for one thing while another will actually take place? Who knows? Taylor wasn't saying. Asked whether the sight was a sign of progress, the coach said: "No. I think things are good, and he's progressing as he should." Wait a minute; yes, it was progress — or "no," it wasn't? The Bengals are well aware that perhaps no player in the entire league is more closely linked with his team's likelihood of success than Burrow with Cincinnati. The fourth-year QB is at a fascinating juncture of his career, with the possibility of securing the biggest contract ever to overtake Herbert, or perhaps, as he has indicated, showing some contractual flexibility that increases the team's chances of landing a Super Bowl in that time frame. The most generous and team-friendly concession he can make is not necessarily by cutting back on his payday — Herbert got $52.5 million annually, Lamar Jackson $52 million and Jalen Hurts $51 million — but by replicating Patrick Mahomes and signing for a high number of years. Burrow is a long-term investment, which is also why there won't be, and shouldn't be, any chances taken with his health for the sale of a little extra action at the beginning of a long campaign. Receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who had a hip issue last year, was positively insistent on that part of it. "I just want him to be 100 percent healthy to play," Chase told reporters. "I don't want him rushing nothing, I don't want people in his ear telling him to play at a certain time. I just want him to be healthy." Once Burrow does return, missing part of the preseason isn't regarded as a concern. He was busy early in the summer and Taylor liked what he saw. "Joe got more days this July than he has ever had in the NFL," Taylor said. "So I feel really good about the progress we made during those July practices. When he is able to get back, we'll be able to get in the work that we need." Until then, the mystery continues — not the most spellbinding of tales because the Bengals are trying to defuse the chat where possible. But it's one of the most important plotlines as we head towards the season, because that's the level where Cincinnati and their QB are now at. Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports and the author of the FOX Sports Insider newsletter. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bengals-have-been-vague-about-joe-burrows-calf-but-theres-no-reason-for-concern-yet

Aug 14, 2023, 07:00 AM ET Today's NFL quarterbacks are asked to do so much every Sunday, and the best ones are often elite in multiple traits. Reading the field and finding weaknesses in the defense. Airing out deep shots for huge gains. Making precision passes on the move outside the pocket. Driving their teams downfield when the game is on the line. Picking up first downs on the ground when plays break down. But how do the top signal-callers in the league compare in each skill area? How do the NFL's best of the best stack up by specific traits and abilities? For a third straight year, we asked ESPN's NFL analysts -- Matt Bowen, Tim Hasselbeck, Matt Miller, Dan Orlovsky, Jason Reid, Jordan Reid, Mike Tannenbaum, Seth Walder and Field Yates -- to rank their personal top 10 NFL quarterbacks entering the 2023 season in 10 distinct categories, from arm strength to pocket presence. We combined those lists with a points-based system to generate final rankings in each area, all 10 of which are below. Our analysts then reacted to each list, explaining why the quarterbacks at or near the top of each group belong there and discussing what surprised them most about the final top-10s. We also gave a big stat to know, spun it forward with a young rising QB to watch for each trait and pointed out snubs who probably should have cracked each ranking. Let's start with the best downfield throwers in the league, but you can jump to each category to see how the top quarterbacks rank in the other nine skills. Arm strength This category is all about the biggest arms in the NFL. Pass velocity and the amount of zip a QB can put on a throw were factors in the ranking, as was the ability to hit the deep ball. Who are the best quarterbacks throwing the ball vertically and driving it into tight windows with authority? Here's how we voted ... 1. Josh Allen, Bills 2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 3. Justin Herbert, Chargers 4. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 5. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars 6. Anthony Richardson, Colts 7. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 8. Matthew Stafford, Rams 9. Lamar Jackson, Ravens 10. Kyler Murray, Cardinals Best of the best: Allen's arm strength became a big talking point after his pro day back in 2018, and he certainly has the power and velocity to air it out. But what makes that arm strength even more impressive is how he pairs it with exceptional accuracy down the field. No offense likes to find itself playing behind the sticks, but Allen's powerful right arm leaves a defense feeling vulnerable on any down, including third-and-long situations. -- Yates Biggest surprise: I'm a little surprised Russell Wilson didn't crack the top 10. Even after a down season, he still has an absolute cannon to hit the deep balls. His 30 completions thrown at least 20 yards downfield last season tied with Allen for No. 1 in the NFL. Strength-wise, his arm is still very much top-10-caliber, and I'm expecting to see deep shots in Denver's game plan more often this year. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: There were only six passes that averaged 50 mph while the ball was in the air last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats -- and three of them were thrown by Herbert. (All three went incomplete, but just being able to throw that hard is impressive.) -- Walder Riser to watch: Justin Fields generates a lot of velocity behind his throws and can fit them into tight windows, and his downfield accuracy could increase significantly this season with improved personnel around him. With a few deep-ball completions to DJ Moore in his third pro season, he could be on this list by next summer. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: Leaving Derek Carr out of the top 10 is extremely questionable. He's a high RPM thrower who can attack all three levels of the field thanks to his arm strength, and the ball still explodes out of his hand. I'm also surprised Fields or Geno Smith weren't on here -- they both have a case. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson, Justin Fields, Will Levis, Russell Wilson, Trey Lance, Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Tua Tagovailoa Accuracy Arm strength doesn't mean much if you can't place the ball where it needs to go. Who can hit the tightest windows? Who locates their passes in the perfect spots? And who is never off target with their throws, displaying pinpoint precision? 1. Joe Burrow, Bengals 2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 4. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-5. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Geno Smith, Seahawks 7. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 8. Matthew Stafford, Rams 9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 10. Jalen Hurts, Eagles Best of the best: Speak with NFL defensive coaches about Burrow, and the first thing they mention is his ball placement. What jumps off the game tape, they say, is that Burrow not only invariably places the ball in good windows for receivers to attempt to make a play on it, but he also has a knack of delivering passes with ideal touch on every throw in the route tree. That combination regularly leaves defenses frustrated. And Rodgers -- entering his 19th season -- is No. 2 behind Burrow because, more often than not, he still puts receivers in a great position to succeed. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: I'm pretty shocked that Josh Allen isn't on this list. You don't throw the ball with success as much as he does without accuracy. I would have guessed there would be more appreciation for how hard it is to be an accurate passer -- which he is at this stage of his career -- when you run the ball as much as he does (100-plus carries in four straight seasons). He now has three straight seasons with 35 or more TD throws, and he was only off target on 14.7% of his throws in 2022. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Over the past two seasons, only two quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts have recorded a completion percentage over expectation (CPOE) of plus-3% or higher, per NFL Next Gen Stats. One is Burrow (plus-4.1%), who ranked No. 1 on our list. The other? Fifth-ranked Smith, all the way up at plus-4.8%. -- Walder Riser to watch: Combine the talent of Lawrence as a thrower and another year of coaching from quarterback guru Doug Pederson, and it's natural to think T-Law is in for a huge step up in his development in 2023. We saw glimpses last year, as Lawrence led the Jaguars to the divisional round of the playoffs while completing 66.3% of his passes for 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. With a better supporting cast and more experience, he should soon be recognized as one of the league's most accurate throwers. -- Miller Snubbed: The biggest snub was Lawrence. He was greatly improved last year, going from a 59.6% completion percentage as a rookie to 66.3% in his second year. With Calvin Ridley reemerging after his suspension and Evan Engram signed to a long-term contract, Lawrence and this entire Jacksonville passing offense should take a major stride forward in 2023. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Derek Carr Touch It's not only about pass velocity or placement. How the ball gets there is also key. Successful quarterbacks need to master trajectory, whether it's fitting the ball in a tight spot with zip or softly dropping it in over a receiver's shoulder. They also need to throw with anticipation, leading a receiver into the catch and navigating defensive coverages. 1. Joe Burrow, Bengals 2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 4. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-5. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars T-8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys T-8. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 10. Jared Goff, Lions Best of the best: There are ways to generally quantify touch, as Burrow's career completion percentage of 68.2% tells part of the story. But touch is about more than that, as Burrow has an uncanny ability to blend accuracy, velocity, trajectory and feel that leads to making throws into tight windows look far easier than they actually are to complete. -- Yates Biggest surprise: Geno Smith should be in the top 10. I've made the case that no quarterback in the NFL threw more perfect passes last season than Smith, and many of those throws were downfield with perfect trajectory and pace on the football. He actually belongs in the top eight here. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: Over the past two seasons, Rodgers leads quarterbacks in CPOE when targeting corner routes (plus-13%), and that's a pass that often requires excellent touch. -- Walder Riser to watch: He's only a redshirt sophomore and hasn't been drafted yet, but North Carolina's Drake Maye is someone to watch in this category in the future. He has an especially great feel for deep throws to targets along the sideline, and it helped him hit 63 completions on passes of 20-plus air yards last season, the fifth-best mark in the country. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: I was shocked to see Matthew Stafford missing here. Yes, he can throw absolute lasers, but let's not forgot about his ability to deliver the ball with both touch and pace. It allows Stafford to layer throws over the second level of the defense or drop the ball into a bucket downfield. Other notable omissions that stood out were Josh Allen and Russell Wilson. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr, Geno Smith, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill, Daniel Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Lamar Jackson Mechanics In today's NFL, quarterbacks have so many different throwing motions. But mechanics are still a big part of success. That includes a QB's throwing motion, arm slot, release, follow-through and footwork, among other traits. Who are the most technically sound signal-callers in the league? 1. Joe Burrow, Bengals 2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 4. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Dak Prescott, Cowboys T-5. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars T-7. Josh Allen, Bills T-7. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 9. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-10. Matthew Stafford, Rams T-10. Jared Goff, Lions Best of the best: Burrow's completion percentages in each of his first three NFL seasons speak for themselves: 65.3%, 70.4% and 68.3%. But the foundation of those sparkling numbers is Burrow's nearly flawless mechanics. His footwork on drops, his arm angles on throws, his throwing delivery -- Burrow is a model of efficiency at all of it. And although Rodgers comes in at No. 2 on the list, he might be the greatest of all time in this area and remains masterful. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: It sure seems like we have come a long way with what is considered sound mechanics. The top four QBs on this list all have an ability to change arm angles and find ways to get the ball out quickly. And with this new appreciation for different ways to be "sound" throwing the football, it's hard to shake guys like Lawrence, Cousins and Tagovailoa off the list. -- Hasselbeck Riser to watch: We've heard a lot about the work ethic of Jalen Hurts, and that has helped him rework his mechanics since his Alabama days. He now has a looser throwing motion, crisper footwork and less wasted motion in his delivery. NFL analysts will soon be calling Hurts' mechanics some of the finest in football. -- Miller Snubbed: To echo Matt Miller, Hurts is probably already the biggest snub here. We saw some real improvement from him all of last season, but I think his flawless mechanics stood out most in the Super Bowl, when he completed 71.1% of his passes. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Jalen Hurts, Geno Smith, Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson, Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray Field vision Here we're looking at the ability to read the field. Included in that are awareness and recognition when it comes to seeing defensive schemes or coverages, along with the fast eyes to identify blitzers, breaking defensive backs and open targets. Will a QB audible out when he needs to, diagnosing and understanding different defensive looks? And how quickly can he get through his progressions? Does he get stuck on his first read too often and stare down receivers, making it easy for the defense? Or can he scan the field, make the defense bite with his eyes and then find the open receiver? 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Joe Burrow, Bengals 3. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Josh Allen, Bills 5. Justin Herbert, Chargers 6. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars 8. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins 9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 10. Matthew Stafford, Rams Best of the best: There are so many things that make defending Mahomes a near-impossible task, but near the top of the list is that no play is ever over. That's because Mahomes seemingly has a 360-degree view of every play, tracking both what is taking place right around him and what is happening down the field. His instincts and vision -- combined with his ability to elude pressure -- form a dangerous skill set. -- Yates Biggest surprise: Kirk Cousins should be in the top 10. The Minnesota offense asks a lot of him when it comes to seeing the field and reading it out, often with multiple layers of progressions. He does it at a very high level. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: Over the past three seasons, Mahomes has recorded the lowest rate of tight-window throws (10%), and his targets have had the most separation on average (3.8), per NFL Next Gen Stats. I often caution against using those metrics without further context, but I will say I think those numbers have a lot more to do with Mahomes and the Chiefs' scheme than the team's receivers. Since those stats are generated only on targets, it shows Mahomes is throwing to receivers who have separated, a credit to his ability to read the field. -- Walder Riser to watch: Lawrence took a huge leap during his second season under coach Doug Pederson, but he could make an even bigger one this year. He looked more poised and in control in 2022, and with 20 of his 25 touchdown passes coming against man coverage, Lawrence thrived when teams attempted to play his receivers with one-on-one looks. If we see a jump in production against zone coverage, he will likely be in the top five of this category next summer. I'll also quickly mention USC's Caleb Williams; the potential No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft has an innate feel for the entire field. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: Jared Goff sees it fast on both play-action and drop-back concepts, and he can hit defined windows or take the throws that are available. And in Detroit's heavily schemed pass game, he can set his throwing window to quickly deliver the ball. I'd also like to see Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr on this list. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr, Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Ryan Tannehill, Jared Goff, Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones Decision-making with the football This one is pretty straightforward. Avoiding turnovers, protecting the football, not taking unnecessary risks and keeping an offense out of harm's way lead to better efficiency. Forcing a pass into double-coverage or attempting too many low-percentage plays can get you into trouble in a hurry. Strong decision-making means fewer opportunities for the other team -- and likely more points for yours. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Joe Burrow, Bengals 3. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 5. Justin Herbert, Chargers 6. Jared Goff, Lions 7. Geno Smith, Seahawks 8. Kirk Cousins, Vikings 9. Josh Allen, Bills 10. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins Best of the best: It's easy to focus on the fact that Mahomes dazzles with no-look and behind-the-back passes, but most importantly, he keeps the Chiefs moving down the field by taking care of the football. As defenses adjusted after Mahomes' spectacular start to his career, regularly playing deep coverages designed to prevent his signature big plays, he, too, changed his approach. Instead of forcing balls into double coverage, which often results in turnovers, Mahomes became a tactician on short- and medium-range passes. And obviously, the results have been spectacular for the Chiefs. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: I am really surprised Rodgers wasn't at the top of this list. Sure, 2022 was an ugly season for him, but we know he was dealing with a thumb injury. His track record of being aggressive with the football but also not turning it over is second to none. Before throwing 12 interceptions last year, he went four straight years with five or fewer and hadn't been in the double digits since 2010. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Trevor Lawrence didn't crack our collective top 10, but the Jaguars passer had a 1.3% interception rate (sixth best) and 4.3% sack rate (fourth best) last season, all while playing behind an offensive line that ranked 31st in pass block win rate. -- Walder Riser to watch: In two seasons as Ohio State's starter, C.J. Stroud had 85 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions. He established himself as an elite decision-maker, and not just in limiting turnovers. He always knows where to go with the football, how to attack a defense and how to set his playmakers up for success. That'll carry over to the pros as soon as he acclimates to the speed of the NFL game with the Texans. -- Miller Snubbed: Daniel Jones! No quarterback improved more in this area in 2022 than Jones, who had only five interceptions and six fumbles last season under the guidance of coach Brian Daboll. With pass-catcher Darren Waller added to the mix in New York, I expect a similar season out of Jones in 2023. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Trevor Lawrence, Matthew Stafford, Daniel Jones, Derek Carr, Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, Jacoby Brissett, Deshaun Watson Compete level and toughness Who has the most desire to win? Toughness rolls into it, and our analysts looked at each quarterback's bounce-back ability and resilience here, along with how well they can take a hit. Physicality is a big trait in this section, too. Compete level also speaks to a quarterback's command of his offense, leadership qualities and ability to deliver in the clutch. Simply put, you can never count out the players who made this top 10. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Josh Allen, Bills 3. Joe Burrow, Bengals 4. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 5. Justin Herbert, Chargers 6. Matthew Stafford, Rams 7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 8. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 9. Justin Fields, Bears T-10. Lamar Jackson, Ravens T-10. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars Best of the best: There are intangible traits that you just know when you see them. The Chiefs have found themselves in precarious situations often -- even in the playoffs -- and perpetually overcome them. A double-digit lead is far from safe against Kansas City, and that starts with Mahomes' unflappable nature. He believes his team will always win, and more often than not, he's very right. -- Yates Biggest surprise: I would probably have Hurts even higher when it comes to toughness. Cracking the top three is tough given the names occupying those spots, but it's also pretty hard to envision a guy who might be the best leader in football not appearing in that elite group at the top of the list. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: Fields was contacted on 42% of action plays last season, by far the highest among quarterbacks in the league. Consider that Marcus Mariota ranked second ... at 32%. -- Walder Riser to watch: Kenny Pickett could rise quickly in this category. He isn't afraid to take off and use his legs, and he has already displayed a high level of toughness and grit. Pickett had back-to-back fourth-quarter comebacks in Weeks 16 and 17 for the Stealers last season, making him the first rookie passer in NFL history to accomplish that in consecutive games. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: Ryan Tannehill displays a physical element at the position. He's competitive and tough -- both as a ball carrier and pocket thrower -- and I'm really surprised he didn't get more votes. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Tua Tagovailoa, Russell Wilson, Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones Pocket presence Pocket presence refers to how a quarterback operates in the pocket. Some things our analysts looked at here include: ability to sense and avoid pressure; command and mobility within the pocket; calmness under duress; and how a QB gets it done from both under center and shotgun formations. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs T-2. Joe Burrow, Bengals T-2. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Justin Herbert, Chargers 5. Josh Allen, Bills 6. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys 8. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins T-9. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars T-9. Lamar Jackson, Ravens Best of the best: Mahomes is at No. 1 yet again. He has total command of the pocket and displays an uncanny ability to sense edge rushers closing from his blind side. Mahomes climbs the pocket deftly, spins to open areas smoothly or extends plays when necessary. His knack for eluding the rush while remaining in the pocket infuriates defensive players. While Burrow and Rodgers don't quite match Mahomes' moves in the pocket, they are darn good in this spot, too. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: I didn't think Hurts would end up this high on the list. The subtle pocket movement that we witnessed Tom Brady do so well shows up with guys like Burrow, Rodgers and Mahomes, but it's harder to find in many quarterbacks. I wasn't expecting to see Hurts at No. 6. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Mahomes had a 0.11 sack-to-pressure ratio last season, best in the NFL (Herbert was second at 0.15). And it was no fluke. Mahomes has led the NFL in that category in three of the past five years, and he finished second in the other two. -- Walder Riser to watch: Let's go back to September 2022, when Alabama was trailing Texas by two points with 27 seconds left. That's when Bryce Young made a play that sums up his high-level pocket presence. A Texas cornerback executed a perfectly timed blitz and made contact with Young in the backfield, but he shrugged off the would-be tackler, broke the pocket while keeping his eyes scanning the field and eventually ran for a first down in a game-changing play that led to an Alabama victory. That's what the Panthers' No. 1 overall pick is bringing to the pros and why he already received votes here before even strapping on pads in an NFL game. -- Miller Snubbed: Matthew Stafford's movement traits and instincts in the pocket have allowed him to play at a high level for a long time, so I would have expected him to make the top 10. But Brock Purdy is a close second for me as the biggest snub. He showed tremendous poise and instincts in the pocket as a rookie, and his 48 games of experience at Iowa State showed up in his play last season with the Niners. -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Bryce Young, Justin Fields, Geno Smith, Deshaun Watson, Ryan Tannehill, Derek Carr, Brock Purdy, Kyler Murray Rushing ability Many modern NFL quarterbacks have the ability to contribute in the run game, and offensive coordinators are not only looking to their QBs for designed runs and option reads more often but also unscripted scramble runs. So whose speed, instincts, vision, elusiveness and physicality as a runner are the most impressive? 1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens 2. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 3. Justin Fields, Bears 4. Josh Allen, Bills 5. Kyler Murray, Cardinals 6. Anthony Richardson, Colts 7. Daniel Jones, Giants 8. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 9. Justin Herbert, Chargers 10. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars Best of the best: The conversation surrounding Jackson's rushing should not be centered around whether he's the best in the NFL today -- it should be about whether he is the best rushing quarterback to ever play the game. I'd argue yes, as his combination of speed and agility completely changes the equation for the Ravens' offense every single play. He's unstoppable as a runner, averaging 6.1 yards per carry over five seasons and posting two campaigns with 1,000-plus yards on the ground. -- Yates Biggest surprise: I'd personally have Joe Burrow in the top 10, and I'd probably drop Herbert out. Herbert barely runs (14th in QB rushes last season at 54), whereas Burrow scrambles a ton (75 carries in 2022, seventh most). Burrow is very much like Mahomes in the sense he can situationally break your back with a timely run. I'll also be interested to see if Richardson can get into the top three by next season. -- Orlovsky Stat to know: We're combining designed runs and scrambles here, but I like to think of those as separate skills. In terms of designed runs, Hurts was the clear No. 1 in expected points added last season (48.2, almost double every other QB). But he ranked only sixth in EPA on scrambles, with Fields (45.8) and Allen (43.3) leading the way there. -- Walder Riser to watch: Young quarterbacks can rely on their mobility as they adjust to the pro game. Orlovsky mentioned Richardson, but Bryce Young is also more than capable as a runner. He won't rip off a ton of straight-ahead chunk plays, but I see some similarity to Murray in how he stretches defenses with slippery playmaking ability outside the structure of the offense. -- Jordan Reid Snubbed: With an ability to produce on both designed carries and scramble attempts, Deshaun Watson has the dual-threat traits to create conflict for opposing defenses as a runner. It's the speed that stands out most, but solid ball carrier vision and open-field instincts allow Watson to produce on the ground. Ryan Tannehill, Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson all could have made the list, too. -- Bowen Others who received at least one vote: Ryan Tannehill, Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott, Trey Lance, Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Sam Darnold, Sam Howell Second-reaction ability To close, we looked at a trait that leads to so many highlights throughout an NFL season. Quarterbacks won't always be able to sit in the pocket and throw darts. With pressure coming off the edge or up the middle, getting outside the pocket and making off-schedule throws on the run is important in today's game. Those are the off-platform passes from different arm angles and body positions -- often on the move -- and can be the difference between eventual points and a stalled drive. 1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs 2. Josh Allen, Bills 3. Aaron Rodgers, Jets 4. Lamar Jackson, Ravens T-5. Justin Herbert, Chargers T-5. Joe Burrow, Bengals 7. Jalen Hurts, Eagles 8. Kyler Murray, Cardinals 9. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars 10. Justin Fields, Bears Best of the best: Mahomes is so far ahead of the pack in this area that he's really in a category of one. Coaches say NFL quarterbacks make their money on third down and off-schedule plays, and Mahomes is simply dominant in both areas. As great as he is in the pocket, he's even more dangerous when forced from it. He's comfortable delivering passes from myriad arm angles while on the run, keeping would-be tacklers off balance. It's the best part of his game, and that's saying something. -- Jason Reid Biggest surprise: Deshaun Watson was very good at creating offense with second-reaction plays in Houston. It seemed like the Texans lived in empty looks, and he was able to extend plays to find something better. But after nearly two full seasons off the field -- including an 11-game suspension -- and a disappointing return to it late last season, there seems to be a big departure from where his off-schedule playmaking was in 2020. -- Hasselbeck Stat to know: Herbert led the league last season in number of throws while moving at least 8 mph, per NFL Next Gen Stats, with 120. While Burrow trailed way behind in quantity (47), he made up for it with incredible efficiency, generating 0.53 EPA per play on those throws. No other QB was higher than 0.32. -- Walder Riser to watch: Rookie Anthony Richardson can quickly climb the ranks in the second-reaction category, but we have to mention USC superstar and likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft Caleb Williams. His ability to make plays happen and create from off-platform throws already has scouts comparing him to Mahomes. And Williams still has a full season of college football and almost a full year of learning under Trojans coach Lincoln Riley before he's hitting an NFL field. He should make this top 10 next year before even playing a pro game. -- Miller Snubbed: While not necessarily known for this trait, Dak Prescott does a really good job of extending plays and keeping his eye level down the field. Daniel Jones also greatly improved in this area last season, ranking sixth in QBR outside the pocket (65.6). -- Tannenbaum Others who received at least one vote: Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Tua Tagovailoa, Derek Carr, Daniel Jones https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38151402/nfl-quarterback-council-2023-ranking-top-10-traits

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins gave the team a scare on Monday. Higgins was hit by safety Nick Scott while going up to try for a pass and a member of the team’s medical staff came out to look at him after he went to the ground. Higgins said he landed “awkwardly” and avoided any serious issue, but he did not return to the field for the rest of the session. Watching portions of practice was nothing new for Higgins. He has missed team drills in a number of practices and didn’t do 11-on-11 work in last week’s joint practices with the Packers. On Monday, Higgins was asked why he has limited his practice work. “Just precaution . . . just out there talking to [wide receivers coach Troy Walters] going back and forth with him being able to take some team reps off and do individual but actually getting back in there doing everything with the guys feels good,” Higgins said, via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Any discussion about Higgins’ practice participation also includes a nod to his contract status. He’s in the last year of his rookie deal and joins quarterback Joe Burrow on the list of Bengals players who are looking for new deals before the start of the regular season. Burrow’s deal is a bigger priority, so it remains to be seen what the team can get done ahead of Week One. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/cincinnati-bengals

Chris Roling Tue, Aug 15, 2023, 4:55 AM CDT·3 min read The Cincinnati Bengals came out of the loss to the Green Bay Packers in the first week of the preseason with some notable takeaways across different positions. Some of this is reflected in the Pro Football Focus grades for the game. There, some expected names had some really strong showings in the grades department. Others expected to typically grade well didn’t turn in the best numbers. These are grain-of-salt details, of course, considering Week 1 of the preseason always turns out some weird results (especially for rookies) and the fact grades are just one part of a puzzle when it comes to analysis. Still, it’s very interesting to look at, so here are the notable Bengals PFF grades from Week 1. Top 5 offense Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports WR Trenton Irwin — 84.9 RB Chris Evans — 78.4 TE Tanner Hudson — 71.9 WR Andrei Iosivas — 70.6 OL Hakeem Adeniji — 68.4 Safe to say Irwin was never going anywhere and this showing wasn’t all that surprising at all. But it was shocking to see Evans play so well in all respects, hinting that he’s turning a corner in his development. Hudson had a nice day before getting injured and Adeniji helped his chances of sticking. Iosivas, getting 10 targets, was the star of the show and effectively guaranteed his 53 spot. Bottom 5 offense Kareem Elgazzar/The Cincinnati Enquirer-USA TODAY Sports QB Trevor Siemian — 41.4 QB Jake Browing — 40.0 TE Devin Asiasi — 39.7 OL Jaxson Kirkland — 31.8 WR Stanley Morgan — 31.2 Not a banner day for Bengals quarterbacks, though a lot goes into it. Browning might have the lead now. Morgan might have hurt his chances at the same time other rookie receivers looked good. And Kirkland, a really popular undrafted free agent this year, played too upright and stiff. Top 5 defense Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports S Tycen Anderson — 97.3 DE Raymond Johnson — 90.0 S Dax Hill — 79.5 CB DJ Turner — 79.1 LB Tyler Murray — 75.4 The future of that Bengals secondary is great, clearly. Anderson erupted for two interceptions, showing he’s developing great despite missing his rookie year. Hill displayed some Bates-styled range again and the rookie second-rounder Turner was sticky in coverage. And Johnson just made the lives of coaches much more difficult on cut-down day along an already-strong defensive line. Bottom 5 defense Syndication: The Enquirer LB Joe Bachie — 40.9 DE Jeff Gunter — 39.8 CB Marvell Tell — 34.9 DE Owen Carney — 31.4 LB Akeem Davis-Gaither — 28.5 Two big notables. Gunter made the roster last year as a late-rounder and appears to have some major upside, so this is a step back he’ll need to regain. The showing from Davis-Gaither isn’t enough to put him in danger or anything, but he is a free agent after the season and the team just extended the two biggest names on the roster at the position. Others notables Syndication: The Enquirer CB DJ Ivey — 63.5 S Jordan Battle — 56.2 DE Myles Murphy — 65.8 DT Zach Carter — 67.7 G Jackson Carman — 67.5 OL D’Ante Smith — 58.2 RB Chase Brown — 53.5 That’s a top-10 defensive grade for the late-rounder Ivey. Other rookies didn’t fare too terribly, all things considered. Zach Carter continues to look like he’ll break out, while Jackson Carman continues to fade. Smith and Brown at the bottom there are notable grades that seem a little too low given the strong weeks they’ve had and they’re still otherwise on the rise. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-pff-grades-best-worst-095510745.html?src=rss

Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer Mon, Aug 14, 2023, 4:47 PM CDT·3 min read Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is considering playing his starters in the second preseason game Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The only starter who started and played in the Bengals’ first exhibition game against the Green Bay Packers was safety Dax Hill. Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor observes play in the third quarter during a Week 1 NFL preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. “We’ll see…We haven’t nailed it all down yet,” Taylor said on Monday when asked if starters will play. Did resting players lead to Bengals' slow start in 2022? In recent years, Taylor has opted not to play his starters in the preseason. When the Bengals started 0-2 last season, Taylor’s decision to rest his players was called into question. Several teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, have played their starting quarterback for a series or two thus far. It’s unclear if the slow start last year will be a factor in his decision this year. Quarterback Joe Burrow admitted prior to suffering the calf strain that he wanted to play in the preseason. Based off his response and how Taylor answered the same question, if he were healthy, he would likely have played a series or two in a preseason game. “Yeah, I would,” Burrow said on July 26. “I haven’t had a chance to do that yet I think a series or two would be beneficial.” Here’s Taylor’s response to the same question: “Do I see Joe getting starting quarterback reps in the preseason game? I’ve got an idea in my head of how we’ll use the starters,” Taylor said on the same day. “I won’t make any announcement. It can change from week to week, depending on where this team is at. Like I’ve said before, every year will be different. Just because in years past guys haven’t played or because in years past guys have played, that won’t dictate what we’re going to do this year.” So, with Burrow unable to play, does Taylor still feel the same way about potentially giving starters a chance to play? Are reps needed for Jonah Williams at right tackle? Cincinnati’s head coach was asked if he needs to see right tackle Jonah Williams play at his new position to feel comfortable putting him out there on Sept. 10 when the Bengals take on the Cleveland Browns. Taylor said he doesn’t necessarily need to see Williams play in a preseason game but kept the window open. “We’ll keep considering what we want to do with all of our guys,” Taylor said. Falcons head coach Arthur Smith confirmed he will play his starters on Friday giving the Bengals an opportunity to see their starters versus Atlanta’s depending on Taylor’s decision. https://sports.yahoo.com/zac-taylor-considering-playing-bengals-214704436.html?src=rss

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterAug 11, 2023, 11:55 PM ET CINCINNATI -- The most eventful thing to happen at Paycor Stadium on Friday came hours before the Cincinnati Bengals played their preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Joe Burrow had a throwing session for the first time since he suffered a strained right calf July 27. Burrow then wore a bucket hat and stood on the sideline in the team's 36-19 loss to the Packers. After the exhibition game, Bengals coach Zac Taylor didn't have much to say about Burrow's timetable to return but indicated he's trending in the right direction. "I think things are good and he's progressing as he should," Taylor said. While the Bengals' fifth-year coach has remained tight-lipped on when Burrow might return, he has not added any time to his initial prognosis that the star QB will be out for "several weeks," starting with when he got hurt in late July. Friday's public throwing session was the latest in incremental updates for Burrow, who was not available to speak after the game and not in the locker room. Burrow was with the team for Wednesday's joint practice with the Packers, the first time he was on the field for practice since he suffered the calf injury. Burrow made the decision earlier in the day that he would be a spectator. Even though he just stood and watched, his presence was well-received by coaches and teammates. "He's been rehabbing quite a bit," Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said after the joint practice. "He's doing a good job and to have him out at practice is always beneficial. Guys like seeing him too. I think you saw everybody excited to have him out, standing around watching." Against the Packers, the offensive performance featuring the other quarterbacks on the roster left much to be desired. Jake Browning, who spent the entire 2022 season on Cincinnati's practice squad, played the entire first half with the second-string offense. He was 10-of-17 passing for 95 yards and one interception. Trevor Siemian, a signee during free agency following the departure of Brandon Allen, was 15-of-28 passing for 121 yards and an interception. Cincinnati's lone touchdown came on defense. Safety Tycen Anderson returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown. While Taylor said Browning and Siemian did some good things, he noted the lack of points. "Ultimately, that's what we're judged on -- protecting the football and getting the team in the end zone," Taylor said. "Not enough of that tonight." All eyes will continue to be on Burrow as Cincinnati prepares for its season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 10. And it appears Friday's throwing session presented no setbacks as Burrow continues the rehab process. Said Taylor: "I think everything's been positive." https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38176171/bengals-say-burrow-progressing-after-1st-throwing-session

Bengals: Could there be frontrunners in a couple of interesting position battles? Jake Browning, last year's third-string quarterback, played the entirety of the first half with the rest of the second-team offense, while new signee Trevor Siemian played in the second half. Over at right tackle, Jonah Williams got the night off while Jackson Carman played in the game. Browning ran with the starters in the joint practice with Green Bay and had the favorable reps on Friday. As for the offensive-line tussle, between Friday's participation (or lack thereof) and comments from assistant coach Frank Pollack earlier in training camp, Williams is the clear favorite to cement the right edge of the line. -- Ben Baby https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38163086/nfl-preseason-2023-week-1-august-10-13-takeaways-schedule-highlights

Joe Burrow running, throwing at Paycor Stadium ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports Fri, Aug 11, 2023, 2:52 PM CDT·1 min read When Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow hurt his calf in practice on July 28, head coach Zac Taylor said the quarterback would be out several weeks. Taylor said this week that there's been no change to that timeline, but Burrow appears to have made a good deal of progress toward returning to action. Reporters at Paycor Stadium for Friday night's game between the Bengals and Packers shared video of Burrow on the field working out ahead of the game. Burrow went through a throwing session and was seen running between the sidelines without any sign of a limp or other difficulty. Burrow was working out without the lower leg sleeve that he's been seen wearing since getting injured. The initial timeline suggests Burrow's absence from the field will last a little longer, but there doesn't appear to be any worry that he'll be out longer than expected. As long as that continues to be the case, the lack of a contract extension could be the only stumbling block to Burrow returning to practice. https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-burrow-running-throwing-paycor-195253679.html?src=rss

Glad to be back!

Kelsey Conway Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off the preseason with a home contest against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night ultimately losing 36-19 in front 64,243 fans in attendance. Despite not playing a snap, quarterback Joe Burrow stole the show. For the first time since injuring his calf on July 27, Burrow was seen throwing and running with no apparent setbacks during pre-game warmups. It’s still unclear when Burrow will be cleared to return to practice but what he showed prior to the game hints it could be sooner rather than later. Quarterback Jake Browning started for the Bengals and Trevor Siemian closed out the game in the second half. Both struggled with accuracy and compiled 208 passing yards with 25 completions. The battle for the No. 2 quarterback spot remains undetermined. The only starter to play was safety Dax Hill who wasted no time showing he’s going to be just fine starting at free safety this year. Hill played only three series but his deep pass breakup on Packers’ wide receiver Christian Watson in the first quarter was one of the highlights of the night. Watson had rookie cornerback DJ Turner beat and Hill sprinted from the right hash to the sideline to make a play on the ball showing his range and speed. Here’s what we learned from the Bengals' first preseason game: Get to know safety Tycen Anderson With so much talk about safeties Nick Scott and Hill taking over starting roles for the Bengals, Tycen Anderson was a name lost in the shuffle. And after his performance against the Packers, that’s no longer the case. The first half belonged to Anderson after he recorded two interceptions, one for a touchdown. Anderson was drafted by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Toledo. Cincinnati traded up eight spots to pick Anderson. After playing in all three preseason games last year, Anderson was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury that kept him out for most of the season. He was cleared to return to practice on Jan. 11, a week before the Bengals played their first playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. “It’s a great moment, I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to this position,” Anderson said following his performance. “I’m just excited to be in those moments and take advantage of my opportunities.” After missing majority of his rookie season due to an injury, Anderson said he’s focused more on taking care of his body and hopefully it leads to him being able to play fast and without hesitation. A position of question now looks like it could be one of strength because of the depth the Bengals have at safety. Scott and Hill will start and behind them defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has options with rookie third-round pick Jordan Battle and Anderson in the fold. Rookies Chase Brown, Andrei Iosivas impress on offense Running back Chase Brown and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas both showed flashes of what they can be in the future for Cincinnati. Brown, drafted in the fifth round, showed his illusiveness on one catch-and-run play that resulted in a 21-yard gain for the Bengals. He’s expected to have a role in the offense this year with Joe Mixon carrying the load. The Bengals want to be more explosive in the run game and the hope is that Brown will help with that. Brown finished the night with 12 rushing yards on eight attempts and three receptions for 33 yards. “I feel like in preseason that’s your time to show you can make plays,” Brown said. Iosivas led the Bengals in targets with 10 and caught four passes for 50 yards. The former track star turned wide receiver is raw and intriguing. His 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame gives the Bengals another big, physical target. Iosivas is gaining more confidence each day and he showed as much under the bright lights at Paycor Stadium. Bengals injury updates A few players suffered injuries on Friday night. Linebacker Joe Bachie was ruled out with a chest injury and tight end Tanner Hudson didn’t return due to concussion protocol. Bachie’s injury is one to keep an eye on as his career thus far has been marred with injuries. The undrafted free agent from Michigan State suffered a knee injury late in the 2021 season and spent first six weeks of the 2022 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He returned in the middle of the season and played a key role on special teams. The Bengals’ coaching staff offers high praise of Bachie and what he can do on the field when healthy. He’s someone they are counting on to provide depth in the linebacker room. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2023/08/11/lessons-learned-from-bengals-loss-to-packers-in-nfl-preseason/70580381007/

Most overpaid NFL players at every position http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/most-overpaid-nfl-players-at-every-position/ss-BBlQRY5#image=11 Yardbarker From Yardbarker 8/18/2015 Defensive Tackle: Geno Atkins, Bengals Atkins simply wasn't the same player last season after suffering a knee injury in 2013. He had easily his worst season since his rookie year, with only 34 tackles and three sacks in 16 games. However, he's among the league leaders in salary at defensive tackle, counting $9 million against the cap in 2015.

Projecting the Bengals' 53-man roster Coley Harvey, ESPN Staff Writer CINCINNATI -- The first wave of preseason cuts are on the horizon for the Cincinnati Bengals and other NFL teams as they work to get their rosters down to 75 players by Tuesday. With the releases of three this past Tuesday, the Bengals have 87 players on their roster. Although we will start having a better idea after the third preseason game where some of Cincinnati's fringe players stand, we can try to project the roster. Based on what we've seen in practices and two preseason games, here's a 53-man roster projection: Quarterbacks (2): Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron (practice squad: Keith Wenning) Running backs (4): Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Rex Burkhead, Cedric Peerman (cut: Mark Weisman, practice squad: James Wilder Jr., Terrell Watson) H-backs (1): Ryan Hewitt Wide receivers (6): A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Greg Little, Mario Alford, Brandon Tate (IR: James Wright, cut: Denarius Moore, Tevin Reese, Onterio McCalebb, practice squad: Jake Kumerow, Michael Bennett) Tight ends (3): Tyler Eifert, Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah (cut: John Peters, practice squad: Matt Lengel) Centers (2): Russell Bodine, T.J. Johnson (cut: Jake Smith) Offensive tackle (4): Andrew Whitworth, Andre Smith, Eric Winston, Jake Fisher (injury list: Cedric Ogbuehi, cut: Tanner Hawkinson, Matt O'Donnell, practice squad: Dan France) Offensive guard (3): Clint Boling, Kevin Zeitler, Trey Hopkins (practice squad: Chris Jasperse) Defensive end (5): Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Margus Hunt, Will Clarke, Wallace Gilberry (cut: Sam Montgomery) Defensive tackle (5): Geno Atkins, Domata Peko, Brandon Thompson, Marcus Hardison, Pat Sims (cut: Devon Still, Kwame Geathers, practice squad: DeShawn Williams) Outside linebackers (4): A.J. Hawk, Emmanuel Lamur, Paul Dawson, Marquis Flowers, (injury list: Vontaze Burfict, Sean Porter, cut: Jayson DiManche, Chris Carter) Middle linebackers (2): Rey Maualuga, Vincent Rey (cut: Nico Johnson, practice squad: Trevor Roach) Cornerbacks (5): Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard, Leon Hall, Josh Shaw (cut: Brandon Ghee, Chris Lewis-Harris, practice squad: Troy Hill) Safeties (4): Reggie Nelson, George Iloka, Shawn Williams, Derron Smith (cut: Shiloh Keo, Floyd Raven) Specialists (3): Kevin Huber, Clark Harris, Mike Nugent (cut: Tom Obarski) Remaining position battles to watch Keep a close eye on what happens with the final roster spots at running back, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, outside linebacker and safety. Some of our hardest projected cut-down decisions came at those positions. At outside linebacker, the decision of keeping Flowers over Carter was difficult because the latter has been solid all preseason, and was one of the few bright spots in Monday night's game at Tampa Bay. Carter deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. But the Bengals are still trying to groom Flowers and are also encouraged by what he's given them on defense and special teams. Things could change at defensive tackle by the end of the preseason, especially considering Sims has missed multiple practices and didn't play in Monday's game. When he has been out there, he has outperformed Still. DeShawn Williams could be hard to hide on the practice squad. We chose Derron Smith over Keo for the final safety spot, but Keo has played quite well, too. In this case, the younger Smith's playmaking potential was the deciding factor. France has played well enough to sneak onto the 53-man roster. His status could be dictated by possible injury-list designations that affect other offensive tackles at the start of the regular season. Finally, be on the lookout for updates about the competition between Wilder and Watson. The practice squad seems most likely for both, given the stranglehold others have on running back jobs. Wilder might hold a slight edge because of his recent strong special teams play. http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/18581/bengals-roster-53-man-locks-snubs-preseason-cuts

Bengals Training Camp Highlights HD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcyWzl_sL30