Breaking down what new quarterback Jake Browning brings to the Bengals

[Arkansas Bengal]

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer

Tue, Nov 21, 2023, 10:22 AM CST·6 min read

 

The entire point of Jake Browning’s first play as the Cincinnati Bengals’ No. 1 quarterback was that the Baltimore Ravens’ defense wasn’t expecting much from him.

 

Browning lined up under center, and tight ends Drew Sample and Mitch Wilcox were attached to the line of scrimmage as run blockers. The Bengals’ formation served as an announcement that the Bengals were going to run the ball. But when the Ravens’ linebackers crashed downhill on the snap, Browning faked a toss, rolled out of the pocket and flicked a 12-yard sidearm pass to wide receiver Trenton Irwin.

 

In the Bengals’ loss to the Ravens, Browning completed eight of his 14 passes for 68 yards and also scrambled for 40 yards. For stretches last Thursday, Browning looked like a quarterback who hadn’t started a game since he graduated from college in 2018.

 

He also looked like a quarterback who’s fearless enough to make tough off-balanced throws and run the full scope of the Bengals’ offense as he replaces injured quarterback Joe Burrow.

 

“I thought what was so special about (Browning) was how confident and calm he was,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “That allowed me to call everything that was on the menu and not have to dumb it down because a new guy's coming in the game. So that gave me confidence.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning impressed the coaching staff with his confident approach in his first meaningful snaps since 2018.

Confidence, mindset helped Jake Browning win backup job

 

Against the Ravens, Browning showed the mindset that got him a roster spot on the Bengals in 2023.

 

The former undrafted free agent doesn’t have the strongest arm and wasn’t able to fit two potential first down throws into tight windows against the Ravens. Taylor joked that Browning is more “game fast” than the type of quarterback who will wow you with his athleticism. The Ravens bested Browning several times with unexpected blitzes and pressure looks.

 

But Browning won the Bengals’ backup quarterback job in August because he knows when to step up in the pocket and chuck a deep ball or a back shoulder throw to Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins.

 

Against the Ravens, Browning took a risk with his first throw to Irwin. Later in the game, he ripped a seam ball over a linebacker to tight end Tanner Hudson. In Baltimore, Browning lofted deep throws to Chase and even to practice squad receiver Shedrick Jackson.

 

For the entire game, Browning showed his belief in himself.

 

“That's one of the things that you're going to learn about Jake,” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. “As you guys get to know him, (you’ll see that) he’s not scared. He's going to let the ball go. He's going to put it where it's supposed to be and he's going to do it with confidence. And that gives me a lot of confidence. That gives our offense a lot of confidence.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trenton Irwin took advantage of aggressive throws over the middle of the field by quarterback Jake Browning

Takeaways from performance against Ravens

 

On Browning's first drive against the Ravens, he led the Bengals past midfield and would have completed a third down conversion had Irwin reeled in the pass. On his next drive, Browning led the Bengals into the red zone. He read the blitz and checked to a slant to Irwin on third down – a play that the Bengals typically run for injured wide receiver Tee Higgins. But Browning wasn’t able to zip the ball into that tight window, and the Bengals had to settle for a field goal.

 

On the Bengals’ next three possessions, the Ravens exposed some of Browning’s weaknesses. During that stretch, the Bengals had three consecutive three-and-outs and netted 3 total yards.

On one drive, the Bengals’ offense didn’t get set before the snap, and an illegal formation penalty killed the possession. On the next drive, the Ravens beat Browning on two passing attempts with simulated pressures. Browning thought that he was getting blitzed and quickly got rid of the ball into crowded areas of coverage.

 

During the following drive, on 3rd and 5, Browning showed his athleticism as he scrambled around the pocket, but he eventually ran into a sack on another snap where a pressure look got the best of him.

 

Browning was on the move for most of the game on Thursday. On a third down in the third quarter, Browning checked into an audible as the play clock wound down and forced the Bengals to take a delay of game penalty. When Browning was under pressure in the pocket, he showed some of his inexperience as he took three sacks.

 

On Monday, Taylor was asked what the next step is for Browning in his progression as a player.

“He has always prepared himself,” Taylor said. “The things that happen during the week, the protection meeting, all that kind of stuff. There's always more to playing quarterback than completing the ball.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning is working on handling pressure and picking up blitz looks, which the Ravens took advantage of on Thursday.

Joe Burrow's injuries mean first-team reps

 

Browning’s unique advantage for a backup quarterback is how many first-team reps he has received over the last two training camps. “ He got more reps than any No. 2 quarterback in the league in training camp,” Taylor said.

 

When Burrow missed time in training camp in 2022 due to an appendectomy and due to a calf strain in 2023, the silver lining was the timing that Browning developed with Chase, Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

 

After Browning threw a back shoulder fade to Chase late in the fourth quarter for a touchdown against the Ravens, Browning recognized the value of all of those reps.

 

“I don’t think I make that throw if I don’t have all of August throwing those throws to him,” Browning said. “A lot of timing is involved. (Those reps) allowed me to be able to hop into the game.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning had 68 passing yards against the Ravens.

During the Ravens game, when the coaches asked Browning about making in-game adjustments, Browning said that he wanted them to stick to the game plan that they developed for Burrow. Taylor values backup quarterbacks who have the same style of play as the starter, and the structure of the Bengals’ offense isn’t expected to change much in the short term.

 

That philosophy only works if defenses respect Browning’s ability to take shots over the top. So against the Ravens, when Browning aired out a few deep throws, the coaching staff saw good signs for the offense that could carry over for the remainder of this season.

 

“You're going to see Jake not be afraid at all to be aggressive,” Callahan said. “He’ll try to make plays. I think that's one of his strong suits. For him to make a couple of completions like that, that just shows you where his mindset is.”

 

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/breaking-down-quarterback-jake-browning-162246563.html

[Cricket]

2 hours ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer

Tue, Nov 21, 2023, 10:22 AM CST·6 min read

 

 

The entire point of Jake Browning’s first play as the Cincinnati Bengals’ No. 1 quarterback was that the Baltimore Ravens’ defense wasn’t expecting much from him.

 

Browning lined up under center, and tight ends Drew Sample and Mitch Wilcox were attached to the line of scrimmage as run blockers. The Bengals’ formation served as an announcement that the Bengals were going to run the ball. But when the Ravens’ linebackers crashed downhill on the snap, Browning faked a toss, rolled out of the pocket and flicked a 12-yard sidearm pass to wide receiver Trenton Irwin.

 

In the Bengals’ loss to the Ravens, Browning completed eight of his 14 passes for 68 yards and also scrambled for 40 yards. For stretches last Thursday, Browning looked like a quarterback who hadn’t started a game since he graduated from college in 2018.

 

He also looked like a quarterback who’s fearless enough to make tough off-balanced throws and run the full scope of the Bengals’ offense as he replaces injured quarterback Joe Burrow.

 

“I thought what was so special about (Browning) was how confident and calm he was,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “That allowed me to call everything that was on the menu and not have to dumb it down because a new guy's coming in the game. So that gave me confidence.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning impressed the coaching staff with his confident approach in his first meaningful snaps since 2018.

Confidence, mindset helped Jake Browning win backup job

 

Against the Ravens, Browning showed the mindset that got him a roster spot on the Bengals in 2023.

 

The former undrafted free agent doesn’t have the strongest arm and wasn’t able to fit two potential first down throws into tight windows against the Ravens. Taylor joked that Browning is more “game fast” than the type of quarterback who will wow you with his athleticism. The Ravens bested Browning several times with unexpected blitzes and pressure looks.

 

But Browning won the Bengals’ backup quarterback job in August because he knows when to step up in the pocket and chuck a deep ball or a back shoulder throw to Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins.

 

Against the Ravens, Browning took a risk with his first throw to Irwin. Later in the game, he ripped a seam ball over a linebacker to tight end Tanner Hudson. In Baltimore, Browning lofted deep throws to Chase and even to practice squad receiver Shedrick Jackson.

 

For the entire game, Browning showed his belief in himself.

 

“That's one of the things that you're going to learn about Jake,” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. “As you guys get to know him, (you’ll see that) he’s not scared. He's going to let the ball go. He's going to put it where it's supposed to be and he's going to do it with confidence. And that gives me a lot of confidence. That gives our offense a lot of confidence.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trenton Irwin took advantage of aggressive throws over the middle of the field by quarterback Jake Browning

Takeaways from performance against Ravens

 

On Browning's first drive against the Ravens, he led the Bengals past midfield and would have completed a third down conversion had Irwin reeled in the pass. On his next drive, Browning led the Bengals into the red zone. He read the blitz and checked to a slant to Irwin on third down – a play that the Bengals typically run for injured wide receiver Tee Higgins. But Browning wasn’t able to zip the ball into that tight window, and the Bengals had to settle for a field goal.

 

On the Bengals’ next three possessions, the Ravens exposed some of Browning’s weaknesses. During that stretch, the Bengals had three consecutive three-and-outs and netted 3 total yards.

On one drive, the Bengals’ offense didn’t get set before the snap, and an illegal formation penalty killed the possession. On the next drive, the Ravens beat Browning on two passing attempts with simulated pressures. Browning thought that he was getting blitzed and quickly got rid of the ball into crowded areas of coverage.

 

During the following drive, on 3rd and 5, Browning showed his athleticism as he scrambled around the pocket, but he eventually ran into a sack on another snap where a pressure look got the best of him.

 

Browning was on the move for most of the game on Thursday. On a third down in the third quarter, Browning checked into an audible as the play clock wound down and forced the Bengals to take a delay of game penalty. When Browning was under pressure in the pocket, he showed some of his inexperience as he took three sacks.

 

On Monday, Taylor was asked what the next step is for Browning in his progression as a player.

“He has always prepared himself,” Taylor said. “The things that happen during the week, the protection meeting, all that kind of stuff. There's always more to playing quarterback than completing the ball.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning is working on handling pressure and picking up blitz looks, which the Ravens took advantage of on Thursday.

Joe Burrow's injuries mean first-team reps

 

Browning’s unique advantage for a backup quarterback is how many first-team reps he has received over the last two training camps. “ He got more reps than any No. 2 quarterback in the league in training camp,” Taylor said.

 

When Burrow missed time in training camp in 2022 due to an appendectomy and due to a calf strain in 2023, the silver lining was the timing that Browning developed with Chase, Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

 

After Browning threw a back shoulder fade to Chase late in the fourth quarter for a touchdown against the Ravens, Browning recognized the value of all of those reps.

 

“I don’t think I make that throw if I don’t have all of August throwing those throws to him,” Browning said. “A lot of timing is involved. (Those reps) allowed me to be able to hop into the game.”

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning had 68 passing yards against the Ravens.

During the Ravens game, when the coaches asked Browning about making in-game adjustments, Browning said that he wanted them to stick to the game plan that they developed for Burrow. Taylor values backup quarterbacks who have the same style of play as the starter, and the structure of the Bengals’ offense isn’t expected to change much in the short term.

 

That philosophy only works if defenses respect Browning’s ability to take shots over the top. So against the Ravens, when Browning aired out a few deep throws, the coaching staff saw good signs for the offense that could carry over for the remainder of this season.

 

“You're going to see Jake not be afraid at all to be aggressive,” Callahan said. “He’ll try to make plays. I think that's one of his strong suits. For him to make a couple of completions like that, that just shows you where his mindset is.”

 

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/breaking-down-quarterback-jake-browning-162246563.html

So, bottom line, our OL sucks.  
 

1/2 🥷

[claptonrocks]

2 hours ago, Cricket said:

So, bottom line, our OL sucks.  
 

1/2 🥷

Oline sucks..

Nothing new there.

 

Browning has the weirdest windup to pass.

Elbow down then up ..long stride to pass.

Gives corners time to position themselves to easy.

His mechanics need to change.

[Le Tigre]

It takes all kinds

 

[I_C_Deadpeople]

2 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

Oline sucks..

Nothing new there.

 

Browning has the weirdest windup to pass.

Elbow down then up ..long stride to pass.

Gives corners time to position themselves to easy.

His mechanics need to change.

Wasn't one of the recent articles on him saying he has, over the last year or two, completly changed his mechanics?

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Wasn't one of the recent articles on him saying he has, over the last year or two, completly changed his mechanics?

Didn't read that but Ill take your word.

 

Surprised this wasn't noticed in his delivery much sooner.

 

 

[|High School Harry|]

This game won't be about quarterbacks.

It is about which team can keep the opposing team's defense off of their quarterback.

And which running back(s) can do enough damage to keep the opposing D's honest.

and of course...

   or no flag at all...

[Le Tigre]

7 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

His mechanics need to change.

The mechanics of William Orland Kilmer Jr were, to say the least, different 

 

 

[|Montana Bengal|]

 

 

[|Montana Bengal|]

 

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, Le Tigre said:

The mechanics of William Orland Kilmer Jr were, to say the least, different 

 

 

Billy and Sonny J..we're drunks.😎

Badass competitiors though ..

[I_C_Deadpeople]

11 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

Billy and Sonny J..we're drunks.😎

Badass competitiors though ..

Many palyers were in the day lol

[|High School Harry|]

15 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Many palyers were in the day lol

LOL.  Ref stories of Paul Brown having to bail the taxi squad out of jail on Monday mornings.

[|SF2|]

13 hours ago, Le Tigre said:

The mechanics of William Orland Kilmer Jr were, to say the least, different 

 

 

True story, I bought Billy Kilmer a pack of cigarettes at a bar back when he played for the Saints.  I was maybe 7 or 8. 

[|High School Harry|]

13 minutes ago, SF2 said:

True story, I bought Billy Kilmer a pack of cigarettes at a bar back when he played for the Saints.  I was maybe 7 or 8. 

What were you doing in a bar in New Orleans when you were 7 or 8? Asking for a friend. 

[T-Dub]

5 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

What were you doing in a bar in New Orleans when you were 7 or 8? Asking for a friend. 

 

Have you been to NOLA? Back in those days he could've been the bartender.

[Homer_Rice]

22 hours ago, Le Tigre said:

It takes all kinds

 

Thanks for reminding me of Ted Abernathy!

 

 

[claptonrocks]

15 minutes ago, Homer_Rice said:

Thanks for reminding me of Ted Abernathy!

 

 

Giants Tyler Rogers is today's Abernathy 

Releases  ball about 3 inches from ground...like ole Ted did..

[Le Tigre]

3 hours ago, Homer_Rice said:

Thanks for reminding me of Ted Abernathy!

 

 

Ted really could bring a confusion pitch. 

 

2 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

Giants Tyler Rogers is today's Abernathy 

Releases  ball about 3 inches from ground...like ole Ted did..

Kent Tekulve was another one 

 

[T-Dub]

Browning could be a great QB but like the great QB he is replacing, will be running for his life and hit/sacked often behind a bad OL.

 

Very likely AJ McSkeeter will be out there taking those shots before long.