2025 Training Camp Thread

[ArmyBengal]

I have no issues with Fant. Losing All Jr. for the year makes this a solid move. O-line depth, depending on the injury status of Patrick should be considered.

Fant has never had a QB like Burrow to work with since being in the league. Could be really interesting 2 TE sets with Gesicki.

[HoosierCat]

It’s official:

https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-noah-fant-roster-update

[Stripes]

Chase
Higgins
Iosivas
Gesicki
Fant
Brown
Perine

I'm not sure I've ever seen a deeper set of pass receivers since I joined this fanbase a few decades ago. If Burton decides to be relevant, all the better.
 

[ArmyBengal]

Yes cannot complain about the depth and versatility of the group.

I mentioned two TE sets and can’t help but envision Chase and Higgins on the outside with Gesicki and Fant on the interior. Get Perine in there pass blocking and let it rip.

Thats a tall task for an opposing defense right there.

[ArmyBengal]

Also I mentioned the QB’s Fant has had.

Specifically he mainly had Drew Lock in Denver with a sprinkle of Flacco and Keenum. In Seattle he had Geno Smith mainly.

Color me excited about the possibility.

[COB]

Brandon Scherff is still available.  Sign him and we can get a serious player AND a mentor for Fairchild.  Do it.

[ArmyBengal]

Yes would have zero issue with adding Scherff.

[Coltsguy451]

5 hours ago, Stripes said:

Chase
Higgins
Iosivas
Gesicki
Fant
Brown
Perine

I'm not sure I've ever seen a deeper set of pass receivers since I joined this fanbase a few decades ago. If Burton decides to be relevant, all the better.
 

That's a Murderer's Row right there.

Hopefully 30+ points on offense will be enough to win some more games this season

[Stripes]

23 minutes ago, Coltsguy451 said:

That's a Murderer's Row right there.

Hopefully 30+ points on offense will be enough to win some more games this season

We're slowly working on that Harrison-Wayne-Stokely-Clark squad. Still work to do.

[Coltsguy451]

32 minutes ago, Stripes said:

We're slowly working on that Harrison-Wayne-Stokely-Clark squad. Still work to do.

Ahhh thanks for that, Bruv

Reason I'm a secret Bengal fan--exciting offence  

[AMPHAR]

 The last time a Bengals offense could challenge 380+ average and even achieve 400+ average over a season where the Boomer years.    It'd be nice to average 380+ and 28+ per game over a season again.

With Fant.  Fant, Giesicki, Sample no matter what combo of 2 TE formation combined with Chase it would be hard to get the safety involved in the box via pre snap.       

Good thing with Perine and Fant addition.  I hope that helps convert more of the short conversions they struggled with last year.   Fant seems to excel getting that couple extra yards to convert a first.  

[AMPHAR]

Defense had a good camp last year.   There was a bunch of Joe's wrist must be bothering him, messing with a glove.  Joe frustrated.   They dominated the Colts in a combined team practice and the 2s/3s dominated Bears in a preseason game.

The theme of camp evolving is the competitiveness of the Secondary.  A whole lot of shit talking going on.   They are clearly making more plays than what the observers expected.  Not to say they are dominating but it has been a more spirited/talkative camp from the defense this year so far.   Hope that trend continues.

 

[ArmyBengal]

Agree, this is where Golden's hire comes into play in my estimation.

The culture he brings to the defense is going to be key.  It doesn't surprise me to see some of the new additions being vocal, making plays, and getting hyped during practice.  That attitude rubs off on others.  I hope it becomes infectious for that group, because they have an opportunity here when considering the offense we sport.

The average passing TD's allowed last season was a tick over 25.  The Bengals gave up 30.
The average rushing TD's allowed last season was a tick under 16.  The Bengals gave up 20.
Only a few teams gave up more TD's and the Bengals defense gave up an average of 25.5 points a game.
They were the 3rd worst red zone defense and in the lower 3rd of the league in 3rd down defense.

One might argue that we need a better rushing attack and sure I wouldn't complain about that, but it cannot be forgotten that the rushing attack is probably going to be unbalanced when you have the #1 passing offense in the league.  Will that look different this year?  Maybe, but I'm not expecting this team to throw the ball less.

This could be a really fun year to be a Bengals fan.  Can't wait for the season to get started !!
Get Trey extended and it's going to be harder to temper my excitement for this season.

[AMPHAR]

IMO, Zac and Burrow give two shits about running the ball.   They don't tackle at all in Training Camp one of the few teams that don't do any live tackling.   So by nature you are going to be soft on offense with running the football.   I believe AL is trying to supplement the lack of live tackling with drills.  Hopefully maybe so more time in preseason for the front 7. 

They want RBs to be good at pass pro, pass receptions.  Run to keep them on schedule and that's about it, IMO. 

That said the Bengal could also work in some 2 RB sets if they want because all backs seem to be decent/good at both aspects so far.  

 

[ArmyBengal]

Agree.  Should be fun to watch it all unfold.
Having Scott Peters make the same impact with the o-line would be enjoyable as well.

[AMPHAR]

Stadium Practice day was fun.     Slaton is going to be an impact for this defense.    

I'm not sure if Shemar Stewart will be a stat stuffer but he's going to make a big impact up front.  I don't think we'll have to wait long for him to show up in regular season.   He just stands outs, IMO.   They switch him from left DE,right DE and rush him inside as well only his first week in camp.  Doesn't look like a project to me. 

What to watch for this week.   Mims.   He was out again.  So do you start Burrow in preseason with a rookie RT?    Rookie RT Jalen Rivers has his ups and downs but there might be something there too. 

Do you want to put Burrow behind a rookie RT up in Philly first game since winning the Superbowl? 

Myles Murphy had a couple nice moments but still wanting more.  

[COB]

I’m looking forward to seeing Stewart in preseason.  It’s easy to forget he’s 280 lbs and athletic at that weight.  

[Stripes]

Sounds like Stewart has been handling the offensive 2s effectively, so that’s encouraging. If he can be disruptive from multiple positions on the DL, that’ll go a long way.

[Coltsguy451]

Get Trey to bookend this beast and the AFC is done, fellas. 

[TJJackson]

when we go 9-7 or worse and miss the playoffs again this year, I will bring up this post

I blame this 2025 season in advance on the front office for not bringing in another experienced OG when there are at least 3 good ones - Scherff, Hernandez, and Risner - available right now

They have chosen to waste Burrows talent

FUCK YOU SoaG!!!!!!!!

[Stripes]

I agree that they should shore up guard to seal the roster. I don’t blame you.

But I have a decent feeling about this team (assuming they figure out Trey). I just hope IOL doesn’t lose them another playoff game.

[AMPHAR]

They could add guard but my guess its somebody yet to be cut IF they add at all.   4 Tackles are going to be Brown Jr., Mims, Rivers, Cochran.  2 Centers will be Karras, Lee (?).  Guards will be Fairchild, Patrick, Volson, and Ford.  That's 10.  IF they keep 10. 

I don't know they'll add anybody without a significant injury.  

 Volson would be the only name at risk and he'd probably get picked up faster than the typical names the pod casters keep throwing out there.

Just got to question the quality of "guard talk" from pod caster land at this point.  First Cappa got signed quick off a bad season.  Max Scharping has a job, lol.   If the Bengals would have signed Jenkins the day he visited that group would be proclaiming the position "fixed" prior to the draft.  Well he just started practicing and is hanging on to back up job right now. 

You just got to wonder why the league isn't signing sure fire starting upgrades or solid back ups with the 3 names that keep getting thrown around Risner, Hernandez, and Schreff.   Their health and film probably don't line up to the PFF grades.  If Max Scharping still has any job in the NFL then there's something going on below the surface and I doubt any of the 3 are  starting upgrades at this point.  Cappa has been getting starting reps in Raiders nation.  Don't add up; quit listening to these pod casters that harp on guard the entire off season.  

 

[HoosierCat]

Patrick appears to have moved ahead of Ford for the RG spot.

Mims back on the field after dealing with some kind of hand/arm thing. Says he plans to play in the preseason opener.

CTB missed the last three practices with some undisclosed issue. Sounds like he will be back soon but obviously something to watch.

[HoosierCat]

Fowler was at camp a few days back. He mostly talks about Higgins but some other stuff in his notes at the end. Nothing earth-shattering but good to see some positive coverage at the national level.

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Regarding the OG and o-line depth as a whole, yeah I question it.

This is MY OWN feelings on the situation.
I have next to no use for Volson, Cochran and Kirkland, but of those at least Volson is where he should be and that's no better than a depth guy, so he can stay.  Cody Ford might be the player I hate the most on this whole unit.  How that guy keeps getting shots is beyond me.  The single most overrated guy on this team being considered for a starting role.  I really hope Patrick earns the starters role and that's not really saying much.

Still don't really know much about Jalen Rivers, but everyone seems to love the kid.  I will root for him, but everyone said the same thing about Volson. Honestly the only depth I'm interested in seeing how they progress is Matt Lee and Seth McLaughlin, but neither of them have been involved come game day yet, so it remains to be seen.

I would have zero issue with any of the common names mentioned in Risner, Scherff or Hernandez, but agree that there must be more to them and their issues that all three are still available.  I could be wrong, but the fact is, all three are still available.  Why?

In my opinion, the o-line is still just as much as a concern right now as it was when 2024 ended.  OBJ is the same, Karras is the same, Mims is the same.  It appears the rookie Fairchild is the starting LG, which I am ok with at this point, but he only had to beat out Volson.  Low bar.  Patrick is probably the best option at RG, but have to hold out hope there as well.  Injuries hitting the starters seems problematic.

ALL THAT SAID, for some reason I am optimistic with what "could" be with this unit.  Maybe Fairchild is enough of an upgrade at LG.  Maybe Patrick can be better than meh, which I think he can.  I think the reason most, including myself, are more optimistic this year has much to do with Scott Peters being the new o-line coach.

And finally, Burrow has been outstanding with shit lines in the past.
Not sure they even care to do much there because of that.  Not saying I agree with that approach however.