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.