Fake Game 1: Bengals @ Eagles

[HoosierCat]

The preseason is upon us! 
 

Quote

Taylor noted a few Bengals names will not see the field Thursday due to injury, including CB Dax Hill, CB Cam Taylor-Britt, TE Mike Gesicki, C Matt Lee, DT B.J. Hill, DE Cedric Johson, and CB Marco Wilson.

Gesicki (hamstring) would be questionable this week if it were a regular-season contest. Taylor mentioned Noah Fant getting some good experience in his place, but Fant will not play on Thursday as he continues learning the playbook.

Burrow and the starters will play a bit.

Quote

In terms of play totals for starters like Joe Burrow and others, Taylor was vague, noting they will play "several" series. The biggest workload is coming during the Washington game on Aug. 18.

"We don't have this charted as the biggest play time for our guys," Taylor said. "We really picked Washington to be a little more than that. So, again, another thing I hate to put in stone. A couple of series, several series, several series is what we'll give those starters."

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/zac-taylor-reveals-starter-workload-for-first-preseason-game-players-out-with-injuries-01k1wxdr7t26

 

[AMPHAR]

I don't really need to see a whole lot of Joe.   He has started slow for several different reasons.  I have no idea what several series is going to do for him or not do for him.

Would like the starting O-line and Front Seven to get more reps/snaps because they simply do not get full contact in the TC practices as much.  Also 2 road preseason games is perfect time for OL communication to be tested starting off in Cleveland. 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Starting fast rears it's ugly face again.  A rather large piece that Zac has yet to get his hands around.

Many may say they don't like starters playing in these games, but that approach hasn't worked.
However, is it the approach or something else entirely?  I have no idea.

Since I have no idea, I'm good with something new and if that means starters get some reps, I'm good with it.
Try whatever you need to in order to start fast.  Honestly, I give them credit for at least making that attempt.

God knows it sucks trying to play catch up for the #1 seed after 4 weeks into the season because they can't put shit together.
Come the last few weeks of the season you have to root for other teams to lose games instead of controlling the situation.

Please fix this Bengals.

[AMPHAR]

Have no clue.   I mean Fat Randy pulled both calves missing a tie chip shot after Burrow/Green won the game but got a BS Offensive PI.   He would 0-12 if not for a Vikings OT fumble.    I don't know what the magic bullet is but 0-2 starts are a major buzz kill for the season. 

You don't beat the Jags at home.  Someone needs firing. 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Agree. 
If they head into Minnesota 0-2 after dropping games to the Browns and Jags, my new TV is going to have a short lifespan.
The neighbors dog may come up missing and the ice cream man may catch a beatdown.

"ONLY CHOCO TACOS ??  WTF !!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRG"

[COB]

I don’t mind Burrow playing as long as it is understood - no third or fourth reads, no holding the ball or scrambling.  Two reads max and the ball comes out.  

[Allentown21]

I just don't like the idea that the Bengals are going to be playing their starters a lot longer in the preseason. If it was a team still trying to establish itself sure. But the Bengals are legitimate contenders and I don't buy the idea that there is any causation between playing in the preseason and starting fast or slow.

 

 

[HoosierCat]

2 hours ago, COB said:

I don’t mind Burrow playing as long as it is understood - no third or fourth reads, no holding the ball or scrambling.  Two reads max and the ball comes out.  

I would actually have Burrow just hand off a lot. I know, I know, Joe wants to throw, Zac wants to throw, but the cold hard fact is that not being able to run the ball has been a big part of opening day losses the last two years. I would also make stopping the run a preseason point of emphasis for the defense, that's been an equally major problem.

Last year, future hall of famer (checks notes) Rhamondre Stevenson gashed the Bengals for 120 yards on 25 carries. That was 15% of his total yards for the season! That let the Pats play keep-away all game. meanwhile Moss and Brown managed just 55 yards on 12 combined carries.

The year before that, Mixon got 13 carries for 56 years, while Chubb and Ford combined for 142 and Watson threw in 45 more on the ground.

If we go up to Cleveland and Chase is getting stuffed while Ford and Judkins run wild we will lose again, even though the Browns' QB will probably be some random fan who wins a pregame punt, pass and kick contest.

[ArmyBengal]

I'm not saying I agree with their being causation between playing in the preseason and starting fast or slow, but starting slow has been a concern and I think the team is trying to do anything it can think of to try to reverse course.  I think Zac is under pressure to reverse the trend as well.  Maybe it's not the playing in and of itself, but the mental aspect of doing so.  I think there is something to be said for getting reps live on the field vs. doing the "mental reps" which I don't think is much more than thinking about what you are going to do.  I hate when I hear people comparing the two.  Not saying that's happening here.

Like I mentioned before.  I don't know why they are starting slow, but it's a trend here.
Since Zac has been here his record through the first two weeks is 1-11.
Through the first three weeks it's 4-13-1.

That shit has got to change if you picture your team as contending for the top seed come playoff time.
Maybe playing early helps, maybe it doesn't.  If not, next year will probably be something else new to try.
If Zac gets another opportunity.

[AMPHAR]

Bengals in openers the past 3 years typically lose the turnover battle.  Struggle with O-line play and Burrow has his worse game of the year.   All that played into the hands of 3 not good offenses led by not good QBs to play stall ball.  The defense in all 3 openers got the ball back for the offense and it was squandered.   The Defense actually won the TO Battle in Cleveland in 2023.

OL needs preseason snaps for sure.  There simply isn't enough contact in TC.  Front 7 same thing.   I don't need to see Chase/Higgins etc.   I need Burrow out there with 2nd WRs so he can check the ball down.   

Because week 1 they are going to see 2 High safeties and there's going to be plays underneath.  Fuck it Chase is down there somewhere might work but the TEs and RBs are YAC players.    So is Chase underneath. 

[AMPHAR]

2nd week the past 3 years.   They catch tough games and played much better.

2022 - On the road v Cowboys.  Game down to the last drive.   Slow start for sure and playing a back up QB.

2023 - Ravens - Geno Stone Int in Red Zone was big.  Slow start.  Defense couldn't get the ball back and there were big questions IF Joe could come out because he tweaked his calf throwing a TD.   Overall Ravens games are going to be tight.  

2024 - On the road Chiefs.  I think they got screwed in playing a good game.  

Week 2 games haven't been should have won easy type games.    

[Coltsguy451]

7 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

If we go up to Cleveland and Chase is getting stuffed while Ford and Judkins run wild we will lose again, even though the Browns' QB will probably be some random fan who wins a pregame punt, pass and kick contest.

Breaking news--they just signed my Uncle Murray as their #7 QB

What a depth chart!

[Stripes]

Things I care about in this game:

- Don’t get hurt

end of list

[Coltsguy451]

Of all the bone-headed NFL rule changes we have, shortening the pre-season to 3 is the best

 

[AMPHAR]

Joe don't want to run the ball.  They don't put enough physical reps into the run game.  The offense identity is Joe and his ability to read the defense pre snap and get them into handful of plays at his disposal.  That's were the majority of reps and prep time will go.    There's a lot more to it than just deciding week 1 they are going to be running team.   Plus that gameplan if it fails would get shit on by Chase and Joe.    Its ride or die with them every week,IMO.   

[ArmyBengal]

There are a bunch of players I will be excited to watch tomorrow night, but since we are on the run game, put me in the Tahj Brooks camp.
Clearly Brown and Perine are the #1 and 2 RB's, but the #3 and 4 tend to get a lot of snaps in the preseason and I hope he does well.

Outside of him, any other rookie should be fun to watch.

Is it too much to hope that Myles Murphy looks good going against non starters?

[AMPHAR]

Myles will have to show something.  I think he will, but IMO, he's just going to top out as rotation DE.  Shemar coming for those snaps.   TC/Preseason predictions are what they are but I fully expect for the lid to be blown off the Shemar draft pick.   I think he'll Margus Hunt some future UPS driver tomorrow and the hype train will leave the station.   Myles won't be shut out because the plan for Shemar doesn't appear to be to play 1 spot.   I think they are planning on moving him around in the defense. 

Kris Jenkins is one I want to see Year 2.  I think he's having a good camp and flown under the radar.  Be nice to get a couple pressures from him. 

We'll see. 

[ArmyBengal]

Agree about Stewart.  I was one of the ones not terribly upset with the pick.
Maybe his lack of production in college does equate to little production in the league, but there were reasons for that.
Couple that with insane athletic ability and I'm VERY intrigued by him.  Saw they have had him both inside and out.

Yes, second year players like Jenkins and McKinley should be a fun watch.  If those two continue to improve that's really solid.

3 pretend games to see what's what.  NO INJURIES

[TJJackson]

Stewart = Bust

Yes, calling it now

[AMPHAR]

19 hours ago, Coltsguy451 said:

Of all the bone-headed NFL rule changes we have, shortening the pre-season to 3 is the best

 

I think there is a little bullshit going on.   A lot of teams are holding joint practices right before the preseason game.   The main players participate in those for a decent amount of snaps reps.    Teams are now giving access to these practices to season tickets etc.   Then the actual preseason game TV networks and fans pay for its...."nah can't risk injury".

Seems kinda bullshit.  Pay for ticket, park, beer only to watch a back ups and the coaching staff basically declaring these games are just something to get over with and survive. 

NFL needs to go do one or the other.   Get rid of preseason game OR disallow joint practices.   Given the revenue sources it seems these preseason games could be handled with scrimmage rules.    

It obvious coaches want the reps vs. different teams.  They don't want it under normal game conditions for 4 quarters.  

[AMPHAR]

Quote

The Bengals’ starting right guard position can make or break the entire season. Right now, it’s a battle between Cody Ford and free-agent signing Lucas Patrick.

lol.  When I say "troll" this is it.   If your season boils down to right guard then your season was never shit to begin with. 

[HoosierCat]

I would file that under hyperbole myself.

Not hyperbole: SB Nation really hit their sites with the ugly stick. Poor CJ.

[ArmyBengal]

Agree with that thought as well.

If it is stated RG and RG alone is the "make or break" for the entire season, I question what someone really knows about football.

Do I like our RG situation?  No, I do not.  Do I think the season is over before it starts because of that hole?  Hardly.
Cappa sucked mad ass last year and Burrow led a top 10 offense with an MVP type season.

Lets talk about what's important though.
IT'S FUCKING GAME DAY !!!

I don't care if it's the 4th string out there, I will be planted in my chair in front of my TV.

[AMPHAR]

I hope Browining can out duel the Eagle back up QBs.     The depth along the Eagles O-line is something to look out for because its considered good and there have been a few articles from other teams contemplating picking up or trading for some of players that won't make final cut. 

Have not heard IF Eagles are playing starters.   If they play some on defense.  Mims and Fairchild could bang heads with some former college teammates

Of course Chase Brown's twin bro plays safety for Eagles.     Then Vic Fangio vs. Burrow got some play last regular season match up.   Not sure how important it becomes in preseason game 1. 

But most of all I want Jenkins to look good.   I want to get on the Shemar Stewart hype train so hopefully he bulldozes somebody.  

[AMPHAR]

I think Bengals are favored by 6.5.