The Cincinnati Bengals welcomed fans into Paycor Stadium on Day 8 of training camp on Friday, Aug. 7.
The practice, which was originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m., was shortened due to severe weather around downtown Cincinnati. While fans entered the stadium, they were forced to wait in the concourse while the Bengals began their latest training camp session in the nearby IEL Indoor Facility.
After a 1 hour, 45-minute wait, fans rushed into the lower levels of Paycor Stadium around 7:15 p.m. to see the final few periods of the Bengals’ practice as play-by-play announcer Dan Hoard addressed them with a warning not to make any romantic plans for Valentine’s Day this February (the day of Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium).
Here are the top takeaways during an abbreviated Day 8 of training camp.
Cincinnati Bengals offense finds firepower
One day after offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said the offense “didn’t make enough plays,” the Bengals offense had several splash moments against a defense that has been winning the majority of camp battles.
On the second play of 11-on-11, Joe Burrow faked a shotgun handoff, stepped around pressure from Myles Murphy and uncorked a deep ball that Ja’Marr Chase flagged down while absorbing a hit from safety Bryan Cook for around 50 yards.
Burrow was his usual self in maneuvering a pocket and putting passes on the money. On the first snap after the bomb to Chase, Burrow sprinted away from defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who had applied early pressure. Running right and away from several black (defensive) jerseys, Burrow threw across his body to tight end Mike Gesicki for a first down as Cook once again delivered a hit.
What about the ground game? Without the benefit of tackling, it’s hard to decipher just how successful a team’s rushing attack is with early whistles. From the reactions of the Bengals’ first-team offensive line, they liked what they saw early as Chase Brown cut back for a big gain after a hole was opened up on the left side by guard Dylan Fairchild.
The Bengals defense might not be bringing runners to the ground, but they were unable to get a hand on Brown a few plays later when he followed a pulling Fairchild and tight end Cam Grandy for a 60-yard touchdown.
Kyle Dugger makes game-changing plays for Bengals defense
Though the offense won the majority of competitive reps, the Bengals revamped defense did have its moment. Jenkins and Cashius Howell each won early on passing plays to force pressure, but the biggest takeaway was backup safety Kyle Dugger’s ability to create the momentum that comes with a turnover.
The 30-year-old is no stranger to big plays against the Bengals, having returned a Joe Flacco interception 73 yards for a touchdown as a Pittsburgh Steeler last season. On Friday, the Bengals connected on a pair of screens that would have been big chunk plays, but Dugger was able to force a fumble on both occasions, punching it out of the arms of tight end Jack Endries and running back Tahj Brooks.
Dexter Lawrence takes Burrow to the turf
The biggest no-no in camp is to touch the quarterback. One play after Brown’s long touchdown run, Burrow found Chase for a short gain on a curl route near the sideline. Dexter Lawrence won his 1-on-1 battle with center Ted Karras and got enough heat on Burrow as he threw to send No. 9 to the turf. There was no bad blood anywhere, and practice moved on as the offense switched directions.
Bengals young receivers continue to impress
The Bengals started 11-on-11 drills inside before continuing them in public. In the closed-door portion, rookie Colbie Young made a leaping touchdown grab from Burrow over DJ Ivey.
Inside Paycor Stadium, the second string’s most explosive play came on a deep ball touchdown from Joe Flacco to Dohnte Meyers, who got behind safety Daijahn Anthony down the sideline.
Here’s who missed Day 8 of Cincinnati Bengals training camp
Defensive backs Dax Hill and Jalen Davis observed practice but did not dress. The Bengals are juggling veteran days off for some of their defensive tackles, so it hasn’t been unusual for Allen or Lawence to miss a practice. Allen talked with injured Bengals defensive linemen Shemar Stewart and B.J. Hill during individual defensive line drills inside.
There was no word on the status of Davis or Hill, but it’s something to watch with Hill’s desire to slot in as one of the Bengals outside defensive backs and Davis in a battle for the nickel job. With Davis out, Braylyn Lux got some time with the first-team defense. Lux spent time on the practice squad last season and appeared in two games.
Rookie Tacario Davis intercepted third-string quarterback Josh Johnson during the indoor portion of 11s.
Evan McPherson ends practice with 65-yard field goal
Ending Day 8 with special teams, Bengals kicker Evan McPherson was as sharp as ever. McPherson went 6-for-6, connecting from 33, 37, 41, 50 and 54 yards before a crowd-pleasing 65-yard boot to wrap things up.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What we learned from Day 8 at Cincinnati Bengals training camp
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
