The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up mandatory minicamp one day ahead of schedule on Wednesday, June 17, with head coach Zac Taylor deciding the team had already accomplished everything it needed to accomplish this spring.
Rather than squeeze one more practice out of his players, Taylor chose to end the offseason program on a positive note and send the roster into its summer break before training camp opens next month.
“It was a decision I made last week,” Taylor said. “We got everything done that we wanted to get done. We got all of the installs in. I thought the guys did a great job getting the work in on the field since really late-April, when we started meeting and lifting and all of the on-the-field work in May and June.”
The Bengals’ final scheduled minicamp practice was canceled after coaches completed the installation of both offensive and defensive systems on top of the reps they wanted throughout OTAs and the first day of minicamp.
“I thought the coaches utilized every minute we’ve been on the field,” Taylor aid. “I thought they did a great job with the practice plans and the reps. I felt like we were in a good space to end on a high note and let these guys come back in late-July.”
The Bengals were particularly active during Phase 2 of their offseason program, when teams can spend more time on the practice field with coaches. Taylor said that additional work helped accelerate the team’s progress and contributed to the decision to shorten minicamp. Without full-contact, 11-on-11 work, which will come next month during training camp, Taylor said he felt there was a point where the benefits of another session on the Kettering Health Practice Fields were outweighed by the value of rest and recovery.
“We’ve been on the field for a good amount of time and got work in,” Taylor said. “At some point, you just reach a point of diminishing return. We’ve accomplished a lot of work. Now it’s time to take a break and come back for training camp ready to roll.
“You can always steal more reps and do more stuff. I thought it was time to throw the guys a bone and send them away for the summer.”
The move also serves as a reward for a team that has largely avoided distractions this offseason. It’s a welcomed feeling of a normal, run-of-the-mill offseason thus far, free from unsigned draft picks and holdouts that dominated the news cycle one year ago.
“It’s a great thing. A lot of drama, oftentimes, is outside drama. Inside, we’re usually pretty clean with it and guys go about their business,” Taylor said. “I feel like everybody was really focused, showed up and got in the work they needed to get in and now it’s time to move on.”
Players were informed of the decision Wednesday morning, but good news travels fast in the Bengals’ locker room. Taylor had told a few players Tuesday night, so Wednesday’s official announcement didn’t get the reaction one would typically expect.
“It was pretty anticlimactic,” Taylor said, laughing.
Zac Taylor sees encouraging signs from rebuilt defense
While the Bengals’ offense is centered around continuity behind quarterback Joe Burrow, the biggest storyline entering training camp will be on the other side of the ball.
Through free-agent signings and a blockbuster trade, the Bengals spent the offseason reshaping a defense that ranked 31st overall in yards allowed and 30th in scoring. Taylor said one of the most encouraging developments this spring was the growth shown by players entering their second season in defensive coordinator Al Golden’s system.
“I think you saw a lot of year-two development from a lot of guys,” Taylor said. “The chemistry, communication has really stepped up and it’s really good to see.”
The new additions to the defense have started to make their mark. Veterans like Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen have helped accelerate the cohesion in Golden’s group.
“The leadership from the new guys, the free agents that we signed, has been tremendous,” Taylor said. “They’ve picked it up fast. They’ve played a lot of ball.”
Communication was top priority for the Bengals’ defense in the spring. Though the true test won’t come until 11-on-11 work in training camp, joint practices and preseason games, the early returns left him optimistic.
“I thought that was outstanding this spring,” Taylor said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Zac Taylor decided to cut Cincinnati Bengals minicamp short
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
