Bengals-Talk

All the latest news and talk about the Cincinnati Bengals

How good can the Bengals wide receiver trio be?

Leave a Comment

After the Cincinnati Bengals selected Ja’Marr Chase with the 5th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, it created a trio in the wide receiver room alongside Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd that some are already marking as one of the best and most talented in the NFL. But until they prove it, it will be farfetched.

Tyler Boyd is currently one of the best slot receivers in the league. He has been the Bengals’ most reliable receiver in terms of durability and consistent performance over the last two seasons. Boyd has two 1,000+ yard seasons in the previous three years and has secured 16 total touchdowns with a career average of 11.7 yards per catch. He remains underrated and could have another great season ahead with two other talented, dynamic wideouts lining up beside him, forcing defenses to single cover him.

Tee Higgins was selected in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft setting the stage alongside Joe Burrow. The two instantly put their connection and chemistry on display as the season unwinded last year. Higgins had 67 catches (tying the franchise record), 908 yards, and 6 touchdowns, averaging 13.6 yards per reception. Higgins has been extremely impressive so far in camp this year and has a lot of breakout potential in year two. And a lot like Boyd, with single coverage across the board, it will give Higgins a lot more opportunities to win one-on-one battles against the opposing secondary.

I believe this trio can be great together because as much as they will take receptions away from each other, they will also open up opportunities for each other. Any of the three could be the number one option on any given day. It provides Joe Burrow several outlets across the field, which is what you want as a QB. In addition, having a talented running back in the backfield in Joe Mixon will also clear pathways for the trio to succeed.

My 2021-22 regular season projections for each wideout:

Tyler Boyd – 76 catches, 1,098 yards, 6 touchdowns

Tee Higgins – 72 catches, 1,126 yards, 7 touchdowns

Ja’Marr Chase – 58 catches, 856 yards, 6 touchdowns

What to expect from Joe Mixon this season?

Leave a Comment

An injury-plagued season limited Joe Mixon to only six games last year. However, before the 2020 season, Mixon and the Bengals agreed to a four-year, $48 Million deal through 2024. This is a critical year for the starting running back because what Joe does this season will be essential to what Cincinnati does moving forward at the position. The Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith broke down the most important training camp players this week, and Joe Mixon made the list.

In 2019 Mixon rushed for over 1,100 yards while adding five touchdowns. However, in 2018, he had his best season so far in his young career, rushing for 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns and averaging 4.9 yards per carry. With Giovani Bernard out of the picture after winding up in Tampa Bay, Mixon will only see his workload increase.

Offensive Coordinator Brian Callahan said via Kevin Patra of NFL.com, “I don’t want Joe to leave the field, personally, and I think he’s up to that challenge.” With training camp in full gear and preseason on the horizon, Mixon has shown significant explosiveness, strength, and leadership signs.

With all the weapons on the offensive side of the ball, Mixon will have to share the wealth. Right now however, he has little competition in the backfield to steal touches away from him. It is safe to say Joe controls his own destiny. The only issue with Mixon being on the field every down is that you don’t want to see what happened to Todd Gurley with the Rams during their Super Bowl run happen to Mixon. 25 to 30 touches every single game. Come playoff time, Gurley was barely used due to injuries and lingering knee problems.

It is imperative to have a second option. Even if that is Samaje Perine, Trayveon Williams, or rookies Chris Evans and Pooka Williams, who both have been extremely impressive so far in camp. Pooka’s natural speed and sneaky athleticism have been raved about, which could land him a spot on the 53 man roster.

Heading into year five and being the most crucial season he’s entering so far, Joe Mixon is on a mission trying to rejuvenate himself as one of the NFL’s better running backs. There is no question the talent and capability are there. Staying healthy will be a focal point, and with a Frank Pollack widespread blocking scheme, it should only help Mixon as it’s meant to create more holes for running backs. Expect a big year from the motivated Joe Mixon.

Training Camp Observations from the Bengals “Back Together Saturday”

Leave a Comment

1. Joe Burrow is still regaining his rhythm 

On Saturday it was great to see QB1 back on the field. He was moving around the pocket, throwing on the run, and more importantly, smiling as he made throws with his knee brace on. But make no mistake, there are going to be some hiccups come week one against the Vikings. Burrow is still out there regaining the magic he had last time we saw him in a real game situation. These are some of the first throws he has made rolling around the pocket and it was clear on Saturday. He overthrew a couple of guys, made some bad reads, but still flashed some of that pinpoint accuracy he had as a rookie. Burrow is going to return to elite form, but don’t be shocked if it takes a week or two for him to find.

2. Tee Higgins is still the WR1

I am just as excited for Ja’Marr Chase as the next guy, and rightfully so, as he made an amazing sideline catch from Burrow on Saturday. That being said, Tee Higgins is still this team’s WR1. Higgins was fantastic on Saturday, his highlight being a touchdown catch in the back corner of the endzone during the red zone scrimmage portion of the practice. Higgins was constantly getting open all day and securing all his catches. He should also see some favorable matchups too with teams also having to take Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon into account. Higgins should easily eclipse 1,000 yards this year and should see close to double-digit touchdowns if healthy. 

3. The Linebackers may still be a liability

The Bengals have put a lot of effort in the last few years to improve the linebacker core, and it will no doubt be better, but there is still work to be done. Drafting three linebackers in last year’s draft to pair with Germaine Pratt, the Bengals are attacking the position, but Saturday’s practice may have shown why they need to invest more highly in the draft rather than going for quantity. There were multiple occasions where a running back or tight end slipped free in drills and made an easy wide-open catch. While it was only practice, we may once again have a season where we bite our tongues and pray that the linebackers aren’t a total liability. It will be a big prove it year for both Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson, who will be wearing the radio on defense in 2021.

4. The Defensive Backs are scrappy

The loss of Williams Jackson III was a big one, but the team brought in multiple free agents in Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton to pair with last year’s big free-agent Trae Waynes. Even newly acquired free agent Eli Apple was making an impact in Saturday’s practice. While this team may not have a true CB1, one thing was obvious, this is a tough and scrappy cornerback room that isn’t going to let anything come easy. They broke up multiple passes and forced several coverage sacks in drills. This secondary, with Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III at safety, may be one of the strengths of the defense this fall. The revamped cornerback room is hungry to prove doubters wrong!

5. This team gels well together 

After the drama last year of guys either not buying into Coach Taylor, or guys being locker room cancer, it appears that is all behind us. One thing stood out more than anything Saturday and that is this team gets along! Joe Mixon was hyping up defenders, defenders were swarming each other after good plays, heck, we already had Ja’Marr Chase dancing! This team is having fun and they are working together well. There is no drama, no locker room cancers, just a well-bonded team that has each other’s backs and works together, and I think it’s all because of QB1. The Bengals have handed this franchise to Burrow and let him take the wheel and it’s showing! Ladies and gentlemen, the Cincinnati Bengals have never been in better hands! 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @PiersonNFL and let’s talk about some Bengals Football! Until next time, Who Dey!

Why the Bengals Could Exceed Expectations This Season

1 Comment

Finishing 4-11-1 in 2020, the Bengals suffered through another tough season especially after the prosperous Joe Burrow went down with a traumatizing knee injury.

Many remain that do not see the potential in this young team. However, adding Burrow’s former teammate at LSU, Ja’Marr Chase, with the fifth overall pick to the plethora of talented receivers the Bengals already have in Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Auden Tate could make for one of the more dynamic offenses in the league. Not to mention a healthy Joe Mixon in the backfield who is a capable 1,000+ yard rusher. 

The big concern that the NFL world still continues to question is the quality of the offensive line and there could be backlash still in passing on Oregon tackle Penei Sewell in the draft. But, hiring offensive line coach Frank Pollack, who has an excellent track record, plus the additions of veteran Riley Reiff and the second round pick and Fairfield, Ohio product Jackson Carman out of Clemson could be game-changing moves. During his collegiate career at Clemson, Carman played 1,934 snaps throughout 40 career games. He was stout for the Tigers, playing against the best of the best. Carman played against Ohio State and Alabama each twice over his three-years at Clemson. Cincinnati also added other lineman later in the draft in D’Ante Smith from East Carolina and center Trey Hill from Georgia while also re-signing guard Quinton Spain. If Jonah Williams continues to take strides in the right direction, he could also become a centerpiece for the Bengals line after they selected him in the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft. 

Additionally, the Bengals went all out on the defensive side of the ball through the draft and free agency this off-season to boost the pass rush, which ranked 29th in the league, and limit chunk plays that the defense often gave up. 

Notable moves include: 

  • DE – Trey Hendrickson (Four years, $60 Million) 
  • Edge – Joseph Ossai (3rd Round, Texas) 
  • CB – Chidobe Awuzie (3 years, $21.75 Million)
  • CB – Mike Hilton (4 years, $24 million)
  • DT – Larry Ogunjobi (1 year, $6.2 Million) 
  • S – Ricardo Allen (1 year, $1.5 Million) 
  • CB – Eli Apple (1 year, $1.2 Million) 
  • DE – Cameron Sample (4th Round, Tulane) 
  • DT – Tyler Shelvin (4th Round, LSU) 

Ultimately, Cincinnati will have its ups and downs throughout this season. With high-level talent on the offense however, critical replacements to the offensive line, and the new key additions to the defense, the Bengals have the potential to shock many if they can remain healthy. Cincinnati may be a dark horse come January.

3 Reasons Bengals Fans Should Be Excited About The Future

Leave a Comment

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after running for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

2020 is an exciting time to be a Bengals fan for three main reasons.

Reason number one, quarterback of the future, Joe Burrow.

The former LSU national champion has elevated himself into the NFL and into the Cincinnati offense.

The 23-year-old is breaking records weekly. Despite not seeing his performances result in wins, (apart from Jacksonville) the future of the Bengals franchise is bright with Joe Burrow at the center.

Burrow looks like he’s been in the league for years. His link up with fellow rookie, wide receiver, Tee Higgins is another reason things are looking brighter for Cincy.

Second round pick Tee Higgins is looking to be a great draft selection and a great help as a weapon for Burrow. Scoring three touchdowns in seven games, the new number 85 is showing up.

Speaking of the link up between Burrow and Higgins, it was a similar story with the old number nine and eighty-five, quarterback Carson Palmer and former wide receiver, Chad Johnson. It feels meant to be that the new quarterback and wide out would have the same numbers as the duo from 2004-2010.

Reason number three it is an exciting time to be a Bengal, is Zac Taylor. While it is true that the second year head coach and former Nebraska quarterback has a record of 3-19-1 since arriving in Ohio, and that is not to be over looked, he is only in his second season, with a rookie quarterback.

People need to see what Taylor is trying to do and give him time. I’ll admit, the defensive line isn’t the greatest and neither is the offensive line so it has been tough to see major strides of improvement from the team.

Taylor has already won half the amount of games he won last season and the offense is more than capable of winning games. Pass coverage is a significant issue for Cincinnati at the moment which is a result of the teams inability to generate any pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

If the Bengals can win at least four games out of the remaining ten, that won’t be a bad return.

There are exciting times ahead for the Cincinnati franchise, fans have to see that. With color rush week on Sunday the Bengals will face the 5-1 Tennessee Titans who provide another test for this young and hungry, Bengals team.