Bengals-Talk

All the latest news and talk about the Cincinnati Bengals

You are here: Home / Archives for Jessie Bates

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!

August Preview: The 2019 Cincinnati Bengals

2 Comments

It is that time of year Bengals fans.

We are in August, the team has already started training camp and things are starting to roll as the first preseason game approaches on August 10th. There is a different vibe or feel in the air. With Marvin Lewis gone after 17 seasons, first year head coach Zac Taylor brings an unfamiliar feeling of hope and confidence.

For example, Taylor adding play clocks at practice is something that can help the Bengals with their past struggles related to time management. “Last year the level of accountability wasn’t there. This year it is,” says Jessie Bates, second year strong safety, to Jeremy Rauch of FOX 19.

But this year, this year just feels different. Sure, the Bengals lost first round pick Jonah Williams to a torn labrum and A.J. Green suffered an ankle injury from landing awkwardly on Dre Kirkpatrick at Welcome Stadium in Dayton last weekend. Bengals wide receivers, Damion Willis, Josh Malone, Auden Tate and Stanley Morgan seem to be stepping up at training camp. There has been a lot of buzz around UDFA receiver Damion Willis at camp so far. Morgan, an un-drafted free agent from Nebraska, has made several impressive catches. Auden Tate, who shined during the preseason last year, never really got many opportunities during the regular season in 2018. Hopefully this season he will get the chance he deserves.

The Bengals brought back star tight end Tyler Eifert on a one year deal after he suffered a nasty ankle injury against Atlanta last season. Keeping Eifert healthy will be a big factor as to how this season will go. With the offensive line being a weak point, Andy Dalton is gonna have to get the ball out quickly. Eifert is like a safety blanket for Dalton who he can always count on being open in between the hashes to get a nice chunk of yards.

Also, who can forget about Joe Mixon, who despite missing 2 games to a knee injury last injury, lead the AFC in rushing with 1,168 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry with one of the worst offensive lines in the league. That is very impressive. You can expect Mixon to be even better this season in Zac Taylor’s new scheme. With Green being out for some time to begin the season, Mixon should be counted on to carry the load, even Giovani Bernard may have a bigger role under Taylor’s new offense.

Cincinnati Bengals Midseason Check-In: Awards and Outlook

Leave a Comment

Welp, we’re halfway through the 2018 season – and for Cincy fans, things ain’t looking too bad.

The team stands at 5-3, including a win against AFC North foe Baltimore. That’s the best start since going 8-0 in 2015 (which feels like a helluva lot longer than three years ago). They are 3-0 against the teams with whom they are in wild-card contention (Ravens, Dolphins and Colts). Five remaining games are against teams with losing records.

If the receiving corps can hold together until A.J. Green gets back from a foot injury, and the offensive line continues to gel, and Vontaze Burfict quits playing like he’s trying out for the Cleveland Browns, a postseason trip could very well be in the cards.

By the way … some of those players we just mentioned, they deserve mid-season mentions for their accomplishments. Or lack thereof.

Cincinnati Bengals Mid-season Awards

MVP – Andy Dalton: Halfway through the year, Dalton has thrown for 2,102 yards and 17 touchdowns. The latter of those is tied for eighth in the NFL with Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick. We’re not saying we’d take him over Tom Brady at this point … wait, yes we are.

Surprise player – Trey Hopkins. Offensive guard Trey Hopkins had to show hustle to move up from the practice squad in late 2016. He had to show it even more to earn 12 starts in 2017. Through the first half of this year, he has shown us – and all Cincinnati Bengals fans – that he’s the real deal. Didn’t see that coming.

Rookie MVP – Jessie Bates. Now this is the way to make a first impression. Rookie free safety JB has racked up 60 tackles this year, defended four passes, picked off three others, and scored a touchdown. The last time a Bates was this scary, he was stabbing Janet Leigh in the shower (kids, ask your parents).

Most improved player – Tyler Boyd. Boyd has produced three 100-yard games this year and almost got a fourth against the Ravens in Week Two. His five TDs this year are already more than his first two seasons combined. With 620 receiving yards so far, Boyd is easily on pace to break the 1,000-yard mark in 2018. Now if we can only get John Ross to do that …

Most disappointed in – Vontaze Burfict. Vontaze browned the bed by getting suspended for the first four games of the year for using PEDs. He’s only tallied 17 tackles so far and the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense has fed off that, which puts them on par with the worst Ds in the league. They are 30th in total yards allowed, 25th in rushing yards allowed, and 19th in sacks. Granted, they are tied for sixth with 10 interceptions, so we’ll throw ’em a bone there.

Farewell George Iloka

1 Comment

What does the release mean for the Bengals going forward?

As a Bengals fan I would like to start by saying, thank you 43. Since being drafted back in 2012, you have been a key leader to this defense both on and off the field. You have been a guy who is fun to cheer for. We wish you the best of luck moving forward in your career.

As many of you know, news broke on Sunday that the Bengals released veteran safety, George Iloka. It is being called a financial decision by all those involved, as the deal saves $18 million over the next three years. This could mean big extensions coming for guys like Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, and maybe even Darqueze Dennard, who are all set to hit free agency after this year.

Jessie Bates
The initial reaction to the release is “who is starting week 1?”, and that should be second round pick Jessie Bates. Bates becomes the immediate favorite to win the job after Marvin Lewis hinted at this last week. Lewis stated in a press conference, “We have been pushing him in early, and you want to see him take command when he has to take command,” Lewis said. ”He could end up being the guy back there real quick. You have to keep urging Jessie to move forward.” It is possible Lewis was referring to the release of Iloka last week due to the play of Bates.

The Bengals do not normally bring rookies in and let them start right away, even if they should. The Bengals have been known for making rookies wait behind veterans, so it is an unusual move by the Bengals which shows just how confident they are in Bates. Many thought he would rotate in with Iloka and Shawn Williams, or play in three safety sets, but no one thought he could be the week one starter.

Who’s next?
This is now the second move by the Bengals this year in which they have let a veteran option go in favor of the young player. We saw Brandon LaFell cut early in camp because of guys like Tyler Boyd, John Ross, and Josh Malone. Now we see Iloka cut in favor of Bates. It raises the question, if Iloka was cut to save money, will the Bengals next cut Michael Johnson who would save them the same amount of money. Johnson should be feeling the pressure, with guys like Carl Lawson, Jordan Willis, and Sam Hubbard all playing very well behind him. With two weeks left of preseason I do not believe that the Bengals are done making moves.

But does this make sense?
As of now this looks like it was simply done to make money to pay guys who are of more importance to the defense. If they believe Bates can fill in and it helps us resign guys like Dunlap or Geno, then I think it does make sense. The team does not normally make these types of moves, so maybe it’s a sign they are finally going to use their cap space wisely. However, if they don’t get anyone signed with this money I think it was a bonehead move. Only time will tell, but it is now time to put all eyes on Jessie Bates and see how he continues to play the rest of preseason.

As always follow me on twitter @Pierson242FF. I am always down to talk anything Bengals or fantasy related!