Competition breeds success. The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to see plenty of that this training camp after the defense has undergone a significant upgrade to help one of the league’s best offenses not need to play near perfectly every week.
That competition will also bring out some serious tension. Afterall, guys are fighting for spots on the depth chart or on the roster entirely. There is a lifetime opportunity on the line for some players. While the Joe Burrows and Ja’Marr Chases of the team don’t
need to worry about their spot on the roster. The reality is a good chunk of these players will not be around in Week 1, and for some of them they will never touch an NFL practice field for the rest of their life.
Maybe Jalen Davis went a little overboard jumping onto Mike Gesicki’s back, but it is that kind of mindset and intensity this defense needs to foster if it wants to turn things around this upcoming season.
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“We didn’t have any false starts today. That’s number one, I think. Getting back into it, usually those come with the twos who haven’t heard the cadence very much, (or) gone against live defenses, and we didn’t have any today, so that’s positive. We’ve got to continue that. There shouldn’t be any, but we also had a couple motion errors, one by me, and a couple others by receivers. So we’ve got to clean that up. But overall, a productive day.”
Dexter Lawrence is already showing why he was so coveted as a New York Giant. He has turned into one of the guys so naturally. His presence and how he talks about teammates just shows he is a natural born leader.
Five Observations from Day 1 of Bengals Training Camp
“Somebody has to challenge the King of the Jungle as they say,” Lawrence said. “Somebody has to keep him on edge in order for him to get better and grow. That competitive spirit won’t stop. And with a guy like that, I know he’s going to bring it. It’s going to be fun.”
A fun exchange from Dexter Lawrence and Joe Burrow is hopefully going to be setting the tone for both of these super star players as Lawrence heads into his first season with Cincinnati.
Joe Burrow, DJ Turner and Jalen Davis Break Silence on Bengals Practice Fight
Everybody clarified once practice ended that the situation was only the result of competition, with no hostility present in the locker room afterwards. Turner compared the scuffle to brothers fighting. Turner would also say that Joe Burrow throwing in his direction was fun, and continued by saying practice should be harder for everyone.
Turner had the most level headed response to the fight. It being like brothers fighting. Realistically, Turner and Davis have been practicing with Chase and Gesicki for years now. Tempers are going to flare, but respect is the biggest thing at the end of the day.
Bengals’ first-round D-lineman carted off with injury at training camp
The status of one of the key figures on the Cincinnati Bengals’ reconfigured defensive line is in question after a training camp injury on Wednesday, July 29. Defensive end Shemar Stewart was carted off from practice after suffering an apparent leg injury.
This could be a real blow to depth on the defensive line. Stewart may not have made a Year 2 leap into being some monster pass rusher, but he certainly could have been a valuable rotational lineman at the very least. If he is out an extended period the team may want to look at who is available.
After tempers flared on Day 1 what are you hoping to see? More intensity from both sides or a bit of a cool off?
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