Zac Taylor, the coach of the Bengals, values competitive scrimmages among his team members more than joint practices with other teams.
The Cincinnati Bengals have opted out of participating in joint practices this NFL season, with head coach Zac Taylor choosing to focus on intrasquad competition and preseason games instead. Taylor believes this approach allows the team to better install and tweak their own schemes without the distraction of preparing for a specific opponent during joint practices [1][2][3].
Taylor emphasized that avoiding joint practices helps the Bengals concentrate on themselves and their own development during training camp. The team will engage in scrimmage-style competition between their offense and defense during practices leading up to preseason games [1][3]. This method, according to Taylor, is more beneficial for the team’s preparation compared to the traditional joint practice routine.
With the upcoming six practices being crucial for several players, Tycen Anderson and Daijahn Anthony are in contention for the backup free safety role [4]. The starting free safety, Geno Stone, left the preseason opener with a soft tissue injury and is currently week to week [5]. Taylor has emphasized the importance of having a deep safety group, especially with Stone's injury [6].
Meanwhile, the offensive line competition remains open, with the right guard position being contested between Lucas Patrick and Cody Ford [7]. The Bengals have been mixing different second-unit offensive linemen throughout the summer to keep competition high [8]. Taylor stated that nothing is set in stone for the offensive line positions and the competition will continue to be a focus during the remaining eight practices and two games [9].
In the preseason opener, the Bengals lost to the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 34-27 [10]. Taylor prioritizes action in preseason games, and the team will use every practice and game to gain as much information as possible [11].
References:
- ESPN
- Pro Football Talk
- Cincinnati Enquirer
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals
- ESPN
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- Although the Cincinnati Bengals decided to forego joint practices this NFL season, Taylor intends for the team to focus on football, engaging in scrimmage-style competition between the offense and defense.
- The importance of a deep safety group is highlighted in the Bengals' training camp, with the starting free safety, Geno Stone, currently week-to-week due to a soft tissue injury and Tycen Anderson and Daijahn Anthony vying for the backup free safety role.
- In contrast to the traditional joint practice routine, Taylor believes the approach of focusing on intrasquad competition and preseason games is more advantageous for the Bengals as they prepare for the NFL season and the upcoming American-football season, especially for the offense line positions where competitions for the right guard position remain open.
