CINCINNATI — The day full pads go on is actually, by many measures, is the day real football training camp begins.
It’s when physical one-on-one battles can be seen and graded. It’s when running backs and offensive lines can show if they can run through and open holes. It’s when receivers can fight through jams at the line of scrimmage and get open down field. It’s when the defensive line can show if they can win at the point of attack and stop the run or defeat a block and get to the quarterback.
There’s a lot to be learned as pads go on Tuesday.
The Bengals are likely going to be in pads from now until right before their first preseason game a week from Saturday at Paycor against Tampa Bay. That’s a string of six practices with pads on. This is significant because at no other time during the season will Zac Taylor have the chance to see how his team responds to the physicality that comes with practicing in pads in the heat.
It’s why he has been careful to measure the work of his veterans leading up to this because he wants them fresh to best evaluate them and the younger players that are going up against them.
And when the Bengals end practice, they’ll have brand new digs to dress in as the new locker room opens.
Safe to say the Bengals scored big with the new locker room that opens today. Spectacular design. pic.twitter.com/peQD9jCaBf
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 30, 2024
“I can’t wait,” head coach Zac Taylor said. “I’ve seen it. I go in there often. It’s unbelievable. Players are going to love it. Logistically it is going to be very helpful. For guys in the training room and going to meetings and their stuff. For them to get it done as quickly as they did, I originally thought it was going to leading into the first week of the season or the end of August. Hats off to everyone involved to get it done in July, which is unbelievable.”
Here’s a few areas to look for with the Bengals:
If he’s going to be the first-round talent everyone is anticipating, now is the time to really show it. Everyone knows about his 6-5, 320-pound frame. This is the time to show that he’s growing from what he was at Georgia and prove to NFL defensive linemen that he can protect for Joe Burrow.
The two draft picks have very different skill sets on the interior defensive line, and the Bengals love that about them. Jenkins is an athletic freak who can quickly defeat blocks and get to the passer or running back. Jackson is a truer nose who has been working closely with defensive line coach Marion Hobby on his powerful first step. Both can now engage physically at the line of scrimmage and show their power, quickness and strength.
Both backs have shown very impressively in shorts and helmets, demonstrating speed and burst, including up the middle. But now is the time to show they can absorb hits and play through first contact. The Bengals will get a much better feel for what they have in the backfield after five to six straight practices in pads.
Camp Day 5 Monday observations:
