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I think getting reps in 2 series the 2nd game and 1 the last preseason game is plenty. What I’d do is leave the OL in in the last preseason game a little longer and work on the run game with Browning and sans Tee & Chase

(08-12-2025, 12:33 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: [ -> ]You understand that the entire point of training camp and preseason games is to... wait for it... be ready to play football games.

I'd much rather these guys get their bodies properly tempered before the actual season begins, than to see them fall apart as soon as the action goes live.

I get the whole JB has been injured/off or whatever issue, and I don't discount it. For sure it's been part of the super slow start problem. But that's far from being the only reason.

Just take the NE game last season as but one example. You could easily see, and fast, this TEAM was not prepared to play football. They looked like a fish out of water the bulk of the game. It wasn't just Burrow!!

Missed tackles, bad angles, and just the defense was like ummm what are we supposed to do?? on dang near every play. On offense missed, blocks, players not knowing their assignments, fumbles, just not prepared....at all.

I'm all for the starters taking some preseason reps, they need it.

And we need Trey back bad.

(08-12-2025, 12:42 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: [ -> ]I think getting reps in 2 series the 2nd game and 1 the last preseason game is plenty. What I’d do is leave the OL in in the last preseason game a little longer and work on the run game with Browning and sans Tee & Chase

I'm in favor of starters playing in preseason games, but not the third game this year. The second game is a night game on Monday. The third preseason games is Saturday -- a very short week. That is a recipe for injuries, especially because Indianapolis will be coming in with a week's worth of rest before that third game and because Indy may throw in 3rd stringers desperate to make an impression -- a hard hit, etc.

The starters should play a series or two in the second game. They would then reach the threshold that Esiason said they needed to be ready (20 to 40 snaps for entire preseason -- Burrow was QB for 16 so far) and likely would be against Washington's starters, and they would also get used to playing a night game. 

(08-12-2025, 12:55 PM)Nepa Wrote: [ -> ]I'm in favor of starters playing in preseason games, but not the third game this year. The second game is a night game on Monday. The third preseason games is Saturday -- a very short week. That is a recipe for injuries, especially because Indianapolis will be coming in with a week's worth of rest before that third game and because Indy may throw in 3rd stringers desperate to make an impression -- a hard hit, etc.

The starters should play a series or two in the second game. They would then reach the threshold that Esiason said they needed to be ready (20 to 40 snaps for entire preseason -- Burrow was QB for 16 so far) and likely would be against Washington's starters, and they would also get used to playing a night game. 

Im with you on the 3rd preseason game and im assuming there team will be as well. The last preseason game is for those guys on the roster that still dont have a spot. Id expect it to stay that way.

(08-12-2025, 12:55 PM)Nepa Wrote: [ -> ]I'm in favor of starters playing in preseason games, but not the third game this year. The second game is a night game on Monday. The third preseason games is Saturday -- a very short week. That is a recipe for injuries, especially because Indianapolis will be coming in with a week's worth of rest before that third game and because Indy may throw in 3rd stringers desperate to make an impression -- a hard hit, etc.

The starters should play a series or two in the second game. They would then reach the threshold that Esiason said they needed to be ready (20 to 40 snaps for entire preseason -- Burrow was QB for 16 so far) and likely would be against Washington's starters, and they would also get used to playing a night game. 

I agree no starters should play in week 3. Let's hope our starters on both sides of the ball get in great work Monday and we come unscathed. My guess is we also see Washington's starters so will be a nice test for a quarter or so.

I am concerned about our depth and the back end of our roster. I hope we see a better outing from the backups as well because we will have injuries so we need depth at every position.

(08-12-2025, 08:15 AM)Sled21 Wrote: [ -> ]I just don't buy that playing a few snaps in pre-season does anything at all for positions like QB and WR. They can get their timing down in practice. They have multiple seasons of play, so what really does playing 2 series do except risk injury? Now, I do think position groups that have to work together, like the line, needs to play pre-season to get in sync. Our slow starts have nothing to do with pre-season; they have to do with Covid, rehabbing a shredded knee, rehabbing a burst appendix, rehabbing a torn ligament in the throwing wrist, etc. One thing about Taylor's teams is that they may start slow (due to Burrow's injuries), but they finish strong and when it comes to playoff time, they are usually at their best when other teams are faltering.

I disagree, the way training camp is now, shorter, less pads, less live, no way you can replicate game situation as well as you could before all the changes, i see preseason games especially first two as more important now for all postions than before all the changes. 

By the way, after day of not being on, i thought i clicked the wrong thread, how did Tre Extension morph into training camp thread.

(08-12-2025, 12:55 PM)Nepa Wrote: [ -> ]I'm in favor of starters playing in preseason games, but not the third game this year. The second game is a night game on Monday. The third preseason games is Saturday -- a very short week. That is a recipe for injuries, especially because Indianapolis will be coming in with a week's worth of rest before that third game and because Indy may throw in 3rd stringers desperate to make an impression -- a hard hit, etc.

The starters should play a series or two in the second game. They would then reach the threshold that Esiason said they needed to be ready (20 to 40 snaps for entire preseason -- Burrow was QB for 16 so far) and likely would be against Washington's starters, and they would also get used to playing a night game. 

Yes but defeats the focus as that would leave 3 weeks to opener

(08-12-2025, 12:05 PM)Synric Wrote: [ -> ]Matt LaFleur said recently NFL Data says playing in the pre-season helps prevent injuries in weeks 1-4. 

Earlier today, Packers HC Matt LaFleur mentioned that the NFL's data suggests playing a certain number of preseason snaps helps prevent injuries from Weeks 1-4 of the regular season.

Are you skeptical? @TheLeapGB was too, but the data appears to be real.https://t.co/o4CwPfbRi6

— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) August 7, 2025

 

Preventing injuries and causing injuries are two different things. 

Sure, the data shows that playing in the preseason could prevent injuries. That doesn't mean playing in the preseason doesn't CAUSE injuries, though. 

Does preventing outweigh the causing? Thats the real question that needs to be answered. 

(08-12-2025, 12:52 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: [ -> ]I get the whole JB has been injured/off or whatever issue, and I don't discount it. For sure it's been part of the super slow start problem. But that's far from being the only reason.

Just take the NE game last season as but one example. You could easily see, and fast, this TEAM was not prepared to play football. They looked like a fish out of water the bulk of the game. It wasn't just Burrow!!

Missed tackles, bad angles, and just the defense was like ummm what are we supposed to do?? on dang near every play. On offense missed, blocks, players not knowing their assignments, fumbles, just not prepared....at all.

I'm all for the starters taking some preseason reps, they need it.

And we need Trey back bad.

Again, that has nothing to do with preseason reps. They were that way the ENTIRE season last year. They are just filled with bad NFL players. 

(08-12-2025, 01:18 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: [ -> ]By the way, after day of not being on, i thought i clicked the wrong thread, how did Tre Extension morph into training camp thread.

Because there is no news and we are bored lol 

(08-12-2025, 01:58 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: [ -> ]Preventing injuries and causing injuries are two different things. 

Sure, the data shows that playing in the preseason could prevent injuries. That doesn't mean playing in the preseason doesn't CAUSE injuries, though. 

Does preventing outweigh the causing? Thats the real question that needs to be answered. 

If it helps to prevent injuries...then it's not causing injuries. 

(08-12-2025, 02:01 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: [ -> ]Because there is no news and we are bored lol 

so no news in training camp thread, and you jump to Tres to give training camp thread, i like you might be more confused than bored..lol

(08-12-2025, 01:16 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: [ -> ]I disagree, the way training camp is now, shorter, less pads, less live, no way you can replicate game situation as well as you could before all the changes, i see preseason games especially first two as more important now for all postions than before all the changes. 

Well don't get me wrong, I am FOR the oline and D-line, and some other positions playing. I am NOT FOR Burrow, Chase or Higgins playing. Our season goes as they go, and I see no benefit in risking them. Just look at the Vikings... not only have they lost Jordan Addison, now they lost Rondale Moore, who was fighting for a roster spot at WR.

James Cook ended his hold in by signing a 4 year $48 million contract.
still waiting are:
Trey
Cam Heyward
Terry McLaurin
Micah Parsons

Who will blink first?

I still say Trey will sign somewhere around preseason game 3. Probably not early enough to play in the game but in time to get a week's practice before Cleveland

(08-13-2025, 08:03 AM)Sled21 Wrote: [ -> ]Well don't get me wrong, I am FOR the oline and D-line, and some other positions playing. I am NOT FOR Burrow, Chase or Higgins playing. Our season goes as they go, and I see no benefit in risking them. Just look at the Vikings... not only have they lost Jordan Addison, now they lost Rondale Moore, who was fighting for a roster spot at WR.

I’m in favor of limited vs Wash. 12-15 plays not drives or first quarter. Same vs Colts. The offense has to be ready because the defense is a complete unknown. The offense has to be ready snap 1 for shootouts. Hopefully the defense isn’t a cluster but they don’t know.

(08-13-2025, 09:13 AM)pally Wrote: [ -> ]James Cook ended his hold in by signing a 4 year $48 million contract.  
still waiting are:
Trey
Cam Heyward
Terry McLaurin
Micah Parsons

Who will blink first?

I still say Trey will sign somewhere around preseason game 3. Probably not early enough to play in the game but in time to get a week's practice before Cleveland

Sooooooooooooooooooo, next Friday?

Can't happen soon enough.

Meanwhile......

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bills-second-round-pass-rusher-could-join-bengals-in-free-agency/ar-AA1KpoGO?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=689c998e76274abba80dd1be5a46d6af&ei=10

Quote:Bills Will Have Free Agent Decisions To Make

Cook headed into Bills training camp a few weeks ago, practicing, then last Sunday decided he wanted to hold in. A hold-in is when a player is at practice but isn’t participating. The two-time Pro Bowler is looking for a new contract and decided he wanted to sit out.

But on Tuesday, Cook returned to practice after showing up to the Bills’ preseason game on Saturday in full uniform. Cook didn’t play in the game, but showing up was a sign of progress.

Another player who will be a free agent at season’s end is pass rusher A.J. Epenesa. The Bills drafted the 6-foot-6 defensive end in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In five seasons with the team, Epenesa has recorded 21.5 sacks in 75 games.

Buffalo signed veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa this offseason. Bosa is only on a one-year contract, but if he performs well, he could return to the team next year. Since it will be hard for the Bills to bring back both Bosa and Epenesa, one or both may not be on the team next year.

A.J. Epenesa Could Land With AFC Rival
If the Bills decide to part ways with one of the pass rushers, Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report thinks Epenesa could sign with the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason.

“The Bengals aren’t going to be able to replace Trey Hendrickson in 2026 free agency. They are going to have to hope first-round pick Shemar Stewart has a good rookie season to build on and that the Myles Murphy pick finally pays off. Even then, the Bengals could be losing both Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai in free agency,” Ballentine wrote. “Targeting A.J. Epenesa would allow them to get a little younger at the position while still having veteran leadership in the room. He has had six or more sacks in each of the last three seasons and would provide the kind of reasonable floor as a starter that Sam Hubbard did.”

Cincinnati has a handful of problems of its own with pass rusher Trey Hendrickson holding out, looking for a new contract. The Bengals decided they wanted to give long-term deals to wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase instead of paying Hendrickson.

Since this will likely be Hendrickson’s last season in Cincinnati, the team needs to find pass-rushing options next offseason, which means Epenesa could land there.

The Bills and Bengals are both Super Bowl contenders out of the AFC. It will be interesting to see if Epenesa leaves the Bills for another great team like the Bengals or heads to a team that isn’t as good but can give him a huge payday.

(08-13-2025, 11:14 AM)Sled21 Wrote: [ -> ]Meanwhile......

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bills-second-round-pass-rusher-could-join-bengals-in-free-agency/ar-AA1KpoGO?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=689c998e76274abba80dd1be5a46d6af&ei=10

This seems like a preseason boredom speculation article.

Over the last 3 years Epenesa has more Sacks, more TFL, more FF, more QB Hits, more PDef, more INT, and more Tackles than Bosa. He's also in his age 27 season vs Bosa's age 30 season.

(08-13-2025, 08:03 AM)Sled21 Wrote: [ -> ]Well don't get me wrong, I am FOR the oline and D-line, and some other positions playing. I am NOT FOR Burrow, Chase or Higgins playing. Our season goes as they go, and I see no benefit in risking them. Just look at the Vikings... not only have they lost Jordan Addison, now they lost Rondale Moore, who was fighting for a roster spot at WR.

we can all have different opinions, there are issues either way, there is no right answer, even players differ on playing time etc..