(07-29-2021, 07:28 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: In most years, seems like someone always posts a thread with a boatload of stories, pictures and videos of Bengals training camp.  Last year was weird, with Covid and all.  Are they still shutting public out this year?

(07-29-2021, 08:04 PM)GreenCornBengal Wrote: I’ve seen some clips on the Bengals app, but agreed I’m used to someone posting updates and tweets on here.

Hot out here. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/HYeXDrVa0S

— Sam Greene (@SGdoesit) July 29, 2021

(07-29-2021, 08:14 PM)pally Wrote:

Joe Burrow flashes arm strength on 40-yard cross-body throw to end zone. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/8rhPLol6qd

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 29, 2021

(07-29-2021, 08:19 PM)Synric Wrote: Rolling left...

Quote:The Cincinnati Bengals had some newfound bite on the defensive side of the ball last year thanks to the arrival of guys like Vonn Bell (remember that JuJu hit?).

But the Bengals hope to turn that up another notch this summer.

So far, it sure sounds like the defense isn’t just better, it’s got even more attitude, as depicted by Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

“The defense, restricted in the spring from rushing the passer (or anything else for that matter), looked a bit feistier, particularly in coverage. New vet safety Ricardo Allen ripped the ball out of running back Trayveon Williams’ hands, new middle linebacker Logan Wilson blew up a swing pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins in the backfield and reliable safety Vonn Bell knocked away a pass ticketed to rookie tight end Thaddeus Moss.”

Logan Wilson is the big name there, as they have huge expectations for him in the heart of the unit. Ditto for Bell after what he flashed last year. Also interesting is Ricardo Allen getting a mention — he was a low-key signing who could have staying power on the 53 because of his versatility, with notable plays like the above providing a boost.

So while as fun as it is to focus on say, Joe Burrow going perfect in a 7-on-7 drill, this summer isn’t exactly shaping up to be a cakewalk for the offense.

And when the defense is better like this, the offense should improve in kind. It’s the type of serious momentum and trial by fire both units need to start packing on marks in the win column

Brutal day for the #Bengals offense and Joe Burrow (or great day for the defense depending on your optimism).

Ton of incompletions, little in run game, PBUs and drops.

Pretty much nothing went right other than some spectacular catches late by Trent Taylor and Trenton Irwin.

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 30, 2021

(07-30-2021, 04:42 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Looks like it's not just the offense making waves in camp.  It also seems that the defense is making some impressive plays, as well.

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/30/bengals-defense-showing-big-attitude-training-camp/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2HzkRHboSxzcIGGAuW5wQb35q9vB2E9gTzrS2zjw1NhbkGydg0G07DGZs

(07-30-2021, 07:15 PM)BritishBengal Wrote: Ahhh good ole Geoff. You're paid to write and know about the team. Thad Moss a rookie yeah? Wish I could have his job security. 

We did get to see the first reactive Burrow scramble of camp.

He tried to slide around the pocket amid some pressure and ended up having to cut a couple times when he got cut off.

Eventually ran to the perimeter and threw ball away. Seemed to handle it fine.

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 30, 2021

(07-30-2021, 07:47 PM)pally Wrote:

We did get to see the first reactive Burrow scramble of camp.

He tried to slide around the pocket amid some pressure and ended up having to cut a couple times when he got cut off.

Eventually ran to the perimeter and threw ball away. Seemed to handle it fine.

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 30, 2021

(07-30-2021, 07:23 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: If he's not a rookie, what were his stats for last season?

(07-30-2021, 08:49 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: What were Jonah Williams/William Jacksons stats his rookie year?

Even NFL.com has him at "Experience: 2" as in he's heading into his second year. Dude's not a rookie. He's not eligible for the Rookie Team, or Rookie of the Year.

(07-30-2021, 09:15 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I'm not discounting the technicalities of what you are saying.  However, if he's a second year player, tell me what his stats were for the team he played on last year.

Quote:As the Bengals were revamping the secondary this off-season, we saw Mike Hilton turn from foe to friend very quickly.

The sixth-year veteran out of Ole Miss spent the last four seasons as a starter in the Steelers’ defensive backfield, and it didn’t take long for him to establish himself as one of the premier slot cornerbacks in the game. Hilton comes to the Queen City to replace Mackenzie Alexander, who in his own right, had a solid single season in Cincinnati.

In terms of coverage, Hilton is one of the top slot corners in the NFL. Per PFF, Hilton has graded in the 93rd percentile in slot coverage every season since 2017, his first as a full-time starter. In a division with receivers like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jarvis Landry, having a premier coverage corner manning the slot is extremely valuable. The league seems to just now be catching on to how valuable a great slot corner can be.


Coverage will obviously be the main area of focus, but Hilton can provide much more than that.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of Hilton’s game is his ability to get after the passer. That’s right, we now have a cornerback that can get into the backfield and disrupt plays.

With a PFF grade of 81.5 on pass rush attempts, it is clear that Hilton can and will make an impact in that area, when given the opportunity. It is hard to imagine defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo having that ability in the room and not utilizing it on game days .


Since 2017, Hilton is tied for third among all defensive backs in the NFL at generating pressures in the backfield. With a Bengals defense that finished 26th in total defense last year and was only able to work up 17 sacks in 2020, that new dynamic will be welcomed from the outside edge of the defense.

Be sure to check in to the training camp updates floating around the web over the next few days. Chances are, you’ll hear about Hilton being used in ways you may not expect to hear about from the “third” cornerback on a team.

(07-30-2021, 09:15 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I'm not discounting the technicalities of what you are saying.  However, if he's a second year player, tell me what his stats were for the team he played on last year.