Notes From Training Camp 2025

[*pally*]

TJ Slaton seems to be having a good camp. Ted has mentioned how hard he is to move. Media has commented that he seems to be taking a leadershup role on the field and locker room too

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(07-29-2025, 04:40 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: The question about Shemar for me, is he simply what we in rugby called a Thursday all star?

The is the guy who gives maximal effort when everyone else is pacing at 80%, resulting in the Thursday all star looking like a stud starter, but come game time Saturday, dude falls back down to Earth.

I admit the bar is not high for him to be better than Hubbard last season, as Sam was hurt, but I am cautiously optimistic.

Plus I think Golden's defense will have some wrinkles to take advantage of his athleticism.

Lack of effort has never been a problem for Shemar. He has great work ethic. It is the little things, keeping his head up, using his hands quicker
hitting the line, his hand fighting and finishing off the QB. These are all things that can be coached up which is great. You can't really teach better
twitch which is about the one thing that he has for a weakness that you cannot coach up. His hand fighting looked good against Fairchild and Mims
in these TC vids to me and when Trey is back he can help as he is maybe the best hand fighting End in the NFL.

I agree, not a high bar to be better than a hurt and older Sam from last season and also think Golden's Defense should help him out.

Higgy is a poster on here that watched tons of A&M film as he is an Aggies fan and he swears by the A&M Defense being hard on the Ends to be 
productive especially if you are the one End Offenses focus on slowing down which was the case with Shemar.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(07-29-2025, 04:55 PM)pally Wrote: TJ Slaton seems to be having a good camp.  Ted has mentioned how hard he is to move.  Media has commented that he seems to be taking a leadershup role on the field and locker room too

This makes me happy, thanks Pally. We needed a true NT badly.

[Bilbo Saggins]

(07-29-2025, 03:55 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: KC had that 2 or 3 years ago, it worked out for them why not us?  I think the Ravens have more issues than we do on the line

They had a top tier proven DC, a good defense, and an adequate run game. It's a little different when you want to sling the ball all over the yard and don't know what your defense/run game are going to look like imo. Not saying that Fairchild and Patrick/Ford can't do it. It just seems like a massive gamble. I don't see why they shouldn't be sniffing around for players like Scherff or Rinser. You're clicking your heels if you have guys like Patrick, Volson, and Ford...as backups. In the midst of a Super Bowl window why put so much pressure on guys who have no record of being consistent, good starters?

[Luvnit2]

(07-29-2025, 05:37 PM)Bilbo Saggins Wrote: They had a top tier proven DC, a good defense, and an adequate run game. It's a little different when you want to sling the ball all over the yard and don't know what your defense/run game are going to look like imo. Not saying that Fairchild and Patrick/Ford can't do it. It just seems like a massive gamble. I don't see why they shouldn't be sniffing around for players like Scherff or Rinser. You're clicking your heels if you have guys like Patrick, Volson, and Ford...as backups. I'm the midst of a Super Bowl window why put so much pressure on guys who have no record of being consistent, good starters?

I agree with some of your points, but KC's franchise is Mahomes so to dismiss they did not take a gamble is not accurate IMHO.

[*rfaulk34*]

(07-29-2025, 05:10 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: This makes me happy, thanks Pally. We needed a true NT badly.

Slayton was a guy i was on board with from the beginning where some were 'meh' on him. I think he could be a huge addition to the Dline. 

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(07-29-2025, 06:04 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Slayton was a guy i was on board with from the beginning where some were 'meh' on him. I think he could be a huge addition to the Dline. 

Me as well: seeing the metrics and numbers, he seemed like the typical space eater that we lost in Reader, but sadly doesn't provide the pass rush push that Reader did (which is fine).

I think if he stays healthy, we will no longer get gashed up the middle (as much lol)

[Luvnit2]

(07-29-2025, 06:36 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: Me as well: seeing the metrics and numbers, he seemed like the typical space eater that we lost in Reader, but sadly doesn't provide the pass rush push that Reader did (which is fine).

I think if he stays healthy, we will no longer get gashed up the middle (as much lol)

It is hard to replace great 3 down players, our combo of Slayton for the run and then Stewart/Sample would have to yield the same results. I knew he was good against the run, but no idea he was #1 ranked DL last year against the run. Was Reader ever ranked #1 against the run? I know he was very good as well, but #1 is elite.

[*Synric*]

(07-29-2025, 06:36 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: Me as well: seeing the metrics and numbers, he seemed like the typical space eater that we lost in Reader, but sadly doesn't provide the pass rush push that Reader did (which is fine).

I think if he stays healthy, we will no longer get gashed up the middle (as much lol)

Dominique Orange Iowa State. Reminds me alot of DJ Reader.

[*pally*]

Dianna Russini is reporting that Trey is on his way to Cincinnati to report for camp. Practice or hold-in remains to be seen

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(07-29-2025, 07:50 PM)pally Wrote: Dianna Russini is reporting that Trey is on his way to Cincinnati to report for camp.  Practice or hold-in remains to be seen

Awesome, glad he'll at least be here.

This looks bad on him/his agent though. clearly, he realises that A: he should be around the team and lay off a bit and B: this is costing him money in fines.

Let's hope we can get this done ASAP.

[ERIC1]

(07-29-2025, 03:07 PM)Synric Wrote: Yes they do.

 Specifically go watch A&M vs LSU. You get Will Campbell vs Shemar Stewart. You can see his late to react with his hands on several occasions to Campbell also placement on the wrists. The stiffness and body control issues show up when A&M played South Carolina when he is tasked with containing LaNorris Sellers. You can see the disconnect between his upper and lower half as he arrives in the backfield.


This is all posted in the Draft section of this forum. You should read it. Learn something.

Again...subjective opinion by a passionate fan..obviously the scounting department and FO do not agree with your assessment

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(07-29-2025, 06:04 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Slayton was a guy i was on board with from the beginning where some were 'meh' on him. I think he could be a huge addition to the Dline. 

I liked the addition a lot myself as we really needed a NT as even McKinnley Jackson isn't a pure one.

Slaton just doesn't have any pass rush, Reader did have pass rush on top of occupying 2 OL and freeing up guys, he was special.

(07-29-2025, 07:50 PM)pally Wrote: Dianna Russini is reporting that Trey is on his way to Cincinnati to report for camp.  Practice or hold-in remains to be seen

Fantastic news, hope a deal happens soon. I think Trey is understanding that getting fined so much is not in his best interest lmao!

His agent is just not good at his job IMO.

(07-29-2025, 08:00 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: Awesome, glad he'll at least be here.

This looks bad on him/his agent though. clearly, he realises that A: he should be around the team and lay off a bit and B: this is costing him money in fines.

Let's hope we can get this done ASAP.

True that Truck.

[ERIC1]

(07-29-2025, 03:01 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I am not bashing the FO and even mentioned if the player is an upgrade in talent and not just name. I do trust our coaches and their ability to evalauate. But theirr job is to evaluate and improve exsiting players. You give an OL coach a prove vet who is healthy is likely better than our 5th best OG on our team. My point being is adding depth in the NFL is important too.

We are in rare territory, we have not had this much cap space at this time of the year in a very long time. I am hopeful the FO continues to evaluate and bring guys in like they did with Fant and certainly after final roster cuts are made may be some better guard vets availble then Risner or Hernnandez or not.

Ask yourself this question...do you not think the bengals coaches, scouting department, FO have not been laser focused on acquiring available players..the money is there.

[ERIC1]

(07-29-2025, 08:45 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I liked the addition a lot myself as we really needed a NT as even McKinnley Jackson isn't a pure one.

Slaton just doesn't have any pass rush, Reader did have pass rush on top of occupying 2 OL and freeing up guys, he was special.


Fantastic news, hope a deal happens soon. I think Trey is understanding that getting fined so much is not in his best interest lmao!

His agent is just not good at his job IMO.


True that Truck.

Stewart is signed, Hendickson is apparently on his way...and most importantly, Burton did not get lost and is actually showing up for practice...all is good in bengalsland...sleep will come easy tonight

[*Synric*]

(07-29-2025, 08:42 PM)ERIC1 Wrote: Again...subjective opinion by a passionate fan..obviously the scounting department and FO do not agree with your assessment

And you think that is a vote of confidence?

You do realize they have been terrible at drafting DL over the last 15 years. The last Defensive Tackle they drafted that played well in Cincinnati is Geno Atkins drsfted 2010... and before you say Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson both were not good last year. Could they be better this year? Yes, But the arrow is NOT pointing up.


Seriously if you continue to post on a football forum you should learn some football. It's not hard alot of information but not hard.

[Luvnit2]

(07-29-2025, 08:46 PM)ERIC1 Wrote: Ask yourself this question...do you not think the bengals coaches, scouting department, FO have not been  laser focused on acquiring available players..the money is there.

Based I have history, I think fans like myself have a right to discuss the possibility.

I hope they have, but no I am not certain they share our concerns at OG and safety.

[Nicomo Cosca]

(07-29-2025, 08:42 PM)ERIC1 Wrote: Again...subjective opinion by a passionate fan..obviously the scounting department and FO do not agree with your assessment

All 4 of them?

And considering how bad they’ve been at drafting trenches in recent years maybe they should actually consult some of these “passionate fans” to help them out.

[Luvnit2]

(07-29-2025, 08:57 PM)Synric Wrote: And you think that is a vote of confidence?

You do realize they have been terrible at drafting DL over the last 15 years. The last Defensive Tackle they drafted that played well in Cincinnati is Geno Atkins drsfted 2010... and before you say Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson both were not good last year. Could they be better this year? Yes, But the arrow is NOT pointing up.


Seriously if you continue to post on a football forum you should learn some football. It's not hard alot of information but not hard.

You have great knowledge about the game but does not make you a great evaluator of talent, if so, get a job as an NFL scout. I like both Jenkins and Jackson picks, they were just injured and then thrown into the fire early and got burnt. But I look for them to both be good picks based on their draft position. Maybe try to attack other picks, there are many to choose to make your point.

[Luvnit2]

(07-29-2025, 09:01 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: All 4 of them?

And considering how bad they’ve been at drafting trenches in recent years maybe they should actually consult some of these “passionate fans” to help them out.

How many NFL scouts do we have in the forum? My guess none and I just told Syric, if that good go get hired by an NFL team and quit wasting your talent doing what you do now.

Bengals get back to the playoffs and make some noise, it takes a villiage and FO desreves their share of the credit. If they can get it done with 1 scout, I don't care just put winning roster in place.