Notes From Training Camp 2025

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 05:23 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Bro, outside of Chase and Tee who are top level, the receiving corps isn’t what you’re saving it is. Gesicki is okay but he’s not pro bowl. Yosh….I would fully expect a 2nd round pick from big school Michigan, 3rd offseason to shut down anyone not named Higgins or Chase. Reports are he’s struggled a lot except one day. Hopefully that is the catalyst, but I’m not holding my breath.

If you don’t think our entire receiving group including Gesicki & Fant is not at minimum top 3 then now I think I get you.

[TCUBengal34]

(Yesterday, 06:45 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: If you don’t think our entire receiving group including Gesicki & Fant is not at minimum top 3 then now I think I get you.

Yeah, Bengals receiving group top 3 in the NFL, if not the best. IDK, Eagles are hard to beat.

Shoot, having Chase by default makes you top 5. What a nightmare to try and scheme for week to week. 

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 06:50 PM)TCUBengal34 Wrote: Yeah, Bengals receiving group top 3 in the NFL, if not the best. IDK, Eagles are hard to beat.

Shoot, having Chase by default makes you top 5. What a nightmare to try and scheme for week to week. 

Isovias has taken another leap and Burton seems locked in. Top to bottom very strong. Top to bottom nobody is better if Isovias and Burton deliver

[*jason*]

(Yesterday, 06:50 PM)TCUBengal34 Wrote: Yeah, Bengals receiving group top 3 in the NFL, if not the best. IDK, Eagles are hard to beat.

Shoot, having Chase by default makes you top 5. What a nightmare to try and scheme for week to week. 

Chase is better than Brown and Higgins is at the very worst the same caliber WR as Smith. Personally I give Tee the edge.

[coachmcneil71]

(Yesterday, 05:23 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Bro, outside of Chase and Tee who are top level, the receiving corps isn’t what you’re saving it is. Gesicki is okay but he’s not pro bowl. Yosh….I would fully expect a 2nd round pick from big school Michigan, 3rd offseason to shut down anyone not named Higgins or Chase. Reports are he’s struggled a lot except one day. Hopefully that is the catalyst, but I’m not holding my breath.

I would ask you, which QB had the most passing yards in the league last season? Then, which QB had the most tuds with 43? Then, who were the pass catchers during the 2024 season? Then I would mention how the teams WR #1 won the triple crown in 2024. The supporting cast has been stellar, they just added Fant, and Burton is showing signs of maturity. When you get done looking up the answers to these questions, then you can decide whether or not to continue poo-pooing the offense.

Lastly, I would point out that I am speaking of the entire young CB room, not just one player in that room. Ivey, Turner, Dax (injury, Lou's scheme, and position change) have held him back, Newton, with CTB being the anchor now. CTB is the anchor! I left some players off the list that are talented in their own right! These guys are young, talented ,and fast. Some growing pains are certain. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(Yesterday, 06:35 PM)TCUBengal34 Wrote: I know a thing about DB play. 2 things about the Corner position.

1) Unless you're just an elite elite cover guy (Deion, Prime Revis, or the best current CB in the NFL, Derrick Stingley) the position can be fairly scheme dependent. I have not done a deep dive into Golden's scheme, but this could be something that really benefits a guy like Turner's skill set, who's fairly small for corner.

2) While it's not QB or OL, it is still has a runway as a fairly developmental position. He's still pretty young

Overall he has traits that you like and I think can be a top half starting corner in the NFL.

Now I need my guy Newton to start making plays, How has he been looking in camp?

I know PFF is not in an especially good odor around here, but Turner, Hill, and CTB were all top half CBs. Though that is ALL CBs, mot just starters. 

Player: grades/rank: overall, cover, run, pass rush. 222 CBs.

CTB: 63.6/95; 64.3/81; 68.4/59; 68.9/33
Turner: 67.8/65; 68.4/56; 57.1/150, n/s
Hill: 68.2/62; 68.0/59; 66.0/77.0; 81.8/9
Fig: 60.9/116; 60.9/113; 57.9/146; 54.5/96
-----------
Hilton: 75.9/24; 68.5/55; 91.7/1; 58.0/81.

[Ell Prez]

(Yesterday, 06:45 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: If you don’t think our entire receiving group including Gesicki & Fant is not at minimum top 3 then now I think I get you.

There’s a difference between saying we have a top 3 receiving corp, top to bottom (which I agree with, and would say we’re #1) and saying Yoshi and Gesicki are world class receivers and therefore DJ Turner is of course going to struggle. Collectively and comparatively, yes we are the best receiving group.

But any teams 3rd, 4th, 5th option should struggle against a 3rd year, 2nd round BIG10 CB. And they’re not. It says more about the CB than it does the WR.

[Ell Prez]

(Yesterday, 07:55 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: I would ask you, which QB had the most passing yards in the league last season? Then, which QB had the most tuds with 43? Then, who were the pass catchers during the 2024 season? Then I would mention how the teams WR #1 won the triple crown in 2024. The supporting cast has been stellar, they just added Fant, and Burton is showing signs of maturity. When you get done looking up the answers to these questions, then you can decide whether or not to continue poo-pooing the offense.

Lastly, I would point out that I am speaking of the entire young CB room, not just one player in that room. Ivey, Turner, Dax (injury, Lou's scheme, and position change) have held him back, Newton, with CTB being the anchor now. CTB is the anchor! I left some players off the list that are talented in their own right! These guys are young, talented ,and fast. Some growing pains are certain. 

Dude, im not stupid. I think Burrow is the best in the league. I think Chase is the best receiver and Tee and Chase are the best duo. I’m not poo pooing the offense. I’m poo pooing the secondary, and in this instance, DJ Turner. The first poster said the reason DJ Turner is getting beat is because he’s going against the likes of Gesicki and Yosh.

I fully expect Tee and Chase to beat Turner 60-70% of the time. but not not Gesicki and AI.

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 09:48 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: There’s a difference between saying we have a top 3 receiving corp, top to bottom (which I agree with, and would say we’re #1) and saying Yoshi and Gesicki are world class receivers and therefore DJ Turner is of course going to struggle. Collectively and comparatively, yes we are the best receiving group.

But any teams 3rd, 4th, 5th option should struggle against a 3rd year, 2nd round BIG10 CB. And they’re not. It says more about the CB than it does the WR.

DJ is struggling against AI & Gesicki but whipped Chase all day yesterday? Perplexing

[NUGDUKWE]

All I know is I liked what I saw out of dj turner last season. Im not gonna get too low or high off training camp practices. He's earned my confidence until proven otherwise. Perhaps im not too worried about the defense because that's big picture and until the team wants to get serious protecting Burrow im not worried about big picture.

[Ell Prez]

(Yesterday, 11:00 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: DJ is struggling against AI & Gesicki but whipped Chase all day yesterday? Perplexing

What? When did I say he whipped Chase? He hasn’t whipped anyone, Chase or AI. The exception has been 1 good day of camp. So far, he has a lot more tape of getting beat in actual nfl games than he does locking anyone down.

[coachmcneil71]

(Yesterday, 10:25 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Dude, im not stupid. I think Burrow is the best in the league. I think Chase is the best receiver and Tee and Chase are the best duo. I’m not poo pooing the offense. I’m poo pooing the secondary, and in this instance, DJ Turner. The first poster said the reason DJ Turner is getting beat is because he’s going against the likes of Gesicki and Yosh.

I fully expect Tee and Chase to beat Turner 60-70% of the time. but not not Gesicki and AI.

It's way early! Guys are getting in football shape, some are coming off injuries, and they're learning a new system. We have an entire month of reps and learning before the real deal. I]m willing to be patient for now. 

As to the later players you mentioned, I think you're selling both short. Both are physical, gifted mismatches, hence why each had 5-6 tuds apiece last season. 

Never called you stupid. I just pointed out a few things about the offense that you are overlooking or perhaps didn't take into consideration. This offense is becoming elite. If they ever get a smash mouth type of running game to accompany the current passing attack, they will be deadly regardless of the defense. 

[Sled21]

(Yesterday, 05:49 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: Then why didnt he have the surgery in the off season?  Are we going to go through this entire season wondering if Mims thumb is going to act up and if he will be available to play?

I'm going to guess you don't have any arthritis from an injury since you asked that question. Arthritis builds up over time, it doesn't just show up the moment you're injured. It's probably just now getting to the point he needs a clean-out. If he does, it's a short-term issue. 

[Sled21]

(Yesterday, 06:35 PM)TCUBengal34 Wrote: I know a thing about DB play. 2 things about the Corner position.

1) Unless you're just an elite elite cover guy (Deion, Prime Revis, or the best current CB in the NFL, Derrick Stingley) the position can be fairly scheme dependent. I have not done a deep dive into Golden's scheme, but this could be something that really benefits a guy like Turner's skill set, who's fairly small for corner.

2) While it's not QB or OL, it is still has a runway as a fairly developmental position. He's still pretty young

Overall he has traits that you like and I think can be a top half starting corner in the NFL.

Now I need my guy Newton to start making plays, How has he been looking in camp?

Fig has been looking good so far. Really all of the DB's look way better this year, including Battle.

[*pally*]

its going to be a beautiful night for those going to tonite's practice in Paycor

[*pally*]

Browns down to 2 healthy QBs. Kenny Pickett already limited with a hamstring issue

shoulder soreness in camp is not a good early sign

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders held out of team drills Saturday due to shoulder sorenesshttps://t.co/FxN4RublVz pic.twitter.com/Zl4cZlMx7h

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 2, 2025

[bengalfan47]

(6 hours ago)pally Wrote: its going to be a beautiful night for those going to tonite's practice in Paycor

Im going and I cant wait. I havent been to a practice since they were doing it in Kentucky. I miss the Georgetown days!

[Luvnit2]

(5 hours ago)pally Wrote: Browns down to 2 healthy QBs.  Kenny Pickett already limited with a hamstring issue

shoulder soreness in camp is not a good early sign

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders held out of team drills Saturday due to shoulder sorenesshttps://t.co/FxN4RublVz pic.twitter.com/Zl4cZlMx7h

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 2, 2025

Pickett is back. I think Browns drafted Sanders to trade him. He is more likely a cut now than a trade.

[Ell Prez]

(Today, 01:33 AM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: It's way early! Guys are getting in football shape, some are coming off injuries, and they're learning a new system. We have an entire month of reps and learning before the real deal. I]m willing to be patient for now. 

As to the later players you mentioned, I think you're selling both short. Both are physical, gifted mismatches, hence why each had 5-6 tuds apiece last season. 

Never called you stupid. I just pointed out a few things about the offense that you are overlooking or perhaps didn't take into consideration. This offense is becoming elite. If they ever get a smash mouth type of running game to accompany the current passing attack, they will be deadly regardless of the defense. 

I think they need a better O line to become elite. As good as the offense was last year they weren’t even elite. I think they were #10 offense maybe?

And we’ve had 2 seasons of DJ Turner. I just don’t think he’s that guy. I’m willing to give CTB one more season; but if he sucks this year, I think we need to upgrade and a CB is priority #1. Oddly enough, I have high hopes for Stewart so I think our pass rush will be improved.

[Luvnit2]

(6 hours ago)pally Wrote: its going to be a beautiful night for those going to tonite's practice in Paycor

I was going to grab a grandchild and head down, but it is sold out.