Notes from Voluntary Practice

[SunsetBengal]

(05-27-2025, 07:37 PM)Nepa Wrote: Here a segment of the ESPN story on Chase's comments:

"In the middle of an interview, he started asking questions to find an answer that has eluded the Bengals for several years. When asked about whether playing in the preseason could help Cincinnati solve its slow starts, Chase eyed the semicircle of media members by his locker and rattled off a series of questions with a simple premise: What were the records for the Bengals in the first two weeks of the season and how much did Cincinnati practice in the preseason?

In coach Zac Taylor's six seasons, the Bengals have sparingly used starters in preseason games. During that span, Cincinnati has a 1-11 record, the worst in the NFL. After running reporters through the slew of 0-2 starts to multiple seasons, Chase wrapped up his questions and arrived at a conclusion.

"Sounds like we need to play in the preseason, huh?" Chase quipped after the team's first voluntary OTA."

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45348955/jamarr-chase-believes-preseason-key-bengals-slow-starts

That was a very charismatic way of him handling the question. But yes, the need to play some in preseason. They don't need to go for the entire first half, but at least a drive or two to keep the machine oiled. Now the OL, I would argue needs to play well into the second quarter of preseason games. Too many times in recent years they show up on opening day and look like they all just met each other for the first time.