Notes From Training Camp 2025

[Essex Johnson]

(3 hours ago)Ell Prez Wrote: 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.

6th in scoring, 9th in yards, so one of the top tier offenses, if they can improve their running game, that will create better ability to protect Burrow and open the field a bit more, they don;t need a major jump on the Oline to become an elite offensive. Last year the Ravens Oline was not average but their offense was elite.

[Luvnit2]

(3 hours ago)Ell Prez Wrote: 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.

Fair enough, we were like 7th I believe and not top 3 offense. Do you feel the ability for the defense to stop drives early and often hurts any offense's ability to get more snaps so produce more yards and TD's?

I think we all agree the OL is still questionable at best as 2 new OL starters projected. I do think our defense had 3 issues in 2024. Talent, coaching (poor development for years) and injuries. I can't see how any fan could predict our defense will be worse than 2025 with a straight face. I would argue with or without Trey all 17 games, they will be better than 2024, but I can see why many would disagree.

I feel defense improved team speed, gets guys back from injury and has a new DC who the team seems to be responsing to in camp. Yes, I know it is camp. Golden will give our defense an element of surprise, teams knew Lou and his defense, not so much with how Golden will design the defense and play calls. 

If the defense gives our offense an additional 8 to 10 snaps a game, that is huge as our offense is our strength. I think they will. I will be paying a lot of attention to T.O.P. in 2025.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(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?

Had to respond to TCUBengal our Cornerback brother. Fig has looked good. Our entire Secondary is better under Golden and the boys.

Fig might be our leader, as you know, he is very smart just a solid player all the way around. Dax has looked very good as well.

Hope Dax can finally stay healthy and not be moved around so much so we can actually see his elite talent. Then watch, he goes somewhere
else in FA for big money.

[Luvnit2]

(2 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Had to respond to TCUBengal our Cornerback brother. Fig has looked good. Our entire Secondary is better under Golden and the boys.

Fig might be our leader, as you know, he is very smart just a solid player all the way around. Dax has looked very good as well.

Hope Dax can finally stay healthy and not be moved around so much so we can actually see his elite talent. Then watch, he goes somewhere
else in FA for big money.

I like our CB room, I thought by the end of 2024 they were playing well. They were missing both outside starters and played well. I think our room is deep and experienced and we are in much better shape if a starter goes down. I like our depth at WR and TE as well. The DL is interesting and of course Trey plays a huge role. But I a have always like Sample and feel he is versatile. His loss early last year in TC hurt us. I know Murphy, Ossai and Stewart are the ones who have to step up, but I don't think our fans should sleep on Sample.

I can't wait to see how these guys do in Philly Thrursday, I don't expect a well oiled machine on offense or defense, but if our depth has improved it should show up. It is a long year and we need great depth.

[coachmcneil71]

(3 hours ago)Ell Prez Wrote: 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.

Agree about the oline, but I think it's improving. Secondary and oline should be top priorities next offseason. 

I'm a Buckeye first, and a Nole second. Trust me, I'm not a fan of having so many TTUN guys on the roster. Wtbs, once they become a Bengal I have no choice but to pull for them. I was not a fan of the Dax pick, nor Turner tbh, but now, I wish them success and hope for the best. ***side note: loved Leon Hall as a Bengal!

Both are talented DBs, they just haven't put it together at this level yet. I gotta give AG a chance to coach them up before I call either hot garbage. However, if neither shows improvement by midseason, it could be a problem. 

Stewart needs to show something early imo. I'm not a fan of the drama type of energy that he has brought thus far. Let's hope he plays well. He's physically gifted, and should have every opportunity to shine. 

[Nicomo Cosca]

Bengals DE Cedric Johnson with a protective boot on his left foot. Was using a scooter to wheel around in the locker room as he deals with a strained calf.

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 2, 2025

[Soonerpeace]

(3 hours ago)Ell Prez Wrote: 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.

(2 hours ago)Essex Johnson Wrote: 6th in scoring, 9th in yards, so one of the top tier offenses, if they can improve their running game, that will create better ability to protect Burrow and open the field a bit more, they don;t need a major jump on the Oline to become an elite offensive. Last year the Ravens Oline was not average but their offense was elite.

I’m an efficiency guy. It tells the real story. Last year we were #6 in points per play. In the last 4 years with Joe’s missed games we were only passed cumulatively by average by the Bills,Philly,and barely KC. It’s impressive. We were ahead of Baltimore & SF.

[*pally*]

From Charlie Goldsmith's substack

https://charlieschalkboard.substack.com/p/outlining-the-position-battles-on

Scott Peters on the OL

Quote:“My approach has been get these guys acclimated at one spot where they understand all the techniques,” Peters said. “Then once you get to that level, it’s time to move people and see how they adjust. If you’re not a starter, you’ve got to have positional flex. The more you’re trusted to do, the more value you have for us. That’s something we’ve really emphasized.”

Fairchild: learns quickly, strength is an asset, he's handling the mental part of the game, able to correct mistakes, young with lots of upside
Ford: biggest challenge is adjusting to the quicker and different power of guard position
Volson: ambracing the new coaching, learning from his mistakes,  they are practicing him on both sides of the line
Rivers: might one day be taught guard but they need him at tackle and want him to learn that position first
Lee: has added bulk since last season and is another cross training possibility at guard but just got back on the field post-inury on day1


Overall: guys are working hard, they are picking things up, but it is still early with a long ways to go