The Bengals show that they're having a more physical and intense training camp in 2024

Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.’s eyes got really big.

After practice on Sunday, it was mentioned to Brown that there’s a perception that the Bengals don’t have the most rigorous or physical training camp. To Brown, who was struggling to take off his sweat drenched gloves at the end of another intense practice, that idea seemed outlandish.

“This is what creates championship ability,” Brown said. “The way that practices have been scripted from our coaches and the strength staff, it’s awesome. It’s important to have a sense of urgency. Last year, we got off to a slow start. Training camp is so important to have that sense of urgency.”

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On a 95 degree day, the Bengals had another padded practice that went longer than what was initially scheduled. Following an hour of position drills and one-on-one reps, the Bengals did what amounted to a scrimmage without tackling.

The first and second team units each did three full length of the field drives. Quarterback Joe Burrow capped off the first one with a precise throw down the sideline that threaded the needle and perfectly hit wide receiver Trenton Irwin in stride in the red zone. The other three first team drives were won by the defense, including highlight plays from safeties Vonn Bell and Geno Stone.

After practice, multiple veterans said that training camp has been more demanding this year. The change has gone over well.

“It’s more intense,” said linebacker Germaine Pratt, whose trash talk helps set the tone. “We’re competing more. We’re doing more game-line reps. The drives are longer. You always want training camp to be competitive. We’ve got to start off fast this year, and we want to get things rolling.”

While some veterans got scheduled off days in the opening few days of camp, the intensity has ramped up over the last week.

Last Thursday, the Bengals had a two hour practice in 96 degree heat that several veterans called one of the team’s most challenging in years. The Bengals focused on red zone work and did plenty of one-on-one drills. Tempers were flaring, and several players left practice for heat-related reasons.

The next day, the Bengals were back on the practice field in full pads. Following an off day on Saturday, the Bengals were going full speed again on Sunday. There is a full schedule coming up: Starters will play in Saturday’s preseason game, and the Bengals have two joint practices scheduled this year instead of one.

“That’s what good teams do,” said Bell, who blew up two rushing plays on Sunday and had the defenders on the sideline going crazy. “Challenge and push each other to the limit. It’s going to pay off. It’s great to have that, especially coming from the quarterback and the coaching staff. It starts with us. We’re coach fed and player led. We’ve got the keys to the engine, and we can drive it as far as we want to go.”

Geno Stone makes a familiar play

Before Burrow even threw the ball, Stone knew where it was going.During a drive by the first team offense against the first team defense, the Bengals’ offense faced third and long from inside the red zone. Burrow had receiver Andrei Iosivas wide open on a route where Iosivas cut at an angle toward the sideline.

Stone, a former Baltimore Raven, had seen this play before.

“Many times,” Stone said. “It’s a benefit of playing in the AFC North for four years.”

Stone covered nearly half of the field and delivered a leaping pass breakup that forced a stop.

“I just trusted myself,” Stone said. “I trusted my instincts to make a play, and that’s what you saw. That’s something they harp on. My middle of the field presence. That’s one of the reasons why I’m here.”

More good signs

Burrow had his deep ball working again on Sunday. His touchdown throw to Irwin fell into the tightest of windows, and Burrow had to read the body language of cornerback Josh Newton to anticipate where to place the ball.

Later in practice, Burrow threw a go ball to receiver Kendric Pryor. The ball bounced off of Pryor’s chest on a drop for the young receiver, but it was another dime by Burrow.

Burrow is the best player in training camp. He’s working with a group of mostly young, unproven receivers. Burrow has proven this summer that he can make a first down throw to Tee Higgins whenever he wants, and he looks like he’s making a point to spread the ball around.

During one drive on Sunday, Burrow executed some very similar looking plays to what backup Jake Browning used last December. Lining up under center, Burrow had success on play action passes and bootlegs.

Burrow has checked just about every box. The deep ball, the accuracy, aggressive throws over the middle, throws on the runs and quick hitters on RPOs are all there. Even better, there haven’t been any throws that didn’t have the zip to get where they needed to, and all of his decision making has been strong. On one play, Burrow made an audible, noticed an audible by the defense, canceled the audible and made the right call on a play that resulted in an easy first down pass.

Playing his way onto the field

Seventh-round pick Daijahn Anthony leads training camp with three interceptions. On the latest one, he recognized the play unfolding and jumped in front of a pass from quarterback Jake Browning to wide receiver Shedrick Jackson.

Anthony also continues to get first team reps in the Bengals’ third down personnel grouping. He’s subbing in for Pratt when the Bengals run three safety sets.

“That’s my guy right there,” Bell said. “He’s growing up. He has that fire. He always wants to be a playmaker. That’s what he’s showing. He’s playing with great enthusiasm. He’s hunting right now. He fits right in.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The Bengals show that they're having a more physical and intense training camp in 2024