The Cincinnati Bengals suited up in shoulder pads and shorts for a team scrimmage on Saturday inside Paul Brown Stadium. The Family day event included the offensive first team going against the defensive second team and the defensive first team going against the offensive second team.
The first team won, as expected, but there were many interesting nuggets of information throughout the practice, including some surprising players suiting up with the starters and developments in the kicking game.
While Jake Elliott missed both a field goal and extra point, he rebounded with three made field goals later on. Randy Bullock meanwhile had a good day, making all of his attempts.
Below are highlights, key pieces of information, videos and photos from inside Paul Brown Stadium.
It was a beautiful day in Cincinnati and the fans in attendance sure got a show!
#Bengals intrasquad scrimmage about to go down inside PBS @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/TSgQBYlSe0
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) August 5, 2017
When it came to the first team roster, there were some surprises with Darqueze Dennard suited up in white.
1st team is wearing white. Hill, Bernard, Green, LaFell, Boyd, Eifert, Kroft, Jones, Kirkpatrick, and Dennard are all in white
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
Interestingly, both Andre Smith and Trey Hopkins were on the first team offense.
Both Andre Smith and Trey Hopkins are wearing 1st team white jerseys...#bengalstrainingcamp2017
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
The first team defense included Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson as well as Andrew Billings, DeShawn Williams, Carl Lawson and Pat Sims.
1st team DL includes Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Pat Simms, Andrew Billings, Deshawn Williams and Carl Lawson
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
Some of the second team included Joe Mixon, Alex Erickson, C.J. Uzomah, William Jackson, Ryan Glasgow and Derron Smith. Though, Mixon eventually changed teams to join the first team offense.
Notable black team players: Mixon, Erickson, Uzomah, Jackson, Glasgow, and Derron Smith
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
This is an interesting way to decide who gets the first possession. Who needs coins when you’ve got your fists to play rock, paper, scissor?
Andy Dalton & AJ McCarron did rock-paper-scissors to determine first possession. Paper covers rock. McCarron's "black" squad gets ball.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 5, 2017
As the team was in shorts, there was no tackling allowed.
Controlled scrimmage. No tackling. 1s vs 2s for the most part. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
Andrew Billings is not yet a starter... Even if he’s expected to be for Week 1.
Starting defense: Dunlap, Clarke, Simms, Atkins, Vigil, Minter, Burfict, Kirkpatrick, Jones, Iloka, Williams
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
Dennard checks in for Minter on the second snap
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
It was not a good start for AJ McCarron, though mistakes by the defense gave the second team offense a first down. McCarron also eventually switched teams as starting quarterback Andy Dalton did not play for the full scrimmage (which is the case every year on Family Day).
AJ McCarron throws 3 incomplete passes on first series, but pair of offsides on Geno and Dunlap give Black team a first down. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
There’s a reason they have this dress rehearsal scrimmage... Mistakes are going to happen.
Dunlap and Atkins both jump offsides early for first defense to give up a first down. Not the cleanest start.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Andre Smith started at right guard for the first team offense. Though, others were given a chance to play there, too.
Andre Smith is starting at RG
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
Randy Bullock was kicking with the first team.
Dalton drives 1s to 21 yard line. Bullock good from 39. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
Hill had 4 carries for 14 yards.
Dalton to A.J. for 21 set up score.
A.J. Green was matched up against KeiVarae Russell for his 21-yard catch.
First offense drives for a field goal, Randy Bullock connects from 39. Best play A.J. Green beating KeiVarae Russell for a 21-yard cross.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Jake Elliott missed a 52-yard field goal for the second team early on in practice.
Jake Elliott gets his first chance and misses from 52 wide left. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
At least we can rely on Dalton to Tyler Eifert...
Uninspiring second series from the first offense vs second defense. One 22-yard pass Eifert only play with any real success.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
After fumbling a kick return yesterday, it doesn’t sound like John Ross has been excelling on special teams.
Ross catching a White punt inside 5. He's struggled catching now he's got a bad call
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2017
Brandon Bell and Hardy Nickerson Jr. have both shown a lot of promise in training camp.
Couple really nice plays from undrafted linebackers. Impressive PBU from Brandon Bell and nice chase to sideline of Bernard by Nickerson.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Carl Lawson’s name keeps being mentioned for all the right reasons. (More of that below...)
Three-and-out by first team defense. Carl Lawson with pressure off the edge on third, swimming past Eric Winston.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Lawson forces a No 2 team punt by making life miserable for backup tackles
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2017
The Bengals are working Adam Jones, Tyler Boyd and Ross on punt returns.
After Pacman, Ross take turns at PR, Boyd back for 3rd one. Let's Huber kick sail into endzone. 3 and out for 2s. More pressure from Lawson
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
Giovani Bernard has been a bright spot of training camp.
Bernard takes a huge chunk of yards after a screen
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
Mixon switched teams mid-game to join the first team offense.
Mixon is now playing on the white team
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
The first team offense had a 96-yard drive that ended with a Ryan Hewitt touchdown. Maybe we’ll see some more pass-catching work from Hewitt in 2017.
Dalton caps a 96-yard drive with a 19-yard TD to Ryan Hewitt. Drive aided by 31-yard PI call on Russell covering A.J. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
Bengals first offense rips off 96-yard drive. Dalton 4-for-4 for 51 yards, including a 19-yard TD pass to Ryan Hewitt.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Red Zone Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp https://t.co/yIsU8qMgb9
— Lil (@LilliaS27) August 5, 2017
More good work from Lawson.
Carl Lawson beat Eric Winston to sack AJ McCarron
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
In case it wasn’t clear, Lawson was playing with the first team.
More pressure from Lawson on first down, sack by Dunlap on 3rd down. 3 and out for the 2 offense. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
With Mixon on the first team, he scored a passing touchdown! But, Jake Elliott missed the extra point, which is frightening.
Another TD drive for the 1s. Dalton to Mixon for 4 yds. But Elliott misses the PAT wide right. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
ALERT, ALERT: A positive offensive line Tweet.
"Halftime" of the family day scrimmage - Trey Hopkins has played 3 positions on the OL, which has performed better today. #Bengals
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 5, 2017
And Trey Hopkins continues to get first team work.
Trey Hopkins getting work up and down the line. Played all three interior OL positions w/ first team on consecutive possessions.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Though, here’s a negative one in regards to Cedric Ogbuehi.
Dalton completed a 4-yard TD pass to Joe Mixon. Questionable if he would've been sacked on play, tho. Chris Smith went around Ogbuehi.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
And, another Lawson Tweet.
And #Bengals rookie Carl Lawson continues to wreck things in the pass rush.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 5, 2017
Chris Smith is getting some significant action (and praise from Marvin Lewis) after his trade to the Bengals earlier this offseason. He may just make the roster and see significant playing time at defensive end.
18 yard throws to Green and LaFell, but DE Chris Smith went past LT Ogbuehi and would have had sack on TD
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2017
Other than that, Ced has looked pretty good. Hopkins has played RG LG and C today
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2017
Adam Jones’ Week 1 starting spot may go to Darqueze Dennard. And could Dennard even keep it after Week 1? That remains to be seen...
Dennard and Kirkpatrick are out wide, Shaw playing in the slot
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
A look at the action:
Bengals Black White Scrimmage https://t.co/ayZxvVmZxD
— Jason Dickess (@JasonD2k14) August 5, 2017
Bullock had a good day, including a 52-yard field goal. The same couldn’t be said of Elliott early on.
Bullock caps a drive directed by Driskel with a 52-yard FG. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
Bullock good from 52 and 39 with PAT.
Elliott misses PAT & 52 FG
Plenty of time for this to play out, but obviously Elliott can't have many games like this in preseason. https://t.co/hkgMTbzQYL
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Two penalties, one play.
Not a good sequence for the kids. On same play Ced in illegal formation while Fisher holds
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2017
Elliott finally got one in, thankfully!
Elliot makes his first ticket today, a 32 yarder
— Nick Manchester (@TheManch93) August 5, 2017
And another!
Bullocks hits another field goal (35) on drive assisted by pass interference by William Jackson III.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
It was far from a packed house at Family Day, but there were more than 11,000 fans in attendance.
Crowd of 11,108 at Family Day
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2017
The scrimmage ended with a 51-yard field goal from Elliott who definitely rebounded after a poor start to the day. That’s encouraging to see.
Elliott good from 51 to cap a one-minute drill. Nice rally from poor start for Elliott. Looks like it's a wrap. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) August 5, 2017
The first team won, 19-9.
White 19-9 goes final
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 5, 2017
It’s great to see Mixon and Lawson listed among those who had good days during the scrimmage. And, seeing Josh Malone’s name here is encouraging, too.
Positive days for #Bengals:
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 5, 2017
Andy Dalton, Joe Mixon, Randy Bullock, Carl Lawson, Josh Malone, Kermit Whitfield.
Check this out!
#WhoDey #LetsRoar #Bengals50 @Bengals @NFL awesome! pic.twitter.com/QCnW9Vz2BL
— Bengal Jim Foster (@bngljim) August 5, 2017
Autograph time!
Line of autographs for #Bengals. @Joe_MainMixon one of brightest stars of today's scrimmage. @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/X9VotH0Dnq
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) August 5, 2017
Nothing tops an AJ Green autograph. @FOX19 #Bengals pic.twitter.com/AXbEpKg8gh
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) August 5, 2017