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The Bengals hit the practice field again on Thursday ahead of their scrimmage on Friday. It was a pretty eventful day where the offense and defense each had some shining moments. The Bengals new quarterback bounced back in a big way, and the biggest free agent acquisition looked unstoppable.
Josh Bynes makes a great play; Joe Burrow responds
The Bengals absolutely need their linebackers to play better. A name that gets lost in the mix of all the changes is the veteran linebacker Bynes. He seemed to be more of a seasoned addition to help bring along the younger linebackers, but he proved Thursday he deserves his playing time.
Of course, Burrow wasn’t held back long. His response was to completely roast the defense the next two opportunities he got. Also another Micheal Thomas sighting for those keeping track. Fans should get use to Burrow’s short memory.
Bynes is earning himself a starting LB spot
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) August 20, 2020
Rookie hazing. Josh Bynes picks off Burrow in 11-11. Burrow threw late and over the middle to a waiting Bynes. @WCPO
— Keenan Singleton (@KJMSingleton) August 20, 2020
As nice as it is to hear about Bynes, you know how we're reacting to this, don't you?
— Brandon Turner (@bparsonst) August 20, 2020
"Burrow is throwing picks?!?"
For those that are concerned about Joe throwing INTs in practice - he’s already said he’s checking out what he can and cannot get away with.
— The Way of The Anvil ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ (@EdwardEmerling) August 20, 2020
Yeah there should be no concern... Practice is where you make mistakes so come game time you dont. I am 100% ok with picks in drills.
— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) August 20, 2020
Good reminder, Zac said the same thing. Burrow is becoming a Trevor Bauer type to me. Dissect everything incessantly, learn and build. https://t.co/P7PFenQUD1
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) August 20, 2020
Talking to people familiar with Bynes during the offseason calling him an underrated FA pick-up for the Bengals LB room. https://t.co/bvtcIbdPtf
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 20, 2020
Joe Burrow was just fooled by the defense and threw and interception to Josh Bynes.. on the next two passes, Joe Burrow hit Tyler Boyd and Mike Thomas down the sidelines for huge gains ... love to see the bounce back
— Tony Pike (@tony_pike15) August 20, 2020
After being intercepted by Josh Bynes, Joe Burrow showed great touch on deep completions to Tyler Boyd, Mike Thomas, and CJ Uzomah
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 20, 2020
I am in the end zone about 50 yards behind the line of scrimmage so it’s hard to tell, but I would estimate that all 3 were 30+ yards
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 20, 2020
Deep ball alert! https://t.co/3jXCY1sBWd
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) August 20, 2020
Burrow sharper today. Third down 7 on 7 period hit 8 of 10. Got picked by Bynes in team, where he also threw great ball to Uzomah for deep sideline completion
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 20, 2020
Joe Burrow is going to out-prepare everyone. His athletic ability, accuracy, all that is just a bonus. He's going to beat you in the days prior to the game. #bengals https://t.co/KIqoL542fO
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) August 20, 2020
Logan Wilson on Josh Bynes: "He’s like a walking football library. He is the smartest player I have ever been around personally."
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 20, 2020
The young linebackers are lucky to have a guy like Josh Bynes in the room. This guy is all about leadership and doing what he can do to help the defense.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 20, 2020
On his INT, Josh Bynes said he saw a WR coming underneath him. So he dropped down, waited on the throw and picked it off.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 20, 2020
Josh Bynes on comfort level: every day I’m just trying to be more and more comfortable with the defense and take it one day at a time. Added it’s coming along great.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 20, 2020
D.J. Reader and defensive line win in the trenches; Concerns for offensive line?
The Bengals spent a lot to convince Reader to come to Cincinnati. The idea of pairing him next to Geno Atkins and the rest of their talented defensive line may prove to be just what this defense needed. On Thursday, Reader set the tone for practice by making sure he did what he was paid to do, disrupt the offensive line.
Cincinnati has seen this before, though. The offensive line has been a major issue for years now. Could this be that same issue rearing its ugly head again?
Getting the hands underneath while moving Trey. Liked him getting rid of that left arm. https://t.co/VMMQS05gbf
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) August 20, 2020
centers: notorious for handling pass pro all by themselves
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) August 20, 2020
If good offensive linemen struggled trying to block D.J. Reader in Houston, we shouldn’t expect the Bengals line to do it either. That’s why he’s paid the big bucks!
— (@stripe_city) August 20, 2020
While this team won’t get in-game reps before regular season this o-line has to go up against one of the strongest d-lines. Not a bad thing.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 20, 2020
This is the mental challenge. Is the DL good, or made to look better by the OL?
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) August 20, 2020
Regardless, I'm very open to opinions that the OL was fine today. Tweets I saw earlier led me to believe the contrary. This would be great! https://t.co/KclyYMK1Qw
The Bengals offensive line in concerning to say the least. Better hope Jonah Williams plays as advertised.
— Blake Jewell (@bjewell43_) August 20, 2020
I think it’s time to raise expectations for Carl Lawson
— Blake Jewell (@bjewell43_) August 20, 2020
This was my first observation as well and, according to @BigWillie7179, he doesn't prefer it. But it looked to me like he won the rep late.
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) August 20, 2020
Carl Lawson bringing consistent pressure off the edge today.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 20, 2020
No notable changes on the offensive line. Jim Turner decides to put Billy Price at second-string at RG after repping him at C earlier in the week.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 20, 2020
D.J. Reader is manhandling offensive lineman in one on one drills. It’s like he’s getting a head start. #Bengals
— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) August 20, 2020
Jonah Williams getting some work in against Dunlap and Lawson pic.twitter.com/QOofonyAnS
— Tony Pike (@tony_pike15) August 20, 2020
Burrow dominates red zone
On Tuesday, Burrow had some struggles during the redzone drills. He had thrown two picks in the situational drill. That wasn’t the case on Thursday. Burrow had outstanding numbers, and got his team in the end zone a few times, and generally looked as advertised again.
— Brian (@MapcaseExapno) August 20, 2020
Sounds like LE BURROW is open for business in Cincy.
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSessler) August 20, 2020
Joe Burrow had two TD passes in red zone today. The first was to Auden Tate and the other went to Alex Erickson. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) August 20, 2020
Joe Burrow looked much better in the red zone today. He found Tyler Boyd and Mike Thomas for TDs. Spread the ball around to Auden Tate and Joe Mixon as well. His only incompletion was a throw away #Bengals
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) August 20, 2020
Working on those scramble drills may be more important than we'd like to think.
— Fred Taylor (@hammock_fgt) August 20, 2020
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) August 20, 2020
Sights, sounds and updates from Thursday
All the photos and updates on injuries and positional battles from Thursday’s practice. The most viral of which includes one Bengal trying to earn that big new contract in an unorthodox way.
Hey @Bengals... I am having trouble here.. Which one is @JoeyB? #Bengals #Cincinnati #Bengals pic.twitter.com/Xtb43Sjnf5
— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) August 20, 2020
Looking good @Bengals
— Nicholas Johnson (@drumsandaguitar) August 20, 2020
Thanks again for the tip @bengaljims_BTR #whodey pic.twitter.com/aalbwmYgBM
That top right pic. Joe's gonna truck somebody and everyone's gonna faint and start yelling at him through the TV https://t.co/vFID4TBN0Y
— BengalsCaptain (@BengalsCaptain) August 20, 2020
LeShaun Sims has been getting most of the reps as the third starting cornerback today (with Mackensie Alexander and Will Jackson). Darius Phillips got them on Tuesday
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 20, 2020
@Bengals pay this man https://t.co/2Xk9wnqpKz
— That’s Mr. Irrelevant To You (@MrIrrelevant20) August 20, 2020
Watch top pick Joe Burrow run through drills at @Bengals camp!
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 20, 2020
Our crew discuss the expectations on offense in Cincy
: Inside Training Camp LIVE on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/khma0Z7UTI
Make that damn rookies do this https://t.co/yO8EJx9Hz0
— Bengal Jim’s BTR (@bengaljims_BTR) August 20, 2020
Best seats in the house. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/oo6J8QgzZk
— Sam Greene (@SGdoesit) August 20, 2020
83 + 80 = ??? pic.twitter.com/4be7AdIOC8
— AllBengals (@AllBengals) August 20, 2020
#Bengals WR AJ Green standing off to the side watching as team stretching to begin practice. No surprise as Zac Taylor said they had already planned to hold him out of Friday scrimmage @Local12
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) August 20, 2020
Bengals safety Shawn Williams working out on the rehab field. Doing upper-body stuff right now. Reportedly injured his calf at Tuesday's practice.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 20, 2020
After being carted off the field on Tuesday, great to see Shawn Williams already out working hard on the rehab field pic.twitter.com/9gmJ06bQfu
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 20, 2020
A look at Tee Higgins working with the WRs today. pic.twitter.com/NTfWYpnk1m
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 20, 2020
AJ Green on the sideline today. Joe Burrow was asked about no Green, John Ross and (Higgins at the time). He added “we don’t need those guys today. We need them in 28 days” https://t.co/uq8xnOmOZg pic.twitter.com/4NCKfjBBWU
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 20, 2020
Dude in a Steelers hat pulled over on the bridge to take a selfie with the #Bengals pic.twitter.com/6GC2DU6Mr0
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) August 20, 2020
The speed and athleticism in the linebacker corps is dramatically improved #Bengals pic.twitter.com/JBHekbDjWb
— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) August 20, 2020