Taking the Field
– Betsy Ross
Are you ready for some football?
Cincinnati fans certainly are, given the long lines each day waiting for training camp to open. If you have not been, the open practices are done but there are additional practices for season ticket holders and waitlist members Sunday, Aug. 13, Monday, Aug. 14 and Wednesday, Aug. 16.
If you have not gone, here are some reminders: Practice is at the Kettering Health Practice Fields just west of Paycor Stadium. There is bleacher seating for 1,250, plus standing room along sidelines. Admission is free, concessions are available.
The clear bag policy that the NFL has during the season is also in effect here, and if you stick around after practice there’s a good chance you can snag an autograph or two from players.
This week is a little different because, after a Wednesday practice with Green Bay, the Packers stick around for Friday’s first (and only home) pre-season game. The other two are at Atlanta and at Washington.
What will you see at that first pre-season game? Probably a lot of players whose names you don’t recognize. Once pre-season starts, rosters start getting smaller and smaller so this is the only chance that a lot of rookies and free-agent signees have, to show their stuff for the coaches.
QB Joe Burrow throws the ball during fieldwork at Kettering Health Practice Field on July 24.
Photo by Ryan Meyer. Courtesy Cincinnati Bengals
Expect few starters to take reps which, of course, leads us to Joe Burrow, he of the wrapped right calf. He has not been on the field since he pulled the calf muscle the second day of practice, but has been in meetings. You wouldn’t have expected him to get many, if any, reps in the pre-season even without the injury, so that doesn’t really change things except the timeline for Week 1, a road game against division opponent Cleveland.
Will he be ready? Coaches are deliberately ambiguous about a return timeline, which makes Ja’Marr Chase’ declaration that he doesn’t want to see Burrow rush back for Week 1 even more curious. In the pre-season, don’t believe anything that anyone says when it comes to injury—every team wants to keep opponents guessing as to the personnel they’ll see on that first snap.
Some positive movement out of Bengals’ camp: The re-signing of important players, most recently linebacker Logan Wilson with a four-year, $37.25 million extension. The Bengals have lots of talented youngsters whose contracts will be coming up in the next year or two (including Burrow). The signings are a good sign for Bengals fans that the club is coming up with ways to keep its core talent.
LB Germaine Pratt (left) and LB Logan Wilson listens during Training Camp at Kettering Health Practice Fields on Sunday.
Photo by Ryan Meyer. Courtesy Cincinnati Bengals
Will we learn much in the pre-season? Probably not, except getting a closer look at new Bengals backup quarterback and NFL veteran Trevor Siemian. That doesn’t take away from the fact that, this is the most anticipated season since Boomer was calling signals. Enjoy it!
