CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Bengals defense has played with boundless energy and with an esprit de corps throughout training camp, while also showing quality depth and versatility, all things defensive coordinator Al Golden hopes will carry into the regular season.
The performance of the defense has been the surprise highlight of camp after the unit ranked 25th last season in yards allowed and points allowed.
Numerous players have flashed at all three levels, and the entire unit, including players watching from the sideline, cheer wildly whenever a sack, pass breakup, interception or a third down stop is made, and numerous defenders have made sure offensive players know it with trash talk.
“I think they’re a confident group,” said Golden. “They’ve got something to prove. We got something to prove. They have an edge, and we got to go out there and do it again and again. I don’t care who talks, but at the end of the day, you are what you put on film, you know? So if you’re talking and but you’re running to the ball or you’re diving around making plays, and then keep talking, you know what I mean? So I think it’s great that we have that attitude right now, and that’s a that’s an attack mindset, which is not easy to coach.”
Cornerback DJ Turner said the energy created by the constant chatter has been contagious.
“We definitely have a lot of energy,” said Turner. “I would say the whole team, not just the defense. We went back and forth, the offense and defense, both of us getting better. That’s mainly the thing for the whole team. Everybody just feeds off each other. You come out and go three-and-out and the offense goes and scores it creates momentum. This is a game of momentum and once you pick it up you’ve got to keep it. We know what we have on this team and what we can do and we’re gelling together and putting it all on tape.”
Turner has had his ups and downs, but had five pass breakups in a recent practice, and he is among several cornerbacks who have good camps, including projected starter Josh Newton, backup DJ Ivey and even undrafted free agent signee Bralyn Lux, who is fighting for a roster spot.
“It’s a young group, and if you’re young then energy is something you have to have,” said cornerbacks coach Chuck Burks. “That’s how you make up for not having experience in the unit. That’s what those guys are bringing. We just have to lean into that and let that be a part of our identity.”
The corners are being utilized in multiple spots from outside on each side of the field to covering receivers in the slot.
“It’s a fast group, physical group and communicate really well,” said Golden. “I think they’ve bought into the physical part of it, whether it’s run force, tackling, block destruction all of those things we’re excited about that.”
Safety Jordan Battle has also had a good camp and is among those who lead the trash-talking charge, and the way Battle can be utilized in the box, as a split safety, a single-high safety and blitzer is a took Golden is looking forward to using.
“I think the biggest thing is he’s in really good physical shape, so that’s a starting point,” said Golden. “It allows him to play longer at a higher level. His communication is really (good). He’s a better tackler than he was a year ago. I just think he has command of the defense right now. I feel him out there. He has the ability to play a lot of different positions for us, which is exciting.”
Rookie second-round pick linebacker Demetrius Knight has lined up with the first string alongside veteran Logan Wilson throughout training camp and has impressed with always being around the ball in the run game and making some plays in pass coverage. Golden said Knight, veteran backup Oren Burks and rookie fourth-round pick Barrett Carter give him great depth at that position and the ability to do multiple things with them. He has used a three-linebacker alignment at times with two of the linebackers playing on the line of scrimmage to create different blitz possibilities.
“He’s what we thought he was,” Golden said of Knight. “What you can’t measure, you try to hedge, right? You try to place a bet, and what you can’t measure is what he’s doing when he’s not here, and that’s studying a lot, preparing at an elite level. He’s a pro’s pro. Every day he’s the same guy. He’s consistently playing at a high level. He’s a big man. He’s 240 pounds. He can play in the stack, he can play on the edge, he can give you some rushes. Whatever your philosophy is, or whatever your opinion was of Shemar (Stewart), that player is rare, coming out of the draft, somebody that can come off the edge, one play, play in the B gap, two plays later, play in the C gap, set the edge, do multiple things. It’s just rare, because you generally get, you know, guys that are 255 (pounds), but to get a guy 280 that can do that with that kind of power is rare, and we’re excited to have him.”
The defensive front has been without two starters — end Trey Hendrickson, who is holding in due to a contract dispute, and tackle BJ Hill, who is dealing with foot issue and hasn’t participate in team drills — but several players have performed well, including tackle TJ Slaton, tackle Kris Jenkins, ends Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai and first-round pick Shemar Stewart has shined against the second string and shown position versatility by lining up a tackle some in pass rush situations.
“Overall he’s physical, he’s powerful at the point of attack,” Golden said of Stewart. “He plays with effort and energy and you feel his presence on the field.”
The versatility and depth gives Golden chances to show different looks with different players and also to keep players fresh.
“We plan on playing a lot of guys at multiple positions,” said Golden. “We’ve increased our depth at linebacker, same thing on the D line, so we plan on playing a lot of guys. It’s a positive, and it’s a long season. Particularly this first quarter of the season, it’s gonna be hot no matter where we play, so I think it’s important that we develop that depth and feel confident in everybody that rolls into the game, that they’re gonna play at a really, really high level, give us the effort that we need and do all the little details the way you need them done.”