Bengals training camp notes: How the offense flipped the script in Tuesday's practice

The Cincinnati Bengals went through two sets of 11-on-11 drills during training camp on Tuesday, and the Bengals defensive line prevented most of the offense's plays from developing in the first half.

Burrow floated a deep pass down the middle of the field to wide receiver Tyler Boyd for a first down in that set. But that was the only big play where the Bengals defensive line didn’t create any pressure.

But in the second half, the script flipped. 

As the Bengals threw more short passes, play action passes and screens, quarterback Joe Burrow led an 11-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. Bengals running back Samaje Perine said those types of plays helped the offense find a rhythm.

“It was a big third down day, and I felt like we executed,” Perine said. “With our defense, it’s really tough to do screens. But we have to work on it. With everything ramped up, it’s good to get a look at what the offense can do.”

In the second half of practice, Burrow led the Bengals’ uptempo offense down the field. The drive picked up rhythm with a screen pass to running back Joe Mixon, and Burrow kept the momentum with a bootleg run to the left side of the field.

Burrow didn’t hesitate as he scrambled out of the pocket, and picked up nine yards on the play.

Burrow then made his best throw of the day. He found wide receiver Tee Higgins on an out route for a first down, and Burrow used his increased velocity to hit Higgins in the hands on the sideline. Later, Burrow found Boyd for a quick slant up the middle that went for 16 yards.

The drive continued with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase scrambling for yards after catch after a short reception, and Mixon punched the ball in for a touchdown.

GUARD UPDATE: As the position battle at offensive guard continues, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor previously said the depth chart is fluid.

The Bengals are still looking for their two starters at right guard and left guard. So far, second round pick Jackson Carman hasn’t taken advantage of his opportunity.

“He’s a guy making a transition playing a totally new position for him,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said on The Bengals Training Camp Report. “In the NFL, that can take some time. He has got to get himself in peak shape, which I think he’s working his way into… He’s still learning the nuances of playing inside.”

In one-on-one drills on Tuesday, Carman went up twice against defensive tackle Freedom Akinmoladun, who isn’t projected to make the team. On his first rep, Akinmoladun got under Carman’s pads and got to the quarterback under Carman’s right arm. On his second rep, Akinmoladun shoved Carman straight back into the pocket.

Fourth round pick D’Ante Smith also faced a defensive tackle who isn’t projected to make the team in Renell Wren. Smith won both of his matchups.

Offensive guard Michael Jordan has had a few good flashes during camp, but the consensus is he needs to play more consistently. While Jordan is strong and physical, he’s working on using his hand placement to consistently gain leverage.

Jordan made an nice block in space on Tuesday on a screen, and he helped open the hole on Mixon’s touchdown run. But defensive tackle Larry Oguinjobi also made an easy move around Jordan in 11-on-11 drills to break the pocket.

OGUNJOBI BACK: Ogunjobi practiced for the first time on Tuesday after missing the start of training camp with a hamstring injury.

Ogunjobi is expected to be the Bengals best interior pass rusher, and he immediately made his presence felt by making a swim move around Jordan to break right through the pocket. Ogunjobi pushed the pocket on a couple other plays as well in a solid first practice. 

BELL’S BIG STEP: Bengals safety Vonn Bell has spoken about focusing his offseason on improving in pass coverage. He has backed that up consistently over the first two weeks of training camp.

In 7-on-7 drills, Burrow attempted a fade into the back of the end zone for Tee Higgins. Bell high-pointed the ball and got his feet down to make the interception. In 11-on-11 drills, Bell stopped a screen to Perine and a short pass to Mixon.

When Bell pushed Mixon out of bounds at the 2-yard line, he prevented the offense from scoring the touchdown. It looked like Mixon complimented Bell for reading the offense well.

PRACTICE NOTES: Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson sat for two practices last week. He participated in the first half of practice on Tuesday, but did not participate in the contact portion of practice.

Burrow made another notable run up the middle. After a low snap, Burrow likely would have been sacked by linebacker Logan Wilson and rookie defensive end Joseph Ossai, who has consistently created havoc on the defensive line during camp. Since they couldn’t sack Burrow, the Bengals quarterback scrambled up the middle of the field and made a sharp cut at the line of scrimmage to break into open space.

In the most impressive rep of one-on-one drills between wide receivers and cornerbacks, cornerback Darius Phillips broke up a fade intended for wide receiver Auden Tate. 

Bengals rookie kicker Evan McPherson entered training camp in a position battle, and he had his best day of training camp on Tuesday. While simulating game-winning kicks, McPherson made four straight kicks from 42, 45, 53 and 50 yards. He missed his last kick from 54, but all of his makes had plenty of margin for error.