A Defense Reborn

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Through four practices, this defense has been the story. Dexter Lawrence is getting in the backfield before Karras can set his feet, Boye Mafe is beating Amarius Mims, and Jalen Davis and Demetrius Knight both picked off Burrow in the same week - both on plays where the pressure arrived before the route developed. Karras put a number on it: Lawrence beats him at least once a day, every day.

What makes it different from previous camp narratives is that it's not one guy popping. It's collective. Al Golden is running looks from 3-4, 4-3, and nickel within the same practice, using the versatility of Mafe and Cashius Howell to create confusion before the snap. Murphy said it plainly about what Lawrence's presence does for the edges: "They're going to have to pick someone to double in there. It doesn't do anything but help us." Before the first snap of camp, Lawrence told Burrow: "I wanna see it today Mr. Burrow." He proceeded to force Burrow into blind throws on multiple occasions. "He pushes that pocket and gets close to you. You have to be able to throw without seeing." Karras said Lawrence is the best player he's ever faced in practice.

Lawrence on competing with Burrow every day: "Somebody has to challenge the king of the jungle. Somebody has to keep him on edge." Murphy added that Lawrence has been sharing technique with the interior defenders and it's filtering out to the edges. "It's been huge to have him as another coach in a sense," Murphy said.

DJ Turner, Myles Murphy, and Jordan Battle are all entering Year 4. None of them have played in a playoff game. They've watched every failure this defense has put on film. Murphy at camp: "The best teams will have multiple fights in camp. The best teams fight each other. The best teams love each other. That's what I'm seeing. It's a different vibe this year." Turner allowed a 47.7% completion rate in coverage last season, ranked eighth among corners, and now he's becoming the voice this secondary needed. "This is the first year we can really run it, for real," he said. Battle, watching it all: "Everyone is hungry. You need that in a team."

On the first rep of 11-on-11s Wednesday, Stewart went down, couldn't put weight on his knee, and left on a cart with a brace. Despite what looked like a gruesome injury, both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport were reporting no ligament damage by thursday. Zac Taylor confirmed: "The good news is we'll be getting him back sooner rather than later." He'll miss several weeks, but he'll be back in camp.

Separately, B.J. Hill opened camp on PUP with a foot issue, but this looks familiar: he started last training camp the same way, missed zero games, and played all 17. Tobin said he's "getting very close."

The first pass of 11-on-11 was Burrow under center, play-action fake to Chase Brown, strike to Ja'Marr Chase on a slant. Dan Pitcher wants a more explosive run game and under-center sets make it easier to get there. Burrow has spent most of his career in shotgun. He's open to the adjustment: "I can do whatever is asked of me. I have, and I will." Pitcher said this is the best he's felt about the offensive line heading into any season in the Burrow era, pointing to the final seven weeks of 2025 when the group ranked top five in PFF pass-blocking grade.

Erick All Jr. is back at camp cleared for full activity after two ACL surgeries. While on vacation in Athens in June, All was crossing the street when a three-wheeled truck veered off and threw him. He got up with a scraped face and felt fine. "That was huge for my confidence. That did a lot of good things for the mental... I'm usually the hammer." Burrow on seeing him this week: "He looks fit, fast, explosive. He'll play a big role for us this year."

By the end of the first period of 11-on-11s, Chase had grabbed Turner's helmet and heaved it 20 yards across the field. The whole team got involved before it settled down. Turner: "Brothers fight. That's all it is. Nothing to it." Burrow: "Number 1 sure had one today. Number 0 did, too. Those two are two of the best in the league, and they're gonna be going at it every day."

Chase already sees it paying off for Turner. "I think the biggest thing is just seeing him be a little more aggressive," he said. On Day 2, Knight stepped in front of Chase and picked off Burrow, with Barrett Carter getting in Burrow's face on the blitz to force the throw.

Iosivas is the favorite entering camp, and Burrow backed him publicly on Day 1. The problem with Iosivas: 11 drops over the last two seasons. Fourth-round rookie Colbie Young is 6'5", ran a 4.49, and brings a jump-ball threat the depth chart doesn't currently have. Then there's undrafted rookie Noah Thomas, 6'5" out of Georgia and Texas A&M, who made the contested catch of camp Thursday, climbing the ladder on a DJ Ivey coverage rep and wrestling the ball away. Chase's read: "That's another Tee Higgins. We've got somebody else to go there and get a jump ball."

Last season: 125 catches, 1,412 yards, eight touchdowns, First-Team All-Pro. With three different quarterbacks. Fifth straight season over 1,000 yards.

First padded practice: Monday, August 3 at Kettering Health Practice Fields.

First preseason game: Thursday, August 13 vs. Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium (7 p.m.).

Talking Football Season 7 Episode 2 Tonight at 8 PM

Coming Soon: Tailgate Playing Cards

We've got something new coming to the tailgate!

We're excited to introduce our official custom Bengal Jim & Friends Tailgate Bicycle® playing cards (Thanks to US Playing Cards) Featuring photos from the world's greatest tailgate, these premium decks are perfect for game days, road trips, tailgates, or your next card night.

They're more than just a deck of cards, they're a fun keepsake celebrating the Bengal Jim & Friends family and 33 years of bringing fans together.

Release details and availability will be announced soon.

Get ready to deal yourself into the Bengal Jim & Friends experience!

Miami Tailgate

Bengal Jim & Friends Miami Tailgate tickets are NOW AVAILABLE and over 250 tickets have already been sold! This tailgate WILL sell out, so don't wait! Get your tailgate tickets here.

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Let's turn Miami into Jungle South again this year! Grab your tailgate and game tickets before they're gone.

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