Ja’Marr Chase is understandably still getting acclimated with Cincinnati. The Bengals rookie wide receiver spent Thursday riding around the Queen City on a scooter under disguise. Nobody noticed the wideout while he traveled around on a scooter, but he might not be able to maneuver through the city incognito for much longer.
Chase participated in the Bengals’ rookie minicamp on Friday. The 2021 NFL Draft first-round pick wide receiver got his feet wet running routes and learning the offense.
More:Watch: Ja'Marr Chase talks about his first day of rookie camp with the Cincinnati Bengals
“Today was a pretty good day overall. It was a good learning experience for me and the rest of the offense,” Chase said Friday. “I feel like we got a lot accomplished. But there is still more work to be done of course. This is the first time learning something new.”
The new Bengals wideout looked the part of a first-round pick when he ran routes, participated in individual drills and during offensive plays. He was the first man up in position drills and was routinely the first option when the all-rookie offense went through plays.
“I learned, you know, the new offense. That's first of course. I learned my splits, you know, it's a whole different way in the NFL. There's a different type of field, so we got to know what the splits are, what the route is, how the route needs to be ran,” Chase explained. “All that plays a big part.”
More:Notebook: Bengals sign six undrafted free agents as rookie minicamp begins
Similar to all rookies across the NFL, Chase is attempting to retain as much information as possible. Yet he is recognizes that it’s going to be a process. In addition to learning the city and the offense, Chase is also trying to remember the names of all his new teammates.
“I don't have everybody's name down pat yet. There's too many names already,” Chase said. “So, I'm still learning everyone's name at the moment.”
Friday’s rookie minicamp included the Bengals’ 2021 draft picks, undrafted free agents, first-year players eligible and invited to participate and unsigned rookies in camp for tryout. The team’s rookie minicamp roster consisted of 22 players.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said following rookie minicamp that it was a “solid start” for all the young players.
“It's just fun to get those guys on the field. I don't want to have any over-the-top reactions one way or the other based on one rookie practice. I know those guys are anxious, excited, nervous to get out there. It was a great day. It was fun being out there and I'm glad the weather cooperated with us,” Taylor said. “I think it was a solid start for the rookies.”
As for the Bengals' most heralded 2021 draft pick, he sported his new No. 1 jersey as he worked out inside Paul Brown Stadium. Chase is the first player in franchise history to wear No. 1.
Ironically, Chase’s jersey number is emblematic of where he wants to be in the team’s wide receiver rankings. He proclaimed on draft night that he wants to rewrite the Bengals rookie record books. If he does that, he won’t be unrecognizable in Cincinnati for long.
Source link
