At the end of practice on Friday, after Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow struggled again completing passes down the field during 11-on-11 drills, he stuck around on the field.
Making a few throws on the side as the other players left the field, Burrow had an assistant coach pressure him and step in his direction. It went well, and then on Saturday, Burrow asked for more.
On just about every throw he made at practice on Saturday, whether he was throwing on the side or in the middle of 11-on-11 drills, Burrow felt the presence of a pass rush.
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“It’s just a matter of occasionally there’s somebody in front of him and he may not fully have confidence to step into the throw and really lean into it the way he used to,” offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. “That’s just a product of coming back from an injury. Mechanically he looks great. The ball’s coming out like it always does.”
Burrow knew exactly what he needed. On Saturday, after warming up by making throws under pressure, Burrow had his best performance of the training camp in 11-on-11 drills.
He was in full command of the offense throughout the practice, playing like he did throughout the first 10 games of the 2020 season. Since the entire offense had been installed by Saturday's practice, Burrow had the opportunity to use one of his greatest strengths, his ability to make reads at the line of scrimmage.
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On his first pass, Burrow made an audible at the line of scrimmage and completed a pass. He kept progressing the offense down the field by stepping up in the pocket on a play where the defensive line pushed through on the inside.
Burrow finished that play with a completion to tight end C.J. Uzomah, and the offense was just getting started.
“What you guys have seen (before Saturday) is really these periods that are geared to a situation each period,” head coach Zac Taylor said. “Now it’s, ‘let’s go play football, let’s sustain drives.’”
With Trey Hopkins and Quinton Spain not practicing on Saturday, the Bengals first team offensive line was missing two of its projected Week 1 starters. Rookie offensive tackle D’Ante Smith played guard for his first time with the Bengals, and he did it with the first team offense.
On a third-and-long play, Burrow completed a first down pass to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on an out route. Chase made the catch by dragging his back foot to stay in bounds, and it was one of the best plays they’ve made during camp.
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Later in the drive, Burrow threw a jump ball to wide receiver Tee Higgins down the right sideline. Higgins, who is noticeably stronger and more athletic entering his sophomore season, made an A.J. Green-like catch. The catch came on fourth down, and it brought the Bengals offense inside the 10-yard line.
When the Bengals designed their offense for the 2021 season, it was with plays like this between Chase, Higgins and Burrow in mind.
“It’s great just to be able to sustain the drive,” Taylor said. “I certainly feel like we’re progressing. We’ve got a lot of time left. That’s good to see a lot of different completions, a lot of different guys on third down conversions, which you have to have to win these games.”
The whole afternoon, Burrow had pressure in his face. As he worked with wide receivers at the start of practice, assistant coaches lunged in his direction. A few times, the coaches simulated being offensive linemen who were getting power-rushed into the pocket. As the coaches leaned back, Burrow had to step aside and make the throw.
They also simulated a pass rush by waving pads in his direction and swatting at the ball before Burrow made a throw. Before Saturday, Burrow felt the pass rush impacted his accuracy in 11-on-11 drills.
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“I just need to get back to being able to feel the people around me as opposed to seeing the people around me,” Burrow said. “I’ve always had a great feel for the pocket and feel for where everybody is and it’s just gonna take some reps to get that back.”
On Saturday, Burrow made contact with a defensive lineman for the first time in training camp. Rookie defensive end Joseph Ossai was too aggressive rushing the pocket and brushed into Burrow, and then he was loudly reminded to not hit the quarterback.
Burrow had his most game-like reps on Saturday. Despite under-throwing one deep pass and taking a “sack” from Ossai, Burrow accomplished his goal of staying aggressive versus a pass rush.
SHUFFLED PLANS: When the Bengals drafted D’Ante Smith in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, he was seen as a developmental project at offensive tackle.
But due to a minor injury to offensive guard Quinton Spain, Smith worked with the first team offensive line playing guard on Saturday.
“It was my first time playing guard with the Bengals,” Smith said. “I’m listening, trying to get ready for my opportunity if it does come in that form. I’m just trying to be as useful as I can this year and elevate my skill set and my knowledge of the game.”
While he was called for a false start, Smith made an impressive block at the second level in the run game. Taylor said there were “no major issues” on the offensive line on Saturday, and Smith said he played “alright” with a few things he needs to work on.
“(Smith) has shown a lot of promise, he has got a high football IQ,” Taylor said. “He wants to do it. Give him an opportunity to see what hits and see what he can do for us.”
ODDS AND ENDS: Defensive end Trey Hendrickson did not practice on Saturday and closely watched from the sidelines. Cornerback Trae Waynes and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi continued to rehab on the side.
Hopkins had a day off from 11-on-11 drills as he continues to rehab from an ACL injury. Spain was also out with what Callahan called a minor injury.
Rookie running back Chris Evans continues to make defenders miss in space and can consistently make catches. On consecutive plays in 11-on-11 drills, he caught a screen and made a great run and then had a good pickup on a stretch run to the left side. During warmups with Burrow, Evans also caught a 40-yard deep ball with Zac Taylor defending him.
While he likely isn’t competing for a starting spot, offensive tackle Isaiah Prince continues to play consistently on the offensive line. Wide receiver Trent Taylor has proven to be consistent on punt returns. Rookie defensive end Cam Sample flashed on the last drive of the day and broke through the line of scrimmage between the guard and the center.
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