Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys: Backup quarterback battle heats up in NFL preseason
Looking at three positions under the microscope as the Bengals travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Saturday.
Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys: Backup quarterback battle heats up in NFL preseason Looking at three positions under the microscope as the Bengals travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Saturday. Check out this story on cincinnati.com: https://cin.ci/2OGe13F
Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 7:52 p.m. ET Aug. 17, 2018
Bengals beat writers Jim Owczarski and Paul Dehner Jr. review the day at Cincinnati Bengals training camp, Aug. 13. Kareem Elgazzar, kelgazzar@enquirer.com
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) throws in the fourth quarter during the Week 1 NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Cincinnati won 30-27. (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar)
That was the message from head coach Marvin Lewis when asked if he wants Jeff Driskel to play with the first team offensive line Saturday against the Cowboys in the second preseason game of the year.
In the opening game Jeff Driskel showed progress from last year when he made a splash convincing the club to keep three quarterbacks on the roster behind Andy Dalton and AJ McCarron. With the thought being only two quarterbacks will be kept this year between Driskel and Matt Barkley, the team could make clear the competition is heating up on Saturday night.
More: Kenny Anderson not chosen for Pro Football Hall of Fame
More: Cincinnati Bengals Walkthru blog: Coach impersonation brings the laughs
If Driskel enters to get extra work with the first team offensive line or even takes a few series in front of Barkley, the team will be making clear they think Driskel could be the guy to win that job.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Matt Barkley (7) awaits the snap in the fourth quarter during the Week 1 NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar)
Whenever he plays, replicating his performance against Chicago could be enough to make everyone in the organization be swayed. In that game he completed 10 of 15 passes for 140 yards, including the game-winning, scramble-drill 33-yard touchdown strike to Auden Tate.
Barkley's stats weren't near as impressive, though coaches did think the 5 of 13 for 64 yards wasn't as bad as the numbers suggest. But much of his game is already on tape. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor more knows what he's got in Barkley, who will be 28 on opening day. He's thrown 266 passes in regular season games and played under Lazor in Philadelphia.
Driskel is a phenomenal athlete who could bring a different element to the game if he was put in, as he showed a little last preseason and in the throw to Tate. Proving he can run the basics of the offense is what will determine his value to the position.
"I think so," Driskel said. "You want to see a quarterback than can play within the offense and run the offense. Even though we didn't really get too much going there in the second half, we played within the system and got the ball out on time. Some of those will turn into bigger plays. It's trusting what the coaches are presenting you during the week and being able retain the information and do it on the field. For the most part I did that and going to try to build on that going forward."
Because of how he did it, he may be building on it with a few starters around him. No matter when Driskel enters the game, he says he doesn't think it makes a difference to him who is around him.
"I don't think so," he said. "Any rep you get you want to take advantage of it whether it comes in the first quarter or the fourth quarter. Reps in the NFL are like gold bars. Just want to take advantage of it and keep moving forward."
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cody Core (16) turns downfield after making a catch as Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Chris Worley (47) defends during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, on the practice fields next to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar)
Young linebackers
Vontaze Burfict didn't play in the preseason opener and Vincent Rey was injured on special teams, so the Bengals got a long look at Hardy Nickerson, Brandon Bell and rookies Junior Joseph and Chris Worley.
Undrafted 'backers hope to make Bengals
Now that Burfict and Rey have suffered ankle injuries, those four undrafted linebackers will get more playing time going forward. With Burfict opening the season on the suspended list as well, an opportunity to make the 53-man roster exists for one or two of these players.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Tra Carson (33) carries the ball during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar)
Running back competition
The top three are set, with Giovani Bernard, Joe Mixon and 2018 fourth-round pick Mark Walton. The question whether the team goes back to the roster construction it had in 2015-16 when it carried four running backs at the position. That competition to make the team begins with Tra Carson and Brian Hill, and then Jarveon Williams and undrafted rookie Quinton Flowers.
"I can't really stress about making the 53 and doing all this – I just gotta make the plays when I'm put in position to and do what they ask me to," Carson said. "If I worry about that then it'll drive you crazy."
Carson would seem to have the leg up having been with the organization since 2016. But he was on injured reserve all of last season while Hill managed to play in six games, rushing 11 times for 37 yards. Flowers remains an intriguing prospect.
"The stuff that I did before, none of that don't even matter anymore," Carson said. "I'm trying to do new stuff, put something new on film. Last year I got hurt, so I don't know what they think. Is he the same player? Is he not? So I'm just trying to put new plays on film and try to impress somebody, whether it's here or however it may fall. I just want to put positive stuff on film."
Banged-up Reds drop series finale to Cubs, 5-2
Doc: July 24 is when we'll know about the Reds
Dietrich leaves Reds game after hit by pitch
What to expect from Wayne Rooney in Cincinnati
Kyle Farmer impresses behind the plate
Doc: We see our own mortality in sports heroes