The Cincinnati Bengals defense continued to excel as the team welcomed fans inside PayCor Stadium on Day Eight of training camp.
While the intensity at Bengals training camp has slowly ramped up over the first seven practices, the atmosphere kicked up a notch on Aug. 2 as the team welcomed fans inside PayCor Stadium for a two-hour Saturday night practice.
A full lower bowl and a smattering of fans in the second level, and commentary from radio broadcasters Dan Hoard and Dave Lapham, provided the energy of a regular season game, even though the home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars is still over a month away.
Here are The Enquirer's ovservations from Day Eight of training camp.
Defense continues to impress
That's been the theme of training camp so far. Two days after D.J. Turner II stood out with five pass break-ups, Daijahn Anthony and Josh Newton intercepted Jake Browning during a 7-on-7 segment. Geno Stone later broke up a pass from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins, nearly leading to a Jalen Davis interception.
On the defensive line, T.J. Slaton won multiple 1-on-1 battles during individual work before Shemar Stewart showed his potential in the 11-on-11 segment. Stewart got his hands on a Burrow attempt, then bull-rushed his way into Browning several plays later. Spending time with Trey Hendrickson has started to pay dividends for the rookie.
Evan McPherson ends practice going 5-for-7
The Bengals' kicker started training camp by making 18 straight field goals over three practices. He didn't fail to convert until July 27.
Special teams was the final segment of Saturday night's showcase. McPherson started by hitting two 37-yarders and a 42-yarder from the right hash. He moved to the left hash, where he converted from 45 and 50 yards. However, his final two kicks of the night, both 56-yard attempts from the right hash, sailed wide right.
McPherson missing wide right is noteworthy and something to monitor going forward because that's how his first training camp miss occurred.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals defense excels during training camp practice at PayCor Stadium
Category: Football
