Bengals Black/White Mock Game Recap
By Jason Marcum
The Bengals held their annual Black/White scrimmage today, pitting the first-team offense and defense(Black team) against the second-team offense and defense(White team) in front of a crowd of 6,500 fans.
The following player did not participate in the Black/White mock game: CB Leon Hall, QB Tyler Hansen, CB Brandon Ghee, CB Adam Jones, CB Jason Allen, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, RB Bernard Scott, RB Dan Herron, CB Shawn Prater, WR Ryan Whalen, DT Pat Sims, and DE Robert Geathers.
The players were not in full pads today, as they wore only shoulder pads and shorts. Despite the perceived imbalance of talent between the two sides, it was a very competitive battle early on, but the black team would come out on top with a 14-6 victory.
Undrafted LB Vontaze Burfict continued his impressive training camp and showed off his abilities in pass coverage as he intercepted an Andy Dalton pass, which the white team converted into a 3-0 lead after backup kicker Thomas Weber booted a 29-yard field goal.
Third-year LB Roddrick Muckelroy got to run with the first-team defense. He too has had a productive camp, and will likely earn a roster spot based on his abilities to contribute on defense at all three LB spots, as well as special teams.
Nate Clements and Terence Newman were the first-team CBs with Leon Hall resting.
After starting the scrimmage 0-4 with an INT, Andy Dalton hit A.J. Green on an underthrown deep ball in which Green out-jumped two defenders for a 49-yard reception. Daltonwould finish the drive with a 6-yard TD pass to Green. Dalton finished the night 14/20 with 190 yards, 2 TDs, and one INT.
Devon Still has been a nusence on the defensive line, using his 6’5″, 305 lb body, along with his 80 1/4 inch wingspan to clog the interior while batting down several passes at the line, which he did several times today. He’ll definintly find his way onto the field this year to replace the snaps lost by Jonathan Fanene‘s departure.
Brandon Tate was the primary punt-returner for the first-team. Jordan Shipley returned punts for the second-team
After being the #2 WR for most of training camp to this point, Armon Binns showed why he deserves to be the opening day starter next to A.J. Green, as he repeatedly got separation and Dalton hit him four times on one drive for over 50 yards. Dalton would then finish that drive with a short-TD pass to Brandon Tate, who ironically could also be the #2 receiver or one of the final cuts. That’s life in the NFL, and its what makes even the preseason intriguing.
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