Most exciting Bengals offseason adjustment is already paying off at training camp

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking like a different offense in training camp, and at least to start, that meant taking some steps backward to ultimately progress. Thus, the defense was getting the better of the offense in the early going.

But that phenomenon is prevalent throughout many NFL training camps anyway. While it was fun to see Dexter Lawrence and the new-look defensive line get some early wins, fans had to be hoping for a breakthrough with Joe Burrow spearheading the offense's schematic tweaks.

Lo and behold, this breakthrough of sorts arrived during Sunday's practice, which should have Cincinnati even more fired up about Thursday's preseason matchup with the Detroit Lions

Tweaks to the Bengals playbook on offense yield a surgical Joe Burrow touchdown drive

ESPN's Cameron Wolfe was on the scene near Paycor Stadium to document Bengals practice on Sunday, and came away very impressed with the changes to the playbook implemented by head coach Zac Taylor and Cincinnati's offensive staff.

As Joe Burrow has reiterated throughout the offseason, though, the coaches and front office can only do so much. It's on the players to execute on the field.

Thanks in part to their less static formations, and their willingness to go under center and not just pretty much always be in the shotgun, Burrow and Co. had the Bengals' defense on their heels. It netted a TD during the team period of practice.

Here’s more from Wolfe on the philosophical tweaks to the Bengals’ system, which will no doubt benefit from being the only intact coaching staff from the AFC North this offseason:

"Getting under center…they've done it in the past. This is not new, but there's been more of a frequency of it this year. They want to create more explosives in the run game with Chase [Brown]. [...] The idea is to give the ball a little bit more to Chase, give a little bit different looks, and it opens up things for Joe."

It's a little hard to see from far away on the touchdown throw from Burrow to Andrei Iosivas. This looked like some kind of man pressure where defensive coordinator Al Golden brought at least one extra rusher. The offensive line handled the protection, Burrow got it out to Yoshi after he dusted Bralyn Lux on an out-breaking route.

We'll go ahead and say it was a TD. Maybe Lux poked the ball out for that dreaded fumble-touchback. Shh!

Nice to see Iosivas have at least one highlight of creating excellent separation. That's typically not his strong suit, and let's face it, he's getting pushed for the WR3 gig by Colbie Young.

By the way, I fully recognize that Yoshi's TD is from the shotgun, not under center, but it speaks to the fact that Cincinnati can still execute at a high clip this way, yet also set up a trip to the end zone with more under-center plays.

I've pounded the drum for a solid near-year about how the Bengals need to diversify their run scheme. Going under center will help the cause in a massive way. As will the talents of the most athletic o-line Burrow has had. As will a feature back like Chase Brown who can do it all as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher.

To say Wolfe's report is music to my ears is a colossal understatement. I swear, it's like Zac himself reads Stripe Hype! Or maybe Coach Pitch does. I'm kidding.

Just glad to see the team do the right things to take the pressure off Burrow, who shouldn't have to keep dropping back 50 times a game and getting pulverized in his football prime.

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