D.J. Turner II shined for the Bengals defense on Day Seven of training camp
Day Seven of Cincinnati Bengals training camp got off to an ominous start when, as players, coaches, fans and media started to gather at Paycor Stadium, dark clouds rolled in and thunder rumbled. Sure enough, a pouring rain followed.
Practice on July 31 was forced into the Bengals' practice bubble, which of course there's a plan for but probably doesn't equate to ideal training camp conditions (and that has little to do with the bubble itself).
Obviously, the team would prefer to have multiple fields and all their equipment at their disposal. Still, the Bengals seemed to get plenty of work in (there's also hours of work that follows after the media signs off for the day).
Fans headed back to their cars. Players headed for charter buses that would whisk them up the street to the bubble, and that was the scene for another strong day of defensive play.
It's tough to say how good the defense is actually playing. We'll learn a lot more from the preseason games, but what's worth considering is that defensive success is coming against an MVP-caliber quarterback in Joe Burrow, plus his array of elite receivers and a stable of able running backs led by Chase Brown. So, maybe it's safe to feel good about the defense this early? We'll know for sure soon enough.
Here's what The Enquirer observed from Day Seven of training camp:
Bengals cornerback D.J. Turner has big day
Training camp hasn't always been great for cornerback D.J. Turner II so far, but he was absolutely on fire on July 31. In fact, he was probably the standout player for both units.
The Enquirer counted five passes broken up by Turner during the session.
Turner was all over Tee Higgins. He was all over Ja'Marr Chase. He was all over Andrei Iosivas. All of those receivers have had their moments during camp and made some plays July 31, but Turner was the toast of Day Seven. He locked up basically everything the offense threw at him.
"Yeah, the was definitely my best day of camp so far," Turner said. "Just stacking every day. Just waking up and trying to improve every single day."
D.J. Turner also had our play of the day
Facing Chase in man-to-man coverage, Turner made up for a slight deficit and dove to reach Joe Burrow's throw and swat it away.
Play of the day co-runners-up, and a note on Demetrius Knight Jr.
In seven-on-seven drills, Dax Hill had a tip-drill interception. Linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. had a nice breakup on a Burrow pass and Hill got low to gather the ball and make a return before the play was blown dead.
Knight Jr., the Bengals second-round draft pick, has been an increasing frequent topic of conversation this training camp. He's making plays, carrying himself like a veteran player and fielding interviews post-practice like a leader.
"He puts me in a tough spot sometimes in practice," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said with a smile.
And finally, let's give the offense some love for the "Play of the Day co-runner-up. Wide receiver Charlie Jones and backup quarterback Jake Browning hooked up on a seam route that Jones hauled in and took to the house. Jones celebrated with a basketball-style lay-up over the field goal crossbar hanging from the ceiling.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor on Trey Hendrickson's return
Not too much to see here, but Taylor was upbeat on the subject of Trey Hendrickson reporting for training camp on July 30.
"It's good to see Trey," Taylor said. "He had good energy when he comes back in the building. He's a big part of the team, so it's good to have him back around."
Taylor said he and Hendrickson have been in touch over the last few weeks. Hendrickson seems to be doing all the right things, and has been seen talking up players on both sides of the ball on July 30 and July 31.