BENGALS POSTGAME QUOTES
ZAC TAYLOR
Head coach
On what he made of the first team defense:
"I thought they did a great job. I really thought, what was it, three three-and-outs? Three
three-and-outs? That's an excellent job, giving the offense opportunity there. We did some good
things on offense after that. We just couldn't finish the drives, whether it was because of penalty
or turnover, missed protection. There were some easy things we should have handled better to
be able to build an early lead and then play with that lead."
On DT Kris Jenkins:
"It's a great opportunity for him and a lot of others to go against a starting group. They don't
always get that chance when we are in practice. He gets some reps at it, but just a great
opportunity. I thought a lot of the guys capitalized on that opportunity and showed us what they
can do to help us. So, a lot of positive things that happened there today."
On CB Josh Newton:
"I mean, it's hard to say. I'm going to have to watch the tape on that, yeah."
On if there is 'frustration' with the penalties:
"It is. Four of them were on kicks, you know, so the field position, we should have had early field
position on a punt return. I think we got face mask, so we should've had the ball on the plus-50;
instead, we're all the way back minus 20-ish, and the three other ones that started around that
10, 12 yard line. So that's tough. And then there were some offensively in our screen game, two
of them. It's going to say Trey Hill got them, but really it was the screen mechanics. So there was
just some things that should be avoidable. Has nothing to do with talent or scheme. We just got
to do a better job operationally handling some of those situations."
On WR Jermaine Burton as a punt returner:
"It's the preseason. You got to be able to evaluate everybody."
On if Burton had experience at punt returner during practice:
"Yeah, he's gotten work this week and then we got him in there in the game."
On if he was 'surprised' how much the Bears blitzed:
"They really didn't. They brought the same nickel pressure. We didn't pick it up a single time.
That was part was really frustrating. That should've been an easy handle for us. Same second
down pressure four times in a row; four times they got us. That cannot happen."
On 'how good it was' to see K Evan McPherson make the 54-yard field goal:
"It was good. At the end of the half there offensively that was a positive being able to milk the
clock, get down to a situation that really came up in two-minute in practice the other day against
them. So to be able to work that, get it on tape, our guys home handled it the right way, and for
Evan to knock that through with a good snap, good hold, that was a positive way to end the half."
On if they need to sign a tackle after the OT D'Ante Smith injury:
"We'll see. We'll get through the next week and evaluate where we are roster-wise."
On McPherson's contract extension:
"We'll wait until it's official before I comment on anything."
On where OT Jackson Carman is on the depth chart:
"I think we're just evaluating the whole line as a whole, and so moving guys around and getting
a chance to look at different guys at tackle has been a positive for us to be able to evaluate
backups; they're going to have to play a lot of different roles for us."
On how he evaluates the punt team:
"That's something I'm going to have to watch again to really give a better evaluation there."
On CB Dax Hill and CB DJ Turner:
"Yeah, it's good. There is just a lot of environmental things today that you didn't want to risk out
there. To get two three-and-outs I thought was good. Let's get them out of the game. That was
our plan all along. So, they showed well, and now Tuesday they'll get a lot of work in."
On his overall thoughts of the trip to Chicago:
"I thought it was great from a team building standpoint. The team spent a lot of time together
over the nights and the rookie show and team meetings, so I was pleased with how it turned out.
We get good work. Wasn't always great production necessarily, but I thought the things that
came up gave us a lot to talk about and learn from and will help us moving forward. I thought it
was a really good trip."
On 'if there is a highlight from rookie show':
"No. We'll keep that under wraps.
JOE BURROW
Quarterback
How are you feeling?
"Feel good. Good to be back out there."
How did you feel about your first snaps back?
"It was good to be back out there with the guys. Nice to get some reps in the game that didn't count towards our record. Still some work to do. It's nice to get back out there."
Was there a series of throws you felt best about?
"Felt good about all of them."
What was your main objective?
"Get out there with your team. Get the feel of getting out there again. Get the feel of playing a game again. Getting to play against the clock. Getting to play against the defense. Getting hit again at some point though I didn't get hit today, which is a good thing."
Zac Taylor said you looked sharp out there, did you feel like you were sharp?
"Yeah, it was a good performance."
Would you like to get hit soon?
"I wouldn't mind getting hit before the first game. We'll see."
Does that mean you'll be playing more in the preseason?
"We'll see. That's a Zac question there. He'll make that decision. We'll see where that goes."
Are you looking to get hit once in the preseason?
"Maybe once before anything. Just get hit one time before getting out there for the first game."
Are you looking to get hit once in practice?
"That's not going to happen."
You didn't play with Jermaine Burton while you were out there, but what do you feel like he needs to do to get out there earlier and be a factor?
"He made some really good plays there at the end. He just needs to keep working hard, getting in his playbook, continue to build and grow as player and as a person. His future is bright and just needs to keep working hard."
Is there anything you felt like you accomplished that you wanted to get done?
"Not sure I necessarily had a list of things that I wanted to get accomplished. It was nice to score that touchdown, had a little help, but it was a nice start."
Did you try to make a more concerted effort to drive the ball down in the first series?
"No, I don't really think about it that way. Just throw to where the defense tells me to."
You've said you wanted to get into a rhythm. Have you felt like you're taking a step in the right direction?
"Yeah, I'd say that. It's always nice to get the feeling of a real game out there. Go through your pregame routine, pregame warmups, run out with the team, be in front of fans. It was a nice start."
Was there a bit of an adrenaline rush when you got out there for the first time since November?
"Not really a bit of an adrenaline rush, not like Week 1 will be. I knew I wasn't playing a ton, but it was nice to get back out there."
What did you see on the deep ball?
"The guy made a good play. I put it where I wanted to. I had another option in my head of where else I could have put it. I don't know, he made a good play."
JOSH NEWTON
Cornerback
How big of a thrill is it to get an interception in your first game?
"It's a blessing, man. (It's a) dream come true. (It's) the first of many, the first of many."
What did you see on the play?
"We were in man-to-man (coverage). He gave me a certain stem and I knew he was going to run back outside, so I just ran outside, made sure I turned my head and the ball was just right there."
That was a big play, obviously, but how do you feel the rest of the night went for you?
"I feel like it was great. I'm getting better and better as the reps go ... it's all about just getting comfortable."
Did you just get the wind knocked out of you earlier in the game when you went down a spell on that play near the goal line?
"Yes. Yes I did. But I'm all right."
After so many training camp practices, how nice was it to be out there and play against someone other than your own teammates?
"It was very nice. It was a beautiful thing to just be able to see our togetherness, all the hard work that we're putting in (with) each other, and go do it against other teams. It's a great thing."
CHASE BROWN
Halfback
After so many training camp practices playing against your teammates, how did it feel to go play against someone else?
"Yeah, it was about time. If you were there for those last practices, we were ready to go play somebody else. The first preseason game is always good. You get out there, you get your feet wet a little bit and you get to compete against another person in a different jersey. It feels good."
How do you feel like the game went for you tonight?
"It was good. It was just a quick little drive at the start of the game, but (there was) definitely a lot to take away (from it)."
What did you like from the team in general tonight, watching from the sidelines and seeing some of the younger guys play?
"No. 1, the way some of these guys stepped up. No. 2, the way that we reacted throughout the entire game. I thought that we were poised and with all the penalties and all that. I like the way we reacted today."
JERMAINE BURTON
Wide receiver
You had three catches for 82 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown and a 38-yard reception. What was going on there tonight where you were able to have such success against Tampa Bay's cornerbacks?
"Yeah, ultimately (it was) just being able to compete with my guys in real live action. Of course the other team has great competitors, but we've been working really hard this offseason, trying to connect and get a chemistry down with all the quarterbacks and just trying to make a play when your number is called."
You've played football at a high level in college. To play like you did in your first NFL experience, was it not surprising to you?
"It just comes with work. As long as you continue to put the work in and stay ready, you don't have to get ready (really). So pretty much, any moment I was placed in tonight, I was prepared for it and ready to attack full throttle. The fact that it was able to happen (tonight) and come to life, it's amazing. I'm just going to keep on working."
What did wide receivers coach Troy Walters have to say to you on the sidelines about the big plays you made?
"He was good. He just congratulated me, but there's a lot more work to do. You can celebrate — 'good job, good catch' — and then keep on moving, because I wanted to make a lot more plays. I still want to make a lot more plays, so I'm just going to keep on working and see where it takes me."
