BENGALS POSTGAME QUOTES
ZAC TAYLOR
Head coach
After three preseason games, what do you get the most out of that preseason?
"I think we got to see a lot of our depth. Obviously, we don't play a lot of our starters, but it's a really good experience for the guys
that we're going to be counting on at different parts of this season. Obviously, we want to win. Going 0-3 is not what we wanted, but I
still think we get a lot out of it. It was good for those guys to maximize their opportunity and playing time, so it's really good work for the
depth of our team."
Are you able to give us an update on DE Myles Murphy's status?
"Not yet. Right now we'll just take it week to week and see where we are closer to the season."
HB Trayveon Williams got a lot of snaps, what did you see in that?
"It's a good opportunity for Trayveon to get those snaps, because our other two guys are going to get a lot of runs as the season
comes closer, so it's a good opportunity. He's been here a long time and he deserves that. Same thing with Logan (Woodside). Logan
started getting a good flow, and just wanted to keep him in there."
How do you feel like QB Logan Woodside looked?
"Good. I think there's a lot of moving pieces around you when you're dealing with a lot of different players. It's not just playing with
the starters. You have a lot of different moving parts that you have to manage and I thought he did a good job managing."
Has it been a nice summer for TE Erick All?
"Yeah, I think he's progressed every day. In that position, you have to get a bunch of reps, you have to make a bunch of mistakes,
you have to see a bunch of things. He's intent on improving every day. You guys know how I feel about James Casey — he does a
great job developing those guys. So, we've given him a lot of opportunities. He's very physical. He's very willing. It's important to him. I
think that he has a very bright future for us."
Only one penalty tonight, how do you feel about that?
"That's good news. Even the turnover battle was something we wanted to come out the second half and win. So, the penalties, it
was nice to clean it up. But again, the turnovers, we have to be better getting some and protecting the ball."
How was WR Jermaine Burton throughout the preseason?
"Like all the rookies, there's a growing process and improving in all the little details. You saw him make some plays tonight — that's
good. That's the expectation when the ball is thrown his way, for him to be able to make the play."
Your defensive backups played in Chicago and tonight for the first half against their starters. Are you pleased with them?
"I was. Offensively, we have to take the pressure off of them. It's tough to hold up the whole game that way, but I was pleased with
the effort they showed. I thought they played with great energy. They tackled really well, I thought in the first half of both those games.
We just have to get some points on offense and help keep the pressure off."
What's the thought on CB Dax Hill and CB DJ Turner II not dressing for tonight?
"I just felt like we'd seen enough from those guys and to let some other guys have the opportunity."
Can you name a starter yet between those two?
"No."
In that corner spot, can we expect to see the guy who does not necessarily start to see some time?
"We need all of our depth right now, and with a couple guys banged up, we know we have a good football team. We've seen
enough. We had a great practice against Indy. I feel like the team is in a good spot right now. There was still an opportunity for a lot of
guys to play tonight. Some other ones, we have seen enough of to pull them back. We still got some work in this morning. Those guys
that didn't play still worked. Then, there were guys that were obviously dressed and played tonight."
Does S Jordan Battle's pick-six match what you're hoping to see from him in terms of taking a leap this year?
"Yes. He continues to play physically. He's an intelligent guy, so continue to play with that intelligence. I think he's steadily gotten
better as well."
QB Joe Burrow said on the broadcast that he did not mind playing tonight. Was that ever on the table?
"It was on the table at times, then the decision was made to keep those guys healthy and off the field. I knew he wanted to play."
What does that say about him?
"He just wants every rep he can get. We try to maximize it in different ways than playing in the game. I still think we were able to
get good work. But the decision was made not to play him."
How would you address how QB Joe Burrow looked throughout the entirety of camp?
"I thought the Colts practice was one of his best of the year. Reminiscent of many of the games he played last year when he was
healthy. The accuracy, the decision making and the ball not touching the ground. To finalize training camp, we still have work to do. We
still have two weeks of practice, but I thought they kind of put the nail in the coffin in training camp. That was the right way to do it."
JORDAN BATTLE
Safety
Take us through the interception you returned for the touchdown ...
"Really, it was all just the disguise. Coach Lou (Anarumo) harps on us every week about our disguises as safeties. Just being able
to show two high and then drop down and receive an early birthday gift like that — you've got to take advantage."
Is it nice to be able to do that against another team's starting quarterback?
"For sure. He has to come in here — (it's fun against) anybody, really. It was a good feeling. I haven't had a pick-six in a while."
What would you say is your biggest area of growth this training camp?
"Really, just trying to work on communication. I feel I've gotten a lot better communication-wise, just getting everybody on the
defense on the same page and being able to be comfortable and make plays just like that."
Do you feel you're getting faster and faster on the field?
"Yeah. That all tied in with knowing the playbook and being able to be comfortable out there and play fast. I feel like that's an area I
did improve on this preseason. (I'm) still trying to grow."
MAEMA NJONGMETA
Linebacker
How do you feel you grew this preseason and training camp?
"Just my confidence. That was something that was a knock on me coming into this league — my speed. Just being (here) in the
preseason, it was, 'OK, I can play in the speed of this game and process fast enough and play fast enough.' That was just the big thing.
It was honestly just seeing, 'OK, there's so much more that I have to grow in (as a player) to develop, especially watching the veterans
practice and watching them play (versus) watching myself play. It was, 'Man, there's so much more work to be done,' which is really
exciting."
The Bengals traditionally don't keep a lot of linebackers, so special teams could be key for you in making this roster. Do you
feel that you made as many plays on special teams as you did at linebacker?
"I did OK on special teams. That's something I need to keep growing in. It's cool because I have been growing every week and
hope that is enough. It was an exciting place to grow in because it's something I wasn't asked to do a lot of in college. But then
watching myself develop and actually do it is pretty cool. Special teams is pretty awesome."
How do you keep from making the situation bigger than it is? Do you come in with a different mentality feeling like you just
have to prove yourself?
"No. I will say yes, but that mentality started the day that they signed me to this organization. From the first OTA practice to
minicamp and all of that, it was always the same mentality (of) 'OK, what am I trying to get better at today? What am I growing in, what
am I focusing on?' I was so consistent with that — and there were some days I wasn't great — but I was so consistent on that mentality
that when it came time to preseason, it was 'This is just another day in the office.' It's very special to be out there. If you're doing
something one way to prepare and then come time to perform, you do something completely different, you're not going to perform well.
I just try to be as consistent in my preparation and my performance. Not that you won't have bad days and bad plays, but your
approach is the same and you can be at ease with the results as opposed to trying to re-invent something. I've tried to keep the same
mentality since the first preseason game like, 'Hey, this is just another day in the office."
TRAYVEON WILLIAMS
Halfback
Were you a bread-and-butter runner, or did you do a lot of different things out there?
"It was a lot of different things. A combination of stuff. There was a power run I wish I could have back. I was up on a safety, and I
have to make him miss and obviously at this level, when you can get to the safety, you have to be able to make one miss. I wish I can
have that run back."
Special teams as well. That's always a big contribution by you — not just for the pre-season, but through your career. And
you take great pride in that, don't you?
"Yeah, absolutely. That's one thing I learned when I got to the professional level, it's special teams. If you want to stay on the
roster, you have to be able to play special teams. I truly want take pride now. I feel like I wouldn't be able to be here in year six if I didn't
understand and learn how to play special teams. I love my role on this team, and with my role (comes) special teams. I'm excited about
it this year, and I'm ready to go do some great things this year."
What do you think about the football team? Are you ready to rock and roll as we open up soon the Patriots? What do you
think?
"I'm excited. Throughout the joint practices, when we're able to go out there and get great work — the one-on-ones (during)
offseason and camp. This team is going to be an explosive team this year. Defense is looking amazing, and offense is explosive. We
are doing what we have to do. What a better way to open it up here against New England while we wear all orange? So, I'm excited
about it. The team's excited. We're ready to be able to rock and roll and be ready for a great year."
CHARLIE JONES
Wide receiver
Nice welcome back ... a 48-yarder right off the bat. How does that feel?
"How does that feel? So good. The blocking was great. It was a good call. It was my first play out there, so obviously I was excited.
And it was a good start for me confidence-wise, and good momentum going in the season."
Some guys don't enjoy playing in the preseason. But after the injury, were you really looking forward to that and getting out
there and getting some reps?
"Yeah, I definitely wanted to get my feet wet and be out there going into Week 1 with a couple of snaps under my belt."
Was that one of those kicks where as soon as you caught it, you knew you could probably make hay? Or did you have to read
the play and let it develop?
"It was my first time really doing it live. So, I think I knew it was going to be a good call, and I knew that if the guys were doing what
they're supposed to, which they were and they always do it ... I always have confidence in them. I saw the lane pretty quickly and just
knew that this play was such a fast-hitting play that I couldn't slow down through the lane. Great blocking. Hopefully we continue to
have plays like that."
