In his first virtual news conference of training camp Wednesday, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor Zoomed in on a couple of key topics:
- Taylor said every player has reported to the environs of Paul Brown Stadium as the rookies begin walk-throughs and the veterans go through the second day of three Covid testing days on the way to Sunday's physicals.
- Despite the lack of off-season workouts and pre-season games as well as a curtailed training camp, Taylor says overall No. 1 draft pick Joe Burrow is the guy they're getting ready to play quarterback in the Sept. 13 opener against the Chargers at PBS.
"We took him because we have high expectations for Joe," Taylor said. "From everything I know of him and seen of him, he's got high expectations for himself. He's going to do everything he can to put himself in a situation to be successful. I trust that. I think when you guys get a chance to talk to him you'll feel the same way."
Burrow is expected to be in the building Thursday to sign his contract and get a physical.
- Taylor said his staff has talked about the possibility of keeping one of the team's three quarterbacks in a universal quarantine, but no decisions have been made. There's the possibility they could add a veteran to the most important position on the team.
- Taylor wouldn't say if any of his players have approached him about opting out of the season for safety reasons, citing privacy issues.
- With no pre-season games Taylor said he'll use certain practices to simulate the blocking and tackling they'll experience in a game. They'll also have a night practice to mirror the third pre-season game that was supposed to be in prime time.
