Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CINCINNATI — Saturday was “Family Fun Day” throughout the NFL including the Cincinnati Bengals’ training camp.

The 7,850 fans in attendance at Paul Brown Stadiium might have been treated to a lot of football and various activities to make for a fun day, but nobody was having as much fun as the Bengals’ offense.

First-year offensive coordinator Hue Jackson used a mock game format of players in shoulder pads and helmets to play a glorified version of touch football. He also used the scrimmage to open up the offense for quarterback Andy Dalton.

The fourth-year veteran quarterback hit 17 of his first 19 passed for approximately 200 yards. Two days earlier Dalton went 16 of 19 at practice.

“I’ve been impressed with (Dalton) since I’ve gotten to be the coordinator, but I’ve been really impressed with him over the last couple of days,” said Jackson.

“I think he’s really starting to buy into the urgency, getting the ball out of his hands and making great decisions.”

Jackson said Dalton appeared very calm and seemed to ooze with confidence.

“There’s good communication when he comes off (the field). Even when things don’t go right, he can tell me why, what he felt,” said Jackson. “A quarterback has to be poised. He’s been very in control when things have gone really good and when things have gone really bad. That’s a good sign.”

Dalton had guided the Bengals to three straight playoff appearances, but the team has lost in the first round each postseason trip.

The Bengals have assembled a strong receiving corps around Dalton including second-year tight end Tyler Eifert who was the number one target on Saturday. Eifert had five receptions and three would have gone for touchdowns but the coaches blew the play dead in the controlled scrimmage format.

Jackson said Eifert was impressive, especially on a 53-yard catch when he left cornerback Onterio McCalebb behind on a turn-and-go route.

“We feel like we get looks and matchups with him, and he makes big plays,” Dalton said of Eifert. “It’s what we expect of him now. He’s so talented with the ball in the air. He’s got great ball skills, runs really good routes. That’s why he’s been able to get open and make big plays.”

With A.J. Green and Eifert, Dalton has two quality “go to” receivers and they are complimented by wide receiver Mohamed Sanu and running back Giovani Bernard.

“That’s the key. We have some very dynamic playmakers,” said Jackson. “We have runners, we have pass catchers, we have all-pro passed catchers like A.J., but (Dalton) is able to get the ball to different people and that’s kind of who we are.”