Young Bengals corners impress in first extensive preseason action

The Cincinnati Bengals got an extended look at young cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard and William Jackson in Friday night’s preseson opener against Tampa Bay, but defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle would have liked to have seen even more.

“We weren’t challenged as much on the perimeter passing game as I would really would have hoped to have been in that game,” Coyle said. “We didn’t get to see much where we could have opportunities to contest the ball. But we don’t control what the other team is doing.”

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With starter Dre Kirkpatrick sitting out after breaking his hand in the spring, backup Tony McRae bothered by a sore hamstring and starter Adam Jones slated to play only a handful of snaps, the Bengals went into the game thin in the secondary. So they responded by playing Dennard, the 2014 first-round pick, and Jackson, the 2016 first rounder, the entire first half.

And the workload was welcomed by Jackson, who suffered a season-ending chest injury on the third day of camp last year, and Dennard, who had appeared in only three preseason games in his first three years, two of which he left early with injuries.

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“This was actually my second preseason game of my career that I played in and came out of it healthy, so I’m happy,” Dennard said. “I’ve got a great feeling about that. I think my camp is going well. I’ve just got to continue doing what I’m doing and make the best of my opportunities.”

Jackson was equally as encouraged.

“It felt great. I was comfortable out there,” Jackson said. “(Defensive coordinator Paul) Guenther told me to just go out there and play loose, and that’s what I did. I kind of knew coming into the game they wanted to see what I could do playing against a great opponent, so I went out there and tried to give it my all.”

Jackson mostly worked against Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans, playing the right side in base before flipping to the left side in nickel. Dennard spent a lot of time trailing three-time Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson, who had one catch for 6 yards.

The one time Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston challenged the Bengals down the field, Dennard had the coverage on Evans, and the big 6-foot-5 pounder used a crafty late shove to get enough separation for a 29-yard gain, the longest play by either team in the game.

“(Dennard) was in really good position,” Coyle said. “From the sideline, it was one of those that looked like there was some contact. I’m waiting for the video guys to get me the close-up, slow-motion replays.

“But that’s going to happen in this game,” he added. “You’ve gotta just go play the next play if there’s a play that you give up or there’s a bad call or a no call or what have you. You’ve got to turn around and get your mind right and get ready to play the next down.”

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With Jones suspended for the season opener, either Dennard or Jackson is expected to start opposite Kirkpatrick on Sept. 10 against Baltimore. But Dennard said his goal goes beyond winning the starting job that day.

“I want to be the starter for the rest of my career,” he said. “I want to go out there and compete and be the best at my position. Like I’ve been saying the last couple years, it’s not really about my play, it’s just me staying healthy. Right now I think I’m playing good and feeling good as well.”

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Dennard did go down after a play in late in the second quarter, but he said he just got the wind knocked out of him when he tried to deliver a blow after spending the first two weeks of camp running non-tackling drills.

Jackson finished with three tackles while Dennard had two, leaving Coyle encouraged by their performances.

“I thought they did a lot of good things,” he said. “They showed up in the run game. I thought they played solid football. They can play better. There’s some things to clean up. But I was pleased with them.”


Next game

Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati

TV: Ch. 12, 22

Radio: 1530-AM, 102.7-FM, 104.7-FM

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