I highly doubt we’re going to be seeing many starters playing in PS games going forward. As such, these ‘joint practices’ essentially replace PS games for all intent and purposes. The ones square off against their ones. The HCs kinda plan out what they want, maybe even ask the other to maybe blitz this guy, or double him, or play certain coverages…to test out their guys. It’s a bit like joint military exercises with friendly albeit real competition with the ultimate goal of both parties improving. Iron sharpens iron.

For instance, we’re not going to see a PS game where DT/NT Dexter Lawrence battles C Garrett Bradbury or even rook C Logan Jones, but in this joint practice, sure. Perhaps this is a good thing since by most accounts 350 pound Dexter Lawrence absolutely destroyed our interior and even managed an INT. I know many of us [esp moi] wanted Lawrence, but Bengals traded the 10th overall, a pick the Bears couldn’t really match.

Other major takeaways from Bears@Bengals Joint Practices.

• S Dillon Thieneman impressed hauling in an INT
• WR Tee Higgens balling vs our MASH secondary
• Caleb/Loveland/Swift sharp esp in Redzone
• Big Dex juggernauted Bears interior
• LT still up in air. Braxton, Theo rotating at LT. Yikes
• Willis, Kiran at RTs with 2s [I doubt Kiran makes the 53]
• Dline flashed but didn’t dominate vs suspect CIN oline
• WR Kaden Davis & DE Kromah may stick
• CB Muhammad may be the slot til Glass-Gordon heals
• Gonna be the QB Miller Moss show this Sat

Bengals, a high powered O, Offense-oriented HC, young hot-shot QB with an underpowered D in a tough div. Sound familiar?