Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow, other veterans set example for young newcomers

May 13—CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow arrived for the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason workouts last week and was on the field Tuesday, May 12, going through conditioning drills with the other veterans, while the first- and second-year players did more football-related activities.

At the end of practice, the seventh-year quarterback did get some throwing in with receivers, but what he showed the young players just by showing up was probably more important.

The Bengals began Phase 2 of the offseason Monday, and it was probably no coincidence as the rookies were arriving, so were a lot more of the veterans like Burrow. The full team will integrate into one group next week, but the rookies have more of an easing-in period while also having the opportunity to observe how guys like Burrow operate.

"I think just the overall experience we have, particularly on that side of the ball, of people in the system here at receiver, at quarterback, is good for young guys like Colbie (Young), young guys like Jack (Endries), all of these new guys that we have," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday. "And so again, it's fun getting them out there, not only in the rookie minicamp, within this week, where things are a little bit slower before we get a lot of the other guys in the mix. They get a chance just to see how we practice for four days, see how we coach, hear the verbiage of our terminology, get lined up in motion. So, it's really been a good introduction for all of those younger guys."

The Bengals drafted seven players and signed 10 college free agents.

Taylor will be paying attention to how much information the rookies soak up from being around the veterans. It's easy to see who is picking up on the small details that have enabled others to find success in the NFL.

"I think, as simple as it is, it's just who's in the locker room in the morning more than five minutes before the meeting starts," Taylor said. "And we got a really great group of guys right now that I'm seeing that from some of the young players. You look at the guys who have played seven to 10 years in the league, they're usually here about an hour before we get started whether it's prehab, whether it's eating breakfast. And there's that calmness before I actually have to do something — I have to go lift, I have to go meet — so you feel less rushed and more prepared. I think, usually I can see that with a young guy, if a young guy is here pretty early, consistently over time."

Burrow came back in "great shape, ready to go" and with a mindset to have a great year, Taylor said.

The coaching staff uses the offseason workout program to add and tweak to the system, implement new ideas picked up from studying the rest of the league and adjust the process as needed. Burrow is a part of those conversations, but with the entire starting lineup back on offense, Taylor said it's more about "keeping things fresh."