Joe Burrow Has High Expectations for Bengals Tight End Erick All
· Yahoo Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals began training camp on Wednesday morning, and there was plenty to discuss as personnel combinations, overreactions to performances, and the year's first scuffle all took place.
Amid all the noise and Shemar Stewart's left leg injury that led to him being carted off the field, tight end Erick All is seemingly building on an excellent minicamp performance and making waves in his first training camp in more than a year and a half since suffering a brutal ACL injury.
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All, a draft pick out of Iowa after the 2023 season, has been praised for his physicality. He thrived in the running game at both Michigan and Iowa as a blocker, and he possesses the size and athleticism to contribute as a receiver.
In the first pass play of 11-on-11 drills, Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense came out in both 12 personnel and under center. Those are two formations that have appeared few and far between in past seasons, especially under center. If Cincinnati is going to use more 12- and 13-personnel, which has been a leaguewide shift over the past couple of seasons, All will find himself on the field more often.
Erick All was on the field for that snap, and Mo Egger of ESPN 1530 said he is excited about the opportunities All presents after watching him in person for the first day of camp. Others have said the Bengals' proposed shift to a more under-center, play-action offense is only possible if All remains healthy because he is the only true hybrid tight end on the roster.
Mike Gesicki is mainly a receiver, while Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample thrive in run blocking. That type of hybrid tight end is common among contending teams, including A.J. Barner of the Seattle Seahawks, Colby Parkinson of the Los Angeles Rams, George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills. All of those players can pave the way in the running game while also being reliable receivers and difference-makers.
Joe Burrow was asked about Erick All and set expectations high, saying he expects him to have a big role in the upcoming offense.
"It's great to have him back," Burrow said. "Obviously, he had a lot going on with his knee, but you wouldn't know it by looking at him. He looks fit, fast and explosive. He will play a big role for us this year."
All is one of the many players fans should keep an eye on throughout training camp. While Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will receive most of the stats and credit, a player like Erick All could open things up for his teammates while putting together a productive offensive season of his own.