The most shocking news from Flowery Branch isn’t an injury or a roster move. It’s the clock. Practices at the new camp are roughly half as long as fans remember. While previous regimes ran full two-hour blocks every single day, Kevin Stefanski now runs sessions that last between 60 and 90 minutes most days. This drastic cut in time marks a complete shift in how the team prepares for the season. Some days stretch closer to two hours, but the early days were short and light.
Full Hits Return to Practice
Shorter drills don’t mean softer hits. When the pads go on, the coaching staff allows full contact tackling. This specific rule change brings back a physical element missing under the last coach. Raheem Morris didn’t allow this type of full contact during his tenure. Players have expressed happiness about this return to hard hitting. Several noted how different this aggressive approach feels compared to the old regime. The change suggests a desire to build toughness early in the year. It’s a fundamental recalibration of the practice culture.
Preseason Starts for Stars
Stefanski plans to use his best players in the first and third preseason games. This is a major break from the past. Morris refused to play any starters in the preseason games at all. The new coach wants more emphasis on these exhibition games to get his team ready. This decision puts the team at risk, especially after a major season-ending injury already happened in practice. Top teams in the league have embraced this style, so there may be a link between preseason work and regular season success. Over the coming month, the outcome of this situation will unfold.
Quarterback Battle Remains Real
The fight for the starting job between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa is still very real. Penix hasn’t been cleared for full contact yet, and no one knows when that will change. Despite this, he doesn’t appear to have any physical limitations. He isn’t doing full team 11-on-11 work, but he’s moving well. The situation remains fluid as camp continues. The activation of Jawaan Taylor off the PUP list adds another layer to the roster. Following Kaleb McGary’s retirement, Taylor is expected to fill the right tackle role. The team also signed Cameron Sample to help the pass rush. For the Bengals across the last four seasons, Sample registered seven sacks and 26 quarterback hits. These moves show the team is building depth while waiting for the big names to return to full speed. The short practices and new preseason plan will define the rest of camp.
Sources: The Falcoholic (SBN Falcons), The Falcoholic (SBN Falcons)
