Ted Karras explains how incoming changes to Bengals training camp can produce desired results

What does change look like for the Cincinnati Bengals as they attempt to fix their slow starts to the regular season? Morning training camp practices.

The Bengals have traditionally practiced in the middle of the afternoon during the dog days of training camp. In an effort to switch things up, head coach Zac Taylor has decided to start practices this summer at 10 a.m. Every practice outside of two on the schedule will start at that time.

What changes are in store for the players with practicing being moved up a handful of hours? Center and three-time team captain Ted Karras says it will actually have more of a mental impact than anything. 

“You can get your physical work done and then have all day to adjust, be around the guys and learn," Karras explained to SI Bengals Talk's Jay Morrison. "When you're install in the morning, you have that nervous energy for practice. You don't know if you're going to do well or not. So you're not as locked in. But when you practice in the morning and then watch practice, put that to bed and then get on to the next day with a no-pressure learning situation.”

Few opinions on the matter are more educated than Karras'. The 32-year old is entering his 10th year in the league and is elder statesman of the roster. Another training camp is just that to him. He would know the difference a schedule tweak can make. 

If the goal is to play better when the season begins, better practices in the weeks leading up to Week 1 is perhaps the most practical ingredient along with increased playing time in the preseason, which is also on the agenda. 

Putting work in on the field and then going over said work in meetings instead of vice versa is about as radical of a training camp change Taylor and his staff can institute to ensure results differ this year. The Bengals face the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars in the first two weeks of the season before playing against five consecutive 2024 playoff teams between Weeks 3-7.

Before that stretch, the road to 1-0 begins with early mornings on the practice fields.