The Bengals took preparations for Sunday’s Ring of Honor Game (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Local 12) at Paycor Stadium to the practice field Wednesday, and, as expected, head coach Zac Taylor didn’t want to hear the Jets are winless.
Instead, he’s looking at a New York defensive line anchored by defensive tackles Quinnen Williams, rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 10 tackle in the game, and eight-year-vet Harrison Phillips. Combined with Cincy fave and former Bearcat Sauce Gardner on the corner (six passes defensed), the Jets are ninth in pass defense and smack in the middle overall at 16th.
“They’ve invested there. So they’ve got some high draft picks. Quinnen Williams he’s the first one that jumps out at you,” Taylor said before Wednesday’s practice. ” I’ve always liked Harrison Phillips. Their edge guys do a great job coming off the edge as well. Just starting with that front four is a problem. They get a lot out of them. They are very disruptive.”
One Taylor Or Another
The Jets aren’t saying if Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor is starting at quarterback, so Zac Taylor didn’t have much to say, either. Tyrod has two wins over the Bengals, but the last one was five years ago. No defender still here started that game.
“They are both talented players. Capable of leading their team. Played them both a lot with different teams,” Zac Taylor said. “They are both challenging. Whoever’s out there is out there and you have to be ready for them … I think you have to be ready for both of them.”