How Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase put this Bengals cornerback on the path to the NFL

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Early in the 2019 college football season, then-LSU quarterback Joe Burrow rolled out of the pocket toward the sideline in the first quarter against Vanderbilt. After the play was over, according to former LSU tight end Thad Moss, Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said something to Burrow, fired up the quarterback and inspired a near perfect game for LSU’s offense.

Burrow had 398 passing yards in LSU’s 66-38 win over the Commodores. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had the breakout game where he showed he could be the best receiver in college football, dropping 229 receiving yards on Vanderbilt and scoring four touchdowns.

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On the other side of history, the losing side of history, was Vanderbilt cornerback Allan George. Three years later, George gets his second chance against Chase in Cincinnati Bengals training camp.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trent Taylor (11) and  cornerback Allan George (42) clash during a preseason training camp practice at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trent Taylor (11) and cornerback Allan George (42) clash during a preseason training camp practice at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

After a Bengals’ practice last week, where George got a few first-team reps with the Bengals’ defense, George is reminded of the worst day of his football career. He still calls it a sore subject.

“It really is,” George said. “It’s alright though.”

Heading into that game against LSU, George was Vanderbilt’s slot cornerback. He had played in the middle of the field for his entire football career, and George was looking forward to his matchup against LSU slot wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

At the time, Jefferson was viewed as the Tigers’ best receiver. In their season-opening win over Texas, Jefferson led LSU with 163 receiving yards. But in this game on Sept. 21, 2019, Chase caught two touchdown passes in the first quarter.

Mason didn’t think Vanderbilt’s outside cornerbacks were going to be able to stick with Chase. So he had George change positions in the middle of the game.

“That was my first time ever playing (outside) corner,” George said. “I was lost. I had no clue what to do. It was a rude awakening.”

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) pulls down a catch over Vanderbilt defensive back Allan George (28) in the second quarter during their game at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) pulls down a catch over Vanderbilt defensive back Allan George (28) in the second quarter during their game at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.

George also had no chance at guarding Chase. On one play, with Chase in one-on-one coverage, Vanderbilt’s blitz forced Burrow to make a blind throw to Chase down the right sideline. Chase boxed out George, climbed the ladder and reeled in the acrobatic catch.

Later in the game, Chase used his precise route running skills to gain separation versus George on a slant route from the right side of the field. George attempted a diving tackle, but what he caught instead was a face full of turf as Chase ran for a 51-yard touchdown.

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs in a touchdown past Vanderbilt defensive back Allan George (28) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019.
LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs in a touchdown past Vanderbilt defensive back Allan George (28) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019.

To try to stop Chase, George played outside cornerback for the first time in his life. His first assignment was against the future NFL Rookie of the Year.

“I was doing my job,” George said. “And then Ja’Marr went off for two touchdowns.”

“Ja’Marr really hadn’t gone off like that in a game,” said Moss, now a tight end on the Bengals. “I remember Ja’Marr going crazy. Going into the game, Jefferson was in the running for the Biletnikoff (award for the best receiver in college football). (LSU receiver) Terrace Marshall was top-3 in the nation in touchdowns. Everything Ja’Marr touched in that Vanderbilt game, he was getting it and gone. He could do no wrong in that game.”

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) races past Vanderbilt defensive back Allan George (28) for a touchdown in the second quarter during their game at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Nashville , Tenn. .
LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) races past Vanderbilt defensive back Allan George (28) for a touchdown in the second quarter during their game at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Nashville , Tenn. .

Looking back, George realizes he learned several valuable lessons by guarding Chase. Playing against the best receiver in college football, George learned how being an outside cornerback was completely different from being an inside cornerback.

On the inside, George was used to having to “help everywhere.” If he lost his matchup, George could expect a linebacker or a safety to pick up his assignment, and George would rotate to another part of the play.

Guarding Chase, George saw how you’re on an island as an outside cornerback. He said he learned that outside cornerbacks “have more time to make mistakes,” and George made plenty of them in coverage versus Chase.

“It got me better,” George said. “I saw it for what it was. I learned to be more patient. I learned that you’re not out of the play until he catches it or until you knock it down. That game and the games in the future really prepared me for all this in the NFL.”

“It would have gone one or two ways (for George),” Moss said. “It would have been a wakeup call or he would have tucked his tail. Ja’Marr had almost 300 yards. That’s good for (George). It’s tough to change positions at any level. Let alone you’re changing positions against a top-5 pick, rookie of the year and Biletnikoff winner.”

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Allan George (42) defends on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trent Taylor (11) during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Allan George (42) defends on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trent Taylor (11) during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields in Cincinnati.

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Following that game, George stayed at outside corner. Three years later, after playing much better games against the top receivers in the SEC, the Bengals signed him as an undrafted free agent to add depth at the cornerback position.

George received a few first-team reps for the Bengals in practice last Thursday, lining up a few times against Chase. This time, George held his own. On one play with the second team, he played tight coverage on the outside and deflected a pass to one of his teammates for an interception.

Since then, as cornerbacks Eli Apple and Tre Flowers bounced back from minor injuries, George has slid back down the depth chart. He’s likely scratching for a spot on the Bengals’ practice squad, or any job in the NFL, but he wouldn’t even have made it here without the terrible game he played against one of the best offenses in college football history.

“I figured that I was going to have to get in this way as an undrafted free agent,” George said. “A lot of guys I looked up to from Vandy went this route. It’s not uncommon coming from Vandy to have to grind and get out of the mud. I embrace it for what it is. At the end of the day I’m going to keep trying to make myself proud and my family proud.”

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mike Thomas (80) during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mike Thomas (80) during Cincinnati Bengals training camp practice, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields in Cincinnati.

Bengals training camp observations

• Last year, the Bengals turned to running back Chris Evans as their kick returner for Week 18 and the postseason. He impressed in that short stretch, and now Evans looks like the Bengals best option for that role. His comfort fielding the kicks, explosiveness as a runner and ability to read blockers has stood out.

• The position where the Bengals have the least depth is at defensive tackle. Specifically, they’re looking for another player who can rush the passer on the interior defensive line. Rookie Zach Carter and second-year defensive end Cam Sample both have a shot at a regular role as an interior pass rusher on passing downs. They’re both receiving opportunities and competing for that important role on the defense.

In nearly every practice, second-year defensive end Joseph Ossai has shown his speed off the edge that few other players on the team can match. Consistently, he’s breaking free against the offensive tackle and showing impressive closing speed to chase down the quarterback. Despite that success, Ossai said he expects more from himself.

“A lot to work on,” Ossai said. “Game shape, playing shape. Being in shape. Not coming off. Stay on, fight. Happy with my health, but a lot to work on. Playing the run better, and getting to the pass rush downs.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Allan George's experience vs. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase prepared him