1 00:00:01,480 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: This is Tony Pike Sincy three sixty about Cincinnati. From Cincinnati, 2 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 1: this is ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station. 3 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 2: What a time as we go into our number two 4 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 2: since e three sixty March is here, Madness is ensuing 5 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:25,079 Speaker 2: a lot of college basketball to keep up with spring 6 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 2: training in full action and the NFL offseason never ceases 7 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 2: to slow down. That's why we have guests like the 8 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 2: one we're about to welcome in that helps us keep 9 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:36,559 Speaker 2: our eye on everything going on, because well that's. 10 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 3: What he does on a daily basis. 11 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 2: From Fox nineteen, our good friend Joe Daniman, Joe, what's 12 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 2: going on? 13 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 4: Hi, guys, thought of you guys yesterday. So I'm standing 14 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 4: outside of pay Course Stadium in the middle of the 15 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 4: afternoon doing TV stuff on Dalton Reisner resigning with the Bengals, 16 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 4: and there's some construction work going on outside of the stadium, 17 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 4: and a young man and a hard hat walked by 18 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:05,199 Speaker 4: as I'm in front of the camera and yelled, yeek, 19 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 4: I'm telling you, the nation stands up. Made my day. 20 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 4: It always does. 21 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 3: Oh my goodness, I love it. 22 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 2: You mentioned being there yesterday for the Dalton Reisner. Dude, 23 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 2: We talked about it on air. I don't think I've 24 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,639 Speaker 2: ever heard from a more excited and grateful free agent 25 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:27,040 Speaker 2: signing than what you got from Dalton Reisner yesterday. And 26 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 2: I know everyone kind of assumed it was a layup 27 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 2: and the Bengals made the layup, But what did you 28 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:36,279 Speaker 2: make of the news yesterday? And making sure Riisner's here 29 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 2: and now a question that we don't have to answer 30 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 2: that we had to. I think each of the last 31 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 2: five or six years, you don't really have to answer 32 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 2: much about the offensive line going forward. 33 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 4: I think that's the biggest takeaway from this is that 34 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,080 Speaker 4: both Joe Burrow and Dak Taylor said at the end 35 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,279 Speaker 4: of the year, this is the best the offensive line 36 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 4: has played in Joe Burrow's era in Cincinnati. And I 37 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 4: think if you get that, you hold onto it for 38 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 4: as long as you can. And you think about the 39 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 4: many conversations we've had about the Bengals offensive line and 40 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 4: getting it fixed and getting it right. They've got it 41 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 4: to a point where it's good. It's kind of quietly 42 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 4: good across the league. I'm not sure how many people 43 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 4: actually look at the numbers outside of Cincinnati and see 44 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 4: how good they were this last year, and he's a 45 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 4: big part of that. He's a guy who wants to 46 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 4: be here. He wrapped his arms around Cincinnati. It seems 47 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 4: like the fan base did it right back to him. 48 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 4: I thought the comment yesterday of him saying, I'm gonna 49 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:33,519 Speaker 4: hug Joe Burrow. We'll see if he hugged me back 50 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:35,959 Speaker 4: was a great line. I mean, he lit up the 51 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 4: room and he does that every time he talks, and 52 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 4: those kind of people matter at a workplace and inside 53 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 4: of the locker room. But the fact that Ted Carriss 54 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 4: and Amarius Mims talk about playing their best football with 55 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 4: him out there last year and want him to be 56 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 4: next to them this coming year, I think speaks volumes, 57 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 4: but the terminology is right. It was a layup for 58 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 4: both sides. They both wanted to get it done. They 59 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,799 Speaker 4: got it done. And what do they always say, right, 60 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 4: it's March, it's madness. And in basketball, if you just 61 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 4: see the ball go through the net once, that's when 62 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,120 Speaker 4: you start cooking. So the Bengals got to lay up 63 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 4: on the board. Now we'll see if they can knock 64 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 4: down some jump shots. 65 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,359 Speaker 2: I think, barring a surprise in the next few hours 66 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 2: with Trey Hendrickson and the Tag. A lot of us 67 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 2: assume Trey Hendrickson's time here in Cincinnati is now done. 68 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 2: If that's the case, which we assume it to be, 69 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 2: how do you sum up Trey Hendrickson as a Cincinnati Bengal. 70 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,880 Speaker 4: That it's probably the best free agent signing that I 71 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 4: can remember for the Bengals, considering what he was in 72 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 4: New Orleans and what he became in Cincinnati is a 73 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 4: big part of what the Bengals did to get to 74 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 4: a Super Bowl, and a defense that carried them through 75 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 4: the playoffs that year to get to the super Bowl. 76 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 4: The shame of it is is I still believe there's 77 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 4: a lot of really good football left in Trey Henderson 78 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 4: and whoever he ends up playing with next year, I 79 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 4: think you're gonna look at it and you're going to say, man, 80 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 4: which she was still here in since because the Bengals 81 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 4: could use that kind of production. But it's over. It's 82 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 4: a divorce and both sides kind of feel like they 83 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 4: want to go their own separate ways, and I think 84 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 4: now it's run its course. The way last year played 85 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 4: out in the second half of the year was kind 86 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 4: of the final nail in the Coffin for Trey Henderson's 87 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 4: time in Cincinnati, But I think it's important for people 88 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 4: to look back at the totality of what he did 89 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 4: in Cincinnati as far as his production, and not just 90 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 4: be soured by the final year and the final half 91 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 4: season where he wasn't playing and ultimately it seems like 92 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:38,719 Speaker 4: he forced his way out of Cincinnati. He's the best 93 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,040 Speaker 4: free agency signing I can remember for this team having 94 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 4: and what he did as far as production and helping 95 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 4: this team get to places they hadn't been in a 96 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 4: long time. I hope that's what's remembered for him, not 97 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 4: just the way it ended with the Bengals. 98 00:04:56,720 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 2: You got a chance to cover the combine, and the 99 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 2: combine has now passed. But in doing so we heard 100 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:06,040 Speaker 2: from Duke Tobin and Zach Taylor and Dan Pitcher and 101 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 2: Al Golden and Darren Simmons. Did you gather anything leaving 102 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,280 Speaker 2: the combine and going forward of maybe how they're looking 103 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 2: to attack this offseason or looking to attack the draft 104 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 2: that has changed for you. 105 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 4: I think the word attack is the right word because 106 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 4: I think the tone I felt, and I felt this 107 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:29,800 Speaker 4: ever since Duke Tobin got in front of a microphone 108 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:34,479 Speaker 4: in January and the very rare postseason media availability with 109 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 4: Duke Tobin was they understand the urgency of this offseason, 110 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 4: and while they might not be able to express it 111 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,279 Speaker 4: to kind of tip their hand on what they're doing. 112 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 4: I'm fully believing and expecting them to be very aggressive 113 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 4: in free agency and try to fix this roster defensively 114 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:02,080 Speaker 4: as soon as possible. They know coaching seats are warming, 115 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 4: they know the quarterback's patients is thinning, and they have 116 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 4: to get this thing right this offseason and into the season, 117 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:13,799 Speaker 4: otherwise there's going to be some really difficult decisions made 118 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 4: by the higher ups, the ownership group, the front office 119 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,919 Speaker 4: about what this team looks like in twenty twenty seven. 120 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:24,479 Speaker 4: They get that. I think they fully understand that. I 121 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 4: also think there's an excitement for Al Golden for the 122 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 4: way the year finished, with the defense playing more functional 123 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 4: football in the idea he's going to get some new 124 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:37,839 Speaker 4: ingredients to play with this year. I feel like for 125 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 4: ten to twelve weeks last year, Al Golden was coaching 126 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 4: with basically kid gloves on and really couldn't execute the 127 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:48,919 Speaker 4: kind of style of defense he wanted to try to 128 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 4: deploy here in Cincinnati, So I think there's real excitement 129 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:55,160 Speaker 4: talking to him about specific players and about what it 130 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:57,479 Speaker 4: might look like when he gets more pros on his 131 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 4: defense in twenty twenty six. So I know it's one 132 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 4: of those things I see better than I hear. But 133 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 4: what I've been hearing from the Bengals so far, ever 134 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 4: since the season ended, was an understanding of the urgency 135 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 4: to get it right in twenty twenty six or else 136 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 4: there will be consequences across the board with this team. 137 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 3: That was kind of what I was thinking too, because, 138 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:24,239 Speaker 3: like I've said a couple of different times, that I 139 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 3: think that they understand. I think that they will be active. 140 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 3: Some of the things that they've said would suggest that 141 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 3: as well. But I don't really trust them to understand 142 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:39,280 Speaker 3: the urgency of the offseason, or their definition of urgency 143 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:44,240 Speaker 3: might be different than what everyone else is. So I 144 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 3: guess where does the urgency come from? Is it from Burrow? 145 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 3: Is it from the fact that you know they haven't 146 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 3: won in three years, not gone back to the playoffs? 147 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 3: And why should Bengals fans feel like they actually do 148 00:07:57,600 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 3: understand the urgency. 149 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 4: I think it's very fair for you to say there 150 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 4: should be skepticism because they've had this window now forever, 151 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 4: since Joe Burrow walked in the door, and they really 152 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 4: only pushed their chips to the middle in that one 153 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 4: off season of big time free agency spending. So I 154 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 4: think it's the three years Austin. I think it's three 155 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 4: years of not going to the playoffs. Wait when you 156 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 4: step back and look at it and see what you've 157 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 4: invested with Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase and T Higgins, and 158 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 4: the return on that investment is three years without the playoffs. 159 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,439 Speaker 4: If you can't look in the mirror and say we 160 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 4: have to do something different this offseason besides just directing 161 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 4: and developing and trying to retain our own guys and 162 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 4: think that's going to work again, then that's just that's insane. 163 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 4: That's the definition of insanity if you can't do something 164 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 4: different after seeing it three years in a row. So 165 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 4: I think that's the impetus behind it is the unacceptable 166 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 4: outcomes of the last three years. You know, you can 167 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:02,839 Speaker 4: have a one off year. Your quarterback can get hurt, 168 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 4: things might not go your way, it might have a 169 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 4: bad break, your division might be stacked. All those things 170 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 4: can be a one off year. I get that, but 171 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:14,959 Speaker 4: three years in a row and then the quarterbacks starting 172 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:18,840 Speaker 4: to show some patients cracking, I think those have to 173 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 4: be the buttons you push when it's time to be 174 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 4: urgent and address this thing as soon as possible. Now, 175 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 4: coaches can be urgent, quarterback can be urgent, front office 176 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,080 Speaker 4: can be urgent. But the question is is will they 177 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 4: be given the kind of monetary tools they have to 178 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 4: use to do it? Okay? I mean right, you know 179 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:41,679 Speaker 4: you can go to the grocery store and you can 180 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 4: say I want this ingredient. I want to make that 181 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 4: I want to do this, But then the person with 182 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:47,719 Speaker 4: money says, hey, listen, now, we can't be spending all 183 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 4: this money, and then you're stuck with what you're stuck with. 184 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 4: And so it has to be from every level within 185 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 4: that organization and in that building to be on the 186 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 4: same page and to have the same kind of urgency 187 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 4: to get this done. Here. In twenty twenty seven. 188 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 3: I found it strange that Duke Tobin said he hasn't 189 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 3: had time to meet with Joe Burrow to have a 190 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 3: full debrief. What did what did you think of that comment? 191 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 4: I don't know how often Joe's been in count. This 192 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:22,079 Speaker 4: felt like the off season where Joe has just kind 193 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 4: of wanted to be away and to get away, and 194 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 4: that's understandable. He seemed frustrated. We all saw it. He 195 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 4: seemed angry sometimes when those emotions kick in, and I 196 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 4: don't want to psychoanalyze someone I don't know, but I'm 197 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,960 Speaker 4: just trying to connect some dots here. If you're having 198 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 4: a bad couple of months at work and you have 199 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,079 Speaker 4: a lot of PTO to use, I would want to 200 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:49,959 Speaker 4: get away from work for as long as I could 201 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 4: and just kind of clear my head and do whatever 202 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:54,680 Speaker 4: I had to do. Now they might not be in 203 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 4: front of each other sitting down having meetings, but I'm 204 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 4: sure there's communication that needs to be had. Joe Borrow 205 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 4: is going to have that communication with Duke Cobin and 206 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 4: the important people in that building. But I kind of 207 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 4: think it's probably by Joe's choice that Joe just kind 208 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 4: of wanted to get away. And you know, I don't 209 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 4: believe all the pictures I see on social media. I 210 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 4: don't believe anything anymore when it comes to pictures. I 211 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 4: don't know if it's ai, if it's real, but he's 212 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 4: everywhere right everywhere. But here, he's been. He's been all 213 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 4: over the globe, showing up with the most random places. 214 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 4: And I don't know if it's real or not, but 215 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 4: it just kind of feels like Joe wanted to get away. 216 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 4: And that's good, that's fine, that's what he has to do. 217 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 4: Just just get away for a while and come back 218 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 4: refreshed and let the people who are paid to make 219 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 4: these kinds of decisions to fix this and get this 220 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 4: roster right. Although fair to be skeptical, let them cook. 221 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 2: On the red side of things. You had a chance 222 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 2: to visit the Reds at spring training, and we've seen 223 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 2: what this team has done the early part of spring training. 224 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 2: Is there any question as to Matt McClain's success being 225 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:07,319 Speaker 2: tied to his pant length at this point? 226 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 4: You know what, guys, I'm waiting for somebody to talk 227 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 4: me off the ninety win ledge. Okay, that's where I 228 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 4: am right now. You know, I mean, it's an eighty 229 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 4: three win team. And you go back last year and 230 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 4: you brought up Matt McClain, if I were to challenge 231 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 4: you to go through the entire roster, you would go 232 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,240 Speaker 4: through the roster and said, well, Matt McClain left a 233 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 4: lot on the bone. Spencer Steer didn't perform like we 234 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 4: thought he would. La Da La Cruz has another level. 235 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 4: He could hit. You go into the pitching staff, guys 236 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,360 Speaker 4: who were hurt, Nick Widolo the blister. There are so 237 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:43,959 Speaker 4: many players this team counts on as their core who 238 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 4: I would say underperformed or we expected more of last year, 239 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,319 Speaker 4: and they'd scratched together in an eighty three win season 240 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 4: and made the playoffs. Now if even half of those 241 00:12:56,840 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 4: guys or all of those guys takes a leap forward 242 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 4: and they have a growth year, and then you add 243 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 4: Auohanneo Suarez and now you have left handed specialists in 244 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 4: the bullpen, why can't this be a ninety win team? 245 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 4: Why can't that be a baseline for this team going forward. 246 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 4: It's funny because you know, Austin and I were texting 247 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 4: yesterday about Matt McClain and his two home run day, 248 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 4: and I said, yeah, you know what, you know, Matt 249 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:24,679 Speaker 4: McLain had a nice spring last year, And I went 250 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:26,680 Speaker 4: back and looked at it. He really did. He struck 251 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 4: out seventeen times in fifty five at bats. He hit 252 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 4: about two point fifty at spring. What's his pine? I 253 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 4: guess whatever, But then he looked this year. Fourteen at bats, 254 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 4: one strikeout, and he got pop, and he's been able 255 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 4: to try to cover the outside part of the plate 256 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 4: that gave him so much trouble at the end of 257 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 4: last year and hit one out to right center yesterday. 258 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 4: And if that's the harbinger of what his season's going 259 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:55,200 Speaker 4: to be better played coverage, long pants and having success. 260 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:57,719 Speaker 4: I just look at this team and say, there were 261 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 4: so many guys last year of that just didn't have 262 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 4: great years, and we expect more from And if those 263 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 4: guys take that step, you're looking at a team I 264 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:09,199 Speaker 4: think should be above ninety wins, should be the expectation. 265 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,280 Speaker 4: And I want people to talk me off that expectation. 266 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, my rebuttal, my attempt to talk you off of 267 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 3: that ledge would be the words you used about five 268 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 3: times during that spiel, was if if, if, if, if, if? 269 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 3: Why should I believe that those guys are going to rebound? 270 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 3: Why should I believe that everybody's going to get through 271 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 3: the season entirely healthy? Like I don't have a lot 272 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 3: of right, That's what I'm saying, Like those things are 273 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 3: going to happen, and I just don't you know the 274 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 3: Matt McClain that we've seen. Yes, it was a pretty 275 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 3: small sample size in twenty twenty three. We haven't seen 276 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 3: much of it since then. Suarez, Yeah, okay, I'm all 277 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 3: all on board with that, but he's going to strike 278 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 3: out a lot, and who's to say that he can 279 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 3: keep hitting forty five plus homers a year. Doesn't happen 280 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 3: all the time for a lot of people. Hunter Green 281 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 3: continues to have injury issues. I just I understand where 282 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 3: people are coming from, because I do think the ceiling 283 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 3: is really high, and I said it yesterday. I think 284 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 3: they could win the National League Central. I just don't 285 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 3: know that I trust them to put it all together 286 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,200 Speaker 3: at the same time, because I haven't seen them do 287 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 3: that other than for twelve games in twenty twenty three 288 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 3: and have that team's gone. 289 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 4: Because the IF comes with pedigree, and the pedigree of 290 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 4: a Matt McLain is a first round draft pick who, 291 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 4: when we saw him healthy in twenty twenty three, looked 292 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 4: like a rising star. The IF with Hunter Green comes 293 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 4: with being the number two overall pick, with an arsenal 294 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,480 Speaker 4: of elite stuff that we've seen be an all star. 295 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 4: The IF comes with pedigree with Spencer Steer of a 296 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 4: guy that hit more than twenty home runs in three 297 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 4: straight years. The pedigree matters to me that when these 298 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 4: guys are evaluated at a young age and smart baseball 299 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 4: people project them to be a certain level of player, 300 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 4: those guys typically aren't that far off of what guys 301 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 4: become now. Careers can be changed by injury, and that's 302 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 4: where we are with Matt McClain, is wondering what his 303 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 4: career arc is. Is he twenty twenty three Matt McClain 304 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 4: or is he twenty twenty five Matt McLain the only 305 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 4: two seasons we've seen him in Cincinnati, So ex choose 306 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 4: your fighter, right, Is it the Matt McClain that's going 307 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 4: to be a star in twenty twenty three or is 308 00:16:29,320 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 4: it twenty twenty five Matt McLay. You're wondering is he 309 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 4: ever going to be the same. And it's hard for 310 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 4: me to stand on this call here and say it's 311 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 4: going to be one way or the other. But my 312 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 4: if is going to lean on the pedigree with with 313 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 4: Matt McClain and with Hunter Green, and certainly when you 314 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,600 Speaker 4: talk about any team, the idea of health is at 315 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 4: the crux of all of it. I mean, what are 316 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 4: the Dodgers going to do with Shiahilotani and Yamamoto get injured. 317 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 4: I know their depth is insane and they'll be fine. 318 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 4: It will make the playoffs, but without those guys, probably 319 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 4: not winning a World Series. I do like the depths 320 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,600 Speaker 4: of the Reds rotation, and that's baked into this as well. 321 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 4: The fact that they have probably six or seven starters. 322 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,159 Speaker 4: If you want to throw Brandon Williamson in there, that 323 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 4: can help this team over one hundred and sixty two 324 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 4: game schedules. They're going to need all of them. Everybody 325 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 4: wants to debate, it's Chase Burns, Arett loud A a 326 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 4: fifth starter. They're going to need all seven of those 327 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 4: guys throughout this season to get to where they want 328 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 4: to go. I like that now you're seeing some of 329 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:32,919 Speaker 4: these utility guys. These role guys had moments in spring 330 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:36,400 Speaker 4: Nathaniel Lowe's had some moments. JJ Blade's had some moments. 331 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 4: Dane Myers has had some moments. And I understand it's 332 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 4: spring training, but it feels like the roster is deeper, 333 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 4: especially on the starting rotation. It feels like it's deeper. 334 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 4: And more proven in the bullpen, and if they can 335 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:52,640 Speaker 4: get the front line guys in their every day eight 336 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 4: to take a step forward, I get it if, but 337 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:58,440 Speaker 4: I think that if comes with a lot of pedigree 338 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 4: for a lot of these guys that we expect that 339 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 4: if step this year to. 340 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 2: Get to that ninety win plateau, you would need others 341 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:07,480 Speaker 2: to chip in and help. And I feel like everyone 342 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,240 Speaker 2: we've talked to that's been at spring training has talked 343 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 2: about South Stewart and they've talked about Chase Burns a lot. 344 00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 2: South Stewart has had a great start so far to 345 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 2: spring hitting over four to twenty. He's got two home runs, 346 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:20,480 Speaker 2: and then you look at what Chase Burns has done 347 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,879 Speaker 2: fifty four percent with rate, including a seventy five percent 348 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 2: with rate on the slider that he's been throwing. Which 349 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 2: of those two players' success would contribute to more wins 350 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 2: over the season. If you had to talk about what 351 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,959 Speaker 2: you're getting out of Chase Burns or what South Stewart 352 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 2: could be for this lineup, you had to pick one, 353 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 2: which one could be more impactful? 354 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:43,720 Speaker 4: Such an awesome question to try to pick which one 355 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 4: would affect winning more for the rest My stock line 356 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 4: on Chase Burns is this. While the debate at spring 357 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 4: has been he's in competition for the fifth spot, I 358 00:18:54,359 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 4: think by the end of the year he'll be closer 359 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,480 Speaker 4: to the competition of being in the Reds playoffs rotation 360 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 4: one of those spots than he is to the back 361 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 4: of the rotation. That that's where I think he is. 362 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 4: And I understand Haunter Green, Andrew Abbott and Nicklodolo exists. 363 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 4: I think he can leap frog Nick Lodolo this year 364 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 4: if if everything goes right for Chase Burns and we'll 365 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 4: see about innings, etc. Et cetera. But I think his 366 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 4: upside is higher even this year towards the top of 367 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:24,719 Speaker 4: the rotation than it is for the back of the rotation. 368 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,920 Speaker 4: But the fact that the red have that depth at 369 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 4: starting pitching and we saw last year a team that 370 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:34,439 Speaker 4: was shut out what thirteen times and really struggle to 371 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 4: score runs any pop consistently you can put into this lineup, 372 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 4: I think is going to be more of an indicator 373 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:47,160 Speaker 4: of this team's success than It's hard to say because 374 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 4: baseball is all about pitching another elite arm. So if 375 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:53,120 Speaker 4: you put my feet to the fire and say take 376 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 4: one that's going to affect winning. I'll take the guy 377 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,440 Speaker 4: that plays every single day and there isn't as much 378 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 4: depth at that part of the game. I'll take South Stewart, 379 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 4: but I think Chase Burn's feeling is higher, maybe than 380 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 4: anyone on the team not named Eligamon Cruise. 381 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:12,119 Speaker 2: I have two quick basketball questions before we let you go. 382 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:12,320 Speaker 4: One. 383 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 2: I saw Jeremy Ralph post a photo today of finishing 384 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 2: up coaching this year. How would you describe, if you've 385 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 2: understood it all, Jeremy Rouse's coaching style. 386 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 4: I would say this about Jeremy Rouse's coaching style. He 387 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 4: gets very frustrated as youth basketball players, which cracks me up, 388 00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 4: and it's a reminder to me why I've never done it. 389 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 4: I just don't feel like I could commit myself with 390 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:41,240 Speaker 4: this schedule to find a way. Good on him. He 391 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 4: found a way to get it done. But I've seen 392 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:47,359 Speaker 4: now my kids are moving out of youth sports and 393 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 4: their high school sports. Now is the parents playing time debate, 394 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 4: And I'm so glad I've gotten out of that where 395 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:02,199 Speaker 4: every kid has to play the same amount of time world, 396 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 4: and I don't envy any coach who has to live 397 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:08,760 Speaker 4: in that world. So good on Jeremy. He smoked a 398 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:11,080 Speaker 4: cigar in a hot sob in Arizona, and I think 399 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:12,959 Speaker 4: it was because the season was coming to an end. 400 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 2: Secondly, we've entered the stage of I guess far sighted 401 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 2: bubble watch for the Cincinnati Bearcats. And listen, I know 402 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:26,040 Speaker 2: the start of the year, in the early on, there 403 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 2: were some bumps along the way, and this team had 404 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 2: every opportunity to roll over Joe. After the West Virginia loss, 405 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 2: they've done just the opposite. They've got an opportunity for 406 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:38,919 Speaker 2: two quad one wins to close out the regular season. 407 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:43,360 Speaker 2: Tell me about the opportunity that presents itself at Fifth 408 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:44,240 Speaker 2: Third Arena tonight. 409 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:49,680 Speaker 4: B Yu is vulnerable. They've been vulnerable since Richie Saunders 410 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 4: left the lineup. They've lost two straight games. Their defense 411 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 4: can't stop anybody. This is right there for you see now, 412 00:21:57,800 --> 00:22:01,200 Speaker 4: what's the number? Okay, you see this sixteen right now? 413 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:05,439 Speaker 4: Sixteen wins is twenty one. The number is twenty The 414 00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 4: number because that would be two wins to end the 415 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:10,640 Speaker 4: regular season. That would be two wins in the Big 416 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:11,920 Speaker 4: Twelve tournament, and it. 417 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 2: Would be a ten and eight regular season in the 418 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 2: Big Twelve and I. 419 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:20,400 Speaker 4: Pushed the Brakes right because every year on Selection Sunday, 420 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 4: I want to write in my note app that the 421 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 4: tournament committee does not care about the conference tournament as 422 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,720 Speaker 4: much as we do. It just feels that way every 423 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 4: single year. But twenty wins and you played in the 424 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 4: Big Twelve and you've looked like a tournament team with 425 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 4: Gisel James, what's that saying? You put yourself in position 426 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:47,679 Speaker 4: to be in position, get it done tonight, get it 427 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 4: done this weekend, and now you've got a beating heart 428 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:52,119 Speaker 4: going to the Big twelve tournament. 429 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:55,479 Speaker 3: Is there any sort of if pedigree for westvillor. 430 00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 4: Well done? Yes? Well done? 431 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:01,639 Speaker 2: If you're at twenty wins and then you look and 432 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 2: you're like man ten and eight in a very good 433 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:06,640 Speaker 2: Big twelve, I think it gives you life. I think 434 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 2: it gives you an opportunity. And to that, I say yeap, 435 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:12,840 Speaker 2: and I say thank you Joe Daniman for joining us. 436 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 4: Yet you boys, thank. 437 00:23:15,480 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 2: J Daniman, Fox nineteen's finest follow along with Joe, whether 438 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:24,880 Speaker 2: it's high school hoops, the Reds, the Bengals, FC, Cincinnati 439 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:27,959 Speaker 2: college basketball, they've got it all working for him at 440 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:31,160 Speaker 2: Fox nineteen right now, and we certainly appreciate his time 441 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 2: each and every week as we appreciate yours, Which happens 442 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 2: next on talkbacks on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports station, 443 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 2: Hey Alexa