1 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,519 Speaker 1: Hike and everybody. I'm Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,799 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast. The I Think a change A 3 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: change would do you good. Addition, as we visit with 4 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: a player and a coach who are changing teams this year. 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: The player is offensive lineman Xavier sua Philo, who joins 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 1: the Bengals after four years in Houston and two years 7 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 1: in Dallas. The coach is Al Golden, the former head 8 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: coach of the Temple Owls and Miami Hurricanes, who is 9 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: now in charge of the Bengals linebackers. And speaking of change, 10 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: nearly everybody in that group is new to the Bengals 11 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:47,240 Speaker 1: this year. Those conversations are coming up. The Bengals Booth 12 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:51,199 Speaker 1: Podcast is presented by Prime Sport, the official fan, travel 13 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: and hospitality partner of the Cincinnati Bengals. And here's a 14 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of 15 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: this podcast delivered right to your own tablet or computer 16 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: by subscribing on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or pod Bean. 17 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: It's the greatest thing since finding the right golf ball. 18 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:16,839 Speaker 1: I have no idea if my favorite golf ball fits 19 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 1: my swing speed or is technically the one I should 20 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: be using. All I know is that when I use 21 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 1: the Calloway Chrome Soft brand, I feel more confident. And 22 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 1: that's the key, right. Maybe it's because they're expensive and 23 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,839 Speaker 1: I'm a sucker for marketing. Who knows, but the Callaway 24 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: Chrome Soft is my current favorite. If you would like 25 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 1: to try one, just get a tea time after me 26 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 1: and search the woods to the right on any hole 27 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 1: that requires a driver. Now, let's get to football. My 28 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: first conversation this week is with one of eight unrestricted 29 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:55,800 Speaker 1: free agents who signed with the Bengals in the offseason, 30 00:01:56,320 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 1: offensive lineman Xavier sua Philo, who reportedly got a three year, 31 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: nine million dollar deal. Xavier was a two time All 32 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: American at UCLA before being selected with the first pick 33 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,799 Speaker 1: of the second round in the twenty fourteen NFL Draft 34 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: by Houston. After coming off the bench as a rookie, 35 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:18,240 Speaker 1: Xavier started for three seasons at left guard for the 36 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: Texans before joining the Cowboys as a free agent. He 37 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 1: began each of the last two years in Dallas as 38 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: a backup before moving into the starting lineup due to injuries. Now, 39 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,679 Speaker 1: the six four, three hundred twelve pound lineman is a 40 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 1: Bengal and is expected to replace John Miller as Cincinnati's 41 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: starting right guard. I spoke to Sue Philo this week 42 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: from his home in Arizona. Xavier described the free agent 43 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 1: process this time around and how things came together with 44 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:49,080 Speaker 1: the Bengals. It was a pretty quick process. You know, 45 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: got done and really the first day, and it was 46 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 1: awesome relief. It was really grateful for it. But once 47 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:59,080 Speaker 1: your contract is up with a team and you're not 48 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 1: quite sure what happened and you hit the market, you know, 49 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 1: anything can happen. I've done it twice, and so you know, 50 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: I was just very very excited that, you know, the 51 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: Bengals called and can't wait to get out there. After 52 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: you signed, I asked Zach Taylor if he expected you 53 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: to be the starting right guard, and he didn't hesitate 54 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 1: in saying yes. How do you approach the season knowing 55 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: that the job is there for the taking? Well, that's 56 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: the ship is. You know, the kind of faith that 57 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: you're coach has to you. That's awesome. But you know, 58 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 1: coming out there, you know that you said that it's 59 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 1: there for the taking, you have to take it. You 60 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: know everything's turned that way, and I know that it's 61 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: not going to be easy, you know. Ever, coming in 62 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: to a new place with a new system, with other 63 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: players to compete, you know, And so that's what I'm 64 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: planning to do. And I'm very, very excited. We're visiting 65 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 1: with Xaviers Sue a Philo. You're twenty nine years old, 66 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: so you're not exactly old, but it's a very young 67 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: offensive line. Trey Hopkins is twenty seven. Everybody else is 68 00:03:56,440 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: twenty five or younger. Will you look to lead this group? Yeah, 69 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: I hope to, um lead by example and see how 70 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 1: it goes. Like I said, I'm coming in new and 71 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 1: you know, there's a lot of guys. You know. You 72 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: mentioned Trey. You know, Stay's a good player, and he's 73 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: a center, you know, and um, you know, being the 74 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: starter and running that room. You know, I'm sure he'll 75 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 1: continue to do what he's good at, you know. And 76 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,280 Speaker 1: so for me, I just like to come in and uh, 77 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: you know, learn, earn everybody's respect, and then uh compete 78 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:31,600 Speaker 1: and win games. Xavier suffered up broken fibulous in the 79 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,919 Speaker 1: next to last game of the year. Broken bones. He'll obviously, 80 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,559 Speaker 1: but were you worried about the timing in the final 81 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,480 Speaker 1: year of your contract? You know, I wasn't too worried 82 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 1: about it. I was just worried about the recovery. You know, 83 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 1: I've never broken a bone before, knocked on wood and 84 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 1: so um, you know, I have faith, and uh, I 85 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: just thought the timing was it just kind of sucked. 86 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: You know, boning in the offseason. You know, it's nothing 87 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 1: that somebody wants, but it also is part of our 88 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 1: game and injuries happen. And firm believer, and you know, 89 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: basically it's kind of how you manage those and mentally 90 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 1: and physically, you know, kind of determined on exactly how 91 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 1: quickly your rehab goes and how I guess tolerable it is. 92 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:18,280 Speaker 1: You have primarily played on the left side in college 93 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 1: and in the NFL, the anticipation is the right side 94 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 1: in Cincinnati. Have you practiced much on the right side? 95 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: And how big of a challenge is that as a guard? 96 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,400 Speaker 1: As a guard, switching side isn't always easy. But you know, 97 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 1: fortunately for me, I've had to wrap it both sides. 98 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 1: And even though like you mentioned, I've primarily played on 99 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:42,039 Speaker 1: the left side and cause in the NFL in games, 100 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: I've done a lot of reps and taking a lot 101 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: of work on the right side, especially in practice, in 102 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:51,839 Speaker 1: some preseason and stuff, and so you know, getting comfortable 103 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 1: there in a game, you know, something that's going to 104 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: have to be by experience. But I definitely so good there. 105 00:05:58,400 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: End up getting in a right handed stands to do 106 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 1: things on the right side. Is It's not foreign to me. 107 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 1: The Bengals were very successful in the second half of 108 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: the season last year with a pin and pull rushing attack. 109 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:11,599 Speaker 1: Had really paved the way for Joe Mixon to have 110 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 1: a big second half. Does that fit your strengths? Hey, 111 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 1: I'm an offensivelnement. I love running the ball. We always do, 112 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:21,119 Speaker 1: and we know that. You know, a lot of stress 113 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:23,239 Speaker 1: gets taken up the quarterback and the rest of the offense. 114 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: You know, if you're able to run the ball successfully, 115 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: and so starting with the big guys up front, part 116 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 1: of protection is being able to run the ball. And 117 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: having a big chunk back that I fixed in. You know, 118 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: it definitely helps. I've been fortune the buck for some 119 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,359 Speaker 1: good facts in my career, so you know, to me, 120 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:42,679 Speaker 1: that's very important. And I love running the ball too. 121 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: We're spending a few minutes with Xavier suet Filo. The 122 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: Bengals were among the most active teams in the NFL 123 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 1: and free agency, including signing your former Houston teammate DJ Reader. 124 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:57,160 Speaker 1: What are the Bengals getting in him? And a great 125 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 1: player and a great person, you know, I just remember 126 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: any came in and just kind of how he was, 127 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 1: you know, a real easy going, laid back person off 128 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: the field, but on the field, very very, very competitive, 129 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 1: and I'm excited to have him as a teammate again 130 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: in this year's draft Savior. Six of the bengals seven 131 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: draft picks were captains in college. And when I look 132 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: at your background, I see Eagle Scouts, team captain of UCLA, 133 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: somebody who served others in a two year Mormon mission. 134 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: It seems like that stuff's very important to you. Yeah. Absolutely, 135 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: it's being service oriented. It's definitely who I was raised 136 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: to be by my folks, and I'm grateful to him 137 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: for it. Growing up, getting your Eagle Scout was kind 138 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: of a rule in my family, especially for the young men, 139 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 1: and so it started off as something I had to do, 140 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: ended up finishing it as something that I was excited 141 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: to do. So it means a lot. How have you 142 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 1: been training during this pandemic? You know, I have some 143 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 1: stuff at home, but I also go to a you know, 144 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: I live in Phoenix, in the Phoenix area, and there's 145 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,679 Speaker 1: been a couple of gyms and a couple of rehab 146 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,360 Speaker 1: facilities that have been deemed essential and they've been privately 147 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:09,440 Speaker 1: owned and are opened, and you know, through proper social 148 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: distancing and cleansing and all that kind of stuff, I've 149 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 1: been able to keep working out and keep listening way 150 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: to keep rehabbing it. So I've been fortunate in that sense. 151 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: Gonna have to, you know, Mike, any time due to 152 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: the pandemic, how challenging has it been to try to 153 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: learn the offense and get to know your teammates from afar? 154 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 1: That is the challenge right there, you know, learning the offense, 155 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: I've been fortunate. You know that it's you know coming 156 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 1: pretty easy. You know, playing going on seven years. You know, 157 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: a lot of you know a lot of the football 158 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 1: stuff that extras and os is very similar. Um it's 159 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: just identified differently or they use different words in different terms, 160 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: and so a lot of that is memorization. But getting 161 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: to know my teammates, you know, I that's something I 162 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: feel like, Um, it's a little harder virtually obviously, but 163 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: I don't think I have a problem, you know, sitting 164 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 1: right in just being able to talk ball, talk football. 165 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: See how things hit people's heads differently, you know, they're 166 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: formed a way of thinking communication. It's it's been cool. 167 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: And you know, I've I've I knew Billy Price before 168 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 1: I got signed by Cincinnati. I went to school with 169 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: Alex Redman, you know, obviously I know DJ and so 170 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:25,360 Speaker 1: it's some familiarity that way, especially in the offensive line room. 171 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 1: Uh but you know there's always room, you know, to 172 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 1: get to know him better, and we will once we 173 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: get this thing rolling. How did you get to know 174 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 1: Billy Price? You know, Billy I met Billy Um when 175 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: he was training for the Combine out here in Phoenix 176 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: as well, and I've always kind of, you know, kept 177 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:45,040 Speaker 1: in touch with him, you know, and he was one 178 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: of the first people to to text me congratulations, you know, 179 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:50,559 Speaker 1: when I got drafted or when I got signed with 180 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 1: the with the Bengals, and so seeing him in the 181 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: meetings you know every day too is as always as 182 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:01,199 Speaker 1: always a few more questions for Saviors A Philo. What 183 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 1: are your impressions of Joe Burrow, whether it was from 184 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,760 Speaker 1: watching him on TV or any contact you might have 185 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 1: had since man. You know what, I haven't met him 186 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 1: yet obviously in person or or virtually. You know, he's 187 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: been in our team meetings, but I just excited to 188 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 1: have him. You know, he's the truth, you know, as 189 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: someone you know, some people could say he's had as 190 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:29,080 Speaker 1: an exciting career college career as anyone can have in 191 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:31,599 Speaker 1: a memorable one too. You know, I'm just excited for 192 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: him to, you know, come in and be in the 193 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 1: NFL and and have that same type of success. And 194 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 1: I only wish the best for him, you know, especially 195 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: now that I have the opportunity of block for him. Xavier, 196 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 1: your father is of Samoan descent, and I understand that's 197 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: led to a connection to former Bengals Ray Mala Luga 198 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 1: and Domata Peco. Is that correct, right? So, you know, 199 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: I'm not sure if it's you know, what it is, 200 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 1: but you know, in the NFL, there's quite a bit 201 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: off someone, quite a bit of tongue in, you know, 202 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 1: and then everyone just kind of gravitates towards each other. 203 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 1: You know, it's almost pretty common to seek out, you know, 204 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 1: if there's any pald Agians on the other team after 205 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: the game. But I played against Don't Talk when he 206 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: was in Cincinnati, and he's always been cool to me. 207 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 1: And I know he's a lot older than me, but 208 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 1: when I was a young player, especially him being a veteran, 209 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 1: you know, he was just always real good to me, 210 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 1: you know, whenever we played against them, and you know, 211 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 1: just asking me things after the game, you know, just 212 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: about you know, my family, who they are and how 213 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 1: they're doing, you know, just taking an interest that way. 214 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: And so I know he played there for a long time, 215 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 1: and so I've always you know, been thought that was 216 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:39,199 Speaker 1: neat and Ray. I watched Ray it, you know, when 217 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 1: he was at USC, like we all did, and you know, 218 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:43,959 Speaker 1: he just wanted like he had a heck of a 219 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:46,800 Speaker 1: career over there. And him being someone like you know, 220 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 1: in USC being as popular as they were at that time, 221 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 1: you know, it's really neat to you know, you know, 222 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 1: get to see him. And likewise, I played against Ray, 223 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:57,200 Speaker 1: you know, in the NFL while he was was Cincinnati too, 224 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 1: and so you know, he reached out to me as 225 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:01,960 Speaker 1: well when I signed with the Bengals and told me 226 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:03,200 Speaker 1: when I got out there, you know, to give him 227 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:06,439 Speaker 1: a call and maybe grabbed some lunch and he can, 228 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 1: you know, just kind of you know, teach me a 229 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 1: little bit about there and you know, maybe the Kentucky 230 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 1: side or the Cincinnati side, and so just very neat 231 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: and very cool the you know, to met those guys 232 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 1: and nipples happened to, you know, be with the Bengals 233 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 1: for a significant amount of time. Final question for newcomer 234 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:25,559 Speaker 1: Xaviers Sue a Philo. Tell us a little bit about 235 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: your family and how you've been coping with COVID nineteen restrictions. 236 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 1: I've been married five years to my wife, Heather. We 237 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: met when we were in Utah. She played volleyball at YU. 238 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 1: We have two kids. We have a four year old 239 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 1: son named Lennox, and I have a two year old 240 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 1: daughter named TVN. Tan's birthday's next month, my son's birthday 241 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 1: is a month after, and sometime in between there, my 242 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 1: wife's expected to give birth to a new to another boy, 243 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 1: so we're just getting ready for that. And during this 244 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: pandemic has been really cool, you know this, And even 245 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 1: though I've been able to work out, it's been really 246 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 1: cool to spend a lot of time with my wife 247 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 1: and kids. You know, as you know, during the season 248 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: it can get hard especially with work and even with 249 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 1: OTAs and so having a virtual offseason. You know, it's 250 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: been Obviously it's different enough being in there as the team, 251 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,679 Speaker 1: but it's been nice, you know, spending as much time 252 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: of my wife and kids as I have. And I'm sure, 253 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:26,440 Speaker 1: well I'm sure they would say the same, you know, 254 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: even though some days I'm not sure about my wife 255 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:33,160 Speaker 1: wants me to go to work around but I yeah, 256 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: it's just been really neat and living in Phoenix out here, 257 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 1: you know, we've been safe and really really blessed. Actually, 258 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: you know, I know it's a lot of folks are 259 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: having a hard time, you know, out there, and so 260 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 1: it's an interesting time in our country, and I you know, 261 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 1: and I'm just we're just fortunate. I think that extra 262 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:54,079 Speaker 1: family time has been the silver lining for many of us. 263 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,839 Speaker 1: And we certainly wish you the best. With the baby 264 00:13:56,920 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: boy on the way, that's very exciting and we're excited 265 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 1: to have you with the Bengals organization. So thank you 266 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 1: with the time, and I look forward to meeting you 267 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: face to face. Yea, sir, thanks for having me man, 268 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 1: I'm really excited. Xavier has appeared in seventy eight career games, 269 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:16,440 Speaker 1: including three playoff starts for Houston. Before we get to 270 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:18,839 Speaker 1: the next guest, here's a quick reminder that you can 271 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: take your Bengals pride to the next level in twenty 272 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 1: twenty with an official Bengals fan package from Prime Sport. 273 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: One of the most obvious areas where the Bengals must 274 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: show improvement this year is the play of their linebackers. 275 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 1: Nick Vigil and Preston Brown, who started the first eight 276 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: games last year, are both gone, and so is linebackers 277 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 1: coach Tim Lucaboo, who left to become the defensive coordinator 278 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: at Boston College. The bengals new linebackers coach is fifty 279 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 1: year old Al Golden, who spent ten years as a 280 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 1: college head coach at Temple and the University of Miami 281 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 1: before spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach 282 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 1: with the Detroit Lion Al. I know the wide receivers 283 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 1: coach Bob mcnell was on your staff at Temple. Was 284 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 1: that connection significant in leading to your opportunity with the Bengals, Well, 285 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 1: it certainly was, but there were others as well. Coach 286 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 1: Callahan and I were together in Detroit. Jimmy Turner, I 287 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: used to work with him at the Boston College football 288 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:26,480 Speaker 1: camp when I was up at Boston College, so really 289 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: I crossed paths with the You know a lot of 290 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:32,120 Speaker 1: these guys in the past or had mutual friends, but 291 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 1: certainly Bob was instrumental in this whole process. You're new 292 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 1: to the Bengals, and so are the guys in the 293 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: linebackers room. Of the nine guys you have, Jermaine Pratt 294 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 1: and Jordan Evans were basically the only two that played 295 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 1: for Cincinnati last year. How big of a challenge is 296 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 1: that for you? Well, I don't know if it's any 297 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: different challenge wise. I think you know, the defense starts 298 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 1: over every year, and you know, from Matt standpoint, we're 299 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 1: just trying to implement and install based on what Cincinnati 300 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 1: d last year. Where Lucy's you know, the defense going 301 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: this year, and then you know, our job is to 302 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: kind of fill in that chasm really between where our 303 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:20,560 Speaker 1: goals are an execution. So we're spending all of our time, 304 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: you know, basically trying to iron out the details and 305 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 1: find some corrections. And the veterans in the certainly the 306 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 1: veterans in my room have been really really instrumental, and 307 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: uh and moving it forward, let's discuss the personnel, beginning 308 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: with free agent signy Josh Bines. It's a nine year vet, 309 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 1: he's got a Super Bowl ring, he's got a National 310 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: Championship ring from his time with Auburn. How important was 311 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 1: it to add a seasoned veteran like Josh Bines, experienced, 312 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 1: proven winner, leader, very bright, a vocal leader at the 313 00:16:56,520 --> 00:17:00,160 Speaker 1: last strument. So I think from from that standpoint, he 314 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: brings a lot to the room. And I wasn't here 315 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 1: last year to contrast, but certainly I can tell you 316 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:11,119 Speaker 1: just moving forward that he's been pivotal, uh in the 317 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:15,399 Speaker 1: standard that he's setting, in what he demands of the 318 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:18,160 Speaker 1: younger guys, and the example that he said. So it's 319 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:20,879 Speaker 1: been it's been great having him. It really has been. 320 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 1: So that even shows in Zoom meetings. Oh, there's no 321 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: doubt in terms of the Zoom meeting. You know, sometimes 322 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 1: guys can play their way, you know, out of a 323 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 1: mistake on the field, through instincts or where the ball hits. 324 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:40,119 Speaker 1: But when you're running the Zoom meetings or you're asking 325 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 1: him questions, there's really nowhere to go. And I think 326 00:17:42,320 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: what Josh does better than most is he's confident in 327 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 1: his answers and he's not afraid to ask why so, Um, 328 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:52,640 Speaker 1: he makes you a better coach, he makes his peers better, 329 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: he makes our defense better. He's come up with some 330 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: good ideas as well, and uh, and we're not afraid 331 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: to implement game as we move forward. We're chatting with 332 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 1: linebackers coach Al Gold and Jermaine Pratt wound up playing 333 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:07,879 Speaker 1: forty one percent of the snaps last year as a 334 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: rookie and started the final eight games of the year. 335 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: What stands out about Jermaine when you watch him on tape. 336 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 1: The one thing is, you know, he plays big. He's 337 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: a big man. He could play inside or outside. He's 338 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: got a good long speed and I think from that standpoint, 339 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 1: he's got versatility. So I think the one thing that 340 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 1: is jumping off, you know right now in terms of 341 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,480 Speaker 1: the offseason program is you know, he's just much more 342 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:38,440 Speaker 1: confident in his answers according to everybody that that's been 343 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:41,680 Speaker 1: with him, you know. So I think the year things 344 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: are slowing down a little bit for him, which should 345 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: translate the faster play on the field. So we're excited 346 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 1: about Jermaine and he's had a good off season. We 347 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 1: just got to continue to maintain that. He struck me 348 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: as a guy last year during his rookie season that 349 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 1: was all ball, I mean, love football, wanted to get better. 350 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 1: Do you sense the same I do. I'm excited, you know, 351 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 1: I'm excited to work with him and uh, he was 352 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: a young man. I had a chance to interview, you know, 353 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 1: the previous year coming out and uh. You know, now 354 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 1: I have a chance to really, you know, sit down 355 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 1: with him and uh and work with him. And I'm 356 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: looking to you know, get get with him face to 357 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:21,159 Speaker 1: face here and then your future. Now. Three of the 358 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:24,399 Speaker 1: seven draft picks were linebackers, beginning with third rounder Logan 359 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 1: Wilson out of Wyoming, a three time captain there. What 360 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:31,440 Speaker 1: are you getting in Logan Wilson? I think Logan has 361 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:35,119 Speaker 1: the ability to play four downs, um and uh and 362 00:19:35,119 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: and really, when you look at the pool of talent 363 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,360 Speaker 1: coming out of college anymore, it's hard to find guys 364 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 1: that are two h forty plus souh. He's a two 365 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:49,159 Speaker 1: forty pound throwback linebacker on early downs. But man, he 366 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 1: played so much coverage uh at Wyoming and covered the 367 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 1: field really well. So he gives us versatility there uh, 368 00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: not only inside but outside. H has coverage responsibilities. And 369 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 1: then obviously if you think he's a candidate to help 370 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:07,440 Speaker 1: us on special teams, so we're really a bright kid. 371 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 1: He's working hard at it, he's learning well, and we're 372 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 1: excited to work with him moving forward. The game has 373 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 1: obviously changed. How critical is coverage ability for a linebacker 374 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:21,120 Speaker 1: in the current NFL? Well, I think it's it's it's 375 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:23,920 Speaker 1: really hard because you know, we used to say guys 376 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:27,360 Speaker 1: that couldn't cover were two down players, but the reality 377 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 1: is those guys now are one or one and a 378 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 1: half down players because second and long, you know, there's 379 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 1: so much pass in our league now. So I think 380 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: that kind of transitions into why we felt so confident 381 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: about a team Davis Gaylor and Marcus you know, Bailey 382 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,280 Speaker 1: and taking them when we did. So. Both of these 383 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: young men are also four down candidates. They're guys that 384 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 1: can play on early downs, they can play in the 385 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 1: sub you know, certainly they could be out there in 386 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: two minute situations. You love to match up with them 387 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 1: on a tight end or a running back, and I 388 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:03,239 Speaker 1: think Darren Simmons and Cult are going to love them 389 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 1: in the special team's room. So again we're excited about that, 390 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 1: that entire group. And then Marcel Spears, an undrafted free agent, 391 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:14,360 Speaker 1: another kid that can play all the downs, and we're 392 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:17,159 Speaker 1: excited about him as well. So again it's a it's 393 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 1: a good group to work with. They're working hard, they 394 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: come prepared every day, and I think the tone that 395 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:27,919 Speaker 1: has been set by the older guys, you know, Austin 396 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:32,360 Speaker 1: Khalatro and Josh and Jordan Evans, I think those guys 397 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: have done a great job following up on a Keen 398 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:37,760 Speaker 1: Davis Skaith, your fourth round pickout of app State. He's 399 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 1: two hundred and twenty four pounds, so he is a 400 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:42,880 Speaker 1: little bit undersized. How did he convince you that he's 401 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 1: big enough to be effective in the NFL. Well, he's 402 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 1: a striker, you know, so he's explosive and can strike. 403 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,919 Speaker 1: I think you got to find, you know, ways to 404 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:57,359 Speaker 1: use them on early downs. As I mentioned earlier, he'll 405 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 1: be someone that should stand out in space the self package, 406 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:05,679 Speaker 1: and again I just think he's tough. He can see it. 407 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 1: You know, he hasn't played inside a bunch. He was 408 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:14,359 Speaker 1: kind of a nickel alley player at app State. But 409 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:17,359 Speaker 1: when we had him in the Senior Bowl. Number One, 410 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 1: he was a leader. Number two he was smart. And 411 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:23,200 Speaker 1: three he really started to see and fit the run 412 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 1: as the week evolved, and I thought that was a 413 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:28,760 Speaker 1: great sign for him. We're visiting with linebackers coach Al 414 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:32,120 Speaker 1: Gold and Marcus Bailey, the seventh round pick out of Purdue. 415 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:34,639 Speaker 1: In your mind, would he likely have been a second 416 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 1: or third rounder if he didn't tear his ACL last September. Yeah, Again, 417 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 1: I won't get into that speculation about where he would 418 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,360 Speaker 1: have went. All I know is we had him significantly 419 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:46,000 Speaker 1: higher than where we took him. So when we saw 420 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 1: him there, we saw a great value. And he has 421 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 1: not disappointed. He's a bright young man, very confident. He 422 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 1: prepares and learns well. So we're excited about him. But 423 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 1: we worked hard on him, We really did. We researched 424 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 1: a lot of background on him. We studied his junior year, 425 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,159 Speaker 1: We studied, you know, his senior year, the couple of 426 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:14,959 Speaker 1: games that he played. We waited for Pro day drills, 427 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:18,119 Speaker 1: if you will, to start coming in prior to the draft. 428 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:21,359 Speaker 1: They came in probably about a week prior to the draft. 429 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 1: In addition to that, we got every man coverage shot 430 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:30,480 Speaker 1: that we could in his career just to evaluate his 431 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:33,399 Speaker 1: man coverage ability or his ability to cover in space. 432 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 1: And I think the confluence of all those things just 433 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 1: let us down the road of you know, this is 434 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:40,919 Speaker 1: a guy that we want to we want to have 435 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: on our team and work with. So we're excited about Marcus. 436 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:46,640 Speaker 1: You managed to get in a one on one workout 437 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:50,160 Speaker 1: with Marcel Spears, the undrafted free agent out of Iowa 438 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:54,879 Speaker 1: State before the coronavirus restrictions kicked in. How pivotal was 439 00:23:54,920 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 1: that in evaluating his potential? It was pivotal for whatever reason. Um, 440 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 1: I went right from the combine and UH and did 441 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 1: a kind of a mid Atlantic swing that first week, 442 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 1: and then that second week I did kind of a 443 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: midwest UH swing, if you will, and UH, I wanted 444 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 1: to see him in Aims. We couldn't pull it off, 445 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 1: and then I asked him if I could see him 446 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:24,800 Speaker 1: at his high school and work him out. And there 447 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 1: was a lot of logistics there that we had to 448 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:29,280 Speaker 1: work through, and I had to change my flight. I 449 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:33,840 Speaker 1: was coming from Madison, I believe the day before I 450 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:37,680 Speaker 1: was in Wyoming. So everything worked out, but certainly as 451 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:41,040 Speaker 1: I was flying that last forty eight hours. I had 452 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,399 Speaker 1: a feeling there was an end, there was an endgame 453 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:46,399 Speaker 1: coming up, you know, so I was really excited to 454 00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:51,640 Speaker 1: get ten in person evaluations done in that first few 455 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:56,480 Speaker 1: weeks following the you know, the combine and UH and 456 00:24:56,680 --> 00:25:00,040 Speaker 1: Futrel Kendall. Futrel was one of those as well. So, 457 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,359 Speaker 1: you know, I think it paid great dividends for us 458 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:05,760 Speaker 1: because Logan was on that group, Utrell was on that group, 459 00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:08,720 Speaker 1: Spears was in that group, and obviously we had a 460 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,879 Speaker 1: keen down at the Senior Bowl, so we had experienced 461 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:16,680 Speaker 1: with all those guys. Your schedule out has been crazy 462 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:21,680 Speaker 1: since these coronavirus restrictions hit. You had just joined the organization, 463 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:25,040 Speaker 1: you were at the Senior Bowl, the scouting combine, and 464 00:25:25,080 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: then shortly after that everybody's forced to shelter in place. 465 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:33,400 Speaker 1: How have you dealt with getting a new job under 466 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 1: these circumstances. Very I'm very fortunate. You know, Zach was 467 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:42,439 Speaker 1: great prior to the combine. Zach, you know, made time 468 00:25:42,520 --> 00:25:46,679 Speaker 1: for us to evaluate everybody. So really it was the 469 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 1: first time that I've gone to the combine having evaluated 470 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:54,600 Speaker 1: every linebacker that was there, so the world were no surprises. 471 00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:58,359 Speaker 1: I had specific targets in mind. I had guys that 472 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:01,199 Speaker 1: I needed to spend a lot of time with. I 473 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 1: think from that standpoint, that was invaluable. And then went 474 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:07,520 Speaker 1: on the road right after the combine for for two weeks, 475 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:11,679 Speaker 1: and then when it stopped, we transitioned into football and 476 00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:14,680 Speaker 1: preparation for the draft. But the draft was already done, 477 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:16,960 Speaker 1: so I was able to move in our minds the draft. 478 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:20,600 Speaker 1: The linebacker board was basically set, so I was able 479 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:22,879 Speaker 1: to start to transition into the football side of it, 480 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 1: which has been great. And and then we've just been 481 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:29,679 Speaker 1: juggling ever since. You know, I think everybody you know 482 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:33,479 Speaker 1: feels comfortable with how we're doing it in terms of 483 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:36,679 Speaker 1: zoom and different meetings, and we've had we've had a 484 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:42,400 Speaker 1: really good schedule, intense, you know, more intense with the rookies. 485 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 1: You know, we're really challenging the vets. And then whatever 486 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:48,439 Speaker 1: time is left over, we're either meeting as a staff 487 00:26:48,560 --> 00:26:52,080 Speaker 1: or breaking down you know, combinations of the staff, or 488 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 1: just working on our own. So we've gotten a lot 489 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:56,439 Speaker 1: of work done. We're going to need every bit of 490 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:59,560 Speaker 1: this next month to you know, to finish everything. But 491 00:27:00,520 --> 00:27:02,600 Speaker 1: I think I think would be in a good place, 492 00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:05,880 Speaker 1: you know for reach from unders final question for Al 493 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 1: Golden you played on some great teams at Penn State 494 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:11,720 Speaker 1: and you are a captain under the legendary Joe Paterno. 495 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:14,960 Speaker 1: What are some of the biggest lessons that you learned 496 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 1: from coach Paterno that you use in your coaching career. 497 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:22,520 Speaker 1: Joe was the ultimate in empowerment. You know, he wanted 498 00:27:22,520 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 1: to build, you know, young men that would not only 499 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:30,239 Speaker 1: be successful you know, in the classroom, but also you know, 500 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:32,399 Speaker 1: in the community and on the field of competition. And 501 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:36,560 Speaker 1: I think the way you kind of uh classify that 502 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:39,360 Speaker 1: is that he was the ultimate empower So I think 503 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 1: from from that standpoint, I've learned how to empower young 504 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: people and teach them how to how to adapt or 505 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,560 Speaker 1: how to figure things out and you know, not make 506 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:51,800 Speaker 1: excuses and not worry about things they can't change. And 507 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 1: I think from that standpoint that was always a great lesson. 508 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 1: And the used always say to us, you know, run scared, 509 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:01,200 Speaker 1: and what run scared men, was that you just you prepared, 510 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,640 Speaker 1: you prepared, you prepared right up until the last moment, 511 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:07,120 Speaker 1: and then once the ball is kicked off, you'll feel 512 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:10,440 Speaker 1: great about where you are and from that standpoint. Basically, 513 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:13,639 Speaker 1: what we're doing right now is trying to We're running scared, 514 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 1: you know, we're acting like we don't know when this 515 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:19,880 Speaker 1: thing is going to change, and we're just we're just 516 00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:22,479 Speaker 1: working like crazy every day because we don't know, you know, 517 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:24,760 Speaker 1: what the future holds. But we're not going to waste 518 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:27,560 Speaker 1: this time that we have. And I think I'm blessed 519 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:31,479 Speaker 1: to have these this group of linebackers to work with 520 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:33,400 Speaker 1: every day. It's been so much fun. It's a great 521 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,400 Speaker 1: way to wrap it up. All. I appreciate the time, 522 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:37,800 Speaker 1: and I look forward to meeting you in person. All right, 523 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:41,240 Speaker 1: same here, hopefully so rather than later. Okay, we'll talk soon. 524 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:44,720 Speaker 1: My thanks the Xavier, Sue, Philo, and Al Golden. And 525 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 1: that's going to do it for this episode of The 526 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:50,400 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth podcast, brought to you by Prime Sport, the 527 00:28:50,440 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 1: official fan, travel and hospitality partner of the Cincinnati Bengals. 528 00:28:55,240 --> 00:28:58,480 Speaker 1: If you haven't done so already, please subscribe and if 529 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:00,840 Speaker 1: you have a minute, give it a rate or share 530 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:04,920 Speaker 1: a comment that helps more Bengals fans find this podcast. 531 00:29:05,520 --> 00:29:08,160 Speaker 1: I'm Dan Horde, and thank you for listening to The 532 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth podcast