1 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: Hi again everybody. I'm Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast. The Just when they think they've 3 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: got you game said match, here comes the comeback. Addition 4 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: is Joe Burrow and offensive line coach Frank Pollock return 5 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:27,319 Speaker 1: to Paul Brown Stadium. Coming up, Dave Lapham joins me 6 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:31,160 Speaker 1: for a thirty minute conversation as we discuss those comebacks 7 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: and answer the ask lap questions that you submitted on Twitter. Plus, 8 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 1: we'll talk to Special Teams coordinator and assistant head coach 9 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: Darren Simmons. The Bengals Booth Podcast is presented by bud 10 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 1: Light Seltzer. Refresh the game, and here's a quick reminder 11 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 1: that you can add the latest edition of this podcast 12 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer by subscribing 13 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 1: on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or odd Bean. It's 14 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: the greatest thing since a new toothbrush. I went to 15 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:09,839 Speaker 1: the dentist last week shout out to doctor Eric Lenz, 16 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: and as is always the case, I left his office 17 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: with a little goodie bag, including a new toothbrush, and 18 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: the first time I brushed my teeth with it, I 19 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 1: was reminded of how good it feels to use a 20 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 1: brand new one. According to the American Dental Association, a 21 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 1: toothbrush is typically in good working order for about three 22 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 1: to four months. So if it's been longer than that 23 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: and the brushes are frayed and pointing every which way, 24 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: by yourself a new toothbrush, it'll put a smile on 25 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: your face, hopefully an even brighter one. Now time for 26 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 1: Dave Lapham to answer my questions and yours. Lap Let's 27 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: start with the return of Joe Burrow to Cincinnati. He'll 28 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 1: be rehabbing five days a week at Paul Brown Stadium, 29 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: and he did a zoom call with reporters on Tuesday. 30 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: What stood out to you in that zoom call? I 31 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 1: think his positive attitude about the rehab. You know, I 32 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:11,960 Speaker 1: think that he feels like he's a quick healer. The 33 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,640 Speaker 1: the torn ro trator cuff that he had surgery on 34 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: and the quick healing process that he's gone through already 35 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: from a rehab standpoint, I think is an indicator. You 36 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 1: know that that's that's how his body type is, which 37 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:28,240 Speaker 1: is which is encouraging. And you know the thing about 38 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 1: him is every grind is a challenge and this might 39 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: be the biggest grind slash challenge of his of his 40 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 1: career obviously, but I think he's up to it. I 41 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: think in his mind he wants to be have the 42 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,679 Speaker 1: training staff and the rehab people say he's the best 43 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 1: we ever had. Joe Burrow wants to be number one 44 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 1: and everything, and that's that's the way he approaches it. 45 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 1: And uh, and I think that's a that's a good thing. Obviously. 46 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 1: I liked how he acknowledged the need to be better 47 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: on the deep ball. I think sometimes athletes will kind 48 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: of dan it's around something that was a weakness or 49 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 1: a problem, and he addressed that head on, even saying 50 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: that he needs to get bigger and stronger. Yeah. I 51 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: think that that. Uh. You know, sometimes guys, players, really 52 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: good players, are the last ones to realize they still 53 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 1: have things they need to get better at. You know, 54 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:20,920 Speaker 1: they quote think they've arrived. As such. I don't think 55 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow is the kind of guy that'll ever think 56 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:25,640 Speaker 1: he's arrived. I think he's one of those guys that 57 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: is always gonna, you know, strive to be better, find 58 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: a weakness, build on that, and then and then take 59 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:34,359 Speaker 1: a positive and make that even better. You know. I 60 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: think he just across the board. He's always never going 61 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: to be satisfied, always going to want to strive to 62 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: be better, and that's what makes the good ones great. 63 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 1: He said something else that caught my ear, and this 64 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: also gets back to something he said in his interview 65 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: with Colin Cowherd last week. When Coward talked to him 66 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: about what he can improve on from his rookie year 67 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 1: or what lessons he learned, he specifically brought up the 68 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: Colts game and said he learned that when it's twenty 69 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: one nothing in the NFL, you cannot take your foot 70 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 1: off the gas pedal. Yeah, there's there's no doubt. I mean, 71 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 1: today's offense is the way people can attack the excellence 72 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 1: at the quarterback position. No lead is safe, There's no 73 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,039 Speaker 1: question about it. That's why you know, in the Pittsburgh 74 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 1: Cleveland game, when they jumped out to that twenty one 75 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 1: nothing lead, I thought, well, yeah, that's a good that's 76 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: a good indicator that this game could turn out well 77 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: for them tonight. But is certainly not over. And you know, 78 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 1: even Chris and all we're talking about when they in 79 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 1: the second and the third quarter, there's still a two 80 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 1: score game plus, so They're like, this football game is 81 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,719 Speaker 1: not over and that's just life in the National Football League, 82 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: there's no question about it. And that's something that you 83 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 1: know you have to adjust to for sure. So Burrow 84 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: hopes to be throwing in mid February, twelve weeks after surgery, 85 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,600 Speaker 1: and he seems confident that he'll be ready to go 86 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 1: in time for Week one of the regular season next year. 87 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 1: Do you have any concern about him pushing too hard? 88 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 1: I think that's always a concern with the guy of 89 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow's makeup. You know, Joe, Joe is h He's 90 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: a very self motivated guy. You don't have to light 91 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 1: a firecracker under Joe's but to get him going. Man, 92 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:14,679 Speaker 1: you know, he wakes up ready to roll every single day. 93 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: Um So I think, honestly, yeah. The thing that you 94 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,359 Speaker 1: have to think about if you're directing his rehab, like 95 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 1: Nick Cosgrey is gonna Nick. Nick is excellent. Nick's as 96 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:25,799 Speaker 1: good as there is in the in the world. Really 97 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 1: in doing what he does, is you're gonna have to 98 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 1: put a harness on him and continue to pull him back. 99 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: You don't have to worry about pushing him. He's gonna 100 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: push himself but you know, if you feel like boy, 101 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 1: you know, my experience tells me, even though he might 102 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:41,840 Speaker 1: be able to do it at this stage, might be 103 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:43,600 Speaker 1: doing a little too much. I'm gonna pull him back, 104 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 1: pull the reins a little bit, and uh, you know, 105 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:49,279 Speaker 1: try to tame this wild bronkin buck right now. Um, 106 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 1: I think I think that's kind of that's kind of 107 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: the mindset that everybody's gonna have to approach you with. 108 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: And Joe's gonna have to realize that these guys, know, 109 00:05:56,760 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 1: you know, it's not it's not anything personal. It's not 110 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 1: like they're trying to, you know, retard your rehab process 111 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 1: or anything like that. But you have to have trust 112 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: and faith in your rehab people to make sure that 113 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 1: you don't become your own worst enemy. You know, you 114 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 1: don't do too much because there are going to be setbacks, 115 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: and you don't want there to be self impost setbacks. 116 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 1: Those are the worst setbacks to have when you do 117 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: it to yourself. All right, let's move on to the 118 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: return of Frank Pollock as the offensive line coach. Were 119 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: you at all surprised the Bengals were able to lure 120 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 1: him back, considering that Zach didn't try to keep him 121 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 1: in the first place, when Frank was still under contract 122 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: a couple of years ago. Yeah, that that was an 123 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:42,840 Speaker 1: interesting situation. I think it shows that both men aren't small, 124 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 1: you know. I mean it was a situation where, all right, 125 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 1: Zach had made a commitment that he was going to 126 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: go with Jim Turner, and I think, I mean, there's 127 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: no doubt in my mind that Mike Brown would have 128 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 1: liked Zach to interview. You know, Frank can see what 129 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,800 Speaker 1: he thought. But at that point, I think through the 130 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 1: grapevine or whatever, I think he knew that you know, 131 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 1: Zach was was had his guy, had his guy, Jim Turner. 132 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: So I think I'm going to credit Mike Brown on this. Obviously, 133 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: Frank asked Mike Brown probably to say, look, would you 134 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: please just let me go because I have opportunities out there. 135 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: Don't don't don't make it a situation where you might 136 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: want me to hang around an interview with a guy 137 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:26,880 Speaker 1: that I know has already made his mind up. Can 138 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: I go somewhere else and take advantage of an opportunity 139 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: that might present itself. So bottom line is, no bridges 140 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: were burned anywhere. You know, I think there was a 141 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 1: healthy ghost through respect everywhere. Frank said right away that 142 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: he appreciated the way that he was treated by the 143 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 1: Brown family upon his return. So it tells me that 144 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: not only whe he was treated while he was here, 145 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: but when he exited, he was treated with respect. So 146 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: I think the fact that that that's the way they 147 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: parted ways, I think led to coming back together again. 148 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: And and and I think the run game coordinator, even 149 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: though you know it's just a title, how much responsibility 150 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 1: would come with that title. I think there will be some. 151 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: And I think that you know, in the in the 152 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 1: progression of Frank Pollock's career to have that title in 153 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: addition to offensive line coach, and it probably economically was 154 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 1: a benefit as well to have that title. Then you 155 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: come back and put things back together again, and I 156 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: see them working well together. And the good thing is 157 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: the players that were here when Frank was here the 158 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: first time are excited about his return, and that's always 159 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: a big plus. Joe Mixon among them. Joe Burrow told 160 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 1: us in that Zoom interview yesterday that Joe Mixon called 161 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 1: him up after Frank Pollock was announced and was quote 162 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 1: hooting and hollering, why do you think Frank is so 163 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: popular among players. I think it's his whole approach to 164 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 1: the game of football. You know, some guys talk about 165 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: their love of the game. Frank doesn't have to talk 166 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 1: about it. He just shows it all the time. It 167 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: oozes out of his pores, you know. And he played, 168 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 1: you know, he played nine years in the NFL as 169 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 1: a player, so he understands a lot of what the 170 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 1: guys are thinking, what they're going through, you know, from 171 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 1: from firsthand experience. And I think that's always a plus. 172 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 1: I mean, I think he feels like he can relate 173 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 1: to the locker room because he did as a player, 174 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: and he knows, he knows the type of coach that 175 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: he respected as a player, so he wants to be 176 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:30,079 Speaker 1: that type of coach and make sure that he builds 177 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:33,439 Speaker 1: those kind of relationships. So I think all of that 178 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 1: is a part of the equation. Plus, you know, he's 179 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 1: damn good at what he does. I mean, he's really 180 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:42,319 Speaker 1: a good He teaches not only schematic not only does 181 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,559 Speaker 1: he teach a good scheme that you can believe in, 182 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 1: And that's very important. Are you buying, honestly buying what 183 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: your coach is selling. And I think with Frank, Guys 184 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 1: really do consume and buy everything he's selling in terms 185 00:09:56,840 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 1: of his schematic, this technique. And he doesn't just teach technique. 186 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:04,199 Speaker 1: He teaches you know, how to do, how to how 187 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: to I execute the technique. Here's what I want you 188 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: to do, and here's why I want you to do it. 189 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: And when you have those questions answered, you know, it's 190 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 1: much easier to digest, you know. And and I think 191 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 1: he also is as a former player. I think he 192 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: felt like, when I come off the field, if I 193 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: have something to say to my coach, I hope my 194 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 1: coach listens to it, you know, and appreciates it a 195 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 1: little bit. So I think he realizes he knows that 196 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 1: Hopkins is smart. He knows Bobby Hart's smart. He knows 197 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: there are some smart guys intelligence football IQ guys and 198 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: that and that upfront. If they come off the field 199 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 1: and say something, you know, it's I don't know if 200 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 1: I can believe that. I think he there's there's a 201 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 1: trust there, you know, that develops between the line coach 202 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,680 Speaker 1: and the lineman, and I think that's a that's a 203 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: big factor. I've always always said that when the coach 204 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: has both they both respect and like, I mean that 205 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: that's and you don't necessarily have to like them, but 206 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: when that does happen, when you have both, man, there's 207 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 1: a synergistic effect there. And I've said before and I 208 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 1: still maintain that the guys that I saw that the 209 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:10,839 Speaker 1: best example of that I've ever seen as Dick Lebal. 210 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,439 Speaker 1: I don't think there's one ex player of Dick Lebal, 211 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 1: whether it's quote disgruntled about lack of playing time or whatever, 212 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: that does not love and respect Dick Lebo as a coach. 213 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,880 Speaker 1: That's hard to do. And I think Frank because of, 214 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 1: you know, his experience as a player. Dick was a 215 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:28,319 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame player as well as a Hall of 216 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 1: Fame coach. Frank was played a long time in the 217 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 1: National Football League. That's hard to do, and I think 218 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: players both respect, you know, and like Frank as well. 219 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: The use of the word center just Dick has just 220 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 1: elevated the intelligence level of this podcast, So thank you 221 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: very much. Billy Price is another guy who very publicly 222 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 1: came out in support of this move. He clearly looks 223 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: at it like a new lease on life. Do you 224 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 1: think Billy or anybody else in particular benefits from the 225 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: return of Frank Pollock. I think that the thing that 226 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 1: you have to go into it with, and I think 227 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 1: Frank is doing it as well. It's kind of it's 228 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:09,199 Speaker 1: a clean slate, you know. I'm going to start by 229 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 1: examining tape and see what I see with my own 230 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: eyes in terms of what talent is available to me 231 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 1: on the current roster, who's approaching free agency, who's back 232 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,439 Speaker 1: for sure, all those kind of things. Can they play. 233 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: But you know, Billy had a great relationship with Franky 234 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 1: were when they were first together, so you would expect 235 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:34,600 Speaker 1: that to continue, and Billy is looking for a fresh start, obviously, 236 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 1: a new lease on life is such. The thing that 237 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,480 Speaker 1: Billy has to do is continued to try to improve 238 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: on the areas where he's had problems. And in my mind, 239 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 1: his big thing is balance. Because of his arms being 240 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 1: a little bit short, he's out of balance a lot. 241 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 1: You know, he's over extended his chins over his skis 242 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:56,920 Speaker 1: and you know he's on the ground some. So that 243 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 1: that's the biggest thing. I don't care who the coach 244 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:01,880 Speaker 1: is if they can't figure out, together with the player, 245 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: how to keep that player in balance and let him, 246 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: you know, stay on his feet and finish plays. Um, 247 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: you know, it doesn't really matter. But you know, maybe 248 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: Frank has has some ideas to help Billy with that. 249 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 1: You know that Jim didn't, and maybe Billy can respond 250 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 1: to that and make an adjustment. And it's all about, 251 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: you know, adjustments, and sometimes sometimes a coaching change is 252 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: just what a player needs. People say, oh, he went 253 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:33,199 Speaker 1: to a he got a fresh start, new location, you know, 254 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:37,079 Speaker 1: new environment. You can get that internally instead of not 255 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:40,199 Speaker 1: necessarily a new place, but a new environment. I mean, 256 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,959 Speaker 1: it's it's the guy you deal with every single day 257 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 1: of practice, your coach. When that changes, everything changes. So 258 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 1: offensive line coaches filled Troy Walters is reportedly being promoted 259 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,440 Speaker 1: to become the wide receivers coach, They still have vacancies 260 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: a defensive line coach and running backs coach as far 261 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:59,679 Speaker 1: as we know at least any thoughts on what they 262 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 1: should be looking for there. If I'm the head coach, 263 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: get together with the rest of my position coaches on 264 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: offense and say who have you coached with that you 265 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 1: really think is that I was standing running back? Give 266 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:15,360 Speaker 1: me your guy's input. Who do you think would mesh well, 267 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:17,719 Speaker 1: you know, with with the rest of these coaches, who 268 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 1: do you think would mesh well with the type of 269 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: personalities we have, you know, players that they're going to 270 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 1: be coaching um and and there's always uh some you know, 271 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 1: a list can be made up of that, because then 272 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 1: then the mesh would be easier because there'd be some 273 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 1: familiarity a little bit. And the same with defense. I 274 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 1: would I would sit down, uh you know, if I'm 275 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 1: lou Anna Rumo or Zach you know, I'd sit down 276 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 1: with lou and offense, sit down with Brian Callahan and say, no, 277 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 1: make a list based on what your assistants are saying, 278 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: and you make me a list of guys that you 279 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 1: feel would would uh, would mesh well marry well with 280 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: the rest of our coaching staff, and let's target then 281 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: instead of doing this big you know, bulls eye target, 282 00:14:56,840 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 1: this big target, why don't we bulls eye it a 283 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 1: little bit and see if we can come up with 284 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 1: somebody that would would fit in philosophically, what we're trying 285 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: to do, how we're trying to teach it, all those 286 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 1: kind of things. All right, I am putting you in 287 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: the shoes of Duke Tobin. Yeah, give me your top 288 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: three priorities in order you're talking about from a position standpoint, Yes, sir, 289 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 1: I would talk about initially both lines of scrimmage DAN 290 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: one and two. You know, however, you want to do 291 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: it one and one. A doesn't because even in this 292 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: era of all kinds of formations, all kinds of personnel groupings, 293 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 1: window dressing, motion jes see, follow this crap. Who advanced 294 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 1: in the playoffs, the teams that won the line of 295 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 1: scrimmage period, the teams that won the line of scrimmage. 296 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 1: Cleveland beat Pittsburgh up up front on both sides of 297 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 1: the ball. I was very surprised about it, but I 298 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 1: guess I shouldn't have been because Cleveland Pro Football Focus 299 00:15:57,120 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: has the Cleveland Browns number one rated run team, run 300 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 1: game old line and pass protection old line, and they 301 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 1: played that way. So I think that I think it 302 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 1: starts there. It starts there. I think you have to 303 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: find out who's who you're going to be able to 304 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 1: make sure you don't lose anything in free agency, obviously, 305 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,120 Speaker 1: and what you might be able to retain in free agency, 306 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 1: and then go to the draft and approach it accordingly 307 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: based on what happened in free agency. First and foremost, 308 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 1: But then I would address both lines of scrimmage. Initially 309 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: I would. I'm a firm believer in you know, I 310 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: think whenever guys have big games, guys up front played 311 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: well as well and gave an opportunity. You know, you 312 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 1: can have very talented players and they can look very 313 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: average if the offensive line is getting overwhelmed by the 314 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:49,520 Speaker 1: defensive line, and vice versa. So if O line and 315 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: D line are one and two in either order, do 316 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: you have a third priority? You know, I would, depending 317 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: on what happens on the back end. I just think, 318 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 1: you know, if I've got my defense line address and 319 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: my offensive line addressed, I'm looking at, uh, you know, 320 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 1: somebody to cover people on the back end. I do 321 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,520 Speaker 1: think it's a it's a you know, it's a passing league. Still, 322 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: even though teams that are running the football did well 323 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: in the in the playoffs, Uh, Cleveland ran it well, obviously, Baltimore, Well, 324 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 1: we know that the AFC northall other than Pittsburgh now, 325 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 1: which is crazy for me to even think to say 326 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: and then say it, they can't run the football. That's amazing. 327 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: But um yeah, I think I think having a cover 328 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:36,679 Speaker 1: guy back there. But still in my mind, Dan, you 329 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:41,919 Speaker 1: can you can still get away with not having top 330 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 1: notch cover people if you have an outstanding pass rush. 331 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 1: If you have no pass rush, you have to address 332 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: the back end. But even even with that, you can't 333 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,760 Speaker 1: cover people forever back there. It's impossible. The athletes are 334 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:58,679 Speaker 1: too good. So if you pass rush and coverage go 335 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: hand in hand, Jing and Yang, But I would still 336 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: try to improve both of those errors in that side 337 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: of the football, all right. I threw out an invitation 338 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:12,399 Speaker 1: on Twitter for ask lap questions. They came pouring in 339 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:17,680 Speaker 1: this week. Many about the draft will start with Sam 340 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 1: and basically many people ask the same question with different wording. 341 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: Did the performance of Alabama wide receiver Davante Smith in 342 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 1: the National Championship Game? Make you rethink what the Bengals 343 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: should do with the fifth pick? And JT put it 344 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: this way, If Piney Sewell, Jamar Chase, and Davante Smith 345 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:41,640 Speaker 1: are all there at number five, who do you think 346 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:46,199 Speaker 1: the Bengal should take. I'm like falling along what I 347 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 1: talked about just a little bit ago. I'm a suol 348 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 1: guy at that point. I think all those guys are 349 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:56,679 Speaker 1: phenomenal players, great weapons. But you know, T Higgins, Tyler 350 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,400 Speaker 1: Boyd still have guys. If you don't have people up 351 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 1: front that are giving your quarterback an opportunity to not 352 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: be affected by what he the first stage of it is, 353 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 1: oh my god, I want to get I don't want 354 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,120 Speaker 1: to be watching the pass rush and being concerned there. 355 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: I get to get my eyes down field the coverage. 356 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:15,360 Speaker 1: And if you're getting hit quarterbacks, I mean they don't 357 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 1: get their eyes downfield as quickly as they should, you know, 358 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: And and there's a whole and then and then it 359 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: just kind of unfolds on unravels from there. But um, 360 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:27,360 Speaker 1: as I've seen, I've seen great skill people wasted because 361 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: they weren't given an opportunity to perform. But if if 362 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:34,440 Speaker 1: if honestly, if Stool's gone, for example, at number five, 363 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:36,479 Speaker 1: and I think he might go as high as number two. 364 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:38,160 Speaker 1: I think the Jets might take him at number two. 365 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 1: So if he and you know, and try to develop 366 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 1: Donald and that tackle would help develop him, they have 367 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 1: one and maybe try to get the book in tackling 368 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 1: and see if Donald can develop. But if if Seol 369 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 1: is gone and the next tackle is you know on 370 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:57,639 Speaker 1: my board is down there at you know, ten or 371 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: eleven and I'm picking at five, and I've got these 372 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 1: receivers that would would be closer to the top five, 373 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:06,640 Speaker 1: I'd stay true to my board, you know, I would. 374 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:08,400 Speaker 1: I would think about it at that point in time. 375 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,720 Speaker 1: I still would always if it's close, I would. I 376 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: would draft by need if it's not a huge disparity 377 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,440 Speaker 1: and where I have them ranked on my board. But 378 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 1: if there's a pretty good disparity there, if you know 379 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: you're dropping out of the top five with a guy 380 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: you're picking a fifth, and you're dropping out of the 381 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: top five and you're maybe barely staying in the top 382 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 1: ten with a position of need, I might stay true 383 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 1: to my board and see if I can get it 384 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:34,479 Speaker 1: done early in the second round with the bigger need. 385 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 1: A related question to that from Joe Joe Jammer. If 386 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,879 Speaker 1: you trade down, how far are you willing to go? 387 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,639 Speaker 1: If I'm if I'm trading down, I've got to have 388 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: at least two guys in mind that i'd be comfortable with. 389 00:20:48,040 --> 00:20:51,399 Speaker 1: So if I'm trading down to say number twelve, and 390 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 1: I don't think one of the two guys that I'm 391 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: comfortable with trading back, I think there's no way that 392 00:20:57,119 --> 00:20:59,440 Speaker 1: both of them are going to be gone, I'd trade back, 393 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,399 Speaker 1: but my mind is dicey if both of them might 394 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: be gone, I wouldn't trade back that far, you know, 395 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 1: I'd always I would never trade back thinking I have 396 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:10,960 Speaker 1: this guy in mind, and that's the guy that's going 397 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:14,159 Speaker 1: to you never know. You have to have a plan B. 398 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: You can't. You can in my mind, you can never 399 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:20,479 Speaker 1: trade back if you don't have two people that you 400 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,800 Speaker 1: know on your board. Aren't There's not a big disparity 401 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 1: with them on the board. They're about the same spot 402 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: on the board, maybe a couple of different positions, but 403 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:30,119 Speaker 1: on the same spot on the board that you'd be 404 00:21:30,160 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 1: good with. If you trade it back and then getting 405 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:36,199 Speaker 1: the additional pick, you might be able to address the 406 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:39,399 Speaker 1: other need that you had of the two options, you know, 407 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 1: with that extra pick or your fifth pick in the 408 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 1: second round. But I would never trade back for one 409 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:49,640 Speaker 1: specific guy thinking oh, I'm going to get him. Man 410 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:53,320 Speaker 1: the draft pickle, telling you you'll get slapped right across 411 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:57,760 Speaker 1: the face and doing that from three kid TAXI. Great title, 412 00:21:57,800 --> 00:22:00,960 Speaker 1: by the way, And this is related to the possibility 413 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: of potentially drafting DeVante Smith. Is there a fear of 414 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 1: drafting players from Alabama, it seems like they have injury 415 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:12,359 Speaker 1: issues once they're selected. Yeah, that's uh, that's very interesting 416 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 1: because particularly at the running back position, because Nick Saban 417 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 1: works those horses. I mean, he runs those horses. He 418 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: doesn't he doesn't walk them around the track man. They're 419 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:24,680 Speaker 1: always running and and and his practices are pretty physical. 420 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 1: So there has been, you know, a very pretty long 421 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:32,320 Speaker 1: history of running backs that have been injured when they're 422 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: at Alabama either that or come out and or injured 423 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:39,240 Speaker 1: pretty quickly early in their career. Because you know, it 424 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: does in my mind, it does make a ton of sense. 425 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,960 Speaker 1: You only have so many carries in that body, you know, 426 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 1: physical carries, and if you're burning them up early, you know, 427 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: that's a that's a little bit of a consideration. But 428 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:56,120 Speaker 1: to me, the the trend was so dynamic that it was. 429 00:22:56,280 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 1: It wasn't just oh that's a coincidence. You know, there 430 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 1: has to be a little bit more to it than that. 431 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 1: But at the receiver position, I'm not really sure. I mean, 432 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: the thing obviously, the thing about Smith that is going 433 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,639 Speaker 1: to concern people one hundred and seventy seven pounds. You know, 434 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:12,639 Speaker 1: he was a buck sixty six when he was a 435 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:15,679 Speaker 1: freshman at uh at Alabama and they beat him up 436 00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:20,119 Speaker 1: unbelievable eleven pounds. You know, but he's wiry, he's still strong. 437 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:24,280 Speaker 1: But in the SEC, in the in the playoffs, those 438 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:26,680 Speaker 1: are good players. But the NFL is a cut above. 439 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 1: I mean the NFL the corners run faster linebacker. When 440 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 1: he when he beat the OHIU State linebacker. Um, I'm 441 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 1: not saying he's not going to be the linebacker in 442 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:37,520 Speaker 1: the NFL, but it might be a better match than 443 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 1: it wasn't that college game. They hit hard, they're they're bigger, faster, stronger, 444 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 1: and can run. That means there's going to be bigger impact. 445 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: And you know, you're always you're always worried about a 446 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,439 Speaker 1: guy at that size, you know, with that kind of 447 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,960 Speaker 1: impact coming across the middle of the football field for 448 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 1: example of what have you so? Um, yeah, it's that 449 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 1: that I guess that's something that you have to think 450 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 1: about these He's all, we're coming at every level and 451 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:04,720 Speaker 1: when guys overcome it to the because the level that 452 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:08,480 Speaker 1: he has in terms of the best, he came out 453 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 1: of nowhere and this guy he wasn't even he wasn't 454 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:14,760 Speaker 1: even the number one receiver at Alabama going into the 455 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 1: season until there was injury, broke an ankle, and you 456 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 1: got to you gotta give him a ton of respect. 457 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:23,439 Speaker 1: But um, it's a it's a small sample size, but 458 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:26,200 Speaker 1: it's a hilacious sample size. There's no doubt about it. 459 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:29,639 Speaker 1: From Bengals, Bobby, did you respond better in your playing 460 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:32,679 Speaker 1: days to a gym turner coaching style or a Frank 461 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:36,920 Speaker 1: Pollock coaching style? Back when I played, there was it 462 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 1: was more universally a gym turner coaching style, and so 463 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:46,160 Speaker 1: you didn't really experience, uh, you know the other I'm 464 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 1: not saying it didn't happen, and I'm not saying I 465 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 1: didn't have coaches, a ligne coaches, a couple that weren't 466 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 1: more like the Frank Pollock coaching style. And I think 467 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 1: the Frank Pollock coaching style in today's NFL works better 468 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 1: because players, I mean, it's not that we didn't want 469 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:07,479 Speaker 1: to ask why, but you just didn't. It just that 470 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,280 Speaker 1: was the that was the culture. What a coach said 471 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:13,439 Speaker 1: was gospel, and whether you believe that or not, you 472 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:17,199 Speaker 1: better change your beliefs because it's gospel today. And I 473 00:25:17,240 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 1: believe I think this has improved the game today. Everybody 474 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 1: says why why, coach, Just tell me why, just so 475 00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 1: I can understand if I think that you have to 476 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 1: you have to change with the times. I think coaches 477 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: have to adapt and I think, you know, personality and 478 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:35,840 Speaker 1: being able to deal with different players. Nobody's the exact 479 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 1: same physically. And that's that's where I think frank Um 480 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:44,440 Speaker 1: basically excels is he's got his techniques Stan but it's 481 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:47,439 Speaker 1: not like one size fits all. Well, we may have 482 00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:49,679 Speaker 1: to modify this technique because you've got short arms. You 483 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 1: have a long trunk, but shorter arms, And you can 484 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:54,000 Speaker 1: do this because you have long arms and a shorter trunk. 485 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:57,400 Speaker 1: Not everybody's the same physically. So he does a good 486 00:25:57,480 --> 00:26:01,320 Speaker 1: job of, you know, being malleable with his technic to 487 00:26:01,359 --> 00:26:03,399 Speaker 1: be able to you know, be inn amiva, you know, 488 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:07,199 Speaker 1: and adjust to all the different body types. Saying with 489 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:11,440 Speaker 1: the personalities, I mean, no, nobody's the exact same personality wise. 490 00:26:11,720 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 1: So if you're going to just how you do things 491 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 1: from a technique standpoint, and I think they're much better 492 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 1: doing that these days. Mind coaches are in the NFL. 493 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 1: Back in the day, it was more like this is 494 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 1: what we're doing it, boys, and this is how we're 495 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: doing it, and no questions asked. Yes, they're a coach, 496 00:26:27,080 --> 00:26:30,040 Speaker 1: and now it's much different. You know, here's here's what 497 00:26:30,119 --> 00:26:33,280 Speaker 1: I want done. But if your body doesn't really quite 498 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:35,800 Speaker 1: able to handle that, let's figure out a way to 499 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:38,440 Speaker 1: adjust that technique a little bit. And the same thing 500 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:42,199 Speaker 1: with input on on you know, how to block a 501 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:46,400 Speaker 1: certain configuration or whatever the case may be. I think 502 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:48,439 Speaker 1: it's uh. I think you do have to have a 503 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:52,399 Speaker 1: different working relationship with players. And I'm not saying the 504 00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:56,399 Speaker 1: thing about Frank that I respect dan is um. He 505 00:26:56,480 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 1: does listen, but he's the decision maker. It's I'm a democracy, 506 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 1: it's not a dictatorship. But and he'll listen, but he's 507 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 1: still the decision maker. They're not going to make the 508 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: decision for him, but he's going to listen and get feedback, 509 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:14,720 Speaker 1: you know, and decide. And I think I think that's 510 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:18,080 Speaker 1: all valuable. I think players appreciate it. All right. I'm 511 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:22,439 Speaker 1: going to combine questions from Tim and Ryan. Tim asked, 512 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:24,440 Speaker 1: do you think the Bengals will sign a couple of 513 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:28,840 Speaker 1: veteran offensive linemen in the free agent market? Ryan asked 514 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:32,679 Speaker 1: which free agent offensive lineman would you target? And he 515 00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:39,920 Speaker 1: listed these names, Joe Tuoney, Brandon Schurf, John Miller, Alejandro Villaneuava, 516 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:43,119 Speaker 1: and Austin Blythe I'll throw in a couple of others 517 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:46,480 Speaker 1: that are out there, Trent Williams and Taylor Moton. So 518 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 1: will they sign veteran offensive lineman And is there anybody 519 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:55,840 Speaker 1: that would especially excite you? Yeah, I haven't looked at 520 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:58,320 Speaker 1: at that much tape of a lot of these guys 521 00:27:59,080 --> 00:28:01,800 Speaker 1: to see how they're playing currently. The one thing that 522 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:05,280 Speaker 1: I would not do is sign somebody based on reputation. 523 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:09,560 Speaker 1: You know. It's because I'm telling you, we see that 524 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:14,119 Speaker 1: some player get to a certain stage of their career 525 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:17,000 Speaker 1: and they fall off a cliff. Other players don't, and 526 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:19,440 Speaker 1: you never know where that cliff is, and you never 527 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:22,199 Speaker 1: know when that fall is starting. So from one year 528 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 1: to the next, the level of play of a guy 529 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 1: may be dramatically different. And if you give a guy 530 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 1: a ton of money based on how he performed, you know, 531 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 1: over the last three years, but that last year it 532 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,399 Speaker 1: wasn't really as good as the other two, you know, 533 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:40,800 Speaker 1: I wouldn't want to get caught in that trap. All 534 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 1: those guys are really good football players? Are they or 535 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:46,040 Speaker 1: they have been? I would not give a lot of 536 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:48,280 Speaker 1: money to villain a Wave at this stage of his career. 537 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,920 Speaker 1: I think he's definitely on the back nine. And you know, 538 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 1: if Pittsburgh wants to pay him for being a great 539 00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:58,000 Speaker 1: player for them all those years, great, But if I'm 540 00:28:58,040 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 1: the Bengals, I'm not going to pay him to be 541 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 1: a great Steeler. I want to be a great Bengal. 542 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:04,440 Speaker 1: You know, I'm not interested what you did with the 543 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:08,760 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Steelers. And it's that way with everybody. And sometimes 544 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 1: when guys do it is it is strange. When guys 545 00:29:11,960 --> 00:29:16,280 Speaker 1: do change locations. Sometimes their level of play changes too, 546 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:18,920 Speaker 1: whether it be they really had a fit with an 547 00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:21,600 Speaker 1: offensive line coach there with for six years in their 548 00:29:21,640 --> 00:29:23,880 Speaker 1: career and then they go somewhere else and it's a 549 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:26,680 Speaker 1: different line coach with different techniques like we're talking about, 550 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 1: and damn it, we're doing it this way. I don't 551 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:30,480 Speaker 1: care that's the way you used to do it. We're 552 00:29:30,520 --> 00:29:32,160 Speaker 1: doing it this way. All of a sudden, he's a 553 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 1: different player, you know. It's it's weird how some of 554 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,640 Speaker 1: that stuff unfold. So I can understand why some teams 555 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:42,240 Speaker 1: have the philosophy and mindset of in a perfect world. 556 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 1: We want to keep our coaching staff in tact for continuity, 557 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 1: and we want to build through the draft and let 558 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:51,720 Speaker 1: that marriage happen. Let the same guys develop those players. 559 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 1: You know, if it's working, obviously, if it's not working, 560 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:59,200 Speaker 1: you gotta make adjustments. So there's no you know, there's 561 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:03,520 Speaker 1: no one hundred percent given truism, you know, on free 562 00:30:03,520 --> 00:30:05,920 Speaker 1: agency or really anything else. I mean, if it were 563 00:30:05,960 --> 00:30:09,240 Speaker 1: that exact the science, everybody would win every game. And 564 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:14,400 Speaker 1: that's impossible, but I would I would think about I 565 00:30:14,440 --> 00:30:17,880 Speaker 1: think they've got plenty of options inside Dan. I think 566 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:20,640 Speaker 1: the veteran players are proven. At the end of the season. 567 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:24,400 Speaker 1: They got you know, Sue Philo knows what he's doing. 568 00:30:25,480 --> 00:30:30,160 Speaker 1: There's there's no question about it. And they've got players 569 00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:33,760 Speaker 1: veteran players have played multiple positions and definitely can play guard. 570 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:35,680 Speaker 1: If people play tacky, you can play guard in the 571 00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 1: National Football League. You know, if you've develop big Fred, 572 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:40,880 Speaker 1: I mean all those things. That's what Frank's doing now, 573 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:44,080 Speaker 1: is he's trying to see how these guys play. Looking 574 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:47,240 Speaker 1: at their body mechanics on tape. Does that fit the techniques? 575 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:49,600 Speaker 1: Time that that kind of fits the techniques I'm going 576 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:52,200 Speaker 1: to try to teach here and then go out in 577 00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 1: free agency of the guys that are available, is that 578 00:30:54,360 --> 00:30:56,800 Speaker 1: a better option? Then? Look at this guy's body time, 579 00:30:56,880 --> 00:30:58,800 Speaker 1: that's perfect for what I want done, that's perfect for 580 00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:01,200 Speaker 1: how I want it done. All of that has to 581 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:04,239 Speaker 1: take place, But I do think if they could they 582 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:08,680 Speaker 1: could find an improvement on the edge. That's where that's 583 00:31:08,720 --> 00:31:10,920 Speaker 1: where the rubber meets the road. I think in free agency, 584 00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:14,240 Speaker 1: if they can get it done from Marty, what will 585 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:18,000 Speaker 1: the Bengals do about a backup quarterback? Well, that's a 586 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:23,200 Speaker 1: great question. You know. The one thing that you can't 587 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:27,280 Speaker 1: just worry about economics. But the thing about Finley he's 588 00:31:27,280 --> 00:31:30,280 Speaker 1: still on a rookie contract as well, so you know, 589 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:32,880 Speaker 1: can you do you look at him as is he 590 00:31:32,920 --> 00:31:34,960 Speaker 1: a guy that can get you through a game or 591 00:31:35,040 --> 00:31:36,560 Speaker 1: a boy? Do you need to make sure you have 592 00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:38,240 Speaker 1: a guy like what happened this year? A guy that 593 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:40,320 Speaker 1: is going to have to get you through a handful 594 00:31:40,320 --> 00:31:44,040 Speaker 1: of football games? Is that Ryan Finley? You know? And okay, okay, 595 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:47,320 Speaker 1: the attracting this is still on a rookie contract but 596 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,960 Speaker 1: still very very inexperienced you want a big game for 597 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:54,520 Speaker 1: you with a very creative game plan, you got to 598 00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:57,320 Speaker 1: go out and get something else. In my opinion, how 599 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:00,920 Speaker 1: much money do you spend on that backup quarterback? How 600 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:04,080 Speaker 1: much salary capitoon do you try to uh you try 601 00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:06,760 Speaker 1: to uh, you know, take up in that regard that 602 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:09,320 Speaker 1: Brandon Allen do enough. You talked about a road coaster. 603 00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:13,120 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, quarterback rating within the one twenties 604 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:17,680 Speaker 1: over seventy five percent completion percentage and then the following 605 00:32:17,720 --> 00:32:20,640 Speaker 1: week down to a squardus a big goose egg. So 606 00:32:20,840 --> 00:32:23,680 Speaker 1: that's a that's a meteoric, that's a heck of a 607 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:26,040 Speaker 1: rise and a big fall. Man that's that's a bigger 608 00:32:26,080 --> 00:32:28,320 Speaker 1: deal than the beast that's Peaks and Valley is bigger 609 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:31,720 Speaker 1: than the beast up at King's Island. So yeah, do 610 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:35,320 Speaker 1: you decide. I do think though they like them, I 611 00:32:35,400 --> 00:32:37,600 Speaker 1: do think they like them. And I do think that 612 00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:40,520 Speaker 1: his performances were based on who he was playing against, 613 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 1: and you have to factor that in. But overall, do 614 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:46,480 Speaker 1: you think you can get through multiple games with with 615 00:32:46,560 --> 00:32:48,840 Speaker 1: that type of player? And they did, you know, and 616 00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:52,320 Speaker 1: and and it was it was not h it was competitive. 617 00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:55,040 Speaker 1: I mean it looked like an NFL operation out there 618 00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:57,000 Speaker 1: to meet with him at a quarterback. So I think 619 00:32:57,040 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 1: you have to definitely evaluate him and then see what 620 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:01,440 Speaker 1: else is out there and how much how much does 621 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:06,400 Speaker 1: it cost? Last one from Daniel? Would you resign Carl 622 00:33:06,480 --> 00:33:12,080 Speaker 1: Lawson or Will Jackson if you could only keep one? Yeah, 623 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:16,720 Speaker 1: that's uh, that's the big if. And I probably make 624 00:33:16,760 --> 00:33:20,440 Speaker 1: sure that I kept lossing because you don't have any 625 00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:24,080 Speaker 1: pass rush's. He's the only guy that gave you consistent 626 00:33:24,080 --> 00:33:27,360 Speaker 1: pass rush. Now Hubbard was injured and he came back 627 00:33:27,360 --> 00:33:30,360 Speaker 1: to play Sam. Sam is empty the effort, you know, 628 00:33:30,440 --> 00:33:33,120 Speaker 1: bucket every snap. But even you know, even a guy 629 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:36,720 Speaker 1: like Sam physically you're only allowed. Your body's only saying 630 00:33:36,720 --> 00:33:38,960 Speaker 1: you can do so much with that bad elbow. So 631 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:41,200 Speaker 1: he was, you know, trying to do stuff with one arm, 632 00:33:41,280 --> 00:33:44,120 Speaker 1: you know, and did it well. But I think he's 633 00:33:44,120 --> 00:33:46,000 Speaker 1: going to be fine. That gives you a second option. 634 00:33:46,040 --> 00:33:49,280 Speaker 1: But to me, you paid all this money for Trey 635 00:33:49,280 --> 00:33:53,000 Speaker 1: Wayne's never gonna snap out of him. I'm saying, all right, 636 00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:56,320 Speaker 1: if I lose Carl Lawson, what do I have upfront? 637 00:33:56,680 --> 00:33:59,080 Speaker 1: If I lose will, at least I have Trey Wayne's 638 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:00,720 Speaker 1: and I thought he was one of the best in 639 00:34:00,760 --> 00:34:02,760 Speaker 1: the league. I gave him a ton of money, you know, 640 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:06,480 Speaker 1: and at least i'd have somebody else there. Who's my guy? 641 00:34:06,800 --> 00:34:09,640 Speaker 1: If I don't sign Carl Lawson and then you can 642 00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:12,239 Speaker 1: address you know, the position group in the draft. You know, 643 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:15,439 Speaker 1: it's like if I keep Carl Lawson and addressing the draft, 644 00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:19,319 Speaker 1: or keep Carl Awston and lose Will Like we were 645 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:21,920 Speaker 1: talking about cornerback as a need, you know, maybe you 646 00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:24,920 Speaker 1: have to move that that position up up even a 647 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:28,520 Speaker 1: little bit in terms of needs. So free agency dictates draft. 648 00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:30,600 Speaker 1: It always hasn't It always will to ge and yang 649 00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:34,440 Speaker 1: of that. But I don't know which is easier to 650 00:34:34,480 --> 00:34:38,600 Speaker 1: find in the draft. A real significant, meaningful pass rusher 651 00:34:38,960 --> 00:34:41,759 Speaker 1: that translates well to the National Football League or a 652 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:44,760 Speaker 1: cover guy that's a that's a that's a good question. 653 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:48,200 Speaker 1: That's a hell of a question. And what this particular draft, 654 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:50,800 Speaker 1: you know, if if you're if you're trying to decide 655 00:34:50,840 --> 00:34:53,279 Speaker 1: who to sign a free agency what's out there and 656 00:34:53,320 --> 00:34:56,000 Speaker 1: free agency? If I lose my guy, what's in the draft? 657 00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:58,520 Speaker 1: If I lose my guy at either one of those positions, 658 00:34:58,760 --> 00:35:01,680 Speaker 1: which one can I afford lose because there's more depth 659 00:35:02,200 --> 00:35:06,240 Speaker 1: to build that in other free agency we could sign 660 00:35:06,360 --> 00:35:09,680 Speaker 1: and the draft potentially, or we can double down. So 661 00:35:09,719 --> 00:35:13,279 Speaker 1: I think there's some, you know, a lot of a 662 00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:16,000 Speaker 1: lot of thinking that goes into it. But in my mind, 663 00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:19,759 Speaker 1: I still maintain if you can affect the quarterback right 664 00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:23,640 Speaker 1: away with a good pass rusher, it's easier to cover 665 00:35:23,719 --> 00:35:26,400 Speaker 1: back there. And I'm not saying you get anybody, you know, 666 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:29,719 Speaker 1: any any joe off the street to do it. It's 667 00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:32,959 Speaker 1: not like that. But if I had my choice, which 668 00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:36,120 Speaker 1: would you rather have? Would you rather have a pass 669 00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:41,200 Speaker 1: rush that gives the quarterback less than three seconds the 670 00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:44,439 Speaker 1: snaps or a secondary that has, you know, two really 671 00:35:44,440 --> 00:35:48,200 Speaker 1: good corners, I'd take that pass rush. The other thing 672 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:51,319 Speaker 1: about Carl Lawson Dan is he affected the run game 673 00:35:51,800 --> 00:35:56,360 Speaker 1: better this year. So if you're if I'm building a defense, 674 00:35:56,600 --> 00:35:58,120 Speaker 1: I want to make sure I can stop the run 675 00:35:58,160 --> 00:36:01,560 Speaker 1: and rush the passer with that's starts up front, and 676 00:36:01,560 --> 00:36:03,800 Speaker 1: then the back end is the second. Okay, compliment that 677 00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:05,719 Speaker 1: pass rushing with good coverage. Now you have to have 678 00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:08,600 Speaker 1: guys that'll, you know, set an answer in tacle the corner, 679 00:36:08,600 --> 00:36:10,560 Speaker 1: but you have to have guys that can affect the 680 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:13,080 Speaker 1: run the end of the the pass, and Carl Lawson showed 681 00:36:13,320 --> 00:36:17,040 Speaker 1: he's not a one trick pony. He showed himself against 682 00:36:17,040 --> 00:36:20,640 Speaker 1: the run a little bit, so to me stop the run, 683 00:36:20,719 --> 00:36:23,720 Speaker 1: put him in must passing situations. Have a pass rusher 684 00:36:24,000 --> 00:36:28,000 Speaker 1: that can affect the quarterback and then have Trey Wayne's 685 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:29,880 Speaker 1: back there. If you lose Will Jackson. If you have 686 00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:32,600 Speaker 1: them both, that's even better. But if I had to 687 00:36:32,600 --> 00:36:34,560 Speaker 1: pick one, I'd probably go with Carl Lawson. I guess 688 00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:37,759 Speaker 1: all right. People are always asking me wins Lap, I'm 689 00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:40,440 Speaker 1: gonna get a Twitter account. I tell him it's never 690 00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:44,080 Speaker 1: gonna happen. But this is the next best thing. You 691 00:36:44,160 --> 00:36:48,560 Speaker 1: have answered their ask lap questions. Appreciate it, and you're 692 00:36:48,560 --> 00:36:51,359 Speaker 1: exactly right. I think never's a long time, but not 693 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:58,280 Speaker 1: that long. The Bengals Booth podcast is presented by Bud 694 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:03,080 Speaker 1: Light Seltzer. It's and refreshing with a hint of fruit flavor. 695 00:37:03,800 --> 00:37:06,239 Speaker 1: Despite a final record of four to eleven and one, 696 00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:08,720 Speaker 1: there was a unit that performed well for the Bengals 697 00:37:08,719 --> 00:37:13,279 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty, the special teams. According to Football Outsiders, 698 00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:16,600 Speaker 1: the Bengals graded out ninth best in the NFL and 699 00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:20,640 Speaker 1: overall special teams play and second in the AFC North 700 00:37:20,920 --> 00:37:26,360 Speaker 1: behind Baltimore. Recently, special teams coordinator Darren Simmons joined Lapping 701 00:37:26,480 --> 00:37:30,640 Speaker 1: Me to discuss the play of his group. Darren, what 702 00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:35,440 Speaker 1: were the bright spots for you in twenty twenty? Well, 703 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:39,000 Speaker 1: you know, I think as a unit overall, anytime you 704 00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:41,640 Speaker 1: don't give up a lot of explosive play, block kicks, 705 00:37:41,719 --> 00:37:45,719 Speaker 1: returns for touchdowns, that that's one positive. You know. I 706 00:37:46,080 --> 00:37:48,040 Speaker 1: think the fact that we were able to pull together 707 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:51,680 Speaker 1: some guys really stepped up this year when we lost 708 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:53,680 Speaker 1: a couple of players, you know, one of which there 709 00:37:53,680 --> 00:37:56,520 Speaker 1: were coal foundations what we do, like Clayton FEDLND. I 710 00:37:56,560 --> 00:37:59,520 Speaker 1: thought we had some veteran guys really step up and 711 00:38:00,080 --> 00:38:03,120 Speaker 1: play well and do a lot for us. You know, 712 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:05,200 Speaker 1: there's a couple of guys that really come to mind, 713 00:38:05,239 --> 00:38:07,480 Speaker 1: you know, early in the year, whenever Sean Williams is hurt, 714 00:38:07,640 --> 00:38:10,600 Speaker 1: Giovanni Bernard really stepped up and fulfilled a couple roles 715 00:38:11,000 --> 00:38:12,759 Speaker 1: until Sean I could kind of get back after a 716 00:38:14,239 --> 00:38:16,120 Speaker 1: belie it was a hamstring or calf whatever he had 717 00:38:16,160 --> 00:38:18,839 Speaker 1: there early on, and then Sean really played his tail 718 00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:21,000 Speaker 1: off and it was really a big part of what 719 00:38:21,040 --> 00:38:24,319 Speaker 1: we did throughout the season. So I think, you know, 720 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:28,520 Speaker 1: being able for him to transition a little bit from 721 00:38:28,560 --> 00:38:31,680 Speaker 1: his role on our team from being in a starting 722 00:38:31,719 --> 00:38:34,480 Speaker 1: safety to being a really a core special teams player 723 00:38:34,840 --> 00:38:37,200 Speaker 1: was a really bright spot for me, something that I'm 724 00:38:37,200 --> 00:38:40,480 Speaker 1: personally very proud of him of. Um. You know, I 725 00:38:40,480 --> 00:38:42,320 Speaker 1: thought our punt team, in terms of phase work, I 726 00:38:42,360 --> 00:38:44,000 Speaker 1: thought our punt team does a nice job really the 727 00:38:44,040 --> 00:38:46,360 Speaker 1: whole year, with exception to maybe one play against Pittsburgh 728 00:38:46,719 --> 00:38:49,960 Speaker 1: they gave up a forty yard return to McLeod. Otherwise, 729 00:38:49,960 --> 00:38:52,799 Speaker 1: I thought we covered pretty well there. You know, I 730 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:58,239 Speaker 1: thought the relative to the number of kicks we were 731 00:38:58,280 --> 00:39:01,399 Speaker 1: getting to return, and I thought our kickoff return team 732 00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:04,280 Speaker 1: was was solid. Um. You know, we had an opportunity 733 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:06,200 Speaker 1: to even make a couple more plays. But I thought 734 00:39:06,239 --> 00:39:09,120 Speaker 1: Brandon Wilson's play um in that regard, after he came 735 00:39:09,120 --> 00:39:11,040 Speaker 1: back after an injury, or even before his injury then 736 00:39:11,040 --> 00:39:13,960 Speaker 1: came back, I thought was good. So, Um, there were 737 00:39:13,960 --> 00:39:17,120 Speaker 1: a couple there were some bright spots. Obviously, we uh um, 738 00:39:17,160 --> 00:39:19,880 Speaker 1: I always want more, um, And you know, anytime we 739 00:39:20,080 --> 00:39:22,239 Speaker 1: set out in this thing, our goals to to be 740 00:39:22,280 --> 00:39:23,719 Speaker 1: the best, to be the best in the league, and 741 00:39:23,920 --> 00:39:26,080 Speaker 1: we were feel a little short of that, but um, 742 00:39:26,239 --> 00:39:27,520 Speaker 1: you know him, I was pretty proud of the way 743 00:39:27,560 --> 00:39:32,320 Speaker 1: we played football. Outsiders always rate your your your special 744 00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:34,839 Speaker 1: teams amongst the best in the NFL, and rightfully so. 745 00:39:34,960 --> 00:39:38,720 Speaker 1: And uh. In terms of actual kicking the football, Kevin 746 00:39:38,800 --> 00:39:41,360 Speaker 1: Huber went into the last game seventh in the NFL 747 00:39:41,400 --> 00:39:44,319 Speaker 1: and average in sixth and net and UH. And then 748 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:48,800 Speaker 1: you obviously were evaluating Cyber uh and over Randy Bullock 749 00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:51,279 Speaker 1: uh down the stretch of the season. Where do you 750 00:39:51,360 --> 00:39:54,759 Speaker 1: stand with respect to the seasons those guys had and 751 00:39:55,840 --> 00:39:59,399 Speaker 1: what you anticipate for training camp in twenty twenty one. Well, 752 00:39:59,400 --> 00:40:01,480 Speaker 1: I'll start with Evan first. Obviously, it was an important 753 00:40:01,520 --> 00:40:04,160 Speaker 1: year for Kevin. He's a he's an undrestricted free agent, 754 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:06,040 Speaker 1: so it was important for him to punt well. And 755 00:40:06,080 --> 00:40:08,000 Speaker 1: I think he answered the bell as he has you 756 00:40:08,040 --> 00:40:11,200 Speaker 1: know the last cheval years. UM. I thought he got 757 00:40:11,239 --> 00:40:13,839 Speaker 1: off to a really good start. It punted well up 758 00:40:13,920 --> 00:40:16,719 Speaker 1: until probably the last couple of games of the year. UM, 759 00:40:16,760 --> 00:40:19,680 Speaker 1: but he had some some issues that UH. I know 760 00:40:19,680 --> 00:40:21,920 Speaker 1: he probably didn't finish as strongly as he wanted to. 761 00:40:22,320 --> 00:40:24,680 Speaker 1: But and it's not gonna that's not gonna show up 762 00:40:24,680 --> 00:40:28,000 Speaker 1: a lot statistically, Um, But but I know he wanted 763 00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:30,040 Speaker 1: to punt a little better down the stretch. You know. 764 00:40:30,080 --> 00:40:32,520 Speaker 1: Obviously it would have been unbelievable if we could have 765 00:40:33,280 --> 00:40:36,040 Speaker 1: made the play on the on the seventy whatever it was, 766 00:40:36,080 --> 00:40:38,360 Speaker 1: two yard punt yesterday would have been unbelievable play to 767 00:40:39,120 --> 00:40:42,319 Speaker 1: kind of helped cap his season off. Um. But but 768 00:40:42,400 --> 00:40:45,560 Speaker 1: all in all, I've been pleased with with him, you 769 00:40:45,600 --> 00:40:49,320 Speaker 1: know it. Uh, it's such a weight off my shoulders. 770 00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:51,880 Speaker 1: To have somebody that I know and somebody that I trust, 771 00:40:52,440 --> 00:40:56,080 Speaker 1: and somebody who knows exactly what I want out of 772 00:40:56,120 --> 00:40:59,960 Speaker 1: each play and how to manage that, whether it's plenty 773 00:41:00,239 --> 00:41:04,680 Speaker 1: or holding, is a big deal to me. And he's 774 00:41:04,719 --> 00:41:07,759 Speaker 1: continued to do that at a high level, I think, Um, 775 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:09,880 Speaker 1: you know, and I think probably the last two years 776 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:12,560 Speaker 1: has been two of his better years statistically in his career. 777 00:41:12,640 --> 00:41:15,839 Speaker 1: So that's pretty unique. He's kind of getting He's really 778 00:41:15,880 --> 00:41:18,320 Speaker 1: been able to hold his line of production, you know, 779 00:41:18,360 --> 00:41:21,000 Speaker 1: over time and actually improved in some areas you know, 780 00:41:21,040 --> 00:41:23,640 Speaker 1: in terms of the kicking situation. Um, it's something that 781 00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:25,759 Speaker 1: we've got to talk about as a staff. And then 782 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:28,960 Speaker 1: his organizations to what we do going forward. Obviously, Austin 783 00:41:29,360 --> 00:41:32,480 Speaker 1: Cybery is somebody that is under contract and he's still 784 00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:35,800 Speaker 1: under his rookie contract because we claimed him from from Cleveland, 785 00:41:36,120 --> 00:41:38,600 Speaker 1: so he's stilling his rookie contract, so he's still, you know, 786 00:41:39,080 --> 00:41:42,320 Speaker 1: again under contract with us. UM. You know, our discussion 787 00:41:42,320 --> 00:41:44,799 Speaker 1: with Randy Bullick will take place here, you know, over 788 00:41:44,840 --> 00:41:46,799 Speaker 1: the course of the coming time as to where we 789 00:41:46,840 --> 00:41:50,239 Speaker 1: want to go. Randy's a free agent also, UM, and 790 00:41:50,280 --> 00:41:51,920 Speaker 1: how we want to approach that if we want to 791 00:41:51,920 --> 00:41:55,200 Speaker 1: have him back and have a competition for that spot 792 00:41:55,239 --> 00:41:58,719 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one. Again, it's still very early, you know, 793 00:41:58,760 --> 00:42:02,120 Speaker 1: I don't have a concrete answer for that yet, unfortunately, 794 00:42:02,440 --> 00:42:05,319 Speaker 1: but we certainly will the coming days. But again it's 795 00:42:05,320 --> 00:42:08,399 Speaker 1: obviously a position that we've we've got to get better 796 00:42:08,480 --> 00:42:13,000 Speaker 1: production out of. We're visiting with Special Teams coordinator Darren Simmons. Darren, 797 00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:16,960 Speaker 1: after you resigned this past season, prior to this year, 798 00:42:17,239 --> 00:42:20,359 Speaker 1: we had a long conversation and you talked about your 799 00:42:20,440 --> 00:42:25,000 Speaker 1: burning desire to win again. Obviously, you know, you do 800 00:42:25,080 --> 00:42:27,160 Speaker 1: this because at your job partly, and you've got a 801 00:42:27,160 --> 00:42:28,880 Speaker 1: family to support and all of that. But you've been 802 00:42:28,920 --> 00:42:31,279 Speaker 1: in the league long enough where the ring is the thing. 803 00:42:31,640 --> 00:42:34,880 Speaker 1: You're trying to win a Super Bowl title. How difficult 804 00:42:35,000 --> 00:42:37,640 Speaker 1: have the last couple have been last couple of years 805 00:42:37,640 --> 00:42:40,520 Speaker 1: been for you personally? Well, it's really been a struggle 806 00:42:40,560 --> 00:42:43,960 Speaker 1: for me personally. You know. It's like I told our 807 00:42:43,960 --> 00:42:48,040 Speaker 1: players on our Saturday Night Zoom, our last real meeting 808 00:42:48,080 --> 00:42:50,520 Speaker 1: special teams will be you know, I wrapped it up. 809 00:42:50,520 --> 00:42:53,600 Speaker 1: I think a couple of our captains and really everybody 810 00:42:53,600 --> 00:42:56,000 Speaker 1: in general. I've got such a special group of guys 811 00:42:56,080 --> 00:42:59,560 Speaker 1: that man, every time I asked something of them, they 812 00:42:59,560 --> 00:43:04,680 Speaker 1: answered the bell. They never blinked. Everybody knew the the landscape, 813 00:43:04,719 --> 00:43:07,399 Speaker 1: the situation we're in with with the pandemic, and how 814 00:43:07,560 --> 00:43:11,200 Speaker 1: different things were, and and uh uh, you know, I 815 00:43:11,320 --> 00:43:14,360 Speaker 1: really appreciated their efforts this year because it is it 816 00:43:14,520 --> 00:43:16,799 Speaker 1: is tough, you know, when you're not winning games, even 817 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:19,040 Speaker 1: though we may be doing some things and trying to 818 00:43:19,080 --> 00:43:21,040 Speaker 1: contribute as much as we can in the kicking game, 819 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:24,960 Speaker 1: when you're not winning games, you don't feel the culmination 820 00:43:24,960 --> 00:43:27,319 Speaker 1: of your work. You don't feel the positive side of that, 821 00:43:27,320 --> 00:43:30,920 Speaker 1: that that that it affects enough. And you know, I 822 00:43:31,000 --> 00:43:33,040 Speaker 1: told our players and I firmly believe this, I said, I, 823 00:43:33,080 --> 00:43:36,480 Speaker 1: you know, I really I play and I coach. I'll play. 824 00:43:36,520 --> 00:43:38,560 Speaker 1: I coach this game for for two things, and for 825 00:43:38,640 --> 00:43:42,200 Speaker 1: two goals. And number one it's to win the super Bowl. 826 00:43:42,239 --> 00:43:45,920 Speaker 1: I mean you, that's the ultimate goal, um that I have, 827 00:43:46,080 --> 00:43:47,839 Speaker 1: is to win the super Bowl. We've obviously fallen short 828 00:43:47,840 --> 00:43:50,000 Speaker 1: of that my time here. I said in the second one. 829 00:43:50,480 --> 00:43:52,080 Speaker 1: The one thing I can't control is we do it 830 00:43:52,120 --> 00:43:54,720 Speaker 1: for respect, and I think you do it for respect 831 00:43:54,719 --> 00:43:57,440 Speaker 1: of your peers and more importantly respect of your opponents. 832 00:43:57,719 --> 00:44:01,640 Speaker 1: And so the one thing that you can grasp mat 833 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:04,480 Speaker 1: is is every time I go across the fields in 834 00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:07,360 Speaker 1: the game to shake the other guy's hand, you know, 835 00:44:07,520 --> 00:44:10,359 Speaker 1: I want to feel like I've earned his respect. And 836 00:44:10,560 --> 00:44:13,640 Speaker 1: that's the one silver lining that I've been able to 837 00:44:14,280 --> 00:44:17,680 Speaker 1: get out of it. But again, it has been I'll 838 00:44:17,719 --> 00:44:22,320 Speaker 1: be lying if I said otherwise. It's been very difficult, uh, 839 00:44:22,719 --> 00:44:26,520 Speaker 1: you know, to not win. And that's something obviously we 840 00:44:26,560 --> 00:44:28,759 Speaker 1: got to try to work to improve on. Just as 841 00:44:28,760 --> 00:44:31,640 Speaker 1: a team in general, certainly estimate kicking game two. We 842 00:44:31,680 --> 00:44:33,120 Speaker 1: all have a hand in it. We all have hand 843 00:44:33,160 --> 00:44:35,479 Speaker 1: in and everybody has a hand and when things don't 844 00:44:35,480 --> 00:44:37,759 Speaker 1: go right. You just want to have You just want 845 00:44:37,800 --> 00:44:39,120 Speaker 1: to make sure you have a hand in when you're 846 00:44:39,200 --> 00:44:41,640 Speaker 1: succeeding too, And we got to get more of that 847 00:44:41,719 --> 00:44:45,400 Speaker 1: for sure. But it's really been a struggle. You're not 848 00:44:45,440 --> 00:44:47,360 Speaker 1: going anywhere. You're the best in the business, and the 849 00:44:47,360 --> 00:44:50,720 Speaker 1: Bengals have you under contract and you're an assistant head coach. 850 00:44:51,640 --> 00:44:54,320 Speaker 1: You are a resource that if I were a head coach, 851 00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:56,400 Speaker 1: I'd be tapping into. You've been here a long time. 852 00:44:56,760 --> 00:44:59,200 Speaker 1: You've been hearing successful times. You've been here in times 853 00:44:59,200 --> 00:45:03,000 Speaker 1: that have not been quite as successful. You have a vast, 854 00:45:03,719 --> 00:45:09,840 Speaker 1: huge knowledge of your encyclopedia basically of almost two decades 855 00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:12,719 Speaker 1: of what's gone on here in Cincinnati. Do you feel 856 00:45:12,760 --> 00:45:16,120 Speaker 1: like your opinions are gonna be sought after and if 857 00:45:16,120 --> 00:45:20,239 Speaker 1: they're not, will you give them unsolicited? Well? I wanted 858 00:45:20,280 --> 00:45:22,160 Speaker 1: to be certainly be a collaborative thing. You know, I 859 00:45:22,719 --> 00:45:26,600 Speaker 1: really appreciate I did feel like, after if you want 860 00:45:26,640 --> 00:45:29,000 Speaker 1: to call it, gaining that title this past offseason, zach 861 00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:31,800 Speaker 1: Um did come to me with a lot of things, 862 00:45:31,880 --> 00:45:34,520 Speaker 1: and that's something that I certainly appreciate. You know that 863 00:45:34,520 --> 00:45:37,640 Speaker 1: that he entrusted my opinions, what my thoughts were when 864 00:45:37,640 --> 00:45:40,680 Speaker 1: he asked for him. Um, there's some things that I 865 00:45:40,680 --> 00:45:43,600 Speaker 1: will give him that if I feel that can help 866 00:45:43,640 --> 00:45:48,000 Speaker 1: affect things or help things in some manner, I'm certainly 867 00:45:48,000 --> 00:45:51,719 Speaker 1: going to give him my thoughts UM that way. But 868 00:45:51,719 --> 00:45:54,440 Speaker 1: but in the end, ultimate it's his team and he wants, 869 00:45:54,480 --> 00:45:56,279 Speaker 1: and he'll put the stamp on it that he wants, 870 00:45:56,320 --> 00:45:58,160 Speaker 1: and he'll push the direction on it that he wants, 871 00:45:58,160 --> 00:46:01,120 Speaker 1: whatever that may be. But but again, I do feel 872 00:46:01,120 --> 00:46:03,960 Speaker 1: like I'm a very big part of that. I do 873 00:46:04,080 --> 00:46:07,520 Speaker 1: feel like my voice or my opinion matters to him. 874 00:46:07,719 --> 00:46:10,279 Speaker 1: I think he certainly listens to it, Um, you know. 875 00:46:10,360 --> 00:46:12,560 Speaker 1: And again, like I said, collaboratively, we've got to be 876 00:46:13,239 --> 00:46:14,880 Speaker 1: we got to put a plan in place that that 877 00:46:14,960 --> 00:46:16,719 Speaker 1: gets us to turn the corner here, that gets us 878 00:46:16,719 --> 00:46:20,799 Speaker 1: to get back to the team that you know, we've 879 00:46:20,800 --> 00:46:22,680 Speaker 1: been in the past, and then really push us over 880 00:46:22,760 --> 00:46:25,440 Speaker 1: to the top. It certainly felt short of that. I 881 00:46:25,440 --> 00:46:28,839 Speaker 1: don't think that's any secret, Um, but you know, it's 882 00:46:29,360 --> 00:46:31,879 Speaker 1: I hope going forward here, after me having a year 883 00:46:32,320 --> 00:46:34,279 Speaker 1: under my belt of being really in this role for 884 00:46:34,320 --> 00:46:38,040 Speaker 1: the first time in my career, that I can help 885 00:46:38,120 --> 00:46:40,160 Speaker 1: him even more than what I have done in the past, 886 00:46:40,640 --> 00:46:42,920 Speaker 1: and h you know, we can help or I can 887 00:46:42,920 --> 00:46:45,840 Speaker 1: help push things that I think would help us improve, 888 00:46:46,000 --> 00:46:48,319 Speaker 1: or or maybe we should think about doing it this way, 889 00:46:48,360 --> 00:46:50,120 Speaker 1: because it is I've been here a long time, I've 890 00:46:50,120 --> 00:46:53,319 Speaker 1: been in this league a long time. I've um you know, 891 00:46:53,440 --> 00:46:56,920 Speaker 1: I have knowledge of how you know what my opinion 892 00:46:56,960 --> 00:46:58,760 Speaker 1: may be, or how I see other teams do things, 893 00:46:58,760 --> 00:47:02,319 Speaker 1: and and hope it help. That's going to do it. 894 00:47:02,360 --> 00:47:04,840 Speaker 1: For this episode of the Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to 895 00:47:04,880 --> 00:47:09,080 Speaker 1: you by bud Light Seltzer, refresh the game. If you 896 00:47:09,120 --> 00:47:12,200 Speaker 1: haven't done so already, please subscribe, and if you have 897 00:47:12,280 --> 00:47:14,440 Speaker 1: a minute, give it a rating or share a comment 898 00:47:14,920 --> 00:47:19,400 Speaker 1: that helps more Bengals fans find this podcast. I'm Dan Horde, 899 00:47:19,400 --> 00:47:23,200 Speaker 1: and thanks for listening to the Bengals Booth Podcast