WEBVTT - Bengals Booth Podcast: Good Vibes 0:00:03.600 --> 0:00:06.480 Hike and everybody. I'm Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 0:00:06.480 --> 0:00:13.080 the Bengals Booth Podcast. The I'm feeling them good Vibes. Addition, 0:00:13.600 --> 0:00:15.920 as the new look Bengals get ready for the start 0:00:15.920 --> 0:00:19.840 of training camp coming up, you'll hear from three people. First, 0:00:19.880 --> 0:00:22.880 head coach Zach Taylor as he discusses the challenge of 0:00:22.880 --> 0:00:26.239 getting Joe Burrow ready to take over at quarterback with 0:00:26.320 --> 0:00:31.000 no OTA's mini camps or preseason games. Second, I'll talk 0:00:31.040 --> 0:00:34.720 to Sam Hubbard about trying to play football during a pandemic. 0:00:35.200 --> 0:00:38.360 And Third, it's one of the best receivers in Bengals history. 0:00:38.840 --> 0:00:42.280 T J. Hushman Zada as he discusses John Ross T. 0:00:42.479 --> 0:00:46.320 Higgins AJ Green in his unique connection to Joe Burrow 0:00:46.520 --> 0:00:50.879 during Joe's time at LSU. The Bengals Booth Podcast is 0:00:50.880 --> 0:00:55.000 presented by Prime Sport, the official fan, travel and hospitality 0:00:55.040 --> 0:00:58.400 partner of the Cincinnati Bengals. And here's a quick reminder 0:00:58.640 --> 0:01:01.160 that you can have the latest edition of this podcast 0:01:01.240 --> 0:01:04.959 delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer by subscribing 0:01:05.280 --> 0:01:08.880 on iTunes, Stitch, your Google Play, Spotify, or pod Bean. 0:01:09.319 --> 0:01:14.200 It's the greatest thing since the State of Maine. I 0:01:14.319 --> 0:01:17.520 recently went on a family vacation to a Kadia National 0:01:17.600 --> 0:01:20.360 Park in Maine. We figured this would be the perfect 0:01:20.360 --> 0:01:24.280 time for outdoor activities away from crowds, so we hiked 0:01:24.480 --> 0:01:27.920 kayakt watched the sunrise on the top of Cadillac Mountain, 0:01:28.319 --> 0:01:32.400 the best sunrise I've ever seen, and eight lots of lobster. 0:01:33.120 --> 0:01:35.160 So if you are yearning to spend some time in 0:01:35.200 --> 0:01:39.399 the great outdoors, you should consider visiting Maine. There's a 0:01:39.440 --> 0:01:41.959 reason why most of the license plates in that state 0:01:42.200 --> 0:01:48.400 say Vacation Land. Now, let's get to football. I'm recording 0:01:48.440 --> 0:01:52.360 this on Wednesday, the day after Bengals veterans reported to 0:01:52.440 --> 0:01:55.480 Paul Brown Stadium for the start of training camp, although 0:01:55.480 --> 0:01:58.960 there will be several days of COVID nineteen testing before 0:01:58.960 --> 0:02:02.560 the players are actually doing anything related to football. Zach 0:02:02.640 --> 0:02:05.760 Taylor did a fifteen minute zoom call with reporters on Wednesday, 0:02:05.800 --> 0:02:09.440 and a couple of things stood out to me. Number One, 0:02:09.480 --> 0:02:12.560 he said that everybody on the roster reported for camp, 0:02:12.960 --> 0:02:16.760 but would not say if anybody was considering opting out 0:02:16.800 --> 0:02:18.760 of playing this year. You know, we'll keep that to 0:02:18.800 --> 0:02:21.520 ourselves right now. If players feel that way. On our 0:02:21.560 --> 0:02:24.799 team or any other team. I'm sure they'll make it public, 0:02:24.800 --> 0:02:27.240 but right now, we'll just keep that to ourselves. Those 0:02:27.280 --> 0:02:29.760 are those are personal decisions for those guys, and certainly 0:02:29.800 --> 0:02:33.240 we'll support those decisions. There's a lot of reasons for him, 0:02:33.320 --> 0:02:35.320 but again, I don't want to speak for any player 0:02:35.320 --> 0:02:38.760 in this league that's going through those conversations with their 0:02:38.760 --> 0:02:40.799 loved ones. And so again, if those guys want to 0:02:40.800 --> 0:02:43.400 announce things, they can, but we're not going to make 0:02:43.400 --> 0:02:45.720 any comment on it. Zach was also asked about the 0:02:45.800 --> 0:02:49.120 idea of quarantining one of his quarterbacks during the season 0:02:49.440 --> 0:02:53.240 to eliminate the possibility of the entire position group catching 0:02:53.360 --> 0:02:56.280 the virus. It's something you have to consider and talk through, 0:02:56.400 --> 0:02:59.680 which we have, but you just you really have to 0:03:00.080 --> 0:03:03.200 imagine all scenarios as you go through this and just 0:03:03.240 --> 0:03:06.839 be creative and proactive. And so those are conversations we've had, 0:03:06.880 --> 0:03:09.200 but that's where it stands right now, as you can imagine. 0:03:09.480 --> 0:03:12.600 Zach answered several questions about Joe Burrow, ranging from the 0:03:12.680 --> 0:03:15.240 challenge of getting him ready to play with no preseason 0:03:15.320 --> 0:03:18.560 games to the idea of having him sit as a 0:03:18.639 --> 0:03:22.560 rookie due to these circumstances. Zach made it clear that 0:03:22.560 --> 0:03:26.080 the Bengals have every intention of beginning the season with 0:03:26.160 --> 0:03:28.880 Joe Burrow at quarterback. You know, we're gonna put a 0:03:28.880 --> 0:03:32.239 lot on Joe right out the gate, and obviously we've 0:03:32.280 --> 0:03:35.480 got weeks to sort out who's starting and all that 0:03:35.560 --> 0:03:38.280 good stuff. But Joe's gonna walk in and take the 0:03:38.280 --> 0:03:40.600 first snaps at quarterback, and he's prepared for that, and 0:03:42.080 --> 0:03:43.920 we drafted him because we have a lot of confidence 0:03:43.920 --> 0:03:45.400 in him and what he's gonna bring to the table. 0:03:45.680 --> 0:03:47.840 And so even with the uniqueness of what this training 0:03:47.880 --> 0:03:50.360 camp is going to look like, we're gonna give him 0:03:50.360 --> 0:03:52.400 plenty of opportunities to get ready to play in week one. 0:03:52.600 --> 0:03:54.640 Do you have in your mind a baseline of what 0:03:54.880 --> 0:03:58.120 realistic expectations are for Joe this year? Play well in 0:03:58.160 --> 0:04:01.920 week one? You know that that's our starting is Joe 0:04:02.280 --> 0:04:05.520 and really our entire team. It's it's this is a 0:04:05.520 --> 0:04:07.920 different year than last year. We have a lot of 0:04:07.960 --> 0:04:10.440 guys who have grown from the experiences that we had 0:04:10.520 --> 0:04:13.440 last year, rookies and veterans, and we have a lot 0:04:13.480 --> 0:04:15.160 of new pieces to the puzzle as well. You know, 0:04:15.200 --> 0:04:18.080 a lot of free agents and rookies that we're depending on, 0:04:18.520 --> 0:04:21.520 and so it's it's not just Joe, it's everybody. We 0:04:21.560 --> 0:04:25.800 want to make sure that everybody's we're giving them all 0:04:25.839 --> 0:04:29.520 the opportunities to hit the ground running on September thirteenth 0:04:29.520 --> 0:04:31.880 when our first came rolls around, and so that that's 0:04:31.920 --> 0:04:34.120 just that's our focus right now is making sure that 0:04:34.160 --> 0:04:35.560 all the positions are up to speed. We're going to 0:04:35.600 --> 0:04:37.400 give them all all the things that they need in 0:04:37.440 --> 0:04:40.520 the meetings and practices so that as a team that 0:04:40.560 --> 0:04:42.320 we hit the ground running and we play really well 0:04:42.320 --> 0:04:44.640 in week one. It seems like a lot to ask. 0:04:44.680 --> 0:04:47.680 You know, Joe hasn't no no preseason games, no ta's, 0:04:47.720 --> 0:04:49.760 no training camp. But you know, do you feel like 0:04:49.800 --> 0:04:52.160 that's a pretty high high measure for him to come 0:04:52.160 --> 0:04:54.359 in and immediately step in and play well in that 0:04:54.440 --> 0:04:57.080 opener against LA. We took him because we've got high 0:04:57.120 --> 0:04:59.960 expectations for Joe, and from everything I know about him 0:05:00.000 --> 0:05:02.640 and ob scene of him, he's got high expectations himself, 0:05:02.680 --> 0:05:04.240 and so he's going to do everything you can to 0:05:04.240 --> 0:05:06.839 put himself in a position to be successful. I trust that, 0:05:07.360 --> 0:05:09.560 and I think when you guys get a chance to 0:05:09.560 --> 0:05:12.480 talk to him, you'll feel the same way. Borough agreed 0:05:12.520 --> 0:05:15.640 to contract terms on Tuesday and is expected to sign 0:05:15.720 --> 0:05:19.880 that deal on Thursday. Now, let's get to Joe's friend 0:05:20.040 --> 0:05:23.760 and former college teammate, Sam Hubbard. Earlier this year on 0:05:23.839 --> 0:05:26.720 Bengals dot Com, I predicted that Hubbard will be the 0:05:26.720 --> 0:05:31.000 team's defensive MVP this year after having six sacks as 0:05:31.000 --> 0:05:33.840 a rookie. Sam finished second on the team with eight 0:05:33.839 --> 0:05:37.520 and a half last year, a half sack behind Carlos Dunlap. 0:05:37.800 --> 0:05:41.680 According to Pro Football Focus, Sam added thirty four hurries 0:05:41.800 --> 0:05:45.279 and six quarterback hits. I think he winds up with 0:05:45.360 --> 0:05:49.320 double digit sacks this year on a dramatically improved Bengals defense. 0:05:49.640 --> 0:05:53.400 And I spoke to the former Ohio State Buckeye this week. Sam, 0:05:53.400 --> 0:05:56.200 we're speaking on the day that NFL veterans report to 0:05:56.320 --> 0:05:59.159 camp and in this case, your first COVID nineteen test. 0:05:59.560 --> 0:06:02.000 Can you describe how you're feeling about going back to 0:06:02.080 --> 0:06:07.200 work under these strange circumstances. Yeah, it's definitely unique circumstances, 0:06:07.240 --> 0:06:09.960 Like you said, but we've been training for so long. 0:06:10.880 --> 0:06:12.960 I think a lot of us, all the guys, are 0:06:13.000 --> 0:06:15.760 just ready to get back to playing football. Whatever that 0:06:15.800 --> 0:06:19.680 may look like in the safest possible way, and you 0:06:19.720 --> 0:06:21.279 know it's going to be a different year and a 0:06:21.279 --> 0:06:23.960 lot of different aspects, but we want to get out 0:06:23.960 --> 0:06:27.760 there and you know, get on the field. You have 0:06:27.880 --> 0:06:30.960 a unique perspective because your mom is a nursing supervisor 0:06:31.000 --> 0:06:33.919 and your sister is a nurse. How has that impacted 0:06:33.920 --> 0:06:37.080 your feelings about the protocols worked out between the NFL 0:06:37.120 --> 0:06:40.279 and the Players Association. I think it just gives me, 0:06:40.520 --> 0:06:43.280 you know, a sense of how important and how you know, 0:06:43.400 --> 0:06:45.320 vital it is that we all follow them and take 0:06:45.360 --> 0:06:49.880 it very seriously because you know there's a player responsibility aspect. 0:06:51.040 --> 0:06:52.880 You know, all of us doing our part, stay in 0:06:52.960 --> 0:06:57.200 socially distance, following the protocols, not just for ourselves, but 0:06:57.279 --> 0:06:59.359 you know, for the benefit of our teammates so everyone 0:06:59.400 --> 0:07:02.800 can stay safe. I think that you know, it's it's 0:07:02.800 --> 0:07:05.359 a very serious situation that you know, they're with it 0:07:05.440 --> 0:07:08.880 every day taking care of those patients, and you know, 0:07:08.920 --> 0:07:13.520 I'm just more aware and educated because of their experiences. Sam, 0:07:13.520 --> 0:07:16.080 based on what I've seen, you did not let the 0:07:16.120 --> 0:07:19.040 pandemic slow you down in terms of strength and conditioning. 0:07:19.560 --> 0:07:24.160 How did you train this offseason and has your physique changed. Yeah, 0:07:24.160 --> 0:07:26.120 it trained really hard. You know, we didn't have OTAs, 0:07:26.200 --> 0:07:29.840 so we were really able for five six straight months 0:07:29.840 --> 0:07:32.400 to just focus on what I needed to do to 0:07:32.400 --> 0:07:35.280 get better as a player individually. And you know it 0:07:35.400 --> 0:07:39.440 looked different, you know, some garage workouts, you know, kind 0:07:39.480 --> 0:07:42.679 of isolated, focusing on you know, just working out by myself, 0:07:42.840 --> 0:07:46.320 my trainer, and uh, yeah, I've just tried to you know, 0:07:46.480 --> 0:07:51.080 work on every aspect pass for US, run, defense, strength, 0:07:51.200 --> 0:07:54.440 overall conditioning. I'm ready to go and I'm just hoping 0:07:54.480 --> 0:07:57.200 it works out for the year. We're talking to Sam Hubbard. 0:07:57.320 --> 0:08:00.440 As you mentioned, no OTAs, no mini camps, but there 0:08:00.480 --> 0:08:03.680 were a bunch of virtual Zoom meetings. What did you 0:08:03.760 --> 0:08:06.800 get out of those? It was a lot of mental reps, 0:08:06.840 --> 0:08:10.640 a lot of film study, watching you know remotely, you know, 0:08:10.720 --> 0:08:13.160 install and stuff that you know, we we all knew 0:08:13.920 --> 0:08:17.760 as veterans. But um, I really got time to you know, 0:08:17.840 --> 0:08:21.080 break down my own film, um, see what I need 0:08:21.120 --> 0:08:24.000 to improve on, and then you know, do in trials. Individually, 0:08:24.800 --> 0:08:28.320 it was more of a mental you know, off season 0:08:28.680 --> 0:08:31.240 on the in the you know, play sense on the 0:08:31.280 --> 0:08:35.640 field sense, um, taking those mental reps. But really trying 0:08:35.640 --> 0:08:39.680 to focus and improve my awareness and mental aspect of 0:08:39.720 --> 0:08:43.280 the game because the reps just weren't existing without OTAs 0:08:43.280 --> 0:08:46.120 and stuff like that. Normally, in those OTAs, you get 0:08:46.160 --> 0:08:48.520 to know the rookies, you get to know new teammates. 0:08:48.800 --> 0:08:51.640 Were you able to do that at all over zoom calls? 0:08:52.320 --> 0:08:55.880 We did our best. You know, facetimes, texts, zoom calls. 0:08:55.920 --> 0:08:59.720 It's uh, obviously an awkward situation. It's tough to really 0:08:59.720 --> 0:09:03.640 get to know somebody through the computer, but we made 0:09:03.640 --> 0:09:05.679 it work. We did our best. Coaches did a good 0:09:05.720 --> 0:09:09.920 job with the unique team bonding exercises. But I'm excited 0:09:09.960 --> 0:09:13.480 to get in the building once we're all cleared, to 0:09:13.600 --> 0:09:15.880 get to know these guys and see what they bring 0:09:15.920 --> 0:09:19.840 to the table. Let's talk defense. The team signed eight 0:09:19.920 --> 0:09:23.360 undrestricted free agents, Five of them could start on D. 0:09:24.160 --> 0:09:27.160 What was your reaction to that infusion of veteran talent 0:09:27.240 --> 0:09:30.559 on defense. I loved it, you know, just from a 0:09:30.640 --> 0:09:36.800 character football character and the reputations these guys had and 0:09:36.920 --> 0:09:39.280 I knew Von I've heard a lot about DJ Reader. 0:09:39.840 --> 0:09:41.480 Just the type of guys that they're bringing in the 0:09:41.480 --> 0:09:44.360 program is really exciting because they do things the right 0:09:44.480 --> 0:09:48.360 way they're coming from winning programs and their competitors and 0:09:49.080 --> 0:09:52.280 having them, you know, to the talent we already have 0:09:52.520 --> 0:09:55.200 is going to help us a lot. As you mentioned, 0:09:55.240 --> 0:09:58.000 you knew Von from being teammates at Ohio State. What 0:09:58.120 --> 0:10:01.360 does he specifically add both in terms of his locker 0:10:01.400 --> 0:10:04.319 room leadership and his play on the field as a safety. 0:10:04.840 --> 0:10:08.679 He's a great leader. He's a very competitive individual. I've 0:10:08.720 --> 0:10:11.120 played with him for two years at AHU State and 0:10:11.240 --> 0:10:13.760 he's just a true pro. He goes about a business 0:10:13.800 --> 0:10:17.160 the right way. Out on the field, he brings intensity. 0:10:17.240 --> 0:10:22.480 He's you know, hard nosed football player, plays back in 0:10:22.559 --> 0:10:26.480 safety but tackles like a linebacker. And uh, you know, 0:10:26.520 --> 0:10:28.760 he's just someone that you can always count on behind 0:10:28.880 --> 0:10:32.600 you to play physical, do his job, and in crunch 0:10:32.640 --> 0:10:37.000 time makes some big plays. Pro Football Focus recently ranked 0:10:37.000 --> 0:10:40.200 the Bengals defensive line is the tenth best in the NFL. 0:10:40.800 --> 0:10:44.240 How does DJ Reader impact the entire group? And do 0:10:44.320 --> 0:10:47.520 you hope to play fewer snaps than the eight hundred 0:10:47.559 --> 0:10:51.439 and fifty three you logged on defense last year? DJ? Yeah, 0:10:51.520 --> 0:10:54.400 he's a he's a great player. He's when he turned 0:10:54.400 --> 0:10:56.280 on the film, you notice what a force he is 0:10:57.520 --> 0:11:00.720 run stopping and especially he's very good at the pastor 0:11:00.840 --> 0:11:04.280 from inside. You know. I hope to be a little 0:11:04.280 --> 0:11:06.160 bit more on the edge of this year with the 0:11:06.200 --> 0:11:09.640 addition to DJ because he really can rush the passer 0:11:09.880 --> 0:11:13.920 and uh, you know, we got some young guys coming 0:11:13.960 --> 0:11:17.880 in clid Kareem on the outside and a little bit 0:11:17.880 --> 0:11:20.800 of rotation. Hopefully be a little bit fresher. But yeah, 0:11:20.840 --> 0:11:23.439 like I said, hopefully be outside a little bit more 0:11:23.440 --> 0:11:25.720 on third downs and stuff like that. But I'm just 0:11:25.760 --> 0:11:29.240 really excited overall with you know, the experience and talent 0:11:29.360 --> 0:11:32.520 we have on the defensive line. We are catching up 0:11:32.520 --> 0:11:35.480 with Sam Hubbard. It's no secret that you and Joe 0:11:35.520 --> 0:11:39.280 Burrow are good friends. He reportedly agreed to a contract today. 0:11:39.800 --> 0:11:43.320 Do you remember your initial impressions of him at Ohio 0:11:43.400 --> 0:11:45.040 State and what does it mean to you to be 0:11:45.080 --> 0:11:48.560 reunited in the NFL. I've known Joe for a long time. 0:11:49.080 --> 0:11:51.360 I don't know if I remember my initial impressions. I 0:11:51.400 --> 0:11:53.760 just know that, uh, you know, ever since he stepped 0:11:53.760 --> 0:11:56.600 in the door at O'house State, he was a competitor, 0:11:56.800 --> 0:11:58.720 you know, one of the hardest working guys in the room. 0:11:59.280 --> 0:12:02.040 And that are changed with all the success. He's still 0:12:02.040 --> 0:12:05.280 that same guy, and you know, I'm really excited that 0:12:05.440 --> 0:12:08.440 they greeded terms and he's I know, he's excited to 0:12:08.480 --> 0:12:11.600 get out there and meet the guys and you know, 0:12:12.520 --> 0:12:14.680 learn the offense and take hold of the football team. 0:12:15.320 --> 0:12:20.080 Before the draft, did he pick your brain about the franchise? Uh? Yeah, 0:12:20.120 --> 0:12:23.120 I mean we were talking. Obviously, he was in a 0:12:23.200 --> 0:12:25.880 position to be drafted very highly. We had a very 0:12:25.960 --> 0:12:28.960 high draft pick, so we had a bunch of conversations 0:12:29.000 --> 0:12:31.640 just about what we got going and the goals we're 0:12:31.640 --> 0:12:35.160 trying to accomplish. You know, the guys in the locker room, 0:12:35.280 --> 0:12:38.560 you know, the group of young talent and guys who 0:12:38.559 --> 0:12:40.839 want to win. And he was excited to hear about 0:12:40.880 --> 0:12:43.360 it and excited to have the opportunity to come be 0:12:43.400 --> 0:12:46.000 a part of it. Sam. He used his Heisman speech 0:12:46.040 --> 0:12:48.120 to help the less fortunate where he's from, and you 0:12:48.200 --> 0:12:51.320 recently did something similar here in Cincinnati. He started a 0:12:51.360 --> 0:12:55.760 fundraising effort that helped raise more than eighty thousand dollars 0:12:56.000 --> 0:12:57.880 for the Free Store Food Bank and it's going to 0:12:57.920 --> 0:13:01.120 help provide more than two hundred and fifty meals. Was 0:13:01.160 --> 0:13:03.440 that eye opening to you to know how big of 0:13:03.440 --> 0:13:07.200 an impact you can have with your platform. Yeah, it was. 0:13:07.320 --> 0:13:10.040 It was amazing to see all the you know, support 0:13:10.080 --> 0:13:13.080 from the city, especially being from here, the support from 0:13:13.080 --> 0:13:18.040 my teammates, guys like Carlos, and the support from Cincinnati 0:13:18.040 --> 0:13:22.839 based companies like Fifth Third Try to Health. It was incredible. 0:13:23.000 --> 0:13:27.240 You know, obviously it's tough times right now, but acts 0:13:27.280 --> 0:13:30.679 like that and you know, coming together really really inspired 0:13:30.760 --> 0:13:34.800 me to continue to keep working on things and using 0:13:34.840 --> 0:13:38.120 my platform for the better in year three. Do you 0:13:38.200 --> 0:13:41.720 feel like a veteran, Yes, I definitely do. I do 0:13:41.800 --> 0:13:43.960 feel like a veteran, and I'm trying to, you know, 0:13:44.040 --> 0:13:47.160 show that with these rookies you're in a very awkward 0:13:47.160 --> 0:13:49.720 and tough situation, trying to give them some words of 0:13:49.760 --> 0:13:52.880 wisdom and help their learning curve and bring them along 0:13:52.960 --> 0:13:56.559 and also, you know, just be more of a leader 0:13:56.800 --> 0:13:59.160 and help take this team where we want to go. 0:13:59.679 --> 0:14:03.800 I'm the case recently that guys that are self motivated, 0:14:03.960 --> 0:14:06.760 and I would certainly put you in that group having 0:14:06.760 --> 0:14:10.600 a bit of an advantage this year, because I'm sure 0:14:10.640 --> 0:14:12.160 there are guys that work as hard as you do, 0:14:12.280 --> 0:14:14.599 but I'm not sure that anybody works hard or do 0:14:14.760 --> 0:14:17.920 you feel like maybe your work ethic put you a 0:14:17.960 --> 0:14:22.440 foot ahead considering the absence of OTAs and many camps 0:14:22.480 --> 0:14:25.160 in the off season. Yeah yeah, like you said, I 0:14:25.480 --> 0:14:28.240 probably myself on my work ethic and you know, put 0:14:28.360 --> 0:14:30.400 on a lot of work this offseason. I really want 0:14:30.400 --> 0:14:32.560 to put it on display. And that's why I'm so 0:14:33.760 --> 0:14:37.000 hopeful and you know, really hoping that this h this 0:14:37.160 --> 0:14:40.000 season is able to go through smoothly. I know, we 0:14:40.120 --> 0:14:41.760 got a lot of other guys that are very self 0:14:41.840 --> 0:14:45.160 motivated and feel the same way, and we want to 0:14:45.160 --> 0:14:47.480 get out there and show all the all the work 0:14:47.520 --> 0:14:50.720 we put in and put it on display. It's going 0:14:50.800 --> 0:14:54.920 to be a while before you have hard hitting type practices. 0:14:55.640 --> 0:14:58.600 Do you have any concern about getting ready for the 0:14:58.680 --> 0:15:02.080 physical nature of football all considering the limitations that are 0:15:02.120 --> 0:15:04.760 being put on training camp. I think we're in a 0:15:04.920 --> 0:15:08.760 very tough situation, and you know, there's not too many 0:15:09.160 --> 0:15:11.520 good ways to go about it. But the plan we 0:15:11.600 --> 0:15:15.200 have gone forward gives us a little bit of acclamation 0:15:15.320 --> 0:15:19.520 period and we're just really gonna have to be detailed 0:15:19.600 --> 0:15:24.680 in our reps and our preparation and getting our bodies right, 0:15:25.440 --> 0:15:28.040 and it's gonna be unique. It's gonna be a tough challenge, 0:15:28.160 --> 0:15:31.040 but I think we're up for it. And you know, 0:15:32.120 --> 0:15:35.880 time will tell, but I like where things are going well. 0:15:35.920 --> 0:15:38.520 It's exciting for Bengals fans to have the players are 0:15:38.560 --> 0:15:40.800 reporting back to the stadium for the start of training 0:15:40.880 --> 0:15:43.160 camp today, and I appreciate your time and look forward 0:15:43.160 --> 0:15:45.840 to seeing you from a distance, probably or over a 0:15:45.920 --> 0:15:48.760 zoom call sometime soon. Thanks for your time, Sam, Yeah, 0:15:48.880 --> 0:15:53.200 no problem, Thank you. Here's an interesting nugget about Hubbard. 0:15:53.640 --> 0:15:57.960 According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Sam ranks second in 0:15:58.040 --> 0:16:02.600 the NFL last year on down pressure rate at seventeen 0:16:02.680 --> 0:16:06.880 point five percent, trailing only Benson Mayoa of the Raiders 0:16:07.320 --> 0:16:11.000 at eighteen point eight percent. The player who finished one 0:16:11.040 --> 0:16:14.480 spot below Sam Hubbard in that stat was two time 0:16:14.680 --> 0:16:18.560 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Anytime a 0:16:18.720 --> 0:16:22.520 defensive lineman ranks ahead of Aaron Donald in anything, it's 0:16:22.560 --> 0:16:25.680 worth noting. Before we get to our next conversation. Here's 0:16:25.720 --> 0:16:28.000 a quick reminder that you can take your Bengals pride 0:16:28.040 --> 0:16:30.720 to the next level in twenty twenty with an official 0:16:30.840 --> 0:16:35.120 Bengals fan package from Prime Sport. The Bengals single season 0:16:35.200 --> 0:16:38.360 record four receptions isn't held by A. J. Greene or 0:16:38.520 --> 0:16:41.840 Chad Johnson or Isaac Curtis. It's held by t J. 0:16:42.040 --> 0:16:44.960 Hushman Zada, who hauled in one hundred and twelve catches 0:16:45.000 --> 0:16:47.400 in two thousand and seven en route to a Pro 0:16:47.520 --> 0:16:51.680 Bowl appearance. TJ is a broadcaster these days for FS one. 0:16:52.200 --> 0:16:55.400 In addition to helping train wide receivers in the off season, 0:16:56.040 --> 0:17:00.840 he also knows plenty about the Bengals new quarterback. TJ. 0:17:01.040 --> 0:17:03.040 Let's start with Joe Burrow. You were one of the 0:17:03.120 --> 0:17:07.680 first people really singing his praises because you're wired in 0:17:07.800 --> 0:17:10.080 at LSU where two of your daughters are going to 0:17:10.119 --> 0:17:13.680 be on the softball team. Describe your history with Joe 0:17:13.960 --> 0:17:18.040 and his coaches at LSU. Well, I'm glad she said that. 0:17:18.160 --> 0:17:20.720 I was. Actually, I probably was the first guy on 0:17:20.880 --> 0:17:24.760 TV to say that Joe was gonna be drafted very 0:17:25.119 --> 0:17:27.760 I really was. I wouldn't say bandwagon, but I was 0:17:28.840 --> 0:17:31.880 a big supporter of Zoe before anybody was, I will 0:17:31.960 --> 0:17:34.800 say that, But just being up there and around it, 0:17:35.080 --> 0:17:40.199 they were just very optimistic that the twenty nineteen college 0:17:40.240 --> 0:17:42.640 football season for LSU was going to go very well. 0:17:42.680 --> 0:17:46.480 And it was because of Joe and after that Sector's game, 0:17:46.800 --> 0:17:49.359 that's the first game of the season. I said, I'm minute, 0:17:49.400 --> 0:17:51.639 dudes gonna be the first pick. He had a lot 0:17:51.680 --> 0:17:56.280 of weapons around them, and people always try to change 0:17:56.320 --> 0:17:58.760 at all man, he had all these great guys around them. 0:18:00.960 --> 0:18:03.880 Somebody has to get on the ball, and they helped him. 0:18:04.400 --> 0:18:06.680 He benefited from having great players to play with, and 0:18:06.800 --> 0:18:09.520 they benefited from having a great quarterback with great pocket 0:18:09.600 --> 0:18:13.840 presence and touch an actressy as well. Yeah, no question 0:18:13.880 --> 0:18:15.840 about it. A lot of people also say that the 0:18:16.359 --> 0:18:20.159 you know, the Joe Brady system pumped up his stats somehow, 0:18:20.240 --> 0:18:22.040 but I kind of look at it at the as 0:18:22.080 --> 0:18:26.520 the opposite, Whereas the year before their offense was so 0:18:26.760 --> 0:18:29.680 primitive that I don't know that any quarterback could have 0:18:29.720 --> 0:18:33.040 put up big numbers. I could always make an argument 0:18:33.280 --> 0:18:36.200 to discredit anyone, or I can make an argument to 0:18:36.480 --> 0:18:38.439 pump somebody up and make him look good and put 0:18:38.480 --> 0:18:42.840 him on the pedicalal. Did Joe Brady help LSU when 0:18:42.880 --> 0:18:46.359 he came, of course he did. But I don't care 0:18:47.119 --> 0:18:51.679 how great a coach is. The players have to execute. 0:18:52.440 --> 0:18:54.840 You have to execute, and if you don't have a 0:18:54.920 --> 0:18:58.480 guy that can execute, what needs to be done. It 0:18:58.680 --> 0:19:02.040 doesn't matter what's being called. I mean, if you look 0:19:02.080 --> 0:19:05.440 at LSU that you would have said they had look 0:19:05.480 --> 0:19:08.119 at the offensive line, they didn't have anybody to get drafted, 0:19:08.119 --> 0:19:11.240 if I'm not mistaken, in the first two rounds. But 0:19:12.320 --> 0:19:15.200 they were considered one of the better offensive lines in 0:19:15.240 --> 0:19:19.080 college football. And yeah, they played well. But Joe's pocket 0:19:19.160 --> 0:19:22.960 presence and its ability to slide, step up and just 0:19:23.080 --> 0:19:25.360 kind of maneuver in the pocket. He helped those guys out. 0:19:25.640 --> 0:19:27.879 But a lot of that gets overlooked because Joe is 0:19:27.920 --> 0:19:30.240 a guy that kind of came through. He just came 0:19:30.280 --> 0:19:32.639 out of nowhere. All you transferred fallile stage ure, good 0:19:32.720 --> 0:19:36.680 enough to play. And so when guys company situations like that, 0:19:37.160 --> 0:19:39.480 they always looked to get the credit to someone else 0:19:39.520 --> 0:19:42.080 and saying this guy, we just didn't evaluate them the 0:19:42.200 --> 0:19:45.040 right way. You're all the oldest daughter was there last 0:19:45.160 --> 0:19:47.359 year on the softball team. Did you get caught up 0:19:47.560 --> 0:19:50.879 in the excitement because she was there, you know, living 0:19:50.920 --> 0:19:54.560 out that season as an LSU student. Oh man, Yeah, 0:19:54.720 --> 0:19:56.840 like I thought for Lshoe, like like I went to 0:19:56.880 --> 0:20:01.200 score there, like I was in the lung. We watched 0:20:01.280 --> 0:20:05.640 every game. My son, he's an added Avid advid football fan. 0:20:06.200 --> 0:20:08.680 I mean, he pretty much knows everyone what he feels. 0:20:08.720 --> 0:20:11.080 He's gonna go to hell su But yeah, I thought 0:20:11.119 --> 0:20:13.760 flu like I wasn't a lum. Yeah I was. I 0:20:13.920 --> 0:20:16.240 was really into it. That's funny. We're talking to former 0:20:16.280 --> 0:20:19.159 Bengals Pro bowler T. J. Hushman Zada. You were in 0:20:19.280 --> 0:20:21.720 your third year with the Bengals when Carson Palmer arrived 0:20:21.760 --> 0:20:23.720 as the number one overall pick, So I'm sure you 0:20:23.800 --> 0:20:26.800 can remember. You know what you are looking to see 0:20:26.960 --> 0:20:30.200 out of him? What will the veterans be looking for? 0:20:30.960 --> 0:20:35.000 When they started practicing with Joe Burrow, Jones just has 0:20:35.080 --> 0:20:38.040 a And again I was around them lead up to 0:20:38.080 --> 0:20:41.240 the pre draft process. You know they trained with George Palmer. 0:20:42.359 --> 0:20:46.159 He's just a He has a sternness about him, like 0:20:46.480 --> 0:20:49.440 just a natural leader. Man. He's not gonna let anybody 0:20:49.520 --> 0:20:52.600 run over him. And I don't think anybody would try 0:20:52.640 --> 0:20:54.159 to run over him just because of the way he 0:20:54.320 --> 0:20:58.560 carries himself. And he's gonna command respect right away. And 0:20:58.920 --> 0:21:02.440 that's what the Bengals need, is the Beingals are talent 0:21:02.520 --> 0:21:04.840 to manens. I talk to people and when I get 0:21:04.880 --> 0:21:08.240 on TV, it feels like I'm a Homer as you 0:21:08.359 --> 0:21:11.000 just saying that because you played for the Bengals. But 0:21:11.200 --> 0:21:14.600 I really believe the Bengals have a ton of talent 0:21:15.119 --> 0:21:18.040 on both sides of the ball. I thought last year 0:21:18.080 --> 0:21:20.600 they were kind of lacking in the linebacker department. They 0:21:20.800 --> 0:21:23.159 kind of upgraded that in the draft. These guys can 0:21:23.640 --> 0:21:26.920 produce and help early. But when you look at their 0:21:26.960 --> 0:21:32.200 team skill players from receivers to running backs, tight ends, quarterback, 0:21:34.359 --> 0:21:36.040 you can look across the league and say, Wow, the 0:21:36.119 --> 0:21:38.560 beingles matched up with anybody the skill player wise. Now 0:21:38.680 --> 0:21:41.919 this offensive line can come together. You get Jonah Williams 0:21:41.960 --> 0:21:44.840 back whom miss his entire rook year. If they can 0:21:44.920 --> 0:21:47.240 come together, the Bengals can supply some people. But it's 0:21:47.280 --> 0:21:51.720 not going to be easy because arguably the AFT North 0:21:51.920 --> 0:21:55.440 and the NFT West or probably the two toughest divisions 0:21:55.880 --> 0:22:01.480 in football. If Roethlisberger is Roethlisberger, I mean, I've been 0:22:03.560 --> 0:22:05.520 has been one of the better quarterbacks in the league 0:22:05.560 --> 0:22:09.280