1 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody. I'm Dan Horden. Thanks for downloading the 2 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth podcast. The Why Do You Build Me Up? Addition, 3 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:15,080 Speaker 1: as the Bengals turn their focus toward building a better 4 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 1: defense in twenty twenty six, Coming up, Barrett Carter and 5 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: Demetrius Knight discuss their rookie year growing pains, We learn 6 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: how DJ Turner went from good to great, and Joseph 7 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: Osai has an all caps four letter compliment for teammate 8 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: Miles Murphy. The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you 9 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 1: by pay Corps, proud to be the Bengals official HR 10 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: software provider, by Alta Fiber, future proof fiber Internet designed 11 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: to elevate your home, business, and community to a new level, 12 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 1: and by Kettering Health the best care for the best fans. 13 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: Kettering Health is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. 14 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: Now here's a quick reminder that you can have the 15 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: latest edition of this podcast deliver right to your phone, tablet, 16 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: or computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's 17 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 1: the greatest thing since the Bengals twenty twenty six schedule. 18 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: Before I get into the details, I'll admit that It's 19 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: really hard to project how difficult or easy an NFL 20 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 1: schedule is going to be for the upcoming season because 21 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: several teams make dramatic turnarounds every year. This year, for example, 22 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 1: the Bengals faced five teams that had top ten draft picks, 23 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: meaning they weren't good in twenty twenty four. Three of 24 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:39,839 Speaker 1: those teams one division titles, Jacksonville, New England and Chicago, 25 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:44,039 Speaker 1: with a combined record of thirty eight and thirteen. But 26 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: having said that, the Bengals schedule for next year looks 27 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: pretty favorable based on this year's records. It's the third 28 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: easiest schedule in the league. The Browns are number one, 29 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: the Saints are number two. There are only four games 30 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 1: on the schedule against teams with winning records, two against 31 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 1: the ten and seven Steelers, who will have a new 32 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: coach and probably a different starting quarterback, plus a home 33 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: game against the thirteen and four Jags, and a road 34 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 1: game against the twelve and five Texans. That's it for 35 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: teams with winning records. Every year, the Bengals face all 36 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 1: four teams from an NFC division next season, they'll miss 37 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: the West, where three of the four teams won at 38 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: least twelve games and the North, where every team had 39 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: a winning record. They get to face the NFC South, 40 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: where all four teams the Panthers, Bucks, Falcons, and Saints 41 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: had losing records in twenty twenty five. Three of their 42 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:46,079 Speaker 1: opponents had quarterbacks go down with major injuries late in 43 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:50,119 Speaker 1: the year. Patrick Mahomes, Michael Pennix, and Daniel Jones, who 44 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 1: was also a free agent in Indianapolis to Atungo Viiloa 45 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: appears to be out in Miami, and Cleveland can't feel 46 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: confident about Shador Sanders, who through seven touchdown passes in 47 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 1: ten picks as a rookie with a passer rating of 48 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 1: sixty eight point one that would have been last in 49 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: the league by far if he had enough attempts to qualify. 50 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:16,120 Speaker 1: And in addition to Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Miami 51 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: will have new coaches and who knows how that'll go, 52 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: especially early in the season. In short, it looks like 53 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 1: a schedule with a lot of wins on it that 54 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 1: could help Cincinnati be one of those teams that makes 55 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: a dramatic turnaround from one year to the next. Now, 56 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: let's discuss the biggest key to a turnaround next season 57 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 1: fixing the defense. In each of the last two years, 58 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 1: the Bengals have tied a franchise record by scoring thirty 59 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: or more points in eight games. That's sixteen of their 60 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: thirty four games, or forty seven percent. Unfortunately, they lost 61 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: seven of those games, including four where they scored at 62 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 1: least thirty eight points. With Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase t Higgins, 63 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: Chase Brown and a much improved offensive line, the Bengals 64 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 1: should be one of the highest scoring teams in the 65 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: league next year. I asked Zach Taylor if that makes 66 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,839 Speaker 1: their off season job pretty simple in the months to come. 67 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 1: Every offensive starter but one is under contract. 68 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 2: Do you feel like. 69 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 1: You're in a unique position where you really only have 70 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: to address one side of the ball. 71 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,040 Speaker 3: I mean, that's the truth of it, you know, And 72 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,840 Speaker 3: so there's no real sugarcoating that you got a bunch 73 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:36,160 Speaker 3: of guys coming back, and it's exciting because you can 74 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 3: focus your energy and there's so many guys on outside 75 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:43,160 Speaker 3: the ball that really their growth was accelerated over the 76 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 3: last half of the year that you're really excited about 77 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 3: their future here as starters, as role players. So I 78 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 3: feel like we're in a tremendous position. 79 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin echoed those comments when 80 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 1: he met with the media last week. 81 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 4: You know, this year on offense, we feel really good. 82 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 4: We feel like that's a unit that's going to be 83 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 4: back in full and we feel like it's a unit 84 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,479 Speaker 4: that was really hitting its stride and expanding on the 85 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,919 Speaker 4: stride that it hit. So we feel really good about 86 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 4: that side of the ball, and we'll see what we 87 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 4: can get done. 88 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,600 Speaker 5: On defense, it's important. 89 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 4: For us to address what needs to be addressed. We 90 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 4: don't bury our head in the sand. We see what's 91 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 4: going on and we'll try to address it in every 92 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 4: way we can. 93 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:33,720 Speaker 1: And that begins up front, where the Bengals have struggled 94 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: to put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks to the last 95 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: few seasons. 96 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 4: Successful defenses, in my opinion, they have to be able 97 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 4: to pressure the passer. You'd like to be able to 98 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:50,359 Speaker 4: pressure with four I think we need pass rush. I 99 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 4: think that relieves some of the strain on the coverage. 100 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 4: So I'm a guy that believes in the front on 101 00:05:57,880 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 4: both sides of the ball. 102 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:00,799 Speaker 5: That is my focus. 103 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 4: People might not believe that, but that is my focus. 104 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 5: They might believe I. 105 00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 4: Love throwing the ball down the field and having great 106 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:11,599 Speaker 4: wide outs. Those opportunities presented himself, we grabbed them, and 107 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 4: we're glad we did. 108 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 5: But I want to build the front. I always want 109 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 5: to build the front. 110 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: Duke, assuming that Trey is not back, how imperative is 111 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: it to try to add and a lead pass rush. 112 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm for pass rush. I'm for pass rush. I 113 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 4: don't know what the future holds for for Trey. Those 114 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 4: are those are discussions that we're going to have to 115 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 4: have ongoing. You know, he's one of a number of 116 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 4: free agents that we have that will have to decide 117 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,840 Speaker 4: how we're going to go forward with. The pass rush 118 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 4: is king, and you always need to be layering in 119 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 4: pass rusher. It can develop from within your team, and 120 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 4: I think we've seen some of that start to develop 121 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 4: from within our team, and then I think we need 122 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:57,119 Speaker 4: to find some from external sources as well. 123 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: Duke didn't rule out the return of Trey Hendrickson, and 124 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: I suppose anything is possible, but that seems unlikely. The 125 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: Bengals could try to tag in trade tray to get 126 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: a draft pick this year. If they let him go, 127 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: they would get a compensatory draft pick next year. Joseph 128 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 1: Osai is also due to be a free agent after 129 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:19,960 Speaker 1: staying with the team on a one year, six point 130 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: five million dollar deal this season. Osai missed his rookie 131 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: year due to injury and committed a costly penalty at 132 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: the end of the AFC Championship Game, a year two 133 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: that helped Kansas City advance to the Super Bowl, but 134 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: Joseph has shown steady improvement and earned the respective teammates 135 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: and coaches for his effort in attitude. I talked to 136 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: Osai about his future and about fellow edge rusher Miles Murphy. 137 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 6: It's been great. It's been great. There's been there's been 138 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 6: up and downs, ups and downs for short but I'm 139 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 6: most excited about the relationships I've built in those years, 140 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 6: in those in those learnings to situations growing you know, 141 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 6: I gained friends for life in those learning situations. So 142 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 6: I wouldn't I wouldn't change any of that for the world. 143 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 6: But yeah, it's been great. You can't grow without going 144 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 6: through some hurt, you know what I mean. That's why 145 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 6: it's called growing pains. So yeah, five years year, it's 146 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 6: been great. It's been a blessing. Hopefully there's more. If 147 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 6: there's not, I hope I keep growing wherever I get to. 148 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: It's kind of a blunt way of asking this question, 149 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: but do you feel like you put yourself into a 150 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 1: position to get paid? 151 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 6: I think I did alright. I think I did alright 152 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 6: for myself. This is always, you know, I'm very critical 153 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 6: for myself. So there's definitely a lot more that I 154 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:39,560 Speaker 6: wanted to do. A lot of more I could have done. 155 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:45,320 Speaker 6: Easier said than done, obviously, But I'm lucky that we 156 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 6: get paid so much to do what we do. This 157 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 6: is fun for me, This is a this is what 158 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 6: I would dream about. This is what I it's about 159 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 6: when in the off season, when we're not playing for 160 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 6: so long. So whatever, if they give me five bucks, 161 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 6: I'm good. You know what I'm saying. 162 00:08:58,320 --> 00:08:59,439 Speaker 1: I think it gets a little more than that. 163 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 6: I'll get a little more than that, but you know, 164 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:04,839 Speaker 6: whatever they give me, I'm happy with. 165 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 5: So we'll see. 166 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 3: How do you think losing Tray in the middle of 167 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 3: the year kind of affected the way the whole defensive 168 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:11,559 Speaker 3: line room went about business. 169 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 7: How do you think that impact? 170 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 6: It's tough when you when you lose a guy like 171 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 6: that and the impact he makes, the impact he has 172 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 6: on a defense, any defense, it's tough. But I think 173 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 6: I think we did a good job of of a 174 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:26,839 Speaker 6: rallying as a D line and playing with each other 175 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 6: and leaning on each other and in hopes of filling 176 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 6: that hole. But you know, anyone who's played against him 177 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 6: or or played with him knows it's a it's a 178 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 6: massive hole that he that's that's gone in a defense 179 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 6: when he's not on it. So I think I'm giving 180 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 6: props to the whole D line for for rallying around 181 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 6: each other and leaning on each other and trying to 182 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 6: to to be impactful still without him. 183 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: You got to rush from his side after he got hurt. 184 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 1: Did that unlock something for you? 185 00:09:57,840 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 5: It was great? It was great. 186 00:09:59,360 --> 00:10:03,679 Speaker 6: You know I favored that side a bit, But I'm 187 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:07,319 Speaker 6: not gonna speak to it unlocking this and that, because 188 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 6: you know that that brings up the fact that he 189 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 6: wasn't there, and I don't like to talk about that, 190 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 6: but it was it was great to be over there. 191 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 5: Predominantly, I would. 192 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 1: Say, could Miles become a dude this year? 193 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 6: And that's what I'm so excited about, man, And I 194 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 6: love because seeing young guys grow. It's there's nothing like it. 195 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 6: Seeing young guys developed, There's nothing like it. Miles become 196 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 6: a became a All Caps dude. 197 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 5: This year and and I love that. 198 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 6: I love that. And I've always said he had he 199 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:40,199 Speaker 6: had all the tangibles, you know, he just needed one 200 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 6: opportunity in this game is just bigger than most. And 201 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 6: then the confidence to know that he can do it. 202 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 6: And you can see it every week when he got 203 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 6: more confident and more confident in the way he played, 204 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 6: and the swagger about him was different and all that stuff. 205 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 6: And I'm just I'm happy for him. Capital All Caps 206 00:10:58,160 --> 00:10:59,680 Speaker 6: d u d dude. 207 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:04,679 Speaker 8: You broke in in the Super Bowl defense first two 208 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 8: years in that in the run of the title game. 209 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 8: Does this defense that finished this season any characteristics that can. 210 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 6: This defense, this defense that de finished the season has 211 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 6: the chance to be one of the best defenses in 212 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 6: the league. 213 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 5: My opinion, I'm very biased. 214 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 6: Let mean, let me start off by saying that I'm 215 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 6: very biased, but I think I think they do. You know, 216 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 6: we got guys that can fly around you guys, guys 217 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:37,439 Speaker 6: communicated committed to. 218 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 8: The scheme, to the to the to. 219 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 6: The defense, and from what I've seen, you know, put 220 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 6: us against anybody. 221 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 5: You know what I'm saying. 222 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 6: The way Miles is growing, the the the way the 223 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:51,960 Speaker 6: young guys in Cedric and Chamar and and cam you know, 224 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 6: the way they we're all grown and taking that step. 225 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 6: Why not. It took some time from guys to to. 226 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:00,120 Speaker 5: Settle down a bit, to. 227 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:05,320 Speaker 6: To shut out some outside noise a bit and just 228 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 6: locking and understanding that this is. But when you say 229 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 6: bunker mentality, you have to mean bunker mentality. 230 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:12,839 Speaker 5: So I think that's what it was. 231 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 1: With regard to your contract, he said, hopefully it's still here. 232 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 1: If not, you know, you'll go wherever you go. What 233 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:20,800 Speaker 1: are the benefits of staying for you plenty? 234 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 6: You know, again, this locker room, you don't cultivate the 235 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:29,839 Speaker 6: relationships you do in five years, you don't, you know 236 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 6: what I mean, It'll take another five years to get. 237 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 5: The same relationships. So start off with that. 238 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 6: The coaching, the training staff, the city of Cincinnati and 239 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 6: what it's been to me for five years. Has been 240 00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 6: home for five years. So so those are all benefits. 241 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 6: Those all benefits playing with Joe Burrow, playing with freaking Jamaar. 242 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:50,200 Speaker 5: Chase T. 243 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 6: Higgins, having those guys on your offense. Uh, and knowing 244 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 6: you can you can go against anybody with those guys. 245 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:59,079 Speaker 2: That's gonna be missed if I don't stay. 246 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 6: There's so many variables that go into that that make 247 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 6: up the decision. But that's the beauty of it, that's 248 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 6: the beaute of it. That's the beauty of figuring out 249 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 6: to stay or go. That's the beauty of me coming 250 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:14,200 Speaker 6: back last year. So you know, and again that's a 251 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 6: huge part of it because you know, I love these. 252 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 5: Guys so much. 253 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 6: I love this locker room so much, so I'm sure 254 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 6: I could go into it. 255 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 5: But we'll see. 256 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 1: If you agree with Osai that Miles Murphy, the Bengals 257 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 1: first round pick in twenty twenty three, became an All 258 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:31,640 Speaker 1: Caps Dude this year, then the same should apply to 259 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 1: the team's second round pick that year, Dj Turner. He 260 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 1: didn't even start the season opener, but daily meditation and 261 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:42,199 Speaker 1: an increased commitment to the mental side of the game 262 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 1: helped DJ become one of the NFL's top cover corners 263 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 1: and a third alternate for the Pro Bowl. Here's defensive 264 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 1: coordinator Al Golden and fellow cornerback DJ Ivy. 265 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:59,719 Speaker 9: I just see a very driven, very consistent climb. He's 266 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 9: got a house in order, and what I mean by 267 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,720 Speaker 9: that is there's not many things that knock. 268 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 5: Him down the peg from week to week. He's got 269 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 5: everything in order. 270 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,960 Speaker 9: He knows exactly what he needs to do, mind, body, spirit, 271 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 9: on and off the field. His approach has been consistent, 272 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 9: and obviously we think he's playing at a really. 273 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 10: High level, more locked in, more honed in on the details, 274 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 10: and just coming out working every day. Not saying that 275 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 10: he didn't do it before, but this year everyone else 276 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 10: saw it. Obviously, we've seen it day in and day out. 277 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 10: I've been with these are my draft class. I've been 278 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 10: with him for the past three years, so I know 279 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 10: what he's capable of. But to actually get to show 280 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 10: the world what he could do, it was impressive. 281 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 1: This year, He's talked a lot about the mental side 282 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 1: of his game and meditation and things that he's done 283 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 1: like that. Has it made other guys think maybe this 284 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: is something I need to embrace more. 285 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 10: I would say yes, I mean for me, it did. 286 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 10: He opened up to us during the season, probably midway 287 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 10: through the season, he opened up to the defense about, 288 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 10: you know how, pretty much how he takes care of 289 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 10: his mental and how he thinks that it's a big 290 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:17,200 Speaker 10: tossess part of his game. And I said the same thing. 291 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 10: Let me, let me try it out, let me you know, 292 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 10: let me see. 293 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 5: If it works for me. 294 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 10: And uh, and I could add it to my playbook. 295 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 10: So you know, I you know, try to start meditating 296 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 10: a little bit. 297 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 7: Uh. 298 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 10: It's definitely hard to start, but I think the biggest 299 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:33,600 Speaker 10: thing is you just have to keep doing it and 300 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 10: being consistent with it and then just find you'll you'll 301 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 10: breathing it rhythm. 302 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: DJ finished with the seventh best coverage grade among NFL 303 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 1: cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus, and is embracing a 304 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: leadership role. 305 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 11: Everything I've gotten here, I've earned it, and that's as 306 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 11: a coachure, that's what you want, you know what I mean. 307 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 11: And so you know, I just want to try to 308 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 11: bring everybody along with me and from the season I had, 309 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 11: from the growth I've had, and just ENLiGHT everybody on 310 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 11: what I've done to you know, help out and just 311 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 11: improve in the game. On every time I've been on 312 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 11: I've been a capital. So it's like it's not a 313 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 11: new thing for me. You know, I definitely wouldn't bradge. 314 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 1: That role, your commitment to the mental side of the game, 315 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: and some of the things that you've been doing off 316 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: the field. It seems like the word is spreading among 317 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: your teammates. Do you feel like teammates you feel like 318 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: you're kind of an advocate for that kind of stuff. 319 00:16:25,480 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 11: No, for sure, because it's just so impactful, Like it's 320 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 11: just so impactful to just and I always say, but 321 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 11: there's no blueprint though, so like what I do in 322 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 11: the all season, Like I might to go travel the 323 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 11: whole bunch. Somebody might not want to travel, he might 324 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 11: want to be with his family, he might want it. Whatever, 325 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 11: whatever it is that clears your mind, gets your mental straight, 326 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 11: whatever it is for you, you have to figure that out. 327 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:50,920 Speaker 11: And that's why I just keep telling everybody is once 328 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:52,880 Speaker 11: you once you figure it out, you got it. And 329 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 11: so like I said, I know what I have to do, 330 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 11: so I'm about to go do it. But once you 331 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 11: figure it out, this all season is a big, big part. 332 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 11: It's not it's it's an off season, but you got 333 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 11: to use off seasons to still find a routine and 334 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 11: you know, just to improve, just really just improve every day. 335 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 1: You're Pro Bowl Alternate you could get in. Are you 336 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: kind of monitoring which guys are healthy, which guys might 337 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 1: wind up in the Super Bowl? Nah, I'm not even 338 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 1: looking at it. 339 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 11: If I get a call, okay, but you know it's 340 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 11: cool being awesome, but I want to make it so 341 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 11: you know, I'm not even looking at. 342 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 5: It for real. 343 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow said publicly that he told you you start 344 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,119 Speaker 1: out as an alternate, that's kind of step one, and 345 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 1: then once you get the reputation, you start going. Do 346 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 1: you agree with that? 347 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 11: Yeah, well, I mean agree to what the reason though? 348 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 7: What Joe Jo said? 349 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:39,880 Speaker 4: Oh? 350 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 5: I mean yeah, I mean. 351 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,199 Speaker 11: He said it happened to him that he pulled me 352 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:45,600 Speaker 11: aside inside of a whole bunch of people, even Orlando Brown, 353 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 11: he pulled me aside aside the same thing. So you know, uh, 354 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:50,160 Speaker 11: it was cool that day. 355 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 5: You want me side. 356 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:54,679 Speaker 1: And you know it's all to me, your draft class, Miles, you, 357 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:59,199 Speaker 1: Chase Brown, Jordan Battle, Andre Josi, Vash and others. Do 358 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 1: you feel like that's a core of the Bengals nucleus 359 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 1: going forward? 360 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 11: Not for sure? And we're so close to from life 361 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 11: is Yeah, we're all close on and that's definitely, like 362 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:16,679 Speaker 11: I said, AWD, NASA strong core, and all of us 363 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 11: are willing to build up. You know, I mean, we 364 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 11: want the role for all of us, so you know 365 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 11: I'm excited for it. 366 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:24,439 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth podcast is brought to you by pay Corps, 367 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 1: Proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 368 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 1: Ulta Fiber future Proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, 369 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:36,440 Speaker 1: business and community to a new level, and by Kettering 370 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: Health the Best Care for the Best Fans. Kettering Health 371 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. The members 372 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:47,360 Speaker 1: of that strong twenty twenty three draft class have one 373 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:50,720 Speaker 1: year left on their rookie contracts and are now eligible 374 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:54,680 Speaker 1: for extensions. The team could use a fifth year option 375 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,680 Speaker 1: with first round pick Miles Murphy, but it would cost 376 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:01,879 Speaker 1: them roughly thirteen point six million bucks. They have until 377 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: May one to decide. The Bengals used the fifth year 378 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:08,639 Speaker 1: option to keep their first round pick from the previous draft, 379 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 1: Dax Hill, and he responded with a strong season after 380 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 1: coming back from a torn acl for much of the year, 381 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:19,440 Speaker 1: Dax started at slot corner, but following an injury to 382 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 1: Cam Taylor, britt Jalen Davis took over in the slot, 383 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:27,600 Speaker 1: and Dax moved outside, where he thrived Over the last 384 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:31,439 Speaker 1: six weeks of the season. PFF grated Dax as the 385 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: fifth best cornerback in the NFL. Once again, here are 386 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:38,199 Speaker 1: Al Golden and Djivy. 387 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 9: He's just so great to be around and his journey. 388 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,159 Speaker 9: You know, I wasn't here for all of it, you know, 389 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 9: but I guess outside, inside, at safety, then to nickel, 390 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 9: now to corner, and I can safely say now what 391 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:54,680 Speaker 9: this body of work that he's found a home. 392 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 10: Honestly, I feel like Desk could play anywhere, as you 393 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:03,639 Speaker 10: guys can see safety, corner, Nick Dime, whatever position you 394 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 10: put him at, that stacks with l He's a great great, great, 395 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:12,919 Speaker 10: great guy, great competitor, a great teammate. He's also another 396 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 10: one who had a wonderful season at the corner position 397 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:21,199 Speaker 10: in our room, coming from playing nickel. But maybe like 398 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,919 Speaker 10: the first five weeks they have them move to outside corner. 399 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:26,480 Speaker 10: I know it could probably be a lot. He's his 400 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:31,679 Speaker 10: adjustment from going inside to outside, but he's just attackled 401 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 10: every day in the NFL. He had a wonderful season 402 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:34,640 Speaker 10: as well. 403 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 1: The former Michigan teammates Hill and Turner are twenty five 404 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 1: years old and could be one of the league's top 405 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:45,760 Speaker 1: tandems at corner going forward. Here's Duke Tobin. 406 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 4: They're pretty high level cover corners. They have they have 407 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 4: the skill set that we thought they had. They've developed 408 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 4: the way that we thought they would develop. And I 409 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:01,120 Speaker 4: was impressed with Dak's coming off of his knee injury, 410 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 4: and you could just see the confidence grow as the 411 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:07,560 Speaker 4: longer that got Pat you know in his past and 412 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 4: really proud of the way dj you know, grew both 413 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:16,200 Speaker 4: as a leader and as. 414 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:17,359 Speaker 5: A and as a player. 415 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,919 Speaker 4: Those guys were fortunate to have them, and you know 416 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:22,640 Speaker 4: those are guys to build around well. 417 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 1: Turner and Hill are clear cut starters for twenty twenty six. 418 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:30,639 Speaker 1: The picture is Murkier at linebacker. Barrett Carter and Demetrius 419 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 1: Knight took most of the defensive snaps as rookies, and 420 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:37,240 Speaker 1: at times their inexperience showed. 421 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 4: The growing pains that we saw this year are going 422 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:44,440 Speaker 4: to pay off because we saw them this year. It's 423 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 4: not always fun while they're happening. But those two linebackers 424 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:52,920 Speaker 4: that when they first started playing to when they finished 425 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 4: the season versus Cleveland out here are Night and day, 426 00:21:57,160 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 4: and you can see exactly what the vision is for 427 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:03,080 Speaker 4: those two guys. 428 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:07,240 Speaker 1: I spoke to Barrett Carter with Demetrius Knight eventually joining 429 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:11,959 Speaker 1: us about year one. Aaron, I thought, you came a 430 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,360 Speaker 1: long way in your rookie year. You were thrown into 431 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 1: the fire and got better and better. How did you 432 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 1: feel about your first NFL season? 433 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 5: It was a blessing. You know. 434 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:21,920 Speaker 2: It was a lot of ups and downs, to say 435 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:24,359 Speaker 2: the least. You know, playing in this league is not 436 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 2: easy by any means. You're going against the best guys 437 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:28,920 Speaker 2: day in and day out, week in and week out. 438 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:33,920 Speaker 2: So just the fact that the coaches and the players, 439 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 2: you know, trust in me just to take control and 440 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:39,480 Speaker 2: you know, step into that role, you know, nothing short 441 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 2: of a blessing. So I don't take that lightly. But 442 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 2: it was a lot of ups and downs, but you know, 443 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 2: I felt myself grow every single week. And that's what 444 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 2: it's about. You know, It's not about you know, it's 445 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:52,400 Speaker 2: not about what you can do that day. It's about 446 00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:53,960 Speaker 2: the end goal. It's about the journey, like how you 447 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:56,399 Speaker 2: can develop every single day. And I truly felt like 448 00:22:56,480 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 2: I am developing and I did develop, So proud of myself. 449 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:02,880 Speaker 2: But you know, it's back to the drawing boat, back 450 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:05,199 Speaker 2: to work, so a lot, a lot more place to 451 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:06,880 Speaker 2: be made, a lot more work to be done. 452 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:09,359 Speaker 1: I don't even know how many rookies had that green 453 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:11,720 Speaker 1: dot on their helmet this year. It couldn't have been many, 454 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:14,600 Speaker 1: maybe two or three. I don't know. What was that 455 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 1: responsibility like for you at your age? 456 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I don't, although I'm I came in here. 457 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:24,119 Speaker 2: I was twenty two, turned twenty three recently, and like, 458 00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 2: I don't, I don't see that being my age. You know, 459 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:29,480 Speaker 2: if you're if you're smart enough, if you're good enough, 460 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:32,160 Speaker 2: you're old enough. And you know, that's something that I've 461 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:34,640 Speaker 2: been told since I was a little kid. So I mean, 462 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:38,680 Speaker 2: you know, it's a big responsibility, but you know, it's 463 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 2: no pressure for me. I just see it as an opportunity. 464 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 2: I take that. I wear that badge with pride, just 465 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:47,560 Speaker 2: knowing that I'm trusted to be in that position. So 466 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,119 Speaker 2: just I'm glad that they trust me to do that, 467 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 2: and I'm just gonna keep working, keep working my ass 468 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,119 Speaker 2: off every single day just to you know, be the 469 00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:57,719 Speaker 2: best version of myself, and you know, be be the 470 00:23:57,840 --> 00:24:01,040 Speaker 2: leader and be the you know, future teampter this team needs. 471 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:03,320 Speaker 2: So I just got to just got to get back 472 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 2: to the drawing board. 473 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:06,280 Speaker 1: When I've talked to some of the vets in recent 474 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:09,040 Speaker 1: days and ask them about the development of the younger guys, 475 00:24:09,800 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 1: your name is one of the first that comes up. 476 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 1: Could you feel that Did you feel earning the respect 477 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 1: of your veteran teammates? 478 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 5: Absolutely? 479 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 2: Now that's what that was one of my goals coming 480 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:21,280 Speaker 2: in here, just like I know that you know, we 481 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 2: already had great leadership, we already had proven veterans. We 482 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 2: have done it at a high level for a long time. 483 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 2: So I just want to just come in and just 484 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:31,360 Speaker 2: show that, you know, although I'm a rookie, although I'm 485 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:34,400 Speaker 2: a I'm a quote unquote young guy, like I can, 486 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,040 Speaker 2: I can play with y'all. I can, I can, I 487 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 2: can hang with y'all. So I just wanted to show that, 488 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:41,600 Speaker 2: you know, I'm I'm here, I'm I belong here, and 489 00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:44,119 Speaker 2: I'm here for a reason, and I just I just 490 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:45,880 Speaker 2: want to keep proving that to them every single day. 491 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,600 Speaker 1: I know more than anything, you wish he had a 492 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:50,919 Speaker 1: game next week, a playoff game, But is there a 493 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 1: little bit of a can take a breath. Seasons over 494 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: all the training and everything that went up to the draft, 495 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:00,960 Speaker 1: you now can finally kind of for a little while. 496 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:01,440 Speaker 5: Yeah. 497 00:25:01,480 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 2: You know, I was told a lot that you know, 498 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 2: your rookie year is the longest year of your life, 499 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 2: and I was like, Nah, no way, And until you're 500 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 2: actually in it and going through it, you can't really 501 00:25:11,640 --> 00:25:14,560 Speaker 2: you can't really like speak anything of it, but actually 502 00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 2: like experience experiencing it. It truly is the longest ear 503 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:20,879 Speaker 2: of your life. So I had I had great veterans. 504 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 2: I leaned on them the whole year. I leaned on 505 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:25,000 Speaker 2: d Night because we were in it together. But you know, 506 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 2: they were not lying about it being the longest ear 507 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 2: of your life. So although I'm pissed off and I 508 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:31,200 Speaker 2: wish that we were playing next week in preparing and 509 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 2: all the things, but it is gonna be refreshing just 510 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:37,560 Speaker 2: to you know, heal up and you know, get back, 511 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:39,200 Speaker 2: get back to work and get ready for next season 512 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:42,439 Speaker 2: because it's not gonna happen anymore. And me, my my 513 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:44,200 Speaker 2: co partner right here next to me, we're not gonna 514 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 2: let it happen. So it's back to work, but definitely 515 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:49,920 Speaker 2: not gonna enjoy this time for sure. 516 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:53,480 Speaker 1: Hey, Demitrius, you just threw your arm around your buddy. Here, 517 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:56,880 Speaker 1: Barrett Carter, step in for a second. Share your thoughts 518 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:59,399 Speaker 1: on the two of you and the development that you 519 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:00,800 Speaker 1: made together this year. 520 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:03,960 Speaker 7: That's my brother may win to opposite schools, and we're 521 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,640 Speaker 7: brothers now, and that's that's never gonna change, brothers forever. 522 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,840 Speaker 7: We always say it before each game. Hey, you know, 523 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:12,120 Speaker 7: I'm with you and it goes both the ways. Both 524 00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:14,520 Speaker 7: the families are close, and we're only gonna continue to 525 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:17,000 Speaker 7: grow together, both on and off the field. And this 526 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 7: is only beginning something you know. 527 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 1: Great, Since you're right here together, I'm gonna ask each 528 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:23,439 Speaker 1: of you to talk about the others. So Demitrius, you 529 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: go first. What could Barrett show you this year? 530 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 7: He showed me what it is to to not flinch, 531 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:32,640 Speaker 7: being ready for when your opportunity calls. And uh, that's 532 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 7: that's what this league is about. You know, when your 533 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:37,879 Speaker 7: opportunity calls, and you know they're there are situations that 534 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 7: you can't plan for. You know, God, uh, he blesses 535 00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:43,240 Speaker 7: you with opportunities, wants to see what you're gonna do 536 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:46,439 Speaker 7: with it, and when you're ready, like he was, you 537 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:48,879 Speaker 7: make the most of it and you have an incredible season. 538 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:52,040 Speaker 7: That's exactly what he did. So uh that that's one 539 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 7: way some guys, you know, falter at the opportunity to 540 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 7: step into their role to make the calls, to control 541 00:26:57,080 --> 00:26:59,119 Speaker 7: the defense, to get us in the right call, to 542 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 7: give us a call, and we don't get a call 543 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 7: so we can all be on the same page and 544 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:06,160 Speaker 7: him not being able to or him not falling into 545 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:08,920 Speaker 7: that trap of it being too much and falling into 546 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 7: that trap of being a rookie. And truly, you know, 547 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:14,719 Speaker 7: acting as a veteran is you know what makes him 548 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,760 Speaker 7: who he is and is why you know, we feed 549 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:18,840 Speaker 7: out the energy that he plays with him and when 550 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:21,520 Speaker 7: he goes, we go, and he goes, I go, and 551 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:23,280 Speaker 7: then you know, we feed off of each other and 552 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 7: it's a chain reaction from there. So extremely excited, you 553 00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:31,240 Speaker 7: know that we get to keep doing this thing and 554 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 7: get better, come back, get better better than ever. 555 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:36,119 Speaker 1: Barrett, your thoughts on Demetrius and they'll let you two 556 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 1: guys go. 557 00:27:36,960 --> 00:27:37,200 Speaker 5: Yeah. 558 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 2: When I think of Demetrius and I just think of 559 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:43,400 Speaker 2: someone who is okay with being uncomfortable, which is so. 560 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:45,680 Speaker 5: Hard to do nowadays. Like d night. 561 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:49,080 Speaker 2: He when he came in here, he literally was learning 562 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 2: like five different positions. And I'm just like, I'm witnessing 563 00:27:52,119 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 2: at firsthand, and I'm just like in awe because I'm like, 564 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:57,480 Speaker 2: especially in our scheme, it's not an easy thing to do. 565 00:27:57,560 --> 00:27:59,200 Speaker 2: And he he didn't. 566 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:00,879 Speaker 5: He never complained, He attacked a head on. 567 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:04,240 Speaker 2: Even when you know, times got rough, he just he 568 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:06,159 Speaker 2: just put his head down and went to work. And 569 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:08,200 Speaker 2: that's something that that's been a part of his journey. 570 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 2: It's just you can always lean on the work. That's 571 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:12,919 Speaker 2: something that I really admire about him. Like he works 572 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:16,600 Speaker 2: his tail off every single day, regardless of when loss. 573 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 2: He has a routine, he sits at routine and he 574 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,679 Speaker 2: like that's his that's him, that's like, that's Demetrius. So 575 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:24,560 Speaker 2: it's something that I really admire from him. And obviously 576 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:27,160 Speaker 2: his place speak for hisself. And you know, I've seen 577 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:30,040 Speaker 2: how he prepares every single day, day in and day out, 578 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:32,119 Speaker 2: and the way he the way he plays, It's like 579 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:33,760 Speaker 2: it's nothing new to me. Like I see it every 580 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 2: single day. I see him make these crazy plays when 581 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:40,520 Speaker 2: he when he sacks quarterbacks, when he does he does 582 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:42,280 Speaker 2: stuff on the field it's it's nothing to me because 583 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 2: I see it every single day. So he's a workhorse 584 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:46,600 Speaker 2: and it's a blessing to get get to get to 585 00:28:46,640 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 2: go to work with him. 586 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,920 Speaker 1: Harder and Knight will obviously be back, but adding a 587 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 1: proven starter at linebacker is certainly possible. There will definitely 588 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 1: be additions on the defensive line, and it change could 589 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 1: also becoming its safety where Gino Stone will be a 590 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:06,400 Speaker 1: free agent. As I said at the beginning of the podcast, 591 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 1: the mission is simple, improve the defense. The Bengals have 592 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 1: the tenth pick in the draft. The last five times 593 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 1: they've had a top ten pick, they've chosen an offensive player. 594 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 1: In those selections have included Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, and 595 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:27,360 Speaker 1: aj Green. This year, that pick will almost certainly be 596 00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:31,480 Speaker 1: used on defense, giving them the opportunity to land an 597 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:35,160 Speaker 1: impact player. The Bengals also have money to spend in 598 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 1: free agency. They rank eighth in salary cap space according 599 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:43,640 Speaker 1: to overthecap dot com. So how much better can the 600 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:47,360 Speaker 1: defense get in one year? If you use the advanced 601 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:51,720 Speaker 1: metric DVOA as a measurement, which takes into account strength 602 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:55,640 Speaker 1: of opponent and game situations, among other things, The Bengals 603 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:58,880 Speaker 1: jumped from twenty sixth in the league in twenty twenty 604 00:29:59,280 --> 00:30:02,560 Speaker 1: to sixty in twenty twenty one and went to the 605 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 1: Super Bowl. A similar jump to at least middle of 606 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 1: the pack doesn't seem far fetched. For closing thoughts here 607 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:14,200 Speaker 1: are Duke Tobin, Al Bolden, and Zach Taylor. 608 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:16,880 Speaker 4: We need an increase in talent on that side of 609 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:18,600 Speaker 4: the ball, and there's no question about it. 610 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:20,959 Speaker 5: We'll take a look and see how much we can 611 00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:21,360 Speaker 5: get done. 612 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:22,400 Speaker 2: Oh, we're going to turn it around. 613 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:24,720 Speaker 5: We're going to turn it around, there's no doubt. 614 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:27,960 Speaker 9: I mean, we got the right people in the building. 615 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:32,960 Speaker 9: We've got leaders emerging, We've played, you know, a lot 616 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:35,960 Speaker 9: of young guys, and again I look at improvement. You know, 617 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:39,560 Speaker 9: individual improvement is what ultimately is going to lead to 618 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:41,520 Speaker 9: unit success and team success. 619 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:44,240 Speaker 3: We are on a path to really good things next year. 620 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:46,680 Speaker 3: And I think everybody that exit this building today feels 621 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:49,960 Speaker 3: that players, coaches, everybody involved with this thing and that 622 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:52,160 Speaker 3: this season was a disappointment. It didn't go the way 623 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:55,760 Speaker 3: we wanted. But I'm already re energized. You're working on 624 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:57,880 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six and get back to work. Doesn't mean 625 00:30:57,920 --> 00:30:59,720 Speaker 3: I won't take a couple of days. But I just 626 00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:02,400 Speaker 3: feel like the energy of this group and the talent 627 00:31:02,440 --> 00:31:05,240 Speaker 3: we have and the progress a lot of these guests 628 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:08,880 Speaker 3: made that we've got a chance to be back in 629 00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:11,200 Speaker 3: the conversation of where we belong these the last couple 630 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:12,880 Speaker 3: of years and a falling short of that. And so 631 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:15,080 Speaker 3: I'm excited and I feel these seven off all our 632 00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:16,560 Speaker 3: players and coaches to get back to that. 633 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:18,240 Speaker 1: That's going to do it for this episode of the 634 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:20,960 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth Podcast brought to you by pay Core, Proud 635 00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:25,040 Speaker 1: to be the Bengals Official HR software provider, by Alta 636 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:28,760 Speaker 1: Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, 637 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:32,640 Speaker 1: business and community to a new level, and by Kettering 638 00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:35,920 Speaker 1: Health the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health 639 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:39,840 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. If you 640 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:43,400 Speaker 1: haven't done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and 641 00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 1: if you have a minute, give it a rating or 642 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:49,800 Speaker 1: share a comment that helps more Bengals fans find us. 643 00:31:50,360 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 1: I'm Dan Horde and thanks for listening to The Bengals 644 00:31:54,000 --> 00:32:03,400 Speaker 1: Booth Podcast.