1 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: Happy Thanksgiving everybody. I'm Dan Hord and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast. The Don't Give Up Onus Baby addition, 3 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: as the Bengals try to keep their playoff hopes alive 4 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: as they host the dreaded, hated, but grudgingly respected Pittsburgh Steelers. 5 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 1: Coming up, I'll go one on one with Evan McPherson 6 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 1: as he tries to break out of his first slump 7 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: since high school. ESPN NFL analyst Field Yates joins me 8 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: to discuss the season to date, what the Bengals should 9 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: be looking for in next year's draft, and this week's 10 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:41,480 Speaker 1: Know the Faux segment, we'll find out why the Steelers 11 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 1: are in first place from their radio voice Rob King. 12 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by pay Corps, 13 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: Proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 14 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, 15 00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:59,840 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by kettering o 16 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: Health the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health 17 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's 18 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:10,119 Speaker 1: a quick reminder that you can have the latest edition 19 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 1: of this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, or 20 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 1: computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the 21 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: greatest thing since the Syracuse sportscasting tradition. During the bye week, 22 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,919 Speaker 1: I have the opportunity to visit my alma mater, Syracuse University, 23 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 1: and it was a powerful reminder of how unbelievably fortunate 24 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: I am to be part of s u's sportscasting fraternity. 25 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 1: It was started by Marty Glickman in the nineteen thirties. 26 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: After Marty started calling New York Knicks games, he became 27 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:45,959 Speaker 1: a mentor to a ball boy who wanted to get 28 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 1: into broadcasting named Marv Albert. Marv eventually followed his lead 29 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: and also went to Syracuse, and that started a tradition 30 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: that continues to this day and the list of Syracuse 31 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: sportscasting grads includes Abcostas, Mike Tarico, Sean McDonough, Iron Eagle, 32 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: Beth Mowens, Dave Lapham, and many others. Simply put, attending 33 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: Syracuse turned my childhood broadcasting dreams into a reality. Now 34 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 1: let's get to my first guest. The Bengals field goal 35 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 1: unit is lined up and ready to go. At thirty 36 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 1: three yard try to win the game for Evan McPherson, 37 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: fifth round draft pick rookie out of Florida. Clark Harris, 38 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 1: thirteenth year pro, will snap it back to Kevin Huber, 39 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 1: thirteenth year pro. The snap, the put down, the swing 40 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: of the leg, the kick on its way. 41 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:33,799 Speaker 2: He good. 42 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:37,920 Speaker 1: The Bengals win it. 43 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:42,600 Speaker 3: On the final playoff overtime, Evan McPherson poist it onto 44 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 3: the shoulders of his teammates, has Cincinnati pulls it out 45 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 3: twenty seven to twenty four. 46 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,559 Speaker 1: From the first game of his rookie year, Evan McPherson 47 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 1: has been well money Mack. He's nineteen for nineteen in 48 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:00,920 Speaker 1: the postseason. He's made seven game winners, including two in 49 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 1: the playoffs, and he's drilled field goals from fifty six, 50 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 1: fifty seven, fifty eight, and fifty nine yards. But this 51 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 1: year Evan has struggled, missing a game winning try in 52 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: overtime against Baltimore and hooking a pair of fourth quarter 53 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:19,320 Speaker 1: kicks against the Chargers that would have given the Bengals 54 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: the lead. I talked to the twenty five year old 55 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: this week about trying to get back on track. Evan, 56 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,960 Speaker 1: you have been remarkably consistent in your NFL career, and 57 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: you started off great this year, making nine out of 58 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: your first ten. Since then, you've struggled a bit. You've 59 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 1: gone six for eleven. Have you been able to pinpoint 60 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 1: anything specific, No. 61 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 2: Not to this point. 62 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 4: In my head, I'm kicking about as good as I 63 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 4: have and I think I've expressed that hitting the ball 64 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 4: really well, just not putting the ball where it needs 65 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 4: to go. So it's just continue to trust what I 66 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 4: do in practice in preparation for the game, and just 67 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 4: carry that over because like I said, I feel like 68 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 4: I'm kicking well in practice, kicking well in pregame, and 69 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:09,920 Speaker 4: for whatever reason, it's not translating. But it's just keep 70 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 4: the trust and know that eventually my body will figure 71 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 4: it out and I'll start start getting on the roll again. 72 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 1: Seems like your last few misses have been left. Is 73 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: it easier to fix when you're missing in one direction 74 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 1: than if you were missing both ways? 75 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think for a right foot a kicker, it's 76 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 4: probably easier to fix a miss to the right. 77 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 2: And I've always been a right miss guy. 78 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 4: I've never missed left, and to be honest, I mean 79 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 4: I can't pinpoint again like the exact reason why I'm 80 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 4: missing left. I'll maybe tugging it a little more than 81 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 4: I have been. But yeah, it's just kind of interesting 82 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 4: that all my misses this year have been left rather 83 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:49,039 Speaker 4: than right. 84 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:52,840 Speaker 1: It would be human nature for confidence to waiver a 85 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 1: little bit. Has any doubt started to creep in? 86 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 4: No, I wouldn't say so. Like I said, I got 87 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,599 Speaker 4: great teammates around that believe in me. I got great 88 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 4: coaches that believe in me. And I've got a great 89 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 4: family and friends just surrounding me and pouring confidence into me. 90 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:10,560 Speaker 2: Even though, like you know. 91 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 4: Sometimes I will say, the devil will try to creep 92 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 4: into your mind and get get a hold of you. 93 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:17,599 Speaker 4: But you just got to trust in God and know 94 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 4: that he's going to pull you out of any tough times. 95 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 4: And they say there's a peak to every valley, right, 96 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 4: there's a there's a mountaintop up there somewhere. 97 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 2: We just got to climb the mountain and just keep trusting. 98 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: We haven't seen you experience anything like this in the NFL. 99 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 1: How about before that, did you ever have a stretch 100 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 1: in college or even high school where, for whatever reason, 101 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: it just took a little while to get it back. 102 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure. 103 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 4: I feel like high school was that time where I struggled. 104 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 2: My senior year. 105 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 4: I went like nine to eighteen my senior year on 106 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 4: field goals, which we attempted like a lot. 107 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 2: I attempted like four or five. 108 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,039 Speaker 4: Over sixty and then all the other ones were like 109 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 4: fifty plus. But definitely struggled with my senior year of 110 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 4: high school. And then I feel like I turned it 111 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 4: around and had a really good freshman, sophomore, and junior year. So, 112 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,359 Speaker 4: like I said, I feel like even when you're struggling, 113 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,359 Speaker 4: I feel like you learn the most from those moments 114 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 4: and you get mentally tougher from those times, and so 115 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 4: I feel like coming out of it, we're going to 116 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 4: be better than ever. 117 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:24,359 Speaker 1: We're visiting with Devin McPherson. You've had four holders in 118 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 1: the last three years. I know you well enough to 119 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 1: know you're not going to blame anything on a holder, 120 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 1: But how big are the differences from one person to 121 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 1: the next. 122 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,919 Speaker 4: It's just understanding what each other like and getting building 123 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 4: trust and just so that I don't have to think 124 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:45,160 Speaker 4: about any other situation other than kicking the ball, you know, 125 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 4: I think that's the main thing as a kicker is like, 126 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 4: you don't have to worry about if the snap's going 127 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 4: to be good, or if the hole is going to 128 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 4: be on the spot, or if you're gonna have the 129 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 4: correct lean on the ball and the laces are going to. 130 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:55,719 Speaker 2: Be facing straight out. 131 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 4: I feel like a kicker doesn't want to have to 132 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 4: worry about those things. And when you don't have to, 133 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:01,920 Speaker 4: and all you think about is going out there and 134 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 4: hitting the best wall you can, I feel like you 135 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:09,039 Speaker 4: aren't a good place. But all four guys that I've had, 136 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 4: I mean, obviously Kevin and Clark were a well oiled machine. 137 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 2: They rarely messed up. 138 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 4: But after them, I mean, everybody that we brought in 139 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:22,760 Speaker 4: has adapted really well, really fast, and. 140 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 2: Has really done a great job. 141 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: Justin Tucker is widely considered to be the greatest kicker 142 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: of all time. He's got the same number of misses 143 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: that you have so far this year. In a roundabout 144 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 1: way or a weird way, is it kind of reassuring 145 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: to know that that guy is going through it this year? 146 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 4: I mean, I feel like everybody goes through it at 147 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 4: some point in their career. I feel like you try 148 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 4: to focus on yourself for the most part. Of course, 149 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 4: you look at the guys around you, But I feel 150 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 4: like you can get so caught up looking around you 151 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 4: that you're not focusing on yourself. And so I feel 152 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 4: like maybe that's what I've been doing a little bit 153 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 4: too much, And so I feel like from here on out, 154 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:06,239 Speaker 4: it's just kind of staying in my lane, not worrying 155 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 4: about anybody else but this team and what we're doing. 156 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: Did the buy come at a good time just to 157 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 1: get away and relax. 158 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 4: Oh, fantastic time. Me and my wife and daughter we 159 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 4: went back home, were obviously from the same hometown, so 160 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 4: you got both families, and my wife's family has a 161 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 4: place on the mountain on the river and no cell 162 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 4: service whatsoever, And so talk about just fantastic and like 163 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 4: you said, coming at the right time, It probably couldn't 164 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 4: come at a better time. Just to kind of sit back, 165 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 4: relax and just enjoy family. It was fantastic, And to 166 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:48,559 Speaker 4: play a little golf and just get a little mental release. 167 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 4: And I feel like it just rejuvenates your spirit to 168 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 4: finish the season strong. 169 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: I have no doubt that you were going to kick 170 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 1: a game winning field goal sometime soon. Do you want 171 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: that opportunity more than ever, just because some of the 172 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: recentness is. 173 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, of course, like I mean, that opportunity is always 174 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:10,439 Speaker 4: a special one to get out there and to win 175 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 4: the game, and you know, it sucks that we haven't 176 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 4: been able to come through recently in those opportunities. 177 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 2: But you know, I feel like. 178 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 4: Coming up, like I said, I feel like bye week, 179 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 4: we've kind of reset and come into it like a 180 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,440 Speaker 4: new season and we're just going to treat it as 181 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 4: that and just attack every opportunity that we get. And 182 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 4: we know the games coming up are really important, so 183 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 4: we're just gonna be uh locked in and ready for those. 184 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,440 Speaker 1: I look forward to asking you about the game winner 185 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 1: as soon as it happens, hopefully on Sunday against the Steelers. 186 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 2: Appreciate your time, Yeah, thank you, appreciate it. 187 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,959 Speaker 1: I've seen a few people suggest that the Bengals should 188 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 1: bring in somebody to compete with McPherson or even cut him. 189 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 1: My response is, don't cut him, fix him. Evan is 190 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: one of the players on the team who has proven 191 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: to be elite at his position. The last thing they 192 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: should do is let him go to another team, make 193 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: a tiny adjustment and become mister reliable again. That will 194 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:18,559 Speaker 1: happen hopefully this Sunday against Pittsburgh. ESPN NFL analyst Field 195 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 1: Yates has a unique background. He spent six years assisting 196 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: the scouting and coaching staffs of the Kansas City Chiefs 197 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 1: and New England Patriots before getting into broadcasting. He joined 198 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:33,319 Speaker 1: me this week to discuss the Bengals struggles so far 199 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: this year and what it's going to take to make 200 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: a playoff push. Our guest this week is ESPN football 201 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: analyst Field Yates, among other things, a fantasy football expert. 202 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 1: Leading to this question, Field, is Jamar Chase having one 203 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 1: of the great wide receiver fantasy football seasons of all time? 204 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,199 Speaker 5: He sure is up there. I'll tell you what. He's 205 00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 5: a whole hot in three and let's call it a 206 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 5: half season into his NFL career. But we came into 207 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 5: the season saying to ourselves there was so much wide 208 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,199 Speaker 5: receiver depth across the league, and it felt like, because 209 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 5: of the contract situation, it wasn't totally clear where Jamar 210 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 5: would rank amongst those wide receivers. But the uncertainty surrounding 211 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 5: would he be there in Week one? Would he not? Well? Instead, 212 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 5: he has been the best wide receiver in the NFL 213 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:23,480 Speaker 5: by a significant margin. Not just the NFL's receiver in 214 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,080 Speaker 5: terms of well, he's got the triple Crown threat on 215 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 5: right now, but also the number one score in fantasy 216 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 5: football wide receiver as well. In recent weeks, he has 217 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 5: also reminded us that in a single game, there is 218 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:37,320 Speaker 5: no player who is more explosive than Jamar Chase. So 219 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 5: he has been a joy to having a fantasy football 220 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 5: roster this season, that much is for sure. 221 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: All right, let's get to the team in general. Four 222 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: and seven through eleven games. What do you make of 223 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: the Bengals so far in twenty twenty four. 224 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,680 Speaker 5: Yeah, nothing revelatory about this, but this is the Kuda 225 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 5: would have should a team right now in the NFL. 226 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 5: I know that you can't do this, but you flip 227 00:11:58,360 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 5: a few of those games and next thing you know, 228 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 5: we're talking about a team was challenging for the AFC 229 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 5: North title. That's not how the football had, not how 230 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:08,199 Speaker 5: football works, not how the NFL works. Bengals fans have 231 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 5: been around long enough to know exactly that, But situational 232 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 5: football has been unkind to this team. You know, I 233 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:17,280 Speaker 5: know the offense would never pin things publicly entirely against 234 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,559 Speaker 5: the defense, but one side of the offense, one side 235 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 5: of the ball, has held up its end of the 236 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 5: bargain much more than the other side of the ball 237 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 5: has this year. And while you know the playoff chances 238 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 5: might be low, they're not gone completely. And perhaps this 239 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 5: bi week will be one that we look back upon 240 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 5: and say that was the flashball moment for the defense 241 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 5: to get things going, and the special teams for that matter. 242 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 5: But it just feels like a comprehensive sixty minute game 243 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 5: has been very elusive from all sides of the football 244 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,080 Speaker 5: so far from the team this season, and they have 245 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,559 Speaker 5: really no margin for error going forward. They must take 246 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:52,320 Speaker 5: care of business, and of course starts this upcoming Sunday 247 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 5: against Pittsburgh. 248 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:55,959 Speaker 1: To make the playoffs, it probably is going to require 249 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: a five to one finish, maybe six, And oher does 250 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow make that possible? 251 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 5: He does with the way he's playing right now. And 252 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 5: I know that we don't hand out the MVP award 253 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:08,560 Speaker 5: after two weeks or eight weeks or twelve weeks, but 254 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 5: you know, at least if you're putting together a potential ballot, 255 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:13,760 Speaker 5: Joe Burrow is on that ballots, and he's been so 256 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 5: impressive with the usual suspect traits right, the accuracy down 257 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 5: the field underneath intermedia throws has been great. I still 258 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 5: think he is the best in pocket navigator in the 259 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:27,440 Speaker 5: entire NFL. His capacity to buy himself an extra half 260 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:30,200 Speaker 5: second by himself a little bit more time and space. 261 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 5: And he is a good athlete. Obviously he can do 262 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 5: some damage with his legs, but he's so smart about 263 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 5: finding ways to buy himself a bit extra time in 264 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 5: the pocket that rather than scramble for eight yards, he 265 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 5: might turn it into an eighteen or twenty eight yard 266 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,400 Speaker 5: throw down the field. He has been nothing short of 267 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 5: remarkable this year. He's playing maybe the best football of 268 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 5: his career, which is saying a lot for a guy 269 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:54,760 Speaker 5: that started the Super Bowl early on in his career. 270 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,720 Speaker 5: But Joe has been brilliant. You hate to see a 271 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 5: season like this go away, so that increases the urgency 272 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 5: required not just this Sunday, but the rest of the season, 273 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 5: because I agree it's going to take at least five 274 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 5: and one to get into the playoffs. Now for Cincinnati, the. 275 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 1: ESPN's field Gates is our guest, do you have an 276 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: NFL scouting background. You're heavily involved in ESPN's coverage of 277 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 1: the draft. Let's talk about this year's draft class for Cincinnati. 278 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: Amarus Mims is starting the right tackle, Chris Jenkins is 279 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 1: playing more than fifty percent of the defensive snaps. Eric 280 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 1: All looked terrific before he suffered his knee injury. How 281 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 1: good do you think this year's class is panning out 282 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 1: for Cincinnati? 283 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 5: Yeah, I'd say this has been a solid start for them. 284 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 5: You know, the All injury was such a bummer, just 285 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 5: because you know, unfortunately, if there was kind of a 286 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 5: red flag for him coming into the NFL, it was 287 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 5: a health the durability a guy who missed much of 288 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 5: his last season in college because of that back issue. 289 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 5: God do is he talented? It looks just so effortless 290 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 5: when he moves on the field. And well, you know, 291 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 5: with Cincinnati, they play probably the heaviest tight end rotation 292 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 5: alongside the Steelers and the entire NFL. So he wasn't 293 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 5: going to be a full time player for them on 294 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 5: an every snap basis. But you know, those first two picks, 295 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 5: and I'll say this is that you know, it's great 296 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 5: when you can hit on guys in the fifth, sixth, 297 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 5: seventh round and you find yourself a Chase Brown has 298 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 5: become a really meaningful contributor out of the sixth round 299 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 5: at one point. But I really truly believe that the 300 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 5: best way to build your roster up is to hit 301 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 5: on those first and second round picks, because those are 302 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 5: and nothing is a one hundred percent certainty, but those 303 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 5: are the best bets in the NFL. Right, It's not 304 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 5: some big surprise that you look at the best players 305 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 5: in this Bengals roster and it's guys like Joe Burrow 306 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 5: the first overall pick, and Jamar Chase the fifth overall pick, 307 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 5: and the list goes on throughout the league. So to 308 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 5: see a mary Is playing right tackle at a steady 309 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 5: level is not a major surprise. The talent was never 310 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 5: a question mark for him. It was just a matter 311 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 5: of how quickly he get up the speed. Well, the 312 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 5: Trent Brown injury opens up the door for Marius Mims 313 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:52,000 Speaker 5: to not just play, but need to play and do 314 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 5: so on a high level. He's such an impressive athlete, 315 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 5: such an incredibly large human when he puts it all together. 316 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 5: His snaps snaps in college were as good as any 317 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 5: offensive tackle in the draft last year, and I've been 318 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 5: impressed the Trial by Fire as treated them. I think 319 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 5: pretty well all things considered. 320 00:16:08,960 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: Field looking ahead, is there a position group or are 321 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: there position groups that you think the Bengals need to 322 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 1: target in twenty twenty five, Yeah. 323 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 5: I mean it's all going to be defense, right. I mean, 324 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 5: we can talk about the guard play, and that's something 325 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 5: that I think certainly is of note and can be addressed. 326 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 5: But you know, at some point you just have to 327 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 5: sort of rebalance the equation a little bit. And when 328 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 5: your offense plays like it does, and we'll see what 329 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 5: happens with a couple of notable free agents this offseason, 330 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 5: but with the offense playing as well as it has, 331 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 5: you have to say to yourself, like it's almost a 332 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 5: responsible to just try on defense, throw a bunch of 333 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 5: resources that way and see what you might be able 334 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 5: to come up with. I think the draft class has 335 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 5: aligned decently with some of their needs on the defensive 336 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 5: side of the ball. Defensive tackle class looks very very 337 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,680 Speaker 5: deep in the NFL Draft this upcoming year, and they 338 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 5: could use a few more players in the middle of 339 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 5: that defense to team to build out the depth. You know, 340 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 5: Chris Jenkins, as you mentioned, going to be a big 341 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 5: part of this defense for a long time. But he's 342 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 5: a certain type of player, right. This isn't some massive, overwhelming, 343 00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:11,919 Speaker 5: three hundred and twenty five pound defensive tackle. Needs some 344 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 5: continued added girth there in the middle of that defense, 345 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 5: and then you know, I would just say complimentary pass rushers, 346 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:22,679 Speaker 5: more corners, more corners, more corners. Safety play has kind 347 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 5: of been up and down this season for Cincinnati, so 348 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:28,160 Speaker 5: anybody in that back end certainly is a prospect. Note 349 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:29,199 Speaker 5: in this upcoming cycle. 350 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,439 Speaker 1: The first place Steelers are coming to town this Sunday. 351 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: They've got a record of eight and three. What are 352 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:37,919 Speaker 1: some of the biggest keys for the Bengals to get 353 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:39,560 Speaker 1: a badly needed win over Pittsburgh. 354 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 5: I'll tell you what this team has an identity to. 355 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,120 Speaker 5: It's Pittsburgh does. So it's don't be caught off guard. 356 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:47,200 Speaker 5: I'll start there, and you better tackle. This is a 357 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 5: Pittsburgh team that wants to run the football and do 358 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 5: so right between the tackle. They want to ride Naji 359 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,240 Speaker 5: Harris as much as they possibly can. It was actually 360 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 5: Jalen Warren who was more effective in their last game 361 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 5: against the Browns. He's a good, very good sort of 362 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 5: lightning quick act. But Najee Harris for much of this 363 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:03,679 Speaker 5: year has kind of been the guy that they have 364 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 5: tried to run this offense through. And you know, I 365 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,239 Speaker 5: know what Pittsburgh is probably thinking right now, and we're 366 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:12,200 Speaker 5: playing Cincinnati. His offense has been incredible, lights out. We've 367 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:15,359 Speaker 5: got a great defense. But the defense is good. But 368 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 5: you know, another way to be a great defensive team 369 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 5: against Pitts against Cincinnati is to just not let them 370 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 5: on the field. So Pittsburgh, I'm sure wants to control 371 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:26,240 Speaker 5: the line of scrimmage, find ways to wear down that 372 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 5: Cincinnati defense and not allow Joe and the two wide 373 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 5: receivers especially to do their thing on offense. They're very 374 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 5: well coached on special teams as well, Danny Smith. Their 375 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:38,360 Speaker 5: special team's coach always has a wrinkle or two. The 376 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 5: team the opponent has to be, you know, mindful of 377 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,920 Speaker 5: as we know, last game was in part decideed by 378 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:47,119 Speaker 5: miss kicks, and while those weren't block kicks, you know, 379 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 5: the operation has to be smooth against the team that 380 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 5: has been as effective in terms of blocking field goals 381 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,919 Speaker 5: as any in the NFL. Under Danny Smith's guidance. So 382 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,399 Speaker 5: it's a good team. It's a balanced team, not super 383 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 5: explosive on offense, but defensively very very sound. That you 384 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 5: have depths of rushers, you know, obviously TJ. Watt being 385 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:06,919 Speaker 5: the one that you have to pay the most attention to. 386 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:09,199 Speaker 5: But if you can find a way to play this 387 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 5: game more on your terms as the Bengals, you got 388 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:13,679 Speaker 5: a really good chance because I don't think Pittsburgh is 389 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 5: the kind of team that's built to play or run 390 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 5: a race offensive and they want to find a way 391 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 5: to grind things out, almost a first to twenty type 392 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:21,440 Speaker 5: of game. 393 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:24,119 Speaker 1: I think a lot of football fans wondered if Russell 394 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:27,359 Speaker 1: Wilson had anything left in the tag considering his play 395 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:31,359 Speaker 1: in recent years. How has he performed for Pittsburgh. 396 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 5: I think he's been solid, And I think the thing 397 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 5: with Russ this year and specifically since he took over 398 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 5: his starter, as he is playing within the confines of 399 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 5: what the rasking him to do. You know, this last 400 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 5: game is not a toss away, but you know, the 401 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 5: snow obviously impacted it, but for the most part it 402 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,880 Speaker 5: was you know, it wants you to get a lot 403 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 5: of guys involved. George Pickens will be the most targeted 404 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:54,360 Speaker 5: Steelers wide receiver, but they go deep at tight end. 405 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 5: They got a handful of wide receivers that play meaningful 406 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 5: snaps for them. They have two backs. They are looking 407 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:03,880 Speaker 5: for ways to ease the burden off of Russell Wilson 408 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:05,880 Speaker 5: because they don't need him to throw for three hundred 409 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 5: yards in two touchdowns most weeks. But the accuracy down 410 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 5: the field has been a strength of Russ's. He is 411 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 5: unafraid to just sort of let his wide receivers do 412 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 5: their thing down the field. He is, you know, sort 413 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 5: of known, I'm not the King, but you know, a 414 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 5: prominent moon ball thrower where he just lets whether it's 415 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 5: you know, most often George Pickens or maybe even Van 416 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 5: Jefferson occasionally, very occasionally Mike Williams, who was acquired a 417 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 5: few weeks ago in a trade. So don't be surprised 418 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:34,119 Speaker 5: if the Steelers try their shots down the field against 419 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 5: this Bengals defense that you know, as we talked about, 420 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 5: has been leaky in the secondary for a lot of 421 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 5: this year. 422 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 1: Field. Let me wrap up by asking you about the 423 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 1: other football team in town, the Cincinnati Bearcats. They've got 424 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: some draftable players on the roster this year, most notably 425 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 1: tight end Joe Royer, defensive tackle Dante Corleone, offensive lineman 426 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:55,159 Speaker 1: Luke Candra. All three of those guys are local Cincinnati 427 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,359 Speaker 1: kids as well. What do you think of their draft 428 00:20:57,359 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: prospects going forward? 429 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 5: Yeah, A sort of Joe only because he's probably surprised me. 430 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:05,360 Speaker 5: I think he's surprised everybody, maybe even the Bearcats program 431 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 5: his first year there had I think it was four 432 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:09,639 Speaker 5: catches in his first three seasons of college all of 433 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,439 Speaker 5: Ohio State, comes home, goes to a program that's going 434 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 5: to allow him to talent maximize, and all he's done 435 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:17,400 Speaker 5: is actually, I don't know if he's gotten there yet, 436 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 5: but the last check he was knocking on the door 437 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 5: of Travis Kelcey's single season tight end receiving record in 438 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 5: terms of catches at the program. So that's a pretty 439 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 5: darn good company right there for Joe Royer. Incredible athlete, 440 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:30,159 Speaker 5: He was a big time recruit, as you well know, 441 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:34,480 Speaker 5: four star recruit going to Columbus. Great to see him 442 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:36,560 Speaker 5: get his opportunity to shine. If he does come out, 443 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,640 Speaker 5: I think he ends up being maybe a late Day 444 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:40,640 Speaker 5: two or early Day three pick in a good tight 445 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:44,480 Speaker 5: end class, Dante the Godfather, mister reliable, the kind of 446 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 5: guy that I think you know what you're going to 447 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:49,240 Speaker 5: get out of him in a process that's very fickle 448 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:52,199 Speaker 5: and funny, you don't always get what you think you 449 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:54,399 Speaker 5: are getting. I think Dante corle owns the kind of 450 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,960 Speaker 5: guy that a defensive coordator signs off on a GM says, 451 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:00,680 Speaker 5: I know I'm getting a steady, dependable or your force. 452 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:03,199 Speaker 5: And then Luke kind of in that same bab you 453 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 5: know guys put a ton of football both Louisville and 454 00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:08,200 Speaker 5: obviously in Cincinnati, has kind of seen it all as 455 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 5: a blocker. Mister reliable, steady, tough, instinctive, not a dominant athlete, 456 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 5: but the kind of guy who I do think ends 457 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 5: up going somewhere you know, day three and has a 458 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:20,119 Speaker 5: chance to stick around as a depth level guard of 459 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:21,440 Speaker 5: the NFL field. 460 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: Love picking your brain as ahweys really appreciate your time. 461 00:22:24,880 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 1: Keep up the great work and thanks. 462 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 5: Thanks ch having on. As always, The. 463 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by Paid Corps, 464 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 1: proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider by 465 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, 466 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:42,560 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 467 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 468 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:49,600 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Before I moved 469 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 1: to Cincinnati nearly thirty years ago, I was the sports 470 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:56,320 Speaker 1: director of a TV station in Syracuse, New York. When 471 00:22:56,359 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 1: I left that job, the guy who replaced me was 472 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:04,240 Speaker 1: raw King, who eventually moved from Syracuse to Pittsburgh. Well, 473 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 1: this year, Rob became the radio voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 474 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:12,199 Speaker 1: Small world huh, and he joined me this week for 475 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:13,640 Speaker 1: our nother faux segment. 476 00:23:15,119 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 6: Rob. 477 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:17,160 Speaker 1: The Steelers are eight and three. They've got the third 478 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 1: best record in the AFC, behind Kansas City and Buffalo. 479 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 1: I'm not sure many people saw that coming. I certainly didn't. 480 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:26,359 Speaker 1: In what ways has this season been a surprise to you? 481 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:30,959 Speaker 6: Oh, that's a great question, Dan, I think that you know, 482 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 6: I think I'm not quite as surprised. I was a 483 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:37,639 Speaker 6: little mystified that people weren't picking the students to have 484 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 6: a better record. I think part of that was because 485 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 6: the schedule is so murderous, and let's be honest, did 486 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:47,440 Speaker 6: murderous part of the schedule is really begun after their 487 00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 6: bye week. The schedule looks softer now, of course, it 488 00:23:50,280 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 6: looks softer than it really was, because Chargers were better 489 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,240 Speaker 6: than people thought, and the Broncos were better than people thought. 490 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:57,640 Speaker 6: The Commanders were better than people thought they were going 491 00:23:57,680 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 6: to be. But you know, when you look at this 492 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:03,880 Speaker 6: team year ago getting into the playoffs, you know they 493 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 6: got there because at the end of the year they 494 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 6: got reasonable quarterback played from Mason Rudolph. Prior to that, 495 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 6: the quarterback position had been a real problem for this 496 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:16,000 Speaker 6: year as they were really struggling. And you know, when 497 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,439 Speaker 6: you upgrade that position, and I think they upgraded it 498 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 6: with you know, significantly with Russell Wilson and also with 499 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:25,679 Speaker 6: Justin Fields. My expectation was, why wouldn't that make you 500 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 6: a better team? 501 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 4: You know? 502 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 6: And then and then they also went out in the 503 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:33,359 Speaker 6: offseason and they signed Patrick Queen and Deshaun Elliott, two 504 00:24:33,359 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 6: players of course we know from being in the Baltimore Ravens. 505 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 6: They traded for Dante Jackson, the cornerback from Carolina, leaving 506 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 6: a whole receiver, but improving your team speed on defense 507 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:48,199 Speaker 6: drafting Peyton Wilson at the middle linebacker position, so I 508 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:51,880 Speaker 6: really thought this was going to be a better team. Maybe, 509 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:55,320 Speaker 6: you know, perhaps not a better record because of the 510 00:24:55,359 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 6: schedule was so difficult, but a better team. So I'm 511 00:24:57,760 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 6: not really that surprised. I think Dan I was more 512 00:25:00,119 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 6: surprised that people didn't see that didn't see that, you 513 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:07,399 Speaker 6: know what an upgrade in the quarterback position would mean, 514 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 6: because at the end of the year last year, they 515 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 6: needed to win three games to get into the playoffs, 516 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:13,280 Speaker 6: and they did it with Mason Rudolph at quarterback, and 517 00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 6: he provided an upgrade to what they'd had before. So 518 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:20,040 Speaker 6: based on really mostly the quarterback position, but also those 519 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:22,800 Speaker 6: key additions as well, I felt like this years were 520 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:24,560 Speaker 6: a better team Heading into this season. 521 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,240 Speaker 1: I think maybe some people wondered whether Russell Wilson was 522 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,000 Speaker 1: going to be an upgrade, even over Mason Rudolph. He's 523 00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:33,919 Speaker 1: thirty five years old, he hadn't played particularly well in 524 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:37,639 Speaker 1: recent seasons, although maybe he played better than people realized. 525 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:40,639 Speaker 1: But since taking over as the starter for the Steelers, 526 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,040 Speaker 1: the team is four and one. He's thrown seven touchdown 527 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: passes and only has a couple of picks. How would 528 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:46,840 Speaker 1: you describe his play? 529 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:50,080 Speaker 6: I think it's been solid and I think that solid 530 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:53,040 Speaker 6: is a big upgrade. He's careful of the football. Of course, 531 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:55,560 Speaker 6: Kenny Pickert was careful to the football too, but he 532 00:25:55,680 --> 00:25:58,920 Speaker 6: just wasn't making a lot of plays now again, whether 533 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 6: that was play designed and coordinator or quarterback, you know. 534 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 6: I think that was another big addition for the team 535 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:10,240 Speaker 6: was getting Arthur Smith, a very well respected offensive coordinator, 536 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:12,639 Speaker 6: to come in and run this offense. 537 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 5: Russell, I think has been very solid. 538 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:18,119 Speaker 6: And I think that there are a couple of Steelers, 539 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 6: elder Statesman Steelers, who probably had a little extra motivation, 540 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 6: a little bit of a chip on their shoulders. One 541 00:26:25,119 --> 00:26:28,040 Speaker 6: was Connor Hayward or a bigger pardon of the Cameron Hayward, 542 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:32,600 Speaker 6: the fine defensive tackle, outstanding players we all know who 543 00:26:32,760 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 6: you know could wind up in Canton when his season 544 00:26:35,800 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 6: is over. But he had a down year last year, 545 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:40,840 Speaker 6: get nagging injuries, and his contract was up, and there 546 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:44,560 Speaker 6: were those in Pittsburgh who questioned rather vocally whether he 547 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:47,159 Speaker 6: should be brought back or not. And I and the 548 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:49,119 Speaker 6: Steelers brought a back and he's having a fine season. 549 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:51,280 Speaker 6: He's having to bounce back season, he's healthy. And I 550 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:53,639 Speaker 6: think the same was true with Russell. Wilson, you know, 551 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:57,640 Speaker 6: traded to Denver. Obviously, the massive trade the first year 552 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 6: was just a catastrophe he's had, which is no longer 553 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:02,600 Speaker 6: to the best of my knowledge, even in the NFL. 554 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,199 Speaker 6: I don't believe in any coaching capacity. 555 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:06,440 Speaker 5: And then you know. 556 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:09,560 Speaker 6: Last year, you know, with his head coach Sean Payton 557 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 6: just pulled the plug on him. You look at his 558 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:15,080 Speaker 6: numbers and they were solid numbers. You know, the quarterback 559 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:18,120 Speaker 6: rating was very good, to touchdown interception racetio was very good. 560 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:21,880 Speaker 6: The team had a winning record in Denver under Russell Wilson. 561 00:27:21,960 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 6: So I think that those things, that sort of stability, 562 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:28,120 Speaker 6: I think that might be the key word. And he's 563 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 6: provided stability to this offense, sort of a known commodity 564 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:36,680 Speaker 6: of what you can and cannot do. The ability to 565 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 6: be more aggressive, whether it is coaching and other aspects 566 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:43,320 Speaker 6: going for it. Do you bring a blitz on fourth down? 567 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 6: Do you take a risk here or there knowing that 568 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:49,919 Speaker 6: your margin for error might be a little greater than 569 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,680 Speaker 6: it's been in years past because you have a proven quarterback. 570 00:27:52,840 --> 00:27:55,919 Speaker 6: So I think all those things again, you know, I 571 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:58,679 Speaker 6: think that's part of the Russell Wilson equation. You know. 572 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 6: To answer your question, I think it's been, you know, 573 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:05,240 Speaker 6: very stolid quarterback play, much like we saw through much 574 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:08,840 Speaker 6: of his career in Seattle, especially the latter half, where 575 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:13,360 Speaker 6: you know he's not you know, he's not gonna throw 576 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:15,879 Speaker 6: for five thousand yards and the offense doesn't require that. 577 00:28:16,080 --> 00:28:17,560 Speaker 6: But he knows how to win, knows how to move 578 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:19,200 Speaker 6: the ball, knows how to put points in the board. 579 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:22,399 Speaker 1: We are visiting with the voice of the Steelers, Rob King. 580 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:25,639 Speaker 1: Over the last few years, the Steelers offensive line hasn't 581 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:28,959 Speaker 1: been particularly good. They're starting a couple of rookies this 582 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:31,639 Speaker 1: year and a second year player as well. Has it 583 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:33,760 Speaker 1: been a significant upgrade. 584 00:28:34,119 --> 00:28:36,720 Speaker 6: That's a great question, Dan. I think it's I think 585 00:28:36,880 --> 00:28:41,200 Speaker 6: you can see that it will be. It's certainly upgraded 586 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:44,880 Speaker 6: to center position. Zach Frazers having an outstanding season at 587 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:49,640 Speaker 6: at center. You know, they they drafted Troy Futanu at 588 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 6: right tackle in the first round this year. He was 589 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:57,320 Speaker 6: expected to be the starter. He was injured very early on. 590 00:28:57,560 --> 00:29:01,680 Speaker 6: We haven't seen him. James Daniels was one of their 591 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:05,440 Speaker 6: better and certainly most experienced, a young veteran right guard. 592 00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:07,000 Speaker 6: He was a guy they were kind of counting on 593 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:11,080 Speaker 6: he was injured. They put in Mason McCormick. It was 594 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:14,400 Speaker 6: a unit that when we were watching them up in camp, 595 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:17,440 Speaker 6: we were thinking, well, it's this is ten or eleven deep, 596 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:20,680 Speaker 6: and what a wonderful position that's that is to be 597 00:29:20,760 --> 00:29:23,479 Speaker 6: in in the NFL because they just don't make that 598 00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:25,000 Speaker 6: many good offensive linemen. 599 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:26,800 Speaker 5: It's hard to find a. 600 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 6: Team that goes you know, some teams don't have five 601 00:29:29,360 --> 00:29:33,440 Speaker 6: good starters, much less six, seven or eight. And then 602 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:36,480 Speaker 6: injuries started to happen. They've they've lost a lot of 603 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 6: players to injuries along that offensive line. The Bengals will 604 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:42,480 Speaker 6: have no sympathy with that. With the injuries they've had 605 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 6: on the back end of their defense, no one's going 606 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 6: to be crying any any tears for this year there's 607 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:52,360 Speaker 6: injury was I think that it's it's solidifying. The expectation 608 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:54,560 Speaker 6: would be if you told me you're going to start 609 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:58,960 Speaker 6: a second year right tackle who's extremely young, and you're 610 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:00,880 Speaker 6: going to be starting a first year right guard and 611 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:04,680 Speaker 6: first year center, then I think that all in all, 612 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:07,800 Speaker 6: it's been solid and hopefully the arrow is pointing up 613 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 6: for those guys in terms of improvement as well. 614 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:14,640 Speaker 1: Chris Boswell leads the NFL with thirty one field goals. 615 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:17,120 Speaker 1: For sake of comparison, he's got more than twice as 616 00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:20,800 Speaker 1: many as Evan McPherson, who's made fifteen. How critical has 617 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:23,560 Speaker 1: Boswell been to this eight and three start? 618 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:26,480 Speaker 6: Well, Absolutely critical, Dan, And you know he's had two 619 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:29,760 Speaker 6: games in which he's six for six with field goals 620 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:32,840 Speaker 6: and this year has won both those games and didn't 621 00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:37,760 Speaker 6: score touchdown either time. So without that happening for you, 622 00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:40,040 Speaker 6: you're not winning games, including the win over the Ravens. 623 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:42,400 Speaker 6: And not to bring up a sore spot for the Bengals, 624 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:45,880 Speaker 6: but think about McPherson's you know, extra pointed or a 625 00:30:45,960 --> 00:30:48,680 Speaker 6: field goal attempt in overtime that wins that game for 626 00:30:48,760 --> 00:30:52,160 Speaker 6: Cincinnati and what a different position that puts them in 627 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:54,200 Speaker 6: going to this week. Just you know, five and six 628 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 6: is a huge difference in the AFC over four and seven. 629 00:30:58,120 --> 00:31:00,720 Speaker 6: He has been one of their best players. He was 630 00:31:00,760 --> 00:31:04,360 Speaker 6: the AFC Defensive Player of the Month in both September 631 00:31:04,480 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 6: and October. Without him, they are not in this position 632 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:11,120 Speaker 6: because the formula, and again this ties back in with 633 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:14,400 Speaker 6: the Russell Wilson conversation and some of the other improvements 634 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:16,560 Speaker 6: they've made around the roster, but we all know how 635 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:19,640 Speaker 6: important the quarterback position is. You know, there is there 636 00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 6: was very little margin for error for the Steelers in 637 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:25,440 Speaker 6: the last couple of years. Nine to two in one 638 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:30,360 Speaker 6: score games. That's a very difficult pace to maintain. I 639 00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:32,760 Speaker 6: give Mike tom On a lot of credit for coaching 640 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:36,240 Speaker 6: the team to victories and managing their way through victories, 641 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:38,880 Speaker 6: and I think there's a you know, Chris Boswell has 642 00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:41,640 Speaker 6: been a huge part of that. I think that they'll 643 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:43,920 Speaker 6: need a little bit less of that with Russell Wilson 644 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:46,520 Speaker 6: at quarterback, the ability to maybe score some more points. 645 00:31:46,840 --> 00:31:49,040 Speaker 6: But no question, they don't make the playoffs last year 646 00:31:49,280 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 6: and they're not eight and three this year without Chris Boswell. 647 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:56,480 Speaker 1: The Steelers defense has been excellent as always, their fourth 648 00:31:56,520 --> 00:31:58,960 Speaker 1: in the NFL and points allowed, but I was a 649 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:01,680 Speaker 1: little bit surprised when I looked at the stats and 650 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,240 Speaker 1: saw that they didn't have many sacks this year. Their 651 00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:07,240 Speaker 1: tied for twenty second in the NFL with twenty five 652 00:32:07,320 --> 00:32:10,880 Speaker 1: sacks as a team. What are they doing well on 653 00:32:11,040 --> 00:32:15,280 Speaker 1: defense to limit opposing offenses to such a low number 654 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:15,960 Speaker 1: in terms of. 655 00:32:15,920 --> 00:32:19,160 Speaker 6: Scoring, well, I think, and you're right, Dan, I think 656 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:24,520 Speaker 6: that that is something that raises an eyebrow, especially in 657 00:32:24,640 --> 00:32:27,320 Speaker 6: light of what happened on Thursday night in Cleveland during 658 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:30,280 Speaker 6: the loss. So I think that one of the things 659 00:32:30,320 --> 00:32:32,800 Speaker 6: that's been beneficial is that even though they're not getting 660 00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:34,960 Speaker 6: a lot of sacks, they are getting a lot of pressure. 661 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:37,520 Speaker 6: You know, Patrick Queen was one of the key guys 662 00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:40,280 Speaker 6: they picked up, and I was extremely interested to see 663 00:32:40,280 --> 00:32:43,480 Speaker 6: how they would use a middle linebacker of his varied skills. 664 00:32:43,760 --> 00:32:47,440 Speaker 6: He can blitz the passer, he can drop into coverage, 665 00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:50,120 Speaker 6: he can cover running backs, he can cover linebackers. He's 666 00:32:50,160 --> 00:32:53,640 Speaker 6: a sidelined to sideline player with great speed. A terrific 667 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:58,560 Speaker 6: signing by the Steelers. Well, they've almost blitzed him. I 668 00:32:58,560 --> 00:33:00,680 Speaker 6: mean they've almost never blitzed him all season. They've been 669 00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:03,520 Speaker 6: able to drop seven. So they're not getting sacks, they 670 00:33:03,560 --> 00:33:07,920 Speaker 6: are getting some pressure. They're dropping seven. Dante Jackson, on 671 00:33:07,960 --> 00:33:11,560 Speaker 6: the other side, has added speed to the to the 672 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:13,960 Speaker 6: cornerback position. You know, I was always a fan of 673 00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:17,240 Speaker 6: Deshaan Elliott as a safety when he played with Baltimore, 674 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:19,640 Speaker 6: and now that I've seen him every day, I'm even 675 00:33:19,640 --> 00:33:22,320 Speaker 6: a bigger fan. I think he is one of the 676 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,240 Speaker 6: unsung heroes in the defense. He is just a really, 677 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:28,000 Speaker 6: really good football player. So they added to the overall 678 00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:32,120 Speaker 6: team speed. They're dropping seven and getting enough pressure on 679 00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:36,040 Speaker 6: quarterbacks that they don't have to bring a lot of blitzes. 680 00:33:36,080 --> 00:33:38,000 Speaker 6: You know, the Steelers played the Giants earlier. In the 681 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:40,440 Speaker 6: Giants blitz a lot, and they get after the quarterback 682 00:33:40,480 --> 00:33:42,880 Speaker 6: a lot, but it makes them susceptible to giving up 683 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:45,400 Speaker 6: big plays. The Steelers have been able to drop seven 684 00:33:45,480 --> 00:33:49,080 Speaker 6: get enough pressure on now. They didn't get enough pressure 685 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:52,560 Speaker 6: on Jamis Winston on Thursday night in the snow in 686 00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:55,880 Speaker 6: Cleveland to affect the outcome of that game. That's not 687 00:33:56,040 --> 00:33:58,520 Speaker 6: something we're used to seeing with the Steelers. We're used 688 00:33:58,560 --> 00:34:01,280 Speaker 6: to seeing them get more pressure from the quarterback and 689 00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:04,880 Speaker 6: have that positive outcome from the defense. As far as 690 00:34:04,920 --> 00:34:07,680 Speaker 6: putting pressure on forcing the other team to make mistakes, 691 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:11,520 Speaker 6: coming up with stripsacks, coming up with sacks, what have you, 692 00:34:11,600 --> 00:34:14,560 Speaker 6: coming up with a fluttering ball that gets intercepted. We 693 00:34:14,680 --> 00:34:17,760 Speaker 6: haven't seen that as much this year, and I think 694 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:21,000 Speaker 6: that that's it. You know, it's going to need to 695 00:34:21,040 --> 00:34:24,839 Speaker 6: be a factor. I think on Sunday against Joe Burrow 696 00:34:24,880 --> 00:34:26,439 Speaker 6: and the Bengals, all. 697 00:34:26,400 --> 00:34:29,080 Speaker 1: Right, final thing for the voice of the Steelers, Rob King. 698 00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:31,840 Speaker 1: The Bengals, as you know, are scoring a lot of points, 699 00:34:31,880 --> 00:34:34,560 Speaker 1: but they are giving up just as many. What do 700 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:36,319 Speaker 1: you think some of the keys to the game are 701 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:39,040 Speaker 1: going to be from the Steelers perspective. 702 00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:43,040 Speaker 6: I think that obviously you have to limit You have 703 00:34:43,120 --> 00:34:45,200 Speaker 6: to limit those guys on the outside. I mean, Chase 704 00:34:45,239 --> 00:34:49,040 Speaker 6: and Higgins are you know what a formidable one two punch. 705 00:34:49,040 --> 00:34:50,600 Speaker 6: I don't think there's a better one two punch in 706 00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:53,320 Speaker 6: the league than those two guys. And I think Dante 707 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:56,080 Speaker 6: Jackson will help you know, you have Joey Porter Junior 708 00:34:56,120 --> 00:34:58,439 Speaker 6: on one side and Dante Jackson the other that will 709 00:34:58,440 --> 00:35:02,520 Speaker 6: help you. Know, Brown, especially over the last three games, 710 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:05,520 Speaker 6: it's one hundred and thirty one plus yards per game 711 00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:07,440 Speaker 6: from scrimmage for him, he's a guy who can run 712 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:10,719 Speaker 6: the ball and beat you also out of the backfield. 713 00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:12,680 Speaker 6: So I think that they're going to have to do 714 00:35:12,719 --> 00:35:15,280 Speaker 6: a good job, you know, trying to contain those guys. Again, 715 00:35:15,560 --> 00:35:17,439 Speaker 6: you have to understand that Joe Burrow and that team 716 00:35:17,480 --> 00:35:19,960 Speaker 6: is probably going to score some points on you. So 717 00:35:20,040 --> 00:35:23,640 Speaker 6: if that happens, even if you limit them somewhat, what 718 00:35:23,680 --> 00:35:25,640 Speaker 6: does that mean then you have to do offensively. 719 00:35:25,680 --> 00:35:25,839 Speaker 1: Well. 720 00:35:25,840 --> 00:35:30,000 Speaker 6: It begins to me with stopping Hendrickson, you know, I mean, 721 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:32,120 Speaker 6: he's got what eleven and a half and the next 722 00:35:32,160 --> 00:35:33,319 Speaker 6: guy is hvered with two. 723 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:35,440 Speaker 5: That's a wide drop off. 724 00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:41,120 Speaker 6: They were facing a similar scenario in Cleveland against Miles Garrett, 725 00:35:41,160 --> 00:35:44,360 Speaker 6: and Miles Garrett had a phenomenon and was a huge 726 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:47,640 Speaker 6: factor in Cleveland upsetting the Steelers. So I think that 727 00:35:47,800 --> 00:35:50,799 Speaker 6: stopping Hendrickson has to be a big key as well. 728 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:53,000 Speaker 6: I mean, there are others, but I think limiting what 729 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:56,720 Speaker 6: those guys can do, the skill guys offensively and making 730 00:35:56,800 --> 00:35:59,560 Speaker 6: sure that your quarterback stays up bright and Hendrickson doesn't 731 00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:03,120 Speaker 6: get home repeatedly, I think those would be the biggest keys. 732 00:36:03,560 --> 00:36:07,160 Speaker 1: Rob appreciate the time, appreciate the insight, and I'm looking 733 00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:11,759 Speaker 1: forward to the reunion of former WTVH five sports anchors 734 00:36:12,160 --> 00:36:13,960 Speaker 1: on Sunday at pay Corp Stadium. 735 00:36:14,160 --> 00:36:16,640 Speaker 6: Hey, you know, I'm very happy to say that one 736 00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:20,400 Speaker 6: of the two of us was recently awarded a prestigious 737 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:24,040 Speaker 6: award from the New House School in Syracuse, and that 738 00:36:24,120 --> 00:36:26,399 Speaker 6: guy lives. But one guy, the guy who won that award, 739 00:36:26,400 --> 00:36:27,920 Speaker 6: I'm not going to go to it. He lives a 740 00:36:27,920 --> 00:36:31,120 Speaker 6: little further west than the guy who didn't work well. 741 00:36:31,160 --> 00:36:33,600 Speaker 1: I'll say this. We are very lucky to do what 742 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:36,560 Speaker 1: we do for a living and it's great to make 743 00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:38,640 Speaker 1: great friends over the years like you. So look forward 744 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:39,640 Speaker 1: to seeing you on Sunday. 745 00:36:40,200 --> 00:36:41,319 Speaker 6: Thank you, d I appreciate it. 746 00:36:42,120 --> 00:36:44,239 Speaker 1: Hi, thanks to Rob King and that's going to do 747 00:36:44,280 --> 00:36:46,959 Speaker 1: it for this episode of the Bengals Booth Podcast, brought 748 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:49,520 Speaker 1: to you by pay Corps, Proud to be the Bengals 749 00:36:49,560 --> 00:36:54,240 Speaker 1: Official HR software provider, by Alta Fiber, future proof fiber 750 00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:57,520 Speaker 1: Internet designed to elevate your home, business and community to 751 00:36:57,560 --> 00:37:01,160 Speaker 1: a new level, and by Kettering Health the best care 752 00:37:01,560 --> 00:37:04,720 Speaker 1: for the best fans. Kettering Health is the official healthcare 753 00:37:04,760 --> 00:37:07,920 Speaker 1: provider of the Bengals. If you haven't done so already, 754 00:37:08,200 --> 00:37:10,960 Speaker 1: please subscribe to this podcast and if you have a minute, 755 00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:13,880 Speaker 1: give it a rating or share a comment that helps 756 00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:17,799 Speaker 1: more Bengals fans find us. I'm Dan Horde. Hope you 757 00:37:17,800 --> 00:37:21,040 Speaker 1: have a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for listening to The Bengals 758 00:37:21,080 --> 00:37:22,120 Speaker 1: Booth Podcast.