1 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,279 Speaker 1: I get everybody. I'm Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast. The Get Back, Get Back, Get 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:17,480 Speaker 1: Back to where You once belonged. Addition, as I visited 4 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: with newcomer Trent Taylor, who is looking to get back 5 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:22,279 Speaker 1: to the way he performed as a rookie in San 6 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 1: Francisco before injuries halted his NFL career. And after my 7 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: conversation with Trent, I'll talk to Nick Shook, a writer 8 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 1: for NFL dot Com, who recently had a very interesting 9 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 1: story about the most disruptive pass rushers in the NFL 10 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 1: last year. T J Watt of the Steelers was number one, 11 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: Joey Bosa the Chargers was number two, and Bengals newcomer 12 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: Trey Hendrickson was number three. We'll discuss that, plus get 13 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: Nick's thoughts on the Bengals offensive line improvements and the 14 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: likelihood that Joe Burrow will ultimately become one of the 15 00:00:55,720 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Bengals Booth Podcast, entered 16 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: by Bud Light Seltzer, refresh the game and here's a 17 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of 18 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 1: this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer 19 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: by subscribing on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or pod Bean. 20 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: It's the greatest thing since the Jungle to the Hall Rally. 21 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: In about two weeks, Saturday, June nineteenth, hundreds of Bengals 22 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 1: fans from all over the country are heading to the 23 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton to make the 24 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: case that more Bengals should be enshrined, most notably Ken 25 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: Anderson and Ken Riley. From ten to twelve that morning, 26 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: there will be an event at masselin Washington High School, 27 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: where Paul Brown's coaching career began, and then from one 28 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: to three, a big rally will take place in a 29 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 1: party tent on the grounds of the Hall of Fame. 30 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: Former Bengals will be involved in person and virtually, and 31 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 1: the Hall of Fame is planning to have a special 32 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: Cincinnati Bengals exhibit. The hope is that the event will 33 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 1: influence the nine voters on the Senior Committee, and the 34 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 1: rally is already getting a lot of publicity. But regardless 35 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: of that, it's sure to be a great time for 36 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: everybody that makes the trip. They've even arranged for discounted 37 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 1: hotel rooms and Hall of Fame tickets. For more information 38 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: and to RSVP for the free events. Look up Bengal 39 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 1: Jims BTR on social media again, that's Bengal Jims BTR 40 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 1: on Twitter or Facebook. And who day to all the 41 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:33,799 Speaker 1: Bengals fans who are planning to attend the Jungle to 42 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 1: the Hall rally. Now let's get to Trent Taylor. When 43 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: the Bengals held the recent rookie minicamp, most of the 44 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 1: attention went to number one draft pick Jamar Chase, But 45 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 1: while watching video and looking at photos of number one, 46 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:51,640 Speaker 1: some Bengals fans were surprised and miffed to see another 47 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: wide receiver wearing AJ Green's old number eighteen. As it 48 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: turned out, it wasn't a rookie. It was Trent Taylor, 49 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: who spent the last four years with the San Francisco 50 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: forty nine ers. The former Louisiana tech star, who led 51 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: the nation in receiving yards as a senior, promptly signed 52 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:10,799 Speaker 1: with the Bengals after the mini camp and is now 53 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: wearing the number eleven. Taylor is undersized at five eight, 54 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: but had an excellent rookie year as a slot receiver 55 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: in San Francisco before encountering back and foot injuries. I 56 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 1: spoke to the twenty seven year old this week, Prent. 57 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: After four years in San Francisco, where you built some 58 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: great friendships, describe what it's like to start over with 59 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: a new team. It's an exciting time for sure. It's 60 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: you know, kind of you do your four years in 61 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: high school, four years in college, and I did my 62 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: four years in San Francisco, so I just naturally time 63 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: to move on. I guess it just kind of worked 64 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: out like that. But yeah, it's an exciting time, like 65 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: all it always is starting with a new team. Right now, 66 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: I'm just getting no all my teammates, meeting everybody and 67 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 1: all the coaches and everything, and so far, so good. 68 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: Everybody seems like cool, good people. So yeah, just still 69 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 1: getting to know everybody right now. George Kittle posted a 70 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: heartfelt tribute to you on Instagram after you signed with 71 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:17,919 Speaker 1: the Bengals, saying it's hard to think about not lacing 72 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:21,359 Speaker 1: up the cleats with you next year. Sounds like the 73 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 1: two of you built a very strong bond. What did 74 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 1: that message mean? Yeah, so it started. We were training 75 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: together before the NFL Combine and all that coming out 76 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: of college. That's where we first met met each other 77 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:43,040 Speaker 1: and out there in Frisco, Texas, we just became great friends. 78 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 1: We would always, like on the weekends, we would go 79 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 1: to the Dallas Stars hockey games. We would do whatever, 80 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 1: you know, we would hang out. That's when we started 81 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: become great friends. And then we both got drafted to 82 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: the forty nine ers. He was at the early fifth 83 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 1: round pick and I was, uh the late fifth round pick. 84 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: So it was you know, an instant like we face 85 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 1: behind each other, streaming and yelling and uh so, yeah, 86 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 1: all of our time in San Francisco together, we were roommates. Um, 87 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: and just like continue to grow as great friends together. Um. 88 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: You know I was in his wedding, He's gonna be 89 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:24,160 Speaker 1: in my well. I actually had a COVID wedding this 90 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: past year and he was the the one single guest 91 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 1: that I had there with me, along with his wife, Claire. 92 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:37,559 Speaker 1: UM So yeah, we um definitely created a lifelong friendship together. UM. 93 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 1: So it kind of sucks to be able to tap 94 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,719 Speaker 1: to leave friends like that, but you know, it's it's 95 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:44,840 Speaker 1: it's part of the game. And you know, we both 96 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 1: have houses in Nashville now. Um, so we'll always be friends. UM. 97 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 1: Continuing on from this his rise to start them must 98 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: be awesome for you to be that close to him. 99 00:05:56,880 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, it's it's been amazing to watch that because 100 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,680 Speaker 1: you know, after our rookie year, we both had forty 101 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 1: three catches. I think, you know, we tied with catches. 102 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:09,160 Speaker 1: So the bet, like I was like, I bet you 103 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,359 Speaker 1: like two hundred bucks. You know, I'll have more catches 104 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,279 Speaker 1: than you this year. And that's like when he actually 105 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: broke the tight Ends all time record for receptions or 106 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: he broke the yards record, I think, not receptions, but 107 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: that's when he like completely started going off and I 108 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,840 Speaker 1: was like, oh, I kind of regret regret doing that, 109 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 1: but uh yeah, it's been so much fun watching him 110 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 1: progress and just become the big superstar that he is 111 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 1: these days. Did he hold you to the bat? Yeah? 112 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: I paid him. Yeah, we're talking to a Trent Taylor. 113 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,600 Speaker 1: So you mentioned forty three catches as a rookie. You 114 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: got off to a great start and then the injuries 115 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: kicked in. What have you had to overcome? You know? 116 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 1: Rookie year went good for me. I had I had 117 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 1: back surgery going into my second year. So my third 118 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: year training camp, I fractured my foot and I was 119 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: only supposed to miss like one or two games starting 120 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: the season, but then there's an infection in my foot. 121 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 1: So my foot got infected which caused me which they 122 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 1: only thought it was gonna like take three or four 123 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: more weeks, but it actually ended up being I missed 124 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 1: the whole season because the infection in my foot, it 125 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 1: was like really hard for them to get it out, 126 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,880 Speaker 1: so a bunch of surgeries happened for them to make 127 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: that happen. So I literally like the whole season I 128 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 1: was just sitting on the couch with my foot, you know, 129 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: trying to get it back healthy, getting the infection out 130 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: of it. And that's when we went to the Super Bowl. 131 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: So it was a super tough year for me just 132 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: to have to sit back and watch my guys go 133 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: to the Super Bowl without me. When it was like 134 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 1: something that was out of my control, which is like 135 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: an infection in my foot, you know, it'd be different, 136 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: it feels, because like I injured myself playing football. But 137 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 1: just the fact that it was like a doctor kind 138 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: of messed up my foot a little bit, and that's 139 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: the reason that it held me out. That one stung 140 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 1: a little bit. So just some unfortunate events for me 141 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: like that in San Francisco. So it was kind of 142 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: a tough ride. So I'm ready for a fresh start 143 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: here in Cincinnati. That foot injury sounds like really scary stuff. 144 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: I think anybody that followed Alex Smith's leg injury knows 145 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: how serious an infection can be after surgery. Were you 146 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: in danger of losing the foot or anything dire like that. No, 147 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 1: it was nothing crazy like that. But it was just 148 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,599 Speaker 1: like they would think that the infection was going to 149 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: be clear, So then we waited a couple of weeks 150 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 1: and then they go back and look at it again 151 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 1: and it's like, oh wow, it's still in the bone. 152 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 1: So we had to like explore a bunch of different methods. 153 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 1: I had. I had a pickline in my arm um 154 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: injecting myself with um antibiotics for six weeks. I think, wow. 155 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 1: Um so that yeah, that was just a miserable time 156 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 1: dealing with that. But um yeah, nothing like what Alex 157 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: Smith was dealing with out That's that's just a whole 158 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: other level. We're talking to Trent Taylor. So you signed 159 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 1: with the Bengals after getting a tryout at the rookie Minicamp. 160 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,319 Speaker 1: A few weeks ago, and it was interesting because there 161 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: were twenty two players there and you were the only 162 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: one with real NFL experience. Did it feel a little 163 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 1: bit strange and did the rookies know that you were 164 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 1: an accomplished NFL vet? Uh? Yeah, it definitely felt weird, 165 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 1: Like you can kind of tell, just like talking to 166 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: guys and working out with guys, um, guys who you know, 167 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 1: know how the league works, and guys who are completely 168 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: new to it. Um. But I don't think I don't 169 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: think anybody really knew that I was a veteran um 170 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 1: because like towards the end, when we were catching punts, 171 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 1: it got brought up somehow and everybody was like, oh, dang, 172 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 1: like you you used to be with the forty nine ers. 173 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:12,319 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, yeah, I've done this before, man. But uh 174 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: but yeah, it was It was definitely a different time 175 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 1: for me. You know, something I've never experienced, having to, 176 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 1: you know, travel around and like try out for a 177 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: team like that. Um. But I'm glad we made it 178 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:29,199 Speaker 1: work here in Cincinnati. Now, did they have you go 179 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 1: through that tryout more or less just to see if 180 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: you were healthy because obviously, you know, you can put 181 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,839 Speaker 1: on the tape and see what you've accomplished in the NFL. Yeah, 182 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 1: I think, I mean, yeah, it was normal. Um I'm 183 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,079 Speaker 1: glad that I got to do it, you know with 184 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 1: the rookies, because usually, like a workout, you kind of 185 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 1: go and you're out there by yourself just running routes 186 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:52,240 Speaker 1: while while they watch you, and it's just you know, 187 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: it's a lot more fun whenever you're running routes with 188 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 1: other guys and you have actual quarterbacks throwing to you. Um, 189 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 1: so yeah, I was I was able to join in 190 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 1: with the rookies and do it that way. It's just 191 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 1: it's a lot easier now. The other thing that caused 192 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 1: a bit of a stir was the fact that you 193 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: were wearing AJ Green's number eighteen. You switched to number 194 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 1: eleven after signing with the Bengals. But were you amused 195 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 1: or annoyed by the outrage that people seem to have. 196 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, it was pretty funny, honestly, Like I never 197 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: even thought about it. I just you know, once it 198 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: was over, I guess they like closted pictures of me 199 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 1: wearing eighteen at the rookie mini camp, and um, I 200 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 1: just opened up my Twitter and there's like all these 201 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: people who are so angry with me for some reason. 202 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:41,560 Speaker 1: I'm just like so confused. But I mean aj Greens, 203 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 1: I mean, he's the man. He's he's a complete baller. 204 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 1: So you know, I understand where they're coming from. That's 205 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: that's how fans are. It is what it is. But um, 206 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: I definitely knew not to keep number eighteen on my chest. 207 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 1: I knew that for sure. Well, eleven looked good, it practiced. 208 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 1: Last last week, we're talking to Tred Taylor. The Bengals 209 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: lost Alex Ericson in free agency, and he's had the 210 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:08,840 Speaker 1: role the last few years of being kind of a 211 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 1: backup slot receiver to Tyler Boyd and then obviously the 212 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 1: primary punt returner. And you have performed those roles in 213 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 1: the past for San Francisco. Do you see this as 214 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 1: kind of a natural replacement for the job he had. Uh? Yeah, 215 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 1: I feel like that that could easily become my role. Um. 216 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 1: I think I proved myself as a prim returner, a 217 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: guy who can get the job done in this league, 218 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: so um, I mean I obviously got to go prove 219 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:40,720 Speaker 1: it every day, but um yeah, I feel like that 220 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 1: could be a good role for me and obviously TV 221 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 1: Tyler Boyd is a I mean, he's a great athlete 222 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 1: and a baller obviously in that position. So uh yeah, 223 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 1: we'll see what happens with that. But um, the offense 224 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:03,280 Speaker 1: here is a lot is a lot better for me, 225 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: you know, for a guy like me, Because in San Francisco, 226 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 1: we had Kyli Huschek at tied end, which would take 227 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: our at fullback, which would take a lot of time 228 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 1: from that third receiver spot, which Jews. He's like obviously 229 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: a baller at fullback and can do a lot of 230 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:24,679 Speaker 1: things for your offense. But we don't have a fullback 231 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: here at Cincinnati, which is good for that third receiver. Um, 232 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:30,319 Speaker 1: you know, a lot more opportunities for guys like me 233 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: to come into the game and make play. Yeah, no question, 234 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: more three receiver sets than any other team in the 235 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,320 Speaker 1: NFL over the last couple of years. What stood out 236 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,079 Speaker 1: to you, Yeah, what stood out to you about the 237 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:43,559 Speaker 1: wide receiver group in the first few days of OTAs. 238 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 1: My parents asked me about it and I told him, 239 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: I said, we might have the best receiver group in 240 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 1: the NFL. I believe if if obviously you know, Jamar 241 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:57,680 Speaker 1: Chase can come in and be a baller like he 242 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: did all throughout his college years, which I believe definitely will. 243 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: Um we're looking at like a pretty lethal groove at receiver. 244 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: So I'm just I'm excited to be a part of 245 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 1: it and to get this offense role. Does the possibility 246 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 1: of playing with Joe Burrow excite you? Yeah? Obviously, you 247 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: know you you watched him his rookie year, and uh, 248 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 1: he obviously has what it takes to be a baller 249 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: in this league for a long time. You know, He's 250 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: got the right mentality. And yeah, so I'm excited to 251 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: work with a guy like that. And uh, you know, 252 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: just the fire that he brings to the game is 253 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 1: something that isn't normal as a quarterback, I don't think. Um. So, yeah, 254 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: it's gonna be fun playing with him for sure. In December, 255 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: the Bengals host your former team. Have you given any 256 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: thought to what it'll be like to line up against 257 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 1: the forty nine ers. Yeah, I'm I'm really excited about 258 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 1: that one. I've already joked with you know, the strength 259 00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: staff over there and some of the coaches. I say, 260 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: if I scored, So I'm I'm throwing the ball at 261 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: you on the sideline. I mean, yeah, I'll definitely you know, 262 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 1: have a nice little chip on my shoulder for that one. Um, 263 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: hopefully I ball out and get to shove it in 264 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: their face. But I mean, it's all love at the 265 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 1: end of the at the end of the day, I 266 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: respect all those guys over there, Um, Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, 267 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 1: the whole, um, the whole coaches that they're all great 268 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: people and I definitely appreciate everything they did for me 269 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 1: and my time there. So it's all love at the 270 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: end of the day. All right, last thing for Trent Taylor. 271 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 1: I was glancing at your bio and you were a 272 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: great all around athlete in high school. That's not all 273 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: that unusual for an NFL football player. But in your case, 274 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:48,520 Speaker 1: did you really take up tennis as a high school 275 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: senior and make it to the state double final? Yes, 276 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 1: that that is true. Um, yeah, we so, me and 277 00:15:56,840 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: my quarterback, and you know, we were both just natural 278 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 1: athletes ourselves. Dakota Duran is his name, but uh, you know, 279 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 1: we always played tennis for fun. We're like, dude, senior year, like, 280 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: let's just join the team. It will be a blast. 281 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: And so we were doubles partners together, and we made 282 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 1: it all the way to the to the state championship match. 283 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:21,240 Speaker 1: You know, we we beat everyone throughout the state tournament, 284 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: made it to the finals, and got beat um in 285 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:28,880 Speaker 1: the championship game, which I think we I think the 286 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 1: whole tennis community like hated us so much. You were known, 287 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: we were known as like the two football guys because 288 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: you know, we just went to the state championship in 289 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 1: football that year, and so everyone knew us pretty well. 290 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: And so yeah, we were known as like the football guys. 291 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 1: That's why everyone knew us as at the state tennis tournament, 292 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, we kind of had we had 293 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 1: a little edge about us. You know, we would talk trash, 294 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 1: you know, poor kids and tennis. You know, they probably 295 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: haven't seen much of that, but we got We talked 296 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: trash to a lot of them, and I think we 297 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: got in most people's heads. I think that's why we 298 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 1: won most of the games, honestly, which it was probably 299 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:15,239 Speaker 1: like not nice at all, but you know that's how 300 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:17,199 Speaker 1: we were. We were just out there having fun with 301 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 1: it and yeah, and made it all the way to 302 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: stay So I mean, I enjoyed the hell out of 303 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 1: Little Still's a good time. The football guys crashed the party. 304 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 1: Is there is there footage of that on YouTube or 305 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 1: somewhere where people can see it. I don't know, honestly, 306 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: I don't think so. I don't think there's anything online 307 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:40,479 Speaker 1: of that. I might I might need to find some 308 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:42,919 Speaker 1: videos and post them for you all. That would be 309 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: very entertaining. Hey, Trent, this was great. This was great. 310 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 1: I really appreciate your time. Welcome to Cincinnati and we 311 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 1: look forward to watching you play. All right, Yeah, thanks 312 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 1: for having me. I'm looking forward to it. The Bengals 313 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 1: Booth podcast is presented by Bud Light Seltzer. It's light 314 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:01,680 Speaker 1: and refreshing with a hint of fruit labor. Last week, 315 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: there was a story on nfl dot com about the 316 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 1: top ten pass rushing disruptors in the NFL last year. 317 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:14,000 Speaker 1: That stat combines hurries, pressures, and sacks to determine who 318 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: is most effective at rushing the quarterback. Former Bengal Karl 319 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 1: Lawson was number seven on the list. The free agent 320 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 1: that the Bengals signed to replace him, Trey Hendrickson, checked 321 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: in at number three. I spoke to the author of 322 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:32,360 Speaker 1: the article, Nick Shook, about that and much more. Nick 323 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,960 Speaker 1: I reached out after reading your recent story on NFL 324 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: dot com about the top ten disruptors of twenty twenty. 325 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:42,439 Speaker 1: In New Bengal, Trey Hendrickson checked in at number three, 326 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:46,360 Speaker 1: ahead of Miles Garrett and Aaron Donald, among others. I 327 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:48,400 Speaker 1: know you are not saying that he's better than those 328 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 1: two guys, but explain the stat and what it says 329 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 1: about the Bengals acquisition of Trey Hendrickson. Well, I know you, 330 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: I know that you know that I'm not saying he's better, 331 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 1: but I would like to inform all Twitter that because 332 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:04,880 Speaker 1: they think otherwise when they just see your ranking next 333 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 1: of these games. Um, well, the thing with with Trey 334 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 1: Andrickson that that put him so high on this list 335 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,239 Speaker 1: was the fact that you know he got home And 336 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: when I say that, I mean, you know, on his 337 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 1: pass rushes he was getting to the quarterback and bringing 338 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:19,160 Speaker 1: him down. He wasn't just getting close and maybe pressuring 339 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 1: him or causing a hurry or anything like that. He 340 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 1: was finishing the job. I mean, he was nearer at 341 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:27,880 Speaker 1: or in the league lead for sacks for the majority 342 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:30,640 Speaker 1: of the season, and he had the highest sack rate 343 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 1: of any player on this list of any player in 344 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: the history of Next Gen's dabs dates back to twenty 345 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:38,919 Speaker 1: sixteen at over four percent, is the only guy to 346 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 1: ever break four percent. So, you know, I think that 347 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: you're getting a guy who ideally replaces somebody who lost. 348 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,479 Speaker 1: Also on this listen, Carl Lawson ended up in seventh, 349 00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 1: but you hope that it's not a flash in the 350 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,400 Speaker 1: pan thing. He you know, he came from college with 351 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:56,800 Speaker 1: the reputation for getting after the quarterback, and it's almost 352 00:19:56,800 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: like he just happened to finally blossom in the final 353 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 1: year of his deal and you know, at the perfect time. 354 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:05,479 Speaker 1: But again, he was playing offs to Tamra Jordan's So 355 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:07,879 Speaker 1: it does make you wonder, you know, was he benefiting 356 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 1: from that or not. We'll find out, I think in 357 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: Cincinnati this year. But he's I mean, he's a big 358 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:15,359 Speaker 1: get for the Bengals, no doubt. We are talking to 359 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 1: Nick Shook from NFL dot Com. Let's talk about the 360 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:20,800 Speaker 1: Bengals pass rush in general, because it was pretty anemic 361 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 1: last year. Last in the NFL in sacks twenty ninth 362 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 1: and pass rush win raid. According to ESPN, they signed 363 00:20:28,320 --> 00:20:31,920 Speaker 1: Trey they signed Larry Ogan job, They've got DJ Reader 364 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 1: coming back from injury. They drafted four defensive lineman, including 365 00:20:35,920 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: Joseph Osai in the third round. What do you think 366 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:41,400 Speaker 1: of the group and the likelihood that the Bengals pass 367 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:44,880 Speaker 1: rush will be much improved? Um, you know, I think 368 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 1: even having guys healthy would help you a lot. I think, 369 00:20:48,119 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 1: you know, Geno Atkins and what was going on with 370 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:51,680 Speaker 1: him in the last couple of years didn't really help 371 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 1: him either. So I'm a big fan of Larry Ogan 372 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,879 Speaker 1: joby uh from his time with the Browns. I got 373 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: to know him fairly well when I worked for the team, 374 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 1: and you know, I love approach. He's a very hard worker. 375 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:05,359 Speaker 1: He's an under the radar guy who you know, he 376 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: makes some plays here and there that might catch somebody's 377 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 1: attention and then maybe to set the expectation a little 378 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:12,879 Speaker 1: too high and then they get disappointed. But that's not 379 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:15,120 Speaker 1: the type of players he's not. He's not your warrant 380 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:17,360 Speaker 1: sap interior rusher. He's just gonna break through and set 381 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 1: the quarterback. But what he's gonna do is cause problems. 382 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 1: He's rarely gonna get pushed back. He's gonna jam up 383 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:24,040 Speaker 1: the middle. Despite not being three hundred and thirty pounds 384 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:26,360 Speaker 1: or whatever. So he's gonna be effective in there, and 385 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: I think he works really well in tandem. I think 386 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 1: hed Reader's gonna help out with that, uh, you know, 387 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,640 Speaker 1: provided that he can come back healthy after missing Lois 388 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 1: of last year. And you know, Hendrickson we already talked 389 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:38,679 Speaker 1: about um and I like Joseph Asaia I do. I 390 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 1: thought that he got drafted later than I expected raw 391 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: in the fact that he was an inside linebacker at 392 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 1: Texas before making a position change and clearly becoming you know, 393 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 1: the edge that he was supposed to be. You know, 394 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 1: he's a little stiff in the hips, he doesn't quite 395 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:52,640 Speaker 1: have that natural bend yet. But I think it's great 396 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 1: value for the Bengals, and if they give him a 397 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 1: long road, he could become a very productive player. He's 398 00:21:57,320 --> 00:21:59,479 Speaker 1: also not somebody that you're gonna have to immediately rely on. 399 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:02,679 Speaker 1: So overall, what I learned from that drafted from this 400 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 1: offseason with the Bengals, at least in the defensive side 401 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 1: of the ball, is they acknowledged that they were weaving 402 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 1: the trenches and they needed to get better, because what 403 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:10,359 Speaker 1: can you do if you can't stop the run? Not 404 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 1: much so it's It was an encouraging offseason for that, 405 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: all right. Speaking of the draft, there was a heated 406 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: national debate before the first round. Should the Bengals give 407 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow another weapon Jamar Chase or improve his protection 408 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:28,439 Speaker 1: with Pine Sewell, where were you before the draft and 409 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,359 Speaker 1: what do you think about what the Bengals did after 410 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:33,720 Speaker 1: the fact. Well, my background is an offensive line, so 411 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 1: I was leaning towards Sewel because I think Sewel is 412 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:40,560 Speaker 1: potentially a generational tackle. I mean, the kids super impressive. 413 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:42,359 Speaker 1: He was coming out of high school going to Oregon. 414 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 1: You know, routinely when you pull up his clips, you're 415 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:47,919 Speaker 1: seeing him block one or two guys a play. Sometimes 416 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 1: he chase him at the same time. But I do 417 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:55,359 Speaker 1: understand the allure of the receiver and a Jamar Chase, 418 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,399 Speaker 1: who was fantastic when he last played football, which was 419 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:02,440 Speaker 1: with Joe Burrow at LSU's seasons ago. And I understand, 420 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 1: you know, you're replacing a role, you know, owned by 421 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:08,920 Speaker 1: a J. Green. You've got T Higgins coming back after 422 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: a very impressive rookie season, and you still have Tyler 423 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 1: Boyd as well, who I think is another under the 424 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:15,640 Speaker 1: radar guy who could you know, really explode. I think 425 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:18,800 Speaker 1: in the right set of circumstances. So you combine all 426 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:21,119 Speaker 1: of that, then yeah, adding Jamar Chase makes sense. You 427 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: have a trio of receivers and you can't overlook any 428 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 1: of them. It's going to give nightmares to all the 429 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 1: opposing defense is not to mention you have a brushing 430 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:30,080 Speaker 1: attack led by Joe Mixon. It's that is formidable. So 431 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:32,840 Speaker 1: I do understand going for the weapon over the tackle. 432 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:36,240 Speaker 1: I just think that I always personally prefer to invest 433 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:39,520 Speaker 1: in high quality offensive lineman because provide that they can 434 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: stay healthy, that's something that you don't have to worry 435 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 1: about for five to ten years and you can't put, 436 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:47,480 Speaker 1: I think a price on that. But I think they 437 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:49,879 Speaker 1: were in a great spot either way to get a 438 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,679 Speaker 1: prime time player in either Sewel or Chase, and I 439 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 1: think they'll be happy regardless. In the interest of full disclosure, 440 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 1: I was also in favor of Pine Sewel before the draft, 441 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:01,440 Speaker 1: but at the end of round one, when I looked 442 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:05,000 Speaker 1: at the available lineman left in comparison to the available 443 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 1: wide receivers left, I think the Bengals got it right. 444 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: I would agree. I would agree, you know It's funny 445 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 1: because the year prior, we had spent so much time 446 00:24:14,359 --> 00:24:17,640 Speaker 1: talking about how strong the receiver class was, and then 447 00:24:17,680 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 1: you saw them flying up the board at a faster 448 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:24,160 Speaker 1: rate this year. And whereas you know, the tackle class 449 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: last year was very good, but there were more lineman 450 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:29,600 Speaker 1: that you could see becoming very solid offensive lineman in 451 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:32,359 Speaker 1: the NFL available on Day two. And I thought they 452 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:34,200 Speaker 1: did that pretty well at Jackson Carman when they spent 453 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:38,520 Speaker 1: that thing. It addresses an area that's not quite a 454 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 1: need depending on how you want to, you know, set 455 00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:44,400 Speaker 1: out you're starting five, but it gives you depth and frankly, 456 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:46,480 Speaker 1: you know, from this point last year to now, I 457 00:24:46,520 --> 00:24:49,240 Speaker 1: thought the Bengals have done a spectacular job with remaking 458 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:50,960 Speaker 1: their offensive line. I think they left out with the 459 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:53,399 Speaker 1: quinnin Spain thing and how he ended up in Cincinnati, 460 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:56,000 Speaker 1: but overall, I think they've done a great job at that. 461 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 1: So it wasn't you know, I got a lot of 462 00:24:57,840 --> 00:24:59,640 Speaker 1: texts that you know, they're never going to keep Joe 463 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:02,840 Speaker 1: Burrow up right. You know, he's gonna have a dirty jersey. 464 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: He's gonna be on the ground all afternoon because they 465 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: selected a receiver instead of attackle on the first round, 466 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 1: not realizing that the draft is more than one round, 467 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 1: and that they'd had a quietly a very good off 468 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:16,159 Speaker 1: season in remaking that group. So yeah, it's sometimes I 469 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:17,840 Speaker 1: think it's tough to make a decision one way or 470 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: the other, and we really won't know what the right 471 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 1: move was for years down the road. But I feel 472 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 1: very confident that no matter who they had taken there, 473 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:26,439 Speaker 1: that they'd be happy. Well, hearing you use the words 474 00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:30,080 Speaker 1: spectacular job and remaking the offensive line is music to 475 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 1: the ear of Bengals fans because the simple fact that 476 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:36,680 Speaker 1: they didn't take Pinney Sewell has led to the reaction 477 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:41,040 Speaker 1: from some that they're just neglecting the offensive line, ignoring 478 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:44,600 Speaker 1: the fact that they signed Riley Reef, they drafted Jackson Carmen, 479 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 1: they drafted two other offensive linemen, they retained Quintin Spain 480 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:52,119 Speaker 1: as you mentioned, and they went out and brought Frank 481 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:55,120 Speaker 1: Pollock back to be their offensive line coach, widely considered 482 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:58,120 Speaker 1: to be one of the better ones in the NFL. Yeah, 483 00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 1: you know, that type of investment is what was sorely needed, 484 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:03,360 Speaker 1: and I think exactly what you have to do after 485 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 1: you spend the number one overall pick on a franchise 486 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:07,960 Speaker 1: quarterback of the future. And you know, like I said, 487 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:09,959 Speaker 1: I think they did. They did do a very solid 488 00:26:10,040 --> 00:26:12,199 Speaker 1: job there. And you know, none of them are splash 489 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:15,679 Speaker 1: signings necessarily. I thought Riley Reef is a very solid signing, 490 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,280 Speaker 1: but it's not a splash signing. I loved quintin Spain 491 00:26:18,320 --> 00:26:20,000 Speaker 1: when he was with the Bills, and when he ended 492 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 1: up in Cincinnata, was like, that's a that's a perfect fit. 493 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:26,200 Speaker 1: But it doesn't attract the eye of the average fan 494 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:29,160 Speaker 1: because how many fans are doing what I do, which 495 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:31,879 Speaker 1: is like pay very close attention to the offensive linemen 496 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:34,080 Speaker 1: and their footwork and their steps on a play by 497 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 1: play basis while most everyone else is following the ball. 498 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:38,640 Speaker 1: It's just because I'm a line nerd. It's not necessarily 499 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:42,240 Speaker 1: because I'm smarter or anything. So you know those types 500 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:43,719 Speaker 1: of players who you know they can come in and 501 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:46,080 Speaker 1: make a contribution, make a difference and aren't going to 502 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 1: grab the headlines, well then you know it starts to 503 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:51,159 Speaker 1: become a very solid effort that they put forth. And 504 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:53,720 Speaker 1: they do have death that I really like too. You know, 505 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:55,959 Speaker 1: I liked Billy Price coming out of Ohio State I 506 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:58,960 Speaker 1: was actually there watching his bench press tours pack, which 507 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 1: is a bummer, but I like him as a backup, 508 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:05,880 Speaker 1: you know, Xavier Suaphilo, and he's got some experience being 509 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:08,720 Speaker 1: a backup, kind of a swing guy. I think Jackson Carmeo, 510 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:10,720 Speaker 1: he was a highly rated recruit coming out of high school. 511 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:13,240 Speaker 1: You guys know he's from that area and before he 512 00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:14,960 Speaker 1: went to Clemson, you know, Flipton Ohio State and went 513 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 1: to Clemson. I think that you can't argue with that 514 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:21,960 Speaker 1: type of you know, potential there as well. So I 515 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 1: think it's a much better situation than it was a 516 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:25,239 Speaker 1: year ago, and they deserve to be committed for it. 517 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:29,400 Speaker 1: We are talking to self proclaimed line nerd Nick Shook 518 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 1: from NFL dot Com. You can follow him on Twitter 519 00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:36,200 Speaker 1: at the Nick Shook Sho. Okay, you do a lot 520 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 1: of work with next Gen Stats for NFL dot com, 521 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:42,800 Speaker 1: and you teased recently on Twitter that you're going to 522 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 1: be writing about the top ten coverage guys from last 523 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,560 Speaker 1: season sometime this month. And there was a graphic that 524 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:52,880 Speaker 1: accompanied your tweet that showed that Bengals cornerback Darius Phillips 525 00:27:53,359 --> 00:27:56,080 Speaker 1: ranked third in the NFL last year and something that 526 00:27:56,480 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 1: next Gen Stats calls ballhawk rates. I also saw that 527 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:03,680 Speaker 1: they tweeted out that he ran fourth in the NFL 528 00:28:03,760 --> 00:28:07,919 Speaker 1: and tight window rate, meaning he is forcing tight windows. 529 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:14,120 Speaker 1: Is Darius Phillips underrated? So when it comes to next 530 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:18,080 Speaker 1: Gen stats, we have the benefit of the tracking data 531 00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:20,399 Speaker 1: that they can tell us exactly where players are at 532 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 1: specific moments, you know, relative to the players near them, 533 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:26,200 Speaker 1: how fast the ball is going, how fast they're traveling, 534 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:28,120 Speaker 1: when angle they're moving out, all this stuff that kind 535 00:28:28,119 --> 00:28:30,560 Speaker 1: of helps us to get an idea of how prepared 536 00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:32,399 Speaker 1: or how well they put themselves in a position to 537 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:33,919 Speaker 1: make a play on the ball, which is what the 538 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,880 Speaker 1: tight window thing is. How closely they to the targeted 539 00:28:36,880 --> 00:28:39,160 Speaker 1: receiver when the past arrives. Usually you want to be 540 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:41,120 Speaker 1: within three yards. Most of these guys that you're going 541 00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: to see on these lists are within three yards. So 542 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:47,560 Speaker 1: forcing a tight window on a consistent basis tells us 543 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 1: what we already see with our eyes, which is he's 544 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 1: all over him. He's a blanket cover guy, you know, 545 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 1: even potentially a shutdown corner guy. Ballhawk rate is where 546 00:28:57,640 --> 00:28:59,680 Speaker 1: in that situation that players can end up making a 547 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 1: play the ball. It's kind of the next step in 548 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:03,080 Speaker 1: the process, and a play on the ball could be 549 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:07,040 Speaker 1: a pass defended, or it could be an interception. If 550 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 1: you have a high ball hawk rate and a tight 551 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 1: high tight tight window rate, that means that basically you 552 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:15,120 Speaker 1: more often than not or more often than then most 553 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:18,080 Speaker 1: defensive backs in the NFL are very close to the 554 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 1: receiver who's targeted and you're playing, making him play on 555 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 1: the ball more often than most guys. I think ball 556 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 1: hawk rate is very important provided that you have I 557 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:29,200 Speaker 1: think enough of a baseline of you know, targets over 558 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:31,560 Speaker 1: the seasons. Like the peace I'm working on right now, 559 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:33,960 Speaker 1: we have a minimum of forty targets. We have a 560 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 1: minimum of three hundred pass coverage snaps. Darius Phillips didn't 561 00:29:36,520 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 1: play the full season last year, finished a two hundred 562 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:40,560 Speaker 1: and ninety pass coverage snaps, so he's not going to 563 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:42,400 Speaker 1: end up on that list. But if he if he 564 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 1: had dropped that down to let's say two fifty two 565 00:29:44,280 --> 00:29:47,280 Speaker 1: hundred and seventy five pass coverage snaps, then suddenly he's 566 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: pretty high up there on the list. Because of things 567 00:29:49,360 --> 00:29:51,680 Speaker 1: like ball hawk rate, tight window There's some other stats 568 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 1: as well that we kind of rely on to to 569 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 1: kind of figure out, you know, who's the best in 570 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:58,840 Speaker 1: covering in all areas, you know, one of them being 571 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:03,040 Speaker 1: completion percent over or under expectation allowed, which is kind 572 00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 1: of a complicated thing where when it passes throne, you 573 00:30:05,880 --> 00:30:07,160 Speaker 1: know not to get too deep in the week, but 574 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:09,480 Speaker 1: when it passes throwne based on all the data of 575 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:11,480 Speaker 1: everybody on the field at the same time and where 576 00:30:11,480 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 1: they are in the location, everything else, there's a there's 577 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:16,800 Speaker 1: a probability, a likelihood that pass is going to be completed. 578 00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:19,560 Speaker 1: If a defensive back then forces any completion on the 579 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:21,719 Speaker 1: pass that was likely to be completed. Stretched that over 580 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:23,800 Speaker 1: an entire season, all the coverage snaps that they have, 581 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:26,960 Speaker 1: you end up getting how much of a difference they're making. 582 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: If their completion percentage under expectation is a negative number, 583 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 1: that means they're doing well, whereas receivers doing the negative number, 584 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:35,200 Speaker 1: that means you're doing poorly because you're not catching as 585 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:38,360 Speaker 1: much as the expectation you know sets for you to catch. 586 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:40,880 Speaker 1: That you're basically not doing the job you're expected to do. 587 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:43,840 Speaker 1: So that's another number that we use. He's also pretty 588 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,640 Speaker 1: high up there in those numbers. That's will actually have 589 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:48,440 Speaker 1: it in front of you right now. He's a negative 590 00:30:48,440 --> 00:30:50,720 Speaker 1: five point one percent, which is going to be among 591 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:52,120 Speaker 1: some of these guys that are on this list. He's 592 00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:53,760 Speaker 1: not gonna be on this list again because he doesn't 593 00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 1: hit the total pass coverage snaps necessary at just two 594 00:30:57,400 --> 00:30:59,120 Speaker 1: hundred and nine. I set the base line to three 595 00:30:59,160 --> 00:31:02,600 Speaker 1: hundred and getting good. But I do think all of this, 596 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:06,440 Speaker 1: this very long winded explanation has told us is that 597 00:31:06,680 --> 00:31:08,080 Speaker 1: you know, this is a guy who I think is 598 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:10,640 Speaker 1: on the rise. I'm a MAC guy myself, so I 599 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:13,440 Speaker 1: love anybody who's coming out of a MAX school and uh, 600 00:31:13,880 --> 00:31:16,240 Speaker 1: and I think he's wanted to continue watching in a 601 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:18,239 Speaker 1: secondary that's probably going to need to rely on him 602 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 1: a little bit more going forward. We're talking to Nick 603 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:23,960 Speaker 1: Shook from NFL dot Com. Bengals fans have been very 604 00:31:24,040 --> 00:31:26,640 Speaker 1: encouraged by the side of Joe Burrow taking part in 605 00:31:26,760 --> 00:31:29,800 Speaker 1: OTAs over the past couple of weeks. What did you 606 00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:31,920 Speaker 1: think of Joe as a rookie and what do you 607 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:34,800 Speaker 1: think of his chances of ultimately becoming one of the 608 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:38,760 Speaker 1: better quarterbacks in the NFL. I think it's a great chance. Um. 609 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:41,440 Speaker 1: When I was I went to the Bengals Browns game 610 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:43,800 Speaker 1: a Thursday night, Week two, sitting in the press box 611 00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:45,880 Speaker 1: just watching him drop back and throw. And I'm familiar 612 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:49,120 Speaker 1: with Joe uh in his you know performance going back 613 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:51,120 Speaker 1: to high school and he was an Athens High school. 614 00:31:51,160 --> 00:31:54,360 Speaker 1: He actually beat my alma mater in the state semifinals 615 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:56,800 Speaker 1: Uh that year when he was you know, slaying it 616 00:31:56,800 --> 00:31:59,760 Speaker 1: down there for Athens. So um, you know, he ends 617 00:31:59,800 --> 00:32:02,720 Speaker 1: up into Ohio State. We all know the career progression, 618 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:05,560 Speaker 1: you know, from there to LSU and everything else. And 619 00:32:05,600 --> 00:32:07,360 Speaker 1: I think that it's all just fit right in line 620 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:09,480 Speaker 1: with with who he is. I think he's grown as 621 00:32:09,520 --> 00:32:11,600 Speaker 1: a pastor. But what I've seen more than anything, he's 622 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:13,600 Speaker 1: got that that brain of a coach's son. He's got 623 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:16,040 Speaker 1: the composure of a coach's son. I mean Week two, 624 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:18,280 Speaker 1: I was sitting in the press box and watching him 625 00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:19,800 Speaker 1: sit in a pocket like he's been in the league 626 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:22,440 Speaker 1: for five or ten years, delivering the ball while that 627 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:24,680 Speaker 1: offensive line was still trying to figure it out. Myles 628 00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:28,000 Speaker 1: Garrett is coming after him, while Olivier Vernon and Sheldon 629 00:32:28,080 --> 00:32:31,040 Speaker 1: Richardson and all those guys are coming after him. Moxie, 630 00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:34,520 Speaker 1: I mean total composure through the ball over fifty times 631 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:36,600 Speaker 1: and nearly through the Bengals to a victory in that one, 632 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:40,240 Speaker 1: And I thought that he was believing candidate for Offensive 633 00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:42,080 Speaker 1: Brookie of Year until he get hurt. And then you know, 634 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:43,560 Speaker 1: they kind of cleared the way for Justin Herbert to 635 00:32:43,640 --> 00:32:45,640 Speaker 1: run away with that award, which I don't think it 636 00:32:45,720 --> 00:32:47,800 Speaker 1: was necessarily a full run with that. Justin Jefferson had 637 00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:50,840 Speaker 1: a pretty strong case as well. But the sky is 638 00:32:50,840 --> 00:32:52,280 Speaker 1: a limited think for Joe Burrow as long as you 639 00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:54,040 Speaker 1: protect him and you surround him with weapons, which it 640 00:32:54,080 --> 00:32:56,360 Speaker 1: seems like the Bengals have done. I think that you know, 641 00:32:56,400 --> 00:32:58,680 Speaker 1: he's only going to go up from here is you know, 642 00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:01,400 Speaker 1: if we can gear that his knee is fine, which 643 00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:04,640 Speaker 1: advances in modern medicine makes me think that that's probably 644 00:33:04,640 --> 00:33:05,880 Speaker 1: not going to be much of an issue. You just 645 00:33:05,920 --> 00:33:08,160 Speaker 1: got to keep him up right, that's the biggest thing. 646 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:10,680 Speaker 1: And I think otherwise, you know, as long as he 647 00:33:10,680 --> 00:33:12,920 Speaker 1: can come back from this injury and have that same confidence, 648 00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:15,360 Speaker 1: he just picks up where he left off and continues 649 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:18,680 Speaker 1: on up. Yeah, you saw sixty one attempts in that 650 00:33:18,760 --> 00:33:20,640 Speaker 1: Week two game. I might want to cut down that 651 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:24,120 Speaker 1: a little bit in order to and increase the likelihood 652 00:33:24,120 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 1: that he'll be upright, But obviously you want to use 653 00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:28,920 Speaker 1: that weapon as well as much as you can. The 654 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:32,920 Speaker 1: Bengals are obviously in a very tough division with three 655 00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:35,400 Speaker 1: teams that won at least eleven games last year, and 656 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:39,880 Speaker 1: those three teams made the playoffs. What does success look 657 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:43,760 Speaker 1: like for the Bengals this year? In your opinion, that's 658 00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:49,120 Speaker 1: a tough one because I expect, you know, those other 659 00:33:49,160 --> 00:33:51,680 Speaker 1: three teams to be very competitive. They should all be. 660 00:33:51,880 --> 00:33:54,040 Speaker 1: Maybe I don't know abou the Steelers as much. We'll see, 661 00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:57,000 Speaker 1: but I expect the Browns and Ravens to be battling 662 00:33:57,040 --> 00:34:00,480 Speaker 1: for the division title just based on roster construction objectory. 663 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:04,600 Speaker 1: But I think success for the Bengals is playing competitively, 664 00:34:04,680 --> 00:34:07,600 Speaker 1: which they showed last year before Joe got hurt, that 665 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:09,680 Speaker 1: they were a competitive football team. Now they've had another 666 00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:11,920 Speaker 1: off season to add talent and kind of, you know, 667 00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:14,600 Speaker 1: get better. So I think success for them is you 668 00:34:14,680 --> 00:34:17,279 Speaker 1: flirt with five hundred. You don't necessarily have to hit 669 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:20,240 Speaker 1: five hundred. Well, we don't really have five hundred anymore 670 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:22,480 Speaker 1: with seventeen games, but you know, nine, eight, eight and nine. 671 00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:26,600 Speaker 1: You try to get in that range and and you 672 00:34:26,719 --> 00:34:31,000 Speaker 1: demonstrate progress, you demonstrate that we're maybe a couple more 673 00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:34,000 Speaker 1: pieces away. We're not that far away. We just need 674 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:36,840 Speaker 1: another offseason, We need another year to grow as a team, 675 00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:40,720 Speaker 1: starting to come together. I think that is success. Anything 676 00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:43,759 Speaker 1: above that, you have to be, you know, over the 677 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:46,000 Speaker 1: moon if you're a Bengals fan, just because of the 678 00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:48,640 Speaker 1: difficulty of the division and the fact that every division 679 00:34:48,640 --> 00:34:49,960 Speaker 1: game is gonna be tough. There are going to be 680 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:53,720 Speaker 1: no no cakewalks whatsoever for any team in this division, 681 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:56,040 Speaker 1: and that that includes those playing against the Bengals, because 682 00:34:56,040 --> 00:34:58,279 Speaker 1: the Bengals are a competitive football team, at least when 683 00:34:58,280 --> 00:35:01,200 Speaker 1: they have their starting quarterback healthy. So it's going to 684 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:03,960 Speaker 1: be a tough one for them. This might be the 685 00:35:04,520 --> 00:35:07,040 Speaker 1: best division of football. If not, it's definitely one of 686 00:35:07,120 --> 00:35:11,440 Speaker 1: the best. And unfortunately for the Bengals, they're not among 687 00:35:11,520 --> 00:35:13,880 Speaker 1: that group yet. But I don't think that they're that 688 00:35:14,080 --> 00:35:17,000 Speaker 1: far away from turning that corner. And this could be 689 00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:19,879 Speaker 1: the first step this year. Well, they had a tie 690 00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:22,879 Speaker 1: last year, so eight eight and one is the new 691 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:28,680 Speaker 1: five hundred. Let's go for it. Well, if it happens, 692 00:35:29,080 --> 00:35:32,719 Speaker 1: people heard it first on this podcast. Nick I really 693 00:35:32,760 --> 00:35:34,960 Speaker 1: appreciate your time. Keep up the good work, and I 694 00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:38,439 Speaker 1: look forward to reading about the top ten corners. Even 695 00:35:38,480 --> 00:35:42,319 Speaker 1: though Darius Phillips did not have enough snaps to qualify. Yeah, 696 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:44,520 Speaker 1: you know what, next year, he needs to play more 697 00:35:44,520 --> 00:35:46,200 Speaker 1: than twelve games, and he'll get that night. He'll probably 698 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:49,080 Speaker 1: get that number even in twelve games, no doubt next year. 699 00:35:49,120 --> 00:35:50,600 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me on, Dan, I really appreciate it, 700 00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:53,759 Speaker 1: all right, thank you, My thanks to Nick Shook and 701 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:55,560 Speaker 1: Trent Taylor. And that's going to do it for this 702 00:35:55,600 --> 00:35:58,120 Speaker 1: episode of the Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to you by 703 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:01,680 Speaker 1: bud Light Seltzer Reach the Game. If you haven't done 704 00:36:01,719 --> 00:36:04,080 Speaker 1: so already, please subscribe and if you have a minute, 705 00:36:04,120 --> 00:36:06,720 Speaker 1: give it a rating or share a comment that helps 706 00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:10,440 Speaker 1: more Bengals fans find this podcast. I'm Dan Horde, and 707 00:36:10,520 --> 00:36:13,719 Speaker 1: thanks for listening to The Bengals Booth Podcast