1 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,479 Speaker 1: Hi again everybody. I'm Dan Hord and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:10,840 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast. The cold enough to chew My 3 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: bones addition as the coldest weather game ever played at 4 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: pay Core Stadium goes to the Baltimore Ravens twenty four 5 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:24,239 Speaker 1: to nothing. Coming up, radio replays, locker room comments and 6 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: postgame analysis from Dave Lappham. Then, in this week's fun 7 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:32,599 Speaker 1: Facts Conversation, you'll get to know running back Taj Brooks. 8 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by pay Corps, 9 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 10 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, 11 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 1: business and community to a new level, and by Kettering 12 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 1: Health the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health 13 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,560 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's 14 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 1: a quick reminder that you can have the latest edition 15 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: of this podcast delivered write to your phone, tablet, or 16 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the 17 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: greatest thing since a local kid getting a chance to 18 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: play for his hometown team. The Bengals signed wide receiver 19 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:16,839 Speaker 1: Xavier Johnson this week. A second year pro who attended 20 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati, and he's a great story. 21 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:25,399 Speaker 1: Johnson had double digit scholarship offers coming out of high school, 22 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:29,559 Speaker 1: but chose to walk on at his dream school, Ohio State. 23 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:33,119 Speaker 1: He earned a big role on special teams and eventually 24 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 1: was given a scholarship. Johnson wasn't selected in last year's draft, 25 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: but he spent the entire season on the Houston Texans 26 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 1: practice squad, and now he's on the Bengals practice squad. 27 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: Here's Xavier. I'm getting the opportunity to wear the orange and. 28 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:51,240 Speaker 2: Black means everything, man. 29 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 3: I was just telling them so when grew up in 30 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 3: Western Hills, but went to school at High Park, So 31 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 3: every day I'm taking that step pass right in front 32 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 3: of all the stadiums from the time I was I 33 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 3: went I started going to Summon in the third grade. 34 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 3: So from the time I was eight nine years old 35 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 3: to the time I graduated high school, I'm driving past 36 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:12,359 Speaker 3: this just every day and looking at Paul Brown what 37 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 3: it was then now paid corps. 38 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: But yeah, drive. 39 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:19,519 Speaker 3: Past it every day, you know, seeing it and seeing 40 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,040 Speaker 3: the changes and the you know, the colors and just 41 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 3: being like as a kid, it's like they can do 42 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 3: no wrong. AJ Green girl with AJ Greens, the Andy 43 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 3: Dalton whatever, drove fastest house in High Park, or it 44 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 3: wasn't High Park, it was more my lookout area. 45 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 2: But drive past the house. 46 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:41,119 Speaker 3: Over there and I'm like, that's it, you know, Andy 47 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 3: Dawlon's house. So to finally be you know, kind of 48 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,320 Speaker 3: in their position, in their shoes, definitely is a blessing. 49 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 3: But definitely feel like I have, you know, a purpose 50 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 3: and a reason of being here, not just you know, 51 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 3: relishing the childhood dream but take the childhood dreaming turning 52 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 3: into some. 53 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 1: Fruit, bear some fruit, you know. Johnson is wearing the 54 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: number eight eighteen in honor of one of his biggest 55 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 1: childhood heroes, AJ Green. Now time for the radio replays 56 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 1: from Sunday's loss to Baltimore. In twenty six seasons of 57 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,959 Speaker 1: football here at pay Corpse Stadium, it has never been 58 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:20,960 Speaker 1: colder than it is today. The temperature is eight degrees, 59 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 1: the wind chill is minus two. We'll see if Joe 60 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: Burrow lives up to the nickname as the Bengals look 61 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 1: to sweep the Baltimore Ravens, and it is time for 62 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 1: the pig skin to fly here in Downtown Cincinnati. Third 63 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: down and seven Baltimore and its own forty nine first 64 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: drive of the game. Lamar with a deep drop, looking 65 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: to throw, begins scrambling and gets brought down near the 66 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 1: line of scrimmage Miles Murphy with a tackle. There's a 67 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: loss on the play, so that'll be a sack and 68 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: the Bengals will force Baltimore to punt. 69 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 2: That's great. 70 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: Lamar stomps the right foot a couple of times, catches 71 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: a shotgun snap. It's a deep drop. Lamar throws, and 72 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: it is and it is possibly picked off. The Bengals 73 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 1: are celebrating. Yes, it's an interception. The ricochet goes to 74 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: Jordan Battle and Cincinnati gets a takeaway at the twenty 75 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 1: eight yard line. 76 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 4: Jordan Battle had a pretty good defensive series there. He 77 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:18,240 Speaker 4: had to tackle as an unblocked defender, and that interception 78 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 4: is huge. 79 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: Lamar sets up a screen caught by Ali's at the 80 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: twenty five twenty fifteen ten five touchdown, untouched man. That's 81 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 1: one way to beat the blitz. Yeah, Lamar back to throw, 82 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 1: has time, fires for the end zone, caught touchdown, beautiful throw. 83 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 1: Say Flowers with a catch and the Ravens are up 84 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:45,160 Speaker 1: by two touchdowns. Third down in goal from the seven, 85 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 1: Burrow waits for the shotgun snap chase, the only receiver 86 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 1: out to the left. Burrow drops back to throw. Here 87 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:54,599 Speaker 1: comes the rush. Throws intercepted at the five. Through it 88 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 1: right to a defender who hands it backward to a 89 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 1: teammate now charging up the sideline as Gilman, and he's 90 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 1: go to take it to the house. The thirty, the twenty, 91 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: the ten touchdown Van Noi with the interception. He handed 92 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: it backward to a faster teammate and it's a Baltimore touchdown. 93 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 1: When the Bengals were inside the ten yard line, Noah 94 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:16,279 Speaker 1: Fan going in motion, lines up next to left tackle 95 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 1: Orlando Brown Junior. It's a handoff to samaj p Rn. 96 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: I don't know if he got it. 97 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 4: I don't think he did. 98 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: Baltimore is celebrating, but it all depends on the spot. 99 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 1: Don't think he got it. Nope. Brokeon Smith with the 100 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 1: tackle and the pounding on the glass to are left 101 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: in the Ravens coaching booth is all you need to know. 102 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 1: Baltimore gets the stop on fourth and a yard and 103 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: it looks like it's going to be a shutout for 104 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 1: defensive coordinator Zach Orr and the Ravens defense. Final score 105 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: twenty four to nothing Ravens, marking the first time the 106 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: Bengals were ever shut out in a game started by 107 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow. For the first time in sixteen games going 108 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: back to last year, Joe did not throw a touchdow 109 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: on pass. He finished twenty five for thirty nine for 110 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: two hundred and twenty five yards with two picks. His 111 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 1: passer rating at fifty eight point two was the second 112 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: lowest of his career. Several drop passes didn't help, but 113 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: Burrow didn't point fingers after the game. Here is an 114 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 1: edited portion of his postgame news conference. 115 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 5: This is a team effort, you know, at the end 116 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 5: of the day, players got to play better on the field. 117 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:28,719 Speaker 2: Today it was me, I gotta be better. 118 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: What do you feel like you could have done better today? 119 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 5: Everything uncharacter uncharacteristic mental mistakes on my end and some 120 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 5: unforced errors. 121 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: Joe. Today was the offense. Other games it's been the defense. 122 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: Why has complimentary football been so hard for this team 123 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 1: to find? 124 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 2: This year? 125 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:45,919 Speaker 5: We have been a good football team. You know bad football. 126 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 5: Bad football teams do losing things and you know, if 127 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 5: you're if you're wanting to compete for championships and in 128 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:58,600 Speaker 5: the playoffs, then number one, your quarterback has to play 129 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:01,159 Speaker 5: better than than I did today. There's not a team 130 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 5: in the NFL that would have won the game today 131 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 5: if I was the quartett. 132 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 6: Do you think your play is slipping down the slope 133 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 6: in the wrong direction over the last couple of years. 134 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 5: No, I feel very confident in how I've played. Obviously, today, 135 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 5: in my opinion, is an outlier. I think I've been 136 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 5: consistently great for years and years and years. 137 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 6: This is the hardest I thing you've ever been on 138 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 6: himself after a game. 139 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 5: Why I think this is one of the worst games 140 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 5: that I've I've played. You know, I'm honest with myself 141 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 5: and my play, and I hold myself to high standard, 142 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 5: and today didn't come close. 143 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 1: In fairness to Joe Mitch Tinsley dropped a touchdown pass 144 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 1: one play before Baltimore's picked six. Andre Josi Vash dropped 145 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: or would have been about a thirty yard game, and 146 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 1: even Jamar Chase, who had ten catches for one hundred 147 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: and thirty two yards, dropped a couple of passes that 148 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 1: would have gone for first downs. As for the defense, 149 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 1: it only gave up seventeen points to Baltimore's offense, but 150 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 1: the Ravens had eight plays that went for twenty or 151 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 1: more yards, four passes and four runs. I spoke to 152 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: Miles Murphy after the game. You had two sacks. TJ. 153 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: Slayton was involved in one of those sacks. In any case, 154 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 1: how difficult were the playing conditions for everybody on both 155 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 1: sides today? 156 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 7: I mean, of course it's cold, but it's just a 157 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 7: conditions this. You know what you signed up for the football. 158 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:34,479 Speaker 7: You played in any any weather, So I just gotta 159 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 7: bear with it and still just play your keys played 160 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 7: a run, rust passer to do we can as a defense. 161 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 1: Big plays hurt you guys today. Did you feel like 162 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: that was the biggest problem on defense? 163 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 7: Yes, women in the explosives, they're explosive team. They got 164 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 7: guys all over at quarterback, O line, running back, receivers, 165 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 7: so you gotta do what you can' s limited the exposives. 166 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 1: I felt, we felt that we did a good. 167 00:08:55,760 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 7: Job against the run, cup them contain cut pressure on them. 168 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 1: But it was just the explosives. 169 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:02,440 Speaker 2: Uh. 170 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 1: I was I was one of them. I was one 171 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: of them. 172 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 7: That gave it the one of the one explosive and 173 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 7: those are just things that just can't happen. 174 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 1: Was that on the touchdown pass to our lee, I 175 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: was on your side, but I didn't really know what 176 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:14,560 Speaker 1: your responsibility was there. 177 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 7: Yeah, the first one, I was supposed to yea, I 178 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:17,560 Speaker 7: was supposed to ta him on that one. And that's 179 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 7: just something that can't happen to me and or anyone. 180 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 7: I just can't happen to give up that explosive play. 181 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: It was a tough game in the sense that Thangals 182 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:30,479 Speaker 1: had some opportunities early inside the thirty, didn't take advantage. 183 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: Baltimore got a score, and then it kind of felt 184 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: like the momentum swung their way, particularly when they got 185 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 1: that second score late in the second quarter. Describe what 186 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 1: it was like for you guys, just from a momentum standpoint. 187 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 7: Really, as a defense, we try to approach every every 188 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 7: position that the same, like we got to get the 189 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 7: ball back for our offense because we know our offense, 190 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 7: you know, just like there's a we have offenses full 191 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 7: of explosive guys and who did they All they need 192 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 7: is a chance, man, and that's that's what we try 193 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:56,960 Speaker 7: to do for our offense, just give them a chance, 194 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 7: and you know, that's that's the only thing we can do. 195 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 7: Just do our to do our job and continue to 196 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 7: give our give Joe, just continue to give you the ball. 197 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 7: That's that's all we want to do. 198 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 1: That's all we can do. It obviously doesn't help the 199 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 1: playoff math. Where do you guys stand now with three 200 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: games to go? 201 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 7: H what's the same deal? The next next week is 202 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 7: the biggest game of the year. That's that's my mindset. 203 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 7: I feel like that's the entire defenses of mindset. Just 204 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 7: to go into next week, same mindset. Attack, stop the run, 205 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 7: get after the quarterback like nothing changes. We're not just 206 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 7: gonna sit back and just let whatever happen to us, 207 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 7: like we're gonna steal attack set set edges, do do 208 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 7: what we can and just you know, show show everyone 209 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 7: what bangle, what Bengal football is. 210 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: Appreciate your time, Miles, thank you. As I mentioned, Miles 211 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: had a couple of sacks, so did Demitrius Knight, who 212 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: also had a forced fumble. Now time to hear a 213 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: few of Zach Taylor's comments when he spoke to reporters 214 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 1: after the game. 215 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 6: I think it's it's frustrating to score zero points get 216 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 6: shut out at home. That's that's unacceptable. Never a million 217 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 6: year is what I've seen that coming, you know. But 218 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 6: that's that's what happened today. So now we're gonna look 219 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 6: at why that happened, and we got to be accountable. 220 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: For it and keep moving forward. 221 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 6: We knew that this game was going to be very difficult, 222 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 6: and we put a lot of time and effort to 223 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 6: the plan and the practice, and I got to today 224 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 6: film feeling really good about where we're at. And again 225 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 6: we just I'm not going to say that there was 226 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 6: a single area, particularly an offense that we're going to 227 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 6: say that was that was nearly good enough. It wasn't 228 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 6: even close to good enough anywhere, starting with me, And 229 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 6: so that part was frustrating. You told me our defense 230 00:11:27,760 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 6: was going to sack them as many times and harass 231 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 6: them the pocket and create a turnover and holding three 232 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 6: points to the second half, I'd sign up for that, you know. 233 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 6: So again, just wholesale, as a team, we weren't good enough. 234 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: With the loss, the Bengals are four and ten and 235 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 1: officially eliminated from playoff contention. They have three games left 236 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:50,200 Speaker 1: a road game at Miami and home games against Arizona 237 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,840 Speaker 1: and Cleveland. The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you 238 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 1: by pay Corps, proud to be the Bengals official HR 239 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 1: software provider, by Alta Fiber Future prow Fiber Internet designed 240 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: to elevate your home, business and community to a new level, 241 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: and by Kettering Health, the best care for the best fans. 242 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 1: Kettering Health is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. 243 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: Now time for the radio guys recap. Well app, I 244 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: can't say that I'm shocked that Baltimore won the game, 245 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: but I am shocked that the Bengals didn't score as 246 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: good as this offense has been, particularly with Joe Burrow back. 247 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:30,080 Speaker 1: To see Cincinnati reach the end of a game, particularly 248 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 1: at home, with no points is stunning. 249 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 4: It is, you know, and you look at Joe's raw numbers, 250 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,040 Speaker 4: you know, completed over fifty percent of his passes, two 251 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 4: hundred and fifty plus yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions. The 252 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 4: two interceptions obviously were huge. They scored you know, points 253 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 4: off of both of them. That obviously was the big 254 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 4: difference in the football game. But I just watching that game, 255 00:12:56,760 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 4: I know it was a thumping. It was a total thumping, 256 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:02,840 Speaker 4: there's no doubt. But it's just like the score shouldn't 257 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,680 Speaker 4: have been like that. I mean, there's no way this 258 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:09,560 Speaker 4: team shouldn't have put points on the board somehow, Yeah, 259 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 4: kicking an Evan McPherson field goal or punching it in 260 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 4: for a touchdown some way, shape or form. I mean, 261 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 4: to be shut out at home, you know, with a 262 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,560 Speaker 4: holiday type crowd, it's not a good look. It's not 263 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 4: a good look at all. And I think they're better 264 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 4: than that, I really do. I think I'm not saying 265 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 4: that they're a playoff caliber team. They're probably going home 266 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 4: for the playoffs. It's probably not probably, it's probably more 267 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 4: than probably. It looks like pretty definite that they're heading 268 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:44,320 Speaker 4: home for the holidays. But they've got players. I mean, 269 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 4: they have pieces. It's just a matter of putting it together. 270 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 1: They got to the twenty five of Baltimore in their 271 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: first drive, the twenty nine on their second drive, and 272 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:54,760 Speaker 1: then inside the ten late in the game and didn't score. 273 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: That kills you. I mean, they're not all red zone 274 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:01,200 Speaker 1: failures obviously too are just inside the thirty. But it's 275 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 1: it's close close. 276 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 4: That's great. Point. I mean they're right there, they're almost 277 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 4: in the red zone. I mean they're within every McPherson 278 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,000 Speaker 4: field goals. I mean he can hit from forty six 279 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:14,480 Speaker 4: forty seven yards, that's what those field goals would equate 280 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 4: to potentially. So you know the fact that again you 281 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 4: put no points to be shut out at home in 282 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 4: front of your crowd. Man, it's just I know, the organization, 283 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 4: the coaching staff, the players, everybody's hurting right now, and 284 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 4: they're hurting big time. That locker room was despondent, to 285 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 4: say the least. I think they're all feeling it, and 286 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 4: they're all feeling it a big time. 287 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:44,200 Speaker 1: On the one hand, the defense allowed seventeen offensive points. 288 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: The Ravens scored seven on the long pick six, so 289 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 1: that seems like a positive, But they gave up so 290 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: many big plays. They would be good for three or 291 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 1: four snaps and then thirty four yards, thirty eight yards, 292 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 1: things like that. They've just got to find a way 293 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: going forward to to prevent so many huge plays that 294 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 1: turn the game. 295 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 4: Lamar Jackson would have been very pedestrian with his numbers 296 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 4: if not for you know, three or four players of 297 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 4: twenty five thirty five thirty thirty five yards, you know, 298 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,520 Speaker 4: and they came in opportune times. There's never an opportune time, 299 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 4: I guess in a football game to give up, you know, 300 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 4: a play that's equivalent to two two and a half 301 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 4: three first downs, you don't want to ever, you know, 302 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 4: do that. But it just seemed like there were backbreaking 303 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 4: I mean, the timing of them couldn't have been any worse. 304 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 4: It was just it was just one of those football 305 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 4: games in that regard. And you know the fact that 306 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 4: it's an AFC North bitter rival makes it all that 307 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 4: much more difficult to swallow. 308 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: We had the Ravens coaching booth immediately to our left. Man, 309 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 1: that's tough to hear when they're hooting and hollering, pounding 310 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 1: on the glass after their big plays. It made me 311 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 1: pretty grumpy in our booth. 312 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 2: I hate them. 313 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 4: It definitely made me grumpy. Grumpy is a good word 314 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 4: for it. It's at least that I mean, oh man, 315 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 4: it's you know, but credit them, you know, they found 316 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 4: a way to get it done. I don't think that 317 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:08,520 Speaker 4: they probably feel like as a staff, as an organization, 318 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 4: that they necessarily played their best game. They probably feel 319 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 4: like there's meat on the bone for them as well, 320 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 4: and of course the Bengals. You're talking there's a lot 321 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 4: of meat on the bone. I mean, there's still a 322 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,880 Speaker 4: ribbi left on every bone for the Cincinnati Bengals down 323 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 4: the stretch of the season for sure. 324 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: Three games left, you're really not talking about the playoffs now, 325 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 1: So what's the mission? What do these guys have to 326 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: be playing for in the final three games? 327 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 2: Still? 328 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 4: You're playing to go for and to in the division? 329 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 4: Is that going to be enough to be a playoff team? 330 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 8: Not? 331 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 4: Probably not with an eight to nine record, best case scenario, 332 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 4: seven and ten now yeah, seven and ten now sorry, 333 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 4: seven and ten record best case scenario. So you know, 334 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 4: hopefully that ain't time, but it was not meant to be. Yeah. 335 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 4: So basically, you're a professional. You're getting paid a ton 336 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 4: of money to play a child's game. Game you've played 337 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 4: your entire life, a game that everybody in the world, 338 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 4: male person walking the face of the earth would like 339 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:08,439 Speaker 4: to have been part of playing currently or playing at 340 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 4: some point in their lifetime. So you have to keep 341 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 4: that in mind. You have to remember how fortunate you 342 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 4: are as the holiday season, you know, is upon us. 343 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 4: You've been blessed and go out and play that way. 344 00:17:18,560 --> 00:17:21,960 Speaker 4: You know, play for your teammates, play for yourself. You know, 345 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:24,840 Speaker 4: hopefully maybe at some point you can, if you're playing well, 346 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 4: cash in and get a better contract. That's what it's 347 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:29,199 Speaker 4: all about in the National Football League. It's winning games, 348 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 4: going to the playoffs, winning a Super Bowl, and then 349 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 4: you know, getting paid ultimately. So there's there's plenty to 350 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:38,440 Speaker 4: play for and if not, you're in the wrong profession. 351 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 1: I think it's safe to assume there will be a 352 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:44,359 Speaker 1: lot of new players on defense next year, not so 353 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:46,879 Speaker 1: many out offense. Most of the good guys are signed 354 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 1: for multiple years going forward. But one name I want 355 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 1: to bring up because we discussed it on the air 356 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: a little bit today, was right guard Dalton Riisner. Signed 357 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:56,800 Speaker 1: just before the start of the season. Wasn't in training 358 00:17:56,880 --> 00:18:00,240 Speaker 1: camp with anybody. Started slowly. Now he's moved in the 359 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 1: starting lineup. I think he's done pretty well at right guard. 360 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 1: Are you on board with trying to keep him around 361 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: at age thirty? 362 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 4: I am, maybe not a long term contract, but definitely 363 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 4: signing for a year two years max. I think he's 364 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 4: earned that. I think he's playing better. His performances the 365 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 4: Graft's going up. It's going up, you know, on a 366 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 4: weekly basis, and now he's playing to the point where 367 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 4: it's almost going straight north. So I think the offensive 368 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 4: line as a group is starting to play like that. 369 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:32,760 Speaker 4: I think they're starting to gel. I think there's some cohesion. 370 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 4: I think that, you know, they're going to be a 371 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,560 Speaker 4: good unit next year as they you know, get better 372 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 4: and better and get more snaps under their belt with 373 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:43,919 Speaker 4: each other. So, you know, I'm encouraged by you know, 374 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 4: what I'm seeing out there. I do think that Carris 375 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:49,920 Speaker 4: is having a solid year. I think the two tackles, 376 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 4: Mims and Brown are playing good football. 377 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: You know. 378 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 4: I do think that you're right. Defensively, it's gonna be 379 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:01,080 Speaker 4: a lot of new faces. I mean and uh with 380 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 4: the old ind with the new, as the saying goes. 381 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 4: So I do think Al Golden will be back as 382 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 4: defensive coordinator. I know fans that are in my year 383 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 4: and social media people are yet, yeah gold Yeah, he's 384 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 4: he's stinks, he's that, he's this, he sucks, get rid 385 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 4: of him. I think with another year under his belt 386 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:23,720 Speaker 4: in terms of you know, getting across exactly how he 387 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 4: wants things done, you know, no, no, uh no question 388 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,920 Speaker 4: as to why he wants it done, how he wants 389 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 4: it done, when he wants you to get there if 390 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 4: you got an assignment responsibility. So I think that he deserves, 391 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:40,719 Speaker 4: definitely deserves a chance to be back, and I think 392 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 4: he will. 393 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 1: Be Did you have freezer Ball flashbacks as you drove 394 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:46,880 Speaker 1: to the stadium today? I did a little bit. 395 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:49,399 Speaker 4: Yeah. I mean I was like, man, this is this 396 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 4: is chili Willie. You know. I put my windows down 397 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 4: a crack just to kind of get start to feel 398 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 4: the atmosphere a little bit, you know, and uh, yeah, 399 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:03,119 Speaker 4: has drove down uh third Street to the stadium. I thought, yeah, 400 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:03,639 Speaker 4: here we go. 401 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 1: I remember. 402 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:05,640 Speaker 4: I remember this vividly. 403 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:05,880 Speaker 2: Man. 404 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 4: I remember just being so cold. I've never been colder 405 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:14,720 Speaker 4: than that my whole life for any reason. And uh 406 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 4: just the thing that I remember, too, Dan, is when 407 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 4: you hit, the pain you know. It's because man, when 408 00:20:21,040 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 4: you if you're cold, when you hit and go bone 409 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:26,919 Speaker 4: on bone or whatever, man, it's it's a it's a 410 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 4: feeling you remember, that's for sure. And I definitely still 411 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 4: remember it. And there was a lot of physicality and 412 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:36,480 Speaker 4: violence that went on in that football game, because I 413 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:39,200 Speaker 4: mean it was for a ton of bananas, no doubt 414 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:40,399 Speaker 4: about it. I mean it was a It was a 415 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 4: big football game, and our defense was unbelievable and they 416 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:45,199 Speaker 4: just bottled up Fouts. 417 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:45,400 Speaker 2: Man. 418 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 4: They just corralled him. He couldn't do anything. Uh, he 419 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 4: was in the tiger's den and he got swarmed. So yeah, 420 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,880 Speaker 4: that twenty seven to seven final score that football game. 421 00:20:56,920 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 4: We won that game going away, And I do remember sleeveless, 422 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 4: Like you said, I decided to go sleeveless because I 423 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 4: had Gary Bighans Johnson who was a grabber and he'd 424 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:08,159 Speaker 4: grab him pull cloth, and I didn't want to have 425 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 4: him have that cloth, that extraneous material to pull on. 426 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 4: So I went with the sleeveless look and basically gritted 427 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:20,160 Speaker 4: my teeth and fought through the pain. 428 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 1: Let's go to Miami on Friday and be warm for 429 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 1: two days. 430 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:26,480 Speaker 4: That sounds like a good plan. Dan, I'm ready to 431 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:30,800 Speaker 4: do that. Board that plane, and it can't come fast enough. 432 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 1: Next Sunday's game was originally set for Sunday night football, 433 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:38,679 Speaker 1: but it's been flexed to one in the afternoon. The 434 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:42,080 Speaker 1: Dolphins are six and seven and face the Steelers on 435 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:46,000 Speaker 1: Monday night. That's a wrap on the Baltimore game. Now 436 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:49,200 Speaker 1: time for this week's fun Facts conversation, where you get 437 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:53,879 Speaker 1: to know the person under the pads. Time for some 438 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:57,200 Speaker 1: fun facts with running back Taj Brooks from Manor, Texas, 439 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: not far from the capital city of described growing up 440 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:03,680 Speaker 1: in Manor and some of the things you enjoyed doing 441 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 1: when you were young. 442 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:05,919 Speaker 2: Oh, man, the. 443 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:09,880 Speaker 8: Thing I did the most was just, uh, play football, 444 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:12,639 Speaker 8: went to school, and then you don't hung out with friends. 445 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 8: That was really just the most part. And you know, 446 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:16,159 Speaker 8: I was kind of kind of a country boy at 447 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 8: that time too. You know, it was Mayor back back 448 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:20,400 Speaker 8: in high school. It was a it was a kind 449 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 8: of a little suburb. Now it's a lot of a 450 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:24,359 Speaker 8: lot of things growing out there, so but it was 451 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:25,879 Speaker 8: more country when I was out there when I was 452 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:27,480 Speaker 8: growing up and stuff, So it was fun. 453 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 1: I read somewhere that you rode horses growing up. Was 454 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 1: that the case? And is it's still the case. 455 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:34,919 Speaker 8: It's a little bit kind of the case now, but 456 00:22:35,400 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 8: I try to get not too much, but yeah, I 457 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:40,159 Speaker 8: grew up. I rode a little bit of horses. It 458 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 8: was just when I was little. My aunt shout out 459 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:44,600 Speaker 8: to her, she kind of you know, just instilled to 460 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:46,640 Speaker 8: me just just to do it for fun. And it's 461 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:49,439 Speaker 8: been it's been great ever since. But it's crazy. 462 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 2: It just, uh, I kind of had like a little 463 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:52,480 Speaker 2: reaction to like one. 464 00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:54,879 Speaker 8: Of like the horse little blanket sheets, and you know, 465 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 8: I always I loved animals. When I was with it, 466 00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:59,480 Speaker 8: I wanted to be like a vision I guess a visitor, 467 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 8: not a vision vennary. 468 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:01,639 Speaker 2: Excuse me. 469 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:05,280 Speaker 8: It was just I love watching like the incredible Doctor 470 00:23:05,320 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 8: Poe shows and things like that, so I just want 471 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:08,840 Speaker 8: to see like just the way of living over horse 472 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:09,359 Speaker 8: and things like that. 473 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:12,479 Speaker 2: But that's just something that I cherished the most when 474 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:13,080 Speaker 2: I was growing up. 475 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: Tys. You had an exceptional high school football career, running 476 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 1: for more than four thousand yards. When did it start 477 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: to become clear that the other kids either couldn't catch 478 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:24,280 Speaker 1: you or tackle you. 479 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:27,080 Speaker 2: Really, I want to say a little league. 480 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 8: And then going into my ninth grade year, that was 481 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 8: my first year I was a freshman on varsity ninth grade, 482 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:35,880 Speaker 8: and you really don't see that happening in a lot 483 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 8: of places, and that kind of just changed my trajectory 484 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 8: of football. And I'm very thankful for the coach that gave. 485 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:45,199 Speaker 1: Me the opportunity, mainnerance and far from the University of Texas. 486 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,840 Speaker 1: I've read that the Longhorns did not recruit you. Was 487 00:23:48,880 --> 00:23:50,840 Speaker 1: that the case and if so, was it disappointing. 488 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 8: I wasn't disappointing, but they recruited me a little bit. 489 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:57,880 Speaker 8: They kind of wanted me. It was back in twenty yeah, 490 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 8: back in twenty twenty when the covid era and they 491 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:03,960 Speaker 8: had a guy, which is he's in the league actually 492 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 8: right now, so kudos to him and things like that. 493 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:08,920 Speaker 8: But they had a guy, and I feel like text 494 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,520 Speaker 8: Tech was the best for me. Uh, coach Matt Wells. 495 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:14,439 Speaker 8: I got recruited by him, and man, he changed my 496 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 8: life forever. And then just the inductive of just Joey MacGuire, 497 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:19,640 Speaker 8: just the things that he built there has been great. 498 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 2: So uh, I'm glad I'm a text Take Raider. 499 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 1: You initially committed to Tulsa largely because of an assistant 500 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 1: coach named Justin Hill, who is your running backs coach 501 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:33,920 Speaker 1: now with the Cincinnati Bengals. Described that relationship going back 502 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: to the tenth grade. 503 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:37,120 Speaker 2: It was, it was a great relationship. It's still great 504 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:37,640 Speaker 2: to this day. 505 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 8: You know, the Jay Hill he does a great job 506 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 8: with just the coaching aspect and then just uh, just 507 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:43,000 Speaker 8: being a. 508 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:45,040 Speaker 2: Teacher, a great guy you can learn from. 509 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:47,200 Speaker 8: And then just off the field a great a great 510 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 8: family man, a great uh somebody you want to be 511 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 8: like when you want to grow up and things like that. 512 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:54,359 Speaker 8: But the relationship is has been there, I want to 513 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:57,240 Speaker 8: say since my freshman year. I committed to him and 514 00:24:57,240 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 8: and that program and it was great. And then he 515 00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:02,439 Speaker 8: at the job here and I knew, I knew I 516 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 8: was kind of gonna be back. 517 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:06,080 Speaker 2: Not as a Cincinnati being. I thought I know I 518 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 2: was gonna be back in the ropes because I. 519 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,159 Speaker 8: Texted him one year, I guess, I guess, congrats on 520 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:11,720 Speaker 8: going to the super Bowl, and he text me back, 521 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 8: He's like, thank you, man. 522 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:15,080 Speaker 2: So it was just a good good seeing out of eye. 523 00:25:15,119 --> 00:25:16,680 Speaker 8: And then shoot, I got blessing and I got a 524 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:18,760 Speaker 8: jobbed here, So it all came for full like a 525 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:19,399 Speaker 8: full circle. 526 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:20,040 Speaker 2: So it's cool. 527 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 1: We're visiting with TODJ. Brooks. You ultimately chose to play 528 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:25,639 Speaker 1: at Texas Tech. As you mentioned, you're gonna be in 529 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:28,639 Speaker 1: their Hall of Fame someday you're their all time leading rusher. 530 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:31,160 Speaker 1: What did you enjoy most about your five years there. 531 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,360 Speaker 2: Man. It wasn't breaking the records or anything. 532 00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 8: It was just the I want to say, my teammates, 533 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 8: the guys that I met there, the guys that I 534 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:41,680 Speaker 8: came in with, we built those are my brothers for life. 535 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:42,960 Speaker 2: And that was probably like one of. 536 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:46,520 Speaker 8: The biggest things that I that I missed about college 537 00:25:46,560 --> 00:25:48,840 Speaker 8: and things like that. But besides the accolades that I 538 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 8: broken things, but those that's probably the most important ones. 539 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:55,320 Speaker 1: In addition to your on the field success, you excelled 540 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:58,119 Speaker 1: in the classroom. You were nominated for the Campbell Award 541 00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:01,360 Speaker 1: last year, which is known as the Academic Heusbend Trophy. 542 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:04,520 Speaker 1: Did your folks put a big emphasis on the classroom 543 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:05,359 Speaker 1: For sure. 544 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:08,679 Speaker 8: My mom and my dad, they pushed me academically as 545 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 8: well as on the field. You want to be the 546 00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:13,359 Speaker 8: best person in the brain before you get outside and 547 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:14,280 Speaker 8: get on the field. 548 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:14,280 Speaker 2: You know. 549 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:16,280 Speaker 8: So that's just it's been instilled to me at a 550 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 8: young age. My grandma is also instilled in me, just 551 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:20,639 Speaker 8: you gotta you gotta be a student before you be 552 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:21,200 Speaker 8: an athlete. 553 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:23,919 Speaker 2: So just learning different ways just to get better with 554 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 2: your brain. 555 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:27,080 Speaker 8: That's just something I always honored as and you know, 556 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 8: just want to just expand my knowledge more. 557 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 1: The Bengals selected you in the sixth round of this 558 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:35,359 Speaker 1: year's draft. Describe that day leading up to getting the 559 00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:36,600 Speaker 1: phone call from Zach Taylor. 560 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,040 Speaker 8: First and foremost, it was just it was a blessing. 561 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:42,760 Speaker 8: I can't think enough to the man above. The Bengels 562 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:45,400 Speaker 8: got a great guy, a great a great person that's 563 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 8: gonna come in and impact the way that he can 564 00:26:47,280 --> 00:26:49,080 Speaker 8: if any opportunity that he gets. 565 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 2: But now that that day was amazing. 566 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 8: I talked to Zach, I talked to Jay Hill, and 567 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:55,200 Speaker 8: then shoot, after that, it was it was ready to work. 568 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:55,479 Speaker 1: You know. 569 00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:58,560 Speaker 8: They nothing wasn't handed, nothing wasn't given. It was just 570 00:26:58,600 --> 00:27:02,280 Speaker 8: come in, learn and just be uh, whenever opportunity for thisself, 571 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:03,440 Speaker 8: be ready for the opportunity. 572 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:04,520 Speaker 2: And I can't wait. 573 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:09,400 Speaker 1: This was a crazy deep draft for running backs. I'm 574 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:11,679 Speaker 1: thinking in a normal year you would have gone several 575 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: rounds earlier. How did that affect you? 576 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:16,600 Speaker 2: I really didn't. It really didn't affect me. 577 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:19,280 Speaker 8: I have I have a great team, a great agent 578 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:22,199 Speaker 8: within that well and things like that. So they kept me. Uh, 579 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 8: he kept me, truly honest. He's like, man, I feel 580 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:26,720 Speaker 8: like you're one of the top backs in this class, 581 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:29,520 Speaker 8: and you know your film proves it. You can take 582 00:27:29,520 --> 00:27:31,439 Speaker 8: and catch the ball great out the backfield and you 583 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 8: know run the ball. That's nothing. White can't question question 584 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:37,440 Speaker 8: you about that. So man, that's just it was deep. 585 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 8: But I feel like I separated myself just off pass 586 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:41,000 Speaker 8: protection and then catching the ball. 587 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,679 Speaker 1: Where at the backfield were the guys draft before you 588 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:46,919 Speaker 1: where you said yourself, Man, that guy is good, but 589 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 1: I know I'm better than he is for. 590 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:51,400 Speaker 8: Sure, you know, just the competitor in me just saying that. 591 00:27:51,520 --> 00:27:53,520 Speaker 8: And then just you know, on draft day, I kind 592 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:55,520 Speaker 8: of wrote and thought about every guy that went before me, 593 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:57,879 Speaker 8: so not saying when we played them. I I just 594 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:00,000 Speaker 8: want to, you know, be the whenever I give my opportunity, 595 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:01,800 Speaker 8: be the best back on the field and things like that. 596 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:03,399 Speaker 8: So I just can't wait for that to happen. 597 00:28:03,760 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 1: All right, Some wild card topics now for Bengals running 598 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:09,880 Speaker 1: back Taj Brooks. Who is your all time favorite athlete 599 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 1: in any sport? 600 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 2: And why I gotta be one or just one? 601 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 1: You can pick several if you'd like. 602 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 8: All Man, it's tough. I'm gonna go Kobe just because 603 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 8: the Mama mentality. I'm gonna go Ray Lewis, just because 604 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:27,840 Speaker 8: a guy that's gonna come to work each and every 605 00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 8: day and give it his all, and someone that's gonna 606 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:32,679 Speaker 8: embrace you and you know, makes you want to do 607 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 8: things that you want to that you don't want to 608 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:37,480 Speaker 8: do but you're doing. And then my last one is 609 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:42,920 Speaker 8: probably Barry Sanders, just a guy that's just very consistent 610 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:45,240 Speaker 8: as being playing a running back, being at the plane 611 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:47,560 Speaker 8: at the highest level and doing the great things that 612 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:49,680 Speaker 8: he did in the NFL. Man, it's just you always 613 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:51,520 Speaker 8: want to put yourself in that role and just want 614 00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 8: to see yourself doing those great things that he did. 615 00:28:54,080 --> 00:28:57,320 Speaker 1: So Barry Sanders was before your time. Have you watched 616 00:28:57,320 --> 00:28:58,680 Speaker 1: a lot of the clips on YouTube? 617 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:00,360 Speaker 2: Oh for sure, I'll watch him. 618 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 8: Then you know the Madden you know, I play Madden 619 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 8: a lot, so I'm always using him, Watson Payton, you know, 620 00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:07,680 Speaker 8: just Marshall fawk Man. 621 00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:09,400 Speaker 2: You can go a list goes down, man. 622 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:11,600 Speaker 8: But I kind of watch those guys on YouTube and 623 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:13,640 Speaker 8: just you know, going what they did in the NFL 624 00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:15,800 Speaker 8: and just try to see how my game can imprint 625 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:17,440 Speaker 8: and how I can take things from their game. 626 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:20,120 Speaker 1: So we're visiting the taj Brooks. For the last three years, 627 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:23,160 Speaker 1: you put on a free football clinic back home for kids. 628 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:26,200 Speaker 1: More than three hundred attended this past year. Why do 629 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:26,719 Speaker 1: you do that? 630 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:30,000 Speaker 8: I do it just it's a blessing first and foremost 631 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:32,239 Speaker 8: for the kids. And you know, just so it's been 632 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,640 Speaker 8: it's free. It's something that I love, you know, giving 633 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:36,840 Speaker 8: back to my community, giving back to where I came from. 634 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:38,560 Speaker 8: And you know, you always want to get back to 635 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:41,120 Speaker 8: your hometown because they're going to support you no matter what, 636 00:29:41,280 --> 00:29:43,160 Speaker 8: no matter if you're an NFL, no matter if you're 637 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:45,320 Speaker 8: you know, a college coach some day, no matter whatever 638 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 8: you doing, they're going to always support you. And I 639 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:49,160 Speaker 8: always want to give my support back to my high 640 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:50,200 Speaker 8: schools and things like that. 641 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:53,080 Speaker 1: We know you're a good running back, we know you're 642 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 1: a good student. You rode horses as a kid. But 643 00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:58,440 Speaker 1: where do you allow he at? Uh? 644 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:00,160 Speaker 2: To be honest, I'm not a good singer. 645 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:01,280 Speaker 1: I will not. 646 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:05,160 Speaker 8: I sing to myself sometimes, but it's just myself and 647 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:08,440 Speaker 8: probably my girlfriend. But besides that, I'm not a great 648 00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:10,040 Speaker 8: singer at all. That's probably the one. 649 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 1: What do you like to splur? 650 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:13,360 Speaker 2: John Man? 651 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:16,600 Speaker 8: I don't know because I haven't. Man, I'm not I'm 652 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:18,440 Speaker 8: a big I'm not a big spender. It's just it 653 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 8: depends like I kind of left my big spending probably 654 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:25,520 Speaker 8: in my college days. But now it's just more of 655 00:30:25,640 --> 00:30:28,440 Speaker 8: just I don't know, man, it's I don't really splurs 656 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:31,920 Speaker 8: a lot. Second contract, probably buy a home back home, 657 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:34,160 Speaker 8: you know, by a home, get something set up off 658 00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:36,960 Speaker 8: of the off season, and you know, get something going 659 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:38,120 Speaker 8: with the off season, things like that. 660 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:39,600 Speaker 2: So just buy a home and things like that. 661 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:42,400 Speaker 1: All right, Final fun fact for Taj Brooks. This one's 662 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:46,479 Speaker 1: a little bit deep. If you could meet anybody in history, 663 00:30:47,160 --> 00:30:49,800 Speaker 1: living or deceased, who would that person be? 664 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:53,680 Speaker 8: I want to say one is Nipsey Hustle. Nipsey Hustle, 665 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 8: excuse me, just the way how powerful he is with 666 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:58,280 Speaker 8: his voice and the way he carried on his life 667 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:04,640 Speaker 8: and his legacy. And then to probably my brother Charlie Man, 668 00:31:04,920 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 8: just to talk to him, see how you doing up there. 669 00:31:07,080 --> 00:31:10,360 Speaker 8: He passed away in twenty nineteen during a gun violence accident. 670 00:31:10,880 --> 00:31:13,000 Speaker 8: So just meet him and just top it up with him. 671 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:15,440 Speaker 8: That would probably be my two, Like most coming back 672 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:16,239 Speaker 8: and just chopping it up. 673 00:31:16,240 --> 00:31:18,040 Speaker 2: So that probably my things, right. 674 00:31:17,920 --> 00:31:20,360 Speaker 1: There, Tash, appreciate your time. Best of lock the rest 675 00:31:20,360 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 1: of the year. 676 00:31:20,760 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 2: Yes, sorry, thank you. 677 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 1: That's going to do it for this episode of the 678 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:27,080 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to you by pay Core, Proud 679 00:31:27,120 --> 00:31:31,280 Speaker 1: to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by Alta Fiber, 680 00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:34,640 Speaker 1: future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business 681 00:31:34,680 --> 00:31:37,800 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 682 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:40,960 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 683 00:31:40,960 --> 00:31:44,280 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. If you haven't 684 00:31:44,280 --> 00:31:47,800 Speaker 1: done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and if 685 00:31:47,800 --> 00:31:49,880 Speaker 1: you have a minute, give it a rating or share 686 00:31:49,880 --> 00:31:54,200 Speaker 1: a comment that helps more Bengals fans find us. I'm 687 00:31:54,280 --> 00:32:08,880 Speaker 1: Dan Horde. Thanks for listening to The Bengals Booth Podcast.