1 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:06,279 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody on Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:13,399 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth podcast. The I'm moving on addition, as 3 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: we head to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Coming up, 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: I'll discuss free agency with the Bengals Director of Pro 5 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: Scouting Stephen Radissovic. Then I'll move on to the draft 6 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 1: with Dane Brugler, the draft guru for the Athletic And 7 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: finally I'll combine the two topics with Austin Gaeale from 8 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: Pro Football Focus, who has some very specific ideas for 9 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 1: how the Bengals can improve their offensive line. The Bengals 10 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: Booth Podcast is presented by Ultimate Bengals. Download Ultimate Bengals 11 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,880 Speaker 1: ahead of the twenty twenty two season. It's free to 12 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: play next level fantasy football with fantastic Bengals prizes. Get 13 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: it now on the App Store and Google Play. And 14 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: here's a quick reminder that you can have the latest 15 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: edition of this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, 16 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: or computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's 17 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: the greatest thing since makeup artists. While in Indianapolis for 18 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: the combine, I was invited to make an appearance on 19 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: the NFL Network to discuss the Bengals and also the 20 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 1: top you see Bearcat prospects in this year's draft. When 21 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: I arrived at the set, a makeup artist did what 22 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: she could to make me look presentable. Now that's a 23 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: little bit like putting lipstick on Miss Piggy. There's only 24 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: so much a makeup artist can do. But still I 25 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: appreciated her efforts, and it reminded me of a makeup 26 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 1: disaster from early in my TV career. If you stick 27 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 1: around until the end of this podcast, I'll tell you 28 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 1: about it in story Time with Dan, but football comes first. 29 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: In about a week, free agency gets underway. The legal 30 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 1: tampering period begins on Monday, March fourteenth, and two days later, 31 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 1: teams can begin signing players. Over the last two years, 32 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 1: only three teams in the NFL have spent more money 33 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 1: than Cincinnati in free agency, and I would argue that 34 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: no team has been more successful as the Bengals have 35 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 1: added DJ Reader, Von Bell, Trey Hendrickson, chitabe O Wouge, 36 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: and Mike Hilton, among others. The Bengals point man and 37 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 1: free agency is their director of pro scouting, Stephen Radisovic. 38 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:25,359 Speaker 1: How did the super Bowl run and an extra month 39 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 1: of football impact your preparation for free agency. It really hasn't. 40 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:34,640 Speaker 1: We've we've been grinding on these guys throughout the fall, 41 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 1: and we've we've assigned position groups. So like Mike Potts's 42 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 1: going to cross check all the offensive linemen in free agency, 43 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 1: I'm doing most of the D linemen. But I'll go 44 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:49,840 Speaker 1: back and I'll double back and I'll watch, you know, 45 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: the top ten at each tackle, guard, center, and then 46 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 1: I'll have someone else get another opinion on the D tackles, 47 00:02:57,160 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: the d ns. And we've been doing that for the 48 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 1: last couple of months, since probably November December, and really 49 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: grinding and out here the last last two months. So 50 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: obviously being in the playoffs and the super Bowl was 51 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: time consuming and there was time taken away from the 52 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 1: Super Bowl events that we're normally in the office watching tape. 53 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: But I think we've got a pretty good feel for 54 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: what we're how we're going to attack this thing right now. 55 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 1: If the draft is about getting the best player available, 56 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 1: his free agency about addressing needs, yeah, I would say so, 57 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: I'd say you're trying to fill obviously, if you've got 58 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 1: some holes, you're trying to fill it in free agency 59 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 1: and set yourself up to when you're drafting, you're taking 60 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: the best player available and not having to to reach 61 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 1: on a guy. We're talking to Stephen rodiss Evict, the 62 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: Bengals director of Pro scouting. In the last couple of years, 63 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: the Bengals track record and free agency has been extraordinary. 64 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: He pretty much hit a home run on just about 65 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: every free agency signed. Is there a common denominator that 66 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: helps explain this free agency six yes, Uh, yeah. I 67 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 1: think the biggest thing was we we tried not to 68 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 1: h you want to pay your best players, and we 69 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: tried not to reach on guys. We just try not 70 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 1: to overspend on players, and you try to go for 71 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 1: the solid guys that you know are going to be 72 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: solid locker room guys, guys are going to be high effort. Uh. 73 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: You know, we've we've kind of done this. You know, 74 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 1: we're really with the last two two off seasons, whether 75 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: it's free agency or the draft, was was trying to 76 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: get captains leaders, you know, whether it's the captains in college, 77 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: the captains in Pittsburgh or Dallas. You know, the guys 78 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: that kind of led led their position groups there. Um 79 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,719 Speaker 1: so we've we've kind of focused on that, and then 80 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:46,840 Speaker 1: obviously the youth has been a big thing for us 81 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 1: and going after young guys that are ascending or guys 82 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 1: that we feel like have upside and aren't towards the 83 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: down of their career. So um, those are kind of 84 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 1: the things that we focused on in free agency the 85 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: last couple of years, and I think it's paid off. 86 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: Zach can Do both talked about trying to find guys 87 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: that love football and love the grind, so to speak. 88 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 1: Do you see that on tape or is that stuff 89 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: that you get from talking to people, talking to the 90 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: players themselves, etc. Both. Yeah, I think you know. Mike Hilton, 91 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 1: we've obviously played against him plenty of times in Pittsburgh 92 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 1: and the guys always always above and beyond effort and 93 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 1: and so I mean a lot of that stuff you 94 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,440 Speaker 1: just see on tape and and you know what he's about. 95 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: And then yeah, a lot of you know, the other 96 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,360 Speaker 1: stuff is you're you're during the free agency period, you're 97 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 1: trying to you know, whether it's talking to other scouts 98 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 1: or friends that you have in the league, just to 99 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:39,720 Speaker 1: see what those players were like in the locker room 100 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:41,919 Speaker 1: and on a day to day basis, but you know, 101 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 1: we also have our our reports from college and uh, 102 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: you know, going into Colorado, I knew what Cheeto was 103 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: and I knew how much of a leader he was 104 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: in that locker room and kind of what he meant 105 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: to that team at Colorado. So, um, you know, you 106 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 1: have those things that kind of line up and you 107 00:05:56,839 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 1: know what you're gonna get with a guy like that. 108 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: The first big ticket free agent to sign in this 109 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: two year period was DJ Reader. You guys made him 110 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,359 Speaker 1: the highest paid nose tackle in the NFL when you 111 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 1: made that deal. How significant was that deal not only 112 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 1: in getting the player who's proven to be great, but 113 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,920 Speaker 1: also in basically showing free agents all over the the 114 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: NFL that the Bengals are willing to be a big player. Well, yeah, 115 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: he was the first guy that we went out and 116 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 1: and wanted to attack aggressively. We had obviously the run 117 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:32,719 Speaker 1: issues that we had facing good running teams the Baltimoes, 118 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,600 Speaker 1: and we knew signing a guy like that was going 119 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: to help in that aspect. But we also knew what 120 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: type of guy he was and leader he was in 121 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 1: that locker room in Houston, So you know, it was 122 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: great getting him going, and then I think once we 123 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: signed him, we got some momentum and I think other 124 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:53,039 Speaker 1: players outside of our organization saw what we were trying 125 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: to do and build, and uh, it kind of paid off. 126 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:57,799 Speaker 1: Like I said, it's paid off this last free agency 127 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: for show, Let's talk offensive line. It's obviously an area 128 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: that the Bengals would like to improve if possible. You 129 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: played offensive line at the beginning of your college career 130 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: other than quarterback, is offensive line the toughest position to nail, 131 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 1: so to speak for guys coming out of college. I 132 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: think it's hard. Yeah, it'd be interesting to just look 133 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: at the you know, the success rate of you know, 134 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 1: first round offensive lineman and how many of them have 135 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: panned out. But it is it is a difficult to project. 136 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: You know, you got guys at different levels competing against 137 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 1: each other. But yeah, it just seems like it's, Uh, 138 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: it's obviously been one of those positions in the draft 139 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 1: that it's it's hard for teams to predict how they're 140 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: gonna turn out. We're talking to Stephen radiss Evict, the 141 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 1: Bengals director of pro scouting. In free agency, how much 142 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 1: of it goes according to plan and how much of 143 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 1: it is pivoting and reacting based on where guys are signing, 144 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: how much they're signing for, etc. We've had to pivot 145 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: a little bit um, you know. I think last year, 146 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:03,240 Speaker 1: you know, the focus was going to be trying to 147 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:06,760 Speaker 1: get some old lineman. Um, it was not a great 148 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: group of free agents. There was a couple of guys 149 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: at the top, and then there was a drop after 150 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: that of players that we felt were going to be 151 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:18,120 Speaker 1: comparable or you're gonna have to overpay for what their 152 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: production was going to be, so they're you know, like 153 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: last year, like I said, we had to pivot a 154 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: little bit um, not too far off of where we had, 155 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: you know, our option a going into it. But I 156 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 1: think with any any team, there's you just have no idea. 157 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 1: It's hard to predict who's going to come back with 158 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: the team and with their team or sign elsewhere, so 159 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: you just have to adjust accordingly. You've added the title 160 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:45,719 Speaker 1: of director of Pro Scouting in recent years, and Duke 161 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 1: has given you a lot of credit publicly for the 162 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:51,679 Speaker 1: Bengal success in free agency over the last couple of years. 163 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,199 Speaker 1: Do you feel like you've had a significant role in 164 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: the Bengal success in that department. I think all our 165 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 1: all of our personnel guys have it's uh, you know, 166 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: does a great job of giving us big responsibility, huge 167 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 1: responsibilities and letting us run with it. Whether it's Christian 168 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 1: Sarkeesian doing you know this Texas University of Texas are 169 00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 1: going in a Baylor but then coming back to the 170 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: office and you know, having to bring guys in for 171 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,559 Speaker 1: workouts and then me giving him a couple of players 172 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: to watch that are on the wire, or you know, 173 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 1: Andrew doing the East Coast schools and still doing pro 174 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 1: pro work when he gets back to the office. I 175 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 1: think it's a collectively it's a group effort with all 176 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 1: of our stuff the way we've handled it, and I 177 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:38,679 Speaker 1: think all of us are appreciative for the responsibilities the 178 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 1: Duke has given us. We're sitting in the stands right 179 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: now at Lucas Oil Stadium watching players go through their 180 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: paces in the combine. What do you get out of 181 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: the NFL scouting combine? What do you really look for? 182 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,599 Speaker 1: I think the time that we're able to spend with 183 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: the players and formal interviews is very important. You're trying 184 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 1: to figure out what type of what type of person 185 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: they are, how they're going to handle certain situations, so 186 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 1: that those those meetings are valuable to us. While and 187 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 1: then obviously watching them move around and getting to see 188 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 1: some of these players up close and personal that we 189 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 1: haven't seen. You know, I've I've done the West Coast school, 190 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 1: so I haven't seen a lot of the players in 191 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 1: the Southeast. So it's been a great opportunity to just 192 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: get to shake hands and see them up close and personal. 193 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: So I would say those are you know, just being 194 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: able to see them physically and spend time with them 195 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: are the biggest things that we're getting out of this. 196 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 1: We're a little more than a week away from the 197 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,439 Speaker 1: start of the legal tampering period and then about a 198 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,200 Speaker 1: week and a half away from when free agency begins. 199 00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:44,640 Speaker 1: Is it like college recruiting where you know, at the 200 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 1: stroke of midnight you reach out to somebody or close 201 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 1: to that to try to express your interest. Well, when 202 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 1: we're able to talk to the agents, we'll talk to 203 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:58,079 Speaker 1: them and try to feel the interest out of whoever 204 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: whatever player they're representing. Uh. And then when when we 205 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: are able to I think a lot of our players 206 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 1: will help out at that time and try to help 207 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,439 Speaker 1: recruit you know, whoever it is. Our guys have done 208 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:12,680 Speaker 1: a good job of it. I know you guys have 209 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: heard the Riley Reef stories and having the dinners there, 210 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 1: so it's uh, it's been fun and I could see. 211 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:21,719 Speaker 1: I could see how this year is going to be 212 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 1: a lot different from the last two years. You know. 213 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 1: Obviously we've built up some buzz and I think it's 214 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 1: going to be a destination where players are going to 215 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: want to come play and play with Joe and play 216 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 1: with the other young guys that we've got on the roster. 217 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 1: So we'll be exciting to see how it shakes out. 218 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 1: So the Joe Borrow factor is real. It's real for sure. Yeah, 219 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 1: were you at the famous Precinct dinner, the famous Riley 220 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: Reef recruiting dinner. I was. I was really upset. I 221 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 1: was a close contact and was unable to go to 222 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: that dinner. But yeah, I really wanted to go and 223 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: unfortunately was shut down in my house. So in terms 224 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 1: of trying to retail your own free agents, that's where 225 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: it begins. You want to keep the best players on 226 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 1: your own team first and then try to improve the 227 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 1: roster with veteran players. From other teams. Duke and Zach 228 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 1: have publicly talked about Jesse Bates and how the team 229 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: would like to retain Jesse. What about c J? Uzam, 230 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:20,160 Speaker 1: I haven't heard anybody specifically address the desire to hold 231 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 1: on to CJ. Yeah, I mean, obviously the fan base, 232 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: everybody knows what CJ means to us, and we want 233 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:30,840 Speaker 1: them back and hopefully something can get what worked out. 234 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 1: But I there's We're not letting CJ walk out of 235 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 1: here easily. What has been the reaction of your peers 236 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: in the business to the Bengals making it to the 237 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:45,079 Speaker 1: Super Bowl? A lot of the guys that I've known 238 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: and having the role I had at UCLA being the 239 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:49,720 Speaker 1: pro liaison there. I've known a lot of these guys 240 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:54,640 Speaker 1: for fifteen, you know, fifteen years, and they've known, you know, 241 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 1: the struggles that we've gone through here the last couple 242 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: of years, and and how much work we've you know, 243 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 1: as a group, have put into building the roster. So 244 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:05,320 Speaker 1: it's just been, you know, the friends I've had have 245 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: all been excited and rooting us on throughout the process. 246 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 1: I've you know, even throughout the process the playoffs. I 247 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:15,079 Speaker 1: was getting text messages you know, after every win, so 248 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: it's fun seeing that. So I've said that I think 249 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:23,559 Speaker 1: the Bengals were ahead of schedule this year. Maybe internally 250 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 1: you guys don't use that expression or feel the same way, 251 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 1: but I think you're in a position to make the 252 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: roster even stronger. You've got some cap money to spend, 253 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 1: You've got one extra draft pick. That doesn't necessarily mean 254 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: you get right back to the super Bowl the next year, 255 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:43,319 Speaker 1: But am I on track? Would you agree with that assessment? Yeah, 256 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 1: I would say, yeah, our rosters in the much better 257 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: spot than it was last year, and we're definitely going 258 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 1: to make some upgrades this offseason at different position groups, 259 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 1: so it'll yeah, we're in a much better spot than 260 00:13:56,600 --> 00:14:00,320 Speaker 1: we were the last two years for sure. Well, everybody 261 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 1: in your department has done a phenomenal job. It's been 262 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: one of the great success stories in the NFL, and 263 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 1: obviously it's been a heck of a lot of fun 264 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 1: to watch and broadcasts. So congratulations on what you've done 265 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 1: to help get the Bengals to the super Bowl and 266 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 1: best of luck going forward. Thanks Dan, I appreciate it. 267 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 1: The franchise tag deadline is coming up on Tuesday at 268 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 1: four o'clock. If the Bengals use it on Jesse Bates, 269 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: it would be for thirteen point five million dollars next season, 270 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 1: and the team would still have until July fifteenth to 271 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 1: try to work out a long term extension. Now let's 272 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 1: turn to the draft. The Bengals have the thirty first 273 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: overall pick and one extra pick in the seventh round, 274 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: which they obtain from the Giants and the Billy Price 275 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,360 Speaker 1: be j Hill trade. That's the gift that keeps on giving. 276 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: I caught up with the Athletics draft expert Dane Bruegler 277 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: at the Combine. I consider his yearly draft guide, the 278 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: so called Beast, to be the best one out there, 279 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: and it usually comes out in early April, several weeks 280 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: before the draft. Dane is going to mention several possible 281 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: draft targets for the Bengals in our conversation, and just 282 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: so you know in advance, after I played the interview, 283 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: I'll tell you a little more about each of those players. 284 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 1: How's the offensive line group that is likely to be 285 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 1: available at thirty one if they elect to go that way. 286 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: Those words that you just said likely available, that's that's 287 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:24,520 Speaker 1: key that makes it tough because we're going to see 288 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: a lot of tackles fall off the board early, maybe 289 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 1: as many as five before pick thirty, so that it 290 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 1: would be interesting to see if one of them were 291 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 1: to fall to thirty one, either the two guards that 292 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 1: are in that first round, mix Kenyan Greene, Zion Johnson 293 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 1: to either of those guys make it at thirty one. 294 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 1: And then I think the biggest wild card is Tyler Linderbaum, 295 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: the center. There's not a prospect with a wider variance 296 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 1: of where he could be drafted than Tyler Linderbaum. He 297 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 1: could go twelve, he could go thirty one, and I 298 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 1: don't think anybody would bat an eye, at least in 299 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: the league because he's such a such a rock solid player, 300 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 1: out standing run defend or run blockers, pass protection. That's 301 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 1: where there shows a little bit of the lack of length. 302 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: That's where it really shows up. That's what you really 303 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 1: worry about, the shorter arms like that. And I could 304 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: already you know hear Bengals fans talking about like Billy 305 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: Price or you know, I can hear that already. But 306 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: this guy, the competitive toughness, the smart former defensive lineman, 307 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 1: it's just he's not going to be for everybody when 308 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 1: you factor in all those things, because I mean, you 309 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: think he's a center only, and you eliminate all the 310 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 1: teams that don't need a center, you eliminate the teams 311 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 1: that aren't running some variants of a zone offense, and 312 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: you're down to four or five teams that would draft 313 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:39,880 Speaker 1: Tyler Linderbaum in the first round, and I think the 314 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 1: Bengals are one of them. It's just will he make 315 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 1: it at thirty one or not. I think it's at 316 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: least in the realm of possibility that it could happen. 317 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 1: And as you alluded to, the arm length did not 318 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: test well here at the combine, so that has become 319 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: a bit of a red flag for a lot of teams. 320 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: If he is there at thirty one and you're the Bengals, 321 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: is that a no brainer? In my opinion, you I 322 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 1: think that he's a top fifteen to twenty player in 323 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 1: this class. The arm length, it does show up on tape. 324 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:08,199 Speaker 1: It's not like you know, all of a sudden, the 325 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 1: numbers this and so we have to drop him. It 326 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 1: does show up on tape a little bit where, especially 327 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 1: in pass protection, where long arm defenders are able to 328 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 1: reach him and dictate the action, and there's only so 329 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 1: much he can do to you know, re establish his 330 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:25,159 Speaker 1: anchor and reset. So with Linderbaum, I think that if 331 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 1: you have a chance to get him a thirty one, 332 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 1: it would be awfully hard to say no to that. 333 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 1: With he's a plug and play guy. Yes he's a 334 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 1: center only, so he is not going to give you 335 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:35,439 Speaker 1: that positional versatility. But you know, I guess we have 336 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:37,560 Speaker 1: to find out what happens is free agency, if the 337 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:40,919 Speaker 1: Bengals go that route and if not. Linderbaum absolutely in 338 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 1: that discussion. In your last mock draft, which was about 339 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 1: a month ago, you had the Bengals trading up a 340 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: few spots to grab a cornerback. You'll have another mock 341 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 1: draft coming out in a few days. I look forward 342 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: to seeing that. But when you had them making that move, 343 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:57,560 Speaker 1: is that need based or is it the strength of 344 00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 1: the cornerback class this year? I think a little bit both. 345 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 1: I think there's you know, um Trey Waynes. I don't 346 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: know that he's gonna, you know, be in a Bengals 347 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: uniform next year. And you think about, you know, the 348 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 1: the depth chart, how it is, and how they can 349 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:11,800 Speaker 1: maybe get better at that position. I think you look 350 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:14,359 Speaker 1: at the corners in this draft, we're gonna see them 351 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:18,120 Speaker 1: go early with Sauce Gardner from Cincinnati, Trent McDuffie from Washington, 352 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:20,480 Speaker 1: Derek Stingley LSU. Those three guys should be off the 353 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,560 Speaker 1: board in the top fifteen picks, and then, uh, you know, 354 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: you think about some of the other corners I could 355 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: be available. It could be a position that they look 356 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 1: at in the late first round. I'm looking at Kylan Gordon, 357 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:36,920 Speaker 1: the other Washington corner who not as instinctive, not the 358 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: play awareness, not on the same level as as a 359 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 1: teammate Trent McDuffie. But what Gordon is a phenomenal athlete 360 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,360 Speaker 1: in corners a stopwatch position. So if you're if he's 361 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: going to test the way that we expect him to test, 362 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 1: Gordon's not gonna get out the first round. So if 363 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: he's there at thirty one, I think Gordon could be 364 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: in the mix. The Bengals have a history of drafting 365 00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: corners in the first round. I think that I agree 366 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:01,359 Speaker 1: with They have that notion that if you're going to 367 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: get an excellent cornerback, it almost always has to be 368 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 1: a high pick. I think that's fair, and because athletes 369 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:12,159 Speaker 1: at the position go early, and especially at that position 370 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 1: where it's a stopwatch position, it matters how fast you are, 371 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,199 Speaker 1: especially in a straight line. So but I mentioned with 372 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:20,720 Speaker 1: Gordon talking to him, talking to McDuffie, they've got a 373 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 1: little friendly wager going on. Let's see who who runs 374 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:26,120 Speaker 1: the fastest, who jumps the highest. Both should be over 375 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:30,120 Speaker 1: forty in the vert Both should be low four fours high, 376 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:32,679 Speaker 1: four three's in the forty. So it'll be fun to 377 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:35,360 Speaker 1: see how it all shakes out. The Bengals have three 378 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 1: great wide receivers. They all stayed healthy this year. The 379 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:41,440 Speaker 1: odds of that happening in back to back seasons, unfortunately, 380 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: probably low. Is that a spot where the Bengals will 381 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: be able to help themselves with a later pick. Yeah, 382 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 1: I think wide receiver, and this is a trend that's 383 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 1: not going to go away. Every year. Wide receiver seems 384 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: to be a strength, just with the way the college 385 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 1: game is, the way things are trending. Wide receiver year 386 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 1: year out is a deep position, both early in the 387 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 1: first round and then throughout every every level the draft. 388 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:10,400 Speaker 1: So that's especially true this year and if they want 389 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:12,720 Speaker 1: to go that direction, on Day two and go after 390 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 1: you know, a guy like Skymore Calvin Austin from Memphis. 391 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 1: I think they could. But if they want to wait 392 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:21,080 Speaker 1: until day three, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh round, there's going 393 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 1: to be players there. There's going to be guys. So 394 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 1: you know, the top three receivers on our team, they're 395 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,960 Speaker 1: all what top two round guys, and so, you know, 396 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 1: I think they've had some good success drafting the position early, 397 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:35,399 Speaker 1: but they don't with the way the depth charts set up, 398 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 1: they don't necessarily have to do that. They can draft 399 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 1: and develop and see what they could find later on. 400 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: They've drafted several offensive linemen in recent years. The jury 401 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:44,360 Speaker 1: is still out on some of these guys, probably most 402 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: notably Jackson Carmen. But do you have any theories for 403 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 1: why the Bengals have not had a lot of success 404 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:53,400 Speaker 1: with their most recent offensive line draft picks. I don't 405 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,439 Speaker 1: think there's any sweeping theory. I think it's just, you know, 406 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: it's more about the player than anything the Bengals have done. 407 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:02,439 Speaker 1: And you know, for a guy like Jackson Carmen, it's 408 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: all about maturity, it's all about growing mentally, physically, um, 409 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 1: it's it's tough to uh walk into an NFL locker room, 410 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:13,920 Speaker 1: you know, with all these veteran guys and establish yourself 411 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 1: as uh, you know this guy that's going to be 412 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:18,439 Speaker 1: a starter and you know, have a voice and all that. 413 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: So it just takes time for these guys. Um and 414 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:24,040 Speaker 1: Jackson Karmin. I think this will be a big jump 415 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 1: for him in this offseason to see what he looks 416 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 1: like in year two. Um. I know the Bengals they 417 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 1: really want him to lock down a starting job, and 418 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:33,479 Speaker 1: I think he's certainly capable of that. It's just all 419 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:36,680 Speaker 1: about maturity again, both the mental side and the physical side, 420 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:39,680 Speaker 1: and I think he's capable. The Bengals arrived ahead of schedule. 421 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 1: I think a lot of people thought, all right, with 422 00:21:41,359 --> 00:21:43,199 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow, maybe within a few years they'll have a 423 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:45,240 Speaker 1: chance to compete for a Super Bowl. They got there 424 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:47,679 Speaker 1: in year two. What do you think of their overall roster. 425 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously it's a super Bowl uh roster. I 426 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 1: mean that's there. That that's fact, you know it that 427 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:56,520 Speaker 1: with that roster help him get there. And I think 428 00:21:56,560 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 1: when you have the quarterback that that is would uh 429 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:04,440 Speaker 1: you know, absolves a lot of sins elsewhere and it'll 430 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 1: be interesting with this this offseason what that means. Having 431 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 1: that quarterback gives you a little recruiting advantage in free agency. 432 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:13,720 Speaker 1: You know, if you're going to go after some offensive 433 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:17,560 Speaker 1: lineman fregency, having Joe Burrow as the guy that you're 434 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 1: you're blocking for that that that means something. So right there, 435 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:23,800 Speaker 1: I think that's that That's obviously a big piece of 436 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: the puzzle that the Bengals have. Um. But then yeah, 437 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 1: you look at wide receiver, you look at um you know, 438 00:22:29,119 --> 00:22:31,919 Speaker 1: even though you know tight ends not necessarily a position 439 00:22:32,040 --> 00:22:35,160 Speaker 1: where they have spent a high draft pick recently, but 440 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:37,679 Speaker 1: it's they've gotten good production there. On defense, you know, 441 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 1: they've made some key moves and free agency that have 442 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 1: really uh done. They've done a nice job. The linebackers, 443 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: you know, really like uh you know, guys like Pritt 444 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 1: and Logan Wilson and those guys. So um and then 445 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: in the secondary, what's gonna happen with Jesse Bates? You know, 446 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 1: at the very worst, he's give me a franchise, I 447 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:55,199 Speaker 1: would think, And so it's just just a matter of 448 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 1: can they get a long term deal oal done there? 449 00:22:57,560 --> 00:23:00,520 Speaker 1: And then Um corner, you know, they can get, I think, 450 00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 1: but this is a this is a roster ready to 451 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:04,960 Speaker 1: compete again. It's not gonna I don't think we're gonna 452 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 1: see a big drop off by any means. But AFC 453 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:10,680 Speaker 1: is so tough that it does make it interesting when 454 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:13,760 Speaker 1: you're in a division with some pretty good teams. You know, 455 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 1: Browns aren't going anywhere, the Ravens aren't going anywhere. We'll 456 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,919 Speaker 1: see what the Steelers in the quarterback situation. But you 457 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 1: look around and you know, got the Bills, You've got 458 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:23,560 Speaker 1: the Titans, You've got the Chargers and the Chiefs, and 459 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:25,399 Speaker 1: you go on and on and mention these teams that 460 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:29,040 Speaker 1: are playoff worthy. So um, you know it's it's not 461 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:30,840 Speaker 1: time just because the Bengals made the Super Bowl. I 462 00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:32,800 Speaker 1: don't think that by any means, they're gonna just kind 463 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:34,960 Speaker 1: of wrestle their laurels at all. They're gonna they're gonna 464 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 1: try and get better this offseason. I'm eager to see 465 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:38,880 Speaker 1: what they do in fre agency. Both of their three 466 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:42,320 Speaker 1: techniques are free agents, Larry Ogan, job By and b. J. Hill. 467 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:44,919 Speaker 1: They're gonna try to resign both. I think they probably 468 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:47,119 Speaker 1: feel they need to resign at least one but is 469 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 1: that a position where there's some after the first round 470 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,840 Speaker 1: talent here? Uh yeah, possibly. I think you know, we're 471 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:57,000 Speaker 1: gonna see a guy like Davante Wyatt from Georgia go early. Um, 472 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 1: and then after that, you know the Mark and Leale 473 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:02,679 Speaker 1: from A and m Um. Where does he end up 474 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 1: and do they view him as a three technique? He's 475 00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:07,440 Speaker 1: two eighty five, so maybe he's more of a bass end. Um, 476 00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 1: there's some split opinion on him. But you know, I 477 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:14,040 Speaker 1: think this defensive tackle class is a better than maybe 478 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:17,040 Speaker 1: we thought. Um. I think the Senior Bowl with the guys, 479 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:19,200 Speaker 1: how they performed there. I think here at the Combine, 480 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:20,480 Speaker 1: the way they put you know, a guy like perry 481 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:25,080 Speaker 1: On Winfrey from from Oklahoma who's just a monster in 482 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 1: the middle. As a second round pick, I think he's 483 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:30,159 Speaker 1: he's the type of guy you want to you want 484 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:33,160 Speaker 1: to bet on because of the traits that he offers. Um, 485 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:35,399 Speaker 1: you know, he can play multiple spots, played more of 486 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: a nose tackle at Oklahoma. I think it was kind 487 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 1: of out of a position there, but um, you know, 488 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 1: can play a few spots up and down the line 489 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 1: of skirmmage for you. So this is a defensive tackle class. 490 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: I think it is a little bit better than we 491 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 1: initially thought. Do you have a quarterback in mind for 492 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:51,920 Speaker 1: the Steelers? It's really tough because we have to figure 493 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:53,440 Speaker 1: out where these you know, last year we had five 494 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 1: quarterbacks top fifteen. This year, where's that first quarterback coming 495 00:24:57,080 --> 00:24:58,880 Speaker 1: off the board and who's it gonna be? I think 496 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 1: that the Steelers want one of these guy is they 497 00:25:00,320 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: need to go make a move, you know, trade up 498 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:05,399 Speaker 1: ten spots or so. But you know, is there a 499 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:07,440 Speaker 1: quarterback they love enough to go do it? I know 500 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:11,080 Speaker 1: maliqu willis to Pittsburgh. That's been the popular uh fit 501 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 1: and that a lot of people have been talking about. 502 00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 1: And I get it. Um now they Mike Tomas talked about, 503 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: you know, getting more athletic at the quarterback position. But 504 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:21,919 Speaker 1: Miliqu Wills isn't ready to start from day one. So 505 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:24,440 Speaker 1: are they comfortable with Mason Rudolph being your starter for 506 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:28,080 Speaker 1: twenty twenty two? You know that's something that internally they 507 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:31,880 Speaker 1: have to figure out. And but a guy like Kenny Pickett, 508 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:34,160 Speaker 1: he's ready to step in from day one, not only 509 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:36,160 Speaker 1: compete for the starting job, but he's helped he's ready 510 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:38,640 Speaker 1: to help you win football games. He can help you, 511 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:41,000 Speaker 1: you know, compete for the division, push for the playoffs. 512 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:43,240 Speaker 1: So if they have a chance of Kenny Pickett, keep 513 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 1: him in Pittsburgh. You know, obviously he's familiar with that 514 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:48,440 Speaker 1: part of town. That wouldn't make a ton of sense 515 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:51,920 Speaker 1: as well. So the whole quarterback landscape in this draft 516 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:55,760 Speaker 1: is wide open and we're here at the Combine. The drafts, 517 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:57,400 Speaker 1: you know, less than two months away, and we're still 518 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 1: trying to figure it out. As Desmond, Ritter helped himself. 519 00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 1: If you're in Indianapolis, hasn't hurt himself. You know, I 520 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 1: think he tested like he tested better than some wide receivers. 521 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:07,720 Speaker 1: You know, with athletic testing. I don't think that when 522 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:09,720 Speaker 1: you watch his tape he's a pocket passer. He doesn't. 523 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:11,919 Speaker 1: You know. The athleticism is not something he relies on, 524 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 1: but it's nice to know that he has it. Um, 525 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:18,160 Speaker 1: he's I think he went to this Senior Bowl, checked 526 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:20,680 Speaker 1: that box one, came to the Combine. I've heard nothing 527 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 1: but positive things about you know, the way he interviews. Um, 528 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:26,159 Speaker 1: he's a really he's an older guy. He's sharp, he's smart, 529 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:29,120 Speaker 1: he's prepared. Um. I think it's something that every every 530 00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:31,160 Speaker 1: team have talked to you about Ritter. They all mentioned 531 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:33,600 Speaker 1: how prepared he was for these interviews. So and not 532 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 1: just coaching, you know, being coached up, but you know, 533 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:39,360 Speaker 1: really being attentive, asking the right questions, that type of thing. So, UM, 534 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:42,360 Speaker 1: I think he's you know, obviously had a really good 535 00:26:42,359 --> 00:26:46,120 Speaker 1: resume in college. Um, but coming here, he's he's only 536 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 1: helping himself. The University of Cincinnati has had one top 537 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:51,880 Speaker 1: ten pick in its history. Well, Sauce Gardner make it too. 538 00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:54,360 Speaker 1: I think so, because he plays the right position, and 539 00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 1: he just had a heck of a three year run 540 00:26:56,119 --> 00:26:58,960 Speaker 1: there for the Bearcats. Um, you know he's he's tall, 541 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:04,800 Speaker 1: he's long, he's exudes confidence and that's brtting it lightly. 542 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 1: But you know he's I worry about him a little 543 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 1: bit downfield. He can get out of control at times. 544 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 1: Can clean that up. But now you bet on a 545 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:15,199 Speaker 1: guy like that, I think he's he's probably the favorite 546 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:17,800 Speaker 1: to be the first corner drafted somewhere in the top ten. 547 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:19,000 Speaker 1: You know, there's a couple of teams in there that 548 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:21,400 Speaker 1: need corners. So if you're gonna put the over under 549 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:24,119 Speaker 1: at ten, I'm gonna take the under for Salas Gardner 550 00:27:24,720 --> 00:27:26,640 Speaker 1: I could do this for an hour, but I'll respect 551 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 1: your time. I always appreciate running into at the combine. 552 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:31,160 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, and I look forward to the beast. Oh. 553 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:34,760 Speaker 1: Thanks Dan. All right, let's quickly go over the draft 554 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:38,879 Speaker 1: prospects that Dane mentioned, starting with Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum, 555 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:41,399 Speaker 1: a player frequently mentioned is a logical fit for the 556 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 1: Bengals if he's still on the board at number thirty one. 557 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:48,760 Speaker 1: Brugler has him listed at number seventeen on his top 558 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 1: one hundred, but Linderbaumb's arms were measured at thirty one 559 00:27:52,840 --> 00:27:55,440 Speaker 1: and an eighth at the combine, which is a red 560 00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:58,879 Speaker 1: flag for many teams and could cause him to drop. 561 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:02,399 Speaker 1: That was an issue for Billy Price, whose arms measured 562 00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:05,600 Speaker 1: at thirty two inches, but it's not a deal breaker. 563 00:28:06,040 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 1: Creed Humphrey, the outstanding rookie center for the Chiefs, measured 564 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: at less than thirty two last year, and former seven 565 00:28:13,119 --> 00:28:16,960 Speaker 1: time Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold also had less than 566 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:21,440 Speaker 1: thirty two inch arms. Most mock drafts don't have Linderbomb 567 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:25,840 Speaker 1: available with the thirty first pick. Brugler mentioned two guards, 568 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:28,879 Speaker 1: including Kenyon Green out of Texas A and m He's 569 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:32,560 Speaker 1: six four, three hundred twenty three pounds with thirty four 570 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:35,600 Speaker 1: and an eighth inch arms, and played every position on 571 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 1: the old line but center for the Aggies. He's number 572 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:41,800 Speaker 1: twenty four on Dane's Top one hundred. The other guard 573 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:45,920 Speaker 1: is Zion Johnson from Boston College who's six three three 574 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:49,680 Speaker 1: twelve with thirty four inch arms. He's number twenty six 575 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:54,560 Speaker 1: on Dane's Top one hundred. Dane also mentioned cornerback Kyler 576 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:57,680 Speaker 1: Gordon out of Washington. He's five eleven and a half, 577 00:28:58,120 --> 00:29:01,200 Speaker 1: ran a four five to forty at the Combine and 578 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:04,880 Speaker 1: has literally been a ballet dancer in the past. He's 579 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:09,200 Speaker 1: number sixty eight on Dane's Top one hundred. Then there 580 00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 1: was wide receiver Calvin Austin from Memphis who did not 581 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:15,440 Speaker 1: make Dane's Top one hundred. He's undersized at five eight 582 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 1: one seventy, but made a huge impression at the combine 583 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: by running a blistering four three two forty. Austin had 584 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,040 Speaker 1: back to back one thousand yard receiving seasons at Memphis 585 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:30,960 Speaker 1: and returned two punts for touchdowns. Finally, there were two 586 00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:34,400 Speaker 1: defensive tackles to Marvin Leo out of Texas A and 587 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 1: m and Perry and Winfrey from Oklahoma. Leo is six 588 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:42,640 Speaker 1: four two eighty three and ranked fifty first on Brugler's 589 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:46,080 Speaker 1: Top one hundred. Winfrey is sixty four two ninety and 590 00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:50,360 Speaker 1: was ranked fifty third. The Bengals Booth podcast is presented 591 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:53,560 Speaker 1: by Ultimate Bengals, the free to play fantasy football game. 592 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:57,160 Speaker 1: This past season, Ultimate Bengals awarded a weekly winner during 593 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:00,320 Speaker 1: the course of the year with tickets, autographed merchant ice, 594 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 1: and money can't Buy experiences all up for grabs. Find 595 00:30:04,720 --> 00:30:08,520 Speaker 1: Ultimate Bengals in the App Store and Google Play. Up 596 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:12,360 Speaker 1: next Austin Gale from Pro Football Focus, who joined me 597 00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:15,640 Speaker 1: at the Combine to discuss free agency and the draft. 598 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:20,000 Speaker 1: Up first, his formula for how to improve the Bengals 599 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 1: offensive line. You have to approach it with volume. Right. 600 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:28,040 Speaker 1: The offensive line is not a single piece changes anything. 601 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 1: It's a week leak unit. Right. You do not want 602 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:33,240 Speaker 1: any obvious week links along the offensive line. You have 603 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:36,760 Speaker 1: this creep towards average. You'll get everyone to play, have 604 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:38,840 Speaker 1: average too, above average play and you need that right now, 605 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:41,040 Speaker 1: right And if you just solve that with volume in 606 00:30:41,080 --> 00:30:43,600 Speaker 1: the draft and bringing these rookies, you're not going to 607 00:30:43,640 --> 00:30:45,440 Speaker 1: get that play right at the gate. They have a window, 608 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 1: a window with Joe Burrow on this rookie contract to 609 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 1: maximize his potential, Go spend, go spend in freegency to 610 00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:54,880 Speaker 1: add to this offensive line, potentially make trades I don't 611 00:30:54,920 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 1: Larry Tunsel could be made available. That's the type of 612 00:30:57,520 --> 00:30:59,280 Speaker 1: decision making they need to make. And now you don't 613 00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:01,240 Speaker 1: need again favolume in free and so you don't need 614 00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:04,320 Speaker 1: to go out and get Toronto Armstead, Brandon Shirff, Ryan Jensen, 615 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:06,600 Speaker 1: like all the high prize free agents. You can still 616 00:31:06,640 --> 00:31:09,200 Speaker 1: bring in guys in free agency that aren't these high 617 00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:11,360 Speaker 1: price pieces of the puzzle, right Like I even look 618 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:13,800 Speaker 1: like bringing back Riley Reef and just making sure that 619 00:31:13,840 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 1: you continue to add volume along the offensive line and 620 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,600 Speaker 1: veteran talent guys that are playing good right now because rookies. 621 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:22,040 Speaker 1: While Jackson Carman in two or three years could be 622 00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:24,960 Speaker 1: a really really successful guard, and other rookie offensive tackles 623 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 1: in this draft could be playing well in soon, it 624 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:28,880 Speaker 1: won't be right next year, right, Tristan Worth, So the 625 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 1: Tampa By Buccaneers off tackle is an outlier, a guy 626 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:33,760 Speaker 1: coming in that quickly and having success. Same with ra 627 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 1: Shaan Slater. No, especially when you start to get to 628 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,680 Speaker 1: these into your offensive line guys on day two, it's 629 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:40,600 Speaker 1: that much harder to bring in a guy that can 630 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:46,400 Speaker 1: legitimately start right away. So you favor multiple medium priced 631 00:31:46,440 --> 00:31:50,520 Speaker 1: guys as opposed to blowing a significant chunk of cap 632 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:53,440 Speaker 1: space on a guy. Absolutely like, I think a lot 633 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 1: of Bengals fans want to see this completely remade offensive 634 00:31:56,400 --> 00:31:58,680 Speaker 1: line where it's like I said, these high price guys, 635 00:31:58,760 --> 00:32:00,440 Speaker 1: it's just not it's not easy to do that. And 636 00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:03,280 Speaker 1: then when you do invest that much money in offensive line, 637 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:05,200 Speaker 1: a situation that comes up for me is the lost 638 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:07,880 Speaker 1: the Oakland Raiders back in the day signed Donald Penn, 639 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:11,840 Speaker 1: signed Collecchio, assembly signed Gabe Jackson, signed Ronnie Hudson. Then 640 00:32:11,840 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 1: they had to blow it all up soon after that. 641 00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:15,680 Speaker 1: When you make when you spend that much, it gets 642 00:32:15,680 --> 00:32:17,920 Speaker 1: that much more difficult. For the Buffalo Bills, they went 643 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:19,880 Speaker 1: into FREEANC a few years ago and added a lot 644 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:23,920 Speaker 1: of capable starters John Feliciano, Mitch Morris, Dion doc like, No, no, 645 00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:26,920 Speaker 1: guys are legitimate stars at their position. For guys that 646 00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:29,920 Speaker 1: just like helped elevate the average of their offensive line now, 647 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:31,520 Speaker 1: it's not to say they can't go offensive line at 648 00:32:31,520 --> 00:32:33,560 Speaker 1: thirty one. There are guys in my opinion, that can 649 00:32:33,560 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 1: come in and play right away. Zion Johnson, the Boston 650 00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 1: College offensive lineman, is one of those. And on day two. 651 00:32:38,640 --> 00:32:40,600 Speaker 1: This is a good guard class. It's a very good 652 00:32:40,600 --> 00:32:42,880 Speaker 1: offensive line class. A lot of these guys meeting thresholds, 653 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:46,200 Speaker 1: if not clearing thresholds, specifically with arm length. Darren Kinnard 654 00:32:46,280 --> 00:32:48,320 Speaker 1: of Kentucky as a guy I really liked Tyler Smith 655 00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:51,920 Speaker 1: of Tulsa. You can get capable players on day one 656 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:53,240 Speaker 1: and day two in this draft, but there's only a 657 00:32:53,240 --> 00:32:55,440 Speaker 1: handful of where I really feel confident they're going to 658 00:32:55,520 --> 00:32:58,000 Speaker 1: start and have success right away, especially with where they're picking. 659 00:32:58,480 --> 00:33:01,000 Speaker 1: So getting back to free agency, you mentioned a few 660 00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:03,040 Speaker 1: names that are at the top of the pay scale. 661 00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:05,360 Speaker 1: How about a step below. Are there some guys that 662 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:08,320 Speaker 1: you like that would be more affordable that you think 663 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:11,800 Speaker 1: would immediately upgrade the Bengals offensive line. I do think 664 00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:14,680 Speaker 1: that you have to maybe looking at these medium price 665 00:33:14,680 --> 00:33:16,440 Speaker 1: free aids. I think Riley Reef comes to mind. I 666 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:18,960 Speaker 1: think there should be some other guys getting cut as well, 667 00:33:19,040 --> 00:33:22,000 Speaker 1: like people are talking about potentially the Dallas Cowboys moving 668 00:33:22,000 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 1: on from their left tackle. I think that the medium 669 00:33:24,240 --> 00:33:27,680 Speaker 1: price freetents that I'm highlighting probably are Mitch Morse I 670 00:33:27,680 --> 00:33:29,960 Speaker 1: think might becoming available, which could come in and place center. 671 00:33:30,120 --> 00:33:31,840 Speaker 1: You have Riley Reef coming back. I mean, those are 672 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:34,240 Speaker 1: some of the names I do think will help them now. 673 00:33:34,480 --> 00:33:36,480 Speaker 1: I don't necessarily think that they have to lock into 674 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:38,480 Speaker 1: freeency as well. I think they can make trades to 675 00:33:38,600 --> 00:33:41,160 Speaker 1: add to this offensive line, especially with the thirty one 676 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:43,760 Speaker 1: overall pick. Why spend it on a player that maybe 677 00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:46,680 Speaker 1: can't start right away when you could trade that thirty 678 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:48,680 Speaker 1: one overall pick for a Laramie tons or whoever may be. 679 00:33:49,640 --> 00:33:51,560 Speaker 1: We'll be interesting with Laramie Touns. So if he is 680 00:33:51,600 --> 00:33:53,920 Speaker 1: in fact on the block, how much are you willing 681 00:33:53,920 --> 00:33:56,120 Speaker 1: to give up? Certainly, if it only took the thirty 682 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:57,960 Speaker 1: first pick in the draft, I would think the Bengals 683 00:33:57,960 --> 00:34:00,760 Speaker 1: would jump at something like that. But the Texans paid 684 00:34:00,800 --> 00:34:03,240 Speaker 1: a lot more than that to get him. Naturally, you 685 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:05,520 Speaker 1: would think they would want a lot more than just 686 00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:07,560 Speaker 1: a first round pick and return. So I do think 687 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:10,040 Speaker 1: it would be obviously take the thirty first overall pick 688 00:34:10,040 --> 00:34:12,920 Speaker 1: and potentially a future second future third. I don't know. 689 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:14,759 Speaker 1: It's not a two first round picks type of deal. 690 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:16,480 Speaker 1: Two first round picks for Larry tuns So with the 691 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:18,759 Speaker 1: current contract situation they has, I do think that would 692 00:34:18,760 --> 00:34:21,640 Speaker 1: be a bit absurd, especially with the Houston Texans looking 693 00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:23,520 Speaker 1: to offload some of these guys. I think a first 694 00:34:23,560 --> 00:34:25,839 Speaker 1: and a second, maybe a first and two thirds something 695 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:27,880 Speaker 1: like that is where my mind goes too first and 696 00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:29,239 Speaker 1: you kind of have to rule it out. I think 697 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:31,000 Speaker 1: it's better to take of a dard rhyme in the 698 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:33,320 Speaker 1: central Michigan offen to tackle that at that point, Trevor 699 00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:35,359 Speaker 1: Penning if he falls that far. Now you're hearing though 700 00:34:35,440 --> 00:34:38,120 Speaker 1: Charles Cross Missus B State offens tackle might fall in 701 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,120 Speaker 1: this draft as well, because there's just so much talent 702 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:43,319 Speaker 1: specifically at that position. You could look into a really 703 00:34:43,320 --> 00:34:46,760 Speaker 1: talented player there as well. The Bengals have Jonah Williams. 704 00:34:47,480 --> 00:34:50,320 Speaker 1: Hasn't been a Pro Bowl level player, but he's certainly 705 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:53,160 Speaker 1: competent and hopefully is still getting better. Other than that, 706 00:34:53,360 --> 00:34:56,160 Speaker 1: right now, there are no sure things on the offensive line, 707 00:34:56,280 --> 00:34:59,160 Speaker 1: so it almost feels to me like it has to 708 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:01,640 Speaker 1: be a combination a free agency in the draft. No, 709 00:35:01,719 --> 00:35:03,640 Speaker 1: I think it will be a combination too. Especially I 710 00:35:03,680 --> 00:35:06,439 Speaker 1: do think at thirty one the board will fall to them, 711 00:35:06,440 --> 00:35:09,800 Speaker 1: whereas Zion Johnson or one of the tackle four, tackle 712 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:12,640 Speaker 1: five should be available to them in this classic attack 713 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:15,160 Speaker 1: that piece. And then in free agency there are some 714 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:17,120 Speaker 1: again I always come back to, like bringing guys back, 715 00:35:17,160 --> 00:35:19,440 Speaker 1: like consistency along the OFFENSI lie the Trey Hopkins, you 716 00:35:19,480 --> 00:35:21,719 Speaker 1: know Riley, We've consistency along the offensive line just to 717 00:35:21,760 --> 00:35:24,400 Speaker 1: maintain depth. I do think could be a wildly successful 718 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:26,279 Speaker 1: piece for them. Now that does mean you've got to 719 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:29,120 Speaker 1: completely retol your offensive line. You could run into some concerns. 720 00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:32,279 Speaker 1: The Kansas Chiefs completely remade their offensive line last year, 721 00:35:32,320 --> 00:35:35,040 Speaker 1: and you saw a handful of concerning pieces of that. 722 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:37,080 Speaker 1: I don't think their protection was Zach great this year. 723 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:39,120 Speaker 1: So I do think that while you do want to 724 00:35:39,160 --> 00:35:41,680 Speaker 1: replace everyone and make upgrades everywhere, you're own with five 725 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:44,440 Speaker 1: new starters next year, I honestly think you're setting yourself 726 00:35:44,440 --> 00:35:46,399 Speaker 1: back a little bit bringing two or three new guys 727 00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:48,360 Speaker 1: and then add some depth as well, bringing some guys 728 00:35:48,360 --> 00:35:50,960 Speaker 1: back or chatting with Austin Gale from Pro Football Focus, 729 00:35:51,040 --> 00:35:53,200 Speaker 1: So the Bengals were ahead of schedule this year, I 730 00:35:53,200 --> 00:35:55,400 Speaker 1: don't think anybody reasonably thought they would make it to 731 00:35:55,400 --> 00:35:58,440 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl. How well are they set up for 732 00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:00,799 Speaker 1: the future, I think a good spot. I mean they 733 00:36:00,800 --> 00:36:02,680 Speaker 1: have really a lot of coup space and their quarterback 734 00:36:02,719 --> 00:36:04,319 Speaker 1: right in. Their quarterback in a window now with this 735 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:07,319 Speaker 1: rookie contract where they can maximize his value, and then 736 00:36:07,520 --> 00:36:09,799 Speaker 1: you know, with winning in the NFL, being Super Bowl, 737 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:12,719 Speaker 1: competitive in the NFL, having the quarterback, having a top five, 738 00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:15,600 Speaker 1: top six quarter player at that position, having a plethora 739 00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:18,359 Speaker 1: of playmakers, not one, not a Davante Adams. You need 740 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:20,359 Speaker 1: a lot of guys you t h against Tyler Boyd, 741 00:36:20,440 --> 00:36:23,200 Speaker 1: Joe Mixon, Jamar Chase obviously now because you need depth 742 00:36:23,200 --> 00:36:25,040 Speaker 1: at that position so people can't hone in on your 743 00:36:25,080 --> 00:36:27,480 Speaker 1: top guy. The offensive line is where they're behind. And 744 00:36:27,520 --> 00:36:29,840 Speaker 1: then even in pass rush, I love what Trey Henderson 745 00:36:29,840 --> 00:36:31,920 Speaker 1: obviously did this past year. Sam Hubbard's a high motor, 746 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:34,359 Speaker 1: high effort player. I still think they can get better 747 00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:36,920 Speaker 1: there as well. Do not. Everyone I talk to here 748 00:36:36,960 --> 00:36:38,799 Speaker 1: is like, do not to stop adding pass rushers When 749 00:36:38,840 --> 00:36:40,560 Speaker 1: you think you have as many as you need, grab 750 00:36:40,600 --> 00:36:43,160 Speaker 1: another one, Like That's exactly how the position should be approached. 751 00:36:43,320 --> 00:36:45,680 Speaker 1: No pass rush in the NFL has enough of these 752 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:47,320 Speaker 1: guys that can get after the passer. It's a reason 753 00:36:47,400 --> 00:36:49,799 Speaker 1: why it's the second highest paid position in the NFL, 754 00:36:49,920 --> 00:36:52,160 Speaker 1: right right after quarterback. The guys who get paid the 755 00:36:52,160 --> 00:36:53,560 Speaker 1: most are the ones who go get the quarterback, So 756 00:36:53,680 --> 00:36:56,480 Speaker 1: getting multiples of those and in the secondary, what they 757 00:36:56,520 --> 00:36:58,719 Speaker 1: did in the secondary is very similar to how they 758 00:36:58,760 --> 00:37:01,720 Speaker 1: should approach the offensive line. Mike Hilton Hidobe a woozy, 759 00:37:01,800 --> 00:37:03,879 Speaker 1: just adding and adding and add even adding Von Belle 760 00:37:03,880 --> 00:37:06,080 Speaker 1: a few years ago. Just continue to add veteran talent 761 00:37:06,239 --> 00:37:07,919 Speaker 1: at a position where we know it took some time 762 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:11,799 Speaker 1: to develop, and just getting not elite guys, not top 763 00:37:11,840 --> 00:37:13,560 Speaker 1: man world leaders that are going to cost you thirty 764 00:37:13,600 --> 00:37:15,600 Speaker 1: million dollars a piece, but guys that can come in 765 00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:17,759 Speaker 1: and raise the floor of your defense. I view the 766 00:37:17,800 --> 00:37:20,600 Speaker 1: secondary very similar to have a view the offensive line. Yeah, 767 00:37:20,600 --> 00:37:22,480 Speaker 1: you can have a Jail Ramsey, but if you and 768 00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:24,000 Speaker 1: that does things to your defense, you can do a 769 00:37:24,040 --> 00:37:26,720 Speaker 1: lot of great things. But something that's also not equally 770 00:37:26,800 --> 00:37:28,440 Speaker 1: good but can be really helpful for you. It is 771 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:30,960 Speaker 1: just making sure you don't have obvious weaknesses. Rban Meyer 772 00:37:31,160 --> 00:37:33,680 Speaker 1: talked to Tom about where when he was coaching Ohio State, 773 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:36,040 Speaker 1: he'd have this offense to call find the fish, and 774 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:37,759 Speaker 1: the fish on defense is the guy who's given up 775 00:37:37,760 --> 00:37:39,319 Speaker 1: all the yards and you just target him and target him, 776 00:37:39,360 --> 00:37:41,360 Speaker 1: target him, and that you can have two jail and Ramsey's. 777 00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:42,400 Speaker 1: But if you have a guy that's going to give 778 00:37:42,440 --> 00:37:43,840 Speaker 1: up everything over the middle or whatever it may be, 779 00:37:44,160 --> 00:37:46,400 Speaker 1: that can really like drop the floor of your defense, 780 00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:50,000 Speaker 1: they will get Josephosi back to potentially help the pass rush. 781 00:37:50,040 --> 00:37:51,919 Speaker 1: Were you big on him going into last year's draft. 782 00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:54,440 Speaker 1: I liked him as a raw player that should be 783 00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:56,640 Speaker 1: trending in the right direction. That's kind of how I 784 00:37:56,640 --> 00:37:58,239 Speaker 1: feel like he's the guy who's gonna need to developed now. 785 00:37:58,239 --> 00:38:00,000 Speaker 1: I don't know how much the injury like kept him 786 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:02,160 Speaker 1: from doing that. I do think it probably gave him 787 00:38:02,160 --> 00:38:04,520 Speaker 1: an opportunity to, like slow down, you know, That's what 788 00:38:04,560 --> 00:38:06,319 Speaker 1: we talked with rookies, like slow the game down, Slow 789 00:38:06,360 --> 00:38:07,799 Speaker 1: the game down. The game is probably a lot sort 790 00:38:07,840 --> 00:38:09,200 Speaker 1: of him now that he's watched a lot of it 791 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:11,319 Speaker 1: and been involved in practice and that stuff. I do 792 00:38:11,400 --> 00:38:13,320 Speaker 1: think that it's the technique now that needs to improve. 793 00:38:13,360 --> 00:38:15,359 Speaker 1: Having not seen him play, it's hard to say he's 794 00:38:15,400 --> 00:38:17,000 Speaker 1: going to come in and be this like six seven 795 00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:18,920 Speaker 1: sack guy. But he had the tools to do it, 796 00:38:18,920 --> 00:38:20,520 Speaker 1: and I think that's a big reason why they drafted him. 797 00:38:20,719 --> 00:38:23,279 Speaker 1: You mentioned the Bengals big three at wide receiver. Those 798 00:38:23,280 --> 00:38:25,879 Speaker 1: guys stayed healthy this year, so they didn't really need 799 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:29,400 Speaker 1: four or five, six whatever. This is a good draft 800 00:38:29,680 --> 00:38:31,960 Speaker 1: to find that guy, isn't it? Based on everything that 801 00:38:31,960 --> 00:38:34,160 Speaker 1: I've read and heard. Sand It's also a good guy 802 00:38:34,200 --> 00:38:37,520 Speaker 1: to find someone who could compliment their big receiving sets 803 00:38:37,600 --> 00:38:39,800 Speaker 1: right Like they do have Jamar Chase, who's a big, bodied, 804 00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:42,920 Speaker 1: strong receiver. It's Tyler Boyd, a very similar player t Higgins. 805 00:38:43,080 --> 00:38:45,759 Speaker 1: Getting a guy that can compliment this offense and maybe 806 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:47,480 Speaker 1: is a little bit smaller, maybe he's a little bit shifty, 807 00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:49,960 Speaker 1: This gadget player that teams are gravitating toward. This is 808 00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:51,920 Speaker 1: a good draft class to do it. Calvin Austen of 809 00:38:51,960 --> 00:38:53,719 Speaker 1: Memphis is only one hundred and seventy eight pounds with 810 00:38:53,719 --> 00:38:55,920 Speaker 1: the dudes of jitterbug, and I think that's what you 811 00:38:56,120 --> 00:38:57,839 Speaker 1: miss in this offense. It's not something they need, right, 812 00:38:57,880 --> 00:38:59,440 Speaker 1: but I mean, why not why not go get some 813 00:38:59,480 --> 00:39:01,080 Speaker 1: more guys that can move the football and make plays 814 00:39:01,120 --> 00:39:02,880 Speaker 1: After the catch. I think that's an area where they 815 00:39:02,880 --> 00:39:04,239 Speaker 1: could add some people. I know, you look in the 816 00:39:04,239 --> 00:39:06,399 Speaker 1: red zone right in these key situations, throwing to Trent Taylor, 817 00:39:06,440 --> 00:39:09,239 Speaker 1: the former Louisiana Tech receiver. He's a guy that does 818 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:11,600 Speaker 1: things differently than Chase and you have to guard him differently. 819 00:39:11,640 --> 00:39:13,680 Speaker 1: Getting a guy like that, maybe an elevated piece of 820 00:39:13,680 --> 00:39:15,640 Speaker 1: that better athlete could be a move for them. It's 821 00:39:15,640 --> 00:39:17,600 Speaker 1: not an obvious need. On Day two, Day three, you 822 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:19,600 Speaker 1: could probably add one of those guys, especially if one 823 00:39:19,600 --> 00:39:22,239 Speaker 1: of those guys could also return punts. Yes, one percent, 824 00:39:22,280 --> 00:39:24,000 Speaker 1: and one of those one of my favorite players in 825 00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:26,520 Speaker 1: this draft actually plays defensive back. His name's Marcus Jones. 826 00:39:26,719 --> 00:39:29,239 Speaker 1: He is a guy that I feel is such a 827 00:39:29,280 --> 00:39:31,520 Speaker 1: good kick returner that you have to bring it up 828 00:39:31,520 --> 00:39:33,440 Speaker 1: every single time. And the other one is Bam Knight 829 00:39:33,520 --> 00:39:35,799 Speaker 1: Zonovan Knight of NC State. I sit down with him 830 00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:37,359 Speaker 1: at the Super Bowl. I'm like, oh, you're talking through 831 00:39:37,400 --> 00:39:38,759 Speaker 1: the strengths and weaknesses. Is like, I want you to 832 00:39:38,800 --> 00:39:41,400 Speaker 1: know this. I let all the fbs and kick return yards. Like, 833 00:39:41,400 --> 00:39:42,759 Speaker 1: oh man, that's cool. I was like, I'm gonna say again, 834 00:39:42,760 --> 00:39:44,840 Speaker 1: I let all the fbs and return yard. He is 835 00:39:44,840 --> 00:39:47,600 Speaker 1: a guy that knows he can win on special teams dates. 836 00:39:47,800 --> 00:39:49,520 Speaker 1: It's a lost part of the game right. More people 837 00:39:49,560 --> 00:39:51,880 Speaker 1: are kicking touchbacks. I don't have to explain that, but 838 00:39:52,040 --> 00:39:53,879 Speaker 1: if you can have that element right as a part 839 00:39:53,880 --> 00:39:56,200 Speaker 1: returner and a kick returner, it can really elevate your offense. 840 00:39:56,200 --> 00:39:58,040 Speaker 1: I think it's an underdiscussed piece because it's only what 841 00:39:58,239 --> 00:40:00,400 Speaker 1: ten percent of the snaps in any single game. You 842 00:40:00,400 --> 00:40:02,160 Speaker 1: get guys that do it well, it can really help 843 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:05,000 Speaker 1: you out. The Bengals three techniques are both free agents, 844 00:40:05,080 --> 00:40:07,120 Speaker 1: Larry Ogan, Joeby and b J Hill. They'll try to 845 00:40:07,160 --> 00:40:09,879 Speaker 1: resign both. They certainly probably feel they need to keep 846 00:40:09,880 --> 00:40:12,799 Speaker 1: at least one. But is that an area that they 847 00:40:12,800 --> 00:40:15,440 Speaker 1: could help themselves in this draft? Yeah? Absolutely. I think 848 00:40:15,440 --> 00:40:19,000 Speaker 1: bringing in BJ Hill types to a defense that doesn't 849 00:40:19,000 --> 00:40:20,960 Speaker 1: necessarily want to blitz a ton and wants the stuff 850 00:40:20,960 --> 00:40:22,799 Speaker 1: to run is huge. I mean, I think the DJ 851 00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:25,600 Speaker 1: Reader ad and BJ Hill add were massive in their 852 00:40:25,680 --> 00:40:27,760 Speaker 1: run for the Super Bowl. And they don't sign BJ hillback, 853 00:40:27,800 --> 00:40:29,759 Speaker 1: I'd be concerned because he is a monster. I think 854 00:40:29,760 --> 00:40:31,960 Speaker 1: he's getting better as he progresses in his career, and 855 00:40:32,000 --> 00:40:34,000 Speaker 1: there are other defensive tackles, maybe not three texts that 856 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:36,279 Speaker 1: I like. They're three texts DeVante Whyt's going to be 857 00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:38,279 Speaker 1: gone by the time that they're drafting. You have some 858 00:40:38,320 --> 00:40:41,239 Speaker 1: others that Perry on Winfree of Oklahoma that you could 859 00:40:41,239 --> 00:40:42,600 Speaker 1: insert into a defense, but it's not going to, like 860 00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:45,880 Speaker 1: legitimately elevate it. But from a nose tackle perspective, Travis 861 00:40:45,920 --> 00:40:48,640 Speaker 1: Jones yukon defensive tackle. He flows to the back end 862 00:40:48,640 --> 00:40:50,080 Speaker 1: of the second round. That's to sprint the card in 863 00:40:50,120 --> 00:40:53,839 Speaker 1: the situation for Cincinnati. Continue to add two gapping, run 864 00:40:53,880 --> 00:40:57,319 Speaker 1: stuffing defensive tackles on Day two and you'll see how 865 00:40:57,400 --> 00:40:59,760 Speaker 1: much it can elevate your defense, especially at low cost. 866 00:41:00,440 --> 00:41:03,200 Speaker 1: You love the draft, Your passion for it is obvious. 867 00:41:03,200 --> 00:41:05,800 Speaker 1: What's the combine like for you? The common Mine's awesome. 868 00:41:05,840 --> 00:41:08,359 Speaker 1: I think I learn more about the draft class in 869 00:41:08,360 --> 00:41:10,279 Speaker 1: one week than you do in the previous three months. 870 00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:12,680 Speaker 1: We're just talking to other people, talking to teams, talking 871 00:41:12,680 --> 00:41:15,240 Speaker 1: to agents, talking to these guys who have been studying 872 00:41:15,239 --> 00:41:17,000 Speaker 1: this for a while, and answering a lot of questions. 873 00:41:17,080 --> 00:41:19,360 Speaker 1: Right trail and Burke's the Arkansas receiver. Why did he 874 00:41:19,400 --> 00:41:21,759 Speaker 1: play seventy percent of his snaps in the slot. Let's 875 00:41:21,760 --> 00:41:23,880 Speaker 1: talk about that. What was the offensive coordinator thinking, what 876 00:41:23,920 --> 00:41:25,239 Speaker 1: does his agent think of that? What does he want 877 00:41:25,239 --> 00:41:27,480 Speaker 1: to play in the NFL? Because it's not as easy 878 00:41:27,480 --> 00:41:30,560 Speaker 1: as saying from a ten thousand foot view on watching tape, 879 00:41:30,560 --> 00:41:32,680 Speaker 1: it's like, this guy's good, this guy's not. That's it's 880 00:41:32,719 --> 00:41:34,960 Speaker 1: just not that easy. What's he like one? And what's 881 00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:37,200 Speaker 1: he like in person? What's his demeanor? What's his approach? 882 00:41:37,280 --> 00:41:40,359 Speaker 1: Is he coachable? I was talking to so many people here, 883 00:41:40,560 --> 00:41:43,960 Speaker 1: Brady Quinn, Dame Rugler of the Athletic more teams cross 884 00:41:44,000 --> 00:41:46,359 Speaker 1: off names off the board, don't drop them, cross them 885 00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:48,680 Speaker 1: off their board for the character concerns and how they 886 00:41:48,719 --> 00:41:50,880 Speaker 1: approached themselves in the interviews than anything else here. You 887 00:41:50,880 --> 00:41:53,680 Speaker 1: could run a four nine at the receiver position. And 888 00:41:53,800 --> 00:41:56,080 Speaker 1: if you are this high character guy that people want 889 00:41:56,120 --> 00:41:58,399 Speaker 1: to gravitate toward and field that they can coach, you're 890 00:41:58,440 --> 00:42:01,120 Speaker 1: going to you're going to be elevated upboards, not crossed off. 891 00:42:01,520 --> 00:42:03,439 Speaker 1: Desmond Ritter is a guy like that. Has he helped 892 00:42:03,480 --> 00:42:06,399 Speaker 1: himself at the combine? My gosh, that guy probably helped 893 00:42:06,440 --> 00:42:09,040 Speaker 1: himself of any quarterback here for low four five's forty 894 00:42:09,040 --> 00:42:10,840 Speaker 1: eight knew he's a stride or knew he could hit that, 895 00:42:10,880 --> 00:42:13,840 Speaker 1: but man to see it definitely checks a lot of boxes. 896 00:42:13,840 --> 00:42:15,840 Speaker 1: It's not something that you would call him a winner for. 897 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:17,640 Speaker 1: You saw that speed on tape, but you need to 898 00:42:17,719 --> 00:42:20,040 Speaker 1: check those boxes right because if he runs four six 899 00:42:20,080 --> 00:42:22,200 Speaker 1: four seven, that's opposite to what you see on tape. 900 00:42:22,200 --> 00:42:24,279 Speaker 1: In addition to that, too, you start to factor in 901 00:42:24,320 --> 00:42:26,920 Speaker 1: preparation and you know, how did he add too much way? 902 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:28,600 Speaker 1: There's a lot of concerns that can come up of it. 903 00:42:28,640 --> 00:42:30,799 Speaker 1: So I do think he checked that box. Massive hands, 904 00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:33,480 Speaker 1: which is huge for the quarterback position. I think Desmond Ritter, 905 00:42:33,760 --> 00:42:35,400 Speaker 1: the more I think about it, eighteen to the New 906 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:38,120 Speaker 1: Orleans Saints just feels so right. Why let Desmond ridder 907 00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:40,040 Speaker 1: fall pass at eighteen a guy that can come in 908 00:42:40,360 --> 00:42:42,600 Speaker 1: with a roster a ton of talent, Alvin Kamara, Michael 909 00:42:42,600 --> 00:42:44,400 Speaker 1: Thomas expected to be back. I know they might lose 910 00:42:44,440 --> 00:42:47,120 Speaker 1: Toronto Armstead, but why not bringing a guy that could 911 00:42:47,160 --> 00:42:49,840 Speaker 1: probably elevate, not elevate, but play to the level of 912 00:42:49,880 --> 00:42:51,600 Speaker 1: that supporting cast in New Orleans. I know they have 913 00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:53,520 Speaker 1: a new head coach. I know that I like Jamis Winston, 914 00:42:53,680 --> 00:42:55,560 Speaker 1: but that's the spot where I really feel comfortable taking 915 00:42:55,560 --> 00:42:58,719 Speaker 1: Desmond Ridder. I didn't the spots after that, Pittsburgh at twenty. 916 00:42:58,760 --> 00:43:01,120 Speaker 1: If Malie Willis obviously is on, they're big on Malik Willis. 917 00:43:01,120 --> 00:43:02,520 Speaker 1: I think are those are the areas where I think 918 00:43:02,560 --> 00:43:04,640 Speaker 1: Desmon Ridder should be coming off the board. Now, see, 919 00:43:04,680 --> 00:43:06,680 Speaker 1: I have to disagree with you there because Desmond Ritter 920 00:43:06,840 --> 00:43:09,360 Speaker 1: can't go to the Steelers. My hatred for the Steelers 921 00:43:09,360 --> 00:43:12,440 Speaker 1: cannot be deluded by seeing Desmond Ridder on that roster. 922 00:43:12,760 --> 00:43:15,759 Speaker 1: Last thing for Austin Gale. Cincinnati hasn't had a first 923 00:43:15,840 --> 00:43:19,239 Speaker 1: round pick since nineteen seventy. If it isn't Desmond Ritterer, 924 00:43:19,280 --> 00:43:21,759 Speaker 1: it'll certainly be Sauce Gardner. I mean he's going to 925 00:43:21,800 --> 00:43:24,080 Speaker 1: go in the first ground, that's a given. How high. 926 00:43:24,120 --> 00:43:26,320 Speaker 1: I think it's a lock for the top ten. If 927 00:43:26,360 --> 00:43:29,600 Speaker 1: he gets past the Jets, I'd be stunned. It's exactly 928 00:43:29,600 --> 00:43:31,000 Speaker 1: the type of defense they want to run. They want 929 00:43:31,000 --> 00:43:33,680 Speaker 1: to run more single high concepts. It's and with Ahmad Gardner, 930 00:43:33,760 --> 00:43:35,520 Speaker 1: I think he's phenomenal, But if you put him in 931 00:43:35,560 --> 00:43:37,520 Speaker 1: a defense where where they run a lot of single high, 932 00:43:37,560 --> 00:43:39,799 Speaker 1: run a lot of cover three, cover one, he's going 933 00:43:39,880 --> 00:43:41,680 Speaker 1: to be insane. Right And there are going to be 934 00:43:41,719 --> 00:43:43,799 Speaker 1: teams that want him to be scheme versatile and run 935 00:43:43,800 --> 00:43:45,480 Speaker 1: more zone coverage. It's not something he did a ton 936 00:43:45,520 --> 00:43:47,520 Speaker 1: of it Cincinnati, and that's not a knock on him. 937 00:43:47,640 --> 00:43:49,520 Speaker 1: He played a lot of one thing and did really 938 00:43:49,560 --> 00:43:51,200 Speaker 1: good at it, and a lot of teams do run that. 939 00:43:51,280 --> 00:43:53,400 Speaker 1: So they know. The New York Jets have obviously the 940 00:43:53,440 --> 00:43:55,160 Speaker 1: number four overall pick and then number ten pick. I 941 00:43:55,200 --> 00:43:58,280 Speaker 1: think people have been mocking Derek Stingley or Coyl Hamilton, 942 00:43:58,360 --> 00:44:00,839 Speaker 1: a defensive back at that fourth spot, hearing they're locking 943 00:44:00,840 --> 00:44:03,399 Speaker 1: into an offensive tackle. I think they want Evan Neil 944 00:44:03,440 --> 00:44:05,799 Speaker 1: to fall. They want Ikeyakuana or Charles Cross up at 945 00:44:05,840 --> 00:44:07,920 Speaker 1: that top spot, maybe even Trevor Penning. And then at 946 00:44:08,000 --> 00:44:10,200 Speaker 1: ten he might not get to this point, but at 947 00:44:10,239 --> 00:44:12,719 Speaker 1: ten I think maud garnered it would be a slam 948 00:44:12,800 --> 00:44:15,960 Speaker 1: dunk for the Jets. Fantastic stuff. As always, I really 949 00:44:16,000 --> 00:44:19,359 Speaker 1: appreciate your time, absolutely, thank you. Now let's go over 950 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:22,840 Speaker 1: the draft prospects that Austin mentioned that Dane Brugler didn't 951 00:44:23,560 --> 00:44:27,080 Speaker 1: Daryan Kinnard as an offensive lineman from Kentucky who played 952 00:44:27,080 --> 00:44:30,000 Speaker 1: tackle for the Wildcats but is projected to be a 953 00:44:30,040 --> 00:44:33,640 Speaker 1: guard in the NFL. He's huge six five three twenty 954 00:44:33,680 --> 00:44:37,719 Speaker 1: two with thirty five inch arms. He's number forty two 955 00:44:37,880 --> 00:44:41,400 Speaker 1: on Brugler's Top one hundred. Tyler Smith out of Tulsa's 956 00:44:41,440 --> 00:44:44,879 Speaker 1: six five three twenty four with thirty four inch arms, 957 00:44:44,880 --> 00:44:48,160 Speaker 1: and he's number eighty five on Bruglar's Top one hundred. 958 00:44:48,840 --> 00:44:53,080 Speaker 1: Austin also brought up three offensive tackles as possible candidates 959 00:44:53,080 --> 00:44:56,520 Speaker 1: to still be there at number thirty one. Bernard Raymond 960 00:44:56,600 --> 00:44:59,640 Speaker 1: from Central Michigan is six six three h three with 961 00:44:59,719 --> 00:45:03,879 Speaker 1: third two and seven eighth arms. The Austria born big 962 00:45:03,920 --> 00:45:07,160 Speaker 1: man is number twenty nine on Brugler's Top one hundred. 963 00:45:07,640 --> 00:45:11,120 Speaker 1: Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa is six seven three twenty 964 00:45:11,120 --> 00:45:13,759 Speaker 1: five with thirty four and a quarter inch arms and 965 00:45:13,960 --> 00:45:17,240 Speaker 1: was a three year starting left tackle. He's number nineteen 966 00:45:17,360 --> 00:45:20,840 Speaker 1: on the Brugler Top one hundred. And then there's Charles 967 00:45:20,880 --> 00:45:24,960 Speaker 1: Cross from Mississippi State six five three oh seven with 968 00:45:25,160 --> 00:45:27,920 Speaker 1: thirty four and a half inch arms. The two year 969 00:45:28,040 --> 00:45:30,880 Speaker 1: starting tackle is way up there at number eight on 970 00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:34,840 Speaker 1: the Brugler Top one hundred. Austin also mentioned a defensive 971 00:45:34,840 --> 00:45:38,440 Speaker 1: tackle named Travis Jones from Yukon. He's six four three 972 00:45:38,560 --> 00:45:41,720 Speaker 1: twenty five and his number forty five on the Brugler 973 00:45:41,800 --> 00:45:46,120 Speaker 1: Top one hundred. At wide receiver. Austin mentioned Treylon Burkes 974 00:45:46,120 --> 00:45:49,480 Speaker 1: from Arkansas. He's six two two twenty five and is 975 00:45:49,520 --> 00:45:52,560 Speaker 1: frequently compared to the forty nine ers Deebo Samuel. He 976 00:45:52,719 --> 00:45:56,400 Speaker 1: ran a four five five forty at the Combine, and 977 00:45:56,600 --> 00:46:00,000 Speaker 1: an addition to memphisis Calvin Austin. Austin Gale brought up 978 00:46:00,080 --> 00:46:05,080 Speaker 1: two return specialists. First, cornerback Marcus Jones, who spent his 979 00:46:05,120 --> 00:46:08,000 Speaker 1: first two college seasons at Troy and his final two 980 00:46:08,160 --> 00:46:12,319 Speaker 1: at Houston. In his college career, Jones returned six kickoffs 981 00:46:12,600 --> 00:46:17,240 Speaker 1: and three punts for touchdowns. And then there's running back 982 00:46:17,560 --> 00:46:22,239 Speaker 1: Zonovan bam Knight from NC State, who returned three kickoffs 983 00:46:22,239 --> 00:46:25,560 Speaker 1: for touchdowns in his college career and averaged thirty four 984 00:46:25,680 --> 00:46:29,880 Speaker 1: point four yards per return this past season. And now, 985 00:46:30,239 --> 00:46:34,879 Speaker 1: to wrap things up, it's an installment of Storytime with Dan. 986 00:46:42,719 --> 00:46:46,440 Speaker 1: Here's the concept. I've been broadcasting in some way, shape 987 00:46:46,520 --> 00:46:49,040 Speaker 1: or form since working for the student radio station at 988 00:46:49,040 --> 00:46:52,880 Speaker 1: Syracuse University. I've had a wide variety of experiences on 989 00:46:53,040 --> 00:46:56,319 Speaker 1: and off the air. In previous episodes. I've shared the 990 00:46:56,320 --> 00:46:58,360 Speaker 1: behind the scenes details of why there was once a 991 00:46:58,440 --> 00:47:01,520 Speaker 1: character named Dan Horde on The Simpsons, and told the 992 00:47:01,560 --> 00:47:04,680 Speaker 1: story of how my wife Peg helped Ken Griffey Junior 993 00:47:04,800 --> 00:47:08,160 Speaker 1: have perhaps his best season in a Red uniform by 994 00:47:08,239 --> 00:47:13,040 Speaker 1: buying him a Hope T shirt. Today on Storytime with Dan, 995 00:47:13,760 --> 00:47:18,439 Speaker 1: it's my makeup story. Here goes. My first job out 996 00:47:18,440 --> 00:47:21,360 Speaker 1: of college was as a minor league baseball announcer for 997 00:47:21,400 --> 00:47:24,279 Speaker 1: the Syracuse Chiefs, at that time the Triple A affiliate 998 00:47:24,440 --> 00:47:27,200 Speaker 1: of the Toronto Blue Jays. After doing that for a 999 00:47:27,239 --> 00:47:29,359 Speaker 1: few years, I was approached out of the blue by 1000 00:47:29,360 --> 00:47:31,640 Speaker 1: an old college buddy to see if I might be 1001 00:47:31,680 --> 00:47:35,320 Speaker 1: interested in doing TV sportscasts on the six and eleven 1002 00:47:35,320 --> 00:47:39,160 Speaker 1: o'clock news. You've probably heard of him, some guy named 1003 00:47:39,640 --> 00:47:43,319 Speaker 1: Mike Tarico when we were students at Syracuse. Mike was 1004 00:47:43,400 --> 00:47:46,840 Speaker 1: so absurdly talented that one of the local TV stations 1005 00:47:46,920 --> 00:47:49,960 Speaker 1: hired him to be their weekend sports anchor when he 1006 00:47:50,040 --> 00:47:52,920 Speaker 1: was still a sophomore in college. While the rest of 1007 00:47:53,000 --> 00:47:55,480 Speaker 1: us were doing what college kids do on Friday and 1008 00:47:55,480 --> 00:47:59,239 Speaker 1: Saturday nights, Mike was going to work. So when he 1009 00:47:59,320 --> 00:48:02,520 Speaker 1: graduated and no longer had to go to class. The 1010 00:48:02,560 --> 00:48:05,799 Speaker 1: TV station that he worked for immediately promoted Mike to 1011 00:48:05,840 --> 00:48:09,759 Speaker 1: the number one spot anchoring Monday through Friday, and they 1012 00:48:09,800 --> 00:48:13,520 Speaker 1: demoted the Monday through Friday guy to weekends. Well, as 1013 00:48:13,520 --> 00:48:16,759 Speaker 1: you can probably imagine, he didn't take the demotion very 1014 00:48:16,760 --> 00:48:21,120 Speaker 1: well and soon bolted for another job. So that opened 1015 00:48:21,200 --> 00:48:23,680 Speaker 1: up the weekend slot and Mike called me to see 1016 00:48:23,719 --> 00:48:26,440 Speaker 1: if I would be interested. Now you have to understand 1017 00:48:26,480 --> 00:48:29,240 Speaker 1: I had never done a TV sportscast in my life, 1018 00:48:29,440 --> 00:48:31,759 Speaker 1: but Mike said he would convince his boss to give 1019 00:48:31,760 --> 00:48:35,040 Speaker 1: me a tryout. So I did the tryout and apparently 1020 00:48:35,120 --> 00:48:39,040 Speaker 1: didn't embarrass myself because they offered me the job. Fast 1021 00:48:39,080 --> 00:48:42,040 Speaker 1: forward to my first night as a TV sports anchor. 1022 00:48:42,400 --> 00:48:45,080 Speaker 1: I've written my scripts, I put on my best suit 1023 00:48:45,080 --> 00:48:48,000 Speaker 1: and tie. At about fifteen minutes before I was about 1024 00:48:48,040 --> 00:48:50,359 Speaker 1: to go on, one of my co workers pointed down 1025 00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:53,200 Speaker 1: the hall and said, in case nobody told you, the 1026 00:48:53,360 --> 00:48:57,880 Speaker 1: makeup room is the second door on the right, makeup room. 1027 00:48:58,400 --> 00:49:01,000 Speaker 1: I didn't know there was a makeup room. That's awesome. 1028 00:49:01,600 --> 00:49:04,160 Speaker 1: So I walked down the hall, fully expecting that when 1029 00:49:04,200 --> 00:49:06,560 Speaker 1: I entered the second door on the right that I 1030 00:49:06,560 --> 00:49:09,240 Speaker 1: would sit down in a high chair, and a friendly 1031 00:49:09,320 --> 00:49:12,040 Speaker 1: make up person would do whatever make up people do 1032 00:49:12,440 --> 00:49:16,399 Speaker 1: to make unattractive people like me look good or at 1033 00:49:16,480 --> 00:49:21,040 Speaker 1: least better. Well, not exactly. When I walked into the 1034 00:49:21,080 --> 00:49:24,120 Speaker 1: make up room, there was nobody in there. It was 1035 00:49:24,160 --> 00:49:28,319 Speaker 1: basically a bathroom with no toilets. There were mirrors and 1036 00:49:28,400 --> 00:49:31,439 Speaker 1: a sink and lots of bright lights, but no make 1037 00:49:31,520 --> 00:49:34,719 Speaker 1: up person. I soon learned that unless you're working in 1038 00:49:34,760 --> 00:49:37,279 Speaker 1: a place like New York or LA or for a 1039 00:49:37,360 --> 00:49:40,719 Speaker 1: major network, there are no make up people. You do 1040 00:49:40,760 --> 00:49:45,960 Speaker 1: it yourself. Unfortunately, I'm a dude. I not only had 1041 00:49:46,040 --> 00:49:48,719 Speaker 1: no idea what to do about make up, I was 1042 00:49:48,800 --> 00:49:52,280 Speaker 1: too embarrassed to ask any of my co workers for help. 1043 00:49:52,960 --> 00:49:56,160 Speaker 1: So the next day I went to the local CVS 1044 00:49:56,200 --> 00:50:00,239 Speaker 1: to buy makeup. Not the cosmetics desk at a apartments store, 1045 00:50:00,280 --> 00:50:03,400 Speaker 1: where they would have happily assisted me, but a random 1046 00:50:03,480 --> 00:50:06,040 Speaker 1: drug store where I could pull something off of a 1047 00:50:06,080 --> 00:50:09,560 Speaker 1: shelf and try to figure it out myself. So I'm 1048 00:50:09,600 --> 00:50:12,799 Speaker 1: looking at the wall of makeup and I decided I 1049 00:50:12,840 --> 00:50:16,640 Speaker 1: would get something in a medium. How hard could it be? 1050 00:50:17,120 --> 00:50:20,040 Speaker 1: You get one of those little sponges, spread some of 1051 00:50:20,040 --> 00:50:23,120 Speaker 1: that medium cream on your face and you're ready for TV, 1052 00:50:24,000 --> 00:50:26,520 Speaker 1: And so that's what I did before my second night 1053 00:50:26,600 --> 00:50:29,520 Speaker 1: on the job. Well, when I walked out onto the 1054 00:50:29,560 --> 00:50:32,360 Speaker 1: set and the male and female news anchors saw me, 1055 00:50:32,960 --> 00:50:36,680 Speaker 1: they both did a shocked double take. I suspect the 1056 00:50:36,719 --> 00:50:39,080 Speaker 1: reaction would have been exactly the same if I had 1057 00:50:39,080 --> 00:50:42,319 Speaker 1: walked out there with no pants. I went ahead and 1058 00:50:42,360 --> 00:50:44,560 Speaker 1: did my sportscast, and when the news was finished, the 1059 00:50:44,600 --> 00:50:49,360 Speaker 1: female news anchor, Tracy said, Dan, you might want to 1060 00:50:49,400 --> 00:50:52,960 Speaker 1: consider a different shade of makeup. You look a little 1061 00:50:53,000 --> 00:50:57,399 Speaker 1: bit dark. So I went back to the makeup room 1062 00:50:57,600 --> 00:50:59,840 Speaker 1: and took a closer look at what I had wiped 1063 00:50:59,840 --> 00:51:02,960 Speaker 1: off all over my face before going on TV. It 1064 00:51:03,040 --> 00:51:05,680 Speaker 1: was a medium shade, all right, but it was for 1065 00:51:05,960 --> 00:51:12,200 Speaker 1: quote beautiful women of color, that's right. I hadn't noticed 1066 00:51:12,239 --> 00:51:16,399 Speaker 1: that I had purchased makeup specifically intended for women with 1067 00:51:16,520 --> 00:51:20,720 Speaker 1: darker skin tones. Needless to say, I swallowed my pride 1068 00:51:20,719 --> 00:51:24,480 Speaker 1: and asked for help The next day and hopefully the 1069 00:51:24,520 --> 00:51:29,239 Speaker 1: tape of that sportscast no longer exists. And that concludes 1070 00:51:29,320 --> 00:51:41,200 Speaker 1: this episode of Storytime with Dan. It also concludes this 1071 00:51:41,280 --> 00:51:45,160 Speaker 1: episode of the Bengals Booth podcast presented by Ultimate Bengals 1072 00:51:45,680 --> 00:51:49,080 Speaker 1: download Ultimate Bengals ahead of the twenty twenty two season. 1073 00:51:49,680 --> 00:51:53,600 Speaker 1: It's free to play next level fantasy football with fantastic 1074 00:51:53,719 --> 00:51:57,120 Speaker 1: Bengals prizes. Get it now on the App Store and 1075 00:51:57,280 --> 00:52:00,800 Speaker 1: Google Play. If you haven't done so already, please subscribe 1076 00:52:00,840 --> 00:52:02,799 Speaker 1: to this podcast and if you have a minute, give 1077 00:52:02,840 --> 00:52:05,839 Speaker 1: it a rating or share a comment that helps more 1078 00:52:05,960 --> 00:52:10,240 Speaker 1: Bengals fans find us. I'm Dan Horde. Thanks for listening 1079 00:52:10,440 --> 00:52:12,560 Speaker 1: to The Bengals Booth podcast.