1 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,359 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody. I'm Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast them It's always better when we're together. 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: Addition is Dave Lapham joins me to discuss the additions 4 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 1: of Alex Kappa and Ted Carriss to the Bengals offensive line, 5 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 1: along with the latest developments in free agency. The Bengals 6 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: Booth Podcast is presented by Ultimate Bengals. Download Ultimate Bengals 7 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: ahead of the twenty twenty two season. It's free to 8 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:37,560 Speaker 1: play next level fantasy football with fantastic Bengals prizes. Get 9 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 1: it now on the App Store and Google Play. And 10 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 1: here's a quick reminder that you can have the latest 11 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 1: edition of this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, 12 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: or computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's 13 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: the greatest thing since exercise soreness. The Bengals run to 14 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl was one of the greatest five and 15 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: a half month stretches of my life, but it wasn't 16 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: filled with much exercise. In fact, if you look up 17 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:08,279 Speaker 1: the words sloth in the dictionary, you'll find a picture 18 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: of a bald man with glasses who looks very familiar. 19 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 1: Now that the season is over. I'm trying to be 20 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,959 Speaker 1: more dedicated when it comes to working out, and I 21 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 1: have the soreness that comes with it. Not pain, mind you, 22 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 1: just the soreness that occurs in the early stages of 23 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 1: an exercise routine that mostly goes away when you do 24 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: it regularly. So here's to feeling some exercise soreness. It 25 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: beats feeling disgusting. Now time to talk free agency with 26 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,839 Speaker 1: Dave Lapham. All right, lap You've had a few days 27 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: to take a closer look at Alex Kappa and Ted Carriss. 28 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 1: You recorded a great podcast with offensive line coach Frank 29 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: Pollock about those guys. What are the Bengals getting in 30 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: those two interior offensive linemen. I think they're getting class 31 00:01:56,880 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: acts in both cases. I think they're both very intelligent. 32 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: I think they're both very alert to everything environmentally and 33 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: their surroundings. I think they're aware of everything that needs 34 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:13,240 Speaker 1: to get done. And they both seem to be really 35 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 1: good communicators and understanding than the importance of communicating at 36 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 1: a high level. And all I can say is I'd 37 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: love to play right between the two of them. After 38 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: seeing them up here at the press or, I was 39 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 1: duly impressed with what they had to say and how 40 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:34,920 Speaker 1: they had to say it, and just the interaction with 41 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: each other. I mean, it just it was very very 42 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: comfortable for me to observes as a form alignment. I 43 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: think that they're going to be major additions not only 44 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 1: to the offensive line room in terms of leadership, but 45 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 1: to the football team in terms of leadership. And I 46 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: think they will. They'll be looked upon you for leadership 47 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: because they're in the prime of their career and they've 48 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 1: gone to the pinnacle. They won the big one, and 49 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,399 Speaker 1: this team got there, got to the doorstep just could 50 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 1: not quite open the door and finish it. So I 51 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 1: think I think these guys are going to have a 52 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: major impact on the football field. Off the football field, 53 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: in the locker room, in the community, every place there 54 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: can be an impact, I think these two guys will 55 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 1: be part of it. Ted Carriss played left guard for 56 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,839 Speaker 1: the Patriots last year. He played center for the two 57 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: seasons prior to that one in Miami. Went in New England, 58 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,920 Speaker 1: Zach Taylor definitively said no, ifs ands or butts, he 59 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: will be our center. Right Trey Hopkins is let go 60 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: starting center, and this guy is who they've they've tagged 61 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: to me, if I'm Hill, lights a fire under me 62 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: to get better. You know that that they're not quite there. 63 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 1: They're not going to say, all right, you're the incumbent, 64 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: You're our starting center. Carris is going to line up 65 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: at the center position. Now if Hill has shown improvement, 66 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: you know, the fact is that Kariss has played both 67 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: guards and center, that the all three interior line position 68 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: aspect of his resume is extremely attractive and appealing. Versatility 69 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 1: is very very important in this era, particularly on game 70 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: day when you only have seven or eight guys you 71 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 1: know that are that are up and able to play. 72 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 1: So it's a source of motivation for Hill. But Kiss, 73 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: they were very adamant. It was part of the process 74 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:32,920 Speaker 1: of recruiting him. Here's what we're going to do with 75 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: your very defined role, but we do expect that you 76 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: still would be able to go to left guard or 77 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 1: right guard if in fact, injury or something else determined 78 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,480 Speaker 1: that we would need help there, and he could do that. 79 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: So it's it's a very comforting feeling, I think, to 80 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 1: have a guy with that type of versatility, and not 81 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 1: only you project he might be able to He's played 82 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 1: in the NFL's there's game tape that you can look at, 83 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 1: and he performed well enough to win football games in 84 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: the National Football League at all three spots. That is 85 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:12,160 Speaker 1: worth a ton. It's almost priceless. Alex Kappa was one 86 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 1: of the first free agents announced on Monday, if not 87 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 1: the first. Twenty seven years old, four years in the NFL, 88 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,479 Speaker 1: A Super Bowl ring from Tampa Bay a couple of 89 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 1: years ago. Frank Pollock did not want to say he 90 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: was the number one guy on our list, but clearly 91 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 1: he had to be very high on whatever list they 92 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 1: put together for the Bengals to get that done as 93 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: quickly as they did. Yeah, and you know, you start 94 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: to Okay, let's put in the criterion. Here's here's what 95 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: we want to spend, and we'd like to be able 96 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 1: to get both these guys, so or we'd like to 97 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 1: be able to get two. Maybe not both of these guys. 98 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:49,560 Speaker 1: We'd like to be able to get too. So here's 99 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 1: here's what we were thinking we're going to budget for 100 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 1: offensive line free agency initially, and here's the ones that 101 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: are exorbitant. They're they're out of that out of that 102 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: price range. You know, we're not going to be able 103 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: to buy a mansion. We'll have to settle for a 104 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: five bedroom house. And they got they got you know again, 105 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: William Jackson, he goes to Washington, gets big bucks and 106 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: they get a Woozier and they get Hilton for the 107 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:23,040 Speaker 1: same same money. Two for one. Sheriff goes to Jacksonville 108 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:26,119 Speaker 1: from Washington for big bucks. They get these two guys 109 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: the same money two years in a row. They've done 110 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: a two fur It's pretty darn good. And you had 111 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: more than one position that needed help in the offensive 112 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: line and even in the interior the offensive line, so 113 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: I think they handled it remarkably well. I think, you know, 114 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 1: they targeted these guys as ones that would fit all 115 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:52,360 Speaker 1: that criterion and Bloom either good capita to engage in 116 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: the process pretty quickly, and it's a good thing they did, 117 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,280 Speaker 1: because Tom Brady called him shortly after and he basically said, 118 00:06:58,279 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 1: you know, a little too late, Tom, and too far 119 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: down on the road. And I admire that because we've 120 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 1: seen guys from Nigga on deals that they've agreed to. 121 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 1: And Ogan Joby unfortunately didn't pass his physical, so he 122 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 1: doesn't get his contract with the Bears that was agreed to. 123 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: But but other guys have changed their mind. I look 124 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: at that as a as a very very admirable trait 125 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: that Kappa has, Tom Brady calling them the goat saying, 126 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: you know, come on, come back, run it back with 127 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,239 Speaker 1: us in Tampa, and he's like, you know, I've given 128 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: my word here too far along. I admire that, you know, 129 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: And so that tells me something about his character as well. 130 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 1: Those good values you learn at Humboldt State, I think 131 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: exactly right, Humboldt their humbolt at Humboldt State, and uh 132 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 1: yeah that, how about how about that? That's a heck 133 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: of a thing too. You talk about a guy that everybody, 134 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 1: everybody has development at a different age and rate and 135 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: all those sorts of things. But you know, not obviously 136 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: coming out of high school, not a guy that everybody 137 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: was drooling over. But he goes and some guys are 138 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 1: late bloomers, and he's one of those guys that probably 139 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: bloomed late physically and he had all the all the 140 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: other things. You don't become a glass eater, as Frank 141 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 1: Pollock likes to call a tough guys, you know, overnight. Um, 142 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 1: in some cases you do. I shouldn't say that. But 143 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: this guy obviously has had a love and desire for 144 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: football for a long time for him to and he 145 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: finally gets to, you know, the highest level you can 146 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: get to, and you're living your childhood dream. So I'm 147 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: not gonna let a broken arm stop me. And uh, 148 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: you know, I get an injury there in my leg, 149 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: I don't know exactly who it is, and let me 150 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: see if I can go, can't go? X race, Mr, 151 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 1: it's broken, Okay, I mean that dude. You know i'd uh, 152 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 1: I definitely do a tag team wrestling match with that dude. So, 153 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: speaking of glass eaters, it's no secret that l Collins 154 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 1: is visiting the Bengals. We are recording this conversation about 155 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 1: three twenty five on Friday afternoon, so by the time 156 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 1: the podcast is posted, who knows. Maybe he has agreed 157 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 1: to a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. But I asked 158 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: Frank Pollock about him at his news conference. He said 159 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: I loved coaching him in Dallas. He is a glass eater, 160 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 1: he loves film study. He made it abundantly clear that 161 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 1: he would love to have him as his right tackle 162 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 1: if the Bengals can win what now becomes a free 163 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: agency sweepstakes for his services. And how about that you 164 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: get the center, right guard, and right tackle in free 165 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: agency potentially, My goodness, you can't have so much more 166 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:38,199 Speaker 1: than that. You know, the Kansas City Chiefs had quote 167 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 1: the formula last year. They got two starters in free 168 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 1: agency and two in the draft. Oh, I prefer three 169 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 1: in free agency because the draft is a crapshoot and 170 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:49,040 Speaker 1: it's not an exact science, at least in free agency. 171 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: It's not an exact science there either. Sometimes you go 172 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 1: from one system to another it just doesn't work out 173 00:09:54,400 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: for whatever reason. But you've got more chance for success 174 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 1: because you've seen the guy play at that final level 175 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: and be able to operate and compete and win battles 176 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 1: individually and collectively as a team at that highest level. 177 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 1: So if you can get three starters in your offensive 178 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 1: line in one free agency period, I mean, last year 179 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: they built their defense through the draft and the offense 180 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: and defense through free agency and offense through the draft. 181 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 1: It might be the reverse of it this year, you know, 182 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: I mean they may spend their free agency dollars offensively, uh, 183 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: you know, primarily and then and then get after the 184 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,640 Speaker 1: defensive needs in the draft. But I mean that would 185 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:39,199 Speaker 1: be that would be big. And you look at Collins, 186 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: I mean he was undrafted, you know, and Frank Pollock 187 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: took you know, molded that clay and really believed in him. 188 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: And Collins responded to Frank Pollock's methodology as techniques, his schemes, 189 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: his hand placement, his foot where he responded to all 190 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: of it. And they've got a relationship to me, I think, 191 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:06,080 Speaker 1: you know, dinner Rubies with a precinct or wherever is great. 192 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: Jeff Rubies, got great food, great restaurants, teammates, it's all important, 193 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,680 Speaker 1: it's all great. But the fact that I know what 194 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 1: Frank Pollock's all about, and I have a chance to 195 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 1: go back to the coach to basically allow help me 196 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: start a professional career that has lasted a few years. 197 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: And I get a chance to go back and continue 198 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 1: that growth and development that coach who I owe so much, 199 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 1: that'd be a big deal in my evaluation process, really 200 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 1: big deal. The last time we did a podcast, we 201 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: talked about some of the possible red flags where Lyle 202 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: Collins is concerned. He missed all of twenty twenty with 203 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,680 Speaker 1: a hip injury. He had a five game suspension last 204 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: year for recreational drug use. Wasn't he didn't test positive. 205 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 1: He missed his tests, which may indicate that he thought 206 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 1: he was going to test positive. But in any case, 207 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 1: I spoke to somebody in Dallas about him this week. 208 00:11:56,040 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 1: He said, great guy, well liked by his teammates and coaches. Uh, 209 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,080 Speaker 1: don't have to worry about the suspension being some sort 210 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: of this is a bad guy issue. It's not the 211 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: case at all now with the hip obviously part of 212 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: the process of visiting Cincinnati has to have that checked 213 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: out by the Bengals medical team. Absolutely, look at Larry 214 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: Ogan job like we just talked about. You know, it's 215 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: like he goes up to Chicago and their doctors say, uh, 216 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 1: two dicey too risk. He's not He's not ready right now. 217 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:24,559 Speaker 1: He still needs to heal whatever the case may be. 218 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:30,839 Speaker 1: M So yeah, I mean it's it's going to be. Uh, 219 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: the physical is going to be a big, big part 220 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: of it. You know. Unfortunately, those issues probably hurt his 221 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:39,040 Speaker 1: value and that they were trying to trade him, um 222 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: and they're doing no takers, and so nobody wanted to 223 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: give up anything to get him. All right, let him go, 224 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 1: let him go to free agency and uh, and the 225 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:50,960 Speaker 1: Bengals were just watching the waiver wire. I mean they're 226 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 1: just they're just laying in prey man and then just 227 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: waiting and then just jumped at the at the chance 228 00:12:57,040 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 1: to get in the process and again. And I think, 229 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,959 Speaker 1: you know, one of the big reasons that's that he's 230 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: here so quickly after he hit the waiver wire is 231 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: Frank So I just finished it. I think I think 232 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 1: it's going to happen. It's just a question to win. 233 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: I want to get back to Trey Hopkins for a second, 234 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: because Zach did make that announcement on Friday that in 235 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 1: addition to the signings of Kappa and Carress, they were 236 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: letting Trey go. And you know, we had conversations during 237 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 1: the course of this past season where you would bring 238 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: it up unprompted, more or less saying, hey, this guy 239 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 1: deserves a lot more praise and credit than he's getting 240 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 1: to come back from a torn acl in the final 241 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 1: game of the previous season, to be back in the 242 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:39,199 Speaker 1: starting lineup for opening Day when maybe he wasn't physically 243 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: even close to one hundred percent, But did it for 244 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,880 Speaker 1: his team, did it for his teammates. He deserves all 245 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:47,720 Speaker 1: the praise in the world. You know, Baker Mayfield's up 246 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: there in Cleveland pitching about the fact that you know, 247 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 1: I laid it on the line for the Cleveland Browns 248 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: playing hurt, and all he's doing is, you know, every 249 00:13:56,120 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: form of social media that you can utilize. He propping himself, 250 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 1: you know, jocking himself about doing that. Trey Hopkins did 251 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: that even I mean, to have a knee reconstruction in 252 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: January and to come back and be there for training 253 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 1: camp and then play every every snap basically of the 254 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 1: regular season. And I talked to him, you know, a 255 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 1: couple of times during the course of the season, I said, 256 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 1: how is it. How you doing, how's it going physically? 257 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 1: He was a it's tough, man. I mean, it's it's 258 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 1: it's a challenge, you know, it's a grind. He was 259 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 1: trying to rehab and play at the highest level of football, 260 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 1: a National Football League center, particularly when nose guards were 261 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: over him. I mean, that's that's just brutal what he 262 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: tried to do. And he did the best he could. 263 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 1: I'm sure, you know, he knew he wasn't putting his 264 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 1: best performances on tape. Uh, you know, that compared to 265 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: other years when when he played at a much higher level, 266 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 1: but he was limited. I mean literally with a lot 267 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 1: of times he was on one leg, you know, and 268 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 1: I'd watch him sometimes and I'd be like, oh my gosh, man, 269 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: you know he's just and then you know when Hill 270 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: went in there, you know, he brainlocked a few times. 271 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: And like Frank Pollock said at the at the presser, 272 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: and this term that I used for for Hopkins as well, 273 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 1: the ultimate example of a pros pram and just an 274 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: unbelievable communicator, super intelligent and recognize fronts immediately and get 275 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: the correct call out fast, I mean very very quickly. 276 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 1: And that for an offensive line man, that means a 277 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: ton a ton, you know, particularly if you there's some 278 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 1: kind of a problem. You get the line of scrimmage 279 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:40,400 Speaker 1: and there's like ten seconds on the play clock and 280 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: it's like, oh man, we gotta gotta get this done, 281 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 1: like right now. Trey was very capable of doing that 282 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: and never in any kind of a panic mode. That 283 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: stuff's all big, all very big. And I think because 284 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 1: of all that he had, he had a presence in 285 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 1: the locker room guys, guy's respected and admired Trey Hopkins. 286 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:01,680 Speaker 1: So there's a locker room present and stare you know, 287 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 1: c j Uzama's locker room presence is going to be missed, 288 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 1: and rightfully so, I think on a much lower key, 289 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: less publicized, you know standpoint, I think I think Trey 290 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 1: Hopkins will as well. You know, when they were doing 291 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:19,280 Speaker 1: things at the Freedom Center, who was one of the 292 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: guys front and center up there making statements on behalf 293 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 1: of the football team. Trey Hopkins says something. Yeah, Trey 294 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: essentially wrote the statement that they made that day in 295 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 1: front of the Freedom Center. You brought up. Cj Uzamo 296 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 1: gets the three year, twenty four million dollar deal with 297 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 1: the Jets to take his place at least for a year. 298 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:39,720 Speaker 1: The Bengals have reached a deal with Hayden Hurst, twenty 299 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:42,680 Speaker 1: eight years old, four years in the NFL. Former first 300 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 1: round draft pick by the Ravens. Hasn't had great statistics 301 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 1: in the NFL. He's a former professional baseball player, started 302 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 1: out after high school with two years of minor league baseball, 303 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 1: but obviously has great physical tools. If you are the 304 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 1: twenty fifth overall pick in the draft, yeah, and he's 305 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 1: just found himself in situations, Um, you know, with the Ravens, 306 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:05,639 Speaker 1: he's behind Mark Andrews, you know, and with Atlanta they 307 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,360 Speaker 1: draft hits, and you know, it's a it's a tough situation. 308 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 1: He had one year where he had I think over 309 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,120 Speaker 1: fifty catches and over five hundred yards and a handful 310 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 1: of touchdowns. I think he can produce at that level. 311 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: I think he's I think he's capable of that. UM. 312 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:23,199 Speaker 1: I do think he's athletic enough to you know, be 313 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 1: an effective route runner, catches the football well enough, and 314 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:30,120 Speaker 1: then also, you know, put his hand in the dirt 315 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:31,919 Speaker 1: at the end of the line of scrimmage and be 316 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 1: a factor in the running game. He's six four, two 317 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 1: hundred and sixty five pounds. I mean, he's a he's 318 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:38,680 Speaker 1: a big body kid, you know, a strong kid. And 319 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: uh and I think I think, uh, you know, coach 320 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: Casey and coach Pollackle will maximize what he can bring 321 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 1: to the table in terms of the running game as well. So, 322 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 1: uh that that was a good move. You know, it's 323 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: a one year deal, a show me deal, a prove 324 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:59,159 Speaker 1: it deal, so highly incentivized. Um. He realizes that his 325 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:03,360 Speaker 1: football future is going to be, you know, largely determined 326 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:06,119 Speaker 1: by how it goes next year and he's got a 327 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:09,040 Speaker 1: quarterback that can give him the football, you know, and uh, 328 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 1: I think I think it's a I think it's a 329 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:14,400 Speaker 1: definition of a good deal. I think both parties benefit. 330 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: He had six touchdown catches two years ago with the Falcons. 331 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:21,919 Speaker 1: Defensive lineman Jaron Reid is visiting. Apparently Cincinnati is not 332 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: the only place he's going to visit. It doesn't sound 333 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: like this is a if I like it, I'll sign 334 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: kind of thing. It sounds like he wants to take 335 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 1: a few different visits and check out the possibilities out there. 336 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 1: But what do you think of Jaron read the player? Yeah, 337 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,560 Speaker 1: I mean I think I think with Ogan JOEBI actually 338 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:40,480 Speaker 1: didn't he didn't go, but he's he's not under contract, 339 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 1: he's not part of the Cincinnati Bengal mix at this point. 340 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 1: I think in his absence, getting somebody that can fill 341 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:50,840 Speaker 1: that rotational need that they have. Um. You know, they 342 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:53,640 Speaker 1: obviously committed a lot of dollars to b J. Hill 343 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: and he earned it rightfully, so but he was in 344 00:18:56,160 --> 00:18:59,399 Speaker 1: the rotation. They got two paw back, so you know 345 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,000 Speaker 1: that that's big. So if they can if they can 346 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 1: get a guy like read that would uh, that would 347 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 1: be a nice nice get as well. And as we know, 348 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:12,080 Speaker 1: I'm talking about it all the time, you know, you know, 349 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: all levels of football games are one and lost in 350 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:17,119 Speaker 1: the trenches, and the Bengals have gotten better in the 351 00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:21,720 Speaker 1: trenches offensively, and they're trying to make sure that they 352 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:26,480 Speaker 1: addressed their their needs and issues inside as well with 353 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: the signing one of their own. Um PJ. Hill gets 354 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:34,160 Speaker 1: gets a well earned, well deserved contract and they're not done. 355 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 1: Y interesting to see what happens with Ogan Joe, because 356 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,720 Speaker 1: I got the impression that the Bengals did not rule 357 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 1: him out medically, they would have been interested in resigning 358 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 1: him now that the deal that the Bears offered to 359 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:48,879 Speaker 1: him and that he agreed to was far beyond what 360 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 1: the Bengals had room to pay or were willing to pay. 361 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 1: But if they wanted to resign him and didn't have 362 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:59,560 Speaker 1: medical issues at the time, I imagine there's still a 363 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:02,480 Speaker 1: path for him possibly to come back on a shorter deal, 364 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 1: although a lot of the money has been committed to others. Yeah, 365 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: I mean b J. Hill got a lot of the 366 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 1: dough that then he was hoping he might get, and 367 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,119 Speaker 1: they both knew it. They both knew that one was 368 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:12,199 Speaker 1: going to get it and the other one was going 369 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:14,880 Speaker 1: to move on and uh, you know, get it somewhere else. 370 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 1: But based on the fact that okay, well, Chicago's medical 371 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 1: team failed them. They have a need and they didn't 372 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 1: they didn't feel comfortable enough, how much does that devalue 373 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: his arrangement. I could see potentially where he stays with 374 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 1: the banks for another one year proven deal. You might 375 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:36,919 Speaker 1: have to, Yeah, you might have to based on what 376 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:39,479 Speaker 1: happened up in Chicago. You know, it's like, all right, 377 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 1: well that this multi year, a multimillion dollar thing has 378 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:46,680 Speaker 1: gone up in smoke. Potentially, and maybe too early to tell, 379 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: there may still be somebody else that would kick the 380 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,640 Speaker 1: tires and see what kind of dollars anybody that would 381 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:55,520 Speaker 1: who has the dollars left to kick the tires and 382 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:59,240 Speaker 1: uh and spend them on him. So I would think 383 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:02,919 Speaker 1: that if, if, if the terms and conditions of a 384 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: contract changed drastically, Menal's right in a hunt because he 385 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 1: enjoyed it here. He had great success here, loved his teammates, 386 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 1: loved his coaches. There's been no bridges burned. It was 387 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 1: everything was done on a high class level. The parting 388 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: of the ways was done as well as it can 389 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,679 Speaker 1: be done. I don't see any problem with it. Eli 390 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 1: Apple is back on a one year, four million dollar deal. 391 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:30,600 Speaker 1: Now just one year. Does that make it seem to 392 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 1: you that there's a high possibility or probability that cornerback 393 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: is going to be one of their top draft picks. Yeah, 394 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:41,120 Speaker 1: I mean I look at that as you know, four 395 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 1: million dollars on a one year contract to a corner 396 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 1: is not like whoa, you know, that's not like why 397 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 1: the hell would they do that. I look at it 398 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 1: as a as a very expensive premium of insurance policy, 399 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, I think they've I think they 400 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: will probably address that position. I don't know if it'll 401 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 1: be a first round pick, but I think it'll be 402 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 1: a pretty high pick. And I mean they may they 403 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:05,360 Speaker 1: may double down. They may take a couple of corners, 404 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:07,880 Speaker 1: you know, one and in in day two or even 405 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 1: potentially day three. They may take him in day two, 406 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,239 Speaker 1: in day three and not day one. I don't know, 407 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 1: but I do I imagine that, uh that there. They'll 408 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:20,639 Speaker 1: probably swing the bat a couple of times in the 409 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:25,399 Speaker 1: draft at that at that position group. But I do. Really, 410 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:27,919 Speaker 1: I don't think it's lip service. When Louie and Rumo 411 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 1: talks about having confidence in Eli Apple, he really does, 412 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 1: you know. I think he's uh, he's He's taken a 413 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:38,640 Speaker 1: lou feels like I've been with this guy through all 414 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:41,840 Speaker 1: of it, you know, thick and thin, and sometimes in 415 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:47,880 Speaker 1: situations like that, you really celebrate the successes with him 416 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:51,159 Speaker 1: even more so, you know, and and the failures are like, 417 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:54,639 Speaker 1: you know, yeah, that didn't work out, but we can 418 00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 1: get over that, we can work it, we can work 419 00:22:56,560 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: through that, so that that uh, that relationship that is big, 420 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:03,880 Speaker 1: big for the player and big for the coach. Last thing, 421 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:06,320 Speaker 1: when are they when are they going to invite you 422 00:23:06,520 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 1: to take part in one of these precinct dinners with 423 00:23:08,800 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 1: all of these offensive linemen. Man, I'll get I'll get 424 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 1: a state borrow any day of the week, and I'll 425 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 1: go medium rare as well. I might even go more 426 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:20,679 Speaker 1: rare than medium rare. I'll be, I'll be. I'm not 427 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:22,760 Speaker 1: eating any glass, but I'll eat some raw meat. There's 428 00:23:22,760 --> 00:23:26,560 Speaker 1: no doubt about that. That's going to do it. For 429 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:30,320 Speaker 1: this episode of The Bengals Booth podcast presented by Ultimate Bengals. 430 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:33,720 Speaker 1: Download Ultimate Bengals ahead of the twenty twenty two season. 431 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:37,920 Speaker 1: It's free to play next level fantasy football with fantastic 432 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 1: Bengals prizes. Get it now on the App Store and 433 00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:44,040 Speaker 1: Google Play, and if you haven't done so already, please 434 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:46,359 Speaker 1: subscribe to this podcast and if you have a minute, 435 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 1: give it a rating or share a comment that helps 436 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 1: more Bengals fans find us. I'm Dan Horde and thanks 437 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:55,880 Speaker 1: for listening to the Bengals Booth podcast.