1 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody on Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:10,640 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast. The So this is the new 3 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: year edition as we get you set for opening day 4 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 1: at Paul Brown Stadium as the Bengals host Mike Zimmers 5 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings. Coming up, we'll find out what advice former 6 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: Bengals great t J. Hushman Zada has for rookie Jamar 7 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: Chase about overcoming a preseason case of butterfingers. And I'll 8 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: talk to Jonah Williams, who hopes the bigger is better 9 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,479 Speaker 1: as he gets ready for his second season as the Bengals. 10 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 1: Left tackle Dave Lapham and I will discuss the return 11 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: of Joe Burrow and the absence of Trey Waynes. And finally, 12 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 1: it's this week's Know the Faux segment as we discuss 13 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 1: the Vikings with beat writer Chris Thomason from the Saint 14 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:53,239 Speaker 1: Paul Pioneer Press. The Bengals Booth Podcast is presented by 15 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:56,960 Speaker 1: Bud Light. Seltzer Refreshed the Game and here's a quick 16 00:00:56,960 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: reminder that you can have the latest edition of this 17 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: podcast as delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer 18 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: by subscribing on iTunes, Stitch your Google Play, Spotify, or 19 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:11,759 Speaker 1: pod Bean. It's the greatest thing since Robert Weintraub's profile 20 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: of lap for Cincinnati Magazine. Robert Wintroub has been a 21 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: guest on this podcast before for his work on The 22 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: Football Outsider's Almanac. He also writes about the Bengals for 23 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:25,679 Speaker 1: Cincinnati Magazine, and this month he's written a wonderful story 24 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: about my broadcast partner, Dave Lapham. The title is Mister 25 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 1: Bengal is Mister Beloved, and it captures why lap is 26 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 1: such a great ambassador for the franchise. You can find 27 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: the story online just go to Cincinnati Magazine dot com. 28 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 1: Now let's get to Sunday season opener. The return of 29 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow is obviously the headline, but the debut of 30 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 1: his former college teammate Jamar Chase is not far behind. 31 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: We are all eager to see if Chase will catch 32 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 1: the ball now that the game's count. His preseason drops 33 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: were a headscratch, sure, and I discussed it this week 34 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 1: with one of the greatest wide receivers in team history. 35 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:08,239 Speaker 1: When wide receiver players the topic, our go to guy 36 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: is the Bengal single season record holder for receptions, The 37 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: great TJ. Hushminzada TJ. It's no secret that Jamar Chase 38 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 1: struggled with drops in the preseason. Do you think it's 39 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 1: physical or mental? It's always mental. Yeah, yeah, it's always mental. 40 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 1: But the key words you said was preseason, and so 41 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:34,679 Speaker 1: you don't get many targets. They came over a course 42 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: of three games, and so it's such a small sample 43 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:39,359 Speaker 1: size that if you think about it, if it was 44 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 1: a regular season game, he probably would have had six 45 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: to eight targets, and so you'll forget about the drop 46 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: that he had in the game because he's probably gonna 47 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 1: catch the rest of those. It's just a small sample size. 48 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,919 Speaker 1: It's it's one hundred percent mental. I mean, the only 49 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: thing I'm not concerned at all. I am concerned slightly 50 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,920 Speaker 1: with the lack of separation the drops that he did have. 51 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 1: The guy, the dvs are right there. I mean, they're 52 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 1: right on him, and so don't worry about the drops. 53 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 1: He's gonna catch the ball and he's gonna drop more balls. Also, 54 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: just just so people know that we're receivers, we're gonna 55 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: drop the ball. It just happens. And it's always a 56 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 1: lack of concentration for the most part. He needs to 57 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 1: just focus on creating separation, because it's the end. If 58 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 1: you look at the LSU, he made a ton of 59 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 1: contested catches, and the NFL guys are just better. So 60 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: you're gonna still make them. You're just not gonna make 61 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 1: as many. When you had a period where you dropped 62 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: the ball, when did you know it was over? Oh, 63 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: when you stopped thinking about it. I mean, it's really 64 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:48,119 Speaker 1: crazy because I didn't really drop many balls early on, 65 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 1: but I remember dropping the punt against the Steelers, and 66 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 1: and then I believe it was a game or two 67 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: after I must the other one and I'll never forget 68 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 1: the balls being punted to me. And in my head, 69 00:04:05,160 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: I'm thinking, you gotta catch it. You gotta catch you, 70 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: you gotta catch it. Oh hell no, I'm letting it 71 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: drop and I just let it bounce and it comes. 72 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 1: You come to the sideline and Darren sim and you 73 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,680 Speaker 1: gotta catch the ball, and I'm like, shut up, leave 74 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: me alone. But in my mind, I was thinking about it, 75 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 1: and so you know it's gone when you stop thinking 76 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 1: about it and you just play. And so guarantee the 77 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 1: first ball Jamar gets thrown to him in his mind, 78 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: he's gonna think catch it, catch it, catch it. Yes, 79 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:41,480 Speaker 1: I caught that, excuse my language. And so it will 80 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: be one of those things when he's not thinking about 81 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: it and it's not in your mind, it's gone. So 82 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 1: if Jamar was on the other side of this connection, 83 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:53,159 Speaker 1: what would your advice be, Just play football, man, it 84 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: happens we dropped the ball. You know you can play. 85 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: Just play football, work on getting open, work on creating separation, 86 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,160 Speaker 1: and everything else will take care of herself. Our guest 87 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: is former Pro Bowl receiver t J Hushmnzata. When I 88 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: think of the best trio wide receivers in Bengals history, 89 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: I think of you, Chad in the late Chris Henry. 90 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: How does this group compare in your opinion? Well, it's 91 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,280 Speaker 1: a little different. And I say it's a little different 92 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 1: because me and Chad came in the same year, where 93 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 1: as Tyler is years wise, is a lot older than 94 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: t in Jamar. But Tyler can play, you know, and 95 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: you would assume Tyler, if he's not the number one 96 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 1: receiver game plan wise, he's the number one receiver on 97 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: that team. It was a little different with me and 98 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 1: Chad being older, and then Chris being a young guy, 99 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: whereas now with Tyler being an old guy and Tie 100 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 1: and Jamar being a younger guy. But they do have 101 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,479 Speaker 1: the potential to be just as good or even better. 102 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,840 Speaker 1: It's just a matter of are they gonna keep Tyler 103 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 1: there as contract I believe runs out in a couple 104 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 1: of years if I'm not mistaken, and so it's a 105 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 1: little different. Hopefully they can do the same things or better. 106 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 1: They have the pieces on offense, that's for sure. You 107 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: have Joe and quarterback, you have mixing in the backfield 108 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 1: to tight end zoom, and you got good up front. 109 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 1: If they can get that cohesiveness, and I believe that's 110 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: gonna be the biggest key, if they can jail and 111 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: just keep Joe mentally Okay, physically he'll be fine, but 112 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:31,479 Speaker 1: it's the mental part of it for Joe that if 113 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 1: they can keep them clean, they no street gonna get off. 114 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 1: So Joe brows comeback is obviously the big story of 115 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 1: the season. And you're Carson Palmer's teammate in two thousand 116 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:43,159 Speaker 1: and six when he came back from his knee injury. 117 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: You had your first one thousand yards season that year. 118 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: When did you know that Carson was back to normal. 119 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:54,600 Speaker 1: It's so different the game today. You really can't hit 120 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 1: a quarterback. You have to be very careful. But it's 121 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 1: also it's still day and for Joe. For Joe, it's 122 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 1: gonna be one hundred percent mental and you ran stories 123 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: about him and training camp kind of nervous. That's normal, 124 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: that's to be expected. What I would do if I'm 125 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: the Bengals, I'm coming out with the quick game. Ball 126 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: out quick. He knows ball's out quick, so he's gonna relax. 127 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 1: When we do work down the field. I'm going to 128 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:29,840 Speaker 1: max protect because the Vikings are a single high team, well, 129 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer, they're a single high team, and so we 130 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: max protect and we give Joe the mental confidence to 131 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: know we're protected. And so if he knows that mentally, 132 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: like yes, I'm getting the ball out quick, no problems. 133 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 1: Yes we got max protection, no problems. I believe mentally 134 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: he can relax himself and understand that. With Carson, it 135 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 1: was just a matter of he got hurt. For us, 136 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 1: it was the playoffs, so he didn't have as long 137 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 1: of a healing process that Joe did. And so for 138 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 1: car Carson is just different man. He just different one 139 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 1: it sucks you know that we weren't able to win more. 140 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 1: But Carson it was just different. He was a different dude, big, fast, strong, 141 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 1: through a very catchable ball, but he had a cannon 142 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: and Joe is similar. But mentally, I don't know the 143 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: difference of the two because I haven't been around Joe enough. 144 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 1: But you have been following him for a while because 145 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 1: you have a couple of daughters to play softball at LSU. 146 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 1: If you had to pick out one quality about Joe 147 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: Burrow that you respect the most, what would that be? Competitiveness, 148 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: his self, belief in himself. Joe trained out here with 149 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,720 Speaker 1: Jordan Palmer for the NFL Combine and so I was 150 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:55,720 Speaker 1: around Joe every day leading up to that process, and 151 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: that was a year of COVID. So the last day 152 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: we worked out on there, for get it. We're in 153 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 1: the way room. I'm like leading, when are you leaving? 154 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 1: He is like, I think I gotta get out here 155 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: tomorrow because they're gonna shut everything down. And that was 156 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 1: our last day. So I was around Joe five months 157 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: pretty much, four days a week, and so it's just 158 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 1: confidence and his belief in himself stands out more than 159 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 1: anything do you expect the Bengals to be significantly better 160 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: this year, and if so, why I expect him to 161 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:30,320 Speaker 1: be better significantly. I'm not sure if Joe had not 162 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 1: tour his knee significantly. It's how he comes back. The 163 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:38,560 Speaker 1: Babies have a good team, and we talked about what 164 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: they have offensively that is gonna be constant. They're gonna 165 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 1: be good on offense. Defensively, can they be better than 166 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:52,679 Speaker 1: what they were last year? And let's just be honest, 167 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: that's not too hard to do. So they were bad 168 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: last year, and so they need to improve defensively because 169 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 1: they're in a division that's not easy. Baltimore is really good. 170 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 1: You played them twice. The Browns are really good. You 171 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: played them twice. And say what you want about the Steelers. 172 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 1: They're gonna play defense and as long as Number seven 173 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: is under center, they're gonna throw the ball well. And 174 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: so the Bengals defense needs to be better. I believe 175 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:22,560 Speaker 1: they will be, but significantly, I'm not sure because I 176 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: don't know how Joe's gonna come back. I don't know 177 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 1: how that cohesiveness on an offensive line is gonna work. 178 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 1: But I do expect them to be improved, for sure. 179 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 1: Always great to pick your brain. Appreciate the time. Hope 180 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,840 Speaker 1: we get to do it again this season. I appreciate it, 181 00:10:37,880 --> 00:10:40,200 Speaker 1: Thank you, And they will beat the Vikings, though this 182 00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: Sunday I will say that I do believe they're gonna 183 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 1: start one and up. Bold prediction by the two thousand 184 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: and seven Pro bowler who set the Bengals single season 185 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: record that year with one hundred and twelve catches. Any 186 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: season preview you read about the Bengals is likely to 187 00:10:55,720 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 1: follow this theme. They've got their franchise quarterback, they've rounded 188 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,680 Speaker 1: him with weapons, but have they done enough to improve 189 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: the offensive line. Here's my take. The dependable Riley Reef 190 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 1: will be a significant upgrade from the inconsistent Bobby Hart 191 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 1: at right tackle, and the group as a whole will 192 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: benefit from the return of an outstanding coach in Frank Pollock. 193 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: But one of the biggest keys that hasn't been getting 194 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: enough attention is the development of Jonah Williams. He was 195 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: the first offensive lineman taken in the twenty nineteen draft 196 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: for a reason, and after two injury plague seasons, he's 197 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: ready for year three. Jonah, you are noticeably bigger this 198 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: year based on training camp and twenty snaps in preseason games. 199 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:43,839 Speaker 1: Can you tell if bigger is better and if so why? 200 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 1: I think so. I feel good. And it's hard to 201 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 1: tell if that's due to technique or if that's you know, 202 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: the weight and strength helping out. But I think it's 203 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:54,440 Speaker 1: definitely been a good thing to put on a little 204 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 1: bit of weight. It's not a huge sample size, but 205 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 1: you were involved in eleven passing snaps in the preseason 206 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 1: games and did not allow any pressures. At least according 207 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 1: to Pro Football Focus, you were blocking against Chase Young 208 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: on several of those plays. How'd you feel you did? 209 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: I think I you know, I'm happy with how I played, 210 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: but as a person who wants to get better, you know, 211 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 1: that's what that's what we practiced for, and that's what 212 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: the seasons for, you know. So I think I did well, 213 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: but I'm looking to get a little bit better. It's 214 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 1: your third season, but really it's your second because you 215 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 1: were injured in year one. How much different do you 216 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 1: feel going into this year than you did a year ago. 217 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: I feel a lot of different. I feel a lot better. 218 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:38,080 Speaker 1: You know, the game moves a little bit slower, as 219 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: they say, I think that just takes a lot of 220 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: game reps to start to get used to it. You know, 221 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: playing in the NFL is a big challenge. So the 222 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: more experience you have and the more comfortable we are 223 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,560 Speaker 1: going out there, you know, the more success you're likely 224 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:52,560 Speaker 1: gonna have. We're chatting with Jonah Williams. So when Frank 225 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,839 Speaker 1: Pollock was brought back as the offensive line coach in 226 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:59,200 Speaker 1: early January, did you guys talk over the phone? Did 227 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 1: you meet? How did you begin forming a relationship? Yeah? 228 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: I was back here for a bit in the offseason, Um, 229 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: you know, just getting my knee signed off on and 230 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:09,640 Speaker 1: checked out and everything like that. From from the end 231 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 1: of the season. Um, you know, so I was able 232 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 1: to see coach and talk and get a feel for 233 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: how he operates, and you know what is you know 234 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: what his attitude is like, and you know, really appreciate 235 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: him as a coach and have enjoyed, you know, all 236 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,440 Speaker 1: the time we spent together so far. In addition to 237 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 1: having a new position coach, you've got a ten year 238 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:30,959 Speaker 1: vet on the opposite side of the offensive line and 239 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 1: Riley reef is that almost like having another coach? It is, 240 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 1: you know, Riley's Riley's played a lot of football, and 241 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 1: he knows what he's talking about, and so it's good 242 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: to hear that. You know, you have the coach perspective, 243 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: and you know, obviously coach Pollack also played in the 244 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 1: NFL for for a while, so you have that insight. 245 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: And then you have Riley who's played so long and 246 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 1: you know, I'm playing next to Q and Eric Quinton 247 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: and we have trade too, so playing next to a 248 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 1: lot of guys in x who play a lot of football. 249 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 1: So I think we're definitely an experience unit this year. 250 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 1: Riley is roughly the same size as you are. He's 251 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 1: not one of these six seven, three hundred and forty 252 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: pound kind of guys. Does that make his information even 253 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:11,520 Speaker 1: more helpful? I think so for sure. You know, I 254 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 1: think there's similarities in our games, and you know, obviously, 255 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 1: like you said, and the in terms of just pure 256 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:20,000 Speaker 1: size and that type of thing, we're pretty close. So 257 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: I think that that it adds an element. You know, 258 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 1: we kind of have the same toolbox. So if he 259 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: says something works for him, then it's likely to work 260 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 1: for me. I'm interested in your intel on a guy 261 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:32,400 Speaker 1: on the opposite side of the ball. Trey Hendrickson, who 262 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: came in as a free agent thirteen and a half 263 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 1: sacks last year with the Saints to tie for second 264 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: best in the NFL. You've had to block him a 265 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: lot in training camp. What stands out? You know, he's 266 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 1: a he's a great player, and I think the thing 267 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 1: that stands out most is his speed, his upfield speed, 268 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 1: his ability to get up field and put pressure on 269 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: the tackle to you know, get depth so he can protect. 270 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 1: And also his motor. You know, he's a he's a 271 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 1: guy who's going to keep on try and move swiping 272 00:14:57,760 --> 00:14:59,400 Speaker 1: hands and even if you beat him on the first thing, 273 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: he's going to keep on trying. And you know, I 274 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: don't know how many snaps he's played, but it felt 275 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 1: like every snap I was watching them in the preseason 276 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 1: he was getting pressure. So, you know, it's been good 277 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 1: battling with them all camp, and I think we've made 278 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: each other better. The last time we saw you last 279 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: year on the field, it did not look good. I 280 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: think most of us assumed that you had a torn 281 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: acl or something of that magnitude when you went down 282 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 1: in the Miami game two games after Joe Burrow's injury. 283 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: Did you fear the worse at that time, I did, 284 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: you know, I felt the same thing that you guys saw. 285 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 1: I felt somebody flying into my knee from the side, 286 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 1: and you know, felt some issues in my knees. So 287 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 1: I was pretty pretty happy to hear that, you know, 288 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: when the MRI results came back that it wasn't as 289 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: serious as I thought. So it allowed me to go 290 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: into the off season rehabit and then for the vast 291 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: majority of the off season, I've been one hundred percent 292 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: training at full speed and I think that that's been, 293 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: you know, beneficial to my growth this year. So you 294 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,560 Speaker 1: open against the Vikings and you're gonna be matched up 295 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 1: against one of the NFL's premiere pass rushers and Denil Hunter. 296 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 1: He missed last year with a neck injury, but before that, 297 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 1: back to back seasons of fourteen and a half sacks. 298 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: You study these guys. What stands out about him? I 299 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 1: think he's a He's a really balanced rusher. That's the 300 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:16,240 Speaker 1: first thing I noticed is he you know, he has 301 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: a little bit of everything, and he's good everything he does. 302 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: It's not just the speed guy. He's not just a 303 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 1: power guy. He's not just a technique guy. He kind 304 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: of you know, combines all of that, and he's a 305 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: verse stul player, you know, and that's that's the NFL. 306 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: Every every single week pretty much, we're playing a premier 307 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:33,000 Speaker 1: pass rusher and so that's the challenge for this week 308 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: is to is to handle him. And you know, I'm 309 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:38,360 Speaker 1: I feel good about the old lined room and I 310 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 1: feel good going into practice that we're gonna, you know, 311 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 1: do a good job. Last thing for Jonah Williams, you 312 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: have been reunited with your high school quarterback from Fulsome 313 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 1: High School near Sacramento, as the Bengals have added Jacob 314 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: Browning to the practice squad. To small world, isn't it 315 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 1: It is? It's a tiny world, and it's cool to 316 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 1: be practicing with him again for the first time since 317 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: twenty fourteen. And you know, last time we practice together, 318 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 1: we're undefeated, never lost the game while practicing together. So 319 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:11,439 Speaker 1: I think that's a good sign for the future. And 320 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:13,040 Speaker 1: I'm glad to have him on the team. I like 321 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 1: the way you think best of like this season. I 322 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 1: appreciate your time. Thank you. That's Jonah Williams. The Bengals 323 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:23,120 Speaker 1: Booth podcast is presented by Bud Light Seltzer. It's light 324 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 1: and refreshing with a hint of fruit flavor. Now time 325 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 1: to discuss some of the key storylines in Week one 326 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 1: with my broadcast partner Dave Lapham Lap. It's going to 327 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 1: be a very special day on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. 328 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 1: It marks the return of Joe Burrow, Yes the official 329 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:43,640 Speaker 1: Returney obviously played preseason snaps in the final preseason game, 330 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:45,600 Speaker 1: but this will be the one that counts. It will 331 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 1: be forty two Sundays since his injury in Washington last year, 332 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:56,119 Speaker 1: torn ACL, torn MCL, partially torn PCL. He's hardly the 333 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:58,639 Speaker 1: first quarterback to come back from an injury like this. 334 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 1: Tom Brady tore his CL and MCL in two thousand 335 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 1: and nine, had a passer rating of ninety six plus. 336 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:07,880 Speaker 1: The following year, Carson Palmer towards a CL and MCL 337 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 1: in that playoff game that was a month and a 338 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: half later than Joe Burrow. He came back in two 339 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 1: thousand and six and averaged more yards per attempt than 340 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 1: any other year of his Bengals tenures. So and he 341 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:21,879 Speaker 1: ays do this, and he was MVP of the Pro 342 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: Bowl that year. So he goes to the Pro Bowl 343 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 1: and he's the best player there, So there is there 344 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 1: are some examples of success stories for sure. And yeah, 345 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:33,240 Speaker 1: when you talk about ACLMCL and partial of the PCL, 346 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:36,200 Speaker 1: the terrible triad they call that. When you damage all 347 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:40,639 Speaker 1: three of those uh ligaments, it's extensive. There's no question 348 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:44,320 Speaker 1: about it. And for Joe Burrow to grind through the 349 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: rehab process like he has dan and to be where 350 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 1: he is, he's pretty darn remarkable. Joe Burrows spoke to 351 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 1: the Cincinnati media earlier today. He was asked the following question, 352 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:58,879 Speaker 1: does he think he's back to normal? I don't expect 353 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:00,720 Speaker 1: to be better, and I've put in a lot of 354 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,120 Speaker 1: work this offseason that you know, I'm excited to show 355 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: off as well as all of our guys have. You know, 356 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: we're a much better football team that has prepared the 357 00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 1: way we need to and and understands how to win 358 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 1: games now. I think. So I've I've seen more football 359 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,879 Speaker 1: I've seen I've had more refs against defenses that you know, 360 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 1: maybe you hadn't seen before, and so I know what 361 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:20,400 Speaker 1: to get to when when I see those, and so 362 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,600 Speaker 1: it just comes with refs and I'm gonna get even 363 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:25,439 Speaker 1: more and I'm gonna you know, you try to improve 364 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: you to year. Um, so I'm excited to go out 365 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,360 Speaker 1: there and show everybody what I got. I think it's 366 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 1: fair to say that Joe Burrow struggled for about the 367 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 1: first week of training camp and then he settled in 368 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 1: and he looked good. What are your expectations for Joe 369 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 1: beginning with week one? Yeah, I think that that Joe 370 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:45,439 Speaker 1: Burrow has got one big box left to check, and 371 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 1: that's taking the hit, and and he's He's talked about it, 372 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 1: you know, a few times. So if a guy says 373 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 1: I'm not thinking about that, it's hard to believe that 374 00:19:56,800 --> 00:19:59,879 Speaker 1: he wouldn't be. It's it's natural, it's it's human nature. 375 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 1: So you don't as a as a former lineman, I 376 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:05,120 Speaker 1: certainly don't want to see him get hit. But if 377 00:20:05,119 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 1: he does, for some reason get hit early in the 378 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: game or whenever it happens in the game, I think 379 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,040 Speaker 1: that is the last big, final box to check and 380 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: he gets up, does himself off, I think then he's 381 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:18,919 Speaker 1: off and running. But yeah, I hope Dan that the 382 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 1: Bengals don't throw the ball forty times with Joe Burrow 383 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 1: in this football game. I hope that Joe Burrow throws 384 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:29,960 Speaker 1: twenty five, no more than thirty times in this football game. 385 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:32,440 Speaker 1: I hope they get a running game going and they can, 386 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:35,240 Speaker 1: you know, kind of ease Joe back into it a 387 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:39,879 Speaker 1: little bit. In today's football, twenty five thirty times is 388 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 1: not a huge number, but he averaged over forty passes 389 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:47,639 Speaker 1: per game, forty attempts a game as a rookie. That 390 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 1: that's just I think it's it's too much to ask 391 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 1: him to go out there and throw it forty times 392 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 1: in this football unless they run any snaps and they 393 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 1: run it forty times and throw it forty times, and 394 00:20:56,840 --> 00:21:00,720 Speaker 1: they're they're just a machine offensively and they're scoring every possession. 395 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 1: I find that hard to believe. Against Mike Zimmer's defensive 396 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:07,920 Speaker 1: football team, he's on record saying it's the worst defense 397 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:11,399 Speaker 1: he've ever had last year. But he's got guys back 398 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:16,120 Speaker 1: from injury, he's got guys back from COVID, He's got 399 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:18,639 Speaker 1: you know, he's got some talent on that defensive football team, 400 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: and he and Paul Gunther are back together. They were 401 00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: the inventors basically the double a gap blitz and all 402 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: the stuff you do with it. So there's a lot 403 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 1: of pressure on the offensive line to recognize, communicate that, 404 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 1: for Joe to make pre and post nap reeds properly 405 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 1: because they're gonna be trying to disguise in the back end, 406 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:39,919 Speaker 1: and Harrison Smith, the safety five time Pro bowler, can 407 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 1: do that as well as anybody. So I would make 408 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,439 Speaker 1: sure that I get that running game going because in 409 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:48,440 Speaker 1: my opinion, Mike Zimmer is going to start the game 410 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:51,680 Speaker 1: with two safeties deep and so he can play back 411 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:55,880 Speaker 1: there and disguise, and he's gonna say front seven, I 412 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:59,120 Speaker 1: believe you can stop the run. We can handle them. 413 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 1: I might even put six in the box something. We 414 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:04,120 Speaker 1: can stop the run. It's up to the Bengals offensive 415 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 1: line to change that and make him change what he's 416 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 1: doing on the back end a little bit by running 417 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 1: the football successfully and get get Mike Zimmer out of that. 418 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,479 Speaker 1: And Dan. I think one of the biggest things in 419 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:23,040 Speaker 1: this football game is in game adjustments. You know, you 420 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:25,479 Speaker 1: don't know exactly what you're going to see in an opener. 421 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 1: These coaches had all this time to prepare for an opener. 422 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: They're going to do something that you have not prepped for, 423 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:36,399 Speaker 1: which coaching staff can make adjustments on the sideline in 424 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:41,760 Speaker 1: game adjustments based on their rules, applying to different formations, 425 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 1: whatever the case may be, even though they haven't repped 426 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,200 Speaker 1: against it. Who can make the adjustments and take care 427 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:48,639 Speaker 1: of those kind of things during the course of the 428 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:51,280 Speaker 1: football game and the opening I was listening to a 429 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:55,120 Speaker 1: Vikings podcast earlier today where somebody referred to Mike Zimmer 430 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:59,560 Speaker 1: as a third down defensive genius. Yes, what is it 431 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 1: about Zim and making it so difficult for opponents on 432 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 1: third down? It's that double A gap stuff. That's when 433 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:09,439 Speaker 1: he really goes crazy, you know, on third down. And 434 00:23:09,520 --> 00:23:11,639 Speaker 1: double a gap means the A gap is the is 435 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:15,879 Speaker 1: the the space between the center and both guards center, 436 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 1: right guard, center left guard. That's the A gap, and 437 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:21,080 Speaker 1: he walks guys up. Linebackers could be a linebacker in 438 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 1: the safety. He walks them up into the A gap 439 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 1: and they can rush straight with defensive line rustrate, they 440 00:23:26,760 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 1: can twist with the defensive tackles, they can super loop 441 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:32,480 Speaker 1: with defensive ends. There's all kinds of things they can do. 442 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:34,720 Speaker 1: They can drop one out, they can drop both out. 443 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 1: There's there's a myriad of things, the myriad of different 444 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 1: looks you can do, and it puts a lot of 445 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,960 Speaker 1: pressure on the offensive line and running backs and tight ends, 446 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:47,160 Speaker 1: everybody involved in blitz pick up responsibility. And as bad 447 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:51,159 Speaker 1: as they were defensively, Dan that's one area where they 448 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:54,640 Speaker 1: were they were pretty good in third down, red zone, 449 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:58,480 Speaker 1: red zone, third down second in the NFL. They only 450 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:01,240 Speaker 1: allowed the opposition to for at thirty five point three 451 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:03,879 Speaker 1: percent of the time. Miami was number one. At thirty 452 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:07,240 Speaker 1: five percent, they were number two. So even as as 453 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:10,000 Speaker 1: poor as they were, they were twenty ninth and points allowed, 454 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:13,399 Speaker 1: twenty seventh in yards allowed, That's that's unheard of from 455 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:16,120 Speaker 1: Mikes Zimmer. In twenty seventeen, they were first in both 456 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:18,880 Speaker 1: categories and they went to that big of a slide. 457 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 1: But third down in the red zone and then third 458 00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: down overall, you know they were they were they were 459 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 1: pretty good on third down, but in the red zone. 460 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:29,879 Speaker 1: They were dynamic on third down. And that's where his 461 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: you know, he's like a mad sciences. He's a chemist, 462 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:37,679 Speaker 1: you know, putting things together and coming up with different 463 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:40,480 Speaker 1: ways to try to attack you and pressure you. So 464 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:43,160 Speaker 1: that's where you have to be really good on third 465 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:46,199 Speaker 1: down and really good in the red zone, particularly on 466 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:48,840 Speaker 1: third down. In the red zone. All right, let's talk 467 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 1: about another big story going into Sunday's game, and that 468 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:54,600 Speaker 1: involves rookie Jamar Chase. Will he hold onto the ball 469 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 1: when it's thrown to him by Joe Burrow. He dropped 470 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 1: five passes in his final year at LSU eighty four catches, 471 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:07,360 Speaker 1: five drops in three preseason games one catch, four drops, 472 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:10,359 Speaker 1: so the ratio is not good. Here is Jamar Chase 473 00:25:11,119 --> 00:25:13,760 Speaker 1: this week talking about the problems he had during the 474 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:17,000 Speaker 1: preseason holding it under the ball. I don't know. I 475 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:18,679 Speaker 1: don't want to blame it on me sitting sitting on 476 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,000 Speaker 1: my butt the whole year, but I mean it probably 477 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:23,520 Speaker 1: has something to do with it. Of course, Um you know, 478 00:25:23,560 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 1: it's a bigger ball adjustment, so you know, I don't 479 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:27,639 Speaker 1: want to make any excuses, but I just gotta be 480 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:30,240 Speaker 1: a pro and make the catch. The ball is different 481 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 1: because it's bigger, of course. Another reason it is different 482 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:37,040 Speaker 1: because it doesn't have the white stripes on the side, 483 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:38,919 Speaker 1: so you can't see the ball coming in from the 484 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:40,760 Speaker 1: tip of the point. So now you actually have to 485 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:42,400 Speaker 1: look for the strings on the ball at the top, 486 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 1: which is a little hard to see because the whole 487 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:47,680 Speaker 1: ball is brown and then we have like six string 488 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: that's brown, that's white. But for the most part, um, 489 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:53,560 Speaker 1: you know what I'm saying, You just gotta get used 490 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:57,399 Speaker 1: to it, find out what I'm comfortable with catching, how 491 00:25:57,440 --> 00:25:59,879 Speaker 1: I'm catching it comfortable, and going from there to be on. 492 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:03,359 Speaker 1: I think my drops come from me not looking the 493 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,680 Speaker 1: ball in by looking at bottin I mean like high 494 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:09,800 Speaker 1: point and watching it as soon as it hits the 495 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:13,080 Speaker 1: me looking away, me running before the catch. So stuff 496 00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:15,399 Speaker 1: like that is me dropping it, and I did it 497 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 1: a couple of times. My long term concern for Jamar 498 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:23,600 Speaker 1: Chase is nil. I'm not worried at all that eventually 499 00:26:23,760 --> 00:26:26,240 Speaker 1: he'll hold onto the ball like he did at LSU 500 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:29,120 Speaker 1: and that aspect of his game will be fine. My 501 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:33,120 Speaker 1: short term concern for Jamar Chase is pretty high, just 502 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:36,880 Speaker 1: because it is clearly still in his head. Until he 503 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 1: reels off a few catches and doesn't have a problem 504 00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 1: with a drop, you can't help it be a little concerned. 505 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 1: I agree with you, Dan. The thing is we saw 506 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:49,840 Speaker 1: drops in practice of training camp, and then it carried 507 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:54,240 Speaker 1: over into the game where like you said, five opportunities 508 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:58,080 Speaker 1: caught one drop four that's a big carryover and what 509 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:02,040 Speaker 1: you don't want to do is letting one mistake turn 510 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:05,880 Speaker 1: into two, three or four, you know. And so now 511 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:08,840 Speaker 1: a little pattern developed for him in the preseason games. 512 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:11,240 Speaker 1: And now, like you say, he gets into his head 513 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: a little bit, and now you start to press. And 514 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:17,400 Speaker 1: the one throw that Joe Burrow made to Jamar Chase 515 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 1: is something I think they're gonna do quite a bit 516 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:22,359 Speaker 1: bubble screens because the lower body is so strong. You 517 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:24,520 Speaker 1: get him in space one on one, it's hard to 518 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:26,720 Speaker 1: bring that guy down. He's gonna get a lot of 519 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:28,760 Speaker 1: yards after catch. And I think in his mind he 520 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:31,560 Speaker 1: was like, here it comes. The fans are going crazy, 521 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow's first pass. Joe and I lsu man, we're 522 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:37,439 Speaker 1: gonna I'm putting on a show. And then he peaks 523 00:27:37,720 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 1: and he looks to see what the defensive back is 524 00:27:39,720 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 1: and he doesn't secure the football. You can't do anything 525 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:45,280 Speaker 1: after the catch if you don't catch it. Got to 526 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:48,679 Speaker 1: catch the football. So you know, part of it is 527 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 1: at some point every great player does have slumps as such, 528 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:55,640 Speaker 1: in terms of catching the ball or dropping the football. 529 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 1: And if this is a minor slump, it's good to 530 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:02,879 Speaker 1: have it happened when it did rather than the regular season. 531 00:28:03,560 --> 00:28:07,639 Speaker 1: But my advice to him would be, don't overthink it. 532 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:10,840 Speaker 1: Don't overthink it, just go out there, react and play. 533 00:28:11,080 --> 00:28:15,520 Speaker 1: And we both know Dan that in terms of catchable footballs, 534 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:18,640 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow throws about his catchable football is there as 535 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:22,399 Speaker 1: there is. It's not, you know, a duck. It's a 536 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:25,600 Speaker 1: tight spiral. It's it's got some RPMs on it, but 537 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:27,520 Speaker 1: it's not so hot that it's going to burn your 538 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 1: hands up. Joe Burrow throws a catchable football and he 539 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:33,600 Speaker 1: knows it, and he caught a ton of them in 540 00:28:33,680 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen with Joe Burrow, So do it again. All right, 541 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 1: let's talk about the injury report. First point of the 542 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: week came out earlier today. For the Bengals. Trey Waynes 543 00:28:43,760 --> 00:28:46,760 Speaker 1: did not practice due to his hamstring injury. We already 544 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:50,520 Speaker 1: know that he will not play on Sunday. The news 545 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:53,560 Speaker 1: is better for rookie center Trey Hill, now number two 546 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:56,360 Speaker 1: on the depth chart at that position, behind Trey Hopkins. 547 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:59,160 Speaker 1: He was a full participant in practice as he is 548 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 1: back from his hip injury, and tight end Mitchell Wilcox, 549 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:05,280 Speaker 1: number three on the totem pole, is fully back from 550 00:29:05,320 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 1: his concussion. That's good because if Trey Hill didn't snap, Dan, 551 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:14,920 Speaker 1: we watched the tryouts for some of the guards. Good. Yeah, 552 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:17,360 Speaker 1: it not not good. So Trey Hill, it's good that 553 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:19,480 Speaker 1: he's back as the backup center for sure. All right. 554 00:29:19,560 --> 00:29:23,360 Speaker 1: For the Minnesota Vikings, they don't list anybody as not 555 00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:26,480 Speaker 1: participating in practice. They had three guys who are limited. 556 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:30,480 Speaker 1: Tight end Tyler Conklin with a hamstring injury. Now they've 557 00:29:30,480 --> 00:29:32,520 Speaker 1: lost their number one tight end for the season or 558 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:35,640 Speaker 1: Smith right, Tyler Conklin number two on the totem pole. 559 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:37,840 Speaker 1: They just went out and got two guys this past week, 560 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:42,520 Speaker 1: so they could be starting completely new players at that position. 561 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:47,160 Speaker 1: Linebacker Anthony Barr, great player, has missed basically a month, 562 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 1: didn't play in the preseason. He did practice a little 563 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 1: bit today, so maybe he can make the dance on Sunday. 564 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:57,200 Speaker 1: Rookie tackle Christian Derra Saw has been out with a 565 00:29:57,240 --> 00:30:01,200 Speaker 1: groin injury. He was also limited at PRAC this today. 566 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:03,920 Speaker 1: So those are the big concerns for the Minnesota Vikings. 567 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:08,600 Speaker 1: And you know it's interesting. Darren Saw obviously the first 568 00:30:08,680 --> 00:30:14,959 Speaker 1: round pick, and they drafted Wyatt big, big boy insided 569 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 1: guard from the Ohio State Buckeyes in the third round. 570 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:24,160 Speaker 1: Wyatt Davis. Wyatt Davis, Yes, and neither one of them 571 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:26,239 Speaker 1: are listed as starters at this point in time. So 572 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:29,400 Speaker 1: it's not just the Bengals that have young rookie lineman 573 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:32,440 Speaker 1: that are in backup positions and not starting at this 574 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:35,760 Speaker 1: point in time. The Minnesota Vikings earned the same boat. 575 00:30:36,440 --> 00:30:40,280 Speaker 1: So at Trey Wayne's out, Eli Apple will apparently start 576 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:45,240 Speaker 1: in his spot. Darius Phillips also very capable of filling in. Yep. 577 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:48,000 Speaker 1: You know you'd love to have Trey Wayne's Obviously, you 578 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 1: didn't get anything out of him last year after setting 579 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:53,360 Speaker 1: him to a huge three year deal. Hopefully he's back, 580 00:30:53,680 --> 00:30:56,000 Speaker 1: maybe as soon as next week. If not next week, 581 00:30:56,040 --> 00:30:59,920 Speaker 1: maybe the week after that. But your cornerbacks are going 582 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:02,120 Speaker 1: to get injured at various points of the season. You 583 00:31:02,120 --> 00:31:04,960 Speaker 1: hate it to be Week one, but you need depth 584 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 1: at cornerback, and the Bengals tried desperately to improve their 585 00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:12,560 Speaker 1: depth at that spot. They did. And you know the 586 00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 1: one that had the unbelievable camp in one him self 587 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 1: as spot as the depth corners, Jalen Davis. I mean, 588 00:31:18,920 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 1: on a snap by snap basis, he proved that he 589 00:31:21,560 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 1: was the best cover corner that he proved that he 590 00:31:24,520 --> 00:31:28,479 Speaker 1: was the best special teams player necessarily at the cornerback position, 591 00:31:28,520 --> 00:31:31,760 Speaker 1: with Brown and other guys back there. Not necessarily, but 592 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:35,360 Speaker 1: first and foremost, I mean, if an a cornerback is 593 00:31:35,400 --> 00:31:38,200 Speaker 1: a huge position. If a guy goes down, you need 594 00:31:38,240 --> 00:31:42,520 Speaker 1: to have depth with guys that can cover, because if 595 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:44,360 Speaker 1: they can't cover, you don't have to worry about your 596 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:46,240 Speaker 1: punt team. You know, you don't have to worry about 597 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:48,520 Speaker 1: special teams. And when you say he proved he's the 598 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:51,240 Speaker 1: best cover corner, you're talking about the guys he was 599 00:31:51,280 --> 00:31:54,000 Speaker 1: competing against to be on the roster. I'm not better 600 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:56,880 Speaker 1: than a Wouje or exactly exactly, he's the best of 601 00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:59,080 Speaker 1: the guys that were trying to the back end of 602 00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:03,840 Speaker 1: the roster the depth cornerback position. You know, those guys, 603 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:06,240 Speaker 1: it's all right, how many snaps were going to get 604 00:32:06,280 --> 00:32:09,719 Speaker 1: from them at the line of scrimmage defensively and special teams? 605 00:32:09,880 --> 00:32:11,960 Speaker 1: And I'm sure it was a tough call. Tony Brown 606 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:13,920 Speaker 1: and others. You know, gives you a lot of special 607 00:32:13,920 --> 00:32:17,760 Speaker 1: team snaps. But this guy showed that he's the best 608 00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:20,440 Speaker 1: cover guy of that group that was trying to make 609 00:32:20,520 --> 00:32:25,680 Speaker 1: that fifth cornerback situation with the Cincinnati Bengals. Last, but 610 00:32:25,800 --> 00:32:28,440 Speaker 1: not least, time to take a closer look at the Vikings, 611 00:32:28,440 --> 00:32:31,920 Speaker 1: who are coming off a very disappointing season. They opened 612 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:35,360 Speaker 1: one in five, rebounded to climbing to playoff contention at 613 00:32:35,360 --> 00:32:38,160 Speaker 1: six and six, then dropped three in a row to 614 00:32:38,240 --> 00:32:41,640 Speaker 1: miss the postseason. Chris Thomason covers the team for the 615 00:32:41,720 --> 00:32:45,120 Speaker 1: Saint Paul Pioneer Press, and he joined Lapping Me on 616 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:48,480 Speaker 1: the Bengals Game Plan show. We started with what went 617 00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:53,000 Speaker 1: wrong in Minnesota last year? The defense last year was 618 00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:57,600 Speaker 1: a disaster, ranking twenty seventh in total defense. They were young, 619 00:32:57,760 --> 00:33:00,600 Speaker 1: they lost a lot of veterans, while the offense it's 620 00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:04,120 Speaker 1: pretty darn good. Fourth in total offense, best ranking in 621 00:33:04,280 --> 00:33:07,960 Speaker 1: sixteen years. So they spent a lot of time during 622 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:10,840 Speaker 1: the off season rejoeling the defense and the defense should 623 00:33:10,840 --> 00:33:14,400 Speaker 1: be much better. But then the offense by the same 624 00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:19,320 Speaker 1: token good regrets. I mean, they didn't bring back Cincinnati 625 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:24,760 Speaker 1: native Kyle Rudolph, they didn't bring back Riley Reese who's 626 00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:29,800 Speaker 1: gone to Cincinnati. Another Cincinnati reference there, and Er Smith Junior. 627 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 1: The tight end is out for the season with knee injury, 628 00:33:34,960 --> 00:33:37,720 Speaker 1: and Christian derren Saw, who they thought was going to 629 00:33:37,760 --> 00:33:40,040 Speaker 1: be their starting left tackle, first round pick out of 630 00:33:40,120 --> 00:33:44,400 Speaker 1: Virginia Tech, he's had a groin injury, so Rashad Hill, 631 00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:47,520 Speaker 1: who's pretty much been a career reservant right tackle, is 632 00:33:47,520 --> 00:33:51,840 Speaker 1: now they're starting left tackle. So there are certainly some 633 00:33:52,040 --> 00:33:57,080 Speaker 1: issues on offense, There's no doubt about it. The Minnesota 634 00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:01,680 Speaker 1: Vikings under Mike Zimmer have made the playoffs in every 635 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:05,120 Speaker 1: odd numbered year, which is three times, and have missed 636 00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:08,560 Speaker 1: and every even number year which is four times. Okay, 637 00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:11,719 Speaker 1: it's an odd numbered year. If the Vikings don't make 638 00:34:11,760 --> 00:34:14,799 Speaker 1: the playoffs and they missed the playoffs in consecutive years 639 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:17,799 Speaker 1: for the first time under Mike Zimmer, is he on 640 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:21,200 Speaker 1: the hot seat? Is his job in jeopardy? Yeah? I 641 00:34:21,280 --> 00:34:24,000 Speaker 1: think he would definitely be on the hot seat if 642 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:27,600 Speaker 1: they don't make the playoffs, because, as you noted, it 643 00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:31,320 Speaker 1: would be the first time they missed in two straight years. 644 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:35,160 Speaker 1: Plus there's of course now seven teams in each conference 645 00:34:35,239 --> 00:34:38,560 Speaker 1: making the playoffs, so it's easier to make it, and 646 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:42,960 Speaker 1: the Vikings expect to make the playoffs. But also you know, 647 00:34:43,080 --> 00:34:48,439 Speaker 1: they Dimmer wanted the defense to Zimmer's baby, and they 648 00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:51,799 Speaker 1: beaked it up. They gave him, you know, a lot 649 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:56,200 Speaker 1: of players. So the defense should be much better. And 650 00:34:56,280 --> 00:35:00,640 Speaker 1: even though I pointed out some pretensive shortcomings on offense, 651 00:35:00,680 --> 00:35:03,520 Speaker 1: the defense should be much better. So it might be 652 00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:06,120 Speaker 1: a case of, you know, if they don't win this year, 653 00:35:06,160 --> 00:35:10,840 Speaker 1: it's like, well, we gave you the pieces. Chris Thomason 654 00:35:10,880 --> 00:35:12,960 Speaker 1: from the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, he is our guest. 655 00:35:13,000 --> 00:35:15,680 Speaker 1: You mentioned that a first round draft pick, Christian Derresaw, 656 00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:19,480 Speaker 1: has been battling injury and it looked like he was 657 00:35:19,480 --> 00:35:21,920 Speaker 1: going to be the left tackle from day one this year. 658 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:26,080 Speaker 1: Is his replacement Rashad Hill a weak link on the 659 00:35:26,160 --> 00:35:30,120 Speaker 1: offensive line and are there any other pending injury concerns 660 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:34,320 Speaker 1: that are kind of up in the air at this point? Yeah. 661 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:38,160 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously, left tackle is the glamour position on 662 00:35:38,200 --> 00:35:42,800 Speaker 1: the offensive line, and it was manned capably by Riley 663 00:35:42,840 --> 00:35:46,959 Speaker 1: Reefs for the previous four years. He didn't make any 664 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:52,240 Speaker 1: pro bowled, but he was steady above avert's left tackle. 665 00:35:52,719 --> 00:35:56,040 Speaker 1: So you're taking a guy. I mean, I expect with Shaw, 666 00:35:56,120 --> 00:35:58,319 Speaker 1: Hill to be better than he has been previously, but 667 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:01,200 Speaker 1: this is a guy who was mostly deserve at right tackle, 668 00:36:01,239 --> 00:36:03,759 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, starting at left tackle, that's a 669 00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:08,040 Speaker 1: big responsibility. So yeah, that's going to be something to watch. 670 00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:13,680 Speaker 1: As far as injuries, keep an eye on Anthony bar 671 00:36:14,280 --> 00:36:17,520 Speaker 1: He had a knee injury and pretty much didn't practice 672 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:21,799 Speaker 1: for an entire month until he was limited today. And 673 00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:26,399 Speaker 1: he missed the whole preseason and he returned after being 674 00:36:26,440 --> 00:36:30,319 Speaker 1: out for the last four teen games last year. I mean, 675 00:36:30,360 --> 00:36:33,319 Speaker 1: they have been training with kids run to get his 676 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:38,760 Speaker 1: knee back in shape. I think he'll probably play on Sunday. 677 00:36:38,880 --> 00:36:43,040 Speaker 1: But you know, here's a guy that hasn't played in 678 00:36:43,120 --> 00:36:46,799 Speaker 1: a game in close to a year and hasn't even 679 00:36:46,920 --> 00:36:51,160 Speaker 1: practiced much until today for a month. So the rusty, 680 00:36:51,280 --> 00:36:55,399 Speaker 1: he might be Kirk Cousins kind of a lightning rod. 681 00:36:55,480 --> 00:36:59,920 Speaker 1: Obviously your impression heat last year he throws ten interceptions. 682 00:37:00,040 --> 00:37:02,440 Speaker 1: The first six games, they go one in five. He 683 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:05,040 Speaker 1: throws three interceptions in the final ten they go six 684 00:37:05,080 --> 00:37:08,439 Speaker 1: and four. But since two thou fifteen, he's the only 685 00:37:08,520 --> 00:37:12,160 Speaker 1: quarterback with thirty five hundred yards or more passing in 686 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:16,520 Speaker 1: twenty five or more touchdowns passing. He's the only guy 687 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:19,920 Speaker 1: that's done it for six consecutive years Brady and Aaron 688 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:22,720 Speaker 1: Rodgers has done it five out of six years. So 689 00:37:23,360 --> 00:37:27,399 Speaker 1: what is your take on Kirk Cousins. Well, I mean, 690 00:37:27,480 --> 00:37:31,040 Speaker 1: I think Kirk Cousins pretty much set at all before 691 00:37:33,080 --> 00:37:38,520 Speaker 1: the two thousand and nineteen season, when he pretty you know, 692 00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:40,680 Speaker 1: I had asked him about what he needs to do 693 00:37:40,719 --> 00:37:42,680 Speaker 1: to get to the next level, and he's set, you know, 694 00:37:43,080 --> 00:37:46,279 Speaker 1: five hundred quarterbacks pretty much. That kind of set it all. 695 00:37:46,760 --> 00:37:50,520 Speaker 1: And then that particular season he did lead the Vikings 696 00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:54,600 Speaker 1: to the playoffs and they got a playoff victory over 697 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:56,840 Speaker 1: in New Orleans, So it looked like he was making 698 00:37:56,920 --> 00:37:59,279 Speaker 1: strides after they missed the playoffs in the first year 699 00:37:59,400 --> 00:38:04,279 Speaker 1: two thousand eighteen, but then last year they regressed. They 700 00:38:04,280 --> 00:38:07,160 Speaker 1: were seven and nine. I mean, I think, you know, 701 00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:10,040 Speaker 1: the major reason was the defense. But still during a 702 00:38:10,080 --> 00:38:13,600 Speaker 1: one in five start last year, you mentioned the ten interceptions, 703 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:16,560 Speaker 1: and the Vikings started to play a lot better. Cousins 704 00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:18,120 Speaker 1: started to play a lot better of it. They never 705 00:38:18,160 --> 00:38:23,279 Speaker 1: could dig themselves out of that hole. And you know, 706 00:38:23,400 --> 00:38:25,840 Speaker 1: he pretty much is just a five and a quarterback. 707 00:38:25,880 --> 00:38:28,560 Speaker 1: A lot of the stats that he has, I mean, 708 00:38:28,600 --> 00:38:33,719 Speaker 1: he's beast up in games where they've trailed and he's 709 00:38:34,640 --> 00:38:36,960 Speaker 1: picked up a lot of semi meeting the stats in 710 00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:39,839 Speaker 1: the second half. But you know, now the seen rod 711 00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:43,120 Speaker 1: has been for him kind of being the poster guy 712 00:38:43,680 --> 00:38:46,560 Speaker 1: of unvaccinated. I mean, I'm calling up to see Ann 713 00:38:46,640 --> 00:38:51,560 Speaker 1: website and they're having just a general story about unvaccinated 714 00:38:51,600 --> 00:38:54,800 Speaker 1: people in America and the photos that they collect for 715 00:38:54,920 --> 00:39:00,479 Speaker 1: the CNN home page of the pitching Cousins. So that's 716 00:39:00,560 --> 00:39:04,160 Speaker 1: what he's kind of started to become known for. Is 717 00:39:04,239 --> 00:39:07,800 Speaker 1: not he vaccinated in the fact that he met five 718 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:11,720 Speaker 1: days while on the COVID reserve lists in late July 719 00:39:12,320 --> 00:39:15,040 Speaker 1: in early August, and you know he's still has vaccinated. 720 00:39:15,160 --> 00:39:17,880 Speaker 1: So obviously if he wouldn't this time this year that 721 00:39:17,960 --> 00:39:23,279 Speaker 1: it would really get controversial with Kirk Cousins. So defensively, 722 00:39:23,360 --> 00:39:26,600 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer calls the signals. His son Adam is one 723 00:39:26,640 --> 00:39:30,880 Speaker 1: of the co coordinators, but Mike Zimmer makes the calls offensively. 724 00:39:31,600 --> 00:39:36,439 Speaker 1: Gary Kubiak retires, his son Clint takes over. He's never 725 00:39:36,480 --> 00:39:41,200 Speaker 1: called plays. Is there any concern about Clint Kubiak calling 726 00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:45,000 Speaker 1: plays in his first NFL game? Yeah, I would definitely 727 00:39:45,040 --> 00:39:49,440 Speaker 1: think so. I mean, he's unproven, he's never called plays. Before, 728 00:39:49,600 --> 00:39:52,800 Speaker 1: and you know, it's an adjustment for him, and even 729 00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:55,399 Speaker 1: to the point where he started out the preseason being 730 00:39:55,480 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 1: on the field calling him and then he moved up 731 00:39:58,680 --> 00:40:01,640 Speaker 1: to the box like his father used to be, so 732 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:05,640 Speaker 1: he even switched in midstream there. So he's learning to adjust, 733 00:40:06,560 --> 00:40:09,399 Speaker 1: you know, just where he's sitting during games. So yeah, 734 00:40:09,440 --> 00:40:13,400 Speaker 1: there's no doubt that it was going to be a 735 00:40:13,520 --> 00:40:19,360 Speaker 1: potential adjusting period. I mean, because he doesn't have anybody 736 00:40:19,920 --> 00:40:22,000 Speaker 1: to really help him out. I mean, a couple of 737 00:40:22,080 --> 00:40:26,120 Speaker 1: years ago, Kevin's the fantasy now the Browns coach. He 738 00:40:26,440 --> 00:40:30,560 Speaker 1: was relatively experienced as an offensive coordinator, but he had 739 00:40:30,600 --> 00:40:34,680 Speaker 1: Gary Kubiak as an offensive advisor who was on the 740 00:40:34,719 --> 00:40:37,560 Speaker 1: headset there and could help him out during games of 741 00:40:37,680 --> 00:40:40,000 Speaker 1: that sort of thing. And of course Gary was the 742 00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:42,839 Speaker 1: offensive coordinay last year. He didn't need any help. But 743 00:40:43,280 --> 00:40:46,359 Speaker 1: you know, there's not too many folks to help clean out. 744 00:40:46,440 --> 00:40:48,960 Speaker 1: So it's going to be interesting to see what happened. 745 00:40:49,800 --> 00:40:51,840 Speaker 1: Here's a quick reminder to join lapping me for the 746 00:40:51,840 --> 00:40:54,840 Speaker 1: Bengals pep Rally show this Friday from three to six 747 00:40:55,080 --> 00:40:58,560 Speaker 1: on ESPN fifteen thirty. That's going to do it for 748 00:40:58,560 --> 00:41:01,040 Speaker 1: this episode of The Bengals Boothpiecast, brought to you by 749 00:41:01,239 --> 00:41:04,440 Speaker 1: bud Light. Seltzer refreshed the game. If you haven't done 750 00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:06,720 Speaker 1: so already, please subscribe and if you have a minute, 751 00:41:06,719 --> 00:41:09,360 Speaker 1: give it a rating or share a comment that helps 752 00:41:09,400 --> 00:41:13,399 Speaker 1: more Bengals fans find this podcast. I'm Dan Howarden. Thanks 753 00:41:13,440 --> 00:41:16,120 Speaker 1: for listening to The Bengals Booth Podcast