WEBVTT - Bengals Booth Podcast: Done, Done, On To The Next One 0:00:03.520 --> 0:00:06.320 I get everybody on Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 0:00:06.360 --> 0:00:10.639 The Bengals Booth Podcast. The Done Dune and am On 0:00:10.840 --> 0:00:15.560 the next one. Done Dune and Amanda the Next one. Addition, 0:00:15.960 --> 0:00:18.640 as the Bengals look to build on lopsided wins over 0:00:18.720 --> 0:00:21.560 the Raiders and Steelers, with a third straight victory over 0:00:21.760 --> 0:00:24.760 the LA Chargers coming up, I'll talk to an old 0:00:24.840 --> 0:00:28.280 friend who happens to be one of the NFL's best broadcasters. 0:00:28.400 --> 0:00:31.560 I an Eagle from CBS. He called that Raiders game 0:00:31.600 --> 0:00:33.680 two weeks ago and he'll be in the booth again 0:00:34.120 --> 0:00:37.280 on Sunday. My one on one player interview is with 0:00:37.440 --> 0:00:41.599 t Higgins as we discussed the Cincinnati three way of Higgins, 0:00:41.880 --> 0:00:46.120 Boyd and Chase. And finally, it's my midweek conversation with 0:00:46.320 --> 0:00:49.200 Dave Lapham. Have we reached the point where the Bengals 0:00:49.280 --> 0:00:53.080 offensive line isn't even a point of concern anymore? Lapp 0:00:53.400 --> 0:00:56.960 will weigh in. The Bengals Booth Podcast is presented by 0:00:57.160 --> 0:01:00.319 Ultimate Bengals. The free to play Next Level to See 0:01:00.360 --> 0:01:04.200 Football game downloaded now from the App Store and Google Play. 0:01:04.600 --> 0:01:06.560 And here's a quick reminder that you can have the 0:01:06.680 --> 0:01:10.640 latest edition of this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, 0:01:10.760 --> 0:01:14.520 or computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's 0:01:14.560 --> 0:01:19.440 the greatest thing since raucous crowds. I called a UC 0:01:19.600 --> 0:01:22.920 basketball game at Miami University on Wednesday, and the atmosphere 0:01:22.920 --> 0:01:28.360 at Mollette Hall was electric, largely due to the student section. Sure, 0:01:28.520 --> 0:01:32.080 they did a frequent chant that was similar to FUC 0:01:32.800 --> 0:01:36.240 that wasn't exactly classy, but by and large, their energy 0:01:36.360 --> 0:01:39.399 made for a great environment. And that's what I'm hoping 0:01:39.440 --> 0:01:42.600 to see and here this Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. 0:01:43.040 --> 0:01:46.000 Bengals fans have been awesome this year, and I hope 0:01:46.040 --> 0:01:49.720 you bring the noise against the Chargers. If you can't 0:01:49.720 --> 0:01:52.360 be there on Sunday and watch the game on TV instead, 0:01:52.880 --> 0:01:55.160 you'll be listening to one of the best play by 0:01:55.200 --> 0:01:58.840 play announcers in the business. I An Eagle from CBS. 0:01:59.320 --> 0:02:02.000 I've known I for more than thirty years after we 0:02:02.120 --> 0:02:05.280 both graduated from Syracuse, and I caught up with him 0:02:05.720 --> 0:02:08.799 this week. Buddy Ian Eagle is in the booth for 0:02:08.919 --> 0:02:11.200 CBS this week, and hopefully that makes the prep a 0:02:11.280 --> 0:02:13.360 little bit easier. Since you had the Bengals and Raiders 0:02:13.400 --> 0:02:16.000 a couple of weeks ago in Las Vegas. I and 0:02:16.160 --> 0:02:18.720 what stood out to you from seeing the Bengals in 0:02:18.840 --> 0:02:20.799 person for the first time this year. I think the 0:02:20.880 --> 0:02:24.280 word that comes to mind is dynamic. The fact that 0:02:24.600 --> 0:02:26.560 they can do it through the air, We've seen it 0:02:26.680 --> 0:02:29.320 time and time again, and now the way the ground 0:02:29.400 --> 0:02:32.120 game is going with Mixon, they can beat you in 0:02:32.240 --> 0:02:35.519 so many different ways. Defensively, they've gotten back to where 0:02:35.520 --> 0:02:39.639 they were early in the season. And I think this 0:02:39.880 --> 0:02:41.480 is how it is in the NFL if you're a 0:02:41.600 --> 0:02:46.160 fanbase and you feel like you have a legitimate, standout 0:02:46.240 --> 0:02:51.440 quarterback on your team that carries you through for potentially 0:02:51.560 --> 0:02:55.160 ten years in this league. So Bengals fans are in 0:02:55.200 --> 0:02:57.600 a really good place right now because they believe they've 0:02:57.639 --> 0:03:00.519 got their guy and the team is building around on Burrow. 0:03:01.040 --> 0:03:04.440 It's a very likable group and you could tell they've 0:03:04.800 --> 0:03:08.760 got the makings of something special here. Chargers fans feel 0:03:08.840 --> 0:03:11.560 the same way, and I'm sure CBS was thrilled that 0:03:11.680 --> 0:03:14.840 this game did not get flexed to primetime. You get 0:03:14.919 --> 0:03:18.440 the Joe Burrow justin Herbert matchup on Sunday. Do you 0:03:18.639 --> 0:03:20.760 think these two guys who are only in their second 0:03:20.880 --> 0:03:24.760 NFL seasons, are already among the top ten quarterbacks in 0:03:24.840 --> 0:03:29.280 the NFL. And we are not known to overhype in 0:03:29.360 --> 0:03:33.000 the media. That's not something that we ever do. But 0:03:33.160 --> 0:03:36.680 if you do look at this with a real, honest lens, 0:03:37.560 --> 0:03:40.120 it's hard not to get excited about what these two 0:03:40.160 --> 0:03:43.480 guys bring to the field. In addition to their physical skills, 0:03:43.520 --> 0:03:46.080 which have been very obvious. Early on, you could tell 0:03:46.160 --> 0:03:50.400 that both guys belonged. The learning curve was not that steep. 0:03:51.040 --> 0:03:53.800 When you sit down with them and you talk with them, 0:03:54.240 --> 0:03:58.040 you can understand why players want to follow them. There 0:03:58.120 --> 0:04:05.080 are natural leadership abilities there and characteristics, and I can 0:04:05.440 --> 0:04:10.000 understand why both teams feel very confident moving forward that 0:04:10.600 --> 0:04:15.160 they've got the right personalities, the right skill sets, and 0:04:15.360 --> 0:04:18.040 two guys that want to be great. And I know 0:04:18.160 --> 0:04:20.640 that sounds like it should be the obvious and that 0:04:20.680 --> 0:04:23.760 should be the norm, but it requires the work and 0:04:23.920 --> 0:04:27.440 it requires a full dedication. And what I've seen with 0:04:27.560 --> 0:04:31.000 both of these guys is that just that they're not 0:04:31.240 --> 0:04:38.360 in it for the stardom, for the different advertisements that 0:04:38.560 --> 0:04:41.120 might come their way. They're in it to be great 0:04:41.200 --> 0:04:45.360 football players, and that's their first priority. I in Eagle. 0:04:45.440 --> 0:04:48.479 This our guest. Your broadcast partner, Charles Davis joined us 0:04:48.480 --> 0:04:51.120 a few weeks ago, and he talked about how it's 0:04:51.200 --> 0:04:53.360 his feeling that Cincinnati is one of the most fun 0:04:53.480 --> 0:04:56.360 teams to watch in the NFL. Do you think that 0:04:56.520 --> 0:05:00.080 that has become the national perception of the Bengals. I 0:05:00.160 --> 0:05:04.680 think it has. And it's amazing how things can transform 0:05:04.839 --> 0:05:08.040 so quickly in this league. And it's a reminder what 0:05:08.279 --> 0:05:13.520 makes the NFL so great. You can make major improvements 0:05:13.839 --> 0:05:19.040 in one year, but it doesn't always necessarily translate for 0:05:19.160 --> 0:05:22.279 a five to seven year period. You can get lucky 0:05:22.440 --> 0:05:27.240 with a lighter schedule, easier schedule, a couple of good 0:05:27.320 --> 0:05:30.839 free agent signings and catch a few breaks and win 0:05:31.040 --> 0:05:34.960 ten games and make the playoffs and build some real 0:05:35.400 --> 0:05:39.440 momentum in your market. But to sustain it is much 0:05:39.520 --> 0:05:42.599 more difficult. And I think the difference with Cincinnati they 0:05:42.680 --> 0:05:45.680 don't feel like a one hit wonder. It feels like 0:05:45.800 --> 0:05:49.159 they're really building something here. There is a fun factor 0:05:49.560 --> 0:05:54.040 with this team. Burrows presence and his swagger is a 0:05:54.120 --> 0:05:56.840 big reason why, but you can feel it with the 0:05:56.920 --> 0:06:00.400 rest of the skill position players and now defensively, sitting 0:06:00.440 --> 0:06:03.239 down with Hendrickson a couple of weeks ago. I believe 0:06:03.320 --> 0:06:07.120 there's real chemistry on this defense, and the jump that 0:06:07.240 --> 0:06:11.599 we've seen has been real creating opportunities for the front. 0:06:11.960 --> 0:06:14.400 The sacked numbers are way up, the pressure numbers are 0:06:14.480 --> 0:06:18.600 way up. They are benefiting on the back end as 0:06:18.680 --> 0:06:24.040 well because we're seeing some real important turnovers and opportunistic moments, 0:06:24.560 --> 0:06:30.880 and it's three pronged. Now. They're young, they're fun, and 0:06:31.040 --> 0:06:34.680 they're figuring out how to win in this league. That's 0:06:34.720 --> 0:06:38.400 a dangerous combination. Two weeks ago, in the Raiders game 0:06:38.440 --> 0:06:40.520 that you called, Joe Mixon had thirty carries for one 0:06:40.600 --> 0:06:43.200 hundred and twenty three yards. He followed it up last 0:06:43.240 --> 0:06:45.400 week with one hundred and sixty five yards in the 0:06:45.440 --> 0:06:48.960 Bengals dominant win over the Steelers. Do you think that 0:06:49.160 --> 0:06:52.559 this is the best version of Cincinnati with Joe Mixon 0:06:52.680 --> 0:06:56.080 leading the way? I do, Dan, What I saw in 0:06:56.160 --> 0:06:59.280 that Vegas game up close and personal is everything that 0:06:59.360 --> 0:07:02.920 coach Taylor laid out that they want to wear out 0:07:03.000 --> 0:07:05.960 an opponent. Of course, we know in this league, what's 0:07:06.000 --> 0:07:09.479 the blueprint. Get a lead, hold on to the lead, 0:07:09.760 --> 0:07:13.239 don't feel the stress and pressure of a tight fourth 0:07:13.320 --> 0:07:16.560 quarter when you can rely on someone that can milk 0:07:16.680 --> 0:07:22.680 the clock and really begin to dominate upfront. That's exactly 0:07:22.800 --> 0:07:25.960 how it played out against Las Vegas. Fairly tight game, 0:07:26.800 --> 0:07:29.440 opportunities there for the Raiders, signs of life in the 0:07:29.520 --> 0:07:32.520 third quarter and then lights out late in the third 0:07:32.800 --> 0:07:35.560 into the fourth. The Bengals did as they pleased. They 0:07:35.600 --> 0:07:39.000 controlled the line of scrimmage and Joe Mixon got better 0:07:39.440 --> 0:07:43.920 as the game went on. There is this lost art 0:07:44.360 --> 0:07:47.440 in the NFL, and that is running the football with 0:07:47.600 --> 0:07:51.840 regularity and doing it with a bell cow. Most teams 0:07:52.320 --> 0:07:56.000 tend to figure out a way to come up with 0:07:56.120 --> 0:07:59.679 alternative methods because they just don't have that physical running attack. 0:07:59.760 --> 0:08:02.760 Since Nattie has it. It's so obvious when they get 0:08:02.800 --> 0:08:06.480 it rolling and I don't see anything stopping that train. 0:08:06.640 --> 0:08:09.320 Will there be teams that could go outscore the Bengals 0:08:09.360 --> 0:08:12.360 the rest of the way. Yeah, that might be a question. 0:08:12.640 --> 0:08:16.800 But the physical side of it what Cincinnati has shown 0:08:16.880 --> 0:08:19.240 me in the games I've watched on television and now 0:08:19.560 --> 0:08:22.720 the games I've seen in person Thursday Night Radio and 0:08:22.920 --> 0:08:26.080 the Vegas game. As you mentioned, it's their calling card. 0:08:27.080 --> 0:08:28.920 I an eagle is our guest he'll do the game 0:08:29.080 --> 0:08:32.439 on Sunday four CBS. The Bengals are seven and four 0:08:32.600 --> 0:08:34.520 right now that the number one wild card team in 0:08:34.600 --> 0:08:37.960 the AFC. Baltimore is the only team in the AFC 0:08:38.160 --> 0:08:41.400 with fewer than four losses, they have three. Who is 0:08:41.440 --> 0:08:43.640 the team to beat in your opinion in the AFC? 0:08:43.800 --> 0:08:46.080 And where do the Bengals fit in in the playoff 0:08:46.160 --> 0:08:49.920 picture right now? This has been such a fluid situation, 0:08:50.400 --> 0:08:53.880 and I certainly have had shifting opinions based on what 0:08:54.000 --> 0:08:58.520 I've seen in person and what I've recognized around the league. 0:08:58.559 --> 0:09:02.360 The parody is real, maybe more so than any other 0:09:02.520 --> 0:09:05.160 year that I can remember, and I've been doing NFL 0:09:05.280 --> 0:09:09.920 games in some form for twenty five years. With that said, 0:09:11.040 --> 0:09:13.320 Kansas City is still the most dangerous team. The fact 0:09:13.360 --> 0:09:16.800 that they've gotten their defense at least in order, at 0:09:16.840 --> 0:09:20.360 a point where it's more competitive and they can feel 0:09:20.480 --> 0:09:25.199 better about what they're doing as a collaborative group, that 0:09:25.520 --> 0:09:28.959 to me is still the standout. Their offense, as we know, 0:09:29.520 --> 0:09:34.280 is elite. And while Mahomes has experienced a little bit 0:09:34.640 --> 0:09:39.679 of humility, he's never been overly cocky. He's never been 0:09:39.800 --> 0:09:42.400 one to walk into the meeting and pound his chest 0:09:42.800 --> 0:09:45.120 when we sit down with the Kansas City Chiefs, but 0:09:45.480 --> 0:09:48.720 his play has done the talking for his time as 0:09:48.760 --> 0:09:51.200 a starting quarterback. It's the first time we've seen him 0:09:51.240 --> 0:09:55.319 look mortal, and he's come out the other side looking 0:09:55.480 --> 0:09:59.120 very sharp. So to me, Kansas City is still the team. 0:09:59.480 --> 0:10:02.760 Are there some holes there? Defensively? Are their weaknesses the 0:10:02.880 --> 0:10:06.960 teams can take advantage of and expose. Yes, they're not perfect, 0:10:07.640 --> 0:10:11.400 but they're probably the most complete group right now in 0:10:11.480 --> 0:10:14.840 the AFC, and the Bengals will see the Chiefs at 0:10:14.880 --> 0:10:18.320 Paul Brown Stadium right around Christmas. In the twenty five 0:10:18.400 --> 0:10:20.719 years that you've been doing the NFL, you've called some 0:10:20.840 --> 0:10:23.880 memorable Bengals games and moments. I think of the final 0:10:23.960 --> 0:10:27.439 game in twenty seventeen, the Tyler Boyd touchdown catch against 0:10:27.480 --> 0:10:30.120 Baltimore that docked the Ravens out of the playoffs. What 0:10:30.400 --> 0:10:33.160 other Bengals games or moments come to mind for you. 0:10:34.400 --> 0:10:37.160 I've had a few of them. Corey Dillon had some 0:10:37.440 --> 0:10:40.800 huge games when I was doing a bunch of Bengals 0:10:40.880 --> 0:10:45.880 games during that stretch. I remember Chad Johnson putting up 0:10:45.960 --> 0:10:53.440 big numbers with incredible, remarkable catches that only he could 0:10:53.520 --> 0:10:56.520 really put his signature too. He had a knack for 0:10:56.600 --> 0:11:01.240 the dramatic and certainly brought a very interest, dynamic and 0:11:01.320 --> 0:11:06.440 personality to our production meetings. The one that you laid 0:11:06.480 --> 0:11:11.840 out just based on what was at stake, and little 0:11:11.920 --> 0:11:14.319 did I know at that moment, and I'm sure for 0:11:14.440 --> 0:11:16.960 you as well. When you're calling the game, you're locked 0:11:17.000 --> 0:11:20.160 in on what's happening in the moment. But what was 0:11:20.280 --> 0:11:25.240 happening with the Buffalo Bills, we later found out, was 0:11:26.360 --> 0:11:30.439 such a genuine, authentic thing that you hoped for in 0:11:30.559 --> 0:11:33.040 the NFL when a team wrapped up early, that game 0:11:33.080 --> 0:11:36.439 went a little bit longer Cincinnati and Baltimore. The Bills 0:11:36.480 --> 0:11:38.840 were done, they got the win, They're waiting to see 0:11:38.880 --> 0:11:41.800 what happens. They're huddled up in the locker room watching it. 0:11:42.559 --> 0:11:47.360 And to see that reaction the way that it happened 0:11:47.520 --> 0:11:53.240 was pretty incredible. So the domino effect of Dalton to Boyd, 0:11:53.559 --> 0:11:59.400 the Ravens out the Bills in Euphoria in Western New York, 0:11:59.720 --> 0:12:03.479 and the flair for the dramatic as we know with Cincinnati, 0:12:03.559 --> 0:12:07.120 and the way that the Buffalo community then supported Andy Dalton, 0:12:07.280 --> 0:12:10.079 that was pretty special. It was just a confluence of 0:12:10.800 --> 0:12:14.679 these events all happening at once in real time that 0:12:15.080 --> 0:12:19.200 led to a pretty special moment. Final thing for Ian Eagle. 0:12:19.280 --> 0:12:22.120 We've got the Bengals and Chargers coming up on Sunday. 0:12:22.200 --> 0:12:26.040 The most memorable game ever played between these two franchises 0:12:26.160 --> 0:12:29.600 was the Freezer Bowl in Cincinnati, where the Bengals made 0:12:29.600 --> 0:12:32.400 it to the nineteen eighty one Super Bowl. Your partner 0:12:32.559 --> 0:12:37.080 on TV for many years was Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts. 0:12:37.280 --> 0:12:40.480 Did he ever say anything to you about the Freezer Bowl? 0:12:40.960 --> 0:12:45.959 He did. It's not vernacular. I could repeat right now, Dan, 0:12:46.280 --> 0:12:49.760 but let's just say there were some choice words in there. 0:12:49.880 --> 0:12:54.320 Dan absolutely said more than once it was the coldest 0:12:54.360 --> 0:12:59.600 he ever was in his life, and no exaggeration. Of course, 0:12:59.600 --> 0:13:01.760 I would let him speak for himself on this topic, 0:13:02.160 --> 0:13:04.400 but I do know that there are moments where he 0:13:04.520 --> 0:13:08.439 can still feel it in his right hand. He was 0:13:08.559 --> 0:13:13.920 frost bitten. That is not hyperbole, that is not after 0:13:14.040 --> 0:13:19.240 the fact, revisionist history. He felt that for many, many years, 0:13:19.280 --> 0:13:22.360 and he said to me that there are still days 0:13:22.880 --> 0:13:25.840 that he feels it. He has such admiration for Ken 0:13:25.960 --> 0:13:30.959 Anderson and for that group. I know for him, it 0:13:31.240 --> 0:13:34.720 was probably the most bitter pill he ever had to swallow. 0:13:34.800 --> 0:13:37.439 As a professional quarterback in the NFL, he had so 0:13:37.520 --> 0:13:41.319 many incredible moments. Hall of Fame player for people in 0:13:41.400 --> 0:13:46.480 our age group. Dan was a stud. It was a 0:13:46.600 --> 0:13:50.959 stud quarterback. But that's one that unfortunately for him, the 0:13:51.080 --> 0:13:57.000 way the events unraveled that day. In any other setting, 0:13:58.080 --> 0:14:00.280 I think they believe they were the best team in 0:14:00.320 --> 0:14:02.839 the NFL, that they would have handled San Francisco and 0:14:02.880 --> 0:14:05.679 the Super Bowl, that it was their destiny. But they 0:14:05.760 --> 0:14:09.720 just happened to walk into literally a freezer in Ohio 0:14:10.280 --> 0:14:14.840 on that afternoon. For the record, the Bengals destroyed them 0:14:15.080 --> 0:14:17.839 in San Diego during the regular season that year, so 0:14:18.040 --> 0:14:20.560 Dan might be wrong with his percentI not think we're 0:14:20.640 --> 0:14:22.840 played out, but they were more. Do you remember what 0:14:22.960 --> 0:14:26.480 happened the week before Dan were over time in Miami. 0:14:26.520 --> 0:14:31.560 It was like seventh, seven thousand degrees. Yeah, thanks, change question. 0:14:31.680 --> 0:14:33.640 Let's bring him in. Let's bring him in on the zoom, Dan, 0:14:34.360 --> 0:14:38.600 so you're there next time, it'll be a three way zoom. 0:14:39.040 --> 0:14:41.520 I and this has been great. I always appreciate your time. 0:14:41.680 --> 0:14:44.400 Look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Dan. You're the best. 0:14:45.560 --> 0:14:47.360 Not only is I an Eagle one of the best 0:14:47.400 --> 0:14:50.360 broadcasters out there, but he's the father of one of 0:14:50.440 --> 0:14:53.840 the best young broadcasters in the business. You'll be enjoying 0:14:53.880 --> 0:14:58.000 the work of Noah Eagle for the next twenty five years. Now, 0:14:58.120 --> 0:15:00.920 time for this week's one on one player interview as 0:15:00.960 --> 0:15:04.840 I talk football and eventually a little fashion with Bengals 0:15:04.920 --> 0:15:09.040 wide receiver t Higgins t six sketches for one hundred 0:15:09.080 --> 0:15:11.560 and fourteen yards last week, meaning that you, Jamar and 0:15:11.640 --> 0:15:14.240 Tyler have all had one hundred yard games now this season. 0:15:14.760 --> 0:15:17.480 Do you know based on your film study of the 0:15:17.560 --> 0:15:19.600 Steelers going into a game like that that you are 0:15:19.760 --> 0:15:22.040 likely to get a bunch of targets or doesn't it 0:15:22.160 --> 0:15:25.120 work that way? I'm pretty sure like every every receiver 0:15:25.360 --> 0:15:28.480 you know in the league go into a game hoping 0:15:28.560 --> 0:15:30.440 and thinking that they're going to get a bunch of 0:15:30.520 --> 0:15:33.720 targets in you know, completing all those targets, you know, 0:15:34.000 --> 0:15:38.000 having a big game. So of course, yeah, I thought 0:15:38.080 --> 0:15:40.160 that no going into the game, that I was going 0:15:40.240 --> 0:15:42.640 to have a big game. The three of you guys 0:15:42.720 --> 0:15:45.880 are all averaging about four and a half catches per game. 0:15:46.480 --> 0:15:48.560 What does that say about Joe Burrow and what's it 0:15:48.600 --> 0:15:51.160 say about the Bengals offense. You know, it says a 0:15:51.200 --> 0:15:53.080 lot about Joe. You know, he spreads the ball out 0:15:53.240 --> 0:15:56.800 and you know he doesn't have you know, one guy 0:15:57.240 --> 0:15:58.600 like you know what I'm saying that he doesn't have 0:15:58.720 --> 0:16:00.800 one guy. He has multiple guys that that can go 0:16:00.840 --> 0:16:02.840 out there and get the job done. And you know, 0:16:03.040 --> 0:16:06.600 for as for the offense, you can just shoot the ball. 0:16:07.040 --> 0:16:09.480 And we got a bunch of playmakers all over the field, 0:16:09.560 --> 0:16:11.640 whether it be in the backfield with the with the 0:16:11.720 --> 0:16:13.960 running backs or you know, the tight ends, or with 0:16:14.040 --> 0:16:17.120 the receivers. We're chatting with te Higgins. I think most 0:16:17.200 --> 0:16:20.760 people consider the Cincinnati three way, a few three guys, 0:16:20.840 --> 0:16:23.120 to be one of the best receiving trios in the NFL. 0:16:23.440 --> 0:16:27.080 Here's my question, our t Higgins, Jamar Chase and Tyler 0:16:27.160 --> 0:16:30.760 Boyd the best trio of blocking receivers in the NFL 0:16:31.160 --> 0:16:32.880 and turning the field. You got to turn the film 0:16:32.920 --> 0:16:35.600 and watch it, because I mean, if these paths these 0:16:35.640 --> 0:16:38.840 past few games, we've been blocking our ass off, you know, 0:16:39.000 --> 0:16:41.640 for our running backs, and you know, because once we 0:16:41.720 --> 0:16:43.600 get them, guys going is angle doing them but open 0:16:43.680 --> 0:16:46.600 it up for us. So you know, by us being 0:16:46.640 --> 0:16:49.400 a team player and and going out there and getting 0:16:49.400 --> 0:16:52.200 those blocks opened up those runs for Joe and samaj 0:16:53.280 --> 0:16:56.200 and Chris Man. It just opens us open us up 0:16:56.720 --> 0:16:59.480 with the passing game. So it just, you know, it correlates. 0:17:00.440 --> 0:17:02.400 Jamar said last week he doesn't like to block, but 0:17:02.480 --> 0:17:04.360 he knows it's part of the gig. You said after 0:17:04.400 --> 0:17:07.240 the game on Sunday, you love it, not just like it. 0:17:07.440 --> 0:17:10.400 Love it. Why you know, It's always been a part 0:17:10.400 --> 0:17:12.000 of my games every since high school, you know, just 0:17:12.040 --> 0:17:14.560 because by me being a you know, a big receiver. Um, 0:17:14.840 --> 0:17:16.960 you know, I have to implement that into my game. 0:17:17.280 --> 0:17:19.720 And you know, um, I mean if you don't block, 0:17:20.040 --> 0:17:23.040 then you don't get you know what I'm saying, Uh, 0:17:23.240 --> 0:17:26.040 the running backs don't get enough love him and get 0:17:26.080 --> 0:17:27.840 out there and do what they do and get in space. 0:17:28.160 --> 0:17:31.480 So us receivers, you know, we have key blocks and 0:17:32.200 --> 0:17:34.560 you know, I just love doing it. So so after 0:17:34.640 --> 0:17:36.720 the thirty one point went over Pittsburgh, some of the 0:17:36.800 --> 0:17:39.280 guys said, hey, it's just another step on the journey. 0:17:39.359 --> 0:17:43.600 We've got bigger things that we're playing for, etc. You said, Man, 0:17:44.359 --> 0:17:48.719 it feels good. Why you know, it always feels good 0:17:48.760 --> 0:17:50.119 to get a win. Like that. You know, that's a 0:17:50.200 --> 0:17:53.159 big win, um, and then a specially over arrival, you know. 0:17:53.720 --> 0:17:56.399 Not to me, we don't get that many opportunities to 0:17:56.680 --> 0:17:59.359 win like that, especially versus a team like Pittsburgh. You know, 0:17:59.440 --> 0:18:01.879 they've been good, you know for many years, and I 0:18:01.920 --> 0:18:03.760 mean that's off to them. You know, they're they're pretty 0:18:03.760 --> 0:18:05.720 good team that just had a rough day. Um, we 0:18:05.920 --> 0:18:07.960 was the better team that day and we got out 0:18:08.000 --> 0:18:10.639 on them. So we're talking to T Higgins. I've been 0:18:10.680 --> 0:18:13.040 doing the Bengals games now for eleven years on the radio, 0:18:13.600 --> 0:18:16.280 and I'm not sure that I've ever seen a team that, 0:18:16.440 --> 0:18:18.959 at least to me, seems like it's enjoying the process 0:18:19.520 --> 0:18:21.280 as much as this one. You guys seem to be 0:18:21.400 --> 0:18:24.360 having fun at practice every day much less on game day. 0:18:24.400 --> 0:18:27.080 Am I reading that right? Oh yeah, you definitely are. Um, 0:18:27.440 --> 0:18:29.200 you know, because you gotta have you gotta have fun 0:18:29.680 --> 0:18:33.239 when when you're putting the work in you know and practice, uh, 0:18:33.720 --> 0:18:36.840 whether it be whether it be you know, working out 0:18:37.000 --> 0:18:39.920 after practice, you know, working out in the weight room, 0:18:40.400 --> 0:18:42.320 you gotta have fun. And again, you gotta put join 0:18:42.320 --> 0:18:44.160 in the game. And because if you don't, if you're 0:18:44.160 --> 0:18:45.760 not having fund then what are you out here for? 0:18:46.080 --> 0:18:48.119 You know what I'm saying. If you're having fun and 0:18:48.240 --> 0:18:50.520 you know you're playing for your teammates, playing for each other, 0:18:50.920 --> 0:18:54.560 and then the outcome will be good. As you can see. Um, 0:18:55.119 --> 0:18:58.119 we're we're turning this program around, this this organization and 0:18:58.720 --> 0:19:01.879 and hopefully and keep going. You got a home game 0:19:01.960 --> 0:19:06.320 this week against the Chargers. The Chargers secondary features Derwin James, 0:19:06.840 --> 0:19:09.760 one of the best safeties in the NFL. What stands 0:19:09.800 --> 0:19:12.200 out when you watch him on tape, Man, he's a dog, 0:19:12.320 --> 0:19:15.160 you know, he's he's one of those one of those 0:19:15.160 --> 0:19:17.120 safety that's gonna come down and hit you. He don't 0:19:17.160 --> 0:19:21.440 care who you are. Actually, he's a he's a great player. Man. 0:19:21.640 --> 0:19:24.720 It's a long, good time, good friend of mine. Um, 0:19:26.119 --> 0:19:28.359 just about me knowing him, I just I just know 0:19:28.560 --> 0:19:32.040 that he's you know, with him, especially with him having 0:19:32.080 --> 0:19:34.840 that injury last year set back. I know he didn't 0:19:34.880 --> 0:19:37.880 like that. So I'm just glad to see that he's 0:19:37.880 --> 0:19:40.600 out there on the field making plays. And but he's 0:19:40.600 --> 0:19:43.800 a he's a he's an outstanding player and and he's 0:19:43.800 --> 0:19:46.920 a playmaker all right. As you can probably tell, I'm 0:19:46.960 --> 0:19:49.879 not exactly a man of style. And fashion, but you 0:19:50.000 --> 0:19:52.480 had quite the luck after the game last week. You 0:19:52.560 --> 0:19:55.480 had north Face overalls on. Now, normally we think of 0:19:55.560 --> 0:19:57.600 that as like ski gear and hiking gear, but these 0:19:57.680 --> 0:20:04.560 were north Face Gucci overalls plus beautiful gold chains, matching hats. 0:20:04.920 --> 0:20:07.200 How much energy do you put into your weekly Luk? 0:20:08.160 --> 0:20:11.400 It depends. You know. Sometimes I come in and I'll 0:20:11.440 --> 0:20:13.440 have a day where I just want to you know, 0:20:14.440 --> 0:20:19.040 just just casual and and and be comfortable. I wouldn't 0:20:19.080 --> 0:20:21.520 say that the overalls was a comfortable because it definitely was, 0:20:22.000 --> 0:20:24.119 But sometimes I want to come in and you know, 0:20:24.920 --> 0:20:27.639 have a you know, be styled, be styled, and um, 0:20:28.119 --> 0:20:30.840 come in looking looking good. You know, because you look good, 0:20:30.880 --> 0:20:34.720 you play good. So uh, I think this week I'm 0:20:34.720 --> 0:20:36.560 gonna come in with some with something else that that 0:20:36.800 --> 0:20:40.719 that's pretty crazy, but we'll see. So it's a competitive 0:20:40.720 --> 0:20:42.920 among you guys for who looks the path. I told 0:20:43.000 --> 0:20:44.280 him at the beginning of the season that I got 0:20:44.320 --> 0:20:46.800 the best drip out of us receivers. So I mean, 0:20:48.160 --> 0:20:51.359 as for now, I think I'm winning, but I mean 0:20:51.480 --> 0:20:53.920 we'll let the we'll let the people tell big thumbs 0:20:54.000 --> 0:20:55.840 up for me. Last week, I thought that looked sharp 0:20:56.040 --> 0:20:59.119 and the game obviously was awesome. Congratulations, best of luck 0:20:59.160 --> 0:21:02.640 this week, Thanks your time, Thank you. T told reporters 0:21:02.720 --> 0:21:05.359 before the season that he put a sign that says 0:21:05.560 --> 0:21:09.520 one K on his mirror this year, signifying his goal 0:21:09.600 --> 0:21:12.960 of having a one thousand yards season. His stats took 0:21:13.000 --> 0:21:14.520 a hit when he missed a couple of games with 0:21:14.600 --> 0:21:17.199 a shoulder injury early in the season, but he's up 0:21:17.240 --> 0:21:19.840 to five hundred sixty yards with six games to go, 0:21:20.320 --> 0:21:23.399 meaning he would have to average seventy three yards a 0:21:23.480 --> 0:21:26.879 game over the final six to get there. That is 0:21:26.960 --> 0:21:30.520 exactly what T has averaged over the last five weeks. 0:21:31.119 --> 0:21:34.320 The Bengals Booth podcast is presented by Ultimate Bengals, the 0:21:34.400 --> 0:21:38.240 free to play next level fantasy football game. Ultimate Bengals 0:21:38.280 --> 0:21:40.359 will be awarding a weekly winner during the course of 0:21:40.440 --> 0:21:44.480 the season, with tickets, autograph merchandise, and money can't buy 0:21:44.560 --> 0:21:49.240 experiences all up for grabs. Find Ultimate Bengals in the 0:21:49.320 --> 0:21:52.840 app stores. Now time to discuss the latest Bengals news 0:21:52.920 --> 0:21:56.280 and Sunday's matchup against the Chargers with my broadcast partner 0:21:56.600 --> 0:22:00.720 Dave Lapham Lap was last week's final score or forty 0:22:00.760 --> 0:22:03.639 one to ten, A bigger statement about how good the 0:22:03.760 --> 0:22:07.200 Bengals are or how bad the Steelers are. You know, 0:22:07.480 --> 0:22:10.400 I'm a believer in the in the axiom because I've 0:22:10.440 --> 0:22:14.880 been there in situations where it just kind of spirals 0:22:14.880 --> 0:22:18.840 out of control. Um, and I am a big believer. 0:22:18.960 --> 0:22:20.520 And you never as good as you think you are, 0:22:20.760 --> 0:22:22.879 never as bad as you think you are. You're probably 0:22:22.960 --> 0:22:27.119 somewhere in between. And I think the two franchises aren't 0:22:27.320 --> 0:22:31.080 that far apart. It's not you know, every time they played, 0:22:31.119 --> 0:22:33.440 it wouldn't be a thirty point differential kind of thing. 0:22:33.520 --> 0:22:36.760 But you know, the key, the key is when you 0:22:37.280 --> 0:22:40.000 when you have an opportunity to put your foot on 0:22:40.080 --> 0:22:43.080 the gas and bury an opponent, you got to do it. 0:22:43.359 --> 0:22:46.159 And Bengals did it. They really did it. And uh 0:22:46.960 --> 0:22:51.399 So there is no doubt though that it's it's past 0:22:51.440 --> 0:22:55.840 the crossing point where one's ascending one's declining. That the 0:22:56.240 --> 0:22:59.080 Pittsburgh Steelers are on the back back end of that curve. 0:22:59.160 --> 0:23:01.760