1 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,479 Speaker 1: I get everybody on dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast the Keyphone Working Keyphone Working Edition 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,319 Speaker 1: because I discuss a variety of off season topics with 4 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: Bengals dot Com editor Jeff Butch Hobson. The Bengals Booth 5 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 1: Podcast is brought to you by pay Core, Proud to 6 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: be the Bengals official hr software provider, by Ulta Fiber 7 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: future proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business 8 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 9 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:37,559 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 10 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:41,320 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's a 11 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of 12 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:47,879 Speaker 1: this podcast delivered write to your phone, tablet or computer 13 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:52,159 Speaker 1: by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the greatest 14 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 1: thing since American Kings. That's the name of a book 15 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: by Seth Wickersham that came out last September about the 16 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: court position. As Wickersham writes, it's the American equivalent of Royalty, 17 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 1: our country's ultimate idol, requiring single minded focus while navigating 18 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:15,759 Speaker 1: a maze of bad breaks, insecurities, jealousy, pressure. 19 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 2: And fame. 20 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow is not prominently featured, but many of the 21 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:23,960 Speaker 1: all time grades are, as well as current quarterbacks and 22 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:28,040 Speaker 1: some up and comers. It's an inside look at a 23 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 1: uniquely American job. If you love football and writing, I 24 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: think you'll enjoy American Kings. Now here's my conversation about 25 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,679 Speaker 1: the latest Bengals news with Bengals dot com editor Jeff 26 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: Butch Hobson Butich. Everybody in the AFC North will have 27 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 1: a new head coach except for the Cincinnati Bengals next year. Baltimore, Cleveland, 28 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: and Pittsburgh obviously have changes coming up. Furthermore, the Steelers 29 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: will probably have a different starting quarterback for the sixth 30 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 1: consecutive year. I'd be surprised if Aaron Rodgers's back. The 31 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: Browns are surely looking for an upgrade from Shador Sanders. 32 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: You would think he had more touchdown or fewer touchdowns 33 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: than interceptions as a rookie. So here's my question after 34 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 1: that prelude, are the six and eleven Bengals the team 35 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: to beat in the AFC North in twenty twenty six. 36 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 3: I don't think they can say that, and I don't 37 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 3: think Zach Taylor will say that because I think he's 38 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:28,639 Speaker 3: looking for his team to have an edge. 39 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 4: I think they played better when they have a chip 40 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 4: on his shoulder. 41 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 3: I remember Teddy Krris talking about this last year when 42 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 3: they got off to a slow start. 43 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 4: He said, you know, there was too much super Bowl talk, you. 44 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 3: Know, early on in the spring and the OTAs of 45 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 3: twenty twenty four. 46 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:47,960 Speaker 4: I think the leaders, I think the leaders of. 47 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 3: This team will not We'll try to stay away from that. 48 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 3: On paper, I would say yes, but we've lived it. 49 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 3: This is the National Football League. Paper does not translate. 50 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:02,359 Speaker 3: You know, Gerid Mayo, first head coach coming into a Cincinnati, 51 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,800 Speaker 3: coming into Cincinnati on opening day with a coaching staff 52 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 3: that had been in place, a roster had been in place, 53 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:12,359 Speaker 3: and in the first non Belichick game, the Patriots win 54 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 3: a game they weren't supposed to win. So I think 55 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 3: probably Zach and Orlando and Ted and other guys have 56 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 3: lived through that, and I just don't. 57 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:22,080 Speaker 4: And it's the AFC North. 58 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 3: I mean, it's Demolition Derby, you know, doesn't matter. Nothing 59 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 3: seems to matter. So no, I don't think it's it's 60 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 3: an edge. 61 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 1: The Ravens fired John Harbaugh after eighteen mostly good seasons 62 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: and won Super Bowl title. The Bills fired Sean McDermott, 63 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: who took Buffalo to the playoffs in eight out of 64 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: nine years, but couldn't get to a super Bowl with 65 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 1: Josh Allen. Naturally, a lot of people are comparing that 66 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: to Cincinnati and the Bengals sticking with Zach Taylor. There 67 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: are a few differences. I would like to point out. 68 00:03:54,920 --> 00:04:00,520 Speaker 1: John Harbaugh, as I mentioned, got eighteen years, and while 69 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 1: he did win a Super Bowl, that was the only 70 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 1: one he got to. He's had Lamar Jackson for the 71 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: last eight Sean McDermott had Josh Allen for eight as well, 72 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 1: he did not get to a super Bowl. Zach's had 73 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 1: seven years total, so he hasn't had as many bites 74 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: at the apple as the other guys have. He has 75 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:21,280 Speaker 1: been to one Super Bowl. His great starting quarterback, Joe Burrow, 76 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 1: has been in the league for six years but only 77 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: healthy for three. So I do think there are differences 78 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: that defend holding on to Zach Taylor. 79 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 2: What do you say about it? 80 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 4: Yeah? 81 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 3: I agree, I mean, we're talking about McDermott, a great coach, 82 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 3: but Zach's been to one more super Bowl than he has, 83 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 3: and really, you know, Burrow. Burrow has been to the 84 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 3: Super Bowl more, you know, more than Alan and he's 85 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:57,000 Speaker 3: been there almost as many. I mean, Lamar has never 86 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 3: been there. So you know, I think Zach's got one 87 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 3: up on high Ball there. And remember there this farway. 88 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 3: How far are they away from going to two? 89 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 4: Right? Okay? 90 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 3: Are they a punt return away, a penalty away? Whatever 91 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 3: it was that you know, the the last horrific minute 92 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:20,280 Speaker 3: in Kansas City in twenty twenty two. So yeah, I'm 93 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 3: not ready. I don't think he can put for many 94 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 3: different reasons. I don't think he can put Zach in 95 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 3: the same class as high Bah and McDermott and you know, 96 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:32,919 Speaker 3: or even Tomlin because you know, Tomlin and Hardball have 97 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 3: been in it for so long. But you know, Zach's 98 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 3: got a five and two playoff record, so I I 99 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,920 Speaker 3: you know that's something that's it is now. 100 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 4: Okay, he hasn't been back in three years. I get it. 101 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 4: But there have been, you know, there have been circumstances that. 102 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 3: You alluded to, and you know, let's face it, you 103 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 3: got to look at the organization that Zach is working for. 104 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,480 Speaker 3: It's he's working for a guy that believes in continuity 105 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 3: Mike Brown in his family in Duke Tobin, the director 106 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 3: play personnel. The people call them the shots. You know 107 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 3: they've they've been in this thing a long time, and 108 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 3: you know they believe in continuity, and you just have 109 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 3: to look around. 110 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 4: You know. One of the reasons how Bond Tomlin were 111 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 4: so successful. 112 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 1: I've talked to Mike about this before. I know you 113 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: have too. Is Mike phrases it, and in a way 114 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: that only he can. I like it when my people 115 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 1: are all singing from the same hymn book. Yes, that's 116 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: kind of how he describes continuity. But I do think 117 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 1: that Mike's belief is that history shows you that more 118 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: often than not. And this is obviously not universally true, 119 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 1: but more often than not, when you make a coaching change, 120 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: you're likely to take a step backward before taking steps forward. Now, 121 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:53,039 Speaker 1: there were some notable exceptions to that. This year, Ben 122 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 1: Johnson knocks it out of the park. Mike Rabel knocks 123 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: it out of the park. So it doesn't always work 124 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 1: out that way, but again, more often than not, when 125 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 1: you make a change, you tend to go back and 126 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:07,480 Speaker 1: then maybe take strides forward. Mike doesn't want to sign 127 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: up for that at this stage of Joe Burrow's career, 128 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 1: and I don't think Bengals fans want to take a 129 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 1: step back before going forward. So I think that's a 130 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 1: big part of this. And I just think, in very 131 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 1: simple terms, Mike Brown thinks that Zach Taylor is a 132 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 1: good coach who's had some circumstances beyond his control. People 133 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: fairly say they haven't been to the playoffs for three 134 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: straight years, but I really look at it as two 135 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 1: because three years ago when the streak began, that team 136 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 1: was going to the playoffs. When Joe Burrow hurt his 137 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: wrist right, they had everything cooking, They went on the road, 138 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: beat San Francisco, dominated Buffalo, they were ascending, They were 139 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: on their way to having another one of those seasons, 140 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: and then he winds up missing the last seven games, 141 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: nine games whatever. 142 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 3: It was Albie almost, I mean, you can make an 143 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 3: agumen Zach should have been in the running for coach 144 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 3: of the Air in twenty two twenty three, just barely 145 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 3: missed going for the backup quarterback. 146 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it helped Brian Callahan get the Tennessee job. 147 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: The fact that they hung in there with Jake Browning. 148 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: But still I think this is really two years of 149 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 1: missing the playoffs and again this year you didn't have 150 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: Joe for nine games. So just to you know, sum 151 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: the whole thing up, I think that Mike Brown believes 152 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: that Zach Taylor is a good coach, and he's willing 153 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: to give him at least one more crack at it 154 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 1: this coming year. 155 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's no way Mike was going to let a 156 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 3: guy go after a season as quarterback miss nine games. 157 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 4: That wasn't gonna happen. 158 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:40,440 Speaker 3: And because he's fair, because Mike's a fair guy, maybe 159 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:43,960 Speaker 3: one of the last in sport. But you know, also too, 160 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 3: you got your head coach is running the offense, and 161 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 3: what's the strength of your team? 162 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:50,439 Speaker 4: You know, the strength of your team is. 163 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,680 Speaker 3: That offense, is that system you get rid of, Zach, 164 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 3: where are you? You may be more than you know, 165 00:08:56,080 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 3: maybe maybe you got a pissed off franchise quarterback and 166 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 3: and you're two or three years of the whole. So yeah, 167 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 3: I mean, I mean, I could certainly see how they 168 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 3: ended up where they did. 169 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, head coach quarterback synergy is so important everywhere, and 170 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 1: Mike believes he has that with Zach and Joe. It 171 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 1: seemed to be fraying in Baltimore between Harbor Lamar, Josh 172 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: Allen and Sean McDermott seem to have a good relationship 173 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:27,079 Speaker 1: in Buffalo, but again, after eight years with Josh Allen 174 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: and no Super Bowl trips, their ownership, led by Terry Pagola, said, 175 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,280 Speaker 1: you know, we have to make a change after nine years. 176 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I think too kind of reading into that 177 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 3: a little bit behind the scenes, if it can be believed, 178 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 3: they were not singing from the same hymn book. In fact, 179 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:49,839 Speaker 3: there seemed to be various pamphlets scattered about, you know 180 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 3: that the organization was split on personnel coaching, and I 181 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 3: guess it didn't end well as it probably shouldn't if 182 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 3: it's if there's that much of a split. Yeah, that's 183 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:03,200 Speaker 3: how these things, you know, that's how these things usually, 184 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 3: you know, usually end. 185 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:05,440 Speaker 2: Yeah. 186 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: In the Buffalo case, it sounded like GM and head 187 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: coach were no longer on the same page. And that's 188 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:14,680 Speaker 1: not the case with Zach and Duke. They obviously have 189 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: their differences from time to time, but by and large, 190 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:20,319 Speaker 1: they may they've maintained a very good connection and relationship. 191 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think you know, what goes on in the 192 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 3: draft room. I think is very important too. It's not like, 193 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,319 Speaker 3: you know, Duke is going in there with a bag 194 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 3: over his head and just making the choices. 195 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:33,720 Speaker 4: You know, he's he's making you know, he wants to 196 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 4: make sure Zach is Zach is on board with his stuff. 197 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 4: You know. 198 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:38,960 Speaker 3: So I think it's a you know, I don't think 199 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 3: it's a you know, I think it is. 200 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 4: You know, they hear a lot of that. 201 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:44,160 Speaker 3: You hear a lot of the word when you hear 202 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 3: the Bengals speak Duke and Zach, you hear a lot 203 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 3: of collaborative. Well, that's not a buzzword. That's what they 204 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 3: actually do because that's what Mike lives by. Mike has 205 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 3: always lived by, uh, you know, his his he kind 206 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 3: of runs his I was kind of like Jonathan Kennedy 207 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 3: ran his oval office. He didn't have a he didn't 208 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 3: have a hierarchy, a kind of a pyramid. He's kind 209 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 3: of had a people around him and sympthesizing ideas and 210 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 3: taking opinions and reaching consensus, and uh, you know, I 211 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 3: think really that's a kind of a rational way to go. 212 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 2: How about you going, JFK. 213 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 3: I I usually do as Paul Danner Junior will tell 214 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,319 Speaker 3: you at some point in the conversation if I if 215 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 3: I don't utter JFK or Dallas, then I am probably ill. 216 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 2: All right. 217 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,439 Speaker 1: You mentioned Duke Tobin. It's been a couple of weeks 218 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:43,160 Speaker 1: since his eagerly anticipated news conference that generated a lot 219 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 1: of headlines around the Cincinnati area. Did you have any 220 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,160 Speaker 1: big takeaways after listening to Duke for sixty three minutes? 221 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:53,959 Speaker 3: Uh, you know, not really the main The main takeaway 222 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 3: to me was how they really they got to fix 223 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:56,679 Speaker 3: the defense. 224 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 2: They know it. 225 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 3: And it seemed to me and you tell me, I'd 226 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 3: be interested to hear what you think about this is. 227 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 3: I thought he was very open to the idea of 228 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 3: replicating twenty twenty one in free agency. I think he 229 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,680 Speaker 3: realizes that that was you know, that that was you know, 230 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 3: if they can do that again, they're in good shape. 231 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 4: And I you know, he didn't. He was also open 232 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,679 Speaker 4: to the idea of structuring contracts. 233 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 3: It sounded like, you know, and that's what I took 234 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 3: about it is also, you know, he kind of reminded 235 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 3: us that you know, hey, it's only you know, four 236 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 3: years ago we were writing about what a great personnel 237 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 3: department this was, and that you know, these these same 238 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,439 Speaker 3: people are trying to get the Bengals back to the 239 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 3: super Bowl. 240 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 4: They've done up before. 241 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 3: But it was interesting to hear him talk about, you know, 242 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 3: getting back into free agency big and you know, maybe 243 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 3: they maybe they changed their approach a little bit in contracts. 244 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 3: That's that, I mean, that's what That's what it sounded 245 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 3: like to me, that they were open to the idea, right. 246 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: I think that the biggest thing to come out of 247 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 1: it was even a little bit more specific than that, 248 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: in my view, and that was we need pass rushers. 249 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 2: It's not enough to just. 250 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 1: Hope that our young guys that we've drafted are going 251 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: to keep getting better and suddenly we'll have an elite 252 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 1: pass rush. I think Duke flat out said we need 253 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: to add pass rushers, so free agency, first or second 254 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 1: round draft pick, maybe both, who knows, but I think 255 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: he very specifically said that's a deficiency. 256 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 2: That we have to attack. 257 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 1: And I agree with you. I think some of that's 258 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 1: going to happen in free agency. For all of the 259 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: criticism that the Bengals take over some of the protracted 260 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: battles that they've had over contracts and how they've structured 261 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 1: some things over the years, it has left them in 262 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:50,200 Speaker 1: good shape. Even after giving Joe Burrow his contract, Jamar 263 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: and t these massive deals, the Bengals still find themselves 264 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 1: eighth in effective salary cap space. That does give them 265 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 1: the ability to add significant players on defense, and I 266 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: think they will. 267 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 2: Yeah. 268 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,440 Speaker 3: I mean, I don't know how many teams could sign 269 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 3: those contracts, those three mega contracts and still have the 270 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 3: flexibility they're going to have in free agency. Now people 271 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 3: will yeue and say, well, that's why they're not going 272 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:23,160 Speaker 3: to the playoffs. Well, I mean, I you know, you've 273 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 3: got to build a team. I mean, you can't. Everyone 274 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 3: can't be that. You can't have the number one pick 275 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 3: every year and you can't and you can't make everybody 276 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 3: the highest paid at their position. So I mean there 277 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 3: is something to be said for having as much talent 278 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:39,160 Speaker 3: as they do. 279 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 4: And still having camp flexibility. 280 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:44,320 Speaker 3: Now, you know that's you know, that's because of the 281 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:46,960 Speaker 3: way they structure stuff, and they get hambered on the 282 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 3: way they structure. But you know, when you look at 283 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 3: the ten thousand foot view, I mean, what makes the 284 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 3: team better. 285 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: So if you look at lists of the top NFL 286 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 1: free agents for twenty twenty six, Trey Hendrickson is often 287 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 1: listed number one. He's certainly listed in the top three 288 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: or four. What happens with Trey? I think there are 289 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: a couple of realistic possibilities. I don't see an extension 290 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 1: happening with Trey. I mean, they've they've tried for the 291 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: last couple of years. They've tried, He's tried. They just 292 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: haven't been able to find the middle ground. I can't 293 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: imagine them finding it now. So they could let him go, 294 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: which would give them a draft pick, a third round 295 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 1: draft pick, not in this year's draft, but in next 296 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: year's draft. Or they could try to tag and trade 297 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: him in order to get a draft pick this year, 298 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:43,760 Speaker 1: probably about the same type of draft pick, But there's 299 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 1: a risk involved. If you tag him, the dollar figure 300 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: is going to be somewhere north of thirty million bucks. 301 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: What if nobody out there wants to make a trade 302 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 1: for Trey at that dollar figure and he signs, and 303 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: now you're back where you were this year with a 304 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: you know, a frosty relationship with a guy who would 305 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: be one of your highest paid players. I'm not sure 306 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 1: if they're willing to take that risk. 307 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 3: Well, again, the beauty of how they manage the cap, 308 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 3: they have the ability to move on from Trey. 309 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:13,320 Speaker 4: If they'd like to. 310 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:18,120 Speaker 3: And uh again, you know, I think that's how they 311 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 3: have managed to get all that all that talent on 312 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 3: offense and still have the room to go get you know, 313 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 3: maybe not, you know, maybe not you can't get the 314 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 3: borrow of equivalent pass rusher. But who's the nex Hendrickson 315 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 3: or maybe you know, maybe get a couple of veteran 316 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 3: guys who have had good seasons. They have the ability 317 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 3: to do that. Now, yes, and and and which is 318 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 3: which is? And they could go different ways. They could 319 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 3: find you know, Trey was an ascending player on his 320 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:47,520 Speaker 3: con on his second deal. 321 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 4: They love those guys. Who doesn't. 322 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 3: But you know, you could also maybe go, hey, get 323 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 3: some vets who still have some you know, who still 324 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 3: have some choose maybe. 325 00:16:57,480 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 4: Get a couple of them, you know. 326 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 3: So, like I said, it's it's it's the and I 327 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:04,159 Speaker 3: would hate to see Hendrickson go. But I'm kind of 328 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 3: with you. I don't know what the you know what 329 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 3: the you know what the next option is. I mean, 330 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:11,440 Speaker 3: the guy's the greatest. You'd have to say he's the 331 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 3: greatest past pass rusher in the history of the of 332 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 3: the Bengals are pretty close. The numbers, don't you know 333 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:18,840 Speaker 3: the numbers. You know, you give it to Eddie Edwards. 334 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 3: But he's certainly the greatest four year stretcher. He stretching 335 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 3: anybody's had rushing this passer here, and he's certainly the greatest. 336 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:27,679 Speaker 4: Free agent of Bengals history. You'd love to see him 337 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:29,400 Speaker 4: stay around and get his name up on a ring 338 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 4: of honor. 339 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 3: But it's you know, uh, like I said, there's they're 340 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:37,400 Speaker 3: they're flexible enough that maybe you know, they can grab 341 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 3: the next Hendrickson or grab you know, some guys who 342 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 3: were some some vets in their late twenties who have 343 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:46,640 Speaker 3: had some good years and have something left. 344 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:50,479 Speaker 1: They did reach one year contract extension with a veteran 345 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 1: on offense this week, but it wasn't the one that 346 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:56,400 Speaker 1: most of us are interested in. They signed Tanner Hudson, 347 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,639 Speaker 1: not Dalton Reisner, at least not yet. Do you expect 348 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 1: Dalton Riisner to be the starting right guard next year? 349 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 4: I do. 350 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:07,120 Speaker 3: I think somehow they hammered out, you know, before free agency. 351 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 3: I think I think that uh some I mean, given 352 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 3: how much Dalton would like to be here, I think 353 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 3: I mean, I could see that getting done, but they. 354 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 4: Got you know, they also have flexibility there too. 355 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 3: I think they liked what they get out of their 356 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:26,959 Speaker 3: fifth round pick in Jalen Rivers. I think, you know, 357 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 3: and Dalton has said this before. The future is obviously 358 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 3: you know, fair Child and left guard and Rivers a right, 359 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 3: but Dalton clearly has you know, looks like he's got 360 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 3: at least a. 361 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 4: Couple of years left at least, maybe more so. And 362 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 4: he's great for the room, you know. So I mean, 363 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 4: I think that's uh. 364 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 3: I think that's something they'll try, and they'll try, you know, 365 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 3: given how vocal Dalton has been, I think that's something 366 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:53,200 Speaker 3: they'll try to address. 367 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: I think it'll get done. But I always caution people 368 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: to keep in mind, we don't know what he's asking for. 369 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 1: He did not sign with anybody this last season until 370 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,919 Speaker 1: a week before the season began, when the Bengals you know, 371 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:10,159 Speaker 1: picked him up. And why didn't any team in the 372 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 1: NFL sign him last year? Well, he was probably asking 373 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 1: for more than anybody who was willing to pay. That 374 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: just seems logical to me. So, you know, if he 375 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: wants a huge jump from the one point two mil 376 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:24,880 Speaker 1: that he got this year and if he wants who 377 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:29,120 Speaker 1: knows how many years at age thirty, then it becomes tricky. 378 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: But as you said, he clearly wants to be back. 379 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 1: The Bengals want him back. I think they they find 380 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:38,280 Speaker 1: the middle ground at some point. But you know it's 381 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:40,840 Speaker 1: not just as easy as snapping your fingers and saying okay, 382 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:42,120 Speaker 1: it's done. 383 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:43,679 Speaker 4: I mean, right, that's that's the thing. I mean. 384 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:46,880 Speaker 3: People are outraged that, you know, they don't have DJ 385 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:50,359 Speaker 3: Turner in the fold yet. Well, I mean that's a 386 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 3: two way street there, you know what I mean. 387 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 5: I mean they'd love to get DJ Turner, you know, 388 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 5: locked up and his agent would love to get you know, 389 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:01,760 Speaker 5: would like to somehow get a d That's where they 390 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 5: of a guy going to the market, not of. 391 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 4: A player after his third season. 392 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:09,080 Speaker 3: So you know, it takes I hate to say it, 393 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 3: I hate to throw a cliche out there, but. 394 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 4: It takes two to tango. It's a two way street, 395 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 4: however you want to say it. 396 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 1: I'm glad you brought up DJ Turner because that draft 397 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: class is now eligible for contract extensions. You have to 398 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: be in the NFL for three seasons before teams can 399 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 1: even do that, So here we go. It's it's proven 400 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 1: to be an excellent draft class. Miles Murphy looked like 401 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 1: he might not work out, and then this year he 402 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: really came on. Now you feel like he's a significant 403 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:42,560 Speaker 1: part of their future going forward. DJ Turner could have 404 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:45,200 Speaker 1: easily gone to the Pro Bowl this year. Chase Brown 405 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 1: has proven to be one of the best all around 406 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:50,200 Speaker 1: running backs in the NFL. Jordan Battle looks like a 407 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: core guy going forward, especially if you compare him with 408 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: maybe an upgrade from Geno Stone. So of all of 409 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 1: those guys that I just described, who's the priority to 410 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 1: try to get something done with first? 411 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 4: All of them? 412 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 3: Right? 413 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 4: I mean, because I think, well. 414 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,399 Speaker 2: DJ, DJ would be first on my list. 415 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, you don't you start from the top, right, And 416 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:15,440 Speaker 3: and I if I'm not mistaken, Murphy has an option. 417 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:16,760 Speaker 2: That's an interesting one. 418 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 1: I mean, are you willing to give him that kind 419 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:22,159 Speaker 1: of money based on, you know, two thirds of a 420 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 1: pretty solid season. 421 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean I think I think you do that. 422 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:27,879 Speaker 3: I think you try to try to get DJ in 423 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:30,919 Speaker 3: the fold and uh, you know Chase Brown, and uh 424 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 3: see what you can do with Battle. I mean, I 425 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:37,159 Speaker 3: probably be hard to sign all those guys, But maybe not. 426 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:40,320 Speaker 3: I mean again, it depends how much they want to 427 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 3: be here, what they're looking for. You know, I think 428 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 3: a guy like uh, it's hard to say, because a 429 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 3: guy like Chase he fits so well at Chase. 430 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 4: Brown, he fits so well into the community. He's got 431 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 4: a couple of local got a couple of local deals. 432 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 3: You know, fans love him. He's charismatic, he's he's a 433 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 3: terrific player. You know, you can seeing him on a billboard. 434 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:04,400 Speaker 3: So you know, that makes sense to us, But does 435 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:05,880 Speaker 3: it to him? You know what I mean, it makes 436 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,199 Speaker 3: sense to the Bengals, but you know, you don't know 437 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:10,639 Speaker 3: what you don't know what the other guy is thinking. 438 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:12,400 Speaker 3: I mean, you know Jesse Bates. We felt that way 439 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:15,159 Speaker 3: about Jesse Bates. He is such a great fit. You know, 440 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:18,960 Speaker 3: he was a billboard guy, you know. So, but they 441 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 3: had a high time get you know. I mean, I 442 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 3: think Jesse Bates's agent ended up being T Higgins his agent, 443 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 3: and I think T Higgins got rid of his guy 444 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 3: right to sign a deal. 445 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:31,400 Speaker 4: So who knows what, who knows what's in the offing. 446 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:33,560 Speaker 3: They'd love to have all those guys, I mean, I mean, 447 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 3: it's a good point, Dan, I mean, you know, the 448 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 3: their draft classes have been just getting pummeled this year. 449 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,200 Speaker 3: You know, the more they lose on the field, the 450 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 3: more they you know, the the more pummeled they get. 451 00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 3: And you kind of take a step back and in 452 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 3: this decade, look at their first rounders. You know, Burrow, 453 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 3: Chase Himarius Mims, Murphy on the come, Dax Hills one 454 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:56,639 Speaker 3: of their best defensive players. 455 00:22:57,119 --> 00:22:58,920 Speaker 4: You know, the twenty three class. 456 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:04,280 Speaker 3: You know, yeah, some guys didn't work out, but I mean, 457 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 3: I think if you look at it as a whole, 458 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 3: they've got guys who are going to be contributing. You know, 459 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 3: more than that, they're going to be starters, and they're 460 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:14,800 Speaker 3: going to be you know, guys like Dak Sill, Chase Brown, 461 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:18,320 Speaker 3: I mean, Jordan Battle, DJ Turner the second. I mean, 462 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:20,200 Speaker 3: these guys they're up, but you know they're want They're 463 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 3: the leading players. 464 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 4: At their positions. 465 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:27,800 Speaker 1: You have started the mock draft process on Bengals dot Com. 466 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 4: I apologize for that. 467 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 1: Hey, I'm ready. I'm ready for draft season. Yeah, I 468 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:37,119 Speaker 1: don't like it during the season, but once the season 469 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:40,399 Speaker 1: is over, I'm ready. The two games that I think 470 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:44,520 Speaker 1: have most frequently been mocked to the Bengals on the 471 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: various mock drafts that I've looked at all over the place. 472 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:51,199 Speaker 1: Our past rusher David Bailey out of Texas Tech. He 473 00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: had fourteen and a half sacks this year in Ohio 474 00:23:54,040 --> 00:23:58,879 Speaker 1: State safety Caleb Downs, who's an Austin player. They were 475 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 1: both gone on the. 476 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 4: First Let's just get it over a lot. 477 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 3: Let's just let's just get out here, just let's get 478 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:08,400 Speaker 3: our hands around it. They're not going to be there, okay, 479 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 3: and forget it. Okay, what's wrong with Sonny Styles? I'm 480 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:14,920 Speaker 3: a Sunny Styles guy. First of all, I love his name. 481 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: I mean, do you want to linebacker? Do you want 482 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: a linebacker in the first round? 483 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:22,280 Speaker 4: I mean I could, yeah, I think I want. I 484 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 4: think I want. 485 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:27,880 Speaker 3: I want a guy who runs like a safety, tackles 486 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:31,040 Speaker 3: like a safety, but he's big enough to play linebacker. 487 00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:33,640 Speaker 3: That's kind of enticing to me. I mean, I get it. 488 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:37,639 Speaker 3: You know, uh uh he's not. I mean, geez, the 489 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:40,760 Speaker 3: guy uh uh Reese is going Reese plays the same 490 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 3: position right and is uh and he's going as high 491 00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 3: as second. So best defensive player on the board would 492 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 3: be Sonny Styles. Maybe not, But do you want to 493 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:55,520 Speaker 3: draft a corner with Jackson and DJ Turner. 494 00:24:56,560 --> 00:24:57,960 Speaker 4: Do you want to draft a corner there? 495 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,960 Speaker 1: I mean no, I don't. I want a defensive lineman, 496 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 1: assuming that somebody is there at number ten that they 497 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 1: have with a top ten grade. 498 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:12,639 Speaker 3: Yes, the highest, the biggest, the biggest defensive player. If 499 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:15,040 Speaker 3: it's not a tackle, then it's an edge. If it's 500 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 3: not an edge, then it's a tackle. 501 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,040 Speaker 4: I agree with you, But what if for Caleb Downs. 502 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 1: I'm down for Caleb Downs because I think the talent 503 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,720 Speaker 1: and need is a perfect match all the. 504 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:27,880 Speaker 4: Names we've mentioned, somebody's going to be there at ten. 505 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:30,480 Speaker 4: I mean, like you. 506 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 3: Know, like we're saying Downs and Bailey won't be there. 507 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:36,320 Speaker 3: One of them will probably be there. Or if not, 508 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:39,159 Speaker 3: or if not, a guy that we think is going 509 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:42,840 Speaker 3: to be gone won't be gone. If it's an offensive player, 510 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:45,720 Speaker 3: that's that's the tough thing is there's not going to 511 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:47,800 Speaker 3: be you know, there's no there's not going to be 512 00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:50,399 Speaker 3: run on quarterbacks, right, only one quarterback is probably going 513 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:54,200 Speaker 3: to be gone, which is, you know, doesn't help the Bengals. 514 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 3: You know, there's doesn't seem to be going to be 515 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 3: a run on offensive tackles, which doesn't help the Bengals. 516 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:04,120 Speaker 3: So you know, a couple Edgers and a big d 517 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:05,680 Speaker 3: tackle are probably going to be gone by the time 518 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 3: they pick. 519 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:10,439 Speaker 1: I bet two quarterbacks are gone. I bet that's the 520 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 1: way it turns out. I think Ty Simpson of Alabama 521 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 1: winds up in the top ten a lot. 522 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:18,160 Speaker 4: Somebody always makes a run. Somebody talks them, somebody talks 523 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 4: themselves into it. 524 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 1: Right, Mendoza goes number one overall. I bet tom ty 525 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: Simpson gets picked in the top ten as well. 526 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:25,680 Speaker 2: It's going to be interesting. 527 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 1: The Bengals have not used a top ten draft pick 528 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:31,680 Speaker 1: on a defensive player since Keith Rivers. Now, they haven't 529 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 1: had that many top ten picks, but Burrow Chase unfortunately 530 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:41,320 Speaker 1: John Ross didn't work out. By and large, when they've 531 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:44,280 Speaker 1: used the top ten pick on an offensive player, they've 532 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:48,480 Speaker 1: done really well. Now, the likelihood is it's going to 533 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:50,479 Speaker 1: be a defensive guy, and let's see if they can 534 00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:52,920 Speaker 1: get an impact player along the lines of some of 535 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:55,400 Speaker 1: the names I just mentioned. You know, AJ Green obviously 536 00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:57,960 Speaker 1: another time top ten pick on offense. Let's get a 537 00:26:57,960 --> 00:26:59,159 Speaker 1: defensive guy that's like that. 538 00:26:59,720 --> 00:27:01,399 Speaker 3: Oh, I mean that would be I mean, that's that's 539 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:04,040 Speaker 3: that's you know, if you get at Jamar Chase. 540 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 4: Or a J Green or a. 541 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:10,600 Speaker 3: Somebody like that on defense. I mean, that's the dream. 542 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 3: I mean, that's the dream. I mean, but it's such. 543 00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:16,200 Speaker 4: A it's such a tough spot. 544 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:18,280 Speaker 3: In the draft. You know, they always talk about a draft, 545 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:23,639 Speaker 3: a first round. What there's maybe tops, there's seventeen sixteen, 546 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 3: seventeen eighteen, real first round picks. 547 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:31,159 Speaker 4: Well, now you're getting in the second. You're getting in 548 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:32,200 Speaker 4: the second tier there. 549 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:35,159 Speaker 3: But yeah, I mean, you know they picked up you know, 550 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 3: I mean, Andre Smith was a guy. I mean, you 551 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:40,560 Speaker 3: can talk, you know, you can debate Andrey Smith I want, 552 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,639 Speaker 3: but he was a solid right tackle on winning teams. 553 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:45,520 Speaker 2: You know, played a decade. 554 00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:50,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, right, exactly. You know you talk about aj you know, 555 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 3: Chase Borrow. But it's an interesting it's an interesting question 556 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:59,920 Speaker 3: about why the top ten defensive players haven't panned out 557 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:01,880 Speaker 3: like the top ten offensive players. 558 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 1: So Dan Pitcher, in addition to interviewing for the head 559 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:09,440 Speaker 1: coaching job in Cleveland, has also been given the green 560 00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:13,400 Speaker 1: light to interview for the offensive coordinator position with Tampa Bay. 561 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:16,879 Speaker 1: Zach Taylor giving him the chance the interview for jobs 562 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:19,199 Speaker 1: where he would be the play caller since he is 563 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:22,040 Speaker 1: not the play caller in Cincinnati. If Dan gets one 564 00:28:22,080 --> 00:28:25,960 Speaker 1: of those jobs, does Brian Callahan come back? 565 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 2: Is it that simple? 566 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 3: I mean, we all got a college education here, right. 567 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:33,200 Speaker 3: I guess it does sound to me like it would 568 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 3: be that simple. But you know, the covered is the 569 00:28:37,640 --> 00:28:41,000 Speaker 3: covered is full around here with guys that are talented 570 00:28:41,040 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 3: and and you know, Troy Walters is a talented guy 571 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,920 Speaker 3: who's been an offensive assystem at the top at the 572 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:51,960 Speaker 3: top level in college. You know, Justin Rascatti is the 573 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 3: passing game coordinator, very capable guy. And this is no 574 00:28:56,880 --> 00:29:00,920 Speaker 3: knock on Pitcher because pitchers obviously, he's been Joe Barrow 575 00:29:00,960 --> 00:29:04,600 Speaker 3: literally Joe Burrows right arm since he came into the league. 576 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,000 Speaker 4: And look how well he's played. We all know what 577 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:08,160 Speaker 4: a great coach Pitcher is. 578 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 3: I mean, there's no question this guy is a coach 579 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 3: on the com He's going to be a head coach 580 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 3: at some point, you know, but he's going to make 581 00:29:14,440 --> 00:29:14,680 Speaker 3: the call. 582 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:16,360 Speaker 4: He's got to show these other guys. 583 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:19,800 Speaker 3: You know, he's been a one place for ten years 584 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:22,640 Speaker 3: and he's got to show guys he can call plays. 585 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 3: I guess I mean to me, that seems to be 586 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:26,760 Speaker 3: you know what he you know, what he feels like 587 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:29,880 Speaker 3: he has to do. And uh, but I think you know, 588 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:34,240 Speaker 3: to Zach's credit, he surrounded himself with bright guys who 589 00:29:34,360 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 3: know his scheme. So you know, yeah, Cali is the 590 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 3: obvious choice. I mean what, they're best friends. 591 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:43,840 Speaker 4: So it would be stunning to me to see if 592 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:47,440 Speaker 4: Pitch left, if Callahan didn't come in. But then I'm 593 00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:50,360 Speaker 4: you know, it wouldn't be the first time. I'm surprised. 594 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 4: If it's news, it's news to me, right. 595 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 1: So we've We've got the college football All Star Game 596 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:02,840 Speaker 1: circuit getting underway shortly. What's on the Bengals dot com calendar? 597 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:04,680 Speaker 1: Will you be off to the Senior Ball? 598 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:06,560 Speaker 3: I Am not going to go to the Senior Bowl 599 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:09,760 Speaker 3: this year because we got Duke this year. So we'll 600 00:30:09,800 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 3: work the phones though, and I'm going to work on 601 00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:16,640 Speaker 3: a Paul Brown's story about Paul Brown's relationship with the 602 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:19,520 Speaker 3: Senior Bowl. He coached like the first ten years of 603 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:23,360 Speaker 3: or he coached ten years consecutive in the Senior Bowl. 604 00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:26,240 Speaker 3: He loved to coach the game. So I was going 605 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:28,520 Speaker 3: to try to get behind that a little bit. Look 606 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:32,320 Speaker 3: at that and Mike mccathey is down there, the Bengals 607 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:36,960 Speaker 3: assistant offensive line coach. We'll hook up with him, and 608 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:41,280 Speaker 3: I think this week looking at a little bit, you know, 609 00:30:41,320 --> 00:30:43,800 Speaker 3: the Bengals added scouts. I know that kind of went 610 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 3: under the rate, that went under the radar because of 611 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:49,360 Speaker 3: the season, but they added some scouts and Trey Labonte 612 00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:52,920 Speaker 3: is an interesting guy who's as a little comes at 613 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:57,000 Speaker 3: He's coming at the personnel end of it from the 614 00:30:57,040 --> 00:31:01,880 Speaker 3: analytics standpoint a little bit. He's not only helping Sam Francis, 615 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:04,960 Speaker 3: but he's helping the scouts and kind of getting an 616 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:08,840 Speaker 3: analytical It's something that they've done, but Trey gives them 617 00:31:08,840 --> 00:31:10,840 Speaker 3: a little bit more of an analytical. 618 00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:10,960 Speaker 4: Bent to it. 619 00:31:11,280 --> 00:31:13,680 Speaker 3: The Stanford's he's a Stanford grad, played for a year 620 00:31:13,680 --> 00:31:14,680 Speaker 3: at Miami Ohio. 621 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:15,640 Speaker 4: Interesting guy. 622 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:17,280 Speaker 3: I gonna look to see how he fits in and 623 00:31:17,320 --> 00:31:19,960 Speaker 3: how that how the new scouts have kind of, you know, 624 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:22,600 Speaker 3: kind of changed the face of the patment a little bit. 625 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:26,800 Speaker 4: And so yeah, we're off and running, Hordy. The the 626 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:29,840 Speaker 4: off season is busier than the regular season, right. 627 00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:33,200 Speaker 2: There is news every day in the NFL. That's for sure. 628 00:31:33,680 --> 00:31:34,600 Speaker 4: It's unbelievable. 629 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:37,520 Speaker 3: It's uh, you know, it was once upon a time 630 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:40,720 Speaker 3: you'd go to Indianapolis to the scouting combine and they'd 631 00:31:40,760 --> 00:31:41,320 Speaker 3: throw you out. 632 00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:46,400 Speaker 4: Now now you need to now you need a passport 633 00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:46,760 Speaker 4: to get in. 634 00:31:49,480 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 2: Well, I'm looking forward to that. 635 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:54,040 Speaker 1: That's always fun to be around all of those draft 636 00:31:54,080 --> 00:31:56,120 Speaker 1: gurus and pick their brain a little bit and try 637 00:31:56,160 --> 00:31:58,560 Speaker 1: to get some good intel on guys that wind up 638 00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:00,720 Speaker 1: eventually wind up playing for Cincinnati. 639 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:02,000 Speaker 2: So that's not too far. 640 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:07,000 Speaker 3: I got my great co cell, Dan Hoyd. But that's pencil. 641 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:08,360 Speaker 3: Then you always want to hear that. 642 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:08,960 Speaker 2: That's what happened. 643 00:32:09,480 --> 00:32:10,840 Speaker 4: That's always a treat YEP. 644 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:13,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, Greg is the best. So on that note, I 645 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:14,480 Speaker 2: will let you go. 646 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:17,800 Speaker 1: I appreciate your time as always, and I look forward 647 00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:19,640 Speaker 1: to seeing you face to face as opposed to a 648 00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:20,680 Speaker 1: zoom sometime soon. 649 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:25,200 Speaker 3: Hordy, keep them, keep them straight, and always great to 650 00:32:25,240 --> 00:32:26,959 Speaker 3: be with the hottest work command and show business. 651 00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:27,240 Speaker 4: Thank you. 652 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:30,120 Speaker 1: That's going to do it for this episode of the 653 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:32,960 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to you by pay Core, Proud 654 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:37,040 Speaker 1: to be the Bengals official HR software provider by Ulta 655 00:32:37,080 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 1: Fiber future Proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, 656 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:44,080 Speaker 1: business and community to a New level and by Kettering 657 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:47,200 Speaker 1: Health the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health 658 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:50,840 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. If you 659 00:32:50,840 --> 00:32:54,280 Speaker 1: haven't done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and 660 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:56,400 Speaker 1: if you have a minute, give it a rating or 661 00:32:56,440 --> 00:33:00,200 Speaker 1: share a comment that helps more Bengals fans find ut. 662 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:03,840 Speaker 1: I'm Dan Horde and thanks for listening to the Bengals 663 00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:05,080 Speaker 1: Booth podcast.