1 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:06,479 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody on Dan Horde and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,640 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast. The I'm Back in the Saddle 3 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: Again addition, as Joe Burrow returns to the field for 4 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:20,240 Speaker 1: a Thanksgiving Nights showdown in Baltimore. Coming up, Joe tells 5 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:24,479 Speaker 1: us why Now, and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher weighs in 6 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: on how Joe Flacco might have influenced Joe Burrow. Ben 7 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: Chris Collinsworth joins me for an in depth look at 8 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: the team, and finally it's punter Ryan Rico on mastering 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: the art of not kicking the ball too far. 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As they say in 26 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: New England, they're wicked good, and so is Joe Burrow, 27 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: the Bengals quarterback, is set to return to action on 28 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: Thursday night, two months and thirteen days after tearing ligaments 29 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: at the base of his left big toe. Joe knows 30 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:01,560 Speaker 1: that some people believe he should sit out for the 31 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: rest of the year since the Bengals faced long odds 32 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: for making the playoffs, but that's not how he's wired. 33 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: On Tuesday, he explained why he's back and why he's 34 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 1: back now, look at. 35 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 2: It from my perspective. 36 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 3: I'm a football player, and if I get hurt, I'm 37 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 3: gonna go through the rehab process and then I'm gonna 38 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 3: let everybody know when I feel like I can. 39 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 2: Go out there and play. I don't really know what 40 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 2: else to say about that. 41 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:38,799 Speaker 3: I'm not gonna ever go to somebody and say, yeah, 42 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 3: I'm healthy, But you know, I don't think I don't 43 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 3: think I should go out there and play. That doesn't 44 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 3: make a lot of sense to me. I'm not gonna 45 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:50,959 Speaker 3: live my life and play this game scared of something happening, like, yeah, 46 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:51,800 Speaker 3: something's gonna happen. 47 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 2: It's football. 48 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:55,399 Speaker 3: Guys are gonna get hurt, Guys are gonna get concussions. 49 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 3: You're gonna break bones, tear ligaments. It's a physical, intense game. 50 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 3: That's that's part of this. And yeah, I've had injuries. 51 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 3: There's not a lot I can do about that. I 52 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 3: worked really hard to have that not happen. But what 53 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 3: I can do is when it does happen, I can 54 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 3: control how I'm attacking my rehab and attacking practice and 55 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 3: doing everything in my power to get back as quickly 56 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 3: as possible. That's what I did. Number One, It's a 57 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 3: division game. I got a lot of respect for the 58 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:27,799 Speaker 3: people on the opposite side of the ball, but when 59 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 3: you play people twice a year, you get tired of them, 60 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 3: you don't like them. It's a division rivalry. You got 61 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 3: respect for him, but it's intense out there. It's something 62 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 3: I wanted to be out there for playing on Thanksgiving. 63 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 3: It's something I've always wanted. 64 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 2: To do that. 65 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 3: I pushed for in the past, and the NFL gave 66 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 3: it to us, and then you know, the injury happened 67 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 3: and thought I wasn't gonna be able to play, and 68 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 3: then as we got closer, I felt like it was 69 00:03:55,320 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 3: a real possibility. So that's exciting to me. And it's 70 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 3: a national stage to go out improve yourself again after 71 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 3: not playing for several weeks, and every opportunity that you 72 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 3: get to go improve all the hard work that you've 73 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 3: put in the type of player you are is something that. 74 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,480 Speaker 2: I try to take advantage of. I'm a football player. 75 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:17,279 Speaker 2: I get paid a. 76 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 3: Lot of money to go and play a game with 77 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 3: my friends, and we work really hard, and you know, 78 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 3: it's intense and there's jobs on the line, but at 79 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 3: the end of the day, it's a game, and I've 80 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 3: worked hard to put myself in this position and get 81 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 3: as healthy as I can be to go out and 82 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 3: play with these guys, and that's something I wanted to do. 83 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 1: He returns behind an offensive line that has shown considerable 84 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: improvement since Joe's Week two injury. Under new O line 85 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: coach Scott Peters. Over the last five weeks, Chase Brown 86 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: has averaged eighty five rushing yards per game and six 87 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: yards per carry, and it is six starts for Cincinnati. 88 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 1: Joe Flacco was only sacked nine times and a half 89 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 1: times per game, which is roughly what the league leaders 90 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 1: averaged last year. Flacco, of course, helped by getting rid 91 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: of the ball quickly, and this week offensive coordinator Dan 92 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:15,360 Speaker 1: Pitcher was asked about Burrow tweaking his style of play 93 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: in hopes of avoiding future injuries. 94 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,359 Speaker 4: Care about what you do, and you're passionate about what 95 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 4: you do. I think you're always striving to be the 96 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 4: best version of yourself. I know that's true for myself. 97 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 4: So inasmuch as anybody who exists in that mindset. 98 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 5: Do they do you need to be open. 99 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 4: To Hey, maybe there's something I can adjust here, Maybe 100 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 4: maybe there's an element of my play. 101 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 1: That that can be tweaked. 102 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:43,359 Speaker 4: And I think he is open to that. I think 103 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 4: I think you'd be foolish to say any of us 104 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 4: that know this is this is the way and there 105 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 4: is no adjusting and deal with it. Well, I mean, 106 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 4: that's you can go that route. But if you're not 107 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 4: going to be self critical, so yeah, I don't. I'm 108 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 4: not going to speak for him. He's obviously done a 109 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 4: lot of incredible things in this league and he's an 110 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 4: incredible player, and I expect him to continue to be 111 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 4: an incredible player in this league. And how his career 112 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 4: evolves and how he evolves as a player. 113 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 5: We'll see. 114 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 4: I'm excited to see it because he's a lot of 115 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 4: fun to watch. 116 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: Following up on that, he's had an example now in 117 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: the building the last five weeks of a forty year 118 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: old guy who doesn't want to get sacked, doesn't want 119 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:28,599 Speaker 1: to get hit. I mean, do you think a little 120 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: of that gets incorporated just from seeing Flaka? 121 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 5: Sure? Maybe? 122 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 4: Again, like that's that's all part of the maturation process. 123 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 4: That there's a natural arc of a player's career that 124 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 4: occurs and particulate that position. And so many of the 125 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 4: great players in our league at that position are great 126 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 4: because there's an element of their play that allows them 127 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 4: to produce when it's not perfect. And defenses are good, 128 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 4: defensive coaches are good. We try our best to be 129 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 4: in the best play we can be in every time, 130 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 4: but it's just not possible, and so balancing that ability 131 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 4: to extend and create with when do I do that, 132 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 4: Is this an appropriate time? What's the big picture? I'm 133 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 4: making sure I'm taking care of myself so that I 134 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 4: can remain available to my team and my organization. That's 135 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 4: one big stew that all of it goes in there, 136 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 4: and you have to just do your best to make 137 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 4: the right choice in the moment. And he's very cognizant 138 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 4: of that. I think his comments reflect that, and I 139 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 4: think he's he's introspective and it's all part of the process. 140 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 4: So you know, I'm excited to watch him play. I'm 141 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 4: really happy that he's back. 142 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: Burow returns for a Thursday night game in Baltimore. Last year, 143 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: in two starts against the Ravens, he threw for eight 144 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: hundred and twenty yards with nine touchdowns and one interception, 145 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 1: and two of the most entertaining games of the year. 146 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: It's no under the NFL chose to put Cincinnati versus 147 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: Baltimore on Thanksgiving Night. The NBC Sunday Night Crew will 148 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 1: broadcast the game, but Chris Collinsworth will not be in 149 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: the booth. NBC is allowing Chris to spend the holiday 150 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 1: with his family, but he took time to join me 151 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: this week. Chris, you will not be in Baltimore on 152 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: Thursday night, but Joe Burrow will be seventy four days 153 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: after suffering his toe injury, assuming that he returns to action. 154 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 1: What impact do you expect it to have on the 155 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: entire team. 156 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 6: Well, I think it's already had an impact, right. I mean, 157 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 6: they were saying how defensively they were better last week 158 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 6: because Joe Burrow was in practice, and they showed it 159 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:45,440 Speaker 6: looked like it when they're out there on the field. 160 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 6: It's when the star player, the fifty million dollar player, 161 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 6: whatever you want to say, decides that even in potentially 162 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 6: a meaningless season, it doesn't mean it's not They knock 163 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:03,200 Speaker 6: off the Rays two times their remaining schedules such that, hey, 164 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 6: they could you know, it's not impossible for them to 165 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 6: make the playoffs if Joe gets hot. And I'm sure 166 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 6: Jamar is going to be a little motivated this week 167 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 6: as well. But just the fact that he wants to 168 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:18,959 Speaker 6: come back and play I think says something about him 169 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 6: the team, and it definitely does give him a little uplift. 170 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 6: And could they beat Baltimore twice? Yes, yes, and they've 171 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 6: already split with Pittsburgh, so conceivably they could end up 172 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 6: with the best record in the division. And I you know, 173 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:39,319 Speaker 6: stranger things have happened in this league. We know that 174 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:40,679 Speaker 6: stranger things have happened. 175 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: The Bengals obviously have to weigh risk reward with bringing 176 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:48,079 Speaker 1: Joe back, depending on how things go the rest of 177 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 1: the way. Where do you come down on that argument. 178 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 6: I'm not a doctor and I have no idea what 179 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 6: the long term impact of this could be. For me, 180 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 6: it's worth a fight, I guess, for as long as 181 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:07,000 Speaker 6: that fight lasts and you're still alive, potentially for the playoffs. 182 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 7: But I. 183 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 6: Want to win a championship, right, I mean, that's in 184 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 6: my career, That's what I missed out on. We lost 185 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 6: twice in a Super Bowl, and I only am interested 186 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 6: in one thing, and that's winning a championship. So if 187 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:28,200 Speaker 6: winning a championship, my best opportunity to do that is 188 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 6: with a completely healthy Joe Burrow next season and let 189 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 6: him get completely well, then I would lean that way. 190 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,200 Speaker 6: But if the doctors say, hey, it doesn't make any 191 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 6: difference at all. He's to the point now where he's 192 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 6: not going to be any different today than he would 193 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 6: have been to start next season. Then, yeah, I get it, 194 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 6: I get it. Let him play, But I'll be like you, well, 195 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:53,839 Speaker 6: now i'll be because I'll be holding my breath. It 196 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 6: wouldn't be good for you broadcasting the game to hold 197 00:10:56,320 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 6: your breath. But it'll be hard to watch, you know, 198 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 6: It'll just be and and he's he's so good. But 199 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 6: he loves Joe loves being in the action. He loves 200 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:10,959 Speaker 6: hopping up through the line of scrimmage, he loves dancing 201 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 6: around in there, and he makes great plays doing it. 202 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 6: But you know, every time he tiptoes into the center 203 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,439 Speaker 6: of that pass rush, it's going to be it'll be 204 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 6: it'll be a tough night for the fans. 205 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 1: I'll say that those plays are some of the plays 206 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 1: that make him who he is. It's why he's one 207 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: of the best players in the NFL. What can he do? 208 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 1: What can the Bengals do when he's on the field 209 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: to protect him as much as possible. 210 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 5: I don't think you can do that. I really don't, 211 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 5: you know. 212 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 6: And I don't think he's going to be running too 213 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 6: many naked bootlegs out there, or quarterback options or anything 214 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 6: like that. But when you're playing. You're playing, and it's honestly, 215 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 6: it's what makes preseason so hard. 216 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 5: It was like, you know, it's preseason. 217 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 6: You're trying to get ready, you're working on a few things, 218 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 6: but you don't want to get hurt. And I used 219 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 6: to say, yeah, I want to catch one pass, get 220 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 6: hit a little bit, not too hard, and then just 221 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 6: go to the sideline and get ready for the season. 222 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 6: But yeah, it's it's you just got to go, you know. 223 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 6: I think if Joe or the Bengals try to do 224 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 6: anything different than what they would have done ordinarily with him, 225 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 6: I think he'll know it and he'll probably make him 226 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 6: crazier and he'll hop around and try to make plays anyway. 227 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 6: So I just don't think you can take a natural 228 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 6: competitor and try to make him something he's not. 229 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 1: Jamar Chase does return this week. It also returns to Baltimore, 230 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 1: where he had two hundred and sixty four receiving yards 231 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: and three touchdowns on a Thursday night game last year. 232 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 1: You've seen all the greats. What separates Jamar Chase from 233 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 1: just about everybody else? 234 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:55,679 Speaker 6: I do think he's a great one. I think he 235 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 6: has a chance to be most certainly a Hall of Fame, 236 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 6: but maybe even a notch above that. He's so strong. 237 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 6: I mean that, that to me is what sticks out. 238 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:13,679 Speaker 6: It's like we all caught balls in open space and 239 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:17,720 Speaker 6: then you know, somebody wraps their arm around us and 240 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 6: slows us down a little bit, and somebody else makes 241 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 6: a tackle. You can wrap your arms around this guy 242 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 6: and it's not going to slow him down. I mean, 243 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 6: he is a running back in every sense of the 244 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 6: forum from the waist down and has been. 245 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:35,079 Speaker 5: He's so fast, he's just a blur. 246 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 6: So you got to protect the quick screen to him 247 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:40,840 Speaker 6: because he can break that for seventy which I think 248 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 6: he did. Was that Baltimore he did that against last 249 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 6: year is one of the best plays I've ever seen. 250 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 6: And then a couple of years ago he did one 251 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:52,720 Speaker 6: in Baltimore just like that. So yeah, he's I'm sure 252 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:57,079 Speaker 6: Baltimore was wishing that he had been suspended this one, 253 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:01,319 Speaker 6: not the other one. But I truly think I think 254 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 6: he's the best receiver there's ever been in Cincinnati. And 255 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,680 Speaker 6: I'm telling you that takes a lot for me to 256 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 6: say that, and not because of me, but because of 257 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 6: some of the other guys that I've played with and 258 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 6: I've seen play there, so I'm excited to see him 259 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 6: back on the field and I'm sure he's going to 260 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 6: be He's going to be fired up and ready to play. 261 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 1: Chris, Let's talk about the O line for a moment. 262 00:14:22,920 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: They're starting a second year guy at right tackle and 263 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: two rookies at the guard positions. Both of the last 264 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: five games, they're averaging about five and a half yards 265 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 1: per run. Joe Flacco, who was only sacked nine times 266 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,320 Speaker 1: during that five game stretch, do you think the Bengals 267 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 1: are starting to build a solid line for Joe Burrow 268 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:40,680 Speaker 1: going forward. 269 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 6: I think this is going to be one of the 270 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 6: really interesting questions is Joe Flacco is a veteran, and 271 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 6: one thing we know about forty plus year old men, 272 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 6: they don't particularly like getting hit, right, So I think 273 00:14:55,480 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 6: that what Joe Flacco has proven is it doesn't matter 274 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 6: who the offensive line is sometimes if your quarterback has 275 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 6: the mentality of I'm not going to take a sack. 276 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 6: Which was Tom Brady, which was Peyton Manning, which was 277 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 6: Eli Manning. I mean, those guys really believed that if 278 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 6: they were around come playoff time, that they had a 279 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 6: chance to win a world championship. And I think to 280 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 6: some extent, it'll be interesting for Joe Burrow to have 281 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 6: seen what Joe Flacco did and not taking those hits, 282 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 6: not taking the sacks, being willing to get the ball 283 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 6: out of his hands. He's got two of the best 284 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 6: catch and run wide receivers in the game today, and let. 285 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 5: Them take those hits. 286 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 6: Because really, the times that we've seen Joe make it 287 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 6: through to the playoffs, they do have a chance to 288 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 6: win a Super Bowl. They can win in Buffalo, in 289 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 6: Kansas City, they can beat the teams they couldn't be beat. 290 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 6: But he's got to get there. And so, yeah, I 291 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 6: just got to be honest with you. If I were 292 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:10,520 Speaker 6: his coach, I would say, let's take a look at 293 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 6: what Flacco did while you were out with the same 294 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 6: offensive line more or less, and he wasn't taking those hits, 295 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 6: And is there a way to incorporate. 296 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 5: Some of that. 297 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 6: So not trying to lessen your game or your play style, 298 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:27,800 Speaker 6: but we've got to get you to the playoffs in 299 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 6: order for it to mean anything, right, And I think 300 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:32,560 Speaker 6: that that's something he may take to heart. 301 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 1: Let's talk about the defense for a moment of the 302 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: last couple of weeks, the defense, so subtracting defensive touchdowns 303 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: by the other team is given up twenty points and 304 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 1: nineteen points. So it's been better. What's the next step? 305 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 1: What must this defense do to feel good about it 306 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 1: going forward? 307 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 6: Yeah, I think eventually they're going to have to get 308 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 6: their pass rush going. And Hendrickson not being what he's 309 00:16:57,760 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 6: been the last couple of years and being out for 310 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 6: as long as he's been is definitely part of it. 311 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 6: But studying the Denver Broncos this week and the way 312 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 6: they're rushing the passer, I mean, that's that's how you 313 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:14,160 Speaker 6: win championships. Quarterbacks that are great quarterbacks are not even 314 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:16,200 Speaker 6: good quarterbacks when they're under pressure. 315 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 5: And it's just a fact. 316 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 6: So if the Bengals can finally get somebody, it looks 317 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 6: like they're working out some of the stuff in the secondary. 318 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:27,880 Speaker 6: I was reading some of the stuff about Geno Stone 319 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 6: and the tackling and all of that today, so it's 320 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:35,400 Speaker 6: you know, I think at the end of the day, 321 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 6: they've got to go hit the quarterback. Every I interview 322 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,959 Speaker 6: every defensive coordinator in the league every single week and 323 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,440 Speaker 6: go around and like, so, what is the plan. 324 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 5: We got to hit the quarterback. We got to hit 325 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 5: the quarterback, you know. 326 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 6: And so when you're doing that on a regular basis 327 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 6: and you think about some of the great teams in 328 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 6: league history, that's what they're doing. And you know, the 329 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:01,520 Speaker 6: New York Giants with Lawrence Taylor, Pittsburg Steelers, me and 330 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 6: Joe Green. You go right down the list. And if 331 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 6: they could ever, I wish they could just get that player. 332 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 6: You know, Hendrickson's been that the last couple of years. 333 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 6: The boy would be nice to get a twenty two 334 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,880 Speaker 6: year old like that. You know, they could just Micah Parsons. 335 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 6: Would that be cool? 336 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,440 Speaker 1: That would definitely be cool. So they take on the 337 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,720 Speaker 1: Ravens on Thursday night. Baltimore started one in five. They 338 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 1: haven't lost since. Are the Ravens all the way back? 339 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 6: It just depends on Lamar and how healthy he's been. 340 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 6: You know, they really haven't had they started with slowly 341 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:40,119 Speaker 6: on the defensive side, they're getting better. They're probably a 342 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 6: little bit like the Bengals, but they've lost some key 343 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:48,440 Speaker 6: people over there on the defensive side too. So it's 344 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 6: I don't it's not an unbeatable Ravens team. 345 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 5: I mean, let's just put it that way. 346 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,440 Speaker 6: This is a team and we've seen the Bengals now 347 00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,119 Speaker 6: slug it out with some good teams and losing and 348 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 6: heartbreaking ways. I mean, the Bengals have found ways at 349 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,120 Speaker 6: the end of some of these games to lose. That's 350 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 6: just breathtaking. And so do I think they can go 351 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:11,920 Speaker 6: into Baltimore and get a win here? 352 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 5: I do. 353 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 6: I do understand why Joe Burrow wants to play, because 354 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 6: if they did win here now they would be right 355 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 6: a game back. I think of the Ravens at that point, 356 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 6: something like that. I'm gonna do some funny math here, 357 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 6: but it then gives you a reason to play Joe 358 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 6: Burrow the next week. And that's the way I would 359 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:34,679 Speaker 6: look at this. I would just think of this like, 360 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 6: let's just we got a chance. Let's play him. You know, 361 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 6: let's play him. He's going to be fresh, he didn't play, 362 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 6: you know, he's not playing on four days rest like 363 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 6: everybody else is. Let's give it a shot and make 364 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:52,320 Speaker 6: a decision and pray he doesn't get hurt. 365 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: Chris, in eighty seven, you played on a team that 366 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:56,679 Speaker 1: won four games. The next year you were in the 367 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:59,160 Speaker 1: Super Bowl. The Bengals did the same thing in twenty 368 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 1: twenty one where it wins the year before and then 369 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: they were in the Super Bowl. What's the key for 370 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:07,680 Speaker 1: this team to get right back into contention if they 371 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 1: don't have a miraculous run this year. 372 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:12,439 Speaker 6: It was a wake up call for us because we 373 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:16,360 Speaker 6: had in eighty six, we we had a good year, 374 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 6: we had won ten games, didn't make the playoffs, which 375 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 6: was painful, and then in eighty seven had the bad year, 376 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 6: but it was also the strike year and we didn't 377 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:32,320 Speaker 6: get to those games. The replacement games weren't that much fun. 378 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:34,160 Speaker 5: So I lost all those. 379 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 6: So we went from one in one to one in 380 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 6: four when we came back, and it was just a 381 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:41,120 Speaker 6: train wreck after that. 382 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,399 Speaker 5: So but then we were mad, you know. It was 383 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 5: like we're. 384 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 6: Embarrassed and mad and all those things. And I think 385 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:53,520 Speaker 6: this team has to get mad. I think they have 386 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 6: to decide that they're going to be a Super Bowl 387 00:20:57,359 --> 00:20:59,800 Speaker 6: championship team. They've got the players, I mean they do. 388 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:03,919 Speaker 6: They've got players that can do it. I would have 389 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 6: to study their defense a little bit more to know 390 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 6: exactly what it was, but I do like what Al's 391 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:12,199 Speaker 6: doing now. It seems like they've kind of hit on 392 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:17,199 Speaker 6: something here lately, and I'm guessing that he probably has 393 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 6: learned a lot about this. 394 00:21:18,320 --> 00:21:19,679 Speaker 5: Defense and who can do what. 395 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 6: And you know a lot of times you hear this 396 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 6: guy's a good player, that guy's a good player, but 397 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 6: until you spend a year with him, you don't know 398 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 6: what their their skill set is. You don't you want 399 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:32,200 Speaker 6: to Every coach says the same thing. I want to 400 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 6: take that player and put him in position to do 401 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 6: what he does best. Well, I think Al probably knows 402 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:41,199 Speaker 6: what each of those players do best now, and he 403 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:46,959 Speaker 6: probably also knows what players can't do and what they're missing. 404 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 6: You know, what is it that this defense just doesn't 405 00:21:49,880 --> 00:21:51,200 Speaker 6: have personnel wise? 406 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:52,760 Speaker 5: And I've got to. 407 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 6: Think that they are going to go very heavy in 408 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:58,639 Speaker 6: this draft on the defensive side. That would be that 409 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 6: would be the quickest solution, in my mind, is to 410 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 6: just load up and then let the Superstars go to 411 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 6: work on offense. 412 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:09,240 Speaker 1: Final thing for Chris collins Worth last Sunday night, you 413 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 1: called your five hundredth NFL game as an analyst. Five 414 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:16,800 Speaker 1: hundred is a big number. When the theme song kicks 415 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 1: in and you hear Carrie Underwood's voice, is the rush 416 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:26,200 Speaker 1: as great as it's ever been, yeah. 417 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 6: Kind of, you know, it's like it's the one thing 418 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:32,960 Speaker 6: that you know, I did a lot of years in 419 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:37,879 Speaker 6: the studio too, but there's nothing like going to the ballpark. 420 00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 5: You know. 421 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:40,560 Speaker 6: It's like, I pay my own hard earned money to 422 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:44,800 Speaker 6: go watch games everywhere around the country, and I always 423 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 6: say that, you know, I'm sitting there. 424 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:48,160 Speaker 5: A lot of times. 425 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 6: I'll be in Dallas Stadium and I look across the 426 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 6: way and there's Jerry Jones sitting in his box and 427 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:55,520 Speaker 6: it's directly across from us where we are, and we 428 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 6: have basically the same exact position, the same exact box, 429 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:03,040 Speaker 6: And I'm looking over there and I'm going Cherry spent 430 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 6: billions of dollars to have that seat right there, and 431 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 6: I'm getting paid to sit in mind, this is pretty good. 432 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:13,440 Speaker 6: So I try to always appreciate it, always love it, 433 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:16,639 Speaker 6: and yeah, I've got to admit when we're going on 434 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 6: the air, I'm still feeling the butterflies and the energy 435 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 6: and the crowd at that point is they're introducing the 436 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:28,040 Speaker 6: home team, and guy, if there's something better feeling than that, 437 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:32,560 Speaker 6: I don't know what it is. So it's been an 438 00:23:32,600 --> 00:23:36,919 Speaker 6: amazing journey for me. I would have never imagined. I 439 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 6: thought I was just buying a couple of years to 440 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 6: help me pay for law school when I got finished playing. 441 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 6: I used to tell Holly every week or every year, like, look, 442 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:49,760 Speaker 6: this is temporary. Very soon another Hall of Fame quarterback's 443 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 6: going to retire and they're going to take my job. 444 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:55,080 Speaker 6: And that's okay because every dollar I make along the 445 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:58,239 Speaker 6: way here is helping me, you know. And then you know, 446 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:01,679 Speaker 6: thirty something years later, I'm still doing it. In my 447 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 6: wildest dreams, I couldn't have imagined. 448 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:06,120 Speaker 1: Chris, I know how busy you are. Thanks so much 449 00:24:06,119 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 1: for your time. I always appreciate it and enjoy Thanksgiving 450 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:10,159 Speaker 1: with the family. 451 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:12,160 Speaker 5: Thanks Dan, good talking to you, Budd. 452 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:15,760 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth podcast is brought to you by Paycreps, 453 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,440 Speaker 1: proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 454 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, 455 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 456 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:30,200 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 457 00:24:30,240 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. No punter in 458 00:24:34,720 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: NFL history with enough punts to qualify for all time 459 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 1: records has averaged more than fifty yards of punt. Perhaps 460 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:45,719 Speaker 1: Ryan Rico will become the first. In his first season 461 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:48,359 Speaker 1: and a half with the Bengals, Rico is averaging fifty 462 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:52,200 Speaker 1: point six and this year his average is over fifty two. 463 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 1: But Rico is still a work in progress when it 464 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:59,120 Speaker 1: comes to pinning teams deep in their own territory without 465 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:02,560 Speaker 1: punting the ball into the end zone. We discussed it 466 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 1: this week. Ryan, you are averaging fifty two point three 467 00:25:07,160 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 1: yards per punt, which is number one in the NFL. 468 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:15,680 Speaker 1: Do you know the NFL single season record for punting average? 469 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:16,280 Speaker 1: Do you know it? 470 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:20,480 Speaker 7: I do not know it. I think it's I want 471 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 7: to say it's around fifty three. 472 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,639 Speaker 1: It is fifty three point one. It's held by Tennessee's 473 00:25:25,720 --> 00:25:29,159 Speaker 1: Ryan Stonehouse. So you are less than a yard behind. 474 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,399 Speaker 1: Does it become a goal when you know you're that close. 475 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:35,880 Speaker 7: I wouldn't say so. I feel like the gross average 476 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:38,840 Speaker 7: it's it's good and all, but I feel like as 477 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,399 Speaker 7: a team we're more focused on the net and so 478 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:44,600 Speaker 7: I think, yeah, the gross has been great, we just 479 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 7: need to get the net up. But as far as 480 00:25:47,359 --> 00:25:48,959 Speaker 7: trying to break a record, I feel like those are 481 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 7: one of the things that happen if it just so 482 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:54,280 Speaker 7: happens to come about. But for me, I'm not like, 483 00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 7: oh shoot, I need to have this average to reach 484 00:25:56,880 --> 00:25:58,640 Speaker 7: that record at any given game. 485 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:01,080 Speaker 1: So the net is forty two point eight, which is 486 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 1: very good. You're eighth in the NFL in that category, 487 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:07,880 Speaker 1: and it would be a little better if not for touchbacks. 488 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 1: You've got nine touchbacks so far this year. Did you 489 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 1: even worry about taking something off your punts when you 490 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:16,840 Speaker 1: were in college. 491 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:21,439 Speaker 7: Man, not as much. I feel like it's kind of 492 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:23,760 Speaker 7: been a unique thing this year. We've had a lot 493 00:26:23,760 --> 00:26:25,679 Speaker 7: of punts that are in that kind of gray area, 494 00:26:27,040 --> 00:26:29,280 Speaker 7: and so those are the ones that we work the 495 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 7: most on in practice. And so that's like the most 496 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 7: frustrating thing so far about the season is the amount 497 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:39,439 Speaker 7: of touchbacks, just because those are opportunities to pin teams 498 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:43,280 Speaker 7: deep and set up the defense. So I feel like 499 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 7: in college, a lot of it was either you need 500 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:48,760 Speaker 7: to flip the field or it's like your traditional just 501 00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:50,639 Speaker 7: try and pin them deep. You're kind of hitting from 502 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,840 Speaker 7: the plus fifteen in So this year it's been a 503 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:56,520 Speaker 7: little bit unique just in the way that kickoffs and 504 00:26:56,560 --> 00:26:58,919 Speaker 7: everything work. The offenses are usually starting a little bit 505 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:02,800 Speaker 7: closer to that great area. And so that's again we 506 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 7: spent a lot of time working on developing that touch 507 00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:07,919 Speaker 7: and taking better lines, and that's got to be on 508 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:11,240 Speaker 7: me to go out and transition the practice onto the 509 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:12,000 Speaker 7: field in the game. 510 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:16,360 Speaker 1: I feel like it's easier to develop that as opposed 511 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,440 Speaker 1: to try to get stronger. If you've got the ability 512 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:23,600 Speaker 1: to boom one a long way with tremendous hangtime, I 513 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:26,879 Speaker 1: would think at least that the developing the other skill 514 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:28,200 Speaker 1: is something that you can do. 515 00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:32,400 Speaker 7: Yes, I definitely feel like to your point, yeah, it's 516 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,399 Speaker 7: a lot easier to kind of rain things in a 517 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:37,200 Speaker 7: little bit rather than like, Okay, I got to swing 518 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:40,080 Speaker 7: out of my shoes to get it further. And that's 519 00:27:40,119 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 7: what Darren always says. He's like, your greatest blessing is 520 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 7: also your greatest curse. So that's definitely something that I'm 521 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:50,560 Speaker 7: well aware of, and it is it's frustrating, but it 522 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 7: just feels like we're right on the edge of really 523 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:56,199 Speaker 7: being able to dial things in. And again it's just 524 00:27:56,800 --> 00:28:00,680 Speaker 7: it's your two I'm still just learning the kind of 525 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 7: nuances as far as that goes. But I mean, I'm 526 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:05,360 Speaker 7: going to be my biggest critic, and I know that 527 00:28:05,720 --> 00:28:07,360 Speaker 7: I got to cut those down and put our team 528 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:08,040 Speaker 7: in better spots. 529 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:11,720 Speaker 1: We're visiting with Ryan Rico broadcast college games as well. 530 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:15,359 Speaker 1: Roughly forty percent of college teams have an Australian punter. 531 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 1: You are from the state of Washington, do you almost 532 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:21,800 Speaker 1: feel like an endangered species at this point? I do. 533 00:28:21,840 --> 00:28:24,399 Speaker 7: I feel like I feel like it's almost becoming a 534 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 7: little bit of a lost art in the traditional sense 535 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:31,199 Speaker 7: of punting, because you get those Australian guys in and 536 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:34,600 Speaker 7: they're very talented, very very talented. I mean, they've been 537 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:36,919 Speaker 7: grown up kicking a ball longer than most Americans have, 538 00:28:37,640 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 7: and so I feel like that gives them an advantage 539 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 7: in that sense. I think it's cool that the NFL 540 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:46,360 Speaker 7: is still so much tailored around hitting the spiral, hitting 541 00:28:46,360 --> 00:28:50,040 Speaker 7: the traditional ball, but it is it's definitely crazy to 542 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:52,800 Speaker 7: look around. I mean, that's one of the reasons why 543 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:57,200 Speaker 7: my youngest, my younger brother transferred was because BYU wanted 544 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,160 Speaker 7: to transition to kind of the rollout Australian way, and 545 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 7: they brought a guy in who could do that at 546 00:29:01,560 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 7: a high level. So yeah, it is. It's kind of crazy. 547 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:08,840 Speaker 7: To see the college landscape shift in that direction especially, 548 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 7: But it's kind of been a thing in the making 549 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:12,560 Speaker 7: for a couple of years, I feel like. 550 00:29:13,240 --> 00:29:16,720 Speaker 1: So the NFL changed the rules for kicking balls this year. 551 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:19,360 Speaker 1: Instead of pulling them out of the box the morning 552 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,360 Speaker 1: of the game, you guys received footballs in the off 553 00:29:22,440 --> 00:29:25,800 Speaker 1: season that you could prepare to your liking. Do you 554 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:30,320 Speaker 1: and Evan McPherson have different kicking balls or is it 555 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:33,440 Speaker 1: one big bag of balls that the two of you 556 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 1: guys share. 557 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 5: Yeah. 558 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:38,680 Speaker 7: No, we're very similar in our line of thinking as 559 00:29:38,680 --> 00:29:41,280 Speaker 7: to what we like in the cable, and so I 560 00:29:41,280 --> 00:29:43,040 Speaker 7: think that's been a good thing where it's not like, hey, 561 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 7: our equipment, guys, you got to get this ball in. 562 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:48,600 Speaker 7: When Ryan's in this ball in, when Evan's kicking, we're 563 00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:51,240 Speaker 7: both on the same page and it's kind of like, Okay, 564 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:53,120 Speaker 7: this is the ball that we really like. This is 565 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:54,880 Speaker 7: a ball that's like, Okay, if we needed to go 566 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:57,400 Speaker 7: to it, we'd be great. And then the third ball 567 00:29:57,440 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 7: it's like, yeah, it's still be good, but you have 568 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,920 Speaker 7: your favorit. It's kind of as anybody would in that sense. 569 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:06,240 Speaker 1: So Evan set the franchise record last week with a 570 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 1: sixty three yard field goal, and you and long snapper 571 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:11,640 Speaker 1: Will Wagner obviously have to do your jobs as well 572 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:14,800 Speaker 1: in order for that to happen. Were you excited to 573 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 1: see him top sixty because that's kind of a line 574 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:21,240 Speaker 1: for NFL kickers. You're either a member of the club 575 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 1: or you're not. 576 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:22,280 Speaker 5: Yeah. 577 00:30:22,520 --> 00:30:25,040 Speaker 7: I think that's something that we see out of Evan 578 00:30:25,080 --> 00:30:28,720 Speaker 7: a lot in practice, and it's unique because we always 579 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:31,440 Speaker 7: talk about it, just the adrenaline and the difference that 580 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:35,680 Speaker 7: that makes, whether it's in a live practice situation, whether 581 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 7: it's in a game. And so Evans has an incredible 582 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:41,600 Speaker 7: leg talent, but then you get in the game and 583 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:44,840 Speaker 7: I feel like that's really where the flip kind of switches. 584 00:30:45,920 --> 00:30:47,280 Speaker 7: And so, I mean, we saw it in Green Bay, 585 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:50,040 Speaker 7: like he had the distance from sixty seven and he 586 00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 7: didn't even hit that one well the first time. So 587 00:30:53,040 --> 00:30:55,600 Speaker 7: we go out onto the field knowing that, Okay, you 588 00:30:55,720 --> 00:30:58,320 Speaker 7: got clear conditions and you're sixty five and in like, 589 00:30:58,360 --> 00:31:00,040 Speaker 7: Evan's got a really good shot of making it. So 590 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:03,040 Speaker 7: it was awesome to have a front row seat to that, 591 00:31:03,160 --> 00:31:05,080 Speaker 7: and as soon as he hit it, it was like, okay, yeah, 592 00:31:05,080 --> 00:31:07,840 Speaker 7: he hit that one. Really well and just super excited 593 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:09,400 Speaker 7: for him to be able to kind of set that 594 00:31:09,440 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 7: record for the franchise, but also for him just setting 595 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:14,160 Speaker 7: a new personal best to right. 596 00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:16,840 Speaker 1: And you are a former BYU Cougar. The Cougars were 597 00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:21,120 Speaker 1: at the University of Cincinnati last Saturday night. I was amazed, 598 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:25,280 Speaker 1: truly amazed by how many fans made the trip. I've 599 00:31:25,320 --> 00:31:28,320 Speaker 1: seen it before if it's a drive, but I've never 600 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:31,760 Speaker 1: seen that many people before willing to fly to Cincinnati 601 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:35,560 Speaker 1: to see their college team play. How would you describe 602 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:37,200 Speaker 1: the BYU fan. 603 00:31:37,040 --> 00:31:40,840 Speaker 7: Base, man, I feel like it's it's something I don't 604 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:42,800 Speaker 7: think I took it for granted because I was always 605 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:46,440 Speaker 7: in awe as well. You would transfer it didn't or 606 00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:48,160 Speaker 7: you would you travel no matter where it was in 607 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:51,360 Speaker 7: the country. You felt like, Okay, Like BYU is showing 608 00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:53,520 Speaker 7: out like they have a lot of a lot of fans, 609 00:31:54,480 --> 00:31:57,240 Speaker 7: and so Cougarnation in that sense is like I think 610 00:31:57,320 --> 00:31:59,280 Speaker 7: that they have a leg up on almost any other 611 00:31:59,320 --> 00:32:03,400 Speaker 7: fan base in callege just because it is affiliated with 612 00:32:03,440 --> 00:32:06,320 Speaker 7: the church, and so you got members of the church everywhere, 613 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:08,560 Speaker 7: and so a lot of it is people traveling. But 614 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:10,959 Speaker 7: then you get the people that are local who are 615 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:13,120 Speaker 7: still by you fans, and it's their opportunity to go 616 00:32:13,160 --> 00:32:16,240 Speaker 7: and support the team. So I think it's really unique 617 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:19,200 Speaker 7: that BYU is able to do that and just kind 618 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:20,959 Speaker 7: of show up in full force no matter where it is. 619 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:24,960 Speaker 1: You'll be punting on Thanksgiving Night this year, the Bengals 620 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:28,000 Speaker 1: playing in Baltimore. How do you feel about the opportunity 621 00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:29,520 Speaker 1: to play under such a big spotlight. 622 00:32:29,880 --> 00:32:32,280 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think it's I think it's incredible. I mean, 623 00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 7: Zach he made the point today, He's like, think about 624 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:39,160 Speaker 7: every Thanksgiving you've ever been at. You're looking at the 625 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:42,600 Speaker 7: football games, who's playing, who's going to perform? And so 626 00:32:43,120 --> 00:32:44,400 Speaker 7: the fact that we get to be a part of 627 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:47,680 Speaker 7: that is definitely fulfilling a childhood dream like, oh, wouldn't 628 00:32:47,680 --> 00:32:49,200 Speaker 7: it be cool to be one of those guys playing 629 00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:52,880 Speaker 7: on Thanksgiving? And now it's kind of up to us. 630 00:32:52,880 --> 00:32:54,040 Speaker 7: It's like, Okay, how do you want to go out 631 00:32:54,080 --> 00:32:56,840 Speaker 7: and perform and what kind of impression do you want 632 00:32:56,880 --> 00:32:58,400 Speaker 7: to leave on all the people who are watching. So 633 00:32:58,520 --> 00:33:00,240 Speaker 7: it's definitely a cool opportunity. 634 00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:03,160 Speaker 1: Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wife, continue success. 635 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:04,040 Speaker 7: Thank you so much. 636 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:07,520 Speaker 1: Here's a quick invitation to join LAPP in Wayne box 637 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:10,400 Speaker 1: Miller for the Bengals pep Rally Show. This week. They'll 638 00:33:10,400 --> 00:33:13,000 Speaker 1: be at the on the Rhine Eatery the food hall 639 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:16,520 Speaker 1: on the second floor above the downtown Kroger on Friday 640 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:19,640 Speaker 1: from three to six and their scheduled guest in the 641 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:23,560 Speaker 1: final hour is Bengals backup quarterback Sean Clifford from Saint 642 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:26,320 Speaker 1: Xavier High School. That's going to do it for this 643 00:33:26,360 --> 00:33:28,960 Speaker 1: episode of the Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to you by 644 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:33,120 Speaker 1: pay Corps, Proud to be the Bengals Official HR software provider, 645 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:37,000 Speaker 1: by Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate 646 00:33:37,040 --> 00:33:40,280 Speaker 1: your home, business and community to a new level, and 647 00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:43,800 Speaker 1: by Kettering Health the best care for the best fans. 648 00:33:43,880 --> 00:33:47,520 Speaker 1: Kettering Health is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. 649 00:33:47,840 --> 00:33:50,600 Speaker 1: If you haven't done so already, please subscribe to this 650 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:52,680 Speaker 1: podcast and if you have a minute, give it a 651 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:56,320 Speaker 1: rating or share a comment that helps more Bengals fans 652 00:33:56,560 --> 00:34:00,400 Speaker 1: find us. I'm Dan Hord and thanks for listening to 653 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:02,480 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast.