1 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:06,560 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody on Dan Horde, and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast. The Money Money, Money, Money Money addition, 3 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: as we take a look at the big bucks the 4 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: Bengals are reportedly shelling out in free agency. By the way, 5 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,080 Speaker 1: that Money, Money, Money Money song is my second favorite 6 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: OJ's tune behind Backstabbers. My guest on this edition is 7 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 1: NFL analyst Andy Benoit, formerly of Sports Illustrated and The MMQB. 8 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,160 Speaker 1: He's as good as it gets at studying the tape 9 00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: and sharing his insights, and he'll weigh in on the 10 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 1: four free agents the Bengals have reportedly signed. I stress 11 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 1: reportedly because until they pass physicals and put pen to paper, 12 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 1: NFL teams are not permitted to make official announcements. The 13 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth Podcast is presented by Prime Sport, the official fan, 14 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 1: travel and hospitality partner of the Cincinnati Bengals. And here's 15 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 1: a quick reminder that you can have the latest edition 16 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: of this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, or 17 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: computer by subscribing. It's the greatest thing since watching the 18 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 1: nineteen seventy five World Series with your kid. Back in 19 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: two thousand and six, I purchased a DVD box set 20 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,639 Speaker 1: of the nineteen seventy five World Series, the Classic seven 21 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 1: Games Showdown between the Reds and Red Sox. After making 22 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:34,480 Speaker 1: the purchase, I immediately watched Game six, the Carlton Fiscom 23 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: run game, but I had never gone back and relived 24 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: the entire series until this week. I've been watching a 25 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: game every night with my thirteen year old son and 26 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: we're having a ball after this. We're planning on all 27 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: seven games of a classic NBA Finals, and I'm sure 28 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 1: we'll watch entire NFL games as well. The Freezer Bowl 29 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: seems like a great place to start, so if you 30 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: miss watching live sporting events, and don't we all, it's 31 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: a fun alternative. Now let's get to this week's guest. 32 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: For many years, Andy Benoit has been one of my 33 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: favorite NFL analysts and he's been a frequent guest on 34 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: our Bengals radio shows. This week, after it was reported 35 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: that the Bengals had reached a deal with free agent 36 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: defensive tackle DJ Reader, Andy tweeted out video analysis for 37 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:29,359 Speaker 1: why he thinks it's such a valuable pickup. I reached 38 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 1: out to Andy to get his thoughts on all four 39 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: of the free agents that the Bengals have reportedly agreed 40 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: to deals with, as well as the state of the 41 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:42,359 Speaker 1: linebacker position and the possibility of Andy Dalton winding up 42 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 1: with the Patriots. Andy and the Bengals signed DJ Reader. 43 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: You tweeted out that it was a great, great signing 44 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 1: by the Bengals in the second great was in all caps? 45 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:58,679 Speaker 1: Why such a great pickup? Well, first of all, I 46 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 1: don't know how to tell us I and twit. I 47 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: don't even know if you can, So that's why I 48 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:05,519 Speaker 1: did all caps in the second grade. But I think 49 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:10,959 Speaker 1: for one, obviously Cincinnati badly, badly needed help and run defense, 50 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 1: and Reader obviously fits that bill. But I think there's 51 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:16,839 Speaker 1: a lot more to him than what would lead the eye. 52 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:18,679 Speaker 1: And I've been guilty of this as well. You put 53 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: on the film, he kind of just by default expect 54 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:23,359 Speaker 1: to see a guy who's a first and second down 55 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: run defender, and he is a great one at that. 56 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: But he can bring some juice to the pass rush. 57 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 1: He's not going to be confused for Geno Atkins per se, 58 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 1: but his ability to move left and right within confined 59 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: areas is very good. He can penetrate and get up 60 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: the field, and I think that's going to help a 61 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: lot on their first and second down pass rush because 62 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: one thing Reader gives you, he'll line up at that 63 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: nose shape position where he's kind of tilted over the center. 64 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: He has a very good sense for how to transition 65 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 1: from being a run defender to a pass rusher at 66 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: that position from that spot, and that can be a 67 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: deceptively valuable weapon, especially anymore with so many teams play 68 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 1: action passing is now so common that you've got to 69 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: be able to stop the pass on first and second down. 70 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: That sounds really unusual to me for somebody who's three 71 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: hundred and forty seven pounds, And that's why the Bengals 72 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: paid him all that money. Guys like that at that 73 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 1: size typically do not they can't move as well as 74 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: he does. And another thing, I'm mat Reader at the 75 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: Senior Bowl a few years ago, and the reason he 76 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 1: was there is because the Houston Texans coaching staff they 77 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: were coaching one of the Senior Bowl teams, and Reader 78 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 1: realized hates a chance to just go get some free 79 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:39,840 Speaker 1: coaching and be around I get I'm allowed to do that, 80 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:41,919 Speaker 1: So he just went to the Senior Bowl to be 81 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: around coaches, to get that much more exposure to football. 82 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 1: I was like in his second or third season. So 83 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: that's the kind of guy that the Bengals have signed. 84 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: What does that addition mean to Gino, to Carlos Dunlapping, 85 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: the other guys up front? You know someone's gonna get 86 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:59,000 Speaker 1: double team because typically it's four man rush versus five 87 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 1: man protect. You know, in the run game, it's a 88 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: little bit different. And even though I'm saying Reader's a 89 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 1: great pass rusher for what he is, you're still signing 90 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 1: him primarily for your run defense. I don't know against 91 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: the run if it makes a huge difference for those 92 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 1: guys because run plays tend to just be based on 93 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 1: the structure of the defense and we're going to double 94 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 1: team near the ball and work up or whatever it 95 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:24,880 Speaker 1: is we're gonna do. It's more in past protection where 96 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: you really focus on, Hey, how do we take away Dunlap? 97 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 1: What do we do to stop Geno Atkins? So to 98 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: answer your question, that answer becomes a function of how 99 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 1: often will read or be on the field and obvious 100 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:42,039 Speaker 1: passing situations. And let's say he's on for ten snaps 101 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 1: a game, and abvious past situations, which would be a lot, 102 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,359 Speaker 1: but he did that at times in Houston. I would 103 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: imagine he's not going to draw the extra attention in 104 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: and of himself many of those times, if at all, 105 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,719 Speaker 1: so you know, as great as he is, I don't 106 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: know if it makes a big difference for Geno Atkins 107 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:02,359 Speaker 1: or Carlos other than just that they have one extra 108 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 1: good pass rusher around them. And I'd be one thing 109 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 1: I'd be interested to know if the Bengals feel they 110 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 1: can do stunts and twists with Reader, because that can 111 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: help Atkins and Dunlap. You can certainly do that against 112 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: the run, where you start them out in one gap 113 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: and have them defend another gap against the pass. That's 114 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 1: a little bit of a different story, but I would 115 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,680 Speaker 1: imagine the Bengals are having these discussions right now. Our 116 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: guest is Andy Benoit, NFL Analysts. The Bengals have also 117 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 1: reportedly signed two quarterbacks, so we're the Minnesota Vikings Trey 118 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,279 Speaker 1: Waynes to play on the outside and Mackenzie Alexander to 119 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,040 Speaker 1: play in the slot. What did you think of each guy? 120 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:43,400 Speaker 1: And have the Bengals upgraded their secondary? Yes, I think 121 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:46,159 Speaker 1: they have upgraded the secondary, especially considering they were playing 122 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: with some backups last year that spot. Both guys had 123 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 1: fine careers in Minnesota, stellar careers, but the hard reality 124 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: is also you know they were their first time they 125 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,039 Speaker 1: have been free agents, and the team that drafted him, 126 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 1: Trey Wayne's is a first round pick. McKenzie I was 127 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 1: in or the second rounder. The team that drafted him 128 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: with that high of a draft capitol didn't re signed them. 129 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: So obviously their careers in Minnesota were not great. But 130 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: I think Wayne, I know the Vikings felt he was 131 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: their top cover corner last year. Alexander's a pretty classic 132 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: pier slot guy. Both of those guys are experienced in 133 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 1: zone coverage with your Vikings do a lot, and that's 134 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: the way Cincinnati has typically played. The Bengals released right 135 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: guard John Miller and have reportedly signed Xavier sue Philo. 136 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:41,400 Speaker 1: Is that an upgrade? Well, sue Philo's typically played on 137 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 1: the left side in his career, and that's I'm sure 138 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 1: that's where he's most comfortable. That doesn't mean he can't 139 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: play on the right. But what's always stood out with 140 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: sue Field he's not a very strong player physically. He's 141 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 1: gotten better in that sense, there's no question he got 142 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: better A few years ago there, but that's not his strength. 143 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 1: What you want was to a feel of the reason 144 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:04,239 Speaker 1: you'd pay him is he's a very mobile run blocker, 145 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: and when he does what they call gap scheme runs 146 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 1: where you're pull blocking, he is very good at staying 147 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 1: tight to the line of scrimmage. He's a highly efficient 148 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 1: pull blocker. Now I don't know if Sue Filo would 149 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: be as good of a puller if he's pulling from 150 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 1: the right guard spot versus the left. And when I 151 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 1: say I don't know, I mean I don't know. We 152 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: haven't seen it. But overall, Dan, I do think it's 153 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 1: still an outgre I mean the Bengals they didn't have 154 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: far to go to upgrade along their offensive line. That 155 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:33,679 Speaker 1: was a real problem area for them last year. We're 156 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,000 Speaker 1: talking to Andy Benoit. You can follow him on Twitter 157 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:40,439 Speaker 1: and see some great video analysis at Andy Underscore Benoit 158 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 1: be n O. I getting back to the offensive line. 159 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: Jonah Williams. We assume he'll be back and healthy at 160 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 1: left tackle. The Bengals are hoping that Michael Jordan Fred 161 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: Johnson can make progress in year two. Are those the 162 00:08:53,960 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: building blocks of an offensive line that should be significantly better? Well, 163 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: I mean, I think Williams and theory can be a 164 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 1: building block, though, to be honest, I think it's difficult 165 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 1: to build around a tackle in today's NFL for your 166 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: offensive line. Really the guys that make a difference, and 167 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: when you're talking about when you say a building block, 168 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: in my mind's eye, Dan, I see, okay, guys that 169 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:21,719 Speaker 1: are influencing the scheme, Guys that are bringing the dynamic 170 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 1: traits to how we play, what's happening after the snap. 171 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,719 Speaker 1: Really that comes from the guard position, and so if 172 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 1: you want to change the makeup of your line signing, 173 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: a really good guard can do that. Tackles, in my opinion, 174 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 1: the reason they get paid is because they're the insurance 175 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:40,839 Speaker 1: policy to protect your quarterback, and that's obviously that's a 176 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:44,839 Speaker 1: very important role. So Williams can be the building block 177 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:46,800 Speaker 1: in the sense that they have a guy at left 178 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 1: tackle they can feel comfortable with, probably get more guys 179 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 1: out and routes because they're not having to help their 180 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: line quite as much if he's in there. But those 181 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: other guys to me are puzzle piece players. And I 182 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: imagine and the I'm sure that Bengals would feel fine, 183 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 1: especially with Jordan going into this season, But I would 184 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: imagine that their scouting department, their assistant coaches are still 185 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: keeping an eye on what kind of guards are available. 186 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 1: To me, that'd still be a draft need for them. 187 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 1: Let's talk about linebacker. The Bengals reportedly got outbid for 188 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 1: Joe Schobert and Nick Witkowski. They have Germaine Pratts and 189 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: really some special teams guys on the roster right now. 190 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 1: Are there any free agent linebackers still out there that 191 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: you like? The last I heard as we were recording 192 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 1: is I believe alec Ogletree is still available. I've liked 193 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 1: him a lot. I think he got better as a 194 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 1: RAM over his career. He became a more alert and 195 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: reliable player, and he can still move very well, and 196 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 1: the Giants saw that last year. So he's not going 197 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,439 Speaker 1: to go all pro or anything like that, but he 198 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 1: would be a drastic upgrade versus what they've had in 199 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: the past few years. And the linebacker market did kind 200 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 1: of get cleaned out pretty quickly. I think a lot 201 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: of the top linebackers were signed early in this process, 202 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: no question about that. The Bengals spent reportedly have spent. 203 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 1: Nothing's final until the physicals are done, but fifty three 204 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 1: million on Reader, forty two million on Wanes, four million 205 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: for one year on Alexander. So that's ninety nine million 206 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:24,280 Speaker 1: on the defensive line and the secondary. Nothing yet on linebacker. 207 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: What is the relative importance of that position in the 208 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 1: current NFL. Well, if you're strong at your D line 209 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 1: in your secondary, I think you can help your linebackers 210 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 1: and kind of plug them in a little bit, especially 211 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: since you're if you're going to be a zone defense, 212 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 1: which the Bengals are now. Having said that, you feel 213 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 1: a little bit like you're playing with fire when you 214 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:48,959 Speaker 1: talk about this team in that regard, because there were 215 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: times last year where their linebackers really immensely struggled, And 216 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 1: so I would not blame the Bengals at all for 217 00:11:57,559 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: almost overcorrecting in that position because they just were. They 218 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:06,679 Speaker 1: really struggle a linebacker at times. So you can plug 219 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: them in in theory, but you can't. You've got to 220 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 1: have a you don't need the highest for this, right 221 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: then you don't need the highest ceiling with your linebackers 222 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: and that kind of scheme given what they have at 223 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:20,160 Speaker 1: the other spots, but you do need a higher floor 224 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: than what they've had recently, a few more questions for 225 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: NFL analysts Andy Benoit, do you have a few best 226 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:31,319 Speaker 1: moves so far in NFL Free agency and worst moves 227 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:34,960 Speaker 1: so far at NFL free agency? Some of the trades 228 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 1: I think I've really liked, Like they're like Buckner from 229 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: the forty nine Ers to the Colts. I thought that 230 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,079 Speaker 1: was a trade that really benefited both teams given their 231 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 1: respective cabin and situations in their draft capital. I like 232 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 1: it when you see trades that benefit both sides. Does 233 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 1: it seem like we're getting a lot more trades than 234 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 1: we used to? Yes, yeah, I would's so that makes 235 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: it more exciting. That certainly makes it more exciting. Some 236 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 1: of the trade you scratch your head out a little bit. 237 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:04,200 Speaker 1: I'm probably in the group of people that have wandered 238 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: a little bit about why DeAndre Hopkins trade went the 239 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:11,320 Speaker 1: way it did. But you know, we don't know any 240 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 1: of this stuff to we see how all of these 241 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 1: guys fit with their new team. And I learned a 242 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 1: good lesson last year dan with Zadarius Smith and Preston Smith, 243 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 1: especially Preston Smith. I didn't think that those were great 244 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,440 Speaker 1: signings by the Packers. I liked is Zadarius Smith as 245 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,839 Speaker 1: a raven, but I didn't think throwing all that money 246 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 1: at him and Preston Smith was worthwhile. And obviously the 247 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 1: biggest difference in Green based defense this year into defense 248 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: that helped them go to the NSC Championship was having 249 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 1: those two guys. So the right free agent can do 250 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:44,079 Speaker 1: a lot for you. The problem is most teams will 251 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:46,720 Speaker 1: they've bat about two fifty on their free agent signings. 252 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 1: Is there a quarterback the Patriots should pursue in your opinion, Well, 253 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,680 Speaker 1: we have to remember and it's gonna maybe be different 254 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 1: because we still have the draft to account for and 255 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: there could be their opportunities to get guys, but as 256 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 1: of right now, their white receiving core is very limited, 257 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 1: so if they're gonna be dependent on play design as 258 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:12,080 Speaker 1: much as anything. So a guy like Jamis Winston to me, 259 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 1: whose value if you can curtail the interceptions, and that's 260 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: a big if. His value is his ability to work 261 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 1: the ball down field at the deeper intermediate levels. That's 262 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: not the kind of quarterback that would suit New England 263 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: right now because they're gonna be dinking and dunking like 264 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 1: they have in recent years, trying to feature Julian Elman 265 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 1: and line up in ways that help their wide receivers. 266 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 1: So a guy, a serviceable guy that you trust to 267 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 1: run the offense and play on schedule by design, that's 268 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: the kind of quarterback they oble to be looking for. Now, 269 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: who is that guy? I know a lot of people 270 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 1: will suggested maybe Andy Dalton and theory that could be 271 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 1: the right kind of fit to me. Let's we'll put 272 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: it this because Dalton and Winston are kind of the 273 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 1: two that are left standing right now. Dalton is a 274 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:02,160 Speaker 1: better fit than Winston is he's available. You know these guys. 275 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 1: He's become available for a reason as well. It's it's rare. 276 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,160 Speaker 1: And I know Tom Brady just hit the market and 277 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 1: that's that's what makes it rare. But it's rare, especially 278 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 1: a quarterback, to find a flawless or even a not 279 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 1: so flawed the specimen just sitting out there waiting to 280 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:22,120 Speaker 1: be signed. Last question for NFL analyst Andy Benoit. You 281 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: came to Cincinnati last year during OTA's and shadowed Zach 282 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 1: Taylor for a day. You were in his office, you 283 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: were in the meeting rooms, you spend time at his house. 284 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: Do you see his fingerprints on what the Bengals have 285 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: been doing in the off season. Yeah, that's hard to say, because, 286 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: to be honest, they had so many areas that needed correcting, 287 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: especially on defense. And now obviously Zach Taylor runs the 288 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: offense primarily from a schematic standpoint. So I don't know 289 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: if I would say I see his fingerprints yet. I 290 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: imagine we will once the draft rolls around. But the 291 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: roster that Taylor inherited, it wasn't an awful roster, but 292 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: it was one that still needed updating. And in think 293 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: of it like this, you buy a house from the 294 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 1: mid nineties. Yeah, it's not grossly outdated, but we're gonna 295 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 1: have to update it anyway. We might as well do 296 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 1: it sooner than later. That's kind of what the Bengals 297 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: roster is like for Zach Taylor last year. So they 298 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 1: took a step back in order to take a step forward, 299 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:19,280 Speaker 1: and they're in the very early stages right now that 300 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:22,359 Speaker 1: step forward, per se. So I don't see his fingerprints 301 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 1: on it a whole lot yet, but I think we 302 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,320 Speaker 1: will by the end of this spring. It certainly next 303 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:30,000 Speaker 1: year we'll start to see that. He's likely to have 304 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: his quarterback. In April twenty third. Yeah, that'll help, but 305 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: getting that quarterback helps help helps you figure out where 306 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 1: to put the other fingerprints. Andy, this has been great. 307 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 1: I always enjoy chatting with you. Thanks for the insight anytime, Dan. Thanks. 308 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: One final note, As I mentioned early in the podcast, 309 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: NFL teams are not permitted to comment about their free 310 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 1: agent editions until physicals are completed and contracts are signed. 311 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: As soon as that gets done, head coach Zach Taylor 312 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 1: has agreed to talk to me about it and other 313 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: off season maneuverings. So even though this is typically a 314 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 1: once a week podcast in the offseason, there could be 315 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 1: another edition coming very soon. That's going to do it 316 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,879 Speaker 1: for this episode of the Bengals Booth Podcast brought to 317 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: you by Prime Sport, the official fan, travel and hospitality 318 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:25,160 Speaker 1: partner of the Cincinnati Bengals. If you haven't done so already, 319 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: please subscribe, and if you have a minute, give it 320 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 1: a rating or share a comment that helps more Bengals 321 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 1: fans find this podcast. I'm Dan Horde, and thanks for 322 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: listening to The Bengals Booth Podcast.