May 5, 2025 • 30 mins
Dan Hoard catches up with Sam Hubbard to discuss life after football and spending his entire NFL career in Cincinnati. Then, it’s “Five Questions” with first round draft pick Shemar Stewart, followed by Dan’s five observations at this stage of the offseason.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
H I get everybody on Dan Horde and thanks for
downloading The Bengals Booth Podcast. The Around my Hometown addition,
as the Cincinnati Kid, Sam Hubbard joins me to discuss retirement,
life after football, and spending his entire NFL career in Cincinnati.
Then it's five questions with one of the guys in
(00:25):
line to succeed Sam, first round draft pick Shamar Stewart,
followed by five observations at this stage of the off season.
The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by pay Corps,
proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by
Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business,
and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health
(00:48):
the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is
the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's a
quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of
this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer
by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the greatest
thing since Fifth third Day. Since nineteen ninety one, Fifth
(01:09):
Third Bank has celebrated Fifth Third Day. It's normally May
third or five to three on the calendar, unless that
date happens to fall on a weekend. But it's not
a day for the bank to serve cake or give
employees the afternoon off. Fifth third Day kicks off a
month of volunteering with a focus on feeding the hungry,
(01:30):
and this year, on fifth third Day, the Bank made
a fifty thousand dollars donation to the Sam Hubbard Foundation's
Hubbard's Cupboard program that provides local schools with essential supplies,
hygiene products, and nutritious snacks. Following Fifth Third's check presentation
last week, I caught up with Sam for his first
(01:52):
extensive interview since announcing his retirement. Following retirement, You've got
this event going on today, You've got your fowling tournament
coming up, You're doing your football camp. It sounds like
your charitable efforts will be going forward full force after
your football career.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, you know, I announced my retirement in March. I
was so thankful for the reception I received.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
All the love. It was very mutual.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
You know, I have so much love for this team,
this city and everything that it means. But I you know,
first things first, I focused on getting married, But now
I'm back in town, and like you said, we're hitting
the ground running. Got a lot of exciting things in
the works, and now that I'm retired, I'm kind of
surprised that I've gotten ten times busier.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
But it's a great thing.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I'm very thankful for it and thankful for all the
support from great partners like Fifth Third.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
I wasn't aware of your dad's connection to Third. A
fifty thousand dollars gift is pretty telling.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, definitely. You know, you worked here for twenty three years.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
They've supported us for Fifth Third has supported my foundation
for the last three years. But a gift like this
is a total game changer. Going directly to make sure
that our cupboards will be stocked, will be in thirty
two schools next year, but this goes directly to purchasing
the items that are on the shelves, hygiene items, school supplies,
(03:12):
healthy snacks, and our focuses on providing these resources for
confidence for children, to impact them and allow them to
have a springboard and someone that believes in them to
better their future.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
There are a lot of former Bengals in this area,
particularly dating back to the first two Super Bowl teams
that have been very generous with their charitable efforts. Anthony Munoz,
Dave lap On, David Fulcher, the list goes on and on,
but it was almost like there's been a gap to
a current generation. Have you given any thought to kind
of being the next wave of former Bengals that can
(03:49):
use your platform to help You know, all.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
I've looked at from those guys is, you know, the
guys that have done it right, Like you said, Munho's
Ken Anderson. They've just been such great examples for me
on how to further their legacy to continue to make
an impact after their playing days. And I really admire
those guys and want to be like them, So you know,
I hope to do the same to future generations and
(04:13):
that cycle can provide a lot of good And that's
kind of how I view it. As these young guys
come into the league, if they ever need advice or
opportunities to get involved in the community, my line's always
open and I'm gonna mentor them in the same way.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
For the first time I've seen you, since you're retired,
I'm sure you could have kept playing. Why was this
the right time?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
You know, I had a great career, I had a
great run I took a lot of snaps, a lot
of wear and tear in my body, and I felt
like I had done enough to where I'm transitioning into
the next phase of my life and I'm excited about it.
So I felt like it was my time to move
(04:54):
on and didn't want to hold onto a good thing
for too long, and I was excited about my prospects
after So I made the decision kind of early in
the season and kept it to myself, but have been
planning for this day to expand my impact on the
Foundation and other opportunities throughout, and it's just gone picture
perfect and I'm just getting started. So it's been the
(05:17):
right decision for me personally. But I'll miss my time
with the Bengals, although I'll be watching closely than probably
anyone else this upcoming season. Just still friends with the guys,
still still in touch with them all and happy to
see them have their success coming up.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
And it's been it's been great.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
What will you miss most and what will you miss least?
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I'll probably miss the connections and the everyday conversations that
you have in the locker room, you know, messing with
each other, just you know, the banter in the locker room.
Those those memories are you know, they can pick you
up when you're you're down after.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
The worst loss. So they're very special.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And I'll miss least probably the the ban being banged
up on Monday after game day, injuries and such, but
that's part of the game.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
How meaningful is it to you to have spent your
entire career with the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, I mean that's so meaningful. It means everything to me.
Partially why I decided to not try and play anywhere else.
I wanted to be a Bengal for life, being raised here,
drafted here, built my whole legacy here. I didn't want
to go to another team and kind of retract from
that and start from the ground up.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
But that's, you know, a huge factor in my decision.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
You were a mentor to some guys who'll be looking
to fill your shoes now, Joseph Osai and Miles Murphy,
cam Sample and others. What are your hopes for them
going forward as they try to fill that spot opposite Trey.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, they're ready for That's something I'm very confident about.
Just great people, great guys. They're ready, not only physically and.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
As a player.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
But they're ready, as you know, they've grown up in
front of my eyes. They're ready to be leaders, ready
to bring the other guys and young guys around them
up to speed. And I'm sure they're excited about I
know they're excited about the opportunity. I've talked to them
all and yeah, I have utmost confidence. And I also
like the new pieces we've added. Talked to Zach, congratulate
(07:16):
them on the draft and think that they're in a good,
good spot.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
You came within ninety seconds of winning a Super Bowl.
You're part of a team that ended the playoff drought.
You had arguably the most famous play in franchise history.
Did you accomplish just about everything you set out to accomplish.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
After I cut the touchdown from Joe, Yes, one hundred percent.
But now I realistically I never could have when I
got drafted. Picture that you know that those would be
part of my resume, but the fact that they are
just as a testament to trust in the process and
hard work and doing right by the people around you
and always trying to you know, put your best foot
(07:56):
forward and.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
You'll find yourself in positions you never dreamed of.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
So it's it's been a it's been a great story
still being written.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
That final play is pretty amazing. I mean Ted Williams
ended his baseball career with a home run and his
final at bat and a defensive end, ended his NFL
career with a touchdown catch on his final snap.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Yeah, can't draw it up any better. That's a storybook.
So I didn't want to. I didn't want to get
greedy and try and go create something better.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
That's almost too good to be true.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Last thing, Sam, you've been on kind of a hamster
wheel of football training for the last decade, at least
between Ohio State and the Bengals. What are you looking
forward to doing now that you could never do over
that time period.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Oh, that's a tough one.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I've been doing a lot of things, a lot of
a lot of more time on my hands. First thing
I was very focused on was getting married in my wedding,
which was an incredible experience that I'm very thankful for.
But uh, you know, I I would never think that
I would go to a tailgate or a Bengals game,
or or I have a watch party and watch the
(09:01):
games on TV here, you know, just see the game
from that side.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
I've been playing.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Since I was in third grade, so to be a spectator,
it's a whole different ballgame. I'm sure I'll have my
opinions and just like anybody else that's not on the field,
but it's a transition.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
It's fun.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
There you go, Bengals fans, Sam Hubbard could be coming
to your tailgate. It's a possibility. Congratulations on a great career.
Thanks for all you're doing in the community, and we
look forward to touching base in the years to come.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, me too. You're my guy, Dan. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
If you would like to learn more about Sam's charitable
efforts or find out how you can help, go to
Sam Hubbard Foundation dot com. I did something last year
on this podcast that people seem to enjoy, so I'm
bringing it back. It's called Five Questions. As we begin
getting to know the Bengals rookies by asking them five
questions that they don't hear over and over again. Up first,
(09:59):
first on draft pick Shamar Stewart, the twenty one year
old from Miami who spent the last three years at
Texas A and M time for five Questions. With the
seventeenth overall pick in the twenty twenty five NFL Draft
Bengals defensive end Shamar Stewart. So I read that your
nickname at Texas A and M was the Menace. Is
(10:21):
that true? And who gave you that nickname?
Speaker 4 (10:23):
I forgot who exactly gave it to me, But I
got it back in high school, going every day trying
to get better. So of course I'm a practice hard,
you know, micking hard for our office, you know, playing
hard in prize, going to make our office better, and
on in the games. You know, I'm just all over
the field and I'm just a little menace on the field.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
What does the word menace represent to you?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Somebody always be instructive, So I feel like that that
defines me very well.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
So I broadcast the Bengals games on the radio. When
you have a sack, would you like me? And my
broadcast partner, Dave app I'm.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
To say, a sack by the menace, I would love that.
I will love that, all right.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Well, hopefully there will be a bunch this year. Question
number two. You have been compared to a Texas A
and M legend Miles Garrett for obvious reasons, your similar size,
similar athletic ability. What do you think of Miles Garrett,
What do you think of the comparison?
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Man, He's a great player, and I feel like that's
a blessing because the way he's doing it right now,
he's coming the game, and I feel like that's a
very great, great comparison. I feel like we look we
match up body wise. I'm not I'm trying to match
someone play wise.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Was it a goal of yours to top the numbers
that he posted at his combine?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Kind of? Sort of?
Speaker 4 (11:43):
You know, I feel like if I could get what
he got, people will look at me a different light.
So I tried my hardest. He got me in some areas,
and I got him in some areas too.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
You got him in the forty, you got him in
the broad jump. He got you by one inch in
the vertical. That's pretty impressive.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
That's crazy because I felt like I jump jumped out
my spine. It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
All right, we're visiting with Jamar Stewart. Let's get back
to athletic testing. Those numbers were freakish that you posted
in Indianapolis. What do you consider to be your greatest
athletic achievement? Did you dunk at a really early age? Yeah,
what what stands out to you?
Speaker 5 (12:22):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (12:23):
I dunk.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
I got my first dunk in sixth grade.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Sixth grade, yeah, five nine.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
Yeah, I was booming that balls is grade.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
You wore a beautiful green suit to Green Bay for
the NFL Draft. You also had an eye catching necklace on.
You are wearing it right now. Give me the history
of that necklace.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Uh So this necklace, my dad made this logo for
me back in high school, and I thought, like, why
not make it to a chain? No for a big moment,
and she central, c's like a England a rapper from England.
He had a reversible chain, so took inspiration from that
and made it reversible.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
And what exactly is the image?
Speaker 4 (13:09):
It's a gorilla in his eyebrows. It's two s's social
mar Stewart.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
All right, your dad's got some talent. Fifth and final question.
On draft night, you did a phone call with reporters
afterward and you didn't specifically remember meeting with the Bengals
at the combine. And I get it. It's speed dating.
You're going from team to team to team. It's like,
you know, fifteen minute meetings with all of these teams.
(13:34):
When you came into Cincinnati and you saw Zach Taylor,
and you saw El Golden and you saw Jerry Montgomery.
Did it click back in? Did you remember?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Yeah, those guys.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Yeah, it's kind of hard, like you gotta remember. I
had twenty two formos, a couple infemos, and then I
had fifteen thirty visits. So my mind is just all
over the place. I'm ready for it to be over.
I'm ready to be in one place. So when I
seeing him like, okay, I'm deafmember medio.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
The important thing is that they remembered you really well.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Thank god they remembered me. Damn my memory. I'll barbayd
be cooked right now.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
This has been fun and I can't wait. Can't wait
to tell people that you dunk for the first time
in sixth grade at five nine.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Yeah, true story, true story.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
I promise you, no lies, no rap gap.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Great to have you in Cincinnati, Welcome, Thank you. A
lot has been made about the fact that Stuart only
had four and a half sacks in thirty seven college games. Well,
somebody pointed out recently that five time pro bowler daneil
Hunter also had four and a half sacks in his
college career, and he played in thirty eight games at LSU.
(14:48):
In nine NFL seasons, Hunter has ninety nine and a
half sacks, including six seasons with ten or more. If
Shamar Stewart comes anywhere close to that, he'll be one
of the best picks in this year's draft. Up Next,
we go from five questions to five observations. But first,
here's a quick reminder that the Bengals Booth podcast is
(15:10):
brought to you by pay Core, proud to be the
Bengals official HR software provider, by Alta Fiber future proof
fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, and community to
a new level, and by Kettering Health the best care
for the best fans. Kettering Health is the official healthcare
provider of the Bengals. Now time for five observations at
(15:31):
this stage of the Bengals off season program. Topic number
one the status of Trey Hendrickson the athletics. Senior NFL
insider Diana Russini made Bengals fans hopeful last week because
of something she said on the Scoop City podcast that
she co hosts with former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel. Here's
(15:53):
what Diana had to say, about Trey.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
How about the.
Speaker 6 (15:58):
Trey Hendrickson situation in Cincinnati. We saw what they did
in the draft, right, so most people I think we're
looking at them drafting Shamar Stewart as this is the
end of the Trey Hendrickson error in Cincinnati. And Zach
Taylor came out and was like essentially shooting that down
of like, this doesn't mean anything. This just we are
(16:22):
supplying the needs that we have on this roster. So
I did a little digging on it, and I'm still
getting really good vibes coming out of Sincy that they're
going to try to get a deal done with Trey.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
How there's the money growing trees over there.
Speaker 6 (16:36):
They seem to be trying to move money and get
creative with finding ways to get Tray the money.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
To take a hometown discount.
Speaker 6 (16:46):
How can you look at this and think he's not
going to And I'm sure his side if they heard
this right now, they tell me to shut up, we're
taking a hometown discount. Yeah, but I think he wants
to be there. They want him there once again.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
That was courtesy of the Athletics Scoop City podcast. All right,
I think the last part was one hundred percent accurate.
The Bengals want to keep Trey for this year and beyond,
and I do believe that it's his preference to stay.
Unlike Diana, I can't say that I've been getting particularly
good or bad vibes lately, but I do think it's
(17:23):
more likely than not that Trey is a Bengal this season.
Keep in mind, he's under contract for one more year,
and at the end of it, Trey will have made
more than eighty four million dollars he set for life.
But the NFL sack leader has obviously earned another big
pay day, and here's hoping the two sides can agree
on a number that keeps Trey terrorizing quarterbacks in a
(17:46):
Bengals uniform. Topic two the Golden Age. Al Golden was
brought back to Cincinnati's defensive coordinator for two reasons. One
to improve a unit that finished seventh from the bottom
in points loud last year, and two to do what
he did so well at Notre Dame develop young talent,
and that's what he's going to be working with in Cincinnati.
(18:09):
Over the last four years, the Bengals have made thirteen
picks on the first two days of the draft, so
we're talking first, second, and third round selections. Ten of
the thirteen were on defense. That's talent for All to
work with. His last season on the Bengals coaching staff
was the twenty twenty one Super Bowl squad, where he
(18:30):
worked closely with linebacker Logan Wilson.
Speaker 7 (18:34):
I always say he's like a psycho, but like in
a good way. I mean, he's just always on top
of things, and he makes sure that things are cut
and dry. There's no gray area, everything's black and white.
And then you work the things that he preaches, like
we're talking about ball disruptions, so we're going to work
the heck out of ball disruption stuff. And so when
you get back to that stuff, like something as simple
(18:56):
as that, that you're constantly doing, it might get monotonous,
but you're always like when you're out there playing, then
it's not you're not even thinking about it. Like when
you're going into potentially to make a tackle, you're always
analyzing where the ball is on them, and you're able
to try to make it play on the ball and
get turnovers. And you know, the more often that we
can obviously get turnovers without how explosive our offense is
is going to help us.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I tell people when he was here previously, it always
seemed like he was on the go, like you couldn't
even interrupt him because he was racing to do the
next thing.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Walking to the next thing. Yeah, like how you doing?
Speaker 7 (19:27):
He he asking you how you're doing as he's walking by,
Like did you really care what my answer was?
Speaker 3 (19:30):
No?
Speaker 7 (19:31):
That thing is just he's just wired like that. But
then it's funny because like how he is during the
week is like the complete opposite how he is on
game day. Like he's like just calm, cool and collected,
and I always think he's like ahead of the adjustment
before the adjustment happens on the sideline. And that's one
thing I really appreciated after he left, was like, because
he's coached offense, so he knows like what teams are
(19:51):
going to try to go to based on how we're
playing something, and then how we're already going to adjust
because of that. So I think playing that game within
the game has kind of helped him be successful as
a coordinator.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
It also sounds like he puts in so much time
and effort during the week and what hits game day,
It's like, all right, guys, We've done the work. It's
up to you now.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
It's like the saying the hayes in the barn.
Speaker 7 (20:12):
I mean he puts all the hay in the barn
on the week, so that that game days are so
called easy, you know, easier for him because he's looked
at everything.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
He's prepared the right way.
Speaker 7 (20:20):
And I think he's I don't know, if I don't
know how much he actually sleeps.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
During the week.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
Sometimes it takes the game day nap, I know, because
he's probably didn't sleep.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Much during the week and he's exhausted.
Speaker 7 (20:29):
But he tires himself out and he goes he goes
all in with this kind of stuff, which is which
is great.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Is the off season going to be significantly different with
him as the DC in terms of, you know, what
he's teaching during these periods in the you know, mandatory
mini camps and stuff like that.
Speaker 7 (20:46):
Oh, you know, I think he'll have his own way
of going about it. You know, I think there's going
to be I think they're trying to tax this more
mentally with because everything there's a lot of new stuff
and new terminology more than anything, and so tax more
mentally during this time so that when we come back
in for training camp, like it's a lot of us
just recall, but I think that that's kind of what
(21:07):
it's going to look like.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Last year at Notre Dame, Golden's defense was fourth in
the country in points allowed, first in takeaways, first in
defensive pass efficiency, and tied for first in defensive touchdowns.
I expect the Bengals to be significantly improved on defense
this year. Topic three, What can Brown do for you?
(21:30):
I was looking at the latest fantasy football rankings. ESPN
has Chase Brown ranked nineteenth among running backs, pro Football
Focus has him fifteenth, and Yahoo Sports ranks him thirteenth.
Those numbers all seem low to me. Last year, despite
missing the final game of the season, Brown finished with
nine hundred and ninety rushing yards, three hundred and sixty
(21:53):
receiving yards, and scored a total of eleven touchdowns. Those
are great numbers, but they don't reflect how productive he
was after Zack Moss suffered a neck injury. In the
final eight games with Moss sidelined, Brown average roughly seventy
nine rushing yards and thirty seven receiving yards per game.
Those averages over a seventeen game season would equal one thousand,
(22:18):
nine hundred seventy six scrimmage yards. That would have been
third best in the NFL last year, behind Saquon Barkley
and Derrick Henry. Now I'm not predicting that, but fifteen
hundred combined rushing and receiving yards doesn't seem far fetched,
especially knowing how defenses have to focus on Jamar, Chase
(22:39):
and t Higgins. Here's my one on one chat with
Chase Brown, who became a dad in the off season.
What was your reaction to the team being able to
hold on to Tea and extend Jamar.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I think it's awesome. Those guys work. It's really hard
to get where they're at.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
And a side of that, I mean, they're great players,
So having them back in the locker room and you know,
them being able to continue to build that relationship and
that like explosiveness with Joe is gonna.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
Be a lot of fun to be around.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Plus Mike and bringing some my j back and you
it's a loaded skill position group.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
No doubt, no doubt, We're gonna make a lot of plays,
and you know, we were really explosive last year, so
it's gonna be really cool to see how we upgrade
this year.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
Has your focus this offseason been about becoming a better
receiver again or was that like last year's thing and
now there's something else this year.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
I'm just trying to be a better football player overall.
I feel like you can't.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
You can't.
Speaker 5 (23:37):
I can't build up my receiver ability enough. I know
we're pass first offense, but uh, you know, and I
also know my role on this team too, So I'm
just trying to, you know, build my role, continue to
make a ton of plays and uh yeah, man, just
have a lot of fun on Sundays.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Are you and Augret working with that same guy?
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Yeah, we were working together all off season. We both
got a lot better. It's crazy just to see the
growth that we made in one year and.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
Going into year three, it's just you're just more comfortable.
You know the system, you know your teammates more so,
just continue to build that relationship with guys in the
locker room and then you know, putting it out on
tape on Sundays.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
So maybe a cliche, but everybody says fatherhood changes you.
How has it changed you?
Speaker 5 (24:24):
I mean, just seeing my son has changed my perspective
on life in a way that I can't really explain,
but I think people that have kids understand. But outside
of that, I mean, I have a great partner. She
She takes a lot of like the heavy load with
my son at night, and you know, allows me to pursue,
you know, what I need to every single day to
(24:45):
be a really good football player. So just seeing him
grow and you know, watching her become, you know, a
great mother, has been special.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
The wide receiver specialist that Brown and andre Yosi Bosch
work with is Drew Lieberman, whose program has called the
Sideline Hustle. Kendrick Pryor, who spent most of the last
two years on the Bengals practice squad, also worked with
Lieberman this offseason. Topic four Dax Hill. The Bengals picked
up his fifth year option last week, meaning Dax is
(25:17):
under contract through next season, and it's worth pointing out
that it's still possible to sign him to a longer
deal if the two sides are interested. Last year, Hill
made the transition from safety to outside cornerback and was
thriving before tearing his ACL in Week five. Here's what
cornerbacks coach Chuck Berks had to say when I asked
(25:39):
him about Dax near the end of last season.
Speaker 8 (25:43):
Yeah, I thought Dax was doing a phenomenal job, especially
for somebody making a transition. You know, within a year,
he was really playing extremely consistent. The game against the Ravens,
he was actually starting at corner and starting at nickel
because Mike Hilton was gone, and uh, he was on
his way to have a good game that week. He
was you know, really playing the best, uh, out of
(26:05):
all the corners to that point of the season. And uh,
that was a tremendous loss. You know, when we lost Dax,
we really lost three starting positions. We lost the corner,
we lost the nickel, and we lost you know, uh
a tight end cover guy on third down. So that
was a tremendous loss for the defense.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Outside cover corner is one of the most difficult positions
to play. It's why the top ones make more than
twenty million dollars a year. Did Dak show you that
he has the ability to be one of those guys?
Speaker 8 (26:35):
And you know, I've never doubted that really since he
was drafted. You know, I always believed that the Dax
could play outside corner, and you know, we made that transition.
You know, he didn't blink. I didn't blink. I actually
felt that we had drafted the first round corner this year,
you know when we made the switch. So I definitely
see it from an ability standpoint, But more importantly, Dax
(26:55):
has the mental makeup of being able to play that
position and critical moments of the game. And what makes
these guys elite, Me and me and Jase mccordy is
actually having this conversation. Is what makes elite corners elite
is their elite and third down radar and two minute
against their best. That's what makes these guys elite. And
you have to have the right temperament for it. You
(27:17):
have to have a short memory and be able to
have a tremendous belief in yourself throughout the game. And
that's what Dax has.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
So the big question now is where is Dax going
to play. Mike Hilton is a free agent, leaving the
starting spot open at slot corner, a position that Dax
played in college. But outside corners are so valuable, perhaps
the Bengals would be better off to leave him there
and use Josh Newton or Jalen Davis in the slot.
(27:45):
Here's Duke Tobin. Dax has positioned versatility he's probably got
He's probably one of the more versatile players that we
have on our team, and so there are a number
of things he could end up doing.
Speaker 9 (27:57):
What he ends up doing will be up to Uzach
and Now and his staff.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
The bottom line is to get your best guys on
the field, and it will be interesting to see how
that situation unfolds at training camp. The fifth and final
topic is safety. Gino Stone led the Bengals with four
interceptions last year and Jordan Battle finished the season on
a high note after moving into the starting line up
with six games to go, but overall, the position group
(28:26):
needs to perform better this season and the Bengals did
not address it in the draft. I discussed that with
Director of College Scouting Mike Potts. You didn't draft to safety.
Is that just the way the board fell or is
it a reflection of how you feel about the guys
that are already here.
Speaker 9 (28:45):
It's a combination of both. Safety is a position that
we valued a number of guys in this draft at
different levels, and there were a lot of guys that
were in the discussion in almost every round that we
could have addressed that safety position. Like you said, it
didn't work out. That's just not the way the board
shook out for us. So we do like the safeties
(29:07):
that we have on the roster right now, and we think,
you know, some of our guys even have more upside
to potentially ascend and get better than what they've been
so far. So that's a position that will continue to
monitor throughout the off season. But we do like the
guys that we have in the room right now. But
it's an ongoing process leading all the way up until
Week one of the season in terms of evaluating the
(29:30):
options that are out there to upgrade the roster.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Tyson Anderson and Dejon Anthony are also in the mix,
and there are still some veteran free agent safeties out there.
If the Bengals determine that the position group still needs help,
that's going to do it. For this episode of the
Bengals Booth podcast brought to you by pay Corps. Proud
to be the Bengals Official HR software provider, by All
(29:54):
to Fiber future Proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business,
and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health
the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is
the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. If you haven't
done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and if
you have a minute, give it a rating or share
a comment that helps more Bengals fans find us. I'm
(30:17):
Dan Horde. Thanks for listening to The Bengals Booth podcast
H I get everybody on Dan Horde and thanks for
downloading The Bengals Booth Podcast. The Around my Hometown addition,
as the Cincinnati Kid, Sam Hubbard joins me to discuss retirement,
life after football, and spending his entire NFL career in Cincinnati.
Then it's five questions with one of the guys in
(00:25):
line to succeed Sam, first round draft pick Shamar Stewart,
followed by five observations at this stage of the off season.
The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by pay Corps,
proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by
Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business,
and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health
(00:48):
the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is
the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's a
quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of
this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer
by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the greatest
thing since Fifth third Day. Since nineteen ninety one, Fifth
(01:09):
Third Bank has celebrated Fifth Third Day. It's normally May
third or five to three on the calendar, unless that
date happens to fall on a weekend. But it's not
a day for the bank to serve cake or give
employees the afternoon off. Fifth third Day kicks off a
month of volunteering with a focus on feeding the hungry,
(01:30):
and this year, on fifth third Day, the Bank made
a fifty thousand dollars donation to the Sam Hubbard Foundation's
Hubbard's Cupboard program that provides local schools with essential supplies,
hygiene products, and nutritious snacks. Following Fifth Third's check presentation
last week, I caught up with Sam for his first
(01:52):
extensive interview since announcing his retirement. Following retirement, You've got
this event going on today, You've got your fowling tournament
coming up, You're doing your football camp. It sounds like
your charitable efforts will be going forward full force after
your football career.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, you know, I announced my retirement in March. I
was so thankful for the reception I received.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
All the love. It was very mutual.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
You know, I have so much love for this team,
this city and everything that it means. But I you know,
first things first, I focused on getting married, But now
I'm back in town, and like you said, we're hitting
the ground running. Got a lot of exciting things in
the works, and now that I'm retired, I'm kind of
surprised that I've gotten ten times busier.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
But it's a great thing.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I'm very thankful for it and thankful for all the
support from great partners like Fifth Third.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
I wasn't aware of your dad's connection to Third. A
fifty thousand dollars gift is pretty telling.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, definitely. You know, you worked here for twenty three years.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
They've supported us for Fifth Third has supported my foundation
for the last three years. But a gift like this
is a total game changer. Going directly to make sure
that our cupboards will be stocked, will be in thirty
two schools next year, but this goes directly to purchasing
the items that are on the shelves, hygiene items, school supplies,
(03:12):
healthy snacks, and our focuses on providing these resources for
confidence for children, to impact them and allow them to
have a springboard and someone that believes in them to
better their future.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
There are a lot of former Bengals in this area,
particularly dating back to the first two Super Bowl teams
that have been very generous with their charitable efforts. Anthony Munoz,
Dave lap On, David Fulcher, the list goes on and on,
but it was almost like there's been a gap to
a current generation. Have you given any thought to kind
of being the next wave of former Bengals that can
(03:49):
use your platform to help You know, all.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
I've looked at from those guys is, you know, the
guys that have done it right, Like you said, Munho's
Ken Anderson. They've just been such great examples for me
on how to further their legacy to continue to make
an impact after their playing days. And I really admire
those guys and want to be like them, So you know,
I hope to do the same to future generations and
(04:13):
that cycle can provide a lot of good And that's
kind of how I view it. As these young guys
come into the league, if they ever need advice or
opportunities to get involved in the community, my line's always
open and I'm gonna mentor them in the same way.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
For the first time I've seen you, since you're retired,
I'm sure you could have kept playing. Why was this
the right time?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
You know, I had a great career, I had a
great run I took a lot of snaps, a lot
of wear and tear in my body, and I felt
like I had done enough to where I'm transitioning into
the next phase of my life and I'm excited about it.
So I felt like it was my time to move
(04:54):
on and didn't want to hold onto a good thing
for too long, and I was excited about my prospects
after So I made the decision kind of early in
the season and kept it to myself, but have been
planning for this day to expand my impact on the
Foundation and other opportunities throughout, and it's just gone picture
perfect and I'm just getting started. So it's been the
(05:17):
right decision for me personally. But I'll miss my time
with the Bengals, although I'll be watching closely than probably
anyone else this upcoming season. Just still friends with the guys,
still still in touch with them all and happy to
see them have their success coming up.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
And it's been it's been great.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
What will you miss most and what will you miss least?
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I'll probably miss the connections and the everyday conversations that
you have in the locker room, you know, messing with
each other, just you know, the banter in the locker room.
Those those memories are you know, they can pick you
up when you're you're down after.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
The worst loss. So they're very special.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And I'll miss least probably the the ban being banged
up on Monday after game day, injuries and such, but
that's part of the game.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
How meaningful is it to you to have spent your
entire career with the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, I mean that's so meaningful. It means everything to me.
Partially why I decided to not try and play anywhere else.
I wanted to be a Bengal for life, being raised here,
drafted here, built my whole legacy here. I didn't want
to go to another team and kind of retract from
that and start from the ground up.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
But that's, you know, a huge factor in my decision.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
You were a mentor to some guys who'll be looking
to fill your shoes now, Joseph Osai and Miles Murphy,
cam Sample and others. What are your hopes for them
going forward as they try to fill that spot opposite Trey.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, they're ready for That's something I'm very confident about.
Just great people, great guys. They're ready, not only physically and.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
As a player.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
But they're ready, as you know, they've grown up in
front of my eyes. They're ready to be leaders, ready
to bring the other guys and young guys around them
up to speed. And I'm sure they're excited about I
know they're excited about the opportunity. I've talked to them
all and yeah, I have utmost confidence. And I also
like the new pieces we've added. Talked to Zach, congratulate
(07:16):
them on the draft and think that they're in a good,
good spot.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
You came within ninety seconds of winning a Super Bowl.
You're part of a team that ended the playoff drought.
You had arguably the most famous play in franchise history.
Did you accomplish just about everything you set out to accomplish.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
After I cut the touchdown from Joe, Yes, one hundred percent.
But now I realistically I never could have when I
got drafted. Picture that you know that those would be
part of my resume, but the fact that they are
just as a testament to trust in the process and
hard work and doing right by the people around you
and always trying to you know, put your best foot
(07:56):
forward and.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
You'll find yourself in positions you never dreamed of.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
So it's it's been a it's been a great story
still being written.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
That final play is pretty amazing. I mean Ted Williams
ended his baseball career with a home run and his
final at bat and a defensive end, ended his NFL
career with a touchdown catch on his final snap.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Yeah, can't draw it up any better. That's a storybook.
So I didn't want to. I didn't want to get
greedy and try and go create something better.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
That's almost too good to be true.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Last thing, Sam, you've been on kind of a hamster
wheel of football training for the last decade, at least
between Ohio State and the Bengals. What are you looking
forward to doing now that you could never do over
that time period.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Oh, that's a tough one.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I've been doing a lot of things, a lot of
a lot of more time on my hands. First thing
I was very focused on was getting married in my wedding,
which was an incredible experience that I'm very thankful for.
But uh, you know, I I would never think that
I would go to a tailgate or a Bengals game,
or or I have a watch party and watch the
(09:01):
games on TV here, you know, just see the game
from that side.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
I've been playing.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Since I was in third grade, so to be a spectator,
it's a whole different ballgame. I'm sure I'll have my
opinions and just like anybody else that's not on the field,
but it's a transition.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
It's fun.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
There you go, Bengals fans, Sam Hubbard could be coming
to your tailgate. It's a possibility. Congratulations on a great career.
Thanks for all you're doing in the community, and we
look forward to touching base in the years to come.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, me too. You're my guy, Dan. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
If you would like to learn more about Sam's charitable
efforts or find out how you can help, go to
Sam Hubbard Foundation dot com. I did something last year
on this podcast that people seem to enjoy, so I'm
bringing it back. It's called Five Questions. As we begin
getting to know the Bengals rookies by asking them five
questions that they don't hear over and over again. Up first,
(09:59):
first on draft pick Shamar Stewart, the twenty one year
old from Miami who spent the last three years at
Texas A and M time for five Questions. With the
seventeenth overall pick in the twenty twenty five NFL Draft
Bengals defensive end Shamar Stewart. So I read that your
nickname at Texas A and M was the Menace. Is
(10:21):
that true? And who gave you that nickname?
Speaker 4 (10:23):
I forgot who exactly gave it to me, But I
got it back in high school, going every day trying
to get better. So of course I'm a practice hard,
you know, micking hard for our office, you know, playing
hard in prize, going to make our office better, and
on in the games. You know, I'm just all over
the field and I'm just a little menace on the field.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
What does the word menace represent to you?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Somebody always be instructive, So I feel like that that
defines me very well.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
So I broadcast the Bengals games on the radio. When
you have a sack, would you like me? And my
broadcast partner, Dave app I'm.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
To say, a sack by the menace, I would love that.
I will love that, all right.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Well, hopefully there will be a bunch this year. Question
number two. You have been compared to a Texas A
and M legend Miles Garrett for obvious reasons, your similar size,
similar athletic ability. What do you think of Miles Garrett,
What do you think of the comparison?
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Man, He's a great player, and I feel like that's
a blessing because the way he's doing it right now,
he's coming the game, and I feel like that's a
very great, great comparison. I feel like we look we
match up body wise. I'm not I'm trying to match
someone play wise.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Was it a goal of yours to top the numbers
that he posted at his combine?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Kind of? Sort of?
Speaker 4 (11:43):
You know, I feel like if I could get what
he got, people will look at me a different light.
So I tried my hardest. He got me in some areas,
and I got him in some areas too.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
You got him in the forty, you got him in
the broad jump. He got you by one inch in
the vertical. That's pretty impressive.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
That's crazy because I felt like I jump jumped out
my spine. It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
All right, we're visiting with Jamar Stewart. Let's get back
to athletic testing. Those numbers were freakish that you posted
in Indianapolis. What do you consider to be your greatest
athletic achievement? Did you dunk at a really early age? Yeah,
what what stands out to you?
Speaker 5 (12:22):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (12:23):
I dunk.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
I got my first dunk in sixth grade.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Sixth grade, yeah, five nine.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
Yeah, I was booming that balls is grade.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
You wore a beautiful green suit to Green Bay for
the NFL Draft. You also had an eye catching necklace on.
You are wearing it right now. Give me the history
of that necklace.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Uh So this necklace, my dad made this logo for
me back in high school, and I thought, like, why
not make it to a chain? No for a big moment,
and she central, c's like a England a rapper from England.
He had a reversible chain, so took inspiration from that
and made it reversible.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
And what exactly is the image?
Speaker 4 (13:09):
It's a gorilla in his eyebrows. It's two s's social
mar Stewart.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
All right, your dad's got some talent. Fifth and final question.
On draft night, you did a phone call with reporters
afterward and you didn't specifically remember meeting with the Bengals
at the combine. And I get it. It's speed dating.
You're going from team to team to team. It's like,
you know, fifteen minute meetings with all of these teams.
(13:34):
When you came into Cincinnati and you saw Zach Taylor,
and you saw El Golden and you saw Jerry Montgomery.
Did it click back in? Did you remember?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Yeah, those guys.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Yeah, it's kind of hard, like you gotta remember. I
had twenty two formos, a couple infemos, and then I
had fifteen thirty visits. So my mind is just all
over the place. I'm ready for it to be over.
I'm ready to be in one place. So when I
seeing him like, okay, I'm deafmember medio.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
The important thing is that they remembered you really well.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Thank god they remembered me. Damn my memory. I'll barbayd
be cooked right now.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
This has been fun and I can't wait. Can't wait
to tell people that you dunk for the first time
in sixth grade at five nine.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Yeah, true story, true story.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
I promise you, no lies, no rap gap.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Great to have you in Cincinnati, Welcome, Thank you. A
lot has been made about the fact that Stuart only
had four and a half sacks in thirty seven college games. Well,
somebody pointed out recently that five time pro bowler daneil
Hunter also had four and a half sacks in his
college career, and he played in thirty eight games at LSU.
(14:48):
In nine NFL seasons, Hunter has ninety nine and a
half sacks, including six seasons with ten or more. If
Shamar Stewart comes anywhere close to that, he'll be one
of the best picks in this year's draft. Up Next,
we go from five questions to five observations. But first,
here's a quick reminder that the Bengals Booth podcast is
(15:10):
brought to you by pay Core, proud to be the
Bengals official HR software provider, by Alta Fiber future proof
fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, and community to
a new level, and by Kettering Health the best care
for the best fans. Kettering Health is the official healthcare
provider of the Bengals. Now time for five observations at
(15:31):
this stage of the Bengals off season program. Topic number
one the status of Trey Hendrickson the athletics. Senior NFL
insider Diana Russini made Bengals fans hopeful last week because
of something she said on the Scoop City podcast that
she co hosts with former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel. Here's
(15:53):
what Diana had to say, about Trey.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
How about the.
Speaker 6 (15:58):
Trey Hendrickson situation in Cincinnati. We saw what they did
in the draft, right, so most people I think we're
looking at them drafting Shamar Stewart as this is the
end of the Trey Hendrickson error in Cincinnati. And Zach
Taylor came out and was like essentially shooting that down
of like, this doesn't mean anything. This just we are
(16:22):
supplying the needs that we have on this roster. So
I did a little digging on it, and I'm still
getting really good vibes coming out of Sincy that they're
going to try to get a deal done with Trey.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
How there's the money growing trees over there.
Speaker 6 (16:36):
They seem to be trying to move money and get
creative with finding ways to get Tray the money.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
To take a hometown discount.
Speaker 6 (16:46):
How can you look at this and think he's not
going to And I'm sure his side if they heard
this right now, they tell me to shut up, we're
taking a hometown discount. Yeah, but I think he wants
to be there. They want him there once again.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
That was courtesy of the Athletics Scoop City podcast. All right,
I think the last part was one hundred percent accurate.
The Bengals want to keep Trey for this year and beyond,
and I do believe that it's his preference to stay.
Unlike Diana, I can't say that I've been getting particularly
good or bad vibes lately, but I do think it's
(17:23):
more likely than not that Trey is a Bengal this season.
Keep in mind, he's under contract for one more year,
and at the end of it, Trey will have made
more than eighty four million dollars he set for life.
But the NFL sack leader has obviously earned another big
pay day, and here's hoping the two sides can agree
on a number that keeps Trey terrorizing quarterbacks in a
(17:46):
Bengals uniform. Topic two the Golden Age. Al Golden was
brought back to Cincinnati's defensive coordinator for two reasons. One
to improve a unit that finished seventh from the bottom
in points loud last year, and two to do what
he did so well at Notre Dame develop young talent,
and that's what he's going to be working with in Cincinnati.
(18:09):
Over the last four years, the Bengals have made thirteen
picks on the first two days of the draft, so
we're talking first, second, and third round selections. Ten of
the thirteen were on defense. That's talent for All to
work with. His last season on the Bengals coaching staff
was the twenty twenty one Super Bowl squad, where he
(18:30):
worked closely with linebacker Logan Wilson.
Speaker 7 (18:34):
I always say he's like a psycho, but like in
a good way. I mean, he's just always on top
of things, and he makes sure that things are cut
and dry. There's no gray area, everything's black and white.
And then you work the things that he preaches, like
we're talking about ball disruptions, so we're going to work
the heck out of ball disruption stuff. And so when
you get back to that stuff, like something as simple
(18:56):
as that, that you're constantly doing, it might get monotonous,
but you're always like when you're out there playing, then
it's not you're not even thinking about it. Like when
you're going into potentially to make a tackle, you're always
analyzing where the ball is on them, and you're able
to try to make it play on the ball and
get turnovers. And you know, the more often that we
can obviously get turnovers without how explosive our offense is
is going to help us.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I tell people when he was here previously, it always
seemed like he was on the go, like you couldn't
even interrupt him because he was racing to do the
next thing.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Walking to the next thing. Yeah, like how you doing?
Speaker 7 (19:27):
He he asking you how you're doing as he's walking by,
Like did you really care what my answer was?
Speaker 3 (19:30):
No?
Speaker 7 (19:31):
That thing is just he's just wired like that. But
then it's funny because like how he is during the
week is like the complete opposite how he is on
game day. Like he's like just calm, cool and collected,
and I always think he's like ahead of the adjustment
before the adjustment happens on the sideline. And that's one
thing I really appreciated after he left, was like, because
he's coached offense, so he knows like what teams are
(19:51):
going to try to go to based on how we're
playing something, and then how we're already going to adjust
because of that. So I think playing that game within
the game has kind of helped him be successful as
a coordinator.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
It also sounds like he puts in so much time
and effort during the week and what hits game day,
It's like, all right, guys, We've done the work. It's
up to you now.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
It's like the saying the hayes in the barn.
Speaker 7 (20:12):
I mean he puts all the hay in the barn
on the week, so that that game days are so
called easy, you know, easier for him because he's looked
at everything.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
He's prepared the right way.
Speaker 7 (20:20):
And I think he's I don't know, if I don't
know how much he actually sleeps.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
During the week.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
Sometimes it takes the game day nap, I know, because
he's probably didn't sleep.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Much during the week and he's exhausted.
Speaker 7 (20:29):
But he tires himself out and he goes he goes
all in with this kind of stuff, which is which
is great.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Is the off season going to be significantly different with
him as the DC in terms of, you know, what
he's teaching during these periods in the you know, mandatory
mini camps and stuff like that.
Speaker 7 (20:46):
Oh, you know, I think he'll have his own way
of going about it. You know, I think there's going
to be I think they're trying to tax this more
mentally with because everything there's a lot of new stuff
and new terminology more than anything, and so tax more
mentally during this time so that when we come back
in for training camp, like it's a lot of us
just recall, but I think that that's kind of what
(21:07):
it's going to look like.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Last year at Notre Dame, Golden's defense was fourth in
the country in points allowed, first in takeaways, first in
defensive pass efficiency, and tied for first in defensive touchdowns.
I expect the Bengals to be significantly improved on defense
this year. Topic three, What can Brown do for you?
(21:30):
I was looking at the latest fantasy football rankings. ESPN
has Chase Brown ranked nineteenth among running backs, pro Football
Focus has him fifteenth, and Yahoo Sports ranks him thirteenth.
Those numbers all seem low to me. Last year, despite
missing the final game of the season, Brown finished with
nine hundred and ninety rushing yards, three hundred and sixty
(21:53):
receiving yards, and scored a total of eleven touchdowns. Those
are great numbers, but they don't reflect how productive he
was after Zack Moss suffered a neck injury. In the
final eight games with Moss sidelined, Brown average roughly seventy
nine rushing yards and thirty seven receiving yards per game.
Those averages over a seventeen game season would equal one thousand,
(22:18):
nine hundred seventy six scrimmage yards. That would have been
third best in the NFL last year, behind Saquon Barkley
and Derrick Henry. Now I'm not predicting that, but fifteen
hundred combined rushing and receiving yards doesn't seem far fetched,
especially knowing how defenses have to focus on Jamar, Chase
(22:39):
and t Higgins. Here's my one on one chat with
Chase Brown, who became a dad in the off season.
What was your reaction to the team being able to
hold on to Tea and extend Jamar.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I think it's awesome. Those guys work. It's really hard
to get where they're at.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
And a side of that, I mean, they're great players,
So having them back in the locker room and you know,
them being able to continue to build that relationship and
that like explosiveness with Joe is gonna.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
Be a lot of fun to be around.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Plus Mike and bringing some my j back and you
it's a loaded skill position group.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
No doubt, no doubt, We're gonna make a lot of plays,
and you know, we were really explosive last year, so
it's gonna be really cool to see how we upgrade
this year.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
Has your focus this offseason been about becoming a better
receiver again or was that like last year's thing and
now there's something else this year.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
I'm just trying to be a better football player overall.
I feel like you can't.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
You can't.
Speaker 5 (23:37):
I can't build up my receiver ability enough. I know
we're pass first offense, but uh, you know, and I
also know my role on this team too, So I'm
just trying to, you know, build my role, continue to
make a ton of plays and uh yeah, man, just
have a lot of fun on Sundays.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Are you and Augret working with that same guy?
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Yeah, we were working together all off season. We both
got a lot better. It's crazy just to see the
growth that we made in one year and.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
Going into year three, it's just you're just more comfortable.
You know the system, you know your teammates more so,
just continue to build that relationship with guys in the
locker room and then you know, putting it out on
tape on Sundays.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
So maybe a cliche, but everybody says fatherhood changes you.
How has it changed you?
Speaker 5 (24:24):
I mean, just seeing my son has changed my perspective
on life in a way that I can't really explain,
but I think people that have kids understand. But outside
of that, I mean, I have a great partner. She
She takes a lot of like the heavy load with
my son at night, and you know, allows me to pursue,
you know, what I need to every single day to
(24:45):
be a really good football player. So just seeing him
grow and you know, watching her become, you know, a
great mother, has been special.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
The wide receiver specialist that Brown and andre Yosi Bosch
work with is Drew Lieberman, whose program has called the
Sideline Hustle. Kendrick Pryor, who spent most of the last
two years on the Bengals practice squad, also worked with
Lieberman this offseason. Topic four Dax Hill. The Bengals picked
up his fifth year option last week, meaning Dax is
(25:17):
under contract through next season, and it's worth pointing out
that it's still possible to sign him to a longer
deal if the two sides are interested. Last year, Hill
made the transition from safety to outside cornerback and was
thriving before tearing his ACL in Week five. Here's what
cornerbacks coach Chuck Berks had to say when I asked
(25:39):
him about Dax near the end of last season.
Speaker 8 (25:43):
Yeah, I thought Dax was doing a phenomenal job, especially
for somebody making a transition. You know, within a year,
he was really playing extremely consistent. The game against the Ravens,
he was actually starting at corner and starting at nickel
because Mike Hilton was gone, and uh, he was on
his way to have a good game that week. He
was you know, really playing the best, uh, out of
(26:05):
all the corners to that point of the season. And uh,
that was a tremendous loss. You know, when we lost Dax,
we really lost three starting positions. We lost the corner,
we lost the nickel, and we lost you know, uh
a tight end cover guy on third down. So that
was a tremendous loss for the defense.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Outside cover corner is one of the most difficult positions
to play. It's why the top ones make more than
twenty million dollars a year. Did Dak show you that
he has the ability to be one of those guys?
Speaker 8 (26:35):
And you know, I've never doubted that really since he
was drafted. You know, I always believed that the Dax
could play outside corner, and you know, we made that transition.
You know, he didn't blink. I didn't blink. I actually
felt that we had drafted the first round corner this year,
you know when we made the switch. So I definitely
see it from an ability standpoint, But more importantly, Dax
(26:55):
has the mental makeup of being able to play that
position and critical moments of the game. And what makes
these guys elite, Me and me and Jase mccordy is
actually having this conversation. Is what makes elite corners elite
is their elite and third down radar and two minute
against their best. That's what makes these guys elite. And
you have to have the right temperament for it. You
(27:17):
have to have a short memory and be able to
have a tremendous belief in yourself throughout the game. And
that's what Dax has.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
So the big question now is where is Dax going
to play. Mike Hilton is a free agent, leaving the
starting spot open at slot corner, a position that Dax
played in college. But outside corners are so valuable, perhaps
the Bengals would be better off to leave him there
and use Josh Newton or Jalen Davis in the slot.
(27:45):
Here's Duke Tobin. Dax has positioned versatility he's probably got
He's probably one of the more versatile players that we
have on our team, and so there are a number
of things he could end up doing.
Speaker 9 (27:57):
What he ends up doing will be up to Uzach
and Now and his staff.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
The bottom line is to get your best guys on
the field, and it will be interesting to see how
that situation unfolds at training camp. The fifth and final
topic is safety. Gino Stone led the Bengals with four
interceptions last year and Jordan Battle finished the season on
a high note after moving into the starting line up
with six games to go, but overall, the position group
(28:26):
needs to perform better this season and the Bengals did
not address it in the draft. I discussed that with
Director of College Scouting Mike Potts. You didn't draft to safety.
Is that just the way the board fell or is
it a reflection of how you feel about the guys
that are already here.
Speaker 9 (28:45):
It's a combination of both. Safety is a position that
we valued a number of guys in this draft at
different levels, and there were a lot of guys that
were in the discussion in almost every round that we
could have addressed that safety position. Like you said, it
didn't work out. That's just not the way the board
shook out for us. So we do like the safeties
(29:07):
that we have on the roster right now, and we think,
you know, some of our guys even have more upside
to potentially ascend and get better than what they've been
so far. So that's a position that will continue to
monitor throughout the off season. But we do like the
guys that we have in the room right now. But
it's an ongoing process leading all the way up until
Week one of the season in terms of evaluating the
(29:30):
options that are out there to upgrade the roster.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Tyson Anderson and Dejon Anthony are also in the mix,
and there are still some veteran free agent safeties out there.
If the Bengals determine that the position group still needs help,
that's going to do it. For this episode of the
Bengals Booth podcast brought to you by pay Corps. Proud
to be the Bengals Official HR software provider, by All
(29:54):
to Fiber future Proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business,
and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health
the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is
the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. If you haven't
done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and if
you have a minute, give it a rating or share
a comment that helps more Bengals fans find us. I'm
(30:17):
Dan Horde. Thanks for listening to The Bengals Booth podcast
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