Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hi, get everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
I'm Dan Hord and thanks for downloading The Bengals Booth Podcast.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
B My Opinions.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Addition, has seven Bengals Beat reporters tackle five questions about
training camp and the upcoming season, followed by my opinions
on the same topics. The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought
to you by pay Corps, proud to be the Bengals
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(00:35):
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 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 randomly
(00:58):
watching Super Bowl fifty I was going around the horn
with my TV remote the other night when I stumbled
upon a replay of Super Bowl fifty six on the
NFL network. Now, I know that some of you find
it too painful to watch. I get it, but not me.
I found it fun to relive the highlights and be
reminded of some of the things that were seemingly insignificant
(01:20):
at the time that had a big impact on the game.
And if you do find it too painful, my recommendation
is to shut it off with five minutes to go,
just before Cooper cup seven yard run on fourth and
one that kept the Rams game winning drive alive. Now,
let's get to this week's guests. Since the draft, every
(01:43):
episode of this podcast has included an interview with one
of this year's draft picks, where I asked them five
offbeat questions. Well, I'm sticking with five questions on this
episode of the podcast, but the concept is a little different.
I spoke to seven Bengals Beat reporters and ask them
the same five questions about the upcoming season. We start
(02:07):
with one of ESPN's NFL Nation reporters. We are going
alphabetically in our visits with Bengals Beat reporters. So Ben
Baby from ESPN is up first. All of your takes
are going to be fresh in comparison to your fellow
Beat reporters. So are you ready for five questions about
(02:27):
the upcoming season?
Speaker 3 (02:28):
I think Dan, you know me well enough. I've always
got some good takes loaded in the chamber.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
For you, I would expect nothing less. Question number one,
what is your biggest question going into training camp?
Speaker 4 (02:40):
I think the biggest question for me.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
I know that there's going to be the offensive line
a lot of concerns, or how well they're going to play,
you know, potentially throwing two new starters into the mixed
rookie Dylan Fairchild who seems to be doing a good
job of transitioning to left guard in the NFL, and
then that right guards battle between Lucas Patrick Cody Ford,
can Cordell Volson maybe throw his name in the hat?
(03:03):
I think that's interesting. But for me, I think the
biggest thing is how well can.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
The secondary play?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
And you know, I fear that I may be harping
on the secondary a lot between now and the end
of our conversation, but I think it's the most important
thing because had they been a little bit better, had
they you know, played to the level I think a
lot of people thought they were capable of last year.
I think last season looks vastly different than it did.
And so if they can find, you know, the if
(03:29):
those experienced corners of Dax Hill can come back healthy
after his injury last season, If Cam Taylor Brick can
perform well, DJ Turner, Josh Newton stepping up, I think
if those players can really bounce back and that unit
take a big step, I think this group can be
in for a really good, good season, and I think
it's going to dictate how this whole team really operates
(03:50):
and performs in a very I think the stakes, as
Joe Burrow said earlier this offseason, the stakes are always high,
but they feel especially high going into twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Judging by the names you just ran off, it sounds
like you think that there is at least enough talent
to potentially be good.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
Yeah, I definitely think so.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
And talking to guys in the building over the course
of the offseason, I know that when Al Golden came in,
they were pleasantly happy with what they had back there,
and you look at what they did last year.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
I know that there's been so much talk between the.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Talking heads and everybody kind of analyzing how that Bengal
season looked last year. And what I like to point
out to folks is you go look at the last
five games of the season, I think that was probably
more indicative of how that team should have played the
whole year, and I don't think it really had anything
to do with the personnel that was on the field.
I think when you look at it, I think there
were some schematic issues from time to time that really
(04:45):
popped up. I think there's a reason why I think
loui an Arumo did a really really good job over
his six.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Years here in Cincinnati.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
But I think that I understand why they went to
Al Golden and understand what he brings to the table.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
I think Al's gonna have.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
A very similar challenge that lou did and making sure
that you can maximize a lot of young players without
having the luxury of having really high priced defensive.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Players at your disposal.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
We'll see what happens with Trean Hendrickson when training camp
rolls around. But I do think that there are some
really good pieces there. I think that they've used high
draft picks over the years, and you expect them to
play it that way. I know that when Dax got hurt,
they felt he was probably the best quarterback that they had,
and I think that DJ Turner and Camp Taylor Britna
have shown.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Some really good flashes.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
You know, Safety's probably the spot where we're looking at saying, Okay,
what can these guys you know bring to the table.
I've always liked Jordan Battle, not just because he's one
of the best locker room personalities in there.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
I was giving him a hard time last year about
whether or not.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
I think he had a little competition with Jermaine Pratt
on how many turnovers he'd be able to force, and
I think it extrapolated out to all the defensive backs.
They didn't end up getting as many turnovers as they'd like.
We could never figure out who two interceptions, three interceptions
of what have you to. We're practic and maybe treat
some of the younger defenders, But I think Jordan Battle,
you know, the more that he's in, I think if
(06:09):
he's in, you know, the closer replace of the box,
he can be a boundary safety as well. But I
like that partnership with Geno Stone. I think that if
they're able to get some time together, that unit really
doesn't have a lot of moving parts. The more they
can play with each other, I think you're gonna see
a better product than they put on the field last season.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
We move on to topic number two. Who is Ben
Baby's breakout player in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
You know, I've thought about this a good amount. I
think that there are.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Some very good candidates. I will go with Josh Newton.
I think him sliding in Again.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
I apologize for the defensive back theme here, but I
do think that that probably is one of the best
and most pivotal pivotal groups in this whole on this
whole roster, and Josh s Newton when they drafted him.
I know that assistant coach Chuck Burks really like the
mentality that Josh had, and you know, it's hard to
come in and unseen a guy like Mike Hilton. But
(07:07):
I think, you know, Josh might not has been been
as entrenched as he was last season. Maybe there might
have been a little bit more competition to put Josh
on the field. Obviously, you know some Rooie mistakes from
time to time, but I think when you look at
a guy and how successful he has the chance to
be as a pro, the mentality makes up such a
big aspect of it. And I remember one of the
(07:28):
things that stuck out is that when when Chuck would
go back and talk to Josh about certain plays from
previous years that had nothing to do with the Bengals.
Josh Newton had already studied that because he wants to
go out and understand what it takes to be a
great defensive back.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
And I think people.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Who are wired that way have a great chance of
being successful, not just in football, but whatever it is.
If you're willing to be a student of the game,
you're willing to understand.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
What it takes to be good at your craft.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Put in time when nobody's telling you to do so,
which is such an underrated skill, you are able to
be increase your odds.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Of really being good.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
I think Josh being in that slot right there. I
think having stability at outside corner, Josh has a really
big I think he's got a high ceiling and can
play at a really high level. Cam Taylor Britt would
be my other option. I've been burned in the past
on my Cam Taylor Britt hype. However, I still think,
in my heart of hearts, I do believe he can
be a Pro Bowl caliber cornerback and I think that
(08:29):
if he has a really strong season, I think it's
gonna make the conversation about a second contract, and either
in Cincinnati or elsewhere, it's gonna make it a very
appealing And then if I had to take a third
one a non defensive player, I think Andrea Yoshovas could
have a really really strong year. You go look at
the number of touchdowns he has. It's disproportionate to the
(08:50):
number of receptions he has. I believe it's ten touchdowns
on fifty one receptions, which is very strong. It could
be awful little bit on those numbers. But Andre, and
it's not just you know how well he does and
scramble drills with Joe Burrow, how good he is in
the red zone.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
But I think you go and.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Watch the tape, he does a really good job of
creating separation, having the understanding of how to win on
routes at any other place, and people in the building
will say this as well. Andre would be a number
two somewhere else. So I think the Bengals have had
a really strong luxury of drafting very well deep in
the draft to find a guy like Andre and I
think if he gets more targets, he could have a
(09:29):
really nice year.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
We playfully spar in the Bengals media room, but I
think Josh Newton and Andre Yosi Vash are great calls
great calls for breakout players. In twenty twenty five question
number three, the Bengals defense will be better if.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Dot dot dot, Well, I.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Will, first of all, I want to make sure we
go back to that previous point you just said, we
don't always see eye to eye, so what we do
that's a very good thing, Dan. And then going back
to your question and instead of picking all the same
canary again, let's switch it up a little bit. I
think that the key maybe to everything when you talk
about the defense, maybe one of the more underrated guys
we aren't talking about is TJ. Slayton, and I think
(10:11):
the fact that they identified him, and when you look
at that front seven and how they underperformed last year,
there's a lot of conversations about did the linebackers not
play all that well? What was wrong with the front
I think when you look at the defensive line, there
are a lot of injuries that they had to battle with.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
You know, Chris Jenkins playing with the club was big.
BJ Hills banged up from time to time. That was
a big issue.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
But when you look at how they attacked free agency,
that always tells you what a front office thinks of
its current roster and not just how it attacks, but
who would attacks and how much money they invest in
certain positions. And I thought the fact they went out
and got TJ. Slayton was very big. You get a
big body that you can't really move in the middle.
You want somebody who can eat up those gaps inside.
(10:54):
And it's not gonna be something that we talk about
a lot. It's not gonna be something you're gonna see
on each and every play. But if that interior defensive
line can do a good job of being better against
the run, which was something they were really bad at
last year, and letting your linebackers trigger downhill really be
free to make plays, that is something that's going to
really help this defense because you can't be sitting here always.
(11:17):
Even in second and seven, second and five, second and six,
you open up too much of the playbook to the
opposing offense. If teams are able to get a good
amount of yards on first down, that makes it really
hard for any coordinator to go out and scheme things
up for this For second down and third down. You
want to try to get teams and third and long
that allow you to put yourself in advantageous positions. To
(11:40):
get off the field if you're not able to be
good in the front seven. I think that's huge, and
you've heard Al Golden and Zach Taylor talk about that
a good amount of this offseason. I know Zach is
very very high on what Chris Jenkins and McKinley Jackson can.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Bring in year two.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
I think the reason they went out and drafted them
they needed them to play a little bit better. They
go out and invest the money in BJ Hill, I
thought for me was the most one of the more
telling moves of the offseason that they said, Hey, this
is a guy that we really want to continue to
reward where he brings a lot to our locker room.
And I think, and Dan, you know this, and not
just what he brings on the field, but that leadership
(12:15):
quality that he has off the field something you can't
really put a price on it. And so if TJ
can come in help solidify that run defense, those other
defensive tackles can play well. I think that defense can
help that secondary and work in tandem, which was something
that those two sides or two units talked about a
lot as to why they made they weren't playing as
(12:36):
well as they could have last season.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
I've been saying about TJ.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Slayton, he will not have a lot of sacks, but
he might help the team have a bunch by getting
the opponent into second and third and long. So I
think those were really good points, all right. Topic number
four is Taylor made for ESPN's Ben Baby, give me
your hot take about training camp and or the upcoming season.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
I think that Joe Burrow will probably have the most
camp interceptions he's ever had.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
That's it if we're going hot time.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
But I don't think it's going to matter because number one,
I think we need a preface.
Speaker 4 (13:14):
Training can't buy, and large does not matter.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Stats people who if you if you ever find a
reporter taking stats at a practice, make sure you hold
them immediately because it is a practice situation. And I
think that what you saw on OTAs and and Joe
at an interesting point, and that he was, you know,
and I he was talked about, you know why he
was out there throwing for so long. He says, you know,
I want to get to get get in a good rhythm,
(13:37):
getting a good feel of things, And that kind of
prompted me to ask him. I said, well, do you
feel like it's your risk is back to where it was,
and he says essentially, not necessarily. And I think there's
always gonna be questions about if that's ever going to happen.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
And I think that's what made last.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Year so spectacular, the fact that he looked like he
did in the spring, didn't look great early in the season,
and then a was able to put together an MVP
caliber season. I think, quite frankly, does not get talked
about enough, and he deserves a ton of credit. I
had to eat crow. I told him, Joe, I'm gonna
be honest with you. I did not expect you to
look like this when I saw you in the summer.
(14:14):
But I think for Joe, you saw him tweaking with
things a little bit, working on the spin rate, working
on his mechanism, and I think maybe looking at how
aggressive he can be in windows and we're writing about
that right now on ESPN. I thought he had a
great ball on a hole shot down the middle of
Andrea Yoshabaz and a seven on seven Drew And I
think that aggressiveness.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
The more he can push that, the more he can
get out of this offense.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
I think that's something he's always trying to make that
calculation in his mind at all times. Joe's always trying
to think about the risk reward of how he plays
the game. And I think training camp is the perfect
time to go out test your defense, give them good
opportunities to go out and create turnovers, but see what
you feel like you might be able to get away with.
Especially early, that may the biggest thing to help them
(15:01):
get off to a fast started. Joe was playing like
he does week seven and week eight, and he's feeling
in tune with his receivers. I think that is going
to be a really good thing for this team, but
also might lead to some more turnovers. And I think
we've learned and we should not overanalyze what we see
in training camp.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
So if Joe Burrow throws training camp picks, don't panic.
According to Ben Baby, our fifth and final topic the
upcoming season and your prediction for how the Bengals will do.
What will their record be and where will they finish
in the AFC North.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
I think that they end up going back to win
the North. As we know, nobody's won the North three
years in a row. It's something that everyone would like
to do. It makes it one of the toughest divisions
of football. That was something when I came from Dallas
six years ago really underestimated just how good this division is,
the quality of the defenses, how hard it is to
win week in and week out, and really just the
(15:56):
passion that you have with the fan base is how
well these franchises operate. I think that is something that
you know, pound for pound across the league. I don't
know if you have another division that's really as sound
as this one.
Speaker 4 (16:08):
And so it is so difficult to win.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
And when you look at what the Bengals have, I
think that if the offense can play well, I think
the defense will take a step. When they figured things
out at the end of last year, they were five
to zero, and had they played just slightly better, they're
able to beat Baltimore maybe one of those times. And
there were just situations last season where they let winning
(16:30):
positions just slip out of their grasp, and I think
the fact that they still finished nine to eight, you know,
is pretty impressive in that regard, and I think everybody
inside the building knows after you don't make the playoffs
for two years, the stakes have never been higher for
I think everybody there that to really go out and produce.
The one thing that I give Zach Taylor so much
(16:51):
credit for it even when he was two and fourteen
and you know, four eleven and one. I think after
twenty I think the demeanor in which he carries himself,
how he handles pressure and doesn't ever change the way
he operates is probably one of the most unique and
valuable traits as a head coach. Oftentimes when I've covered coaches,
that's something that really separates good coaches from I think
(17:13):
exceptional coaches is the ability to internalize and handle pressure
and make sure that the team doesn't feel that and
they're able to go out and operate at a high level.
We saw that in twenty twenty one when the Bengals
would lose a couple games and they were able to
go back win when they needed to answer the bell,
and I think that really is what you need if.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
You want to go out and chase championship.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
So I have them going twelve and five winning the
division and we'll see how this looks. I think probably
an AFC divisional loss is where I have things I
don't know. When you look at where they stand between
Kansas City and Buffalo and we'll see who else pops
up in a very crowded conference. I think when you
(17:54):
look at it, it's just so the depth is incredible.
I think quarterback play across the NFL has never been better.
So we'll see how far they're able to go. But
I think getting in is the tough part.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
Once you're in.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
You know, had the Bengals made it in last year,
we could have been having a very different offseason because
when they have a tendency to get hot at the
right time, really figure things out. And when you put
Burrow in the postseason, he finds a way to get
things done. So I've will bet against him until I
see for otherwise. I feel like I'm already out on
a limb saying they're going to go out and win
the division. I think it's just just me being on
the pod. Dan is rubbing off on me slightly. But
(18:30):
you know, if I say something, I have conviction behind it,
and I do think this can be a very good
team that makes a run at winning the AFC North again.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
All right, our conversations with Bengals beat reporters is off
to a great start. You have set the bar very
high for the next six to come.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
Ben Baby, I appreciate your time. Thank you.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Always a pleasure, Dan, thank you.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
It is always.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Delightful to visit with Kelsey Conway from the Cincinnati Inquirer.
Are you ready to tackle five questions here on the
Bengals Booth podcast.
Speaker 5 (18:58):
I'm so ready and thank you so much for having
me on. I think this might be my first appearance
on your podcast.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
I think it is.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
Does that mean I've made it?
Speaker 2 (19:09):
It means something, but I don't know if that's it
all right? Question number one, what is your biggest question
going into training camp?
Speaker 5 (19:18):
Are they going to have their entire team on the
practice field, meaning all of their contract stuff is resolved.
I think that I've been asked that a bunch the
last two weeks, and I'm at a point at this
point in June where it's just really hard to say.
Speaker 6 (19:38):
One way or the other.
Speaker 5 (19:39):
So I think that's my biggest question heading into camp.
Heading into the season, I would have a different answer,
but camp, all I want to know is is Shamar Stewart.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
Going to be on the field, Trey Hendrickson going to
be on the.
Speaker 5 (19:51):
Field, and what does that look like with a healthy
Burrow Chase with no contract drama.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Do you think Shamar and Trey will eventually be in
training camp, even if it's not in day one?
Speaker 5 (20:06):
Yes, I think I actually think Trey Hendrickson it feels
like that situation is closer than Shamar Stewart.
Speaker 6 (20:16):
And that's crazy to say because I.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
Never would have thought that, Like a month ago, I
kind of thought Trey might take it through camp, but
it just really seems like, I mean, you've seen the
pictures of him training at Black Sheep this week, and
knowing Trey, I mean, both of us know like his
work ethic, Like I think Trey would have a really
hard time not practicing.
Speaker 6 (20:39):
I think maybe if it comes down to him having
to do it.
Speaker 5 (20:42):
For a day or two, I just I have a
feeling he's going to be like, you know what, this
is the most important thing to me. I've got to
get on the field. I can't stand watching anymore. Whereas
Schamar's not under contract. So I think based off what
I what I've heard and learned about that situation is
(21:04):
it would be completely almost embarrassing for his side if
they didn't get anything in return at this point, Like
if they're just gonna now accept the Bengals terms after
all of the public comments and everything, it just kind
of seems like they're gonna be more dug in and
he's not under contract, so I think I do think
(21:25):
schmar Sewer is going to play. I don't think it's
gonna be one of the things where it go back
goes back into the draft. I just think that they
are not going to cave, and I don't know if
the Bengals are gonna cave on their side either.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Right before camp, all right, who is Kelsey Conway's breakout
player in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 6 (21:47):
Chris Jenkins.
Speaker 5 (21:50):
I think that he's gonna get a lot of playing
time just because of the depth and the numbers at
the interior defensive line room.
Speaker 6 (21:59):
And I think that he's got a new position coach.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
I think he's the type of person that is going
to get better with more reps and he'll be healthy,
and so I think I'm gonna put Chris Jenkins as
my breakout player.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
It's interesting because I think it's almost forgotten that the
dude was a second round.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Pick, right right, yeah, I you know, I know they're
excited about McKinley Jackson too, but like I just kind
of look at what Jenkins' skill sets were when when
he was drafted, they viewed him more as like the
pass rusher. I think that the Bengals don't really have that,
and you know, BJ like they're not. They got to
(22:40):
regulate his snaps because he's older. So I just think
Chris Jenkins is going to see the field a lot more.
He's going to not have his you know, hand injury.
Speaker 7 (22:49):
So I think that let's just say this, it'll be
it'll be disappointing, and it'll be nobody's swall but Chris
Jenkins if he doesn't break out this year, because he's
going to get the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
If that makes sense, and he won't have a giant
pad and club at the.
Speaker 6 (23:09):
Club club on his hands. So let's go with a
big year from Chris Jenkins.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
All right, Conway says Jenkins question number three. The Bengals
defense will be better if dot dot dot.
Speaker 5 (23:24):
Their corners stay healthy throughout the rest throughout the entire year,
which I know is a tall task because injuries happen especially.
Speaker 6 (23:36):
I truly think that.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
If Cam Taylor, Britt DJ Turner and Dax Hill are
your mix of your three healthy outside.
Speaker 6 (23:46):
Corners, and you have Josh Newton.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
As you're starting, Nickel, I think people are not talking
about the potential of that group being maybe the Bengal's
biggest strength on defense. Talking about two second round picks
in DJ Turner, Cam Taylor brit then a first round
pick in jaxx Till, and a hungry Josh Newton.
Speaker 6 (24:09):
Who last year you could argue was after memes.
Speaker 5 (24:15):
Some people say like their favorite pick of the Bengals
just because of the potential in what he showed. I
think if they can stay healthy, they might be a
sneaky good unit that's hungry and has some talent. But
it's hard to It's hard to project that because I mean,
DJ Turner's talked about it. He's got to stay healthy
(24:35):
and he's got a lot to prove from a consistency standpoint.
Cam Taylor Britt is a complete you know, we don't
know what to expect, but when he's on, he can
be really good.
Speaker 6 (24:46):
So I'm excited.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
I'm really excited to watch that battle in camp. I'm
excited to watch it in preseason, and I'm I'm thinking
that the Bengals. I'm not in love with the past
rush situation. I true, I don't think it's semed enough
to make that unit better. But if they are better
on the back end, right, it will help take off
(25:08):
some of that pressure. So I'm going to go with
the Bengals defense will be better their corners stay healthy
and play up to the level that they were drafted
to play at.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
I often say that cornerback is the position that has
the highest injury rate because they're little guys tackling big guys.
They're sprinting up and down the field on every snap.
But at least in this case, you've got four really
talented guys for three spots. So sure guys will miss games.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Here and there.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Hopefully you don't have season ending injuries or things that
you know, wipe out multiple guys for extended periods of time.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
And I agree with you.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
I think talent wise, that's a good group and hopefully
they stay on the field for most of the action
this season. Question number four, give us Kelsey Conways hot
take about training camp or the upcoming season.
Speaker 6 (25:58):
You know, I'm not much of a hot take artists,
so this might be a little bit of a challenge
for me. My hot take is more about the season
and that it.
Speaker 5 (26:14):
Is arguably the most important season of Zach Taylor's career.
I think that this season has been the one that
people have been waiting on right like and you saw
the clip from the fanatics Fest this past weekend with
that little kid saying jobur or like make the playoffs?
Speaker 6 (26:35):
Like this isn't it's no, the playoffs is the bare minimum.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
I think that it is time for the Bengals to
make the jump of not being ten and seven, Like,
what does twelve and five.
Speaker 6 (26:52):
Look like for this team, you know? Or thirteen and four?
Speaker 5 (26:56):
Like, in my opinion, if it's an another middling season
and they make the playoffs and get bounced in the
first round, it's hard to you know, discount a coach
when that happens.
Speaker 6 (27:09):
They make playoffs. They cannot not make the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (27:12):
With Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase and t Higgins making the
money that they are, it's go time.
Speaker 6 (27:18):
They cannot have another slow start.
Speaker 5 (27:21):
And so, in my opinion, this is and I don't
think it's much of a hot take, but this is
the most important season of Zach Taylor's career as the
coach of the Cincinnati Bengals because there's no excuses for him.
He has all of his guys healthy. You know, knock
on wood that everybody stays healthy. But I think they
(27:42):
got to like step on the gas pedal here because
you know, you saw.
Speaker 6 (27:45):
The clip for Netflix's promo.
Speaker 5 (27:47):
I'm sure where Burrow said like he blinked and he
had been in the league for five years and then
he's going to blink again and you know, be ten
and like he's closer to thirty then he is twenty one.
So and I'm not trying to, you know, say like
he's near the man of his career. But you know
what I'm saying, like how many more years do you
think that you'll have these elite receivers the same continuity
(28:08):
on the coaching staff? Like, I just think it's time
for the Bengals to really like make a run at
the number one, number two overall seed, and in my opinion,
that falls directly on Zach Taylor.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Pretty hot take.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
I like it.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
Maybe not maybe not sizzling hot.
Speaker 5 (28:24):
I prefer to.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
Hot, not not surface of the sun, but pretty hot.
I liked it all right.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Fifth and final question for The Inquirer's Kelsey Conway. What
will the Bengals record be and where will they finish
in the AFC North.
Speaker 5 (28:40):
Holy Moly, is the AFC North going to be a
gauntlet with Aaron Rodgers now in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 6 (28:46):
I mean, I think a.
Speaker 5 (28:47):
Lot of people are just writing the Steelers off and
it's like a two person to like debate in the
AFC North with Baltimore and Cincinnati. But I gotta tell you,
I think the Steelers will be right with those with
those two teams. Yeah, I think the Steelers have a
(29:07):
good team around Rogers and if he can just like
I don't think he wants to end his career playing
like garbage. So I think I think the Steelers are
gonna and you know, they're always a difficult matchup for
the Bengals with high Smith and what. But I think
that's what makes my overall record projection hard for me
with the Bengals, because I just have a feeling they're
(29:30):
gonna split with Baltimore and they're gonna split with Pittsburgh,
and so where does that leave them? And I want
to be more than ten and seven, but I cannot
get there. So I'm ten and seven and hoping that
they prove me wrong. And it's a you know, a
twelve win season, and what we were talking about they're
(29:52):
making a run for the one or two seed. But
I just think the NFC North really good teams Packers, Detroit, Chicago.
I expect to be better, Minnesota to be good, like
for that to be their crossover division. I think that
it's challenging and there's not you know, a ton of
(30:12):
games where shoot, I mean, we all thought the.
Speaker 6 (30:15):
Game against Patriots is gonna be lay up for the
Bengals last year and it was not.
Speaker 5 (30:18):
So I'm gonna stick with ten and seven, and I'm
I'm picking ten and seven because I'd rather be under than.
Speaker 6 (30:27):
Pick them to go of fifteen and two.
Speaker 5 (30:30):
Like a friend of ours that will probably pick them
to go fifteen and two on your podcast when he
appears on later.
Speaker 6 (30:37):
But I'm sure he will reveal his identity.
Speaker 5 (30:39):
But I'm gonna go with ten and seven, and I
am gonna have them finish second in the division behind
the Ravens. I the Jayre Alexander moved for me in
Baltimore kind of put them, in my opinion, like a
head of Cincinnati, just because they got some dogs over there,
and I was kind of hoping Bangals make a run
(31:02):
for that guy. But so let's go with ten and seven,
second in the division.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
And make the playoffs and make the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
All right, Kelsey Conway has spoken, I appreciate your time
and your sizzling hot take. Look forward to seeing in
training camp.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
Thanks kel thanks so much for having me on the athletics.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Paul Danner Junior has promised spicy takes, and I have
no doubt he will deliver on this little exercise.
Speaker 8 (31:29):
So here we go.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Question number one, Paul, what is your biggest question going
into training camp?
Speaker 9 (31:36):
It's going into training camp, it's going into the season.
It's how are we talking about this?
Speaker 4 (31:40):
In week eight?
Speaker 9 (31:42):
Can Miles Murphy make the most of his opportunity? We
heard Al Golden right, it's time. It's time. The Bengals
have promised everywhere we have talked to the personnel department,
to Zach Taylor. It has been Miles Murphy's getting this opportunity.
He needs snaps, he needs to play. But yet we
(32:02):
haven't seen the production when he has had that opportunity.
Now it has to happen. There's others potentially in line,
there are other options. How long can you hang with
somebody and wait? Year three? The time is over to
wait because you can sit here and say, hey, I
did one little quick stat dive on Miles Murphy for
you here. We know that some of his pressure rates
(32:25):
have been okay, like he's been solid, But when you
have put him into third and long third and five
or more, he's had fifty nine opportunities. Of all those
in his draft class, he's dead last three point four percent,
Lucas van Ness next six point three, everyone else over
eleven percent. In those times, you have to make the
(32:46):
most of the opportunities you're given. If you want more,
they're gonna give him more. He has to prove that
he has taken a leap this year to make the
most of those.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
I have heard you on your podcast and in other
appearances express some optimism about this. You are cautiously optimistic
that he can deliver correct I see it like.
Speaker 9 (33:08):
I think a guy can learn to finish that more
reps can get you there. I think you've seen it
in flashes. But you only get so many opportunities, and
at some point you have to prove that you can
do it or they have to move on. You know,
we've seen that, whether it's gonna be Joseph Osai or
Shamar Stewart or Cam Sample or Trey Hennett, whoever it is.
(33:31):
At some point you have to prove that you're better
than those guys. And year three for a first round pick.
Speaker 8 (33:37):
That's win.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Question number two for the Athletics, Paul Dater Junior, who
is your breakout player in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 9 (33:45):
I don't know if this is unfair to say this,
but I'm gonna say because I think he's been my
breakout player before and he's kind of broken out and
then regressed. Cam Taylor Bred, I'm buying Cam Taylor brit.
I felt like I remember talking to him multiple times
last year between the benchings and then coming back. He
admitted he was just in his own head so much
(34:08):
last year and it was part of what was going wrong.
But when we've seen him play clearheaded, confident, I mean
no one's louder or more confident out there on the
football field or in OTAs or in training camp. When
we see that, he looks like he can be a
number one corner. He looks like he can live up
to that role. I'm still buying that that's in him
(34:28):
because we have seen it for stretches, and I think
Al Golden can come in and whether it's simplification or
just playing more to his strengths or you know, he
looked like in mini camp and during the OTAs of
a guy who had that confidence back. You saw that
in him, you heard it from him. So I'm buying
Cam Taylor Britt has that back can stay on the
(34:49):
right track and become the number one corner we've seen
those flashes of in his first few.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
Years, Alice moving him around in the many camps. Do
you think that happens the season or were they just
cross training guys and experimenting because it didn't matter.
Speaker 9 (35:05):
I think that it's probably less in the season. But
I think there's a lot that we don't know about
what's gonna happen in the season with Al Golden in
terms of how much they're going to lean into certain things.
I think trying guys out, seeing how they react, and
if you want to learn about how a guy reacts,
how about having to cover Mikeasicki in the slot and
pulling off interception of Joe Burrow. That'll do in an
(35:26):
ability to handle whatever Al Golden's gonna throw at him.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
Time for question number three, The Bengals defense will be
better if dot dot dot.
Speaker 9 (35:36):
I don't know if this is an easy out because
it's a little too general, but I can't get past it.
Al Golden has to live up.
Speaker 8 (35:44):
To his reputation.
Speaker 9 (35:46):
He built a reputation on developing young players, whether it
be what he did in the college ranks Temple Miami
as a linebackers coach here, what he did with that
young group, notre dame we saw, that's his reputation. That's
why he's here right now is because there are currently
nine top one hundred picks on rookie deals in major
(36:07):
roles here, all of which have questions and have had
up and down starts to their careers or our rookies,
Miles Murphy, Schamar Stewart, Chris Jenkins, McKinley Jackson, Dimitrious Knight,
Junior Jordan Battle, DJ Turner, Cam Taylor, Britt Dax Hill,
all of these guys have questions and feel like are
capable of taking a step. That's what this defense is
(36:28):
gonna be. Those young guys are either gonna come along
because Al Golden can create an environment where they do so,
which has been what he's done throughout his career, or
they're not good enough and Al Golden wasn't able to
get that out of him, which is kind of the
biggest question around maybe this entire team's title hopes, because
this defense has to get to a level of serviceability
(36:49):
and that starts with those nine guys.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
It's what Kansas City has done so well. Yep, they
have developed young guys, not necessarily top one hundred picks,
but they just keep oh over turning young guys that
can continue to keep that defense at a championship level.
Speaker 9 (37:06):
And I felt like the way the process that Duke
Tobin and the personnel department have approached this was the
right one, right, But the only thing that ends up
at the end is their process can be great, but
if the results don't hit, it doesn't matter if you
did it the right way, you still end up with
what you've had in the last couple of years. And
(37:26):
obviously that was part of the disconnect last year when
things went south for lou Anarumo in that side of
the ball and some in twenty twenty three, was something
was not connecting there with these young players in his system.
Maybe the new system and what Al Golden is good
at brings it out of them, and then then the
process can be proved a little more right, and you
can replicate some of what Kansas City has done opposite
(37:47):
their high paid stars on offense.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
You promise, spicy, So here we go give us Paul
Danner Junior's hot take about training camp for the upcoming season.
Speaker 9 (37:59):
Chase Brown leads the team in yards from scrimmage and
does something only two other running backs in the NFL
have done in the last five seasons. One thousand yards rushing,
five hundred yards receiving. Okay, Christian McCaffrey and Jamier Gibbs
are the only other two to do that since twenty twenty.
(38:19):
The last week's nine to seventeen. Last year, when the
offense evolved, he was fifth in the NFL in yards
from scrimmage, narrowly behind Jamar Chase, who was third. Dan
Pitcher has kind of gotten his hands around the running
game now a little bit more and distributed that. They're
changing that with Frank Pollock out and now you have
a new idea around that. Well, last year they were like,
(38:42):
what is this run game? They're trying to build this thing,
Zach Moss, how much will Chase Brown play? They are
tweaking and kind of recentering this running game around Chase
Brown's skill set now and so you take what he
did so well. One of the most impressive things I
saw last year was his growth and instant chemistry with
(39:03):
Joe Burrow in the passing game as a protector sure
the off script plays when the play broke down, his
ability to get in phase with Joe and create explosives
was remarkable and such a big part of the offensive
explosion in the second half of the season. He'll only
average four point two yards per carry that point, that's
far lower than some of the premiere backs. Dan Pitcher
(39:23):
says to me, Hey, look, we have a guy, we
have a top ten back, and we're gonna base things
around him. If you can get that four point two
to four point four to four point five and he
still does the things he does in the passing game,
and defenses are like Triple Crown winners not beating us today.
And you're getting more into the decoy game around Jamar,
which I think will be part of this season storyline.
(39:46):
Give me all the Chase Brown stock, give me that
and have him become the guy who gets a lot
of the volume yardage here, even with him getting more
breaks and not being in there one hundred percent of
the snaps nearly this year. I still think it adds
up to a massive season for Chase Brown.
Speaker 2 (40:03):
So more than a thousand rushing yards and more than
five hundred receiving yards. I just busted out my calculator
to do a little math. If you go by what
he averaged over the last eight games last year, that's
more than twelve hundred rushing yards and more than six
hundred receiving yards. So yes, he demonstrated the ability to
do it. We'll see if he can do it over
a seventeen game season. But I love that hot take.
(40:26):
Here's our fifth and final question. What will the Bengals
record be and where will they finish in the AFC North.
Speaker 9 (40:33):
I don't know why you do this to me, Dan,
Why do we do this?
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Why do we help it?
Speaker 9 (40:37):
Why do we have to predict records on June twenty
whatever we're at right? I hate doing this because I
think that we are gonna obviously learn so much. But
if y'all I'm here to play, I'm here to play.
Your appreciate here for it. I'll say eleven and six
second in the AFC North. I like the team and
(40:58):
where they're at gotta see it defensive, you know, pass rush,
the young secondary. Can both of those come through? What
level will that surface that I'm concerned about the lack
of interior pass rush and what's gonna happen in general
with the pass rush, and that makes me reticent up
against what Baltimore has. I think it's a two team race.
(41:19):
I think this is gonna come down to yet again.
Those two games, I think Thanksgiving Night in December fourteenth
are gonna be the defining games of the season the
same way.
Speaker 8 (41:29):
They were last year.
Speaker 9 (41:30):
And if the Bengals would have gotten the kick and
the two point conversion last year, they would have been
the third overall seed and won the AFC North and
have won five straight going into the playoffs. The margins
are so thin in between Baltimore and the Bengals and
the elite quarterbacks in those games. It's gonna be thin again,
That's what it is. It's those margins in those two
(41:52):
games that will probably decide whether the Bengals are hosting
a playoff.
Speaker 8 (41:56):
Game or in the playoffs.
Speaker 9 (41:58):
But I don't see a world catastrophic injury situations that
the Bengals aren't making the playoffs this year. I do
think they have put together a roster and a team
and an energy that you feel around them right now
that is of a real championship contender.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
I'm glad you clarified Baltimore number one, because when you
said eleven and six second in the AFC North, I
assumed Cleveland ysh, You're champions.
Speaker 9 (42:23):
The year of Kenny Pickett storyline in the NFL is
what it's gonna be.
Speaker 8 (42:28):
There's no question.
Speaker 1 (42:30):
All right, you promise spicy takes. He delivered.
Speaker 2 (42:32):
Appreciate your time, Paul, look forward to seeing.
Speaker 1 (42:34):
Your camp anytime.
Speaker 3 (42:36):
Dan.
Speaker 1 (42:37):
Jay Morrison is next on the list.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
I don't know if Jay will have stats in this
particular exercise. I guess we will find out. But let's
start with question number one. Jay, your biggest question going
into training camp.
Speaker 10 (42:50):
I think everybody's is gonna be win. Is Trey Henderson
going to show up? When was first practice be I
don't want to be repetitive. I'm guessing you've probably already
heard that from some other guys, So I'm gonna say,
will Dylan Fairchild be ready? I think that's maybe the
only thing that can derail this offense. If they've got
a hole on that offensive line. And it's nothing against Dylan,
(43:13):
but this team has struggled to draft offensive linemen, and
in the last decade they've had failures with Paul Alexander,
They've had failures with Jim Turner, They've had failures with
Frank Pollack. So the one consistent is the people evaluating
them and drafting them, and so I just I think
it's reasonable to question that because if he's not ready,
(43:35):
you're talking about what Lucas Patrick and Cody Ford most likely,
or a reclamation project with Cordell Volson. I just think
as soon as they drafted Dylan, they pretty much said
he's our guy. We're sticking him in there as the starter,
and that's a great plan, but if it goes awry,
they don't really have a great backup plan.
Speaker 2 (43:51):
And obviously an injury could factor in there as well.
I would say that if he doesn't pan out in
training camp, or if he got hurt, it seems to
me that Cordell Vohlson back on the left side would
likely be the backup and you'd still have that Lucas
Patrick Cody Ford battle on the right side. I feel
a little bit better at least about Cordell. Have him
(44:13):
heard him talk about his relationship with Scott Peters and
how much he thinks Scott is going to help him.
Speaker 10 (44:19):
I agree, And just his admission that, you know, he
wasn't defiant like, oh, I don't think I played that.
He knew he didn't play well last year, and he's
excited about learning new things and trying to get better
and embracing the new. So I agree with you just
his comments this year, because it was right after he
was asked to take the pay cut, and we a
couple of us approached him and it's like, oh, how's
(44:41):
this going to go? And he sat there and answered
every question and they weren't short, and it wasn't just
about the pay cut. It was about everything in general,
his play, And so I agree with you there. I
think there's some cause for optimism there. Sometimes the coaching changes,
you see it, a change of scenery helps a player.
Sometimes change of coaching can help a player as well.
Speaker 2 (45:03):
Who is your breakout player in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 8 (45:07):
I'm gonna go Cam Taylor Britt.
Speaker 10 (45:09):
I don't know if he's been picked, but I think
there was a heavy, a healthy level of respect between
he and Lou. But I also think there's a nice
strong dose of frustration there, and I think he's the
one that kind of was hamstrung the most by how
(45:29):
much Lou was putting on their plays. He's such an instinctual,
twitchy guy and it just seemed like he was out
there thinking too much and getting himself in bad positions.
And if Al Golden can find a way to just
let him go out there and play and trust his instincts,
I mean, he's done it before. It's not like it's
a guy you're waiting to break out. He was really
good as a young player, and you don't You don't
(45:49):
typically see that arc where they start good and then
just fall off immediately. So I think that the talent's there,
and I think he's a guy that it means a
lot to him. He really wants to be good. And
anytime the discussion comes to breakout players, you start with
is it a contract year? And it's a contract year
for Cam Taylor.
Speaker 2 (46:09):
Britt Al Golden played a lot of pressman at Notre Dame.
Maybe that's the simple fix for Cam. Assign him to
a guy and let him be athletic and trust his instincts.
Speaker 8 (46:21):
Yeah, and then he is athletic.
Speaker 10 (46:23):
We see it on the football field, and I've talked
about this on our podcast where I went to the
Logan Wilson softball game, and it's so funny watching those
guys because they look totally out of place on a
softball field, the way they swing the bat, the way
they throw a ball. And he was making leaping catches
of line drives, and he's just a great athlete. And
I think that's the way to go is just let
him rely on that athleticism.
Speaker 2 (46:45):
We are visiting with Jay Morrison from Bengals Talk dot com.
Question number three, The Bengals defense will be better if
dot dot dot.
Speaker 8 (46:54):
The world keeps spinning.
Speaker 10 (46:56):
I mean, it can't get much worse, right, So, so
I do have some stats, and this is where I
think is there's some reason for optimism there, even beyond
the Al Golden arrival. As bad as this defense was
last year, it took a considerable step in what was
(47:16):
maybe what was its biggest issue in twenty twenty three,
and that was given up all those explosive plays they
ranked twenty ninth and explosive passes in twenty twenty three
and twenty eighth and explosive runs they climbed last year
to fifteenth and passes in eighteenth and runs that was
a sizeable advantage. What was the problem was red zone defense.
(47:36):
It's like, yeah, you can say you can't give up
the chunk plays. You got to make a team drive
the length of the field. Well, they weren't getting the
stops in the red zone. They had the worst the
league started tracking red zone percentage in two thousand. It
was the worst red zone percentage of any Bengals team
since two thousand and There's been some bad teams over
that time. And if they can just find a way
(47:57):
to get better in the red zone and turn some
of those touchdowns they were thirtieth and touchdown percentage across
the league in the red zone just six seven eight
of those turn those into field goals and instead of touchdowns.
I think that makes a really big or will make
a really big difference.
Speaker 2 (48:16):
All Right, Jae, I don't necessarily think of you as
a hot take artist, but that is the assignment here.
Give us your hot take about either training camp or
the upcoming season.
Speaker 10 (48:26):
Yeah, so, what kind of piggybacks on the last question?
I will say the Bengals will lead the league in
takeaways this year. I think we're going to see a
jump from Cam Taylor, britt Gino. Stone's done it before.
It's not like you're asking him to do something he's
never done. He had a seven interception season.
Speaker 1 (48:43):
And even in a bad year last year, he had four.
Speaker 8 (48:45):
Right exactly, and it came on late. The momentum is there.
Speaker 10 (48:51):
They get Tray and Shamar Stewart figured out, the pass
rush gets better. The big thing here is I think
this offense is really going to hit the ground, run
and break out of the gate fast. And I don't
expect them to be playing catch up and back and
forth a lot. I expect them to be leading a
lot of games in the second half, and that's where
a lot of those turnovers come from, where the other
team is forced to throw. You know what they're gonna do.
(49:14):
And as bad as this defense was last year, they
were seventh in the league in takeaways, So it's not
a big leap to go from seventh to first, and
I think they've got the makings to make.
Speaker 8 (49:23):
That happen, all right.
Speaker 2 (49:25):
Our fifth and final question is what will the Bengals
record be and where will they finish in the AFC North.
Speaker 10 (49:31):
So right now, until I see Dylan Fairchild, until I
see this defense, I'm gonna go eleven and six. I
think they could be better, But right now I'm gonna
go eleven and six and second in the North. They
have to prove they can beat Lamar, and I think
all those close losses against the Ravens, it's almost more
(49:51):
of a hurdle than if they were getting blown out
by them and you're like, Okay, we're gonna flip it.
It's definitely in their head, and they won't say it's
in their head, but it is a mental thing. And
just the fact of the they are justified and correct
and complaining about four straight primetime games at Baltimore but
(50:12):
grousing about it publicly.
Speaker 8 (50:14):
It just shows that it is in their head a
little bit.
Speaker 10 (50:17):
And if they can find a way to just beat
the Ravens once this year, they only need a sweep
beat them once, I think they've got a really good
shot to win the division. But until we see it happen,
I'm going to go eleven and six, second place wild Card, make.
Speaker 2 (50:30):
An overtime field goal at home, convert a two point
conversion at the end of regulation on the road, they
would have had at least one win over Baltimore last year,
but they got to go out and do it. We'll
see if they can. Jay, appreciate your time, great stuff
and look forward to seeing you at camp.
Speaker 8 (50:45):
All right, thanks Dan.
Speaker 2 (50:47):
Mike Petrelli is up next. But first here's a quick
reminder that the Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you
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Speaker 1 (51:11):
We are joined now by my.
Speaker 2 (51:13):
Pal, Mike Petrelia aka Trags, host of the Jungle Roar podcast.
You can read his work at CLNS Media. Are you
ready to tackle five questions on the Bengals Booth Podcast? Shoot?
Dan O, All right, here we go. What is your
biggest question going into training camp?
Speaker 11 (51:33):
I think who is going to step forward on the defense,
specifically on the defensive edge and provide more pressure on
the quarterback. That is the biggest question I have I
think it's a question that most Bengal fans have had
this offseason. It's why they went out and drafted Shamar
Stewart in the first round with some of their pick
(51:54):
seventeenth overall, they are trying to obviously bring more to
the quarterback and I think that's the biggest question I have.
Obviously people are wondering about Trey Hendrickson and that's understandable,
but there are other people that have to be able
to step forward on the edge to provide more production,
(52:15):
Miles Murphy and Joseph Osai for two. And I think
to me that's the biggest question going into camp. Where
will the extra pressure come from the Bengals pass rush.
Speaker 2 (52:26):
Do you expect Shamar Stewart to be signed by the
start of camp or at some point during camp.
Speaker 11 (52:33):
I expect him to be signed right before camp begins.
I think you know, both sides know what they want.
Both sides have made their positions well known about the
moral high ground if you will, that they want to
stand and that they want a stake, and they both
feel it's very important. But to me, in the end,
(52:55):
this does not feel like a protracted situation. This feels
like in situation where both sides wanted to make a statement,
draw the line in the sand. They've done that, and
at the end of the day, I think Shamar Stewart
wants to be on the field playing football, and I
think that's what's going to happen.
Speaker 2 (53:13):
All right, Trags, who is your breakout player in twenty
twenty five?
Speaker 11 (53:17):
Boy, there's so many ways I could go on this Dan,
and I'm going to go offense, and I was going
to go Chase Brown, but I'm going to go andre
Yosivash because I think the Bengals have made him a
bigger and bigger role, made a bigger role for him
in the offense, and he's actually physically bigger. When I
(53:38):
think we saw him in the OTAs in the mandatory
mini camp, he looks stronger to me, and I think
if he already has the size, Dan, he already has
the length, he has the physical gifts of being a
former track star in college. I think he is and
he's I really think he is going to pick up
(54:00):
the offense at a level that we haven't seen in
the previous two years. I'm pretty excited about what he
can do. I think Joe Burrow is too so he
would be my.
Speaker 8 (54:09):
Choice for breakout player on the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (54:12):
I think T Higgins might agree based on his comments
during the mini camps. Bigger, faster, stronger, twitchier was what
t Higgins had to say.
Speaker 1 (54:20):
So I'm with you.
Speaker 2 (54:21):
I think andre Yosibosh is going to take a big
step forward. We'll see how many opportunities he gets with
the other weapons that they have, but I would expect
him to take advantage of those opportunities. Question number three,
The Bengals defense will be better if can I answer
this with two not just one, Lily, Okay? If they
(54:42):
stop the run better.
Speaker 11 (54:44):
The last couple of years, it's not any coincidence, Dan
that they have allowed explosive plays in the run game,
especially on second and third down. That can't happen anymore.
They've got to be able to stop the run. I
think certainly TJ. Slayton is a step in that direction.
(55:05):
You know they have been looking for somebody to really
fill the voids and DJ Reader left and I think
bringing in TJ. Slayton is a terrific step forward in
that regard. They've got to be able to stop the run.
The second is, as I mentioned earlier, they've got to
be able to get to the quarterback and provide some pressure.
(55:27):
They have got to be able to do that, because
what happens when you bring pressure, you create turnovers, and
I guess I could say is a third part of that.
If you allow me to do that, they've got to
be able to turn the opposition over and get the
ball back in the.
Speaker 8 (55:40):
Hands of Joe Burrow a few more times a game.
Speaker 2 (55:44):
You know, one and two are not necessarily separate, because
if you stop the run better and you get teams
into second and third and long, right now, you can
pressure the quarterback better, so they're actually tied together.
Speaker 8 (55:59):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 11 (56:00):
You know, I know that Al Golden has spent a
lot of time this offseason trying to craft that defense
into his own image. But part of that image has
to be stopping the run.
Speaker 2 (56:11):
I know that.
Speaker 11 (56:12):
I mean, every defensive coordinator knows that you've got to
be able to stop the run, but it's how they
go about it. I think we're going to see, and
we already saw this in some of the offseason practices,
Dan that he's going to use players along the defensive
line more versatile. He's going to use them in more positions,
and I think that's one way the Bengals are going
(56:33):
to go about giving offenses different looks along the defensive front.
Speaker 2 (56:38):
Now give us Mike Petrellia's hot take going into training
camp for the twenty twenty five season, all right, I.
Speaker 11 (56:45):
Think that Joseph Osai is going to wind up in
double digits in sacks.
Speaker 1 (56:53):
Nice.
Speaker 11 (56:53):
I think he is going to come out of nowhere,
and I think he is actually going to respond to
that one year prove it to me deal that he
received from the Bengals, and he's got the physical ability.
He stays healthy and he plays consistently. And I've said
this on my own podcast a couple of times. We've
seen in twenty twenty two, and we saw it last year,
(57:14):
like the last five to six games of the season,
he turned it on. I mean, he was a different player,
explosive player. We've got to see that from the start
of the season from Joseph Osai. I think we do
this year, and that's why I'm going to go with
this hot take. I think we see it from the
beginning of the year. I think he winds up in
(57:35):
double digits in sacks and becomes a big, big part
of what we've been talking about, and that is a
bigger and better and badder.
Speaker 8 (57:43):
Pass rush for the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (57:45):
All right, that's a clip, and save for Joseph Osai,
we get to our fifth and final question. I'm going
to turn the clock back a little bit here. I
had the honor of being the first ever guest on
the Jungle Roar podcast. This was prior to the twenty
twenty one seasons Super Bowl fifty six season, and we
did a predict the record for the upcoming season. You
(58:07):
said thirteen wins, and while they didn't get the thirteen wins,
they did go to the Super Bowl. I remember thinking
that you were nuts at the time, and clearly you
were not.
Speaker 8 (58:16):
So here we go.
Speaker 2 (58:17):
What will the Bengals record be and where will they
finish in the AFC North.
Speaker 11 (58:23):
I think they will finish eleven and six, Dan, I
think they will win the AFC North. I obviously think
there were two strutches of this season that will be
the telltale of what the Bengals wind up towards the
end of the season and at the end of the season.
But I think this time they get the hole. Let's
(58:44):
start the season hot, Let's start the season better. I
think they get that right this year. But the four
games right after Jacksonville are going to tell me a
lot about where this team is going. I think they
figured some things out. I think Al Golden is going
to bring a difference on that defense, a different look.
(59:04):
And then certainly when they start with that stretch beginning
with Pittsburgh, New England and then Baltimore and Buffalo, Baltimore
twice and Buffalo once in seventeen days, to me, that's
where the season is going to be made. But I
think the Bengals will be prepared to handle that stretch
(59:24):
with an improved defense and the best offense.
Speaker 8 (59:28):
I think it's going to be the best offense in
football this year.
Speaker 2 (59:31):
So eleven wins first place in the AFC North, that
probably means they are not the number one seed and
not getting a playoff by but it would mean a
home playoff game at pay Course Stadium and hopefully the
start of another nice long postseason run. Trags, appreciate your time,
appreciate the takes.
Speaker 1 (59:50):
Thanks so much for joining me on the pod.
Speaker 8 (59:53):
Dan, always a pleasure. Thank you very much for having me.
Speaker 2 (59:57):
Nobody cranks out more Bengals content than my buddy James Rapeens.
So I'm sure these five questions are going to be
a breeze for you. Are you ready to tackle these
five issues on the Bengals Booth podcast?
Speaker 8 (01:00:09):
Absolutely, I'm ready to go.
Speaker 1 (01:00:11):
I'm sure you are.
Speaker 2 (01:00:12):
Question number one, what is your biggest question going into
training camp?
Speaker 12 (01:00:17):
There are a bunch of questions, right, and I think
that the good news is as you're starting from a
good spot where you're not asking about quarterbacks like other
teams in the division or in the league that the
Bengals are going to be competing with. But to me,
it's high level. Did the Bengals do enough to address
(01:00:38):
their obvious weaknesses? The weaknesses that you've been discussing for months,
whether it's at the combine or a head of free agency,
all the way now through the draft, in mini camp,
when training camp is looming and we're still talking about
the pass rush. Will they have enough pass rush? Did
they do enough to protect Joe Burrow from an interior
offensive line standpoint? And so those are the the major
(01:01:01):
weaknesses that we've spent so much time talking about. You
mentioned the content. I mean, I think everything I've talked
about has had to do with protecting Joe or something
with Al Golden's defense, and I think it starts with
the pass rush.
Speaker 1 (01:01:12):
So did they do enough in.
Speaker 12 (01:01:14):
Those two areas to get by, not only get by,
but be much better in both spots this season?
Speaker 1 (01:01:22):
All Right? Topic two?
Speaker 2 (01:01:25):
Who is James Rapines breakout player in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 12 (01:01:30):
I don't think this is going to surprise many people,
but I might be the biggest Dax Hill stand outside.
Speaker 1 (01:01:36):
Of maybe a few people in the front office.
Speaker 12 (01:01:38):
And I don't think he would even be eligible for
this had he not gotten hurt last year because he
was breaking out and it was it was happening right
before our eyes. And the fact that this team picked
up his fifth year option something that I'm not sure
I would have done, honestly, and I'm I'm a big
because it's just a lot of money to commit to
(01:01:59):
and you don't have an extension in place, And yet
I think that tells you exactly how they feel. You
talk to the coaching staff and they're will really bullish
on Dax. So I would expect Dax Hill to break
out this year and be a big part of not
just the twenty twenty five Bengals, but their future.
Speaker 1 (01:02:16):
And if it's up to you, is he playing on
the outside or is he playing in the slot.
Speaker 12 (01:02:22):
I would play him on the outside some and then
I would kick him into the slot some and I
would put him on the edge and have him blitz,
and I would use him as this versatile weapon that
can do a little bit of everything, because I'm not
expecting him to be a shutdown number one corner, not
that he can't be your number one corner, but I
don't know if he's going to be Drell Reevis, but
(01:02:42):
I think he can be a really high end player
in your secondary that does a bunch of different things.
And so hopefully that's what they can do, is get
the most out of him, whatever that is. And maybe
that is just playing outside. I think it's doing a
little bit of a few different things.
Speaker 2 (01:02:59):
Al Golden was moving corners around a lot during the
OTAs and the mini camp practices that we saw. Can
you do that in games?
Speaker 8 (01:03:07):
I think so with a guy like Dax, you definitely can.
Speaker 12 (01:03:10):
I think the thing that impresses me most about him,
as much as it's the athleticism and all of those things,
it's he never gets too high or too low. Didn't
really get rattled when they moved him from safety to corner.
Has handled all these situations he's been put in pretty well,
(01:03:31):
I think, and it hasn't really impacted his confidence much.
So I think, yeah, you could put him on the outside,
kick him inside, move him all over, and if you
have a guy that can do that well, then it's
going to allow you to move some of those guys
around as well. And I think Cam Taylor BRIT's another
one that we saw in mini camp move around and
that's certainly noteworthy in something I'll behind going into training camp.
Speaker 2 (01:03:52):
All right, We are visiting with the president of the
Dax Hill Fan Club, James Rapine, also from bengkalstalk dot
com and the Lockdown Bengals podcast. Topic number three is
the defense. It will be better if.
Speaker 12 (01:04:04):
God dot God Al Golden is who Zach Taylor thinks
he is, and based on all my interactions with Al,
Zach is going to be right. But that's what the
Bengals are saying, That's what Zach Taylor is saying is
Al Golden is going to be a difference maker on
defense for us. It's going to be a lot of
the same faces, but we are going to get more
(01:04:25):
out of these guys. We're going to put them in
position to succeed. We're also going to get a big
nose tackle in TJ.
Speaker 1 (01:04:32):
Slayton.
Speaker 4 (01:04:32):
That is going to matter.
Speaker 12 (01:04:33):
Having a guy like that is going to impact things
and change the way you have some of those lineups
in the trenches.
Speaker 4 (01:04:39):
But that's it.
Speaker 12 (01:04:41):
That's what it's going to come down to, is Al
Golden being exactly who Zach thinks he is. And I
think Zach thinks he's one of the best defensive minds
on the planet, and so we'll see if it rings
true this season.
Speaker 2 (01:04:53):
I respect it, Admirer lou Anarumo. I'm sure you do too,
But it seems to me that Al Golden is the
right guy for what the Bengals have to be on
defense with the amount of money they're spending on offense.
Speaker 8 (01:05:06):
No doubt.
Speaker 12 (01:05:07):
And I think that when you look at a guy
like Dax Hill or Miles Murphy or whoever else, it's
finding how they fit in making sure you get something
out of them. You can't go two years, Let's use
Shamar Stewart for as an example, two years and not
really know what Shamar is. And we're kind of that
(01:05:30):
way with Miles Murphy and hopefully we get some answers
this year.
Speaker 1 (01:05:33):
But I think that's it is.
Speaker 12 (01:05:34):
Al Golden isn't going to look around and say, well,
why is my cupboard empty? He's going to say, all right,
this is what's in the cupboard. Let's try to make
the best meal possible.
Speaker 1 (01:05:44):
All right.
Speaker 2 (01:05:45):
You have jokingly been referred to from time to time
as hot take James, So this question is ideally suited
for you. Give us James Rapine's hot take about training
camp or the upcoming season.
Speaker 12 (01:05:57):
So in typical hot take James fashion, I have two,
So I'm I'm bringing the flamethrower one that yeah, might
not be that taky for those that believe in T Higgins,
but I think T Higgins is about to have the
best year of his career. And he had ten touchdowns
last year I think twelve hundred plus yards. I think
(01:06:17):
by the end of the season we're talking about him
as a top ten wide receiver. My biggest fear last
year at this time, or one of them, at least
from a Bengals standpoint, is letting T Higgins walk after
the twenty twenty four season and then watching him play
his best football elsewhere. I think that's what would have
happened had they let him leave.
Speaker 1 (01:06:36):
They didn't. They paid him.
Speaker 12 (01:06:38):
I think they'll reap the rewards of that and see
them this year. Obviously, health is a factor, but I
think he's going to maybe have the healthiest season of
his career. Knock on wood. The other one in this
I think is going to be considered the hot take.
Shamar Stewart is going to have more sacks as a
rookie than he did in his entire college career.
Speaker 1 (01:07:00):
It now, that's not setting the bar all that high,
but still I like it.
Speaker 12 (01:07:06):
So if he ends up with five sacks and it's disruptive,
and you know, I think what's interesting is the dialogue
about everything contract wise, and I can't wait to see
him on the field because he is going to matter.
And I do think he's still going to be the
favorite to start alongside Trey Hendricks and not that that matters,
(01:07:26):
but yeah, I think five plus sacks and maybe I'm
going a little light there, maybe he gets to seven
or eight.
Speaker 1 (01:07:32):
You never know. Well, I really like that take.
Speaker 2 (01:07:36):
Joseph Osai expects to be the guy that starts on
the opposite side of Trey Hendrickson, and that might be
the case because of his because of his experience, but
Shamar Stewart is certainly going to play a lot, and
I'm with you, I expect him to have a very
productive season. Hopefully he's practicing from day one of training camp,
which would help. I don't know if that'll be the
(01:07:56):
case or not, but I do think that he is
going to be a significant part of this defense from
day one.
Speaker 12 (01:08:04):
Yeah, and they need him to be. And that's when
they drafted him. The first hour or two it's like, man,
is he going to be ready? Can he contribute? And
the more I looked at that room and looked at
what he brought, he's going to give them something that
these other guys have pieces of. But he's just such
a freak and he's so physically imposing, and I think
(01:08:25):
he's going to matter. Even if he doesn't start, that
to me doesn't matter. You know, as long as he's
getting twenty five naps or something like that a week,
you're going to notice him on the field.
Speaker 1 (01:08:36):
All right.
Speaker 2 (01:08:36):
Our fifth and final question has to do with your
prediction for the upcoming season. What will the Bengals record
be and where will they finish in the AFC North.
Speaker 12 (01:08:47):
When the schedule came out, you always play the schedule game,
and I did, and I'm sure everyone did, and you
look at it, you go win loss loss, win, win loss.
And i'd been in Those that have followed me know
that I've been a bit underwhelmed with what the Bengals
have added from a talent standpoint this offseason and have
questions about the pass rush and offensive line and things
(01:09:09):
like that. And yet when I played the schedule game,
and I look at prime Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase
and I'm expecting Trey Hendrickson, and I mentioned how bullish
I am on T Higgins. I got to twelve wins.
I got to a team that is going to be
in the thick of it, not just in the AFC North,
but in the AFC. And part of it is because
(01:09:31):
I think the defense is going to be better with
Al Golden, better with what they have, and I think
Joe Burrow is just that darn good that even if
the offensive line on the interior isn't above average, he's
going to be able to make it work. We've seen that,
we know what Jamar and t bring and heck Mike
Gasicki in his second season, Chase Brown settling in as
(01:09:54):
he enters his prime. I think that this offense has
more to it and it's not just about the defense.
I expect them to be really darn good. And so
I got to twelve and five, first in the North
and probably battling for a one seed. If they're winning
twelve games.
Speaker 2 (01:10:10):
I like the sound of that finishing a game ahead
of Baltimore a couple of games, winning a tiebreaker. What
do you think in terms of that first place in
the division?
Speaker 8 (01:10:20):
Pick?
Speaker 12 (01:10:21):
I had them sweeping Baltimore both. I think they're I
think they're due. Everyone's talking about, oh, Thanksgiving and Thursday
Night in one. I think Joe, yeah, he wants one
of those here, but he's going to love that on
that that that wins. Like the mindset of going in
there and trying to slay the Ravens in Baltimore. He's
(01:10:42):
played really well there over the past couple of years,
so I obviously the one year he got hurt but
was playing well and they had the lead when he
did get hurt. So I think that they they could
absolutely sweep them.
Speaker 8 (01:10:53):
We'll see if they do.
Speaker 12 (01:10:55):
But there's a reason teams haven't won the division three
straight years, and I think it's Bengal and Ravens clearly
ahead of the Browns and the Steelers in the North
from a talent standpoint, and so I think the Bengals
get it done and make sure that the Ravens don't
make history in the North.
Speaker 2 (01:11:10):
Great stuff, no surprise from James Rpaine. I appreciate your time.
Look forward to seeing the en camp of course. Thanks
Dan Richard Skinner. Are you ready to tackle five.
Speaker 1 (01:11:21):
Questions on the Bengals Booth podcast?
Speaker 13 (01:11:24):
I'm honored to tackle five questions, Dan Horden.
Speaker 2 (01:11:28):
That is overstating it, but I appreciate your time. Here
we go, Question number one, what is your biggest question
going into training camp?
Speaker 1 (01:11:37):
Now?
Speaker 13 (01:11:37):
As we record this, it has to be what's gonna
happen with Tray Anderson and Shamar Stewart. I mean, I
think until that gets resolved, that's going to hang over
everything in camp, and we'll continue to hang over everything.
So as you record this, my hope would be it's
who becomes the two starting guards, because then we're talking
about what's happening on the field and not what's going
on off the field. So as you record this, there's
no doubt in my mind it's the contract issue with
(01:12:00):
Trey Henderson and Jamar Stewart. But if they get resolved,
then it would be who evolves as the starting guards,
and the hope would be who takes the reins and
takes the job at starting guards, not that they have
to give two guys starting spots.
Speaker 2 (01:12:11):
Before I move on to any of the other questions,
and you may tackle this in questions to come, but
is it your feeling that Stuart and Hendrickson will ultimately
participate in camp and or play.
Speaker 13 (01:12:24):
Stuart seems awfully dug in that he won't participate until
he gets that contract sign and it doesn't sound like
he's gonna get that contract signed until they change the
language to the way he wants it. I can also
see Trey not participating in camp, but I'll save one
of my takes for down the road here, I think.
Speaker 8 (01:12:39):
All right.
Speaker 2 (01:12:40):
Question number two, who is Richard Skinner's breakout player in
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 13 (01:12:46):
I'm gonna go Chase Brown based on that great finish
from last year. He had nine hundred yards from scrimmage
in the last eight games. If he keeps that pace up,
and I think he actually add to that because I
think they're gonna try to find ways to get him
even more touches in dynamic ways. I mean, Dan, he
could approach two thousand yards from scrimmage, that's probably a reach,
but based on what he averaged last year over a
seventeen gamespan, that's that's almost nineteen hundred yards. So I
(01:13:09):
don't think that's all that far fetched. And if I
go one guy on defense and you're asking for one
guy overall, I know that. But I think Joseph Osai,
I mean what he did down the stretch of last
year a half a sack and six of the last
seven games five sacks overall in that span, he just
seemed to finally get it, and I would think the
double digit sack season is in the realm for him.
Speaker 1 (01:13:28):
Hello, that would be significant.
Speaker 2 (01:13:29):
And as for Chase Brown, if you go back over
those last eight games, as you mentioned, that computes to
one nine hundred and seventy six yards combined rushing and receiving.
So saying two thousand as a possibility is certainly not
far fetched, all right. Question number three for Local twelve's
Richard Skinner, the Bengals defense will be better if dot
(01:13:51):
dot dot.
Speaker 13 (01:13:53):
Mar Stuart and Trey Henderson's sign. I mean, I think
it'll be better if they if they signed for sure,
and if Al Golden does things tactically to get some
strengths out of guys that needed seasons last year they
didn't have. I mean, get more out of Geno Stone,
get more out of the corners. You know, you saw
the up and down play of Cam Taylor Britt. I'm
(01:14:14):
not asking to come into a schematic genius. I mean,
there's only so much you can do schematically. It's still
I mean, sports all across the board is about the
Jimmies and Joe's and so I just want to see
if he can get more out of those guys. I mean,
he certainly was optimistic the day we talked to him
at the end of mini camp. It's kund of like
this defense had no cares in the world. They were
all world players. But I think, to me, it's if
(01:14:36):
Al Golden can get more out of some guys that
he needs to get more out of.
Speaker 2 (01:14:41):
Give me Skinny's hot take about training camp or the
twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 13 (01:14:46):
We will say this, and I guess I'll tie to
Trey Henderson at the moment. I will say that Trey
will hold out if he doesn't have an extension, But
I don't think he misses a single solitary game check.
I think when push comes to the shove, he is
going to capitulate and un nderstand that he has to play.
He has to play well. He has to put up
sack numbers if he wants to get paid next year.
You know, Other than that, there's not much to be
(01:15:08):
hot taking on. To be honest with you, Dan, I mean,
I guess I could say a hot take would be
we're gonna see a cam Taylor Britt blossom into the
player we think he can be in his bin. He
had that obviously, that flash moment the one day during
OTAs or that diving interception along the sideline. He seems
to be rejuvenated, refresh and rate a role. But to me,
the hot take would be Trey Andandrickson will sit in
camp if he doesn't have an extension, but he ain't
(01:15:30):
missing a game check.
Speaker 2 (01:15:31):
Joseph o Side double digit sacks was already fairly hot
as well.
Speaker 4 (01:15:35):
That's pretty close.
Speaker 1 (01:15:36):
That's a good point, all right.
Speaker 2 (01:15:38):
Our fifth and final question for Richard Skinner from Local twelve,
the host of the Skinny podcast, what will the Bengals
record be and where will they finish in the AFC North.
Speaker 1 (01:15:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 13 (01:15:49):
When the schedule came out, we all do this exercise, right,
we picked the record of we just go down the
list of why it's a win. I always put games
in three categories, likely wins, likely losses, and swing games.
Every year I've done that exercise, likely win turns into
a loss, a likely loss becomes a win, and really
the season is always decided by the swing games. Of
the last year, a lot of likely win categories like
(01:16:09):
New England and Washington turned into losses that you didn't expect.
Speaker 4 (01:16:13):
I went eleven and six when they did it. I'll
stick with that for right now.
Speaker 13 (01:16:16):
I can see more if Al Golden does get some
more out of the defense, if the Trey Hendricks and
Shamar Stewart thing is into distraction, if the two starting
guards are guys that actually can play and are capable
and perform well, Dylan Fairchild Lucas Patrick the front runners there.
Speaker 4 (01:16:32):
I'll go eleven and.
Speaker 13 (01:16:33):
Six, and they finished second in the division, because I
think twelve and five still wins this division. I still
think it's Baltimore until you knock Baltimore off. But I
can be talked into twelve and five once we get rolling.
But I went eleven and six. I'll stick with eleven
and six.
Speaker 1 (01:16:45):
Pittsburgh third, Cleveland fourth.
Speaker 13 (01:16:48):
Pretty simple and for the first time and the Mike
Tomlin era of Pittsburgh losing record.
Speaker 1 (01:16:52):
Oh well, there we go.
Speaker 2 (01:16:53):
Let's add one final hot take before we wrap things up. Skinny,
I appreciate your time, see it camp.
Speaker 4 (01:17:00):
Thanks Dan.
Speaker 1 (01:17:01):
It wouldn't be.
Speaker 2 (01:17:02):
Fair to ask my friends and colleagues to answer those
questions without sharing my answers, So here goes. My biggest
question going into training camp is about camp itself. What
exactly is going to be different in hopes of avoiding
another slow start. The Bengals have started zero to two
in each of the last three years and in five
(01:17:24):
of Zach Taylor's six years as head coach. The record
in September under Zach is seven fifteen and one. We
already know some of the things that will be different
this year. For example, they're practicing in the morning instead
of the afternoon. It should be a little cooler, and
hopefully that will lead to crisper practices. We also know
(01:17:44):
that the starters are going to play more in the
preseason games. Zach has been reluctant to risk injuries and
games that don't count, but at some point you have
to try something different if what you're doing isn't working.
So the question is what else will be different. The
practices during mini camp were more physical than in recent years,
(01:18:06):
particularly when it comes to line play, and I expect
that to continue in training camp. But will we see
periods with actual tackling? Will there be more scrimmaging. How
they changed things up in hopes of getting off to
a better start is my biggest question going into camp.
My breakout player in twenty twenty five is a Marius Mims,
(01:18:28):
and I'm surprised that nobody else picked him as a
rookie with limited college snaps. So Marius started thirteen games
and played well. And that's despite the fact that he
suffered a pectoral injury in the preseason opener that caused
him to miss about a month, and then he dealt
with ankle and hand injuries late in the season. His
eight hundred and thirty four snaps were about thirty more
(01:18:52):
than he had in his career at Georgia, and there's
no doubt that he has all pro potential. In the
words of Bengals scout and Andrew Johnson, Amrius has a
chance to be as special as anybody I've seen. I
expect a big step in that direction for a Marius
Mims this year. The next question is the Bengals defense
(01:19:14):
will be better if dot dot dot, and my answer
is you name it. Last year was rough, as the
Bengals lost four times when they scored thirty three or
more points and gave up twenty five and a half
per game. This might sound like a cop out, but
the law of averages tells us that it's bound to
(01:19:35):
be better, right. I always remember something Marvin Lewis told
me years ago, you need young legs on defense. Well,
last year, Sam Hubbard, Von Bell, Sheldon Rankins, and Jermaine
Pratt started to show their age. Fortunately, the Bengals have
young legs waiting in the wings, and they're going to
get every opportunity to shine under Al Golden, new defensive
(01:19:58):
line coach Jerry Montgomery and new linebackers coach Mike Hodges.
Young players will make some mistakes that comes with the territory,
but you can't be afraid to play them. Al Golden
isn't and the Bengals defense will be better as a result.
Now time for my hot take. Ready, the Bengals will
(01:20:19):
have at least two players on the NFL's All Rookie Team.
They had one last year in punter Ryan Rico, but
the last time the Bengals had two they went to
the Super Bowl when Jamar Chase and Evan McPherson were
honored in twenty twenty one. Right now, it appears highly
likely that second round pick Demetrius Knight and third rounder
(01:20:41):
Dylan Fairchild are going to be Day one starters, and
sooner or later, hopefully sooner, Shamar Stewart will sign his
rookie contract and play a big role even if he
isn't a starter right away. So my hot take is
that at least two of those guys will make the
All Rookie Team. Finally, it's my turn to predict the
(01:21:04):
record and finish in the AFC North. I've gone game
by game through this year's schedule and come away at
twelve and five with losses at Denver, Green Bay, Baltimore, Buffalo,
and Miami, and I have the Bengals winning the AFC
North by one game over the Ravens, thanks in large
(01:21:24):
part to the difference between Baltimore's first place schedule and
Cincinnati's third place schedule. Each team has one game against
the team from the AFC South. The Ravens play the
first place Texans, the Bengals play the third place Jaguars.
Advantage Cincinnati. They each play one game against the NFC West.
(01:21:47):
For the Ravens it's the Rams. For the Bengals it's
the Cardinals again advantage Cincinnati, and each team also plays
one game against the AFC West. For the Ravens it's
on the road at Kansas City. For the Bengals, it's
on the road at Denver. Both tough games, but again
I think you would agree advantage Cincinnati. That's going to
(01:22:10):
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