April 24, 2025 • 15 mins
Tony and Austin chat with Ben Baby from ESPN about the Bengals and the NFL Draft, on ESPN 1530!
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
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Speaker 2 (00:15):
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This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Welcome back our three since e three to sixty Thanks
to Penn Station. Thank you for listening on ESPN fifteen
thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. He covers the Bengals for ESPN
dot Com and he is gracious enough to give us
some of his time on a very busy day. It
is Ben Baby.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
What's up?
Speaker 5 (00:55):
Ben? Hey, Tony, I'm not that busy right now, crowly
trying figure out how to attack these dandylions in my background.
It's a really big problem. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
The uh, the wind and the spreading is causing problems
all over the tri State.
Speaker 5 (01:11):
Yeah, I know. So if you know any good long
hair guys? How are at me?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Ben? You were part of a of a mock draft
early in the week where ESPN went across each team
and a pick was given. Uh you made your pick
at number seventeen with the Cincinnati Bengals for Donovan as
Araku from Boston College the defensive end. What landed you
(01:38):
on a guy like as Araku.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
When you look at what they like typically in ed
rushers and the athletic profile edra Raku fits that. Now
the question is going to be is a little too
small at six two? You probably would like a couple
extra inches there, But the way that he wins you
look at his productivity rate as well well, combined with
that athleticism, his age really fits that wheelhouse and what
(02:05):
the Bengals need. And you know, the big question is
are they going to go get a guy like, you know,
maybe a James Pierce, Samar Stewart Harmon out of Oregon
or maybe a secondary player. The Bengals right now, regardless
of what happens with Trey Hendrickson, have such a need
at edge rusher because there's only two guys even on
the roster for next year. One of them is Miles Murphy,
and we're yet to know if that production level is
(02:27):
going to be where it needs to be. And I
asked him this week, I said, what happened? You know,
why has the production been there like you'd like? And
he said, you know, I just didn't realize how technical
I needed to be, which was a pretty telling statement
if we're being honest about a guy entering year three.
And so we'll see if that turns around under Jerry Montgomery.
But I think you need an edge rusher who plays
at a certain level, can be productive, can fit in
(02:49):
right away. And you know, I think I've seen Schamar
Stewart mocked in certain spots in that scenario of Chamar's
I think his mistackle rate is a little bit high.
You can't have that for a team that's going to
place the high value on tackling. You need a guy
I think as a Rocker's high motor is going to
be big. I heard from a source this week that
he's going to be one of the guys in the
mix at seventeen. Now, I think the issue is going
(03:11):
to be, you know, inside the building that they view
that back end where the Bengals are. You know, you
could drop down another ten picks and basically get the
same caliber player, which I think a lot of teams
are dealing with right now. So I think it's going
to be fascinating to see what they end up doing tonight.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
If he's in the mix at seventeen, what other players
or position groups would you imagine what also be in
the mix at seventeen.
Speaker 5 (03:33):
Yeah, I think the hot Campbell definitely in that conversation
as well, you know, and somebody that I lean toward taking.
I think the thing is is that that the little
rich at that spot for an off ball linebacker, especially
when you see that you know they've been able to
make third or fourth round picks work Al Golden has
done that, you know in his time there, and you know,
I think there could be as the game shifts more
(03:55):
towards being on the ground. I think we'll see that
this year where the draft numbers will show teams are
placing a higher value on running backs. Do you need
to beef up what you have in the box as
teams have gotten pretty light over recent years trying to
defend the pass. Is that kind of proliferated the NFL
to a higher degree like we saw in the Big twelve.
You know, a decade ago when Baker Mayfield and Patrick
(04:17):
Mahomes were running around and slinging it. So I think
that that could be a conversation safety. You know, I
know that there's been a lot of talking about Malchoie Starts,
the kid from South Carolina. You know, we'll see how
that fits in. I think at seventeen that's a little
rich for my blood, and somebody has had to build
an agree with me as well. But you know, we'll
see how that decision plays out.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Dan Hord earlier in the show said that he believes
the number one need on the roster is guard. Now,
whether that matches at seventeen or not, it to me
that that matches up seventy six games for Joe Burrow,
he's been sacked two hundred and twenty five times. That's
not including the hits that he's taken as well. That
this doesn't work if Joe Burrow is not upright and
(04:59):
playing every game for the Cincinnati Bengals. How early are
you willing to use a draft pick to make sure
that offensive line is in a good place.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Listen, I think Duke Cobin gave it away earlier this
week when he said, you know, the guards have always
been available in every draft he's been at, and unless
guards go from one to thirty four, there's probably going
to be a guard available, which means that they believe
that they are going to get good draft value as
it progresses, that you can still find a high caliber guard.
I mean the second round. I think if you drop
(05:30):
past the second round, that's becoming a big problem. But
I think where the Bengals are at, you could get
a guard in the second round and be okay. And
so I think that that seems the lineup. So I
think if you can go get whereas edge rushers, especially
when you look at Now here's the thing, Tony, look
at the market when you try to give guys second deals.
We just saw with Miles Garrett, We're gonna see with
Michael Parsons. We're seeing what Trey hendrickson. The market has exploded.
(05:53):
Now the top of that is at forty a year.
In the quarterback market's at fifty five, So why not,
like you're seeing a dam being placed on these edge
rushers being able to get a guy who can be
highly productive on a rookie deal, having not only the
fifty year option, at your disposal, but then the tag
on top of that, if you wanted to do it,
there's essentially six years of control on a premium pick,
(06:14):
whereas at guard you're not really seeing that kind of
movement in the marketplace. So getting somebody in the second round,
I think that not having that fift year option, you
want to be able to use that as best as
you can, because if in your disposal at the THEBA.
So I think given between what Duke said and what
we've seen across the league, the second round is more
likely for a god.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
We also, going on what Duke Tobin said, they'd like
to acquire more picks now. That could require trading back.
It could also require a player like Trey Hendrickson, maybe
even a Jermaine Pratt. Do you foresee any chance as
we get in tonight that Trey Hendrickson could be on
the move at all this weekend?
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Yeah, that's going to be a great question. I think,
you know, we'll have to see how the draft plays out.
If you're a team right now, you know, I think
it makes sense. You know, you know, this is just
the speculation here. I know, like I've checked in on
that front. Things have been pretty quiet, which usually means
that you know there might be some hope that potentially
some movement does occur. I think that when the Bengals
granted that trade or west, both sides rugby agreement, right listen, like,
(07:15):
go out and see what's out there. And you know,
I don't think that we're gonna be able to pay
you what you're looking for. So if you find somebody
else who is and then you can also match the
compensation we're looking for, then let's go ahead and make
a deal. I think the issue is, you know, the
Bengals are probably looking for a little bit too much
in compensation, and I mean I get wanting the first
round pick, but the teams also understand that the Bengals
would have to eat whatever money that they're paying him
(07:36):
and have a discriminal defense. E end. Is that worth
having on your roster? You know? Would you take a
second or a third you get that off your hands.
I think that's kind of a game of chicken everyone's
gonna end up playing. And the one way we're going
to accelerate that is, you know, if a team does
not get an ad rusher they're looking for in the draft,
are they more willing to go out and get a
proven commodity, you know, talking to a couple of agentsies
(07:58):
weak who you know are kind of independent everybody they
believe that that Hendrickson, you know, can potentially that there's
a good chance that they get a deal done here.
The phrase that was repeating to me is is deadline
spur action. And as the Bengals get closer and closer
the training camp, if something doesn't get done, that maybe
that will be the time and it may end up
fitting everybody's interest. But I think there's still is a
(08:18):
lot that needs to be played out over these next
seventy two hours.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Ben the question I'm going to ask you, I've asked
a lot of people. I'm trying to get as many
opinions on it as I can. Duke Tobin earlier this
week said that the Bengals are rebuilding the defense under
Al Golden's vision. What exactly does that mean? And in
your mind, how different is that to what Loui A.
Na Rumo's vision has been over the last few years.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
You know, I get you know, I came from the
college game and you kind of saw this and teams
aren't successful a lot. You'll see a change of coordinator,
and everybody will say grand sweeping things that are going
to change, and I think there's only so many ways
you can scheme a defense, like there's a reason why
a lot these guys they in the league a long
time when they switch from job to job. Lou and
I remember it was readily picked up by Indianapolis. We've
(09:06):
seen you know, Wink Martin Hiale make him make the
rounds here recent years, Gus Bradley, Vic Fangio, you name it.
The good coordinators end up saying in the league, and
you know, regardless of what happens, I think that you know,
Lou figured it out towards the back end of the year,
and had they made the playoffs, I think we might
be having a different conversation about the current defensive coordinator spot.
I think Al they like what he did, and talking
(09:28):
to Katie at the owners meetings, a lot of praise
for what Al did at Notre Dame. You know, he
said he's going to be a four to three guy,
which actually would be a bit of a change, to
be quite honest. I think Lou has always seen it
as his base in his part of parts being at
three to four with Sam Kind of being that hybrid.
So are they going to find an edge rusher who
maybe fits that mold a little bit? Where Asiroku would
(09:50):
actually fit in quite nicely in that In that scenario,
and you have you know, TJ. Slayton really playing a
true nose tackle with shade or a one technique right
off the ball, that would be I think that would
be really fascinating. So I think they're going to see
a lot of similarities. Who would agree The biggest thing
is this can you get these young players to be
more productive earlier? That was ultimately the big knock on
(10:12):
Lou And I think for Al you got to come
in and make sure that you put these young players
in position to get up to speed and play quickly.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I could hear the conversation at seventeen tonight for linebacker,
for secondary, for dtackle, for defensive end, for guard. Is
there anything that could happen tonight that would just absolutely
shock you from a Bengal standpoint?
Speaker 5 (10:34):
I don't think so. I think that there's I mean,
unless they go out and asking gent falls and they
go get him, which I'm hoping that I don't want
to deal with that nonsense. Sorry James team, but I
just don't think that's going to work out that way.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
You don't want to get a tight hand.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
I think that.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
I do not. I do not think that we've put
that kind of value is placed in Cincinnati. I think
immediately that is probably the one pick where you're asking
questions and everybody, well, what exactly are we doing here?
I think you have to get I think you have
to come out of the first round the defensive player.
I think, and specifically you have to. The Bengals aren't
in a position to take BPA. It's not a reality.
They have not drafted well enough in recent years. They
(11:08):
have not done well enough in pre agency in recent
years to be granted the luxury of having the best
player available at your disposal. They have to go in.
In my opinion, I think you have to take an
edge rusher because you don't have the production you're going
to need in future years. You tied up the money
in Jamar Chase, Joe Burrow, T Higgins. That's great. You
say you want to pay an offense, but we live
in a world of realities, and the reality is you
(11:30):
only have a certain amount of dollars to build your
team every year, and you have to if you want
an edge rusher that can win in future years, even
if you keep Trey, you have to get a guy
who could be productive for the next four or five
years and replace Trey moving forward, get him on a
second deal, sign him earlier, rectify some of the wrongs
that have been made in recent years. So I think
that you have to find a way to do better
(11:51):
than they have and really find a highly productive player
who can make an impact immediately before.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
We let you go, Ben, what is draft night like
you guys? You're just kind of sitting around just arguing
over picks and making your case with James Rapine, and
you know people have to separate you guys. What's draft
night like for Ben?
Speaker 5 (12:10):
Baby? You know, I pretend like I'm on a flight
around a bunch of five year olds and I will
throw in my noise canthlee headphones and let them all
talk and just say, you know what, I go ahead
and the draft and peanuts. As they come down. I'll
take a coffee, maybe tet some folks check in, watch them,
watch watch the TV a little bit, and drown out
all the noise. That's that's my prefer preferred way to
(12:31):
go about it. It's a long weekend. I'm just trying
to keep my sanity by day three when somebody in
the media workroom is trying to argue about RB ten
or fifteen and why that's you going to round six? Uh,
and it's just the whole it's a mess you. This
is a really trying time to see how just how
close the beat is. We'll find out over these next three.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
Days, guys, between the media and the Dandelions. It's a
tough weekend for Ben.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
Ben, it's a listen. This is this is where they
pay you. The big bucks come in and you got
to earn your money time. Man.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Awesome stuff, Ben, what's the easiest way with a weekend
like this to follow along with everything you got going on?
Speaker 5 (13:10):
Well, so we're going to be doing a lot of
our drafts analysis on ESPN dot com, not going to
be on social a ton, maybe some graphics here and
there on Instagram, but I would say keep it locked
on ESPN, have the app fired up, and we'll have
live analysis as these picks rolling throughout the night.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Awesome Ben, Good luck with the Dandelions. Man. The scenery
sounds beautiful. I can hear some birds in the background.
Enjoy the day today and enjoy the weekend as well.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Thank you. I hopefully it's not as scary as it looks,
but I appreciate you always fun.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Thank you Ben that has BENBABYESPN dot com. Let's take
a break, Austin, It's time for you to make your pick.
When we return, we'll get some phone calls as well
along the way. Since e three to sixty ESPN fifteen
thirty Cincinnati Sports Station thanks to Penn Station.
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Speaker 2 (00:15):
This is Pennstation Eastco Subs since e three sixty of
About Cincinnati from Cincinnatis, spontered in part by Pinstation Eastco Subs.
Handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries and lemonade. It's
all about good taste. Pennstation Eastco Subs order online today.
This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Welcome back our three since e three to sixty Thanks
to Penn Station. Thank you for listening on ESPN fifteen
thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. He covers the Bengals for ESPN
dot Com and he is gracious enough to give us
some of his time on a very busy day. It
is Ben Baby.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
What's up?
Speaker 5 (00:55):
Ben? Hey, Tony, I'm not that busy right now, crowly
trying figure out how to attack these dandylions in my background.
It's a really big problem. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
The uh, the wind and the spreading is causing problems
all over the tri State.
Speaker 5 (01:11):
Yeah, I know. So if you know any good long
hair guys? How are at me?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Ben? You were part of a of a mock draft
early in the week where ESPN went across each team
and a pick was given. Uh you made your pick
at number seventeen with the Cincinnati Bengals for Donovan as
Araku from Boston College the defensive end. What landed you
(01:38):
on a guy like as Araku.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
When you look at what they like typically in ed
rushers and the athletic profile edra Raku fits that. Now
the question is going to be is a little too
small at six two? You probably would like a couple
extra inches there, But the way that he wins you
look at his productivity rate as well well, combined with
that athleticism, his age really fits that wheelhouse and what
(02:05):
the Bengals need. And you know, the big question is
are they going to go get a guy like, you know,
maybe a James Pierce, Samar Stewart Harmon out of Oregon
or maybe a secondary player. The Bengals right now, regardless
of what happens with Trey Hendrickson, have such a need
at edge rusher because there's only two guys even on
the roster for next year. One of them is Miles Murphy,
and we're yet to know if that production level is
(02:27):
going to be where it needs to be. And I
asked him this week, I said, what happened? You know,
why has the production been there like you'd like? And
he said, you know, I just didn't realize how technical
I needed to be, which was a pretty telling statement
if we're being honest about a guy entering year three.
And so we'll see if that turns around under Jerry Montgomery.
But I think you need an edge rusher who plays
at a certain level, can be productive, can fit in
(02:49):
right away. And you know, I think I've seen Schamar
Stewart mocked in certain spots in that scenario of Chamar's
I think his mistackle rate is a little bit high.
You can't have that for a team that's going to
place the high value on tackling. You need a guy
I think as a Rocker's high motor is going to
be big. I heard from a source this week that
he's going to be one of the guys in the
mix at seventeen. Now, I think the issue is going
(03:11):
to be, you know, inside the building that they view
that back end where the Bengals are. You know, you
could drop down another ten picks and basically get the
same caliber player, which I think a lot of teams
are dealing with right now. So I think it's going
to be fascinating to see what they end up doing tonight.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
If he's in the mix at seventeen, what other players
or position groups would you imagine what also be in
the mix at seventeen.
Speaker 5 (03:33):
Yeah, I think the hot Campbell definitely in that conversation
as well, you know, and somebody that I lean toward taking.
I think the thing is is that that the little
rich at that spot for an off ball linebacker, especially
when you see that you know they've been able to
make third or fourth round picks work Al Golden has
done that, you know in his time there, and you know,
I think there could be as the game shifts more
(03:55):
towards being on the ground. I think we'll see that
this year where the draft numbers will show teams are
placing a higher value on running backs. Do you need
to beef up what you have in the box as
teams have gotten pretty light over recent years trying to
defend the pass. Is that kind of proliferated the NFL
to a higher degree like we saw in the Big twelve.
You know, a decade ago when Baker Mayfield and Patrick
(04:17):
Mahomes were running around and slinging it. So I think
that that could be a conversation safety. You know, I
know that there's been a lot of talking about Malchoie Starts,
the kid from South Carolina. You know, we'll see how
that fits in. I think at seventeen that's a little
rich for my blood, and somebody has had to build
an agree with me as well. But you know, we'll
see how that decision plays out.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Dan Hord earlier in the show said that he believes
the number one need on the roster is guard. Now,
whether that matches at seventeen or not, it to me
that that matches up seventy six games for Joe Burrow,
he's been sacked two hundred and twenty five times. That's
not including the hits that he's taken as well. That
this doesn't work if Joe Burrow is not upright and
(04:59):
playing every game for the Cincinnati Bengals. How early are
you willing to use a draft pick to make sure
that offensive line is in a good place.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Listen, I think Duke Cobin gave it away earlier this
week when he said, you know, the guards have always
been available in every draft he's been at, and unless
guards go from one to thirty four, there's probably going
to be a guard available, which means that they believe
that they are going to get good draft value as
it progresses, that you can still find a high caliber guard.
I mean the second round. I think if you drop
(05:30):
past the second round, that's becoming a big problem. But
I think where the Bengals are at, you could get
a guard in the second round and be okay. And
so I think that that seems the lineup. So I
think if you can go get whereas edge rushers, especially
when you look at Now here's the thing, Tony, look
at the market when you try to give guys second deals.
We just saw with Miles Garrett, We're gonna see with
Michael Parsons. We're seeing what Trey hendrickson. The market has exploded.
(05:53):
Now the top of that is at forty a year.
In the quarterback market's at fifty five, So why not,
like you're seeing a dam being placed on these edge
rushers being able to get a guy who can be
highly productive on a rookie deal, having not only the
fifty year option, at your disposal, but then the tag
on top of that, if you wanted to do it,
there's essentially six years of control on a premium pick,
(06:14):
whereas at guard you're not really seeing that kind of
movement in the marketplace. So getting somebody in the second round,
I think that not having that fift year option, you
want to be able to use that as best as
you can, because if in your disposal at the THEBA.
So I think given between what Duke said and what
we've seen across the league, the second round is more
likely for a god.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
We also, going on what Duke Tobin said, they'd like
to acquire more picks now. That could require trading back.
It could also require a player like Trey Hendrickson, maybe
even a Jermaine Pratt. Do you foresee any chance as
we get in tonight that Trey Hendrickson could be on
the move at all this weekend?
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Yeah, that's going to be a great question. I think,
you know, we'll have to see how the draft plays out.
If you're a team right now, you know, I think
it makes sense. You know, you know, this is just
the speculation here. I know, like I've checked in on
that front. Things have been pretty quiet, which usually means
that you know there might be some hope that potentially
some movement does occur. I think that when the Bengals
granted that trade or west, both sides rugby agreement, right listen, like,
(07:15):
go out and see what's out there. And you know,
I don't think that we're gonna be able to pay
you what you're looking for. So if you find somebody
else who is and then you can also match the
compensation we're looking for, then let's go ahead and make
a deal. I think the issue is, you know, the
Bengals are probably looking for a little bit too much
in compensation, and I mean I get wanting the first
round pick, but the teams also understand that the Bengals
would have to eat whatever money that they're paying him
(07:36):
and have a discriminal defense. E end. Is that worth
having on your roster? You know? Would you take a
second or a third you get that off your hands.
I think that's kind of a game of chicken everyone's
gonna end up playing. And the one way we're going
to accelerate that is, you know, if a team does
not get an ad rusher they're looking for in the draft,
are they more willing to go out and get a
proven commodity, you know, talking to a couple of agentsies
(07:58):
weak who you know are kind of independent everybody they
believe that that Hendrickson, you know, can potentially that there's
a good chance that they get a deal done here.
The phrase that was repeating to me is is deadline
spur action. And as the Bengals get closer and closer
the training camp, if something doesn't get done, that maybe
that will be the time and it may end up
fitting everybody's interest. But I think there's still is a
(08:18):
lot that needs to be played out over these next
seventy two hours.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Ben the question I'm going to ask you, I've asked
a lot of people. I'm trying to get as many
opinions on it as I can. Duke Tobin earlier this
week said that the Bengals are rebuilding the defense under
Al Golden's vision. What exactly does that mean? And in
your mind, how different is that to what Loui A.
Na Rumo's vision has been over the last few years.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
You know, I get you know, I came from the
college game and you kind of saw this and teams
aren't successful a lot. You'll see a change of coordinator,
and everybody will say grand sweeping things that are going
to change, and I think there's only so many ways
you can scheme a defense, like there's a reason why
a lot these guys they in the league a long
time when they switch from job to job. Lou and
I remember it was readily picked up by Indianapolis. We've
(09:06):
seen you know, Wink Martin Hiale make him make the
rounds here recent years, Gus Bradley, Vic Fangio, you name it.
The good coordinators end up saying in the league, and
you know, regardless of what happens, I think that you know,
Lou figured it out towards the back end of the year,
and had they made the playoffs, I think we might
be having a different conversation about the current defensive coordinator spot.
I think Al they like what he did, and talking
(09:28):
to Katie at the owners meetings, a lot of praise
for what Al did at Notre Dame. You know, he
said he's going to be a four to three guy,
which actually would be a bit of a change, to
be quite honest. I think Lou has always seen it
as his base in his part of parts being at
three to four with Sam Kind of being that hybrid.
So are they going to find an edge rusher who
maybe fits that mold a little bit? Where Asiroku would
(09:50):
actually fit in quite nicely in that In that scenario,
and you have you know, TJ. Slayton really playing a
true nose tackle with shade or a one technique right
off the ball, that would be I think that would
be really fascinating. So I think they're going to see
a lot of similarities. Who would agree The biggest thing
is this can you get these young players to be
more productive earlier? That was ultimately the big knock on
(10:12):
Lou And I think for Al you got to come
in and make sure that you put these young players
in position to get up to speed and play quickly.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I could hear the conversation at seventeen tonight for linebacker,
for secondary, for dtackle, for defensive end, for guard. Is
there anything that could happen tonight that would just absolutely
shock you from a Bengal standpoint?
Speaker 5 (10:34):
I don't think so. I think that there's I mean,
unless they go out and asking gent falls and they
go get him, which I'm hoping that I don't want
to deal with that nonsense. Sorry James team, but I
just don't think that's going to work out that way.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
You don't want to get a tight hand.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
I think that.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
I do not. I do not think that we've put
that kind of value is placed in Cincinnati. I think
immediately that is probably the one pick where you're asking
questions and everybody, well, what exactly are we doing here?
I think you have to get I think you have
to come out of the first round the defensive player.
I think, and specifically you have to. The Bengals aren't
in a position to take BPA. It's not a reality.
They have not drafted well enough in recent years. They
(11:08):
have not done well enough in pre agency in recent
years to be granted the luxury of having the best
player available at your disposal. They have to go in.
In my opinion, I think you have to take an
edge rusher because you don't have the production you're going
to need in future years. You tied up the money
in Jamar Chase, Joe Burrow, T Higgins. That's great. You
say you want to pay an offense, but we live
in a world of realities, and the reality is you
(11:30):
only have a certain amount of dollars to build your
team every year, and you have to if you want
an edge rusher that can win in future years, even
if you keep Trey, you have to get a guy
who could be productive for the next four or five
years and replace Trey moving forward, get him on a
second deal, sign him earlier, rectify some of the wrongs
that have been made in recent years. So I think
that you have to find a way to do better
(11:51):
than they have and really find a highly productive player
who can make an impact immediately before.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
We let you go, Ben, what is draft night like
you guys? You're just kind of sitting around just arguing
over picks and making your case with James Rapine, and
you know people have to separate you guys. What's draft
night like for Ben?
Speaker 5 (12:10):
Baby? You know, I pretend like I'm on a flight
around a bunch of five year olds and I will
throw in my noise canthlee headphones and let them all
talk and just say, you know what, I go ahead
and the draft and peanuts. As they come down. I'll
take a coffee, maybe tet some folks check in, watch them,
watch watch the TV a little bit, and drown out
all the noise. That's that's my prefer preferred way to
(12:31):
go about it. It's a long weekend. I'm just trying
to keep my sanity by day three when somebody in
the media workroom is trying to argue about RB ten
or fifteen and why that's you going to round six? Uh,
and it's just the whole it's a mess you. This
is a really trying time to see how just how
close the beat is. We'll find out over these next three.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
Days, guys, between the media and the Dandelions. It's a
tough weekend for Ben.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
Ben, it's a listen. This is this is where they
pay you. The big bucks come in and you got
to earn your money time. Man.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Awesome stuff, Ben, what's the easiest way with a weekend
like this to follow along with everything you got going on?
Speaker 5 (13:10):
Well, so we're going to be doing a lot of
our drafts analysis on ESPN dot com, not going to
be on social a ton, maybe some graphics here and
there on Instagram, but I would say keep it locked
on ESPN, have the app fired up, and we'll have
live analysis as these picks rolling throughout the night.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Awesome Ben, Good luck with the Dandelions. Man. The scenery
sounds beautiful. I can hear some birds in the background.
Enjoy the day today and enjoy the weekend as well.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Thank you. I hopefully it's not as scary as it looks,
but I appreciate you always fun.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Thank you Ben that has BENBABYESPN dot com. Let's take
a break, Austin, It's time for you to make your pick.
When we return, we'll get some phone calls as well
along the way. Since e three to sixty ESPN fifteen
thirty Cincinnati Sports Station thanks to Penn Station.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
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Speaker 1 (13:57):
Agreed, that's greed. Enter it now and after you know
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Speaker 3 (14:11):
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