May 21, 2025 • 17 mins
Tony and Austin talk Bengals with Jay Morrison on ESPN 1530!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Cincy three sixty about Cincinnati from Cincinnati, sponsored in part
by Cincy Shirts. Cincy Shirts, All Cincy, all Day. This
is ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
All right, welcome back. Our number two is here thanks
to Cincy Shirts. Thank you for listening on ESPN fifteen
thirty or via the iHeartRadio app however you listen. It
is greatly appreciated. We'll keep you updated with what the
Cincinnati Reds are doing throughout the afternoon. But right now,
let's switch our focus to the Cincinnati Bengals, and let's
(00:36):
talk to a man who knows all things Bengals. Jay
Morrison is joining us right now. What's up, Jay, Benny?
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Are you look?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I'm good?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
We we're coming off finally getting to hear from Joe Burrow,
coming off getting to hear from Zach Taylor, and a
lot of that is on Trey Hendrickson and the schedule
in the season, and we have got into that. We
will get into that. But what I want to know,
what do you make early on in this process with
everything going on around Shamar Stewart, Because obviously there's plenty
(01:08):
of time between now and the season that the dealer
is going to get done. But how much does this
take away what Chamar is actually able to be doing
right now.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
With the team so far, not much there. There's not
a lot going on in these practices up up through
this week. They're one hour sessions. It's it's a lot
of mental stuff anyhow. I had that changes next week
when they get into the actual OTAs and they can
(01:37):
start doing a little bit more. They can start going
offense against defense and doing those types of things. So
I would expect there to be a little more urgency
to try to get something done. I mean, Zach made
that clear. He tried to, you know, play it politically correct,
but he did say that you don't want to get
too far behind physically. So I don't think it's cost
them anything at this point, or cost Shamarro anything at
(02:00):
this point. But each step of the way now after this,
you got the OTA is coming up starting next week,
and you got the mandatory mini camp in a couple
of weeks. Big Osipoli don't do a lot in those
sessions anyhow, But getting him out there, it's it's not
been a big deal thus far, but it will start
becoming a little bit more of a big deal starting
(02:20):
next week.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
I look at it as the physical side, but also
the mental side as well. And one of the main
themes this offseason is starting fast or starting faster. If
you're the Cincinnati Bengals, how hard does that become? Not
only with Shamar Stewart, but you have a new defensive
coordinator in defensive coaches, you're trying to install a new system.
You're trying to put in a new scheme. And unfortunately
(02:43):
for Al Golden right now you don't have the services
of Bj Hill due to the injury. Trey Hendrickson is
not here. You don't know what is going to ultimately
end up with the Jermaine Pratt situation, we talk about
Jamar Stewart. How hard is it to get the most
out of these opportunities with obviously playing with the full hand.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Yeah, I mean get the most out of it. Sure
that you you would want to have all your guys there,
But you know that turns like BJ and Trey that
when they do, assuming trade does eventually show up, that
when they are out there, they're going to get caught
up to speed pretty quick. But you're right, it is
a it is a new scheme and you've got guys
that are that are new here and just not being
(03:25):
next to those those other guys on the field for
these sessions that it's a little a little bit of
a hamstring. But again there's just I think training camps
when you're going to really see the difference for these guys,
for them doing more and trying to do things to
alleviate the slow start problems. So not nothing seems like
(03:47):
a big issue yet, but it is that that time
is coming.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Did you obviously, when you hear from Joe Burrow for
the first time since the end of last year, there's
there's a lot to take away from it. But did
anything or or any few things stand out to you
above the rest when you heard Joe Burrow speak yesterday.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Another one thing you know about Trey he he wasn't
as forceful about we need to get this done. That
could be the timing where what we heard him doing
stumping for guys like Trey and Mikeasicki and t and
Jamar When when you're doing that in in January, right
after the season ends, there's the frustration of having the
(04:29):
great finish and still not making the playoffs, and you know,
maybe some some time to cool off a little bit. Uh.
Maybe he knows where this stands now. Uh, and the
odds aren't great for for trade to get the deal
that he's looking for, So maybe that's another reason he
he didn't really oh he didn't get a bat for him,
(04:50):
but he said he supported him, but he wasn't. He
wasn't doing the the the pointed comments at the front
office like we've seen in the past, So that kind
of stood out. I think it really surprise me was
how much he talked about wanting to grow the game internationally.
We've never really heard him say that before, and he's
all on board on being part of flag football in
(05:10):
the Olympics, and he said that that played into his
decision to do Quarterback on Netflix, was to grow the
game internationally. And then I think the real thing is
he was really lobbying for a international game. He's made
it clear he wants to play overseas and was a
little disappointed they didn't get one this year. And so
all signs the points to them hosting a game in
twenty twenty seven internationally, but they could go overseas next
(05:33):
season two as a road team, and maybe that was
part of his is a surprising endorsement of the growing
the game internationally.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
He also kind of said that, like, I don't want
to be in that position as the guy who has
a role over negotiations. I found that to be notable
because I don't know if maybe the reaction to the
way he talked about Tea and Jamar and Trey at
the Super Bowl took him by surprise, but everyone started saying,
you know, he's got the power to actually change things,
(06:03):
and he kind of backed off of that a little
bit yesterday, which I was a little surprised by.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Yeah, that stood out to me too. Paul Daner Jr.
And I were just talking about that on our podcast
earlier this morning. I was I was wondering if what
you said, ab Austin, if that was if it was
the reaction to what he was doing, or if that
was kind of his plan all along, where he saw
Jamar and t as so important and this is kind
of a long time deal. I'm going to go to
(06:29):
that right now, but it's not something I want to
do year after year after year. And yeah, I don't
know it. It was an interesting comment, but I don't
know if that's playing into and kind of toning down
the rhetoric on Trey or what was really behind that, But.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
It did stand out you mentioned that the rhetoric around
Trey Hendrickson. Zach Taylor also spoke yesterday and with the
first few questions regarding Trey Hendrickson, did it feel to you,
I don't want to say stand authors from Zach Taylor,
but he didn't certainly go into a lot of detail
as it pertained to Trey Hendrickson. Did you sense that
from the first couple of minutes of Zach speaking yesterday.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Yeah, Yeah, he clearly didn't want to talk about the
Tray situation, mainly, I guess because there's nothing new there,
and he's gotten pretty good at these things. He knows
if he's if he's very short and makes it clear
that it's not a topic he wants to discuss, that
maybe the line of questioning will go in a different direction,
and that that just that didn't quite happen. And then
(07:33):
finally I think it was Ben Baby that fired off
all three of those in a row, and then he
asked about the text that Tray took exception to, and
then Zach did kind of go into some length there
and explain that He put a lot of time and
energy and into when to contact tray, how to contact tray,
how to word it, and was you know, I think
(07:53):
he was probably taken aback by Trey's reaction to that.
We have heard a.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Lot about the all season and starting faster, but I
don't think there's quite been a blueprint as to how
they're going to start faster, what they can change in
the offseason to start faster outside of starters getting more
time in preseason games. You know, Joe Burrow didn't have
much to say about it. He talked about running and
lifting more. Do you sense any type of outline or
(08:23):
path as to how they're going to start faster or
just know that that's a point of emphasis for them.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Yeah, it does seem like it's more of a point
of emphasis. There's not been any concrete examples of what
the plan is, and even Zach said some of the
discussions so they'll keep in house, they were talking about
how it's not exactly the focus isn't on starting fast,
it's it's getting in position to start fast. So you
(08:52):
do wonder if it's going to be something you know,
no the preseason, obviously playing in the preseason the starters.
But if we're gonna see more, I don't think we are.
When when OTA's happened next week, I don't think we're
going to see them doing a lot of elevens. It's
just not what they've done in the past. If anything happens,
(09:12):
it might be in training camp, maybe a little more
intensity in training camp, But there's not really been anything
laid out on what the approach is gonna be that's
going to be different. And I do think, I mean
we thought this last year, but I do think the
schedule makers gave them, did them a favor with Cleveland
Jacksonville's the first two games. But again, everybody thought New
(09:33):
England in Week one and Washington in Week three were
a good chance to start past last year, and that
didn't happen.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
You, Jay, when you look at the offensive side of
the ball, it feels like the ceiling is endless, like
there is no ceiling on what this offense can be.
And you look at Chase Brown going into another year
in this offense and Mike Kasicki another year, what they've
done at the wide receiver position. Do you feel confident
enough right now that the offense of line as currently
(10:01):
constructed will hold up or do you still think or
want them to maybe pursue that a little further from
free agency.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yeah, I don't know if the answers are out there
in free agency right now that the confidence is. I
don't know where that stands, because you are presumably talking
about that your starting guards are going to be either
a rookie who's never played in this league before, a
free agent who is who's coming and he's new to
(10:35):
the team and he's he's been a serviceable pro, but
he's never been anything, you know, elite, or a guy
that you drafted and tried to develop and has really
struggled for three years. I mean, maybe Cody Ford is
the best option of all, but even that that doesn't
get that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. So there
is some hope in faith that Scott Peters, the new
(10:56):
line coach, is going to somehow be able to find
two guards guards that they can stick in there with
you feel good about the other three and make this work.
But I guess he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
But you just you can't put a lot of confidence
in it until you see it. And I just don't
know they've They've got so many pieces, it's kind of
(11:20):
like a battle royal right now. I don't know that
there's another guy, another free agent offensive lineman out there
that you would sign right now and say, Okay, he's
a guy. He would just be another one in the mix.
And then you're worrying about getting all these guys reps
and having a really true evaluation and competition. So I
think they might be set where they are on the
(11:40):
offensive line and just see which two guys emerge at
their guards.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
How do you view the running back situation? Because you
bring back Zach Moss, you bring back SOMEJ. P. Ryan,
and you also draft todz Brooks. Obviously we know one
a from the Bengals backfield, But how do you view
those reps as you get closer now farther into this offseason,
how do you view the running back room eventually playing out.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Yeah, it's interesting because you know they wanted it to
be more of a split last year with Chase Brown
and Zack Moss, and a lot of it's going to
be kind of up up in the air until we
actually see what Zach Moss can do. They obviously are
are confident that he's going to be fine by By,
you know, because it all signs pointed to them cutting
(12:29):
him and just moving on saving some cash there, but
they did. They renegotiated his deal and brought him back.
I think he's going to be in the mix, but
it's it's Chase Brown's job and he's going to be
the main guy. It's just a matter of how much
concern do you have about his smaller frame and him
holding up and being the main guy with without that
(12:51):
kind of support. But again, this team doesn't run the
ball much as it is, so I do think I'm
really interested to see how the rookie is gonna play.
He's a guy that they like everything about him, every
part of his game, and I think he could kind
of squeeze in there and edge out Samaj. I mean,
(13:12):
they brought Samaj back, but there's no guarantee he makes
this team. Iff Zach Moss looks good, and Boyd looks good,
their Brooks looks good. So I really don't know how
this is going to play out other than Chase Brown
is going to be the guy.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Same question. On the defensive side of the ball, I
think obviously linebacker's influx a little bit because you still
don't have anything with Jermaine Pratt done. But from the
secondary standpoint, a lot of youth in the secondary, a
lot of question marks in the secondary, and while not
knowing how good the pass rush can be, that does
(13:47):
put more vulnerability on the back end. Do you view
the secondary the corner in safety position as a finished
product of where they're at right now.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
I don't know if it is a finished product. That
made it sound like he is happy with the people
they have at safety right now. I wouldn't see them
go out and get in the corner, but I think
it's still on the table that they could go out
and get a veteran safety. I kind of feel better
about the secondary than I think a lot of people do.
(14:18):
I thought Daxville and DJ Turner were really starting to
play well last year before they got hurt. You wonder
if all the talk about low system and they finally
simplified and played better, how much of what was going
on before all of that was had played a role
in cam Taylor britt is kind of surprising decline. Does
(14:40):
he have a bounce back year? I thought Josh Newton
was really impressive last year as a rookie, and he
needs an option to play on the slot, and I
don't know. I have faith the Ginostone will be better.
It's hard to imagine him being worse. So I think
the secondary doesn't have to be a ton better. It
just yess to be marginally better than it was last year.
(15:02):
If they can get some more pass rush, and I
think you'll see Al Golden get that out of There's
too much talent over there's too many higher draft picks
to think that it's going to look like it did
last year again.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
This year, Tony mentioned Jermaine Pratt. Why is Jermaine Pratt
still a Cincinnati Bengal on May twenty first, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
I guess the hope that they can get something more
is a better option than getting nothing. I don't know.
Are they waiting to see if another team has an
injury somewhere and then they become more desperate. If someone
wanted to trade for him, you would think the offer
would have come by now. And that's the only thing
that might change a team's thought process is if they
(15:46):
have a line by starting linebacker suffer an injury. But
it it would seem that you would want to do
right by Jermaine. He was a really good player here
for a while. He did everything right. It seems you know,
better to just let him go now. You know, he's
not in their plans, so it doesn't make a lot
of sense that he's still on this roster. But maybe
(16:07):
that's just what they're holding out for, is that somehow
somebody becomes desperate and needs to get a linebacker and
they'll offer them a seventh round pick.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Jay, you're the best, man. We appreciate the time. As
the off season inches closer to training camp and OTAs
and Phase two changes into two more. What's the easiest
way to follow along with everything you got going on
with the Cincinnati Bengals here?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Yeah, Bengals Talk dot com. All my stories are posted
there The Growler Podcast with Paul Danner, Junior and I.
We just recorded a new episode this morning that'll be
out soon and then you can just follow me on
Twitter or on x AT by Jay Morrison.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Awesome stuff. Jay, Thanks for the time, man. We'll talk
again soon.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Thanks j All right, see you guys. Yes, sir, that is.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Jay Morrison on the beat for the Cincinnati Bengals. Check
out all the Jay has going on. Awesome stuff as well.
We got to take a break, we'll come back. We'll
get into your talkbacks today the Wednesday edition on ESPN
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. A service of Cinci shirts
now your che
Cincy three sixty about Cincinnati from Cincinnati, sponsored in part
by Cincy Shirts. Cincy Shirts, All Cincy, all Day. This
is ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
All right, welcome back. Our number two is here thanks
to Cincy Shirts. Thank you for listening on ESPN fifteen
thirty or via the iHeartRadio app however you listen. It
is greatly appreciated. We'll keep you updated with what the
Cincinnati Reds are doing throughout the afternoon. But right now,
let's switch our focus to the Cincinnati Bengals, and let's
(00:36):
talk to a man who knows all things Bengals. Jay
Morrison is joining us right now. What's up, Jay, Benny?
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Are you look?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I'm good?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
We we're coming off finally getting to hear from Joe Burrow,
coming off getting to hear from Zach Taylor, and a
lot of that is on Trey Hendrickson and the schedule
in the season, and we have got into that. We
will get into that. But what I want to know,
what do you make early on in this process with
everything going on around Shamar Stewart, Because obviously there's plenty
(01:08):
of time between now and the season that the dealer
is going to get done. But how much does this
take away what Chamar is actually able to be doing
right now.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
With the team so far, not much there. There's not
a lot going on in these practices up up through
this week. They're one hour sessions. It's it's a lot
of mental stuff anyhow. I had that changes next week
when they get into the actual OTAs and they can
(01:37):
start doing a little bit more. They can start going
offense against defense and doing those types of things. So
I would expect there to be a little more urgency
to try to get something done. I mean, Zach made
that clear. He tried to, you know, play it politically correct,
but he did say that you don't want to get
too far behind physically. So I don't think it's cost
them anything at this point, or cost Shamarro anything at
(02:00):
this point. But each step of the way now after this,
you got the OTA is coming up starting next week,
and you got the mandatory mini camp in a couple
of weeks. Big Osipoli don't do a lot in those
sessions anyhow, But getting him out there, it's it's not
been a big deal thus far, but it will start
becoming a little bit more of a big deal starting
(02:20):
next week.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
I look at it as the physical side, but also
the mental side as well. And one of the main
themes this offseason is starting fast or starting faster. If
you're the Cincinnati Bengals, how hard does that become? Not
only with Shamar Stewart, but you have a new defensive
coordinator in defensive coaches, you're trying to install a new system.
You're trying to put in a new scheme. And unfortunately
(02:43):
for Al Golden right now you don't have the services
of Bj Hill due to the injury. Trey Hendrickson is
not here. You don't know what is going to ultimately
end up with the Jermaine Pratt situation, we talk about
Jamar Stewart. How hard is it to get the most
out of these opportunities with obviously playing with the full hand.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Yeah, I mean get the most out of it. Sure
that you you would want to have all your guys there,
But you know that turns like BJ and Trey that
when they do, assuming trade does eventually show up, that
when they are out there, they're going to get caught
up to speed pretty quick. But you're right, it is
a it is a new scheme and you've got guys
that are that are new here and just not being
(03:25):
next to those those other guys on the field for
these sessions that it's a little a little bit of
a hamstring. But again there's just I think training camps
when you're going to really see the difference for these guys,
for them doing more and trying to do things to
alleviate the slow start problems. So not nothing seems like
(03:47):
a big issue yet, but it is that that time
is coming.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Did you obviously, when you hear from Joe Burrow for
the first time since the end of last year, there's
there's a lot to take away from it. But did
anything or or any few things stand out to you
above the rest when you heard Joe Burrow speak yesterday.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Another one thing you know about Trey he he wasn't
as forceful about we need to get this done. That
could be the timing where what we heard him doing
stumping for guys like Trey and Mikeasicki and t and
Jamar When when you're doing that in in January, right
after the season ends, there's the frustration of having the
(04:29):
great finish and still not making the playoffs, and you know,
maybe some some time to cool off a little bit. Uh.
Maybe he knows where this stands now. Uh, and the
odds aren't great for for trade to get the deal
that he's looking for, So maybe that's another reason he
he didn't really oh he didn't get a bat for him,
(04:50):
but he said he supported him, but he wasn't. He
wasn't doing the the the pointed comments at the front
office like we've seen in the past, So that kind
of stood out. I think it really surprise me was
how much he talked about wanting to grow the game internationally.
We've never really heard him say that before, and he's
all on board on being part of flag football in
(05:10):
the Olympics, and he said that that played into his
decision to do Quarterback on Netflix, was to grow the
game internationally. And then I think the real thing is
he was really lobbying for a international game. He's made
it clear he wants to play overseas and was a
little disappointed they didn't get one this year. And so
all signs the points to them hosting a game in
twenty twenty seven internationally, but they could go overseas next
(05:33):
season two as a road team, and maybe that was
part of his is a surprising endorsement of the growing
the game internationally.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
He also kind of said that, like, I don't want
to be in that position as the guy who has
a role over negotiations. I found that to be notable
because I don't know if maybe the reaction to the
way he talked about Tea and Jamar and Trey at
the Super Bowl took him by surprise, but everyone started saying,
you know, he's got the power to actually change things,
(06:03):
and he kind of backed off of that a little
bit yesterday, which I was a little surprised by.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Yeah, that stood out to me too. Paul Daner Jr.
And I were just talking about that on our podcast
earlier this morning. I was I was wondering if what
you said, ab Austin, if that was if it was
the reaction to what he was doing, or if that
was kind of his plan all along, where he saw
Jamar and t as so important and this is kind
of a long time deal. I'm going to go to
(06:29):
that right now, but it's not something I want to
do year after year after year. And yeah, I don't
know it. It was an interesting comment, but I don't
know if that's playing into and kind of toning down
the rhetoric on Trey or what was really behind that, But.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
It did stand out you mentioned that the rhetoric around
Trey Hendrickson. Zach Taylor also spoke yesterday and with the
first few questions regarding Trey Hendrickson, did it feel to you,
I don't want to say stand authors from Zach Taylor,
but he didn't certainly go into a lot of detail
as it pertained to Trey Hendrickson. Did you sense that
from the first couple of minutes of Zach speaking yesterday.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Yeah, Yeah, he clearly didn't want to talk about the
Tray situation, mainly, I guess because there's nothing new there,
and he's gotten pretty good at these things. He knows
if he's if he's very short and makes it clear
that it's not a topic he wants to discuss, that
maybe the line of questioning will go in a different direction,
and that that just that didn't quite happen. And then
(07:33):
finally I think it was Ben Baby that fired off
all three of those in a row, and then he
asked about the text that Tray took exception to, and
then Zach did kind of go into some length there
and explain that He put a lot of time and
energy and into when to contact tray, how to contact tray,
how to word it, and was you know, I think
(07:53):
he was probably taken aback by Trey's reaction to that.
We have heard a.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Lot about the all season and starting faster, but I
don't think there's quite been a blueprint as to how
they're going to start faster, what they can change in
the offseason to start faster outside of starters getting more
time in preseason games. You know, Joe Burrow didn't have
much to say about it. He talked about running and
lifting more. Do you sense any type of outline or
(08:23):
path as to how they're going to start faster or
just know that that's a point of emphasis for them.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Yeah, it does seem like it's more of a point
of emphasis. There's not been any concrete examples of what
the plan is, and even Zach said some of the
discussions so they'll keep in house, they were talking about
how it's not exactly the focus isn't on starting fast,
it's it's getting in position to start fast. So you
(08:52):
do wonder if it's going to be something you know,
no the preseason, obviously playing in the preseason the starters.
But if we're gonna see more, I don't think we are.
When when OTA's happened next week, I don't think we're
going to see them doing a lot of elevens. It's
just not what they've done in the past. If anything happens,
(09:12):
it might be in training camp, maybe a little more
intensity in training camp, But there's not really been anything
laid out on what the approach is gonna be that's
going to be different. And I do think, I mean
we thought this last year, but I do think the
schedule makers gave them, did them a favor with Cleveland
Jacksonville's the first two games. But again, everybody thought New
(09:33):
England in Week one and Washington in Week three were
a good chance to start past last year, and that
didn't happen.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
You, Jay, when you look at the offensive side of
the ball, it feels like the ceiling is endless, like
there is no ceiling on what this offense can be.
And you look at Chase Brown going into another year
in this offense and Mike Kasicki another year, what they've
done at the wide receiver position. Do you feel confident
enough right now that the offense of line as currently
(10:01):
constructed will hold up or do you still think or
want them to maybe pursue that a little further from
free agency.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yeah, I don't know if the answers are out there
in free agency right now that the confidence is. I
don't know where that stands, because you are presumably talking
about that your starting guards are going to be either
a rookie who's never played in this league before, a
free agent who is who's coming and he's new to
(10:35):
the team and he's he's been a serviceable pro, but
he's never been anything, you know, elite, or a guy
that you drafted and tried to develop and has really
struggled for three years. I mean, maybe Cody Ford is
the best option of all, but even that that doesn't
get that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. So there
is some hope in faith that Scott Peters, the new
(10:56):
line coach, is going to somehow be able to find
two guards guards that they can stick in there with
you feel good about the other three and make this work.
But I guess he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
But you just you can't put a lot of confidence
in it until you see it. And I just don't
know they've They've got so many pieces, it's kind of
(11:20):
like a battle royal right now. I don't know that
there's another guy, another free agent offensive lineman out there
that you would sign right now and say, Okay, he's
a guy. He would just be another one in the mix.
And then you're worrying about getting all these guys reps
and having a really true evaluation and competition. So I
think they might be set where they are on the
(11:40):
offensive line and just see which two guys emerge at
their guards.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
How do you view the running back situation? Because you
bring back Zach Moss, you bring back SOMEJ. P. Ryan,
and you also draft todz Brooks. Obviously we know one
a from the Bengals backfield, But how do you view
those reps as you get closer now farther into this offseason,
how do you view the running back room eventually playing out.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Yeah, it's interesting because you know they wanted it to
be more of a split last year with Chase Brown
and Zack Moss, and a lot of it's going to
be kind of up up in the air until we
actually see what Zach Moss can do. They obviously are
are confident that he's going to be fine by By,
you know, because it all signs pointed to them cutting
(12:29):
him and just moving on saving some cash there, but
they did. They renegotiated his deal and brought him back.
I think he's going to be in the mix, but
it's it's Chase Brown's job and he's going to be
the main guy. It's just a matter of how much
concern do you have about his smaller frame and him
holding up and being the main guy with without that
(12:51):
kind of support. But again, this team doesn't run the
ball much as it is, so I do think I'm
really interested to see how the rookie is gonna play.
He's a guy that they like everything about him, every
part of his game, and I think he could kind
of squeeze in there and edge out Samaj. I mean,
(13:12):
they brought Samaj back, but there's no guarantee he makes
this team. Iff Zach Moss looks good, and Boyd looks good,
their Brooks looks good. So I really don't know how
this is going to play out other than Chase Brown
is going to be the guy.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Same question. On the defensive side of the ball, I
think obviously linebacker's influx a little bit because you still
don't have anything with Jermaine Pratt done. But from the
secondary standpoint, a lot of youth in the secondary, a
lot of question marks in the secondary, and while not
knowing how good the pass rush can be, that does
(13:47):
put more vulnerability on the back end. Do you view
the secondary the corner in safety position as a finished
product of where they're at right now.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
I don't know if it is a finished product. That
made it sound like he is happy with the people
they have at safety right now. I wouldn't see them
go out and get in the corner, but I think
it's still on the table that they could go out
and get a veteran safety. I kind of feel better
about the secondary than I think a lot of people do.
(14:18):
I thought Daxville and DJ Turner were really starting to
play well last year before they got hurt. You wonder
if all the talk about low system and they finally
simplified and played better, how much of what was going
on before all of that was had played a role
in cam Taylor britt is kind of surprising decline. Does
(14:40):
he have a bounce back year? I thought Josh Newton
was really impressive last year as a rookie, and he
needs an option to play on the slot, and I
don't know. I have faith the Ginostone will be better.
It's hard to imagine him being worse. So I think
the secondary doesn't have to be a ton better. It
just yess to be marginally better than it was last year.
(15:02):
If they can get some more pass rush, and I
think you'll see Al Golden get that out of There's
too much talent over there's too many higher draft picks
to think that it's going to look like it did
last year again.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
This year, Tony mentioned Jermaine Pratt. Why is Jermaine Pratt
still a Cincinnati Bengal on May twenty first, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
I guess the hope that they can get something more
is a better option than getting nothing. I don't know.
Are they waiting to see if another team has an
injury somewhere and then they become more desperate. If someone
wanted to trade for him, you would think the offer
would have come by now. And that's the only thing
that might change a team's thought process is if they
(15:46):
have a line by starting linebacker suffer an injury. But
it it would seem that you would want to do
right by Jermaine. He was a really good player here
for a while. He did everything right. It seems you know,
better to just let him go now. You know, he's
not in their plans, so it doesn't make a lot
of sense that he's still on this roster. But maybe
(16:07):
that's just what they're holding out for, is that somehow
somebody becomes desperate and needs to get a linebacker and
they'll offer them a seventh round pick.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Jay, you're the best, man. We appreciate the time. As
the off season inches closer to training camp and OTAs
and Phase two changes into two more. What's the easiest
way to follow along with everything you got going on
with the Cincinnati Bengals here?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Yeah, Bengals Talk dot com. All my stories are posted
there The Growler Podcast with Paul Danner, Junior and I.
We just recorded a new episode this morning that'll be
out soon and then you can just follow me on
Twitter or on x AT by Jay Morrison.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Awesome stuff. Jay, Thanks for the time, man. We'll talk
again soon.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Thanks j All right, see you guys. Yes, sir, that is.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Jay Morrison on the beat for the Cincinnati Bengals. Check
out all the Jay has going on. Awesome stuff as well.
We got to take a break, we'll come back. We'll
get into your talkbacks today the Wednesday edition on ESPN
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. A service of Cinci shirts
now your che
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Boysober
Have you ever wondered what life might be like if you stopped worrying about being wanted, and focused on understanding what you actually want? That was the question Hope Woodard asked herself after a string of situationships inspired her to take a break from sex and dating. She went "boysober," a personal concept that sparked a global movement among women looking to prioritize themselves over men. Now, Hope is looking to expand the ways we explore our relationship to relationships. Taking a bold, unfiltered look into modern love, romance, and self-discovery, Boysober will dive into messy stories about dating, sex, love, friendship, and breaking generational patterns—all with humor, vulnerability, and a fresh perspective.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com