WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.439 --> 00:00:12.439 It's the Locked On podcast Network, Your Team every Day. Hi, I'm 2 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:15.800 Jake from Locked On. What do the teams you root for, your music 3 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:19.800 playlist, and your podcast feeds all have in common? Spoiler alert? They 4 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:23.559 are reflection of you. And that's what the State Farm Personal Price Plan has 5 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:27.480 in common too. It gives you options to help personalize your coverage so that 6 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:31.039 you can protect what you care about most, and an affordable price just for 7 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:35.000 you so you can see more of yourself in everything you love, like a 8 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:38.479 good neighbor. State Farm is there prices vary by state. Options selected by 9 00:00:38.520 --> 00:00:44.479 customer availability and eligibility may vary. Ryan Callahan officially official in Tennessee. So 10 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:48.240 we'll give a quick update on the Bengals OC situation as we know it, 11 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:53.560 then dive into some questions about the offense and a mailbag. You are Locked 12 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:59.600 On Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast, part of the Locked On podcast 13 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:21.200 Network, Your team every day Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of 14 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:25.200 the Lockdown Bengals podcast. I'm Jake. Let's go along with James Repine, 15 00:01:25.239 --> 00:01:29.239 your hosts of the Lockdown Bengals podcasts. Here on the Lockdown Podcast net We're 16 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:32.560 covering your team every day. You can find this show on YouTube or anywhere 17 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:37.159 you get your podcasts. Hit subscribe. Join the nearly nineteen thousand Bengals fans 18 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:42.079 on YouTube and many many thousands of more elsewhere who make this show part of 19 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:46.560 their life on a regular basis. We appreciate every single one of you who 20 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:49.840 listen. This episode brought to you by Prize Picks, the easiest and most 21 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:52.439 exciting way to play daily fantasy sports. Code to Prize picks dot com, 22 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:56.920 lockdown NFL and use promo code and lockdown NFL for a first positive match up 23 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:00.920 to one hundred dollars and James. Let's start today with a quick update on 24 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:09.080 everything we know about the Bengals search or process in replacing Brian Callahan, who 25 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:15.800 is now officially official announced as the next head coach of the Tennessee Titans. 26 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:20.400 Yeah, it's one of those processes. First off, congrats to Brian. 27 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:25.719 It's official. And one other thing I think, and I think I said 28 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:30.000 this when we were doing our O de Bryan or whatever a few nights ago, 29 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:35.280 but if you missed that Brian Callahan was on Team Weapons, I know 30 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:38.840 that like Jorge, he was played a hand in Jamar coming here even though 31 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:42.240 they had T Higgins, and so, man, I'm looking at this draft 32 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:45.240 and I'm like, oh, it'd be nice to have BC in the building. 33 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:49.599 Anyways, congrats to him, But yeah, they're looking for an OC. 34 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:53.879 You know, they've conducted some interviews. I think the search is the 35 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:58.199 search you mentioned, the process they're going through, and I think anybody close 36 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:00.520 to the team now would be surprised if it's not Dan Pitcher. We don't 37 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:06.159 know that at the time of recording here at twelve forty two Eastern time on 38 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:09.879 Wednesday, but we'll see. If it isn't Dan Pitcher, I would be 39 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:14.680 stunned, Forlord, whatever adjective you want to use. But that's where we're 40 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:20.879 at. I think Dan Pitcher remains by far the favorite. Nothing has changed. 41 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:27.800 There was an interview announced or reported with former Seahawks offensive line coach Andy 42 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:32.360 Dickerson, somebody with whom Zach Taylor cross pass. Dickerson was with the Rams 43 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:37.960 from Saint Louis to Los Angeles for over ten years. I think Zach worked 44 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:46.879 with him in LA and honestly, that could be part of the Rudy rule 45 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:53.000 requirements, which feel terrible right now for anyone interviewing for the Bengals OC job 46 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:57.439 when they clearly I think, have a preference to hire and promote Dan Pitcher 47 00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:01.719 for that job. So when this sort of thing happens, my personal hope 48 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:05.159 is always that it is a legitimate interview, that Dickerson had a good chance 49 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:12.400 to actually have the job, but somebody that's that knew from the past highlights 50 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:16.319 one of the deficiencies of the Runey rule, and the Bengals will move on 51 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:20.920 with the process go ahead real quick. I just I don't think that this 52 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:27.720 was some sneak offensive line coach interview either. For those wondering that that was 53 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:31.560 speculating speculated on social media, Frank Pollack's going to be the offensive line coach 54 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:35.240 would be shocked again if he's not in the building, because Zach said it 55 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:41.600 earlier this month, he wanted to keep everybody and unfortunately Brian from the Bengals 56 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:46.399 standpoint, Brian ended up getting a job elsewhere. So now the shuffle begins 57 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:49.720 and there will likely be a promotion for brag Kragthorpe as well. We'll see 58 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:55.199 there again, they will have to interview external candidates for QB coach at least 59 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:59.560 one anyway before they make that decision. If that is the preference, that 60 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.439 feels the direction it'll go. But we'll see where they go at at QB 61 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:08.240 Coast. One important question, James from the mail bag Impact Tony Blunt at 62 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:13.319 Admiral Taskbar, who will be your new pre game fist bump and or handshake 63 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:18.360 companion? Post Callahan? All right, I'm gonna look right into the camera 64 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:23.560 here, and if you're listening Bengals coaching staff, that's fine too. But 65 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:28.519 just know I'm looking into the camera now. Hiring go on LinkedIn. I 66 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:33.120 might put LinkedIn jobs. I might throw an add up there. Pregame fist 67 00:05:33.160 --> 00:05:38.000 bump something that we switched to this year. It worked. It worked during 68 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:41.920 the winning streak, and it didn't work on a few of the road games. 69 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:44.720 I wasn't there, and obviously we couldn't do it. But we went 70 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:48.439 to a handshake, and I think the calfgate, for whatever reason, threw 71 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:50.879 off our mojo at the beginning of the year with the fist bump. So 72 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:55.000 we went to the handshake and that started to work, and then things kind 73 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:58.199 of went hey wire. I wasn't in Baltimore to do the pregame handshake, 74 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:01.839 and so who knows. Maybe this is a way I was going to try 75 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:04.639 to argue it if if Brown is still in town, but to sneak onto 76 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:09.800 the team plane there and back because flying private is much much easier to these 77 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:14.879 road games. Jack, as you could imagine, I can imagine. I 78 00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:19.920 can't imagine with the limited increasingly limited or more limited than when I lived in 79 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:26.160 Cincinnati, flight options out of CVG. Along the lines of the coaching conversation, 80 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:30.000 James Tony Crampo at Bengle Underscore Dude has a question that is a little 81 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:33.720 bit more football related overall. Do you think it is beneficial to have a 82 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:40.160 succession plan in place when it comes to this sort of decision coaching staff, 83 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:44.120 OC, etc. Or is it better to bring in outside coaches with new 84 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:47.639 ideas. I think it's it's been an interesting dialogue. This is a big 85 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:53.000 topic. I mean, we could do a show on this really and all 86 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:58.519 the layers of it. First things first, you absolutely always have to have 87 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:02.720 a plan. Oh full disclosure, everyone saw the SI stuff last week, 88 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:06.519 right, You have to have a plan in any industry of what happens, 89 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:12.759 what happens when things hit the fan. So whether you lose someone or if 90 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:15.800 you get let go or whatever, you should have plans in place, right 91 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.040 and by the way, as of an out, things are okay for me, 92 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:23.279 and that whole situation sucks. But this isn't locked on let go from 93 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:26.319 SI. This is locked on Bengals. So let's stick with the Bengals. 94 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:30.120 Zach Taylor should have always had a plan, and obviously it feels like Dan 95 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:34.600 Pitcher was the plan if Brian Callahan were to get a head coaching job. 96 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:41.480 At the same time, I get the argument of wanting fresh eyes. I 97 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:46.759 also think that there is a balance, especially when you look and Zach Taylor 98 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:49.040 views it this way and the Bengals view it this way. I get why 99 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:53.600 in the moment fans might not view it this way. The past one, 100 00:07:53.639 --> 00:08:00.600 two, three years, all three have been a success. Now because of 101 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:03.000 the injuries, because you lose your franchise quarterback. Because of all these things, 102 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:07.199 the bar changes. If I would have told you Joe Burrow would be 103 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:11.120 healthy for five games this year, let's just say, coming into the year, 104 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:16.240 did you think that they would win nine games? I would have taken 105 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:18.040 the under it. So I would have taken it back to the episode we 106 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:22.399 did after he got hurt, and where our expectations were for the rest of 107 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:24.480 the season, to see what we think of what would happen without Joe Burrow. 108 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:30.879 And so there's this narrative that they need fresh and they need new eyes, 109 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:33.559 and they I think this was the year from hell injury wise, and 110 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:37.759 they may have that again next year, and then I may be frustrated and 111 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:41.600 say they need new eyes and fresh, fresh voices and all of those things. 112 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:46.679 But I think the farther we get removed from the twenty twenty three season, 113 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:48.039 the more we're going to look at it and be like, man, 114 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:52.919 this coaching staff pivoted multiple times. They found ways to win with multiple quarterbacks 115 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:56.480 with a hobbled Joe Burrow to start the year, and people get on them 116 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.919 for Burrow starting the year. We've talked about that plenty. I'm not even 117 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.200 going to get into it. Make sure you subscribe and follow wherever you get 118 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:07.000 your podcast so you keep up with every episode. I don't think there's as 119 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:11.960 much of a need for fresh voices as there would as some would say. 120 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:16.000 And then the other element to this is Dan Pitcher is in high demand, 121 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:20.080 and so he's in high demand and the Bengals want to keep him. If 122 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:22.879 he was a player, we would all be on board with that more than 123 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:26.120 likely. And so that's what Zach Taylor's trying to do with Dan Pitcher potentially 124 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:31.039 here, promoting him to offensive coordinator. Yeah that's the goal, right is 125 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:33.679 yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We don't know for sure. Again, 126 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:37.399 it's not official, but we assume that's what it's going to. What's 127 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:41.039 going to happen, And as of the time of recording, haven't seen a 128 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:45.519 whole lot as far as has he completed the interview with New England, has 129 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:48.240 he completed the interview with Vegas, or any of those things. By the 130 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:52.320 time you listen to this, maybe that's changed. Maybe there's an official announcement 131 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:56.440 somewhere, or maybe there's a report somewhere. Heck, maybe in ten minutes 132 00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:01.039 over're recording this, something changes. But sure, I think to Tony's question, 133 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:05.639 there's pros and cons to both. Just like most things in life, 134 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:13.120 having a succession plan internally brings the benefits of continuity, of familiarity of while 135 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:16.559 you all get a new perspective because Dan Pitcher and Brian Callahan are different people 136 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:22.000 with different personalities and different experiences, and different opinions. Maybe they agree on 137 00:10:22.039 --> 00:10:24.039 a lot of things and are cohesive, but they're going to have differences, 138 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:28.399 right, That's just the way the world works. There's also a benefit in 139 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:33.759 bringing in exterior voices and getting out of your comfort zone. You hear that 140 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:37.120 all the time. I think that also applies in coaching. But you lose 141 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:41.639 a continuity then, and you lose a familiarity and you have this learning curve. 142 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:46.399 So there's always two sides to these coins in these conversations. But we'll 143 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:50.120 have a little bit more on this coaching staff conversation. Then we'll get into 144 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:56.120 some of these questions on the offensive side of the ball coming up next. 145 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:03.120 Today's show is brought to you by eBay Motors. 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Jas we'll stay 173 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:56.320 on the topic of this coaching staff or one more question here before we dive 174 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.720 into t Higgins, the running back room, the tight end room. Some 175 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:03.240 of these their questions in the mail bag that are themed and skewed toward the 176 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:07.639 offense. And I know there was a question about defensive tackles and right tackles 177 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:11.240 and free agency this year, and we saw that question. We will be 178 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:13.799 talking about it at some point. Don't think that we're neglecting you. But 179 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:20.679 Dan Bochler Bockler names tough d Bockler. I'm gonna go with that one on 180 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:26.440 Twitter. What are the realistic chances that Zach relinquish his play calling duties to 181 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:30.159 whoever is the next offensive coordinator? With the Cincinnati Bengals. This is something 182 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:33.559 that we've discussed and speculated about in terms of making the Bengals job even more 183 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:37.679 attractive than it already is, in terms of an oci that just got a 184 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:41.600 head coaching job and having Joe Burrow quarterback. I think it's low I do. 185 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:46.320 I don't know for sure, And whether it's Dan Pitcher or otherwise, 186 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:52.159 I think they would have to get let's just use Dan. Let's just say 187 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:56.000 this situation, and who knows. Maybe he's interviewing something for another job right 188 00:13:56.039 --> 00:14:01.080 now. Maybe a team has wooed him and convinced him to take another interview. 189 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:07.320 If that's the case, and he somehow leverages that into a really big 190 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:11.879 offer and he's ready to take it, could he hold Zach's feet to the 191 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:16.080 fire and try I think so, But like I said on yesterday's show, 192 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:22.559 if I'm Zach, I'd say Okay, fine, bye, and really wonder 193 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:26.639 if Dan would do that. So Dan, I think it's unlikely. There's 194 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:31.080 all these names that are out there, you know. Heck, I've gotten 195 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:33.600 tweeted Josh McDaniels and all the big names. You know. Of course, 196 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:37.840 if you're going after those guys, which it doesn't sound like the Bengals are 197 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:39.879 and those are big names. I don't necessarily think that would benefit their offense, 198 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:45.639 but he would have to. I just don't think that's the plan as 199 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:48.480 of now, and I'm not really sure or it should be the plan or 200 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:52.679 why it should be the plan at this stage, because again, you have 201 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:54.120 our issues, you have your issues with Zach, and I get it. 202 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:58.279 Guess what, thirty two fan bases have their issues with the play calling with 203 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:03.000 their team at one point or another, and it's frustrating. And I'll criticize 204 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:07.559 Zach Midgeer all the time, like you know, if it's if I feel 205 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:11.759 like it's worth it or or if it's fair to do. But I'm do. 206 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:13.600 I think he's a pretty solid play caller. I do, And I 207 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:16.440 don't think he's going to be in a rush to give up those duties going 208 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:22.240 back to that wide receiver throwback for the second time. Come on, what 209 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:26.759 are you doing? Oh? You want him to give up the go ahead? 210 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:31.639 Do you know? I'm just saying we'll criticize the play. I mean, 211 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.120 I wouldn't be opposed, right, I don't know. I don't know 212 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:39.600 how important it is. But there's like I said with Tony's question, there's 213 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:43.679 pros and cons of both approaches. Maybe you have a different approach to play 214 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:48.639 calling. Maybe that philosophy suits the current NFL better. Maybe it's an inexperience 215 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:54.120 issue that leads to a rocky start. And what's the one thing we're going 216 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:58.720 to be talking about all off season and into training camp. Let's not have 217 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:02.919 another bad start this year, Cincinnati Bengals. That's a hard hole to get 218 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:06.320 out of. You managed to do it once, didn't manage to do it 219 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.639 twice, even though they are more important factors and the whole they started the 220 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:15.960 year in mostly being Joe Burrow's health. It does seem unlikely that Zach will 221 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:19.000 give up play calling duties, but we didn't roll it out this week, 222 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:27.759 and perhaps the overall alert of the job should be enough for an OC. 223 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:32.759 Like I talked about when I was framing the question, the previous OC who 224 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:37.039 didn't call plays just got a head coaching job, and you get to work 225 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:41.240 with Joe Burrow, get Jamar Chase in that offense. It's a pretty established 226 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:47.320 group that should be seen as having a high ceiling, should be seen as 227 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:52.440 a very attractive job. Should not be necessary let's actually do one more question 228 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:56.120 before we get to the t Higgins topic, James, which is about, 229 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:02.639 with some turnover potentially happening here with Brian hand departing, what can the Bengals 230 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:04.640 do to be more consistent on offense, protect Joe Burrow a little bit better? 231 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:08.880 And Dean added Merritt thinks that teams in the division have figured out how 232 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:14.680 to stop the offense in twenty twenty three. Dean, my guy, Dean 233 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:19.559 shout out to Dean. I've I've met Dean multiple times. A couple things. 234 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:25.079 One, they do need to tweak the offense some and incorporate some of 235 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:30.680 the things that we saw from Jake Browning. But there is this narrative that 236 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:36.200 this offense was just so much better with Jake Browning, and oh my god, 237 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:40.400 it's just not true. The best offense that we saw from the Bengals 238 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:44.200 of twenty twenty three was during that winning streak with Burrow. I would say 239 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:48.200 the San Francisco game was pretty darn good. You could look at the Buffalo 240 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:52.400 game if you want. But that said, could they incorporate some of those 241 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:55.839 things? Absolutely? And I think that was the plan. And then Joe 242 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:59.440 heard his calf and they were kind of piecing it together week to week on 243 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:03.559 the fly. So more under center absolutely, some play action, absolutely, 244 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:08.839 but you also want to balance that with Joe Burrow's superpowers and find that balance. 245 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:12.119 And I think they need to do that so and they probably know they 246 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:15.799 need to do that. Joe's a smart guy. So whether it's Joe or 247 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:19.400 Zach or whoever the offensive coordinator is on down, I think we will see 248 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:25.640 that as far as the division. As far as the division goes, and 249 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:29.640 there's this narrative Jake that, oh my god, the Bengals they can't win 250 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:32.920 these AFC Nors games. They got to be tougher, and they do. 251 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:36.200 They got to add some defensive tackles and they have a question at right tackle. 252 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:41.799 And I still think that they can win the division next year passing first 253 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:45.200 and being a passing offense and doing all of those things. The thing about 254 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:48.119 the run game I want to see more of is explosive plays. Have some 255 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:55.359 explosive runs. I'm not worried about the fullback dives or the tough No. 256 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:59.200 I don't need you to growl at the mic unless you're the Bengals mailman guy. 257 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:03.599 Think we're good to go. And and the Bengals will be just fine 258 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:06.279 in the AFC North next season. They've won back to back titles. By 259 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:08.359 the way, you knew that before this year, they won back to back 260 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:11.960 division titles, just confirming, and we also knew that no team had ever 261 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:15.119 won three in a row, and we liked the Bengals chances to do it 262 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:18.400 this year. And then suddenly Joe Burrow's calf became an issue, and then 263 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:22.799 suddenly Joe Burrow's risk became an issue. There were multiple times this season when 264 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:26.079 I still thought it was possible yep, and it didn't work out that way 265 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:30.039 because attritionan gets. I thought they Baltimore. I thought they had a shot 266 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:33.880 in Baltimore. Yes, I was just going to say, look at the 267 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:37.119 Ravens and the injuries they've dealt with in previous years. That helps the Bengals 268 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:41.039 win the division. Not that the Bengals lose the division of Baltimore's healthy, 269 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:47.839 right, I'm not saying that, but it certainly affects the way these seasons 270 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:52.839 go. So I also think this idea that they can't win the division is 271 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:56.599 a little bit overstated. They do have issues with the Browns. I think 272 00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:00.880 that they've had issues with the Browns and defense in Week one. Part of 273 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:06.680 it is that they played in Week one and Week eighteen, and so those 274 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:10.119 are very different times, like weird weeks a lot of the time. So 275 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:14.160 there's that. But when you don't have Joe Burrow healthy for a single complete 276 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:18.640 game in the division, it is very hard for me to say that teams 277 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:22.480 in the division have figured out how to stop the offense when the offense goes 278 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:26.839 through Joe Burrow so significantly. Yes, you would have liked to see Jake 279 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:30.599 Browning's version of the offense perform better against the Steelers in two outings, no 280 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:36.000 doubt, But if Joe Burrow is playing in those games, it goes very 281 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:38.480 differently. That said, to your point about what they can do differently, 282 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.599 I think they do need to evolve. I think that they can't be this 283 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:48.759 so heavily invested, spread eleven personnel all the time kind of team, all 284 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:51.319 the empty they do. They need to mix it up a little bit more. 285 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:55.440 They need to modernize in an increasing fashion with the amount of motion they're 286 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.920 doing at the snap, and they took steps in that direction this year. 287 00:20:57.599 --> 00:21:02.319 That the play action game needs to be better, and Burrow took a major 288 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:07.640 step forward play action passes in twenty twenty three. That needs to continue, 289 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:11.720 and so it's just keeping up at this point. That is the one thing 290 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:15.279 you concern about, you have concerns about when you have continuity on the coaching 291 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:18.839 staff is making sure that you're continuing to adapt. But I think the staff 292 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:22.240 has done a good job of it, and so that continues to be the 293 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:26.000 expectation. Coming up next, T Higgins market value, tight end running back, 294 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:30.799 talking skill positions on the offense. To finish up this show, we'll 295 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:36.200 do that in just a minute. Today's show is brought to you by FanDuel. 296 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:41.640 Fandel is America's number one sports book, and the NFL Playoffs well four 297 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:45.119 teams left. We've reached the final four, which means it's the perfect time 298 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:48.960 for you to get the FanDuel because new customers get one hundred and fifty dollars 299 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:52.160 in bonus bets guaranteed. When you place a five dollars bet, that's one 300 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:56.920 hundred and fifty bucks and bonus bets win or lose, and that means you 301 00:21:56.960 --> 00:22:00.960 could throw five bucks on whatever NFC team you want to win. Because if 302 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:04.599 you're watching or listening to Lockdown Bengals. You want the NFC to win, 303 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:11.039 and you can do so today at fandle dot com Slash locked on and get 304 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:14.440 those one hundred and fifty dollars and bonus bets. Plus, it's not just 305 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:18.240 NFL, you got NBA going on. Spring training is right around the corner. 306 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:22.079 So get to fandle today and get in on all the action including same 307 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:25.839 game parlays, pop bets and more at fandle dot com. Slash a locked 308 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:30.079 on at fandle dot com Slash locked on fandle Official partner of the NFL. 309 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:34.559 HI, I'm Jake from Lockdown. Think of all the amazing things in life 310 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:38.160 that are expressions of you. Your favorite football team, what you wear to 311 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:41.680 the playoff watch party, that song that you stream over and over to get 312 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:45.880 you pumped up for the gym, or the recommendations that you share with your 313 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:48.119 friends on the top six comedy podcasts that are best to listen to you on 314 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:52.079 a long roadship, or even your new haircut, which may or may not 315 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:56.640 be an epic ball cup from the nineties and hopefully is everything that makes you 316 00:22:56.640 --> 00:23:00.680 you makes all the difference. State Farm believes insurance should work the same way 317 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:04.319 your plane. Your coverage selections can be personalized by you and the ability to 318 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:07.880 choose the plane you want by picking the options that fit you, like choosing 319 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:12.079 to bundle your home and auto policies is what the State Farm Personal Price Plan 320 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:17.160 is all about, getting the coverage you want at an affordable price, just 321 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:21.039 for you, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Prices are 322 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:23.119 based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the 323 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:27.200 customer availability, amount of discounts and savings, and eligibility vary by state. 324 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:33.799 James, let's talk about some skill positions, your favorite part of any football 325 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:38.279 team. Ajah hempil with a question about t higgins market value. That's where 326 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:41.200 we're going to go next. I'm curious if you think T Higgins helped, 327 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:48.160 hurt or just maintained his value after this season. Answer from the player, 328 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:51.079 organizational, and even league perspective, because it might be a little bit different 329 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:57.200 depending on who you ask. It's interesting because from a Bengals trade perspective, 330 00:23:57.240 --> 00:24:02.279 he heard it because they played out the year right. He had much more 331 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:06.400 value last year on the rookie deal than he will on the franchise tag and 332 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:10.440 needing a new contract, So that alone, just thinking about trade wise now, 333 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.759 as far as his health is concerned, I think it hurt it with 334 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:21.599 the organization some because they may have planned it would still be hard for me 335 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:25.279 to just tag Tea and play out this year, which I think is the 336 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:32.640 most likely scenario. But they if they felt like, hey, we're going 337 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:36.680 to commit around this big three Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase T Higgins, did 338 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:40.680 this year give them some pause of him being nicked as nicked up as he 339 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:45.960 was was, of him not being as good on contested catches as he has 340 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:48.759 been. I still think he's an awesome player, but it's a lot to 341 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:52.880 build your team around three guys as is, and they need to be special. 342 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:56.920 And you know which agent he has and how hard it was to negotiate 343 00:24:56.960 --> 00:25:00.880 with that agent, David mullagetto when you looked at Jess and trying to get 344 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:04.319 an extension. So I think he's heard his value a little bit with the 345 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:07.599 Bengals in a sense that I don't know if they would be willing to go 346 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:11.359 where Te's camp is going to want them to go to get a long term 347 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:17.559 extension done. As far as the league goes, you can see. You 348 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:21.480 just have to look up on social media every fan of every fan base that 349 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:23.960 the Titans right now, they're googlely eyes over t Higgins And obviously that's his 350 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:29.000 home state and they would love him at Nissan Stadium. But it's not just 351 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.839 there. I mean Jacksonville would be in on him. I think there are 352 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:33.039 a lot of teams that would be in on him if he hits free agency. 353 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:37.759 But if you're looking at a tag and trade, his value certainly isn't 354 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:41.680 what it was a year ago. In that stinks, and a lot of 355 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:44.960 that has to do with the contract more so than the injuries. I agree 356 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:48.880 with all that he had a season that did not boost his trade value. 357 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:53.799 He had a season that may create questions in the Bengals front office where they're 358 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:57.000 gonna still really like Tea the player, because you don't overreact to one season 359 00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:00.559 when you have the track record the T Higgins doesn't. You have twenty five 360 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:03.480 year old who is not going to get worse anytime soon. But he had 361 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:07.720 a very rocky start to the season. His catch rate was down, is 362 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:14.000 yards per target were down, his drop rate was up, and he missed 363 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:19.200 a bunch of time. And while that's unfortunate and unlucky. And it's hard 364 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:25.559 to blame Tea for that when you're making decisions about where do you allocate ten 365 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:27.680 percent ish a little bit less than ten percent, I guess eight percent of 366 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:32.240 your cap If you're going to franchise tack T Higgins or you're going to try 367 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.720 to extend T Higgins and build around them, like you said, James, 368 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:38.640 that becomes a little bit more complicated, the calculus around what's the risk, 369 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:42.559 what's the reward? When T Higgins is on the field, he's easily worth 370 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:47.480 that twenty one to twenty two million dollar market value whatever he's getting projected at 371 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:52.519 YEP when he's on the field, and this year that was less than it's 372 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:56.799 ever been in his NFL career. And it's been some stuff that's nagging and 373 00:26:56.920 --> 00:27:00.720 soft tissue and seems to come up on a bit of a recurring basis, 374 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:04.680 and that is unlucky, but it is something the Bengals have to deal with. 375 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:08.599 It is it is, and we'll see what happens. It's the biggest 376 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:14.079 question of the offseason. But another couple of huge questions that's around this offense 377 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:17.880 this offseason, what do they do at tight end? Because right now, 378 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:21.319 well there's zero tight end set to be on the roster when the new league 379 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:26.599 gear starts and Joe Mixon's future. So let's combine two questions here. Rob 380 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:33.440 Hill at Shirley this season has Joe Mixon's performance into a certain extent. The 381 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:38.279 late season partnership with Chase Brown reduced the need at this position. Talking about 382 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:42.799 running back and then will at will nos Ball underscore asks how would you to 383 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:48.559 revent the tight end and running back rooms? So Jake start with running back 384 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:52.200 and then we can go to tight end. Yeah, Joe Mixon this season 385 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:56.880 when he was used with Chase Brown, the running game got a little bit 386 00:27:56.920 --> 00:28:00.960 more efficient, no doubt about that. Down the stretch running game got a 387 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:06.680 little bit more efficient Against teams like San Francisco, against teams like Minnesota, 388 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:11.119 teams that are sending guys up feel and penetrating one gap style defenses. The 389 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:17.880 offense found some success. They did, but they did not have much success 390 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:22.480 too frequently this year. Joe Mixon before Week eighteen against the Browns was averaging 391 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:26.720 three point eight yards per carry. He had a ton of volume this year, 392 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:32.759 finished at four yards per carry one thousand yards. Had some successes short 393 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:37.359 yarded situations. The Bengals were, though dreadful in short yarded situations compared to 394 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:41.440 recent years. Some of the jews came back for Joe Mixon at times, 395 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:45.079 other times it looked like it had disappeared. So it wasn't necessarily the most 396 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:48.920 consistent thing. Run blocking wasn't the most consistent thing either, So it's impossible 397 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:53.240 to hold all of that against mix in. But when you look at the 398 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:59.160 teams that are still in the NFL playoffs and we draw lessons or or things 399 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:03.000 that you want to copy an emulate from the teams that are successful in the 400 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:06.920 NFL right now, there's a common element in the running game which is explosion, 401 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:11.960 the ability to bust off chunk runs every day, every game. Have 402 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:18.039 those explosive threats in your run game to make teams really pay not just to 403 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:21.160 the tune of six to ten yards per carry, but to be able to 404 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:23.640 rip off a thirty to fifty yard run. With some of the more explosive 405 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:29.519 backs still playing in this year's playoffs, and I think that's what they're missing. 406 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:34.200 They get some of that with Chase Brown, but Chase Brown needs to 407 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:40.319 take a step to really threaten to do that on a consistent basis. So 408 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:44.559 if I'm looking at this and it's me making the decisions, I'm looking to 409 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:51.599 get one more explosive across the room at running back. I want multiple explosive 410 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:55.480 threats. Look at the Dolphins, for example, and how their running game 411 00:29:55.559 --> 00:30:00.920 was able to put together multiple speedy backs and great spots using that to their 412 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:03.160 advantage. This is going to be a theme for the entire offense is team 413 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:08.680 speed, So that also includes running back to me, but I don't want 414 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:14.559 to see the Bengals be this multi headed running back unit where one is your 415 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:18.119 short yard's back, one is your trap wham toss back, one is your 416 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:22.200 pass pro back. They got to get a little bit more complete there. 417 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:27.920 And we're going to talk about tight end two. It would be ideal not 418 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:32.240 to have to use Drew Sample as a third down back. Not to take 419 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:34.400 away from him. He was good in that role and we'll see it some 420 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:38.039 if Drew Sample is back with the team, regardless of who's it running back 421 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:41.880 for the Cincinnati Bengals, but it would be ideal to have a guy who 422 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:47.799 can protect and offer something in the receiving game and not just have to put 423 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:52.279 drew sample back there for protection. Yeah, it would be ideal. And 424 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:57.799 the explosive part is the part that matters so much in this offense. You 425 00:30:57.799 --> 00:31:02.200 want to talk about giving it an now and it hasn't had. That's it. 426 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:07.759 Explosive runs make defenses have to worry about insert whatever the name is of 427 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:12.240 the running back. I really don't care. Insert that person's name and have 428 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:17.240 to worry about that running back going for thirty if you if you're if the 429 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:22.279 linebacker reads the wrong gap like that's that's it, because he has the ability 430 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:26.160 to make a safety miss and be off to the races, or get past 431 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:29.839 the defensive back that happens to be in the hole, or whatever the case 432 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:33.240 is. Turn an average play into a big play. And that's what they 433 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:37.759 have to do. So, however, you want to discuss that amongst the 434 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:41.720 fans, You know, fans want to discuss that, discuss it. I 435 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:45.079 think when it comes to mixing the eight point nine million dollar cap, it 436 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:48.359 will certainly come into play. We'll know by March sixteenth, less than two 437 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:51.400 months from now, when he has that three million dollar roster bonus, what 438 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:53.200 they plan to do with him. So we'll know much earlier this year, 439 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:59.039 and at the same time, they need to plan on that before free agency 440 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:02.119 begins, because free agent and see will begin, what right a day or 441 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:07.039 two before. I would imagine that roster bonuses due so or at least the 442 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:13.000 legal tampering period will so keep that part in mind as well. And then 443 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:17.240 as far as tight ends, I think it's similar. You want, hopefully 444 00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:22.559 you can find a tight end that can be on the field and block and 445 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:27.759 also be explosive and make plays with the ball in their hand and not have 446 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:30.440 like, all right, this is our our past catching tight end, and 447 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:32.119 then this is our blocking tight end, and then this is our it'd be 448 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:36.519 nice to have Tanner Hudson or mitchwell Cox or Drew Sample on the roster, 449 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.880 and I'm sure some of those guys will be on the team next year, 450 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:43.440 but it would they need to upgrade at that spot. Those are two spots 451 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:49.319 that really clearly needed upgraded. And Chase Brown flashed, but I think they 452 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:52.880 need to continue to add bodies there, whether it's in free agency or the 453 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:55.039 draft. At running back and tight end, I think it'll be potentially a 454 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:58.920 combination of both a tight end. It'll especially be both. They're going to 455 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:00.839 have free agent tight end, say, might draft a tight end as well, 456 00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:06.480 not the tight end class that it was last year, unfortunately, and 457 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:08.519 we talked about earlier this week that that was a bit of a missed opportunity 458 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:13.720 that dude, there's one dude. Though there is one dude, there's that 459 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:20.200 one dude, probably be fairly pricey to go get him, and probably you 460 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:24.200 come here, Brock, I probably wouldn't be opposed to paying the price. 461 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:29.160 I think that one thing we're going to talk about when we're looking at this 462 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:34.319 draft class this year, and this is probably a bit knee jerky and reactionary, 463 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:39.839 is I'm I'm a pendulum swinging the other way on positional value. This 464 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:45.920 look at you. It just it's just and we'll talk more about it. 465 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:51.119 I have reasons, but I agree generally, looking to get more explosive at 466 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:54.400 both positions if possible, Looking to get more reliable at tight end. Looking 467 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:57.960 to have a guy that you can have out there for you know, seventy 468 00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:02.000 percent of your staffs. Bengals really have that guy. They have a rotational 469 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:07.239 amalgamation of tight ends right now. While those guys are talented in their own 470 00:34:07.280 --> 00:34:09.199 way, and you would like to see some of them back on the team. 471 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:14.079 I would like to see Tanner, Hudsonery sample back, Mitch Willcocks sure, 472 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:17.239 there's nothing wrong with those guys. You would like to have more top 473 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:22.039 end at tight end and be able to be a little bit more multiple with 474 00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:27.039 your personnel, be able to threaten in some different ways, because, like 475 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:29.000 I said, one of the things that I think they have to do this 476 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:32.320 year is in terms of modernization, is to be a little bit more personnel 477 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:38.000 versatile and threaten teams a little bit more with different personnel packages and forcing the 478 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:43.079 defenses to match those personnel packages and some of that goes to tight end as 479 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:47.000 well. That's gonna do it for this episode of the Lockdown Bengals Podcast. 480 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:51.440 Perhaps we'll know who the Bengals next OC will be the next time you hear 481 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:55.000 from us tomorrow. If not, there's plenty else to talk about in this 482 00:34:55.159 --> 00:35:00.000 interesting Bengals offseason. Until then, thanks for listening to this episode of the 483 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:04.719 Lockdown Bengals Podcast. Who Day, and have a good one.