It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every Day. Damian Parson here,
co host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast, Join Keith Sanchez and me
for Mock Draft Monday. We'll tell you which college football stars your team will
be taking in the twenty twenty four NFL Draft. Check out Mock Draft Monday
on the Locked On NFL Draft Podcast, available wherever you get podcasts. Bryan
Callahan officially official in Tennessee, so we'll give a quick update on the Bengals
OC situation as we know it, then dive into some questions about the offense
and a mailbag. You are Locked On Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast,
part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day, Bengals
fans, and welcome to another episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. I'm Jake.
Let's go along with James Repine, your hosts of the Lockdown Bengals podcasts
here on the Lockdown Podcast Network, covering your team every day. You can
find this show on YouTube or anyway you get your podcasts. Hit subscribe.
Join the nearly nineteen thousand Bengals fans on YouTube and many many thousands of more
elsewhere. Who make this show part of their life on a regular basis.
We appreciate every single one of you who listen. This episode brought to you
by Prize Picks, the easiest and most exciting way to play daily fantasy sports
code Prize Picks dot Com Lockdown NFL and use promo code in Lockdown NFL for
a first positive match up to one hundred dollars and James. Let's start today
with a quick update on everything we know about the Bengals search or process in
replacing Brian Callahan, who is now officially official announced as the next head coach
of the Tennessee Titans. Yeah, it's one of those processes. First off,
congrats to Brian, it's official. And one other thing I think,
and I think I said this when we were doing our o Debryan or whatever
a few nights ago, but if you missed that Brian Callahan was on Team
Weapons, I know that like Jorge, he was played a hand in Jamar
coming here even though they had t Higgins and so man, I'm looking at
this draft and I'm like, oh, it'd be nice to have BC in
the building. Anyways, congrats to him, but yeah, they're looking for
an OC you know they've conducted some interviews. I think the search is the
search you mentioned, the process they're going through, and I think anybody close
to the team now would be surprised if it's not Dan Pitcher. We don't
know that at the time of recording here at twelve forty two Eastern time on
Wednesday, but we'll see. If it isn't Dan Pitcher, I would be
stunned, Flord, whatever adjective you want to use, But that's where we're
at. I think Dan Pitcher remains by far the favorite. Nothing has changed.
There was an interview announced or reported with former Seahawks offensive line coach Andy
Dickerson, somebody with whom Zach Taylor cross pass. Dickerson was with the Rams
from Saint Louis to Los Angeles for over ten years. I think Zach worked
with him in LA And honestly, that could be part of the Rudy rule
requirements, which feel terrible right now for anyone interviewing for the Bengals OC job
when they clearly I think, have a preference to hire and promote Dan Pitcher
for that job. So when this sort of thing happens, my personal hope
is always that it is a legitimate interview that Dickerson had a good chance to
actually have the job, but somebody that Zach knew from the past highlights one
of the deficiencies of the Rooney rule, and the Bengals will move on with
the process go ahead real quick. I just I don't think that this was
some sneak offensive line coach interview either. For those wondering that that was speculating
speculated on social media, Frank Pollack's going to be the offensive line coach would
be shocked again if he's not in the building because Zach said it earlier this
month, he wanted to keep everybody and unfortunately Brian from the Bengals standpoint,
Brian ended up getting a job elsewhere. So now the shuffle begins and there
will likely be a promotion for brag Kragthorpe as well. We'll see there again.
They will have to interview external candidates for QB coach at least one anyway
before they make that decision. If that is the preference, that feels like
the direction it'll go. But we'll see where they go at at QB coach.
One important question, James from the mail bag impact Tony Blunt at Admiral
taskbar. Who will who will be your new pre game fist bump and or
handshake companion? Post Callahan. All right, I'm gonna look right into the
camera here, and if you're listening Bengals coaching staff, that's fine too.
But just know I'm looking into the camera now. Hiring go on LinkedIn,
I might put LinkedIn jobs. I might throw an add up there. Pregame
fist bump something that we switched to this year. It worked, It worked
during the winning streak, and it didn't work on a few of the road
games. I wasn't there, and obviously we couldn't do it. But we
went to a handshake, and I think the cafgate for whatever reason, threw
off our mojo at the beginning of the year with the fist bump. So
we went to the handshake and that started to work, and then things kind
of went haywire. I wasn't in Baltimore to do the pregame handshake, and
so who knows, maybe this is a way I was going to try to
argue it if if Brown was still in town, but to sneak onto the
team plane there and back because flying private is much much easier to these broad
games, Jake, as you can imagine, I can imagine. I can't
imagine with the limited increasingly limited or more limited than when I lived in Cincinnati,
flight options out of CVG. Along the lines of the coaching conversation,
James Tony Crampo at Bengal Underscore Dude has a question that is a little bit
more football related overall. Do you think it is beneficial to have a succession
plan in place when it comes to this sort of decision coaching staff, oc
etc. Or is it better to bring in outside coaches with new ideas.
I think it's it's been an interesting dialogue. This is a big topic.
I mean, we could do a show on this, really and all the
layers of it. First things first, you absolutely always have to have a
plan, always full disclosure. Everyone saw the SI stuff last week, right,
You have to have a plan in any industry of what happens, what
happens with hit the fan, So whether you lose someone or if you get
let go or whatever, you should have plans in place. Right And by
the way, as of now, things are okay for me, and that
whole situation sucks. But this isn't locked on let go from SI this is
locked on Bengals, so let's stick with the Bengals. Zach Taylor should have
always had a plan, and obviously it feels like Dan Pitcher was the plan
if Brian Callahan were to get a head coaching job. At the same time,
I get the argument of wanting fresh eyes. I also think that there
is a balance, especially when you look and Zach Taylor views it this way
and the Bengals view it this way. I get why in the moment fans
might not view it this way. The past one, two, three years,
all three have been a success. Now because of the injuries, because
you lose your franchise quarterback. Because of all these things, the bar changes.
If I would have told you Joe Burrow would be healthy for five games
this year, let's just say, coming into the year, did you think
that they would win nine games? I would have taken the under it.
So I would have taken it back to the episode we did after we got
hurt and where our expectations were for the rest of the season, to see
what we think of what would happen without Joe Burrow. And so there's this
narrative that they need fresh and they need new eyes, and they I think
this was the year from hell injury wise, and they may have that again
next year, and then I may be frustrated and say they need new eyes
and fresh, fresh voices and all of those things. But I think the
farther we get removed from the twenty twenty three season, the more we're going
to look at it and be like, man, this coaching staff pivoted multiple
times. They found ways to win with multiple quarterbacks with a hobbled Joe Burrow
to start the year, and people get on them for Burrow starting the year.
We've talked about that plenty. I'm not even going to get into it.
Make sure you subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcast so you keep
up with every episode. I don't think there's as much of a need for
fresh voice is there would as some would say. And then the other element
to this is Dan Pitcher is in high demand, and so he's in high
demand and the Bengals want to keep him. If he was a player,
we would all be on board with that more than likely. And so that's
what Zach Taylor's trying to do with Dan Pitcher potentially here promoting him to offensive
coordinator. Yeah, that's the goal, right is yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah. We don't know for sure. Again, it's not official,
but we assume that's what it's going to what's going to happen, And as
of the time of recording, haven't seen a whole lot as far as has
he completed the interview with New England, has he completed the interview with Vegas,
or any of those things. By the time you listen to this,
maybe that's changed. Maybe there's an official announcement somewhere, or maybe there's a
report somewhere. Heck, maybe in ten minutes old we're recording this, something
changes. But sure, I think to Tony's question, there's pros and constant
both. Just like most things in life, having a succession plan internally brings
the benefits of continuity, of familiarity of while you all get a new perspective.
Because Dan Pitcher and Brian Callahan are different people with different personalities and different
experiences and different opinions. Maybe they agree on a lot of things and are
cohesive, but they're going to have differences, right, That's just the way
the world works. There's also a benefit of bringing in exterior voices and getting
out of your comfort zone. You hear that all the time. I think
that also applies in coaching. But you lose a continuity then, and you
lose a familiarity and you have this learning curve. So there's always two sides
to these coins in these conversations. But we'll have a little bit more on
this coaching staff conversation. Then we'll get into some of these questions on the
offensive side of the ball coming up next. Today's show is brought to you
by eBay Motors. Passion, drive in patience. What brings home the winning
trophy is also what keeps your ride or die alive. eBay Motors has everything
you need to maintain your vehicle and level up to peak performance, from superchargers,
roofrax, exhaust kits, led headlights, and more. Whether you're into
speed, power, style, all of the above, eBay Motors has you
covered with over one hundred and twenty two million parts for your number one rider
die. You'll always find exactly what you're looking for. With eBay Guaranteed Fit.
Your part is guaranteed to fit your ride every time, or your money
back, because with eBay Motors, you're burning rubber, not cash. With
all of the parts you need and the prices you want. It's easy to
turn your car into the MVP and bring home that win. Keep your rider
Die Alive at ebaymotors dot com. Eligible items only, Exclusions apply. eBay
Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Hi, I'm Jake from Lockdown.
Think of all the amazing things in life that are expressions of you. Your
favorite football team, what you wear to the playoff watch party, that song
that you stream over and over to get you pumped up for the gym,
or the recommendations that you share with your friends on the Top six comedy podcas
guests that are best to listen to on a long road trip, or even
your new haircut, which may or may not be an epic ball cut from
the nineties and hopefully is everything that makes you you makes all the difference.
State Farm believes insurance should work the same way your plane. Your coverage selections
can be personalized by you and the ability to choose the plan you want by
picking the options that fit you like choosing to bundle your home and auto policies
is what the State Farm Personal Price Plan is all about. Getting the coverage
you want at an affordable price, just for you. Like a good neighbor
state farm is there. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state.
Coverage options are selected by the customer availability, amount of discounts and savings,
and eligibility vary by state. Jaise, We'll stay on the top of
this coaching staff for one more question here before we dive into t Higgins,
the running back room, the tight end room, some of these other questions
in the mail bag that are themed and skewed toward the offense. And I
know there was a question about defensive tackles and right tackles and free agency year
and we saw that question. We will be talking about it at some point.
Don't think that we're neglecting you. But Dan Bochler Bockler names tough d
Bockler. I'm gonna go with that one on Twitter. What are the realistic
chances that Zach relinquish his play calling duties to whoever is the next offensive coordinator
with the Cincinnati Bengals. This is something that we've discussed and speculated about in
terms of making the Bengals job even more attractive than it already is, in
terms of an OCI that just got a head coaching job and having Joe Burrow
quarterback. I think it's low I do. I don't know for sure,
and whether it's Dan Pitcher or otherwise, I think they would have to get
let's just use Dan. Let's just say this situation, and who knows.
Maybe he's interviewing something for another job right now. Maybe a team has wooed
him and convinced him to take another interview. If that's the case, and
he somehow leverages that into a really big offer and he's ready to take it,
could he hold Zach's feet to the fire and try I think so.
But like I said on Yesterdays show, if I'm Zach, I'd say okay,
fine, bye, and really wonder if Dan would do that. So
Dan, I think it's unlikely. There's all these names that are out there,
you know. Heck, I've gotten tweeted Josh McDaniels and all the big
names. You know. Of course, if you're going after those guys,
which it doesn't sound like the Bengals are, and those are big names,
I don't necessarily think that would benefit their offense, but he would have to
I just don't think that's the plan as of now, and I'm not really
sure or it should be the plan or why it should be the plan at
this stage, because again, you have our issues, you have your issues
with Zach, and I get it. Guess what, thirty two fan bases
have their issues with the play calling with their team at one point or another,
and it's frustrating. And I'll criticize Zach Mideer all the time, like
you know, if it's if I feel like it's worth it, or if
it's fair to do. But I'm do I think he's a pretty solid play
caller. I do, And I don't think he's going to be in a
rush to give up those duties. Going back to that wide receiver throwback for
the second time. Come on, what are you doing it? Oh?
You want him to give up the go ahead? Do you know? I'm
just saying we'll criticize the play. I mean, I wouldn't be opposed,
right. I don't know. I don't know how important it is. But
there's, like I said with Tony's question, there's pros and cons to both
approaches. Maybe you have a different approach to play calling, Maybe that philosophy
suits the current NFL better. Maybe it's an inexperienced issue that leads to a
rocky start, and what's the one thing we're going to be talking about all
off season and into training camp. Let's not have another bad start this year,
Cincinnati Bengals. That's a hard hole to get out of. You managed
to do it once, didn't manage to do it twice, even though they
are more important factors, and the whole day start of the year in mostly
being Joe Burrow's health. It does seem unlikely that Zach will give up play
calling duties, but we didn't roll it out this week, and perhaps the
overall alert of the job should be enough for an OC. Like I talked
about when I was framing the question, the previous OC who didn't call plays
just got a head coaching job, and you get to work with Joe Burrow,
get Jamar Chase in that offense. It's a pretty established group that should
be seen as having a high ceiling, should be seen as a very attractive
job. Should not be necessary. Let's actually do one more question before we
get to the t Higgins topic, James, which is about with some turnover
potentially happening here with Brian Callahan departing, what can the Bengals do to be
more consistent on offense to protect Joe Burrow a little bit better. And Dean
at D D Merritt thinks that teams in the division of out how to stop
the offense in twenty twenty three. Dean, my guy, Dean. Shout
out to Dean. I've I've met Dean multiple times. A couple things.
One, they do need to tweak the offense some and incorporate some of the
things that we saw from Jake Browning. But there is this narrative that this
offense was just so much better with Jake Browning, and oh my god,
it's just not true. The best offense that we saw from the Bengals of
twenty twenty three was during that winning streak with Burrow. I would say the
San Francisco game was pretty darn good. You could look at the Buffalo game
if you want. But that said, could they incorporate some of those things,
Absolutely, and I think that was the plan. And then Joe heard
his calf and they were kind of piecing it together week to week on the
fly. So more under center, absolutely, some play action, absolutely,
but you also want to balance that with Joe Burrow's superpowers and find that and
I think they need to do that, so and they probably know they need
to do that. Joe's a smart guy. So whether it's Joe or Zach
or whoever the offensive coordinator is on down, I think we will see that
as far as the division. As far as the division goes, and there's
this narrative Jake that, oh my god, the Bengals they can't win these
AFC North games. They gotta be tougher, and they do. They got
to add some defensive tackles and they have a question at right tackle. And
I still think that they can win the division next year passing first and being
a passing offense and doing all of those things. The thing about the run
game I want to see more of is explosive plays. Have some explosive runs.
I'm not worried about the fullback dives or the tough No. I don't
need you to growl at the mic unless you're the Bengals mailman guy. I
think we're good to go, and and the Bengals will be just fine in
the AFC North next season. They've won back to back titles. By the
way, you knew that before this year they won back to back Vision titles.
Just confirming and We also knew that no team had ever won three in
a row, and we liked the Bengals chances to do it this year.
And then suddenly Joe Burrow's calf became an issue, and then suddenly Joe Burrow's
risk became an issue. There were multiple times this season when I still thought
it was possible, yep, and it didn't work out that way because attrition
gets Baltimore. I thought they had a shot in Baltimore. Yes, I
was just going to say, look at the Ravens and the injuries they've dealt
with in previous years. That helps the Bengals win the division. Not that
the Bengals lose the division of Baltimore's healthy, right, I'm not saying that,
but it certainly affects the way these these seasons go. So I also
think this idea that they can't win the division is a little bit overstated.
They do have issues with the Browns. I think that they've had issues with
the Browns and Jin Schwartz defense in Week one. Part of it is that
they played in Week one and Week eighteen, and so those are very different
times, like weird weeks a lot of the time. So there's that but
when you don't have Joe Burrow healthy for a single complete game in the division,
it is very hard for me to say that teams in the division have
figured out how to stop the offense when the offense goes through Joe Burrow.
So significantly. Yes, you would have liked to see Jake Browning's version of
the offense perform better against the Steelers in two outings, no doubt, But
if Joe Burrow is playing in those games, it goes very differently. That
said, to your point about what they can do differently, I think they
do need to evolve. I think that they can't be this so heavily invested,
spread eleven personnel all the time kind of team, all the empty they
do. They need to mix it up a little bit more. They need
to modernize in an increasing fashion with the amount of motion they're doing at the
snap, and they took steps in that direction this year that the play action
game needs to be better, and Burrow took a major step forward play action
passes in twenty twenty three. That needs to continue, and so it's just
keep up at this point. That is the one thing you concern about.
You have concerns about when you have continuity on the coaching staff is making sure
that you're continuing to adapt. But I think the staff has done a good
job of it, and so that continues to be the expectation. Coming up
next, T Higgins market value, tight end, running back, talking skill
positions on the offense. To finish up this show, we'll do that in
just a minute. Today's show is brought to you by FanDuel. Fandel is
America's number one sports book, and the NFL Playoffs well four teams left.
We've reached the final four, which means it's the perfect time for you to
get the FanDuel because new customers get one hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets
guaranteed. When you place a five dollars bet, that's one hundred and fifty
bucks and bonus bets win or lose, And that means you could throw five
bucks on whatever NFC team you want to win, because if you're watching or
listening to Lockdown Bengals, you want the NFC to win, and you can
do so today at Fandle doc Slash locked on and get those one hundred and
fifty dollars in bonus bets. Plus it's not just NFL. You got NBA
going on. Spring training is right around the corner. So get to fandle
today and get in on all the action, including same game parlays, prop
bets, and more at fandle dot com. Slash locked on fandle dot com.
Slash locked on Fandle, official partner of the NFL. Is your team
eliminated from the playoffs and in need of reinforcements. Maybe it's time for a
rebuild, or maybe they're just a player or two away from taking home the
Lombardi Trophy. Either way, join Keith Sanchez and Damian Parson for Lockdraft Monday
on the Lockdown NFL Draft Podcast. They'll tell you which college football stars your
team will be taking in the twenty twenty four NFL Draft. Chug out Lockdraft
Monday on the lockedwn NFL Draft podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network.
Your Team every Day, James, let's talk about some skill positions your
favorite part of any football team. Ajah Hempil with the question about t higgins
market value. That's where we're going to go next. I'm curious if you
think t Higgins helped, hurt or just maintained his value after this season answer
from the player, organizational, and even league perspective, because it might be
a little bit different depending on who you ask. It's interesting because from a
Bengals trade perspective, he heard it because they just played out the year,
right, He had much more value last year on the rookie deal than he
will on the franchise tag and needing a new contract. So that alone,
just thinking about trade wise now, as far as his health is concerned,
I think it hurt it with the organization some because they may have planned.
I still it would still be hard for me to just tag Tea and play
out this year, which I think is the most likely scenario. But they
if they felt like, hey, we're going to commit around this big Joe
Burrow Jamar Chase T Higgins did this year give them some pause of him being
nicked as nicked up as he was was, of him not being as good
on contested catches as he has been. I still think he's an awesome player,
but it's a lot to build your team around three guys as is,
and they need to be special. And you know which agent he has and
how hard it was to negotiate with that agent, David mullagetto when you looked
at Jesse Bates and trying to get an extension. So I think he's hurt
his value a little bit with the Bengals in a sense that I don't know
if they would be willing to go where Tea's camp is going to want them
to go to get a long term extension done. As far as the league
goes, you can see you just have to look up on social media every
fan of every fan base that the Titans right now, they're googly eyes over
t Higgins and obviously that's his home state and they would love him at Nissan
Stadium. But it's not just there. I mean Jacksonville would be in on
him. I think there are a lot of teams that would be in on
him if he hits free agent and see, but if you're looking at a
tag and trade, his value certainly isn't what it was a year ago.
In that stinks, and a lot of that has to do with the contract
more so than the injuries. I agree with all that he had a season
that did not boost his trade value. He had a season that may create
questions in the Bengals front office where they're going to still really like Tea the
player, because you don't overreact to one season when you have the track record
the T Higgins doesn't. You have a twenty five year old who is not
going to get worse anytime soon. But he had a very rocky start to
the season. His catch rate was down, is yards per target were down,
his drop rate was up, and he missed a bunch of time.
And while that's unfortunate and unlucky, and it's hard to blame Tea for that,
when you're making decisions about where do you allocate ten percent ish a little
bit less than ten percent, I guess eight percent of your cap if you're
going to franchise Tag t Higgins or you're going to try to extend T Higgins
and build around like you said, James, that becomes a little bit more
complicated, the calculus around what's the risk what's the reward? With Tie Higgins
on the field, he's easily worth that twenty one to twenty two million dollar
market value whatever he's getting projected at YEP when he's on the field, and
this year that was less than it's ever been in his NFL career. And
it's been some stuff that's nagging in soft tissue and seems to come up on
a bit of a recurring basis, and that is unlucky, but it is
something the Bengals have to deal with. It is, it is, and
we'll see what happens. It's the biggest question of the off season. But
another couple of huge questions that's around this offense this offseason. What do they
do at tight end because right now, well there's zero tight end set to
be on the roster when the new league gear starts and Joe Mixon's future.
So let's combine two questions here. Rob Hill at Shirley this season has Joe
Mixon's performance into a certain extent, the late season partnership with Chase Brown reduced
the need at this position. Talking about running back and then Will at will
nos Ball underscore asks how would you to revent the tight end and running back
rooms? So Jake start with running back and then we can go to tight
end. Yeah, Joe Mixon this season when he was used with Chase Brown,
the running game got a little bit more efficient, no doubt about that.
Down the stretch running game got a little bit more efficient against teams like
San Francisco, against teams like Minnesota teams that are sending guys up feel and
penetrating one gap style defenses. The offense found some success. They did,
but they did not have much success too frequently this year. Joe Mixon before
Week eighteen against the Browns was averaging three point eight yards per carry. He
had a ton of volume this year, finished at four yards per carry one
thousand yards. Had some success in short yarded situations. The Bengals were,
though dreadful in short yarded situations compared to recent years. Some of the juice
came back for Joe Mixon at times, other times it looked like it had
disappeared, So it wasn't necessarily the most consistent thing. Run blocking wasn't the
most consistent thing either, So it's impossible to hold all of that against mix
in. But when you look at the teams that are still in the NFL
playoffs and we draw lessons or or things that you want to copy and emulate
from the teams that are successful in the NFL right now, there's a common
element in the running game, which is explosion, the ability to bust off
chunk runs every day, every game. Have those explosive threats in your run
game, to make teams really pay not just to the tune of six to
ten yards per Carrie, but to be able to rip off a thirty to
fifty yard run with some of the more explosive backs still playing in this year's
playoffs, and I think that's what they're missing. They get some of that
with Chase Brown, but Chase needs to take a step to really threaten to
do that on a consistent basis. So if I'm looking at this and it's
me making the decisions, I'm looking to get one more explosive across the room
at running back. I want multiple explosive threats. Look at the Dolphins,
for example, and how their running game was able to put together multiple speedybacks
and great spots using that to their advantage. This is going to be a
theme for the entire offenses team speed. So that also includes running back to
me, But I don't want to see the Bengals be this multi headed running
back unit where one is your short yards back, one is your trap wham
toss back, one is your pass pro back. They got to get a
little bit more complete there, and we're gonna talk about tight end two.
It would be ideal not to have to use Drew Sample as a third down
back, not to take away from him. He was good in that role.
And we'll see it some if Drew's Sample is back with the team,
regardless of who's it running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. But it would be
ideal to have a guy who can protect and offer something in the receiving game
and not just have to put Drew Sample back there for protection. Yeah,
it would be ideal. And the explosive part is the part that matters so
much. And in this offense, you want to talk about giving it an
element it hasn't had. That's it. Explosive runs make defenses have to worry
about insert whatever the name is of the running back. I really don't care.
Insert that person's name and have to worry about that running back going for
thirty. If the linebacker reads the wrong gap, like that's that's it,
because he has the ability to make a safety miss and be off to the
races or get past the defensive back that happens to be in the hole,
or whatever the case is. Turn an average play into a big play,
and that's what they have to do. So, however, you want to
discuss that amongst the fans, You know, fans want to discuss that,
discuss it. I think when it comes to mixing the eight point nine million
dollar capit will certainly come into play. We'll know by March sixteenth, less
than two months from now, when he has that three million dollars roster bonus,
what they plan to do with him, So we'll know much earlier this
year. And at the same time, they need to plan on that before
free agency begins, because free agency will begin, what right a day or
two before. I would imagine that roster bonuses due so or at least the
legal tampering period will so keep that part in mind as well. And then
as far as tight ends, I think it's similar. You want, hopefully
you can find a tight end that can be on the field and block and
also be explosive and make plays with the ball in their hand and not have
like, all right, this is our our past catching tight end, and
then this is our blocking tight end, and then this is our it'd be
nice to have t Hudson or Mitch will Cox or Drew Sample on the roster,
and I'm sure some of those guys will be on the team next year,
but it would they need to upgrade at that spot. Those are two
spots that really clearly needed upgraded, and Chase Brown flashed, but I think
they need to continue to add bodies there, whether it's in free agency or
the draft. At running back and tight end. I think it'll be potentially
a combination of both a tight end. It'll especially be both. They're going
to have free agent tight ends. They might draft a tight end as well.
Not the tight end class that it was last year, unfortunately, and
we talked about earlier this week that that was a bit of a missed opportunity
that dude, there's one dude. Though there's one dude, there's that one
dude probably be fairly pricey to go get him, and I probably you come
here, Brock, I probably wouldn't be opposed to paying the price. I
think that one thing we're going to talk about when we're looking at this draft
class this year, and this is probably a bit knee jerky and actionary,
is I'm a pendulum swinging the other way on positional value. This look at
you. It just it's just and we'll talk more about it. I have
reasons, but I agree generally, looking to get more explosive at both positions
if possible, Looking to get more reliable at tight end, looking to have
a guy that you can have out there for you know, seventy percent of
your snaps. Bengals don't really have that guy. They have a rotational amalgamation
of tight ends right now. While those guys are talented in their own way,
and you would like to see some of them back on the team.
I would like to see Tanner, Hudsonery sample back. Mitch Wilcock's sure,
there's nothing wrong with those guys. You would like to have more top end
at tight end and be able to be a little bit more multiple with your
personnel, be able to threaten in some different ways because, like I said,
one of the things that I think they have to do this year is
in terms of modernization, is to be a little bit more personnel versatile and
threatened teams a little bit more with different personnel packages and forcing the defenses to
match those personnel packages, and some of that goes to tight end as well.
That's gonna do it for this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. Perhaps
we'll know who the Bengals next OC will be the next time you hear from
us tomorrow If not, there's plenty else to talk about in this interesting Bengals
offseason. Until then, thanks for listening to this episode of the Lockdown Bengals
podcast. Who day and have a good one. Are you looking for a
new way to play daily fantasy sports, So let me tell you about the
easiest and most exciting way to get it done. It's with our friends over
at Prize Picks. It's you versus the projections. You picked more or less
on two to six players in their stat projections, and you'll watch the winnings
roll in. Easily the most fun I've had, winning twenty five times my
money back this football season. So if you want to check it out,
go to prize picks dot com, slash locked on NFL and use the promo
code locked in NFL for a first deposit matchup to one hundred dollars picks Daily
Fantasy Sports made easy, Hey Prime members. You can listen to this Lockdown
podcast ad free on Amazon Music. Download the Amazon Music app today.