WEBVTT
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Ladies and gentlemen, happy September 16th, 2026, and welcome to the Hood A All Day Podcast.
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I'm your host, Michael Berg, sitting along the beautiful front range of the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Brian, I think I can see you from a hotel room waving to you.
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It's good to be here.
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How are you doing, Brian?
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Great.
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Welcome to town.
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Uh it's been a minute, fellas.
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Uh, we've got some good things to talk about coming off uh week one wins.
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So excited to be here, fellas.
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Agreed.
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Speaking of week one wins, Brant, Northern Kentucky.
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How are you?
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It's good to see you again.
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Dude, I'm still riding that high from uh being down there at the stadium with you.
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What a great experience, and I'm excited to talk about it with uh with everybody and you guys and and share the share the week one win because those have been a little hard to come by in the past past uh recent years.
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It was a blast.
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I'm sure all of you that had the opportunity uh to go or see the videos were incredible, the views, the pictures.
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What a great way to start the season.
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But you all know the drill, we're gonna go four downs, first down game balls are back one and oh, like Brant said.
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Second down.
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Want to know something that stood out to you in the game that you liked that you're hoping that we carry, obviously, through the rest of the season.
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Third down.
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What didn't you like?
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What are you a little bit maybe concerned about or want to see us improve?
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And then fourth down.
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I know Brand and I covered the orange out.
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Brian's headed down to Texas to make sure that we keep this train rolling in Houston.
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So want to get your thoughts on how we beat the Texans.
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So, Brian, kick us off.
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Game balls one and oh, win over Tampa.
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Who you got?
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Yeah, I'm gonna give my game ball to none other than Money Mac, Evan McPherson.
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Uh four for four on field goals attempts.
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Was he even impressive?
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Was two were over 50 yards, one being a 58-yard banger.
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His his 55-yard attempt looked like it could have been good from 60 plus, maybe.
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Uh, but just what a weapon.
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Uh with with today's NFL, with the kickoff rules, and where the uh you know our offense where they're at.
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Uh it almost feels like we should have an automatic three every time we possess the ball.
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Um with when you've got McPherson, obviously that may uh be something we talk about as too many threes, but uh Gabe Bogos and Evan McPherson.
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He did his job, uh, which was great.
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And like I said, hitting 250 plus, that's that's such a weapon.
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So glad he's on our team.
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Um I think it was Dexter Lawrence or Jonathan Allen.
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They asked Jonathan Allen about Evan McPherson, and Jonathan Allen said he he makes sure he tells Evan every day that he loves him and loves having him.
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And he because he kind of mentioned he's been a part of a few teams where you didn't quite trust the kicker.
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And he's like, it's it's so nice to, you know, when Evan's going out there, we're putting three on the board.
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You know, he's gonna do his job and put three on the board for the Bengals.
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So uh it's awesome that he got job done, get the game ball from me, and and uh obviously his teammates love him, so that's a major hoot day for uh other than Evan McPherson.
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That is definitely a hoodie game ball.
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Brian, you would have loved it every time he comes onto the field, as soon as he starts running towards the field.
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The uh shout out to the whoever is running the PA system, they start playing Slim Shady from uh Eminem when he's out and you know exactly what's happening.
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I've never been to a crowd where they get excited for a field goal kicker to come onto the field because you're right.
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Probably we're gonna get those three points.
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I want touchdown, I want seven, not three, but in some of those cases, instead of us punting, it is such a weapon.
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Brent, who you got?
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Yeah, so great minds think alike.
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Brian was all over my pick.
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Money Mac.
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I mean, uh, I don't know, Brian.
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I maybe you maybe I missed it.
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Uh you guys didn't yeah, maybe you didn't see he was actually named Special Teams Player of the Week.
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Right, that's right.
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So, fifth time he's actually been named that.
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So pretty awesome.
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Uh, yeah, he's climbing the leaderboard for the Bengals.
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So I'm trying to think on my feet quickly here and come up with a new one.
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And I think I'm gonna ride the uh the fan wave.
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And how about we throw uh a little credit to the Bengals for taking care of the fans as well, since Mike and I were able to uh partake in in the week one win.
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So I'm gonna give credit to Mike on this one.
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He got us uh tickets to the care source uh climate-controlled lounge area in the 200 level, the new care source area.
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And man, it was the it was the right day for it because it was hot.
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And so big credit to the to just all the Bengals fans coming out.
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I even mentioned it to Mike during the game.
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Like these are just seeing all the orange in the stands, that's the stuff that I don't remember as a kid growing up, and the unity it you know with the fans, uh, just the amount of support that you know collectively everyone showed the team, how engaged they were uh during the game.
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Uh, it I think we did have an impact on a few plays at least.
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Uh, I know some people that I follow on social media were saying that you know they thought Paycore was rocking.
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So I think you got to give a huge credit to the fans.
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And then I would also, like I said, highlight the Bengals, the newly renovated stadium.
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The AC came in clutch, saving a lot of people.
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So uh great job by Mike getting those getting us those seats.
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We were so close to being in the shade, too, by the way.
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So just something to consider.
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Yeah, just something to consider.
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And maybe if you really struggle with those hot days, maybe try to find something on that west side of the stadium if it's early in the day.
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But uh, if you need, if you can't find anything, the east side, that care source area, that's where it's at.
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Absolutely agree, Brian.
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It would that was the great takeaway.
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I think Brant and I, I mean, minus obviously the win, but the work that the Bengal brass have done to make the game day such a better experience.
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Brant, Brian, you both have been to Denver.
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We sat in that kind of similar type club area.
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You're sitting outside, but you can come inside and a little climate control, a little cleaner bathrooms.
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And to have that and to be a big kit program, I'm not gonna lie, the first time I grabbed bottle waters for Brant and I, I actually checked to make sure that they hadn't taken the caps off and put the caps back on, circa whatever that was, like 2003, the first year that Paul Brown opened.
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What year was that?
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Was that was it 03 or 02?
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01, something like that, around that time.
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It was some rough years.
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They got so hot.
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For those of you that you have to look it up, the Bengals ran out of water, and it was so hot on the opener that they were taking bottled water, uh, empty cans of bottled water, and filling them back up and reselling them, not giving them out, reselling them.
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That's old bank, and that was about 2001.
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Whenever Paul Brown Stadium opened, the days have definitely changed.
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So massive shout out.
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Brad, you want to say something?
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Oh no, I just I didn't even remember that.
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So yeah, not a good look, but they've definitely stepped up their game since then.
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And so on to I'll I'll pile on to that.
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Um I love that Duke got a game ball from uh coach because every single defensive player they brought in affected the game.
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Dexter Lawrence, holy cow, does he open up the defense at a whole nother level?
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But I I'm gonna go the offensive line.
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We heard all offseason, you got to keep Joe Burrow healthy.
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Defense has to be better.
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Defense clearly was better.
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Four turnovers, five sacks, scored a touchdown.
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But per pro football focus, Joe Burrow was the least pressured quarterback in week one.
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Going under center helped the dominance of Americas Mims, and as well, watching Orlando Brown and watching some of those clips back.
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There's even one time his guy was totally off sides, and Orlando still pushed him all the way around the edge, wasn't a part of the play.
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So offensive line, keep that going.
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I know Burrow took that hit on the sideline.
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We had the little scare today.
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His back shoulder area looks like it was flaring up a little bit.
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I'm glad he's resting, but our man's ready to go for Sunday.
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So second down, Brandt, what did you like from this team that you want to see continue on that you know will help us continue to get W.
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So I I swear we're not sharing notes on this, but uh I I had everything written down about the O-line.
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So keep it going.
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So I just want to highlight that is a good Bucks defensive line.
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Yes, they got some players on that side.
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Uh Vitavea, I mean, he's about as good as it gets after uh sexy Dexie.
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Uh, you know, Ruben Bain, the job that Amarius Mims did on Ruben Bain, you know, arguably the top guy coming out in the draft this year from the edge, and just how strong he is.
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I mean, Mims made it look easy, quite honestly, against Bain.
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So I love what the offensive line did.
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I thought Fairchild, he might have maybe maybe been the one that graded out the worst, but run game, he looked really strong.
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He had uh a couple plays where he just kind of manhandled his guy.
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Uh, I thought, like you said, Orlando, uh, you know, the struggles that we maybe saw last year, they didn't, I didn't really see a lot of you know any of that pop up.
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So hopefully that continues.
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Uh the high the stat I'd like to throw out about Mims, uh Joe Goodberry threw this out earlier, so credit to him.
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But a little great nugget uh he put on social media saying the last eight games, so going back to last year, Mims has given up only one quarterback hit in 315 passing uh plays, one quarterback hit.
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So Joe got hit once in 315 plays with Mims uh playing right tackle.
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So uh he's setting the tone for a monster year, fellas.
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He's on the way to a Pro Bowl at least.
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So love what I'm seeing from Mims, and uh it's exactly what you want from that unit.
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Uh, quick shout out.
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Maybe you guys, I don't want to steal Brian's Thunder here, but quick shout out to Dante Myers.
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First game, and that guy locking up, you know, first play of the last drive.
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Uh, I got to make sure we we mentioned that guy because he came up big in the game, even though he only touched the ball twice.
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So great job, Dante Myers.
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My favorite thing about that play was uh they knew it was going to him, and it was a critical moment.
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Was there like two minutes, 14 seconds left, and or three minutes, 14 seconds left in the game?
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Yeah, we needed to keep the clock going.
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They had three timeouts.
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We needed to stay in bounds, run the clock, and they trusted Dante Myers, free agent rookie signing.
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Crazy stuff.
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Love that.
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Brian, uh, Brian.
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Yeah, the thing that stood out to me was the physicality of the team.
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Uh, I think it's it's been years where I've been, I think we've all been dying for the Bengals to hit people to where like you you can feel it in the stands, right?
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And the hit that Murphy put on from behind uh that caused that that first fumble and and Knight picked it up.
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Uh Murphy rocked him.
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Uh you know, and granted Barrett made Mayfield stop in his tracks, but Murphy did came from the opposite side, didn't quit on the play and and put a hit on him.
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Hard hit like that caused his turnovers.
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Uh, and then um I think it was Eric all on on uh Brown's touchdown run.
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Uh they put him in motion, and he, I mean, he didn't knock the guy in the next week, but just squared him up, solid block.
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Brown runs right off of him, walks into the end zone or jumps in the end zone.
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So the physicality, and then the other thing that stood out, and I hope it keeps going, is and you mentioned it before, Mike, on a previous podcast is one thing that Zach harped on after that first preseason game was having the ball with a chance to run out the clock and just end the game.
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And that he said he was like you for he was foreshadowing the season.
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We have when we have those opportunities, we have to capitalize and we have to be able to run out the clock.
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We have to be good enough to do it.
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And they did it on Sunday.
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Uh, a lot of big plays on that final drive.
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You guys mentioned Myers, T.
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Higgins climb climbing the ladder and making an incredible catch.
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Uh, and then and then Joe finishing it off with that that sneak wasn't super pretty off the middle, but Joe found found a little bit of just enough inches on on the side on his left side there to pick up the first down and enable the team to run out the clock and enjoy uh week one victory.
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So see that's a sign of a that's a sign of a mature team is they're they're taking what they're you know, they're the things that they need to learn, improve upon, and getting it done.
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Um, I said as soon as we took put possession there at the end of the game, I looked at my son and said, Hey, we got to run out the clock, just end it.
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Tampa shouldn't touch this ball again.
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And sure enough, they did it.
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So kudos to Zach Taylor sending the message, practicing that situational football, uh, and getting the W.
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Absolutely.
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That again, speaking of sharing notes was gonna completely go on to that.
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How many times last year did we have the ball left with three or four minutes and could have just finished it out or get one more score?
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We give it up, they go down and score, ball game over.
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It was the complete opposite of what happened.
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I think that was very positive for the team to experience and to feel that.
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Love you bringing that up.
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P.
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Ryan throughout the game.
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He made a big play on that drive as well.
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Throughout the game, that guy is just such a rock.
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Special teams picking up the blitzes, absolutely love seeing that.
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But I want to go back to the beginning of the game.
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Three and out, first drive, a little clunky for the Bengals.
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The defense had given up an opening drive of 11 plays.
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That play was so that place was so turned up.
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They wanted the defense to be out there.
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Brian, when they introduced sexy dexie last, I turned to Bran.
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I said they were doing player intros.
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I was like, no way they're gonna do sexy Dexie last.
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When he came out and did the sexy Dexie, that place went berserk.
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It was awesome.
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But I was surprised the defense, hey, at least they bent, they didn't break uh 11 plays on the first drive.
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They gave up a field goal.
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The offense comes right out and just three and out.
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But Rencap or uh our punter one punt, and that was the only punt the entire game.
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That 51-yard punt set up the defense, the strip sack, the fumble recovery.
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The game completely flipped on its head at that point, what led to the 21-3.
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So to answer, I want to continue to see one punt a game.
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I want to see scoring drives, less pick sixes.
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We'll talk about that with Joe.
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That's I I have a feeling that'll get a lot better.
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But so much good to take away from this game.
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So third down, Brian.
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What was something that you saw in the game that you know we can improve?
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You didn't like, don't want to see it continue to trend.
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You know, I think the uh the only thing I would say is well, there's kind of there's two things.
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One, you can't settle for field goals.
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Um, I mean, I get it happens as part of the game, but four field goals, love the you know, two of those to be touchdown drives instead.
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If they are that game, that game is is well well over.
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That pick six really doesn't even matter.
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Instead, it made everybody a little nervous.
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Um, and then the last thing is um, you know, it's hard to complain when you put 30 plus on the board, but we've got to find a way when teams are trying to take away Jamar or are taking away Jamar, we've got to f we still have to find ways to get him the football.
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Have to find a way ways.
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I was watching the Minnesota Green Bay game uh that that later that day, and what Minnesota started doing is they found ways to get JJ the ball.
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Uh Green Bay was taking him away down the field, but they were just putting him in motion, doing all sorts of things to get him the ball and and take advantage of their defense.
00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:27.839
Their defense created some turnovers as well, and then they got the ball to their their number one superstar playmaker and and got in the end zone and turned it.
00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.880
They were behind, and then I think they they won by double digits.
00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:35.680
So gotta find you gotta find ways to get your best player, and Jamar is our best player.
00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.519
We gotta find ways to get him the ball.
00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:48.720
It doesn't matter, you know, in the words of of Ocho Cinco, it doesn't matter if it's two man, man to man, single high, you know, cover three, give me the ball.
00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:51.200
So we gotta find ways to do that with Jamar.
00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:56.880
Love that, and you heard Burrow talking today and saying that won't happen again.
00:17:56.960 --> 00:18:01.519
They asked Jamar's feelings after the game, and I love Joe's answer.
00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.519
Hey, he was high, he was super pumped.
00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.160
We won.
00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:10.559
Now, if we don't win and we only target him twice, two, three times, whatever it was, then then we've we've got a change.
00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.960
I'm not a fantasy football guy.
00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:23.279
I know Stingley is an awesome corner, but those LSU roots are gonna come out on Sunday, and I would definitely be playing Jamar Chase.
00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:25.599
He's gonna have a monster game, Brant.
00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:29.279
Yeah, I'll jump on the bandwagon with Brian.
00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:34.000
Uh, specifically, I'll cite the uh the drive right before half.
00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:36.480
And we do a great job moving the ball downfield.
00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.839
I think we hit Gasicki.
00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:41.599
I think it was on that drive, maybe two, three times in a row, it seemed like.
00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:47.359
And you and I are sitting there high fiving, like, I guess they're just not gonna guard you know, Gasicki today.
00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.200
And Joe had something cooking.
00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:54.720
Uh, I think that's maybe the drive also where Joe checked out of uh a place.
00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.720
We we kind of saw that too.
00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.319
It was wide open in the middle.
00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.960
Joe decided to check to a quarterback draw.
00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:03.839
We got the penalty, I think, on that personal foul.
00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:06.640
And then so we're we're in great position.
00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:08.720
You you the clock is on our side.
00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.480
We can milk the clock.
00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:16.720
And I think you and I are both sitting there saying, like, hey, we're we're having success run the ball, running the ball.
00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:21.680
Let's just just run it up the middle and you know, sample and all.
00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:28.480
We're we're doing a heck of a job, you know, overall, of making uh, you know, taking care of their guy.
00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:32.559
We were getting, you know, what seemed like three, four yards a pop at least.
00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:38.400
We were just like, let's let's make a statement and run the ball and go up by three touchdowns and end this thing.
00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:43.920
And you know, we come out, I think it was second down, you know, we throw the ball.
00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:52.559
Was that the one to the back of the end zone, maybe that we missed, and then uh Geseki, but I think Joe had kind of got you know hurried a little bit.
00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:57.599
And then the third, uh, third down play to uh to Yoshi.
00:19:57.680 --> 00:20:03.039
Uh just Joe you know got rid of it early, thought he got a good read on it, and it wasn't the right read, I don't think.
00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:06.720
So I just would have loved to see us run the ball there, make a statement.
00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:12.559
We were doing we were doing everything we needed to do, um, even if they went heavy, just run the ball.
00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.480
Uh, we got the right guys now.
00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.000
So would have loved to see that.
00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:23.920
The second thing, real quick, uh, I thought Jalen Davis got picked on a little early and then really did a good job recovering.
00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:38.960
And then I think they transitioned to battle, moving like who they were picking on, and yeah, it and and I was waiting for battle to make the adjustment as well, and he just didn't seem like things sped up enough for him.
00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:44.799
He was a ticks tick late on on some of his, you know, um, on his coverage.
00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:48.559
He just needs to be uh, you know, sped up a little bit more.
00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:52.160
Overall, we just need to see more consistency out of battle this year.
00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:54.720
Uh, you got a great safety next to you, Cook.
00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:56.000
Just trust your eyes.
00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:58.240
I kept on saying it to Mike during the game.
00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.920
Battle just has to trust his eyes.
00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:03.519
He's seeing it, he just he doesn't want to believe it.
00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.680
So he's thinking too much a little bit.
00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:07.440
We need battle to really step up.
00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.759
So those will be the two things I want to see improve.
00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:19.039
Brian, we joked during the game that uh first down, we stayed consistent and ahead of the chains and on schedule.
00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:22.400
But second and six seem to be our bugaboo.
00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:30.160
And I I like what Brandt is saying is look, if we can dominate second and six, I'll take four yards on first down every all all day, especially with this offense.
00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:32.640
But on second and six, run it again.
00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:36.799
Let's get another two, three yards and let's set up third and three, third and four.
00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.559
Heck, we might even bust one.
00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:41.680
It's gonna set up so many things with us running under center.
00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:44.319
Brandt brings up the point with battle.
00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:48.720
I love what you're saying about just reacting and going.
00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:54.240
He brandt talked about it weeks ago, is covering guys out of the backfield.
00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:56.480
I feel like teams are gonna try to exploit that.
00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:59.759
David Montgomery on Sunday, not to get ahead and talk about the Texans.
00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:04.720
But I think they're going to exploit any pass catchers out of the backfield.
00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:09.519
We are definitely tackling a ton better, but the reaction time should be faster.
00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:18.400
The pocket is so much cleaner and easy, Brian, to see with Dexter's push in the middle and those edges collapsing.
00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:21.440
You can see where they're trying to go with the ball.
00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:23.519
And those guys just need to go.
00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:32.000
And I will take battle almost over pursuing to rock to absolutely light somebody up or maybe cause a turnover.
00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:35.359
Then for the one time, maybe they burn them over the top.
00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:44.559
And so I think back to your you talking about the Minnesota Vikings is look, they blitzed a ton in the first half and got burnt, but they stuck with it.
00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:48.720
And then they started hitting, and it just completely snowballed.
00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:52.640
So I'll I'll pile on to some of those things that that that Brant said.
00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:56.720
One last thing, it's a big deal at the end of the game, and I'm sure it'll get fixed.
00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:00.880
But kick return coverage, they started at the 50-yard line.
00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:04.319
Can't have that at the end of the game with whatever it was, six minutes left.
00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.839
We're up two scores.
00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:08.960
Can't have that, can't give up the ball the way to midfield.
00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:11.200
All right, fourth down.
00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:17.119
Brandt, kick us off for your Houston preview.
00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:27.200
All right, just gonna jump around a little bit here, but uh so I don't know if you guys saw I I'm gonna butcher his name, but Henry Tuatuo.
00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:31.680
He went on IR yesterday.
00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:34.799
So does he wear the green dot for them?
00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:37.039
I believe yeah, he was one of them.
00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.240
I think he does.
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:41.599
So, and I thought his backup is hurt as well.
00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:56.160
So would love to see us just throw a lot of motion shifts, just try to confuse whoever they got in there stepping in for Henry and try to make it more difficult on this defense.
00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:58.160
They got a great defense, everybody.
00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.759
Like these guys can play.
00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:02.559
This is Demeko Ryan's domain, right?
00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.240
Like he lives for defense.
00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:10.160
And the big thing, I think what you're bringing up, Mike, is Minnesota and Brian Flores out there.
00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:12.400
I mean, they're gonna just blitz you all day long.
00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:15.920
Where Demeko's a little bit more patient, reserved.
00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:21.519
He's got he wants his guys like just sticking to the script and then reacting.
00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:25.440
And like I said, trust your eyes, go flow to the ball and make a play.
00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:30.880
Uh, so I want to give them a little eye candy and think they're trusting their eyes.
00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.759
And then they're out of position.
00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.440
We can take advantage of that.
00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:38.240
So I think having a linebacker down is gonna help.
00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:47.599
Uh, I'm really excited to see the Mount Healthy owl competition between Brian Cook and David Montgomery.
00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:53.200
So, shout out to Mount Healthy producing two NFL players.
00:24:53.359 --> 00:25:00.640
Uh, you know, it's gonna be exciting to see those guys, really, really quality guys, too, out of that area.
00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.640
So uh gotta love that.
00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:11.440
But the other thing I'm gonna mention, uh, Reed Blankenship and Kamari Lasser really struggled the first game against Buffalo.
00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.759
Uh, so we have to take advantage.
00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:25.759
So I think that's gonna include our wide outs, Hudson and Gasicki specifically, and really making, you know, putting Reed Blankenship to the test in his new defense.
00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:38.000
And is he worth the money they paid him, or is he, you know, maybe a miss in free agency, and we can take advantage of of him struggling in that new uh in that new scheme.
00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:40.559
So we're gonna we're gonna see, fellas.
00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:43.039
Love it, Brian.
00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:50.480
I think on on offense, like Brandt said, we got to take advantage of their other other linebackers.
00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:58.559
I'd like to see whether it's Yossi or even Kobe Young on the outside with T and get Jamar in the slot a little bit more and try to get a linebacker on him.
00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:04.880
And then we we've seen, I mean, it was one catch, but we saw what what Dante can do with the ball in his hands.
00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:14.240
And we need I I mean I love the 12 personnel, but I wouldn't mind going four four receiver sets with Jamar and and Myers in the slot and let Joe get the ball out quick.
00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:17.680
And that's uh because Houston's really tough against the run.
00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:24.799
That may be our run game, is just quick two, three-yard passes and let let Jamar and Dante you know get that yak.
00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:29.279
And then on on defense, uh CJ Stroud was sacked three times on Sunday.
00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:33.920
PFF has him had him getting pressured up to 33% of the time.
00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:35.599
Uh, so we need to dial it up.
00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:40.000
We gotta we gotta limit Montgomery on first and second down and then get after CJ.
00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:43.920
He will turn the ball over, uh, just like Baker did.
00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.039
He'll fumble the ball.
00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:50.319
He'll we saw in New England he likes to throw the ball to the other team, and we got to take advantage of it.
00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:56.079
The more opportunities we can give Joe on the offense, the better, and that we can hopefully quiet that place down.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.880
So the only person that you hear on Sunday is is me.
00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:02.000
And uh walk away with W number two.
00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:06.319
Well, that it is it's a very loud stadium, big freaking stadium.
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:09.839
I'm gonna go back to 2002, obscure Bengals.
00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:18.400
Great follow on Instagram, always has awesome clips showing the old prime time with uh Chris Berman and and uh what's his bucket?
00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:20.480
Tom Jackson, absolutely the best.
00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:22.079
But the Bengals were 0-7.
00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:24.480
Those were just rough, rough years.
00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:29.039
But Kittner was quarterback that day, 2002 in Houston.
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.960
Kitna threw for four touchdowns.
00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:34.079
Burrow has a big day, four touchdowns on Sunday.
00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:40.240
I love what Brant was saying about the, I think the middle of their defense is going to be exposed by Jamar and Dante.
00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:41.440
I think those are great calls.
00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.839
I wish Noah Thomas would be active.
00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:47.759
He is a Houston boy, and I know that would be a big deal for him to come home.
00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:56.000
But instead, playing off of Brian with the two, uh, I mean, Brant playing off the two high school guys, uh, David Montgomery and Brian Cook.
00:27:56.240 --> 00:28:03.200
Brian Cook in honor of Archer O Hawkins having 102 yard, the longest interception return in Bengals history.
00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:08.079
Brian Cook is gonna match or exceed that with 103 yard return.
00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.920
Brian's gonna come home victorious.
00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.200
The team's gonna call us.
00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:14.319
They're gonna put us on the private jet to Pittsburgh next week.
00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.680
So we better get ready.
00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:17.119
You both are the best.
00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.640
Great to see you both.
00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:21.920
Safe travel and hoodie all day.
00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:50.240
Ladies and gentlemen, happy September 16th, 2026, and welcome to the Hood A All Day Podcast.
00:00:50.399 --> 00:00:57.679
I'm your host, Michael Berg, sitting along the beautiful front range of the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City, Utah.
00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:01.119
Brian, I think I can see you from a hotel room waving to you.
00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:02.479
It's good to be here.
00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:04.959
How are you doing, Brian?
00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:06.879
Great.
00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:08.159
Welcome to town.
00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:10.000
Uh it's been a minute, fellas.
00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:14.480
Uh, we've got some good things to talk about coming off uh week one wins.
00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:16.079
So excited to be here, fellas.
00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:17.599
Agreed.
00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:22.000
Speaking of week one wins, Brant, Northern Kentucky.
00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:23.359
How are you?
00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:25.200
It's good to see you again.
00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:30.560
Dude, I'm still riding that high from uh being down there at the stadium with you.
00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:43.040
What a great experience, and I'm excited to talk about it with uh with everybody and you guys and and share the share the week one win because those have been a little hard to come by in the past past uh recent years.
00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:44.239
It was a blast.
00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:51.680
I'm sure all of you that had the opportunity uh to go or see the videos were incredible, the views, the pictures.
00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:54.319
What a great way to start the season.
00:01:54.560 --> 00:02:02.400
But you all know the drill, we're gonna go four downs, first down game balls are back one and oh, like Brant said.
00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:03.840
Second down.
00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:10.560
Want to know something that stood out to you in the game that you liked that you're hoping that we carry, obviously, through the rest of the season.
00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:11.759
Third down.
00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:13.520
What didn't you like?
00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:17.280
What are you a little bit maybe concerned about or want to see us improve?
00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:18.879
And then fourth down.
00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:21.439
I know Brand and I covered the orange out.
00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:26.560
Brian's headed down to Texas to make sure that we keep this train rolling in Houston.
00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:30.400
So want to get your thoughts on how we beat the Texans.
00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:32.080
So, Brian, kick us off.
00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.360
Game balls one and oh, win over Tampa.
00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:36.400
Who you got?
00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:41.919
Yeah, I'm gonna give my game ball to none other than Money Mac, Evan McPherson.
00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:45.360
Uh four for four on field goals attempts.
00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:46.719
Was he even impressive?
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:50.960
Was two were over 50 yards, one being a 58-yard banger.
00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:56.560
His his 55-yard attempt looked like it could have been good from 60 plus, maybe.
00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:59.039
Uh, but just what a weapon.
00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:07.199
Uh with with today's NFL, with the kickoff rules, and where the uh you know our offense where they're at.
00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:11.919
Uh it almost feels like we should have an automatic three every time we possess the ball.
00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:21.520
Um with when you've got McPherson, obviously that may uh be something we talk about as too many threes, but uh Gabe Bogos and Evan McPherson.
00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:24.159
He did his job, uh, which was great.
00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:28.159
And like I said, hitting 250 plus, that's that's such a weapon.
00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:29.759
So glad he's on our team.
00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:33.680
Um I think it was Dexter Lawrence or Jonathan Allen.
00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:41.360
They asked Jonathan Allen about Evan McPherson, and Jonathan Allen said he he makes sure he tells Evan every day that he loves him and loves having him.
00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:46.000
And he because he kind of mentioned he's been a part of a few teams where you didn't quite trust the kicker.
00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:50.960
And he's like, it's it's so nice to, you know, when Evan's going out there, we're putting three on the board.
00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:53.759
You know, he's gonna do his job and put three on the board for the Bengals.
00:03:53.919 --> 00:04:05.280
So uh it's awesome that he got job done, get the game ball from me, and and uh obviously his teammates love him, so that's a major hoot day for uh other than Evan McPherson.
00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:07.520
That is definitely a hoodie game ball.
00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:13.759
Brian, you would have loved it every time he comes onto the field, as soon as he starts running towards the field.
00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:23.600
The uh shout out to the whoever is running the PA system, they start playing Slim Shady from uh Eminem when he's out and you know exactly what's happening.
00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:30.959
I've never been to a crowd where they get excited for a field goal kicker to come onto the field because you're right.
00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:32.720
Probably we're gonna get those three points.
00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:39.199
I want touchdown, I want seven, not three, but in some of those cases, instead of us punting, it is such a weapon.
00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:40.879
Brent, who you got?
00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:43.360
Yeah, so great minds think alike.
00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:45.360
Brian was all over my pick.
00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:46.319
Money Mac.
00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:48.319
I mean, uh, I don't know, Brian.
00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:49.920
I maybe you maybe I missed it.
00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:56.639
Uh you guys didn't yeah, maybe you didn't see he was actually named Special Teams Player of the Week.
00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:57.759
Right, that's right.
00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.879
So, fifth time he's actually been named that.
00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:02.399
So pretty awesome.
00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:05.360
Uh, yeah, he's climbing the leaderboard for the Bengals.
00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:10.399
So I'm trying to think on my feet quickly here and come up with a new one.
00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:15.279
And I think I'm gonna ride the uh the fan wave.
00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:26.000
And how about we throw uh a little credit to the Bengals for taking care of the fans as well, since Mike and I were able to uh partake in in the week one win.
00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:28.000
So I'm gonna give credit to Mike on this one.
00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:39.680
He got us uh tickets to the care source uh climate-controlled lounge area in the 200 level, the new care source area.
00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:43.920
And man, it was the it was the right day for it because it was hot.
00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:49.439
And so big credit to the to just all the Bengals fans coming out.
00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:51.439
I even mentioned it to Mike during the game.
00:05:51.600 --> 00:06:11.839
Like these are just seeing all the orange in the stands, that's the stuff that I don't remember as a kid growing up, and the unity it you know with the fans, uh, just the amount of support that you know collectively everyone showed the team, how engaged they were uh during the game.
00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:16.800
Uh, it I think we did have an impact on a few plays at least.
00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:22.079
Uh, I know some people that I follow on social media were saying that you know they thought Paycore was rocking.
00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:24.879
So I think you got to give a huge credit to the fans.
00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:30.160
And then I would also, like I said, highlight the Bengals, the newly renovated stadium.
00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:34.000
The AC came in clutch, saving a lot of people.
00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:37.759
So uh great job by Mike getting those getting us those seats.
00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:40.319
We were so close to being in the shade, too, by the way.
00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:42.000
So just something to consider.
00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:44.720
Yeah, just something to consider.
00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:50.720
And maybe if you really struggle with those hot days, maybe try to find something on that west side of the stadium if it's early in the day.
00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:57.519
But uh, if you need, if you can't find anything, the east side, that care source area, that's where it's at.
00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.279
Absolutely agree, Brian.
00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:00.720
It would that was the great takeaway.
00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:12.079
I think Brant and I, I mean, minus obviously the win, but the work that the Bengal brass have done to make the game day such a better experience.
00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:14.800
Brant, Brian, you both have been to Denver.
00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:17.040
We sat in that kind of similar type club area.
00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:22.000
You're sitting outside, but you can come inside and a little climate control, a little cleaner bathrooms.
00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:37.519
And to have that and to be a big kit program, I'm not gonna lie, the first time I grabbed bottle waters for Brant and I, I actually checked to make sure that they hadn't taken the caps off and put the caps back on, circa whatever that was, like 2003, the first year that Paul Brown opened.
00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:38.560
What year was that?
00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:41.920
Was that was it 03 or 02?
00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:44.319
01, something like that, around that time.
00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:45.519
It was some rough years.
00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:46.480
They got so hot.
00:07:46.720 --> 00:08:01.199
For those of you that you have to look it up, the Bengals ran out of water, and it was so hot on the opener that they were taking bottled water, uh, empty cans of bottled water, and filling them back up and reselling them, not giving them out, reselling them.
00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:03.759
That's old bank, and that was about 2001.
00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:07.680
Whenever Paul Brown Stadium opened, the days have definitely changed.
00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:08.720
So massive shout out.
00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:10.480
Brad, you want to say something?
00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:13.120
Oh no, I just I didn't even remember that.
00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:17.040
So yeah, not a good look, but they've definitely stepped up their game since then.
00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.600
And so on to I'll I'll pile on to that.
00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:27.360
Um I love that Duke got a game ball from uh coach because every single defensive player they brought in affected the game.
00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:33.039
Dexter Lawrence, holy cow, does he open up the defense at a whole nother level?
00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:35.840
But I I'm gonna go the offensive line.
00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:40.080
We heard all offseason, you got to keep Joe Burrow healthy.
00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.679
Defense has to be better.
00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:43.120
Defense clearly was better.
00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:46.639
Four turnovers, five sacks, scored a touchdown.
00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:53.279
But per pro football focus, Joe Burrow was the least pressured quarterback in week one.
00:08:54.080 --> 00:09:03.440
Going under center helped the dominance of Americas Mims, and as well, watching Orlando Brown and watching some of those clips back.
00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:10.399
There's even one time his guy was totally off sides, and Orlando still pushed him all the way around the edge, wasn't a part of the play.
00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:12.559
So offensive line, keep that going.
00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.799
I know Burrow took that hit on the sideline.
00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:16.639
We had the little scare today.
00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:20.639
His back shoulder area looks like it was flaring up a little bit.
00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:24.399
I'm glad he's resting, but our man's ready to go for Sunday.
00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:32.639
So second down, Brandt, what did you like from this team that you want to see continue on that you know will help us continue to get W.
00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:41.440
So I I swear we're not sharing notes on this, but uh I I had everything written down about the O-line.
00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:42.960
So keep it going.
00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:48.399
So I just want to highlight that is a good Bucks defensive line.
00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:50.879
Yes, they got some players on that side.
00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:57.120
Uh Vitavea, I mean, he's about as good as it gets after uh sexy Dexie.
00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:09.759
Uh, you know, Ruben Bain, the job that Amarius Mims did on Ruben Bain, you know, arguably the top guy coming out in the draft this year from the edge, and just how strong he is.
00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:14.879
I mean, Mims made it look easy, quite honestly, against Bain.
00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:17.600
So I love what the offensive line did.
00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:24.639
I thought Fairchild, he might have maybe maybe been the one that graded out the worst, but run game, he looked really strong.
00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:29.600
He had uh a couple plays where he just kind of manhandled his guy.
00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:39.600
Uh, I thought, like you said, Orlando, uh, you know, the struggles that we maybe saw last year, they didn't, I didn't really see a lot of you know any of that pop up.
00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:41.679
So hopefully that continues.
00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:50.000
Uh the high the stat I'd like to throw out about Mims, uh Joe Goodberry threw this out earlier, so credit to him.
00:10:50.080 --> 00:11:05.679
But a little great nugget uh he put on social media saying the last eight games, so going back to last year, Mims has given up only one quarterback hit in 315 passing uh plays, one quarterback hit.
00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:13.039
So Joe got hit once in 315 plays with Mims uh playing right tackle.
00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.240
So uh he's setting the tone for a monster year, fellas.
00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:19.200
He's on the way to a Pro Bowl at least.
00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:25.360
So love what I'm seeing from Mims, and uh it's exactly what you want from that unit.
00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:26.480
Uh, quick shout out.
00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:30.399
Maybe you guys, I don't want to steal Brian's Thunder here, but quick shout out to Dante Myers.
00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:36.720
First game, and that guy locking up, you know, first play of the last drive.
00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:43.039
Uh, I got to make sure we we mentioned that guy because he came up big in the game, even though he only touched the ball twice.
00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:45.279
So great job, Dante Myers.
00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:52.000
My favorite thing about that play was uh they knew it was going to him, and it was a critical moment.
00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:55.919
Was there like two minutes, 14 seconds left, and or three minutes, 14 seconds left in the game?
00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:57.519
Yeah, we needed to keep the clock going.
00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.480
They had three timeouts.
00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:06.720
We needed to stay in bounds, run the clock, and they trusted Dante Myers, free agent rookie signing.
00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.679
Crazy stuff.
00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:08.399
Love that.
00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.840
Brian, uh, Brian.
00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:14.720
Yeah, the thing that stood out to me was the physicality of the team.
00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:24.320
Uh, I think it's it's been years where I've been, I think we've all been dying for the Bengals to hit people to where like you you can feel it in the stands, right?
00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:32.080
And the hit that Murphy put on from behind uh that caused that that first fumble and and Knight picked it up.
00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:34.159
Uh Murphy rocked him.
00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:42.960
Uh you know, and granted Barrett made Mayfield stop in his tracks, but Murphy did came from the opposite side, didn't quit on the play and and put a hit on him.
00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:45.200
Hard hit like that caused his turnovers.
00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:52.480
Uh, and then um I think it was Eric all on on uh Brown's touchdown run.
00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:58.399
Uh they put him in motion, and he, I mean, he didn't knock the guy in the next week, but just squared him up, solid block.
00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:02.240
Brown runs right off of him, walks into the end zone or jumps in the end zone.
00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:18.399
So the physicality, and then the other thing that stood out, and I hope it keeps going, is and you mentioned it before, Mike, on a previous podcast is one thing that Zach harped on after that first preseason game was having the ball with a chance to run out the clock and just end the game.
00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:23.360
And that he said he was like you for he was foreshadowing the season.
00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:27.759
We have when we have those opportunities, we have to capitalize and we have to be able to run out the clock.
00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:28.879
We have to be good enough to do it.
00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.399
And they did it on Sunday.
00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:32.559
Uh, a lot of big plays on that final drive.
00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:34.080
You guys mentioned Myers, T.
00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:38.240
Higgins climb climbing the ladder and making an incredible catch.
00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:56.240
Uh, and then and then Joe finishing it off with that that sneak wasn't super pretty off the middle, but Joe found found a little bit of just enough inches on on the side on his left side there to pick up the first down and enable the team to run out the clock and enjoy uh week one victory.
00:13:56.480 --> 00:14:04.720
So see that's a sign of a that's a sign of a mature team is they're they're taking what they're you know, they're the things that they need to learn, improve upon, and getting it done.
00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:11.600
Um, I said as soon as we took put possession there at the end of the game, I looked at my son and said, Hey, we got to run out the clock, just end it.
00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.519
Tampa shouldn't touch this ball again.
00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.960
And sure enough, they did it.
00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:21.679
So kudos to Zach Taylor sending the message, practicing that situational football, uh, and getting the W.
00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.039
Absolutely.
00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:28.000
That again, speaking of sharing notes was gonna completely go on to that.
00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:35.039
How many times last year did we have the ball left with three or four minutes and could have just finished it out or get one more score?
00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:37.679
We give it up, they go down and score, ball game over.
00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.759
It was the complete opposite of what happened.
00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:43.519
I think that was very positive for the team to experience and to feel that.
00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.720
Love you bringing that up.
00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.039
P.
00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.639
Ryan throughout the game.
00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:49.200
He made a big play on that drive as well.
00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:51.840
Throughout the game, that guy is just such a rock.
00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:55.759
Special teams picking up the blitzes, absolutely love seeing that.
00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:58.000
But I want to go back to the beginning of the game.
00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:01.519
Three and out, first drive, a little clunky for the Bengals.
00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:05.120
The defense had given up an opening drive of 11 plays.
00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:07.120
That play was so that place was so turned up.
00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.480
They wanted the defense to be out there.
00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:12.000
Brian, when they introduced sexy dexie last, I turned to Bran.
00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.440
I said they were doing player intros.
00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:16.399
I was like, no way they're gonna do sexy Dexie last.
00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:22.720
When he came out and did the sexy Dexie, that place went berserk.
00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.600
It was awesome.
00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:29.519
But I was surprised the defense, hey, at least they bent, they didn't break uh 11 plays on the first drive.
00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:31.120
They gave up a field goal.
00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:34.720
The offense comes right out and just three and out.
00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:41.440
But Rencap or uh our punter one punt, and that was the only punt the entire game.
00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:48.559
That 51-yard punt set up the defense, the strip sack, the fumble recovery.
00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:53.600
The game completely flipped on its head at that point, what led to the 21-3.
00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:57.519
So to answer, I want to continue to see one punt a game.
00:15:57.679 --> 00:16:00.639
I want to see scoring drives, less pick sixes.
00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.919
We'll talk about that with Joe.
00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.399
That's I I have a feeling that'll get a lot better.
00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:07.039
But so much good to take away from this game.
00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.720
So third down, Brian.
00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:11.679
What was something that you saw in the game that you know we can improve?
00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:15.039
You didn't like, don't want to see it continue to trend.
00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:21.360
You know, I think the uh the only thing I would say is well, there's kind of there's two things.
00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:23.360
One, you can't settle for field goals.
00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:31.519
Um, I mean, I get it happens as part of the game, but four field goals, love the you know, two of those to be touchdown drives instead.
00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:35.360
If they are that game, that game is is well well over.
00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.120
That pick six really doesn't even matter.
00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.960
Instead, it made everybody a little nervous.
00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:55.679
Um, and then the last thing is um, you know, it's hard to complain when you put 30 plus on the board, but we've got to find a way when teams are trying to take away Jamar or are taking away Jamar, we've got to f we still have to find ways to get him the football.
00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.360
Have to find a way ways.
00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:09.599
I was watching the Minnesota Green Bay game uh that that later that day, and what Minnesota started doing is they found ways to get JJ the ball.
00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:18.799
Uh Green Bay was taking him away down the field, but they were just putting him in motion, doing all sorts of things to get him the ball and and take advantage of their defense.
00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:27.839
Their defense created some turnovers as well, and then they got the ball to their their number one superstar playmaker and and got in the end zone and turned it.
00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.880
They were behind, and then I think they they won by double digits.
00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:35.680
So gotta find you gotta find ways to get your best player, and Jamar is our best player.
00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.519
We gotta find ways to get him the ball.
00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:48.720
It doesn't matter, you know, in the words of of Ocho Cinco, it doesn't matter if it's two man, man to man, single high, you know, cover three, give me the ball.
00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:51.200
So we gotta find ways to do that with Jamar.
00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:56.880
Love that, and you heard Burrow talking today and saying that won't happen again.
00:17:56.960 --> 00:18:01.519
They asked Jamar's feelings after the game, and I love Joe's answer.
00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.519
Hey, he was high, he was super pumped.
00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.160
We won.
00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:10.559
Now, if we don't win and we only target him twice, two, three times, whatever it was, then then we've we've got a change.
00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.960
I'm not a fantasy football guy.
00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:23.279
I know Stingley is an awesome corner, but those LSU roots are gonna come out on Sunday, and I would definitely be playing Jamar Chase.
00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:25.599
He's gonna have a monster game, Brant.
00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:29.279
Yeah, I'll jump on the bandwagon with Brian.
00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:34.000
Uh, specifically, I'll cite the uh the drive right before half.
00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:36.480
And we do a great job moving the ball downfield.
00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.839
I think we hit Gasicki.
00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:41.599
I think it was on that drive, maybe two, three times in a row, it seemed like.
00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:47.359
And you and I are sitting there high fiving, like, I guess they're just not gonna guard you know, Gasicki today.
00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.200
And Joe had something cooking.
00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:54.720
Uh, I think that's maybe the drive also where Joe checked out of uh a place.
00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.720
We we kind of saw that too.
00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.319
It was wide open in the middle.
00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.960
Joe decided to check to a quarterback draw.
00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:03.839
We got the penalty, I think, on that personal foul.
00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:06.640
And then so we're we're in great position.
00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:08.720
You you the clock is on our side.
00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.480
We can milk the clock.
00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:16.720
And I think you and I are both sitting there saying, like, hey, we're we're having success run the ball, running the ball.
00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:21.680
Let's just just run it up the middle and you know, sample and all.
00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:28.480
We're we're doing a heck of a job, you know, overall, of making uh, you know, taking care of their guy.
00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:32.559
We were getting, you know, what seemed like three, four yards a pop at least.
00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:38.400
We were just like, let's let's make a statement and run the ball and go up by three touchdowns and end this thing.
00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:43.920
And you know, we come out, I think it was second down, you know, we throw the ball.
00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:52.559
Was that the one to the back of the end zone, maybe that we missed, and then uh Geseki, but I think Joe had kind of got you know hurried a little bit.
00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:57.599
And then the third, uh, third down play to uh to Yoshi.
00:19:57.680 --> 00:20:03.039
Uh just Joe you know got rid of it early, thought he got a good read on it, and it wasn't the right read, I don't think.
00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:06.720
So I just would have loved to see us run the ball there, make a statement.
00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:12.559
We were doing we were doing everything we needed to do, um, even if they went heavy, just run the ball.
00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.480
Uh, we got the right guys now.
00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.000
So would have loved to see that.
00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:23.920
The second thing, real quick, uh, I thought Jalen Davis got picked on a little early and then really did a good job recovering.
00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:38.960
And then I think they transitioned to battle, moving like who they were picking on, and yeah, it and and I was waiting for battle to make the adjustment as well, and he just didn't seem like things sped up enough for him.
00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:44.799
He was a ticks tick late on on some of his, you know, um, on his coverage.
00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:48.559
He just needs to be uh, you know, sped up a little bit more.
00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:52.160
Overall, we just need to see more consistency out of battle this year.
00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:54.720
Uh, you got a great safety next to you, Cook.
00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:56.000
Just trust your eyes.
00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:58.240
I kept on saying it to Mike during the game.
00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.920
Battle just has to trust his eyes.
00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:03.519
He's seeing it, he just he doesn't want to believe it.
00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.680
So he's thinking too much a little bit.
00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:07.440
We need battle to really step up.
00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.759
So those will be the two things I want to see improve.
00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:19.039
Brian, we joked during the game that uh first down, we stayed consistent and ahead of the chains and on schedule.
00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:22.400
But second and six seem to be our bugaboo.
00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:30.160
And I I like what Brandt is saying is look, if we can dominate second and six, I'll take four yards on first down every all all day, especially with this offense.
00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:32.640
But on second and six, run it again.
00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:36.799
Let's get another two, three yards and let's set up third and three, third and four.
00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.559
Heck, we might even bust one.
00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:41.680
It's gonna set up so many things with us running under center.
00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:44.319
Brandt brings up the point with battle.
00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:48.720
I love what you're saying about just reacting and going.
00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:54.240
He brandt talked about it weeks ago, is covering guys out of the backfield.
00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:56.480
I feel like teams are gonna try to exploit that.
00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:59.759
David Montgomery on Sunday, not to get ahead and talk about the Texans.
00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:04.720
But I think they're going to exploit any pass catchers out of the backfield.
00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:09.519
We are definitely tackling a ton better, but the reaction time should be faster.
00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:18.400
The pocket is so much cleaner and easy, Brian, to see with Dexter's push in the middle and those edges collapsing.
00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:21.440
You can see where they're trying to go with the ball.
00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:23.519
And those guys just need to go.
00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:32.000
And I will take battle almost over pursuing to rock to absolutely light somebody up or maybe cause a turnover.
00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:35.359
Then for the one time, maybe they burn them over the top.
00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:44.559
And so I think back to your you talking about the Minnesota Vikings is look, they blitzed a ton in the first half and got burnt, but they stuck with it.
00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:48.720
And then they started hitting, and it just completely snowballed.
00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:52.640
So I'll I'll pile on to some of those things that that that Brant said.
00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:56.720
One last thing, it's a big deal at the end of the game, and I'm sure it'll get fixed.
00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:00.880
But kick return coverage, they started at the 50-yard line.
00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:04.319
Can't have that at the end of the game with whatever it was, six minutes left.
00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.839
We're up two scores.
00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:08.960
Can't have that, can't give up the ball the way to midfield.
00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:11.200
All right, fourth down.
00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:17.119
Brandt, kick us off for your Houston preview.
00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:27.200
All right, just gonna jump around a little bit here, but uh so I don't know if you guys saw I I'm gonna butcher his name, but Henry Tuatuo.
00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:31.680
He went on IR yesterday.
00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:34.799
So does he wear the green dot for them?
00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:37.039
I believe yeah, he was one of them.
00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.240
I think he does.
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:41.599
So, and I thought his backup is hurt as well.
00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:56.160
So would love to see us just throw a lot of motion shifts, just try to confuse whoever they got in there stepping in for Henry and try to make it more difficult on this defense.
00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:58.160
They got a great defense, everybody.
00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.759
Like these guys can play.
00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:02.559
This is Demeko Ryan's domain, right?
00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.240
Like he lives for defense.
00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:10.160
And the big thing, I think what you're bringing up, Mike, is Minnesota and Brian Flores out there.
00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:12.400
I mean, they're gonna just blitz you all day long.
00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:15.920
Where Demeko's a little bit more patient, reserved.
00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:21.519
He's got he wants his guys like just sticking to the script and then reacting.
00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:25.440
And like I said, trust your eyes, go flow to the ball and make a play.
00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:30.880
Uh, so I want to give them a little eye candy and think they're trusting their eyes.
00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.759
And then they're out of position.
00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.440
We can take advantage of that.
00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:38.240
So I think having a linebacker down is gonna help.
00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:47.599
Uh, I'm really excited to see the Mount Healthy owl competition between Brian Cook and David Montgomery.
00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:53.200
So, shout out to Mount Healthy producing two NFL players.
00:24:53.359 --> 00:25:00.640
Uh, you know, it's gonna be exciting to see those guys, really, really quality guys, too, out of that area.
00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.640
So uh gotta love that.
00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:11.440
But the other thing I'm gonna mention, uh, Reed Blankenship and Kamari Lasser really struggled the first game against Buffalo.
00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.759
Uh, so we have to take advantage.
00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:25.759
So I think that's gonna include our wide outs, Hudson and Gasicki specifically, and really making, you know, putting Reed Blankenship to the test in his new defense.
00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:38.000
And is he worth the money they paid him, or is he, you know, maybe a miss in free agency, and we can take advantage of of him struggling in that new uh in that new scheme.
00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:40.559
So we're gonna we're gonna see, fellas.
00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:43.039
Love it, Brian.
00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:50.480
I think on on offense, like Brandt said, we got to take advantage of their other other linebackers.
00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:58.559
I'd like to see whether it's Yossi or even Kobe Young on the outside with T and get Jamar in the slot a little bit more and try to get a linebacker on him.
00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:04.880
And then we we've seen, I mean, it was one catch, but we saw what what Dante can do with the ball in his hands.
00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:14.240
And we need I I mean I love the 12 personnel, but I wouldn't mind going four four receiver sets with Jamar and and Myers in the slot and let Joe get the ball out quick.
00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:17.680
And that's uh because Houston's really tough against the run.
00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:24.799
That may be our run game, is just quick two, three-yard passes and let let Jamar and Dante you know get that yak.
00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:29.279
And then on on defense, uh CJ Stroud was sacked three times on Sunday.
00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:33.920
PFF has him had him getting pressured up to 33% of the time.
00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:35.599
Uh, so we need to dial it up.
00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:40.000
We gotta we gotta limit Montgomery on first and second down and then get after CJ.
00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:43.920
He will turn the ball over, uh, just like Baker did.
00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.039
He'll fumble the ball.
00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:50.319
He'll we saw in New England he likes to throw the ball to the other team, and we got to take advantage of it.
00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:56.079
The more opportunities we can give Joe on the offense, the better, and that we can hopefully quiet that place down.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.880
So the only person that you hear on Sunday is is me.
00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:02.000
And uh walk away with W number two.
00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:06.319
Well, that it is it's a very loud stadium, big freaking stadium.
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:09.839
I'm gonna go back to 2002, obscure Bengals.
00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:18.400
Great follow on Instagram, always has awesome clips showing the old prime time with uh Chris Berman and and uh what's his bucket?
00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:20.480
Tom Jackson, absolutely the best.
00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:22.079
But the Bengals were 0-7.
00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:24.480
Those were just rough, rough years.
00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:29.039
But Kittner was quarterback that day, 2002 in Houston.
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.960
Kitna threw for four touchdowns.
00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:34.079
Burrow has a big day, four touchdowns on Sunday.
00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:40.240
I love what Brant was saying about the, I think the middle of their defense is going to be exposed by Jamar and Dante.
00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:41.440
I think those are great calls.
00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.839
I wish Noah Thomas would be active.
00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:47.759
He is a Houston boy, and I know that would be a big deal for him to come home.
00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:56.000
But instead, playing off of Brian with the two, uh, I mean, Brant playing off the two high school guys, uh, David Montgomery and Brian Cook.
00:27:56.240 --> 00:28:03.200
Brian Cook in honor of Archer O Hawkins having 102 yard, the longest interception return in Bengals history.
00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:08.079
Brian Cook is gonna match or exceed that with 103 yard return.
00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.920
Brian's gonna come home victorious.
00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.200
The team's gonna call us.
00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:14.319
They're gonna put us on the private jet to Pittsburgh next week.
00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.680
So we better get ready.
00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:17.119
You both are the best.
00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.640
Great to see you both.
00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:21.920
Safe travel and hoodie all day.
