Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals roster spots up for grabs in preseason finale | Training camp wrap-up!

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Cincinnati Bengals have wrapped up training camp 2025 and the to-do list as they figure out their roster are set for the preseason finale. You are locked on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. What up, Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. I'm Jake Liskow, he's James Rapine, and we've been. bringing you that expert analysis you're looking for on your Cincinnati Bengals here on Lockdown Bengals since 2016. We're on YouTube. We're everywhere you get your podcast. And if you're not

Starting point is 00:00:47 already in every day or you can hit that subscribe button on any of those platforms to make sure you don't miss an episode as we're gearing up for the 2025 season. Shout out to you if you're already in every day or shout out to all of you who make Locked on Bengals your first listen. And today, James, we dive into the end of training camp and where things stand as the Bengals head into their preseason finale in terms of some of the roster battles that are outstanding, some of the injuries that we're monitoring heading into the regular season. And while there's no moving on Trey Hendrickson, obviously that kind of looms over everything here. But let's get started with what we saw in terms of the final camp practice. And there was some commotion, at least on social media, James, when it was noted that Oren Berks was working with the first team defense

Starting point is 00:01:41 in place of Demetrius Knight in practice. Let's clear that up, shall we? Yeah, let's do it. Let's clear it up. Guess what? Guys that were practicing on Thursday had played in a game less than 72 hours prior. And so that would be like Demetrius Knight, who is dealing with a lower body.

Starting point is 00:02:01 extremity injury according to owl golden al was very good about not talking about injuries outside of that he says go ask zach which is really big benefit of not being the head coach even though he's leading and running the defense and uh yeah this was this was an injury thing more than it's anything else i don't think it's a serious thing i think it's a relatively minor maintenance thing but there are a lot of guys going through that demetrius is one of them and something al said i'll see if i can pull the exact uh quote yeah i i have it right here on demetrius knight here's al golden i think he's had a great camp i wouldn't trade 44 or 49 barrett carter for anybody in the draft and he's talks about how they're growing and how they have the physical gifts and loves how they're attacking it and so

Starting point is 00:02:51 there has been a lot of talk about demetrius night and getting demoted and all these things and could it happen could it maybe it does jake but that is not the sense here at Paycor Stadium right now. And this is very much a big, there are plenty of believers in this building at Demetrius Knight and him helping them right away. And I still think he's going to be their week one starter. Yeah, I think it just tells you that Orrin Berks maybe is the next guy up for whatever packages are running in that setting. I think you're going to see all four of these linebackers play. We've seen that pretty consistently throughout training camp. We've seen packages that will feature Barrett Carter that will feature or in Berks.

Starting point is 00:03:33 They're going to use these defenders in a very versatile manner. They're going to be much more multiple than we've seen in the preseason. Al Golden, once again, this is a third straight day of somebody or third straight episode. Is it? Maybe it's not the third day. We didn't hear from them three days ago where someone involved with the Bengals defense. This time is the leader of that defense Al Golden says, look, it's my decision. for the defense to look like it's looked really easy to scheme against.

Starting point is 00:04:04 If you're upset with the way the defense is playing the preseason, yeah, there's things to correct. But just come from me because he's really tripling down, quadrupling down, whatever it is that the defense is going to look so different. When the regular season comes around, we'll see if that's the case. But part of that is his confidence in these young linebackers, his confidence in Chris Jenkins, who he thinks had maybe the best camp out of any player on defense, getting that high level of praise from Al Golden after Thursday's practice as well.

Starting point is 00:04:33 So that's what's going on with Demetrius Knight, one of a few players managing something. It doesn't sound necessarily like there's anything severe going on, but a number of players also on the rehab field, including Andre Yosevash, who didn't practice on Thursday, but doesn't sound like there's anything major there either. No, this is, this was like Maintenance Day. And it's the last day of training camp and, yeah, the preseason finale, Saturday and guys like Andre Yosevaugh certainly aren't going to play in the preseason finale. And so why trot them out there now?

Starting point is 00:05:04 Give them multiple days rest and to heal the aches and pains. I know what Andre is dealing with. I'm not sure I am permitted to say necessarily it is minor like he could play. Like if they play Cleveland Sunday, he'd play. Right. If they play Cleveland today, he'd probably be able to play. But it's something you want to take care of now. as much as you can, so he's not dealing with it all year long.

Starting point is 00:05:29 Put it that way. And so Andre's fine. Don't read into it too much, even though it allowed Jake Mitch Tinsley to get some even more run with Joe Burrow, even more run after, and we've seen it throughout camp a little bit, 82 a lineup and do that. Well, he was out there with Jamar and T and Charlie rotated in as well. But with Andre out, it was a good, opportunity for Mitch Tinsley. I think he caught one ball from Joe. There was a deep ball that

Starting point is 00:06:02 Joe tried to hit him on. And I couldn't see exactly because of where they were on the field, what happened. But it was incomplete. But yeah, the trust is certainly there. Mitch Tinsley, his stock has been trending up, up, up. I think he's, spoiler, a roster lock. Mitch Tinsley's making this team. Yeah. And I think we're going to learn a lot about that when we see what the plans are for playing certain guys. I don't know how exactly this is going to play out for Mitch Tinsley, but if he doesn't play, it's a pretty good indicator that he's going to be on the team. And we'll see how this plays at a number of positions when we dive into that conversation a little bit more. But Mitch has some real believers in the building.

Starting point is 00:06:39 And I think he has throughout this process. I remember when I got down there, James, you were talking about Mitch Tensley and the way they were talking about him behind the scenes. There's like, yeah, he's probably a good bet for the practice squad. And at the time, we thought Isaiah Williams was ahead there. And the caveat that we kept giving when we talked about it was these guys also have to make plays during the games. and Boyd and Mitch Tinsley make plays during the game. Did you see the video of Joe Burrow reacting to the second touchdown catch? Like fully, fully agape, jaw dropping stuff.

Starting point is 00:07:12 Yeah, he looked like we do, or most of our listeners and viewers do watching Joe Burrow every week. Where you're like, oh, how did he do that? Like, that's, and that's Joe. And I talked to a veteran defender about Mitch Tinsley, and he's like, dude, those catches. And they're not just going off of that. He was like, and even in practice, he's smooth. He's a really good route run. Like, he was just breaking down everything he does well, so much so that this veteran went up to him like, hey, what, what round were you drafted?

Starting point is 00:07:46 He was like, oh. And so just to give you an idea, like, definitely thought he was. a draft pick at one year, you know, at some year. I don't think he thought he was a rookie, but gives you an idea of the impression Mitch Tinsley is leaving on his teammates. Yeah, we'll see how that translates to the regular season, of course. As we always do, there have been preseason heroes with a wide receiver position in Cincinnati before. Wow. Look at you. Being negative. I'm not being negative. I was going to conclude it with, and Mitch Tinsley has a very good chance not to go down the same way those guys do.

Starting point is 00:08:24 Jumping into conclusions there, James. You got me. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. You backpedal so fast that Al Golden's going to be eyeing you for practice squad corner. No idea what you're talking about. Paul Dayner Jr. also had a list of guys on the rehab field. I'm sure you did as well, James.

Starting point is 00:08:41 I'm just looking at the tweet that I am seeing. That is a good summary of this. Go ahead. Lucas Patrick, Cody Ford, Miles Murphy, Andreosovash, DJ Turner on the rehab field, Miles Murphy, did not participate in practice along with, obviously, Trey Hendrickson. Yep. Yep, that's it.

Starting point is 00:08:59 Yeah. And Lucas Patrick, Cody Ford, we're like going through like full individual stuff. Like, again, maintenance more than anything for those two guys. Miles, I think he's going to be fine as well. But you want to get these guys right. I'll mention this. He was like, we haven't had a defensive front that was the same for two days.

Starting point is 00:09:21 It's been changing. We, you know, day in and day out, BJ Hill was back next to T.J. late, which was good to see, especially because we know we're not going to see either guy on Saturday. So overall, I think things outside of Cordell are pretty manageable, knock on wood, injury-wise. And we will see how some of these position battles play out with the healthy players that are still competing for roster spots. A big one is Matt Lee working with the twos and 11s all day in practice on Thursday. So it's probably safe to assume we're going to see a lot of Matt Lee coming up on Saturday as he looks to solidify his roster spot.

Starting point is 00:10:01 But outside of that, a number of roster spots that will feature competition that go into this final preseason game. Let's sit on what's up for grabs coming up next. You know what's up for grabs for me? Yahoo Fantasy. It's very, very simple with Yahoo Fantasy. A fantasy title is up for grabs. And this episode is presented by Yahoo Fantasy. and this year like every year I'm participating in Yahoo Fantasy and you should too whether you're a first timer or a veteran making your millionth league. I love Yahoo Fantasy. My longest running fantasy league has been in Yahoo the entire time. It's a PPR league.

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Starting point is 00:11:21 at Yahoo! Fantasy.com slash rocked on NFL. All right, Jake. Let's get to some of these battles. And I was thinking about it today. Like there are some battles. I was expecting a wide receiver battle to be there. I don't think there is. Isaiah Williams got a touchdown from Joe Burrow,

Starting point is 00:11:43 but I don't really see a path. Touchdown from Joe Burrow on Thursday, Deep one to end practice. I don't really see a path to him making it. I just, it's tough with the six receivers. there. So I'm going to go to the other spot that I think is really, really interesting. Tight end. Do you think that there's a tight end job up for grabs? Could Cam Grandi push Tanner? Do you think that they just keep five? What is that? How does that look? Because I don't know.

Starting point is 00:12:14 We've seen Tanner Hudson play with the first team, the second team, and then the third team this preseason. But Joe loves him. He may be inactive, but maybe he's out there. I think the tight end spot is pretty interesting going into Saturday. I think there's four right now. I think Tanner Hudson is on the team to me as of today, unless he's really being dangled out there as trade bait. And we've seen a lot of those late pick swap trades in the NFL in the last couple of days. Maybe Mitch Tinsley is in that conversation as well, but I really doubt it the way that they're talking about him with how much he's liked in the building. I think they just keep four tight ends. I think they just keep six wide receivers. I think Tanner Hudson could be active on game day too.

Starting point is 00:12:54 they could just activate all four guys because Tanner Hudson is playing a ton on special teams this preseason. He's on every special teams unit except for field goal block. I think that means you're going to see if they're happy with the way he's playing on those special teams units, Tanner Hudson active on game day. On offense, James, I really don't see very many spots up for grabs, period. They're so injured with depth on the offensive line. I don't know how much of a battle we really have at any of those spots. I think unless they make a move, the starters are set.

Starting point is 00:13:25 And I think it is going to be Lucas Patrick and Wright Guard. And I think it will be Jalen Rivers as a backup. It'll be Cody Ford as a backup. And then I think with Matt Lee's trending in the right direction for health, that's Matt Lee at center. So that leaves, that's eight offensive linemen on your team. And this is where I'm not really sure what they're doing outside of those eight. Devin Cochran's been hurt, but he might end up on the team.

Starting point is 00:13:52 is a default tackle four because there's nobody else. I don't think that Jackson Kirkland has done enough to show that he should be the fourth tackle on the team. But maybe Jackson Kirkland is a 10th lineman on the team if they choose to keep 10 offensive linemen because they do think he has that tackle guard versatility. I personally think more suited to guard, but he did play tackle for a whole lot of that second preseason day. They have to add here, right?

Starting point is 00:14:20 like this it continues to feel like a move is necessary yes but the word that i would rather say than necessary is inevitable but i don't know that i feel like it's inevitable because of the way it's gone so far yeah i i think that they're going to get through saturday maybe they're hoping that that risner you know it comes through and that they can go that route i i mean i i would i would address it somehow you either at need a swing tackle or you need a backup guard because Cody Ford you can't say all well he's going to back up four spots and and that's where they're at right now like that's it he's backing up four spots you you have a guy in uh jalen rivers who I get it there's going to be a lot of people that

Starting point is 00:15:08 like him but he's a rookie that they had to move from tackle to guard they were hoping he would work out at tackle now they're moving him into guard Lucas Patrick's well ahead of him that's not a position battle from what I've heard and what I've gathered. So is Jalen Rivers your first guard off the bench? Like that's, that's tough. It's tough. And the other thing that I keep coming back to is how perfect of a fit it is for Lucas Patrick to back up all those spots.

Starting point is 00:15:39 Like, he can back up your center spot and both guard spots. Jalen Rivers right now is backing up one guard spot because he's only played that one right guard spot. That's a tough ask. And it is also tough on game day, if that's the case, for a Matt Lee, for example, to be center to. So I just want to point that out just in case because we haven't seen a ton of Matt Lee. We haven't seen him in the preseason at all. He's missed a ton of reps.

Starting point is 00:16:04 It's like, I don't think he's in jeopardy. But if he's not position versatile and you have all these other guys, who knows, who knows how it looks from a game day active person, an eight lineman. active on game day type of scenario. Yeah, if they were to sign a guy and then Lucas Patrick, we're backing things up, then it would get interesting. I don't know how much Lucas Patrick has repped at center lately. Like he's been repping at right guard. There was a little bit at second team center early in camp.

Starting point is 00:16:34 And since he's returned to practice, he's been at guard the whole time. I do think Jaylor versus has rep some at left guard, James. Maybe just not in especially recent team work, but maybe in like one-on-ones, I feel like I've seen him at left guard. But the other thing is he is experienced on the left side in college. So it's not like the left side is totally alien to him. The right side is what's newer to him. And that's where he's been working mostly lately,

Starting point is 00:17:01 especially in everything we've seen since they moved him to guard. Sure. And maybe they're comfortable there. And maybe that's it. Maybe those are your alignment. Maybe it's Lucas Patrick starting and it's Rivers as a backup. And you have Cody Ford as a backup. And then you just have a center.

Starting point is 00:17:17 as a backup. And those here are eight linemen that are active. It might be that simple, where it's Lee, Rivers, and Ford. I mean, that's the way the roster looks to me right now, as far as, like, guys that I think are safely aboard versus like Cochran and Kirkland, who I still think are kind of fringy, but kind of on the roster by default right now. The last one is going to be Seth McLaughlin, and we'll see how much he plays. He only played a handful of snaps in that second preseason game, obviously working back from that Achilles injury. A lot of people out there, big Seth McLaughlin believers James. I've had people tell me that if they let him go,

Starting point is 00:17:49 somebody's going to claim him and he's going to be a pro bowler. So there are big believers in Seth McLaughlin out there. And I think that there's a bit of an uphill struggle for him, especially if they're seeing him as a center only, which is where he's worked so far to get onto this roster right now. And last week was an indicator, at least for me. Because if he had gotten in sooner, then you're like, oh my goodness. But he, he didn't and it was really late in the game a lot of people probably didn't even notice and you get in and spoiler he's not going to start saturday matt lee all indications are he's starting so how long is lee in it shows one and he needs to be in he hasn't played enough in team like he needs those

Starting point is 00:18:35 reps so i would play him at least for a half maybe maybe they play him longer and then mclaughlin is someone they try to stash like it might be that route that might be the best route, especially can you carry, you can't carry two center onlys on the back end. Like that's just really tough. Like, see, you'd have to feel like Matt could either be a guard or that Seth could be a guard. And we haven't seen enough of that to buy into that. Maybe it's possible, but we haven't seen it yet.

Starting point is 00:19:05 I don't think we've seen any of that to believe it's possible. Maybe we do in this final free season game. This is our last chance to see any of these guys work in different positions. but I would not expect it. Let's be clear about that. Seth McLaughlin left tackle. Yeah. There are more interesting to me,

Starting point is 00:19:23 James roster battles on the defensive side of the ball, where I have a really hard time distinguishing from the guys competing at the back of that cornerback room, at the back of the defensive tackle room, and guys that are going to be rotating a defensive tackle, like game day act as a defensive tackle, I think, still up for grabs in some way, shape, or form. I don't know if it's necessarily a game day,

Starting point is 00:19:43 active at linebacker, but certainly a roster spot there. We'll see how this long snapper battle shakes out. I don't know that much has differentiated those guys, at least from our perspective. Let's finish up with the remaining roster battles that have a chance to differentiate themselves here in the final preseason game coming up next. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. These days, it feels like there's advice for everything. Cold plunges, gratitude journals, screen detoxes, but how,

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Starting point is 00:21:11 And this is with 10 offensive linemen, just to wrap up on offense, 10 offensive linemen, six receivers, four tight ends, three running backs, two quarterbacks. So 25 players on offense, which leaves you with 25 players on defense, three specialists. Camp Taylor, Britt, Daxhill, Josh Newton, DJ Turner. All in my mind, locks. I think those first three guys are your starters right now.

Starting point is 00:21:35 DJ Turner has been hurt, so it's possible that that would have been a competition, and DJ Turner at some point could certainly start this year. But pass those four guys, DJ Ivy, Marco Wilson, Braylon Lux, Jalen Davis, all competing for what I think is two spots. And maybe it's only one. It is possible they think they can get some of these guys through the practice squad

Starting point is 00:21:57 or bring them back later if they need to. Do you have any strong feeling about a hierarchy there? It seems like DJ Ivy's maybe ahead of those guys, but they also, I think, really like Marco Wilson and Braylon Lux. I 100% agree with you. And I think that's where it gets really interesting. I do think DJ Ivy makes the team. But Braylon Lux is like,

Starting point is 00:22:23 like does Braylon Lux take Jalen Davis's spot almost? Like is that like that's kind of like the battle like where you have your second nickel corner and the guy that you really can promote in a pinch behind Mike Hilton. In the past, who has it been? It's been Jalen Davis. Maybe this year it's not. Maybe it's Braylon Lux. He made another play today.

Starting point is 00:22:43 I believe it was today. It was a nice past breakup. I forget on who I'd have to go back and look. but, like, Lucks has made an impression on these guys. But, and I said this back when they signed him, Marco Wilson has some fans in the building. There are some believers in Marco Wilson. He's had some good stretches during camp as well.

Starting point is 00:23:01 And so how that shakes out, it's really interesting. And the back end like that, like DJ Ivy's value on special teams, it's part of why I think he's going to make it is because he's, proven there, they like his traits, and he has given up some plays in the preseason. I've been surprised because I thought he's had a pretty solid camp overall. But, yeah, I think Ivy's the one that stands out as a, yeah, he's, maybe he's probably active.

Starting point is 00:23:32 And that's the other thing with Saturday real quick when I'm thinking about it. A lot of these guys will be dressed. That doesn't mean they're going to get in. They'll be more than like 30 players dressed, but that does not mean that they're going to go in and play. And so I would expect DJ Ivy to dress, but how much he plays will be interesting. I would get him out there and let him play.

Starting point is 00:23:50 I would let a lot of these guys play, get reps under their belt. I think a really interesting part of this, James, is what if they just think that they can get Braylon Lux and or Jalen Davis of the practice squad, and they really like Marco Wilson and DJ Ivy? There is a world where they keep those guys and say, well, if one or both of Jalen Davis and Braylon Lux make it through waivers, then we'll figure it out then.

Starting point is 00:24:14 maybe both guys go to the practice squad. Maybe they pick one after waivers and after the cutdown. But the back of that corner room, I think one of the more interesting battles where DJ Ivy has played a ton, Braylon Lux has played a ton. And we just saw one game worth of snaps from Marco Wilson, where he played 29 snaps. I think you're going to see a lot of those guys in this final preseason game to see if anyone can differentiate themselves.

Starting point is 00:24:38 Now, one position that we haven't talked about a lot, because I think it's really straightforward if Frey Hendrickson aside his deal, but with our proximity to the regular season, I think it's increasingly in doubt whether or not Trey is on the roster for week one. And if he's not, then that gets kind of interesting too. I think if he is,

Starting point is 00:25:00 and is Trey, Shamar, Joseph Osai, Miles Murphy can't sample, Murphy dealing with injuries as well. But who do you think that next guy is in the case that they need somebody? I think probably this is going to be a guy, that's coming from the practice squad, but we haven't talked much about Edge, like I said. Who do you think that next guy is?

Starting point is 00:25:20 Oh, I would say said, Cedric Johnson. I, and that's it. It's like, well, how long is he out? Like, is he close? Is he not? But yeah, he's hurt. And so that's where it gets really, oh, it's tough. it really in it maybe it's a guy that's not on the roster right and that's that's it but i i would say

Starting point is 00:25:49 cedric johnson like i would still lean there like if there's a guy it could because we don't really know but he's missed so much time i just maybe it's because i saw him talking to with tray today and they were like talking about technique and stuff it seems like terry's talking everybody like chop it at the bit to try to get on the field if uh if he could but um yeah without him look they're going to be missing a top like it's almost like guard. Like if you don't have Trey, you better go out and get someone,

Starting point is 00:26:19 which doesn't really make sense, and I get it. But you'd almost have to, I feel like, to have. Because who's going to win? Like, who's your third down? He's absolutely going to, like, that's O'Sai. They just don't have that if they don't have Trey. Like, well, that's, that's tough. That's tough.

Starting point is 00:26:40 So, well, it comes back to you. You just got to get Trey. done in this world can't happen if the deal isn't done by week one i think they do have to keep him on the 53 man roster which means you're probably talking about a call-up situation but i wonder if that changes our calculus a defensive tackle where again i think one of the more interesting battles that is left is a defensive tackle taven brian's been playing a lot of edge and and maybe that would be the idea there is you keep extra guys on the interior tavin brian mckinley jackson one of howard cross and eric gregory maybe that's the way it goes and then tavenbrien is a guy that slips into the edge rotation

Starting point is 00:27:13 as well. And he plays both spots for them. Howard Cross played a little bit of edge, I think, in week two as well of the preseason. But between those four guys, Taving Brian McKinley, Jackson, Howard Cross, Eric Gregory, seems more likely than not you're talking about four guys for two spots. And I wonder if either those undrafted free agents this year, Howard Cross clearly has fans in the building. Eric Gregory, I think, has fans in the building as well, finally got to show something in that second preseason game.

Starting point is 00:27:41 Do either of those guys do enough to make a play? push for the roster knowing that Tavener Bryan is a pretty known quantity. And McKinley Jackson is a second year, third round pick. And cutting a second year third round pick is a pretty unusual thing to be considered. Yeah. And I don't know if they are. I don't know if they are. I think it's been weird.

Starting point is 00:28:00 The McKinley stuff has been weird of how he's used and all of those things. But by how he's used, like he's playing deep into that first preseason game. But he was productive. And so maybe they're just trying to. to get the right response out of him. I still think he makes it, but we'll see these undrafted guys. I do think Howard Cross has impressed, and you could see it where he's like, all right, well, let's get him to the practice squad. Let's continue to develop him. I'm not sure he's going to do enough, but he will play on Saturday. And better believe I'll be watching 93 McKinley Jackson

Starting point is 00:28:38 and how they use him, how much they use him, and how much he's on the field, because that's going be an indicator as well, along with Tavin Bryant, for that matter. But you're right. You're talking about a proven commodity in Taven Brian and someone that's not going to, I would be surprised if he's like, oh, yeah, practice squad me. I think he's a roster guy somewhere in the league. Yeah. I think that might be one of the only spots where you're looking at players that are actually going to be part of defensive rotations, like playing defensive rotations, not just like if an injury happens, you're on the roster,

Starting point is 00:29:12 you're on the roster for special teams reasons, you're active for special teams reasons. Like BJ Hill, T.J. Slayton, Chris Jenkins is going to play a lot on the defensive interior. But whoever that fourth guy is, is going to play at least a little bit, I think.

Starting point is 00:29:26 And so given that the fourth guy is such a question, to me at least, I think that's one of the only spots we're talking about this Saturday that there's a player that's going to be playing at that spot, rotating at that spot who might be rotating on Sundays this year as well,

Starting point is 00:29:42 versus like back-offs at other spots. We're talking about depth and that kind of roster battle. Yeah, no, I agree. It's unique. And they need all the help they can get there, even with Al Golden praising Chris Jenkins and saying he was as improved or as impressive as any player in camp. The next position battle that I think is interesting, LB5.

Starting point is 00:30:04 Yeah. Is it Joe Giles Harris, Shaka Hayward, who made, a really nice play today. Muma Jong Meadow was the, it stole everyone's hearts last year. Those three are battling. I lean, is it Giles Harris or Giles Harris? Either way, I think it's Giles Harris.

Starting point is 00:30:21 But I lean Joe Giles Harris. I think he's had the edge at this point. He's a good special teamer. He's made plays. But I also think that Chaka Hayward has fans in the building. And so this one really could go down to the wire and be decided if they keep a fifth linebacker. And I lean towards them keeping a fifth linebacker.

Starting point is 00:30:39 Yeah, this is where maybe they could trim a spot if they feel like they need that extra body on the defensive interior if Tave and Brian is going to be splitting between the interior and the edge. And they feel like they want to get that spot on the defensive side of the ball. Because unless they carry nine offensive linemen and they just think they can get one of those guys with the practice squad, which they probably could, then you're looking at a potential tight roster configuration to get the fifth linebacker onto the team. I've been saying Giles. I think Joe Giles Harris or Giles Harris, based on his captaincy in week two, and based on the praise that went into that captaincy in week two, tells you something about where he is in the minds of the coaching staff. Safety, I think, pretty set, James.

Starting point is 00:31:23 We're going to see Gino Stone, Jordan, Battle, Tyson, Anderson, Dejohn, Anthony, unless they make a last second move. In one way or another, we're going to see three specialists, but Cal Adamitis and William Wagner yet to really differentiate themselves in my mind, James. Have you heard anything about long snapper? Nope. All right. We'll see. That's the one that's really interesting. You don't want to talk about long snapper. You don't want to do it. You don't want to. There's nothing to say. We'll see who they keep at long snapper. We are not long snapper specialists.

Starting point is 00:31:55 Ryan Rico recently did an interview where he talked about how he and Evan McPherson have really tried to hone in on the operation this year. And that's been a big focus of things from a special team's perspective. If you're interested in special teams, you can go check out what Ryan Rico had to say that video is out there somewhere. But a lot of these defensive battles are going to be really interesting. And if you don't see guys playing, like if Tanner Hudson doesn't play, and if Mitch Tinsley doesn't play, and if maybe Taven Brian doesn't play. And it's not because of injury-related reasons.

Starting point is 00:32:24 It's probably a pretty good sign they're on the team. And if they do play, then those are some potentially really interesting guys to watch as they're potentially battling for roster spots. A lot of times that preseason, that final game of the preseason, that final game of the preseason is a lot of guys that are going to be practice squiders are playing to put stuff on tape, and they play a ton of football as these teams are using, in reality, very trimmed rosters because none of their 53-man, 45-man game day active guys are playing. Nope.

Starting point is 00:32:55 And that's how it should be. There's going to be plenty to cover, and we'll be back after the game Saturday to cover it. So maybe Desmond Redder throws 3,200 touchdowns. If he does, we'll be able to cover it. 3,200. If he throws 3,200 touchdowns, Jake, he's making the roster. There's the take. Bold.

Starting point is 00:33:15 3200. That's the number, Des. Come on, Des. They don't call them hot take James for nothing. That's going to do it to this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. Until next time, thanks for listening. Who today. Have a good one.

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