Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - BENGALS SQUAD SHOW: Bengals finish UNDEFEATED in preseason, but how much does that matter?

Episode Date: August 29, 2026

For the first time in 20 years, the Bengals finish the preseason undefeated. That's great, but how much does it matter? More importantly, tomorrow is cutdown day. The Bengals will be trimming the roster down to 53 players by 6:00 Sunday night.   Alex Frank, Coach Art Valero, Mike Santagana, and Evan Stacy discuss the biggest questions surrounding the Bengals trimming their roster down to 53 players and which positions and players will be the greatest focuses.   The guys then share who won the preseason for the Bengals and which players were on the losing end through the three preseason games.   Myles Murphy is going into his fourth season with the Bengals. A former first-round pick, he's been really good throughout training camp and the preseason. ut how much competition is Cashius Howell giving him?   The Bengals only played their starters in the first preseason game for two series. Should they have played more? Alex, Art, Mike, and Evan discuss that.   Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images   Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! Where you'll get updates directly to your phone and be able to text the hosts, check it out at: https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everyday...   Find and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms:   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...     Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7AObc0l...   Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...   Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-...   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Gusto Try Gusto today at gusto.com/LOCKEDONNFL, and get three months free when you run your first payroll.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   KALSHI For a limited time,Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10.   Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/lockedonnfl! #squarepod   Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.   Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Bengals finished the preseason undefeated for the first time in 20 years. How much that actually matters, but more importantly, what does it mean ahead of roster cutdown day tomorrow, coach? Hey, I tell you what, there are some guys that have shown that are on my list, and I'm sure they're on yours and other people who are the MVPs of this camp and this preseason. Yeah, and they're deeper than ever in the defensive line room, from Miles Murphy to Cassius Howl, even Cedric Johnson, and Shamar Stewart on IR. are. The Bengals starters only played the first week of preseason. Is that going to hurt them or are they in for another fast start like last year? Today, it's the Bengals squad. Everything Cincinnati Bengals every week. Breaking down all the big hits and game changing plays from the Queen City.

The way only the locked on podcast network can. From the jungle to the playoffs, the Bengals Squad show starts now. Welcome to the Bengals Squad Show postgame edition. It is Saturday, August 29th, 2026. A little bit after the Bengals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 30 to 13 last night in preseason game. Number three, we're coming to you on this Saturday afternoon, a beautiful day in Cincinnati, wherever you may be listening to us alongside Coach Arrallaro, Mike Santagana, our resident film expert, Evan Stacy, our lockdown Bengals hit expert. I'm Alex Frank, welcoming you to the Bengals Squad Show post game edition.

Cutdown day is tomorrow, 6 o'clock by 6 o'clock. tomorrow. The Bengals will have 53 players on their roster. Plus, we've got our preseason winners and losers. There may be a debate between Cassius Howell and Miles Murphy about who should start. And then we'll get into the proverbial question, should the Bengals have played their starters more in the preseason? Does it even matter if they did or didn't? We'll get to that. But let's get to last night's game. The Bengals beating the Eagles 30 to 13. A really impressive performance by the guys who did play Dante Myers played one series. And well, he only needed to play one series. Do any of you come away from last night's game with a different perspective,

opinion, take on the 53-man roster that the Bengals will whittle it down to by the end of tomorrow afternoon? For in my case, no. I think the guys that played last night, one, if they were a veteran player, there's still trying to, there's some questions. And I think that for the other ones, were just getting work. And I think that last night was, even though they performed well, hey, the stars shined up. You know, you take one of the MVPs,

in my opinion, of this camp, shoot Josh Johnson. That kid was on time. He was rolling. And you know what? He showed he can play with anybody. Yeah, I think towards the back end, the last game for me,

I think Jacob Bayer was better. And this is, I think, Brian Barker was pretty good. And I think Conner Lou was solid. I think Jacob Bear might have been the best of those three. So I'm like, I can't let him go. I mean, the way he can move guys in the run game is really impressive. I didn't see any lapses, really in pass protection.

They had him playing at guard, so I don't think he's a center-only guy. The other positions I was thinking of, mostly on offense here, third running back. I thought Taj Brooks, again, didn't look like a great runner. But I know he provides special teams value, and that may be why he keeps his roll at RB3. And then I actually didn't think the next two guys were that in prison of either, like Kendall Milton and whoever's,

but they got the Bullock and Haynes, and they were electric. It might have been because they're facing the threes and the fours. These guys are fighting for practice squad spots. But they were making guys miss and making explosive plays happen when we haven't seen that at all, really, from Taj Brooks or Kendall Milton or these guys that have been running ahead of them. So I wonder if they could maybe push into that role, but I feel like it's probably Brooks spot.

And the last thing is Charlie Jones came in that game real late, and he played late. So it did raise an eyebrow. I thought he was good, though, for what it's worth. Like he made a couple deep out catches. So those were what I was, had my eye, because Dante Myers is kind of taking Charlie Jones spot in a way. So the only thing that's keeping me saying Charlie's going to make the team

is because we didn't see Dante Myers really do any kickoff or punt returns. Yeah, I would echo exactly what Mike said. I think I was looking at the offensive line, especially those offensive tackles in Javon Foster and Jalen Rivers. And I thought overall they played pretty well. And yeah, my two biggest takeaways were definitely the Bullock and Haynes. I thought they were really explosive once they got in. And Haynes had one of the best preseason runs they've seen in a long time.

Absolutely. And so that has to count for something. I don't know if that gives him a spot on this team, but on a different team potentially. But yeah, he looked more explosive. Brooks, Milton, Brightwell, didn't do anything to jump off the page. I thought Charlie Jones did really good as a returner. He had some good returns, which I think would be with Dante Myers taking his receiving

role. I think if you will make the team, I think it'll be on that kick return, part return. He looked pretty good. So overall, nothing that was like super crazy, but I think a lot of the guys that were really fighting for a roster spot, I think a handful of them did a really good job. And I at least auditioned for either this team or other teams. The Bengals last night rushed for 211 yards on 35 carries. I don't care if it's the backups we're playing or not.

That's a really good stat right there. Kentrell-Bullick, 14 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. Jamal Haynes, seven carries for 78 yards in touchdown. And you're right, Evan, that run, it's not just one of the best preseason runs I've ever seen. It's one of the best runs I've seen in recent memory, period. I mean, it may not be, you know, the Beast Quake run in 2010. Coach, you remember that run very well. but it's certainly an impressive run.

And like, you know, here's the thing. And this is kind of an unfortunate reality for the Bengals, as is for every team. These guys that are playing last night, not only are they putting tape, putting out tape for the team that they're currently with, they're putting out tape for all the other 31 teams in the NFL. So I come away from last night thinking this.

I hope to goodness there is a spot for Keishon Williams on this team. Because I think he can provide a spark for this team on special teams in the return game. And I'm not saying what Charlie Jones is done for the, the last three years isn't good. Charlie Jones has had some good moments. But what Keisham Williams can bring with that pop that he has, I want to see what he can do in the return game and maybe even be like that that guy that comes in on a random play in the game in like week six and has a touchdown. Like let's see what role he can provide on this team assuming he makes the 53 man roster. Yeah, absolutely. You know what? And you're you're exactly right.

it's taking those live reps where people show up. And that is, I think, the important thing. It's just like when you go back and you mention that they have over 200 yards rushing and you saw a great run come out of it, that's how you established the game. And at my credit, I don't, regardless of who they're going against, the old lines, and it took my eyes off of them because they were playing together. they were executing their assignments, and they almost controlled the will. And it allowed somebody like Josh Johnson to be very comfortable in the pocket and be able to throw the ball.

The other thing that I noticed, most of those runs were from underneath the center, which gives that credibility. A lot of those great passes as those kids were making were play action. passes. And I thought that, okay, there's your first and second down offense, but it's being practiced by somebody else. And I thought that that was really intriguing. Josh Johnson from underneath has the drops down. And the same thing with the kid from Cincinnati. Sean Clifford. Sean Clifford. He has, he has been. in an underneath offense and his drops were incredible. And that created and allowed 30 points to be scored.

Let's get to some players last night that I want you guys to share your opinions on because I thought it was a really interesting night for a lot of the guys we've been talking about, maybe not necessarily draftics, but there are some draft picks both this year and last year. Let's talk about Taj Brooks didn't have a particularly great game last night. He fumbled the football, so that's not good. Jack injuries, who came out of the game at one point with the nifference. injury. And then let's also get to Colby Young, fourth round pick this year. Let's start with Tage Brooks. Does he survive the cuts tomorrow? I believe that the only way that he survives

the cut, if there's somebody that has not performed or has performed better than him behind him. I think that that's the case. He has not shown me. And you know what? I was at Texas Tech with touch and I know what kind of runner he is, but he did not show me this preseason, either in practice film or in games, that he is a true two. Threes don't dress. So, but he would dress of special teams, and I didn't watch him on special teams, but as a runner, no, not in my opinion. Okay.

And I think that if something happened to one and two, you would see the joy. flacko trade coming up right away oh yeah i if i'm predicting it i think he makes the team because of his special teams experience um but if it was up to me i i i don't i don't know i don't think i would make that decision uh just based on a runner i thought he was maybe maybe third or fourth best runner on the night and that's only with three four five six seven eight uh you're not talking about one and two you know p ryan and chase brown taking the role so he's He's in that RB3 spot, but it's kind of like coach said, if you're RB3, you don't play on special teams, you're not going to dress.

He plays on special teams. So do you want to keep a guy that is your personal protector and punt versus an RB3 that kind of gives you a little bit more juice? And I think the Bengals will opt that way, even if I may not. Yeah, I think he makes the roster too, and I don't know if I feel great about it. But because, yeah, in the preseason, he hasn't shown anything that I'm like, yeah, this guy definitely like deserves our spot and has a spot on lock. Like I said earlier, I think Bullock and Haynes were more explosive in the run and the few

carries that they had compared to his all carries through three weeks of the preseason. But special teams like Mike said is going to be where he probably sticks as that personal protector. And I do think that the Bengals could potentially look outside for that white for that RB3 spot. If if you know after Sunday if some stuff falls through the cracks, I've heard a few names floating around. But I think that will definitely be something. under for sure. Now, Evan, you've been very adamant about the tight end depth that the Bengals have. Jack

entries last night goes down, walked back to the locker room. Does his injury last night concern you as far as his stock to make this 53 man roster? I'm personally not worried about it, but it is something to note. No, I think the first two games, I think, solidified what he can be for the Bengals offense. I think with his ability to catch the ball and ability to run after the catch, and he's been pretty solid in blocking as well. So I think he will get that last tight-in spot just because of his versatility as a passer. And he's coming along as a blocker as well. And one, you know, kind of bad game and the injury, he came back from him in a pretty sure. And I didn't really notice him a whole lot. But I think overall from what he did in the first two preseason games, I would say

he deserves to at least get that last tight-in spot. Are any of you down with your stock when it comes to Colby Young after last night. I'm personally not. Thought of maybe I was at one point of the game, but I mean, he's had such a great training camp in preseason. I'm not going to worry about any bad rep he had last night. No, I think that he has proven himself to be Key Higgins backup. He has shown enough to where he can make explosive plays. And I think that the crazy thing about last night in the third game, it's when you're with all these other guys, that are out on the field in which probably what 70% might not be here tomorrow might not you know you have a tendency to let your and it's like a boxer you let your gloves down and I think that

that perhaps could have happened to him and but I my stock on him is still the same yeah mine too Mike I mean he came out of the game kind of quick not as fast as Myers did but I don't he came out of the game faster than Josh Johnson did. So they were down to Mitch Tinsley and all of the guys passed Colby Young on that death chart by that point. If he stayed in longer, he may have made more of an impact. I thought he made a pretty good impact preseason week one and week two to make me have him as definitely slotted as T. Higgins' backup, as coach said.

And I think what he provided, what's interesting is him, Yosevas and Myers all provide something different as when you're going to get into that 11 personnel, three wide receivers set with Jason Higgins. So I think he provides something in that role, whether that is making Jamar, you've got two monsters on the outside for Jamar to work in the slot compared to what Yosevaasen provides and what Myers is going to provide probably working in that slot. So my stock's about the same on him. He came out of the game kind of quick.

So I'm not too concerned. Well, one stock that has definitely stayed the same, if not gone higher, is Dante Myers. Landon Robinson, for that matter, are those two guys locks to make the team at this point? Because I feel like they are. Well, I believe they should be. Yeah. I don't know what's going on in that room. They have shown me enough to say, you know what?

These guys are viable candidates to be on that 53 in terms of effort, in terms of productivity. You have to take a serious, serious look. Because in Landon Robinson's case, he has made continuing. to make plays in whichever game he was in. The other defensive tackles that have been on the team that have played have done, they might have done their job, but very quietly. And you need a disruptor like Dexter Lawrence, like Jonathan Allen. They need disruptors in the middle and let those guys go free.

So as far as Landon-Robson's the term, he's a deal for me. Now, as far as Myers, he has shown that he wants it. And he's dependable. He does not like this game. That kid from afar loves this game. Way he drove up, the way he stayed after practice and through, the way he is trying to constantly get better. And if he ain't on the Bengals, I guarantee you he will make somebody else's 53.

Without question. 100% chance Myers makes it. They pulled him after the first drive where he went three for like 51. I don't think there's any shot. He doesn't make it. Robinson, what, 85, 90% chance. It would be shocking if he didn't make the roster because I think that means you're keeping like a McKinley Jackson over him.

And I don't think they're going to do that. Myers, by the way, if people didn't know, Canadian Football League champion, Gray Cup winner for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders last year. Yes. he had 74 yards in that gray cup their Super Bowl. So he's a championship caliber athlete from Canada. Yeah, Myers is 100% chance.

Lock he's going to make it. They saw one drive and said, get out of there. You can't get hurt. And the reason I'm at 90% with Robinson is they kept throwing him out there in the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, he's still going out there. And I understand there was no defensive tackle that was sitting at that point. I think Jenkins is firmly ahead of him because they didn't even dress for this game. But Robinson did give me that like 10% chance of like maybe the coaching staff just doesn't really care that much.

Maybe they don't want an undersized defensive tackle. Personally, he'd be 100% on my roster, but I'm just trying to read T leaves with this. But maybe they ran him out there because it was a closed game and they wanted to see how he could fare in those situations where the Bengals trying to close out the game defensively. Evan, what's your take on this? If I was making the decision, both of them would be on the team. I think Dante Myers is definitely a lot because like Mike said, he only played that first drive. And Landon Robinson, I think he led the preseason in sacks and pressures. And so that has to account for something, even if he didn't do a whole lot this past game and played majority of it.

I think what he did throughout the last two, he deserves a spot on this team. Coaching, I got about 60 seconds. How tough is cut down day for the coaching staff? Hard. The most worst day in football. Because you've invested time in these young men who have invested their lives in a this sport. So it's always and you build a relationship with them. And it's hard. I mean, today, they're all being evaluated. Tomorrow, nobody's going to be in the building with the exception

of the head coach, the GM, and those guys. The other coaches will have the day off. And wow, it's a tough sitting around at home when you don't even know the fate of your room. Now, there's some locks, but the rest of it is you invested a lot of time. So tomorrow is, Oh, it's the worst. Yeah, I can only imagine what it's like. And I saw a tweet last night. I forget who said it. But like, these are real human beings that have played their,

that have trained their whole lives for this moment and this opportunity. And it may not work out. So from my standpoint and from approaching sports media from a human psychology standpoint, I understand full well how tough it's going to be for a lot of players tomorrow, whether you're an undrafted. free Asian, whether you're a veteran on this team that has played in regular season games. But that dream may not be continuing past tomorrow at 6 o'clock. Up next are winners and losers from the preseason.

Is it possible that our biggest winner is a kicker? I think it could be. Bangle Squad Show Postgame Edition today brought to you by five-hour energy. There are certain flavors that instantly feel like summer. And for a lot of people, those classic red, white, and blue freezer pops are right at the top of the list. Sweet cherry lime, blue raspberry. It's one of those nostalgic summer flavors. Everybody recognizes. And right now, five-hour energy is bringing that flavor combination into the new firework freeze five-hour energy shot, blending sweet, cherry, zesty lime, and electric blue

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Bangles Squad Show post-game edition rolling on on this Saturday afternoon. Coach Arfallero, Mike Santagana, Evan Stacey, Alex Frank, with you on this Saturday, August 29th. Let's get to some winners and losers from the preseason right here. Evan McPherson. I mean, that 58-year-fugel he made last night was a carbon copy practically of the one he made last week. This guy is about to have his best season. And why are we talking about kickers? Because when you can go under center offensively and when all you know you have to do in a late game situation,

it just gets to the opponent's 49. You have a weapon in Evan McPherson again. And maybe you need an even better one than we had at the beginning of his career. I tell you, in my opinion, he's more valuable. I mean, they finally allowed him to kick under pressure from Long. Put it this way. Evan McPherson has had more live reps this preseason than Joe Burrow and the entire starting offense. Wow.

I mean, how about that? You're right. So I think that, and I thought this going in, and believe me, and Mike can attest to this, we talked about he was always the positive part last year with all the turmoil that you were guaranteed points with the exception of the last game where we missed a extra point of field go I forget which one but they were I mean he has been money he has been I mean that's money in the bank when he does money Mac automatic yeah he looked dialed in all preseason he was good last year I think the yips from two years ago are knock on wood

to hope behind him. I mean, that that is, seems to be at least what it looks like right now. And hopefully the pressure and stuff doesn't change for week one. You know, the thing I wish for him, though, is that they did not run that stupid play at the end of the first half in preseason week one and let him kick that like 63 yarder instead. Because that would have been the cherry on top. If he would have hit that at the start of this preseason and then dialed it in 50 plus all these different bombs, that would be incredible. But instead they didn't throw them out there.

You know what the great thing, too, last night is he didn't have. have perfect snaps. You're right. Snaps were, I mean, they were high. They were a little bit all over the place, and he still kept his poison, made him. And that's what it would impress me even more. But that's the continuity that you have at special teams with William Wagner, Ryan Rico in his third year. Evan McPherson, and we even talked about this two weeks ago, he doesn't have to think about the process now when it comes to kicking field goals. Evan, what are your thoughts? I mean, my confidence for him is at an all-time high. He's been automatic, and he's looking, I mean,

from 50 plus even 60 he's looking great and like like you said Alex his two of his 50 yarders could have been good for 60 plus and we and we've talked about when you have a guy like that it's such a weapon and such a valuable piece and you know two years ago we were kind of a little shaky at that and then last year he put a good season and he's carrying that over to having a great season I think that's going to be huge for the Bengals week because we've seen he could be clutch and in the playoffs which is big. And like you said, Alex, earlier, when you cross the 50, you know, you have to get to the 49.

That helps your offense so much when you have that utmost confidence in your kicker. And all Evans done is shown that. And his leg is just on fire right now. All right, let's get to, at least for me last night, specifically the biggest winner, Takario Davis, this guy looks like he belongs. Yeah, he did. You know, he made some great plays. I mean, he had a PI, but they could call that all the time.

People know. But the big hold on. He looked like a great runner on the turnover, very instinctive. I mean, he really showed me with that long, lanky body. You know, you knew he did a good job in coverage during the preseason, but when he made that play, it kind of solidified it for me. I mean, he went up against a first round pick in Mackay Lemon, and I remember being at the draft round one,

even though the Bengals weren't picking. and every Steelers fan fell to their knees when the Eagles traded up and took McKay Lemon ahead of him. And the Bengals' third round pick just put him in Alcatraz. I mean, locked him up. It was fine. He was fine out there. I think you really saw some of the impressive length speed coordination on the pass breakup. The interception was also an awesome tip drill.

Like I don't know how he caught that. And like coach said, I thought he might have been gone for a second when he started returning that time. It looked like he just got just tripped up. but that pass breakup he had on Lemon was my favorite play. He's physical with him. Maybe that's why he gets called for a holding call later. He does something similar. He's physical with him,

which you're allowed to be within five yards. That's what I'm saying. Use your hands when you need to. And then he's, for a lot of corners, they'd be beat. But this guy has 33 inch arms. He's six foot, what, four? Yeah. Yeah.

And he's able to reach, reach out and just tip that thing away. And that is one of those things that obviously you can't teach. can't teach being this being a basketball player sized player in a cornerback's body in a you know playing corner as a basketball sized guy because you know the length the athleticism the coordination to make that play that was my favorite play i i saw that and i thought wow i mean that's something you just can't teach you can't teach length and if he's it gives you such a large window for recovery that you might be beat if you were two inches shorter with two inch shorter arms but you're not you're that big and you can get in in that position and still recover.

Yeah, I mean, Mokai Lemon won the Blitnikoff last year. He was one of the best receiver. He was the best receiver in college football. And so, and Takario Davis made it, you know, he clamped him up.

And that one where he tipped it, that was a perfect, a perfect play, you know, and like Mike said, his length was really big there. And I think that's, that's what's huge is the Bengals

don't have somebody who's six, four has those long arms, who can recover like that. And I think we, like we saw in the interception, he has a lot of speed as well. So he can really, I think, I mean, his preseason comp before coming into the draft was like a Tyreek-Wollen type guy where he's super long and lengthy.

But he's looked really good so far. And those two plays were super impressive to be able to have the concentration to get the pick on the tip drill and be able to, you know, just turn the gas on immediately and go. But I thought I was really impressed by his past breakup early on against Lemon, who's a really good route runner and is, you know, one of the better receivers in the draft. Obviously, he was a first-round pick. And Carter Davis did really well against him. So I think that's big for that corner spot for sure. Heck of a tackler, too.

This was the one highlight doesn't really get talked about when he was playing cloud and cover two. That ball got checked down. He immediately just sprints down, tackles that near leg, wraps him up, tackle for a loss as a corner. He can't beat that. Yeah. Yeah.

Any cornerback that can do what he's doing. And Bichai Levin, you're right. He ran a good route on that play, but Takario Davis just made a better play. And that's what you love to see in a corner like him. Landon Robinson, obviously a preseason winner. Isaiah Foskey, I thought, had another really good game last night. It's going to be really interesting to see what the Bengals do with him when it comes to the cutdown day tomorrow. You know what?

He is one of those that I don't know. I can't recollect how, what happened, his snap numbers were during the preseason games. But he has been very quiet. And all of a sudden, last night, the Jets were on, man. He lit up and he started making plays. and he made plays without making the play. He helped everybody else. And I think that that was his,

he was a great, really good, complimentary player last night that made plays. You know, he kind of allowed the tackles inside to make plays. And I thought he had an excellent game last night. I think he's going to be judged on the overall performance, not necessarily just the preseason games, that they're going to watch to see, okay, where is the spot for him? Yeah.

Who can, and if he is one guy's backup, can we move him and be more versatile with him? And if he fits that bold, then I think that he's got a great chance. If not, they'll put him out on the waiver wires and bring him back as a practice squad guy because he does have that ability to earn his way back onto the team. on the back end. You know who I thought made a really nice play last night? Josh Newton. Good for him. He's had a better training Kevin preseason than he did at the start. What do we think his ultimate place on this team is going to be by tomorrow? You know what? I thought that he came to play because I can remember him being a question mark. Could have had better preseason games.

excuse me, but I thought he showed up last night and really showed his versatility and his ability to be on this team. I think both Newton and Foskey are probably getting cut. Wow. When you look at Foskey, you look at the guys ahead of them, even with Shamar I.R. Cedric Johnson didn't even dress for this game. They want Cedric Johnson healthy. So do you keep five defensive ends? And then you're talking about, well, how are you keeping landing Robinson, these six defensive tackles and these four or five tight ends?

Ben's like he's one of the one of the last to not make the team one of the first cuts to be like or last cuts however you want to think about that like the he's what he's like number 54 or 55 I think him and um Josh Newton are both in that role right now Josh Newton may be a better chance to make it just because it costs it probably still costs money to cut him just from a financial side being a fourth round pick but there's clear guys ahead of him as well in the pecking order yeah I think both those guys are definitely prime practice squad players. I think they, you know, they ended, they really ended their preseason really well and, you know, made the conversation a lot tougher. But there's just so many deep

positions on, especially this defense and offense that there's going to be a lot of really talented guys who are going to not make the 53 man. And that's just how it's going to have to be. So the Bengals are just going to have to hope that some of them, you know, slip through waivers and that they're able to bring a handful of those really talented guys back on the practice squad, like the 54, 55, 56, who can still make a difference, but just with the depth that the bank those currently have, it just won't be there. You know what? It's crazy as what Mike was saying, that the Josh Newton situation, if he is to, from a

contractual standpoint, you can't cut him. I think that has occurred in this organization way too much, that they keep guys because of their contracts, and then they cut them loose Cody Ford. I think there's a perfect example. No, they tried to trade him, right? Nobody came. So they had to cut him loose early so he could find a spot. He hadn't found a spot.

So, and he's your three? Yeah. You hung on way too long, even if you were paying them. Sometimes you pay, you have dead money. But in order to get better, sometimes you've got to eat that. That may be a talking point of our next show. If there's guys on this team come to 53-man roster that they are keeping for perhaps a season too long.

Mike, has Dan Pitcher, as your opinion on him as an offensive coordinator, changed? He called the plays in the second free season game. I haven't heard if he did or didn't call him last night. But you're seeing just how valuable he is to this offense, as is Joe Burrow, Jamar, Chase D. Higgins, and Zach Taylor. Dan Pitcher's voice in this offense has a huge stock in it. Yeah, I think pitcher probably gives you more than Brian Callahan did. It's hard, though, to just.

these non-play calling offensive coordinators, right? Because you don't really know what their exact role is. I did listen to the athletic football show had Dan Pitcher on and asked him about his role. And it was a very good show. But again, it's like on game day, what exactly is going on besides just giving some feedback to Zach here and there, giving him like, hey, I think we like this. You know, like they're when we motion, they're rocking the safeties back. Maybe we can catch them or something.

Or maybe we don't want that safety down low. We want to keep him high. so let's keep the formation so that he stays high, whatever. What I thought was impressive in this past game was, I thought this was the best the under center game looked. And they went some older cons. I don't see under center eye formation inside zone with an insert from the fullback very often.

Now, Coach's Day, early 2000s, that was pretty common. Mike Allstate. Yeah. But these days, it was one of the first place they ran. I was like, they just, they ran offset eye, and they ran inside zone away from a fullback, had him insert to the weak side. I was like, this is under center inside zone. That is like a, that's a foreign concept.

Is it coming back? Hey, it's how this game has evolved. Yeah. And where every run came from, but now you throw a tight end in there or you formation, formation, I'm out of it. But it's the same football. And I would, like, I dug it. I was going, hey, and I thought the kid.

If it did it, the backup, I don't even know what tight end he was. But he did a good job. He did get a hold. But other than that, you have to keep doing it. The one thing that, you know, talking about earlier about Dan Pitcher, in the three preseason games, watching how they went and how it was offensively called, I thought that the first game was Zach. why because of Joe Burrow was in there yeah I thought two and three Dan just personality wise Dan called him and man the offense looked rolled why because he felt he had a great feel of the under center game he knew how to combine that with down and distance to be able to be in the gun and

And I think that the way he handled it made, in my opinion, Josh Johnson look really good. And I thought that that was the way that the, I mean, you know, what we talked about it before, Dan Pitcher needs to call plays, right? Or you're going to lose him. So even if he calls plays, hey, let him go. And I think that he has done an excellent job in the last two games. because he, the control was in his hands. Evan, what do you think?

Yeah, I don't know if pitcher coach plays yesterday. I think they like cut up to him and it looked like he was calling something, but I don't know. Yeah. Exactly. But I do think, you know, the offense has looked really good when he's called plays. If he called plays yesterday, the offense looked really good and the offense was really explosive on the week two preseason game as well. also, and I think he's one of, I mean, he was getting head coaching looks last off season. So a lot of people obviously think highly of him as at least a play caller or as a leader in the

offensive room. And so I agree with coach. I think he should get a chance to be able to call players because I think he can and I think he has the ability to. And I think, you know, sometimes for a head coach to take a step back, sometimes is good. We've seen that in college happen a few times where, you know, the college coach is calling plays, takes a step back. That's the offensive coordinator does.

kind of works out a little bit. So I still think Zach is going to call the place, but I would like to see Dan pitcher sprinkling a little bit at some point or maybe down the line take the full play calling role, because I think he's really good at it. And I think, you know, the offense looked really good the last two games when he was coaching. Sean Peyton just stepped down.

Yes. For a first time offensive coordinator, which is wild. I mean, this is Sean Peyton we're talking about. By the way. Having Sean Payton probably has got pretty good guardrails as well. Yeah. You know, you have that and you have confidence in the guy because you and he's, you and he are on the same page.

And you're thinking like that. He understands what Dan did. He understands what Zach likes on each down in distance. So he likes them because you've been trained that way. You look at all the disciples that come off of people. You know, you could have been the barista in L.A. and got a job as a coordinator someplace down the line. They all fracture out, and when they're on their own, they flourish.

That is your tree as a head coach. Is when those people can venture out after leaving you and become world-renowned guys, that is your legacy. Andy Reid's got them. You can look at the coaches that have them, and then you look at the coaches that don't. John Gruden doesn't have them because he kept the play calling all the time. And I think that Dan Pitchard is more than ready because it just looked from a personality

standpoint who it was, not the players, but who's calling the plays in what situations. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Dan Pitcher maybe sprinkle in a play call in a certain situation in the regular season potentially. Maybe that's if the Bengals are up by 20 in the fourth quarter, but I wouldn't be surprised that there's another situation as well. Real quick, losers. Tage Brooks didn't have a great preseason. And then anybody who fumbled last night,

hold on to the darn ball. Coach in 30 seconds. Ross Tucker on the broadcast said last night, nothing drives a coach more nuts than when they put the ball on the ground. Is that right? Absolutely. Ball security is the most important thing. thing. That little 14 inch leather thing is the most valuable thing in football. And there's

22 or excuse me, 11 guys on the other side that want it. And if you're going to give it to them, you don't deserve to play. No. You don't. Mike Evans. It's incredible. If they always, people always refer back to fumbles on running backs. They don't talk about the turnovers of the quarterback. Year in and year out, the guy that has the most turnovers in an offense when you look at it after the season, you might have three fumbles, but you got like eight. That's the same thing. But that quarterback stays in. So, hey, what do I know? It's a funny game, isn't it? I mean, you only coached how many years you did in the NFL coach. So let's be honest. Mike Evan, any other players that you're kind of down on, maybe lost the preseason a little bit? In a way,

you could say some of the guys that are in effect from the winners, right? Mitch Tinsley, we probably thought was going to make the team. I don't think any of us are having to make the team now because of Dante Myers and how good Colby Youngs looked. And we're talking about Charlie Jones taking that spot. We've got like six guys that could take that last spot. Whether you've got Keishon Williams, Noah Thomas had a pretty good day. There's a lot of wide receivers you could look at.

And I think Mitch Tinsley, unfortunately, last year's preseason darling is probably on the outside looking in. He might get a claim or something, but that feels like kind of a loser by just because Myers looks so good. And on the other end, I think you could look at McKinley Jackson, too, where he was probably projected to make the team. It seems the coaching staff has ever been that in on him. But with how good Landon Robinson looked, I feel like that job is pretty secured. And I don't think that Jackson's going to make the team. So Josh Newton, another guy that if you were doing a 53 man prediction at the start of the year, probably would have gone, Josh Newton's going to make the team.

And now you're looking at that. I'm not sure if Josh Newton's going to make the team. So those, I think, I don't know if they were necessarily all bad. I think Newton had a bad game in there. Tinsley, lucky that was called a catch and the fumble went out of bounds. No kidding. No kidding. That's a great point.

Yeah. Yeah. So I think there's a couple of that. Yeah, I think the running backs, you know, nothing. was made me feel super confident about the RB3 spot. And yeah, just the guys who are talented and could make rosters, but they're just in a really deep spot. I think that they're a big loser,

like guys on the defensive line, wide receiver, because there's just, you just can't keep all these guys. And so, you know, there's talented guys who aren't going to make it. And unfortunately, that's just going to be the reality of it. So Mitchell Tensley, Isaiah Foskey, these guys like that we've talked about might not make the team, even though they've played well at times and have had productive work, but it's just the name of the game.

These are good problems to have. I mean, the Bengals wide receiver room is reminded me of the 90s braves pitching rotation. Coach, you're a baseball fan. I'm sure you get that reference, but it'll all come down tomorrow. 6 o'clock Eastern Time is when the 53 men roster for all 32 teams, including the Bengals, will be finalized. Coming up next, Cassius Howell versus Miles Murphy, how much of a debate is this really?

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We wouldn't want that. Go to homechef.com slash lockdown NFL. That's home chef.com slash locked on NFL for 50% off your first box and free dessert for life. HomeShuff.com slash locked on NFL must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert. All right. Miles Murphy, former first round pick, 2023, golden in his fourth season, had a good training camp, had a good preseason. But I've watched what Cassius Howell did in preseason when he flatlined Orlando Brown Jr. When he tipped the past that Dexter Lawrence intercepted. And I can't help but thinking, Coach, we had this conversation on Thursday with Jake Liscoe on Bengel Squad. Mike and Evan, now that you're here, we'll talk about it a little bit more here.

Is there a debate on who should start between Howell and Murphy? Or is it going to be like, you know, Murphy's going to start, but you'll see Cash's Howell a lot. I think so. I think that right now just with Miles Murphy's ascension, and the kind of camp he had, I think he is the starter. He's a bigger body. But I believe that Catch's help, he's a playmaker.

He's a disruptor. So they will have him in the game to do exactly that. Whether that's a passing situation or and allow him to continue to work on his run stops, I think there is a great step because you know, He is a flash player. And I think that he is somebody that eventually, the more mature he becomes and the more physically he realizes what playing in the NFL is, I think he's going to go.

Muted myself. Sorry. There's so much of a debate had. I think Murphy's starting. I don't think Hal didn't play enough preseason games to really make a very strong case. And the other part is, like Coach mentioned, Murphy's a lot bigger. You don't really want to have two small ends out there.

I don't think Murphy's that small, but you get a guy at Murphy's size that kind of lets you have a little bit different. You can put them on the strong side of these things, especially while Shamar is out. It feels like Murphy is the starter, but Howell is the guy who's immediately going to spell them, maybe in the third and long,

and they're tossing out the NASCAR package. Howell's going to be a part of that? I think he's going to get onto the field. I don't think he's going to start, though. I think the starters are Maffey and Stewart, or it's not Stuart, sorry, Murphy. Yeah, I think Murphy's, I think that he's definitely going to be the starter because just how he ended last year on a high note,

and then how he carried that over into preseason and training camp. And I think what he did in the joint practice against the Bears, where he ended the last period with back-to-back sacks, one being a safety and was really being disruptive and was really getting into the backfield a lot from what it sounded like. I think that just showed how much he's progressed throughout the years and he's going into his final year, the Bengals didn't pick up his fifth year option. So it's kind of now or never for him.

And so I think he realizes that. And he's been playing really well. But I do think Cash is Howe will be a rotational guy. He will come in on third and long because he gives so much juice as a pass rusher. He has a wide bag of moves. His spin move has been really good so far. And he's been able to get to the quarterback. And he's looking like a guy that, I mean, we got him in the middle of the second round.

And he's looking like, he's playing like a first rounder. And that's been super good to see. And I think, you know, there's definitely going to be a rotation there. But they both offer different things. But I think Murphy's the starter and Cassius Hell will definitely play a lot. We'll bring a big pass rushing impact for sure. I'm already imagining the first game of the season. He gets like a third and 16 in Tampa Bay.

You know they're going to pass. And Cassius Howell comes off the edge. And Baker, you know, throws an ill-advised pass. It gets tipped and it gets intercepted. That would be cool to see. And Cassius Howell, what you're seeing from him is, he can provide production. And he provides depth for a defensive line last year that did not have anything remotely close to it.

Now they do, both on the edge and when it comes to the defensive line. But when it comes to Miles Murphy, I think two things, the best two things that happened to him this year have been, A, the Bengals not picking up their fifth year option, which we discussed at length in a show back in May, and B, the fact that the Bengals drafted Cash as Howell in the second round. because that tells me that the Bengals like Miles Murphy and what he did last year, they want to kind of light that fire under him. And coach, it certainly looks like it has. Hey, the greatest motivator in sport is watching a game from the sidelines. Woo!

Love it. And he just stopped right there, dropped the mic because he knows what he just said. Holds a ton of weight. Mike Evan. Yeah. Honestly, competition breeds success. So he's in a competition now, even though he's starting. It does kind of lead to iron sharpening iron in this case where you have to be on it because the guy behind you is nipping at your heels. And I understand they almost play different positions with their size. And Howell's probably going to be dropped into coverage more. Murphy's probably going to be able to reduce down in between the tight end and the offensive tackle more. But still, you want to have made. maintain as much playing time as you can get because for Murphy, he's been in that situation where Howell was in before, where he's the hungry one that's stuck behind somebody, where he was stuck behind Sam Hubbard for years there. Yeah, I think Cassius Howell has definitely, you know,

raised the pressure for Miles Murphy because, you know, going into his last year and with Boe and Moffey, you know, showing that, you know, that they need other guys and they, but they also want him to produce and need him to produce. So I think, you know, it's definitely lighting a fire under him and he's showing it. And we thought, I think we talked about it a few shows ago that one of the things that I love about this defensive line is we now have waves of defenders that you can come in. So in different packages, different, you know, whether it's a third and long or second and short or whatever, you can move guys in and out, keep fresh legs. And I think that I think that's something we haven't had in a few years. And I think Murphy, Howl, when Stort comes back, Moffey,

and all these defensive tackles is going to be huge in that. And I think that's, that's something that I'm super excited to watch. It's just how this whole defensive line rotation turns out. That was evident after the first preseason game that this defensive line has waves that they can throw out any opposing offense. And it is held truth throughout this preseason. Up next, while the Bengals looked really good in their last two preseason games, here's the problem, though. The starters didn't play. Should they have played more? Coach, you and I talked about this on Thursday, but something I heard Joe Burroughs say last night that actually changed my opinion on that. That coming up next on the Bengals squad show.

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slash lockdown NFL. In as little as 10 minutes, you can get the free quote and up to $3 million in coverage at ethos.com slash lockdown NFL. That is, ethhos.com slash lockdown NFL. Ethos.com slash lockdown NFL application times and rates may vary. Cool. Back here on the Bengals' watch show right here on lockdown Bengals, Coach Art Valero, Mike Santagina, Evan Stacey, Alex Frank with you on this Saturday afternoon. We got two shows coming up next week, middle of the week,

and then, of course, on Friday, going back to our Friday Sunday schedule. Of course, first show next week talking about the major decisions that were made in the 53 man roster. But let's shift the conversation a little bit to. the starters only playing two series this preseason. And coach you and I talked about it on Thursday. It's like, yeah, there's been a lot of good things that the Bengals have done in training camp in the preseason, but only two series for the starters. Fifteen plays in the preseason.

Good, bad. Here's what I think. Okay. Joe Burrow last night in his terrific interview that I'm sure you guys saw with A.J. Ross on CBS during the game. One of the best things he said, and he's ever said, quote, I'm just trying to bring a different mentality to my game. I try to treat every day like it's now or never. I try to treat every day like it's my last, end quote.

That gives you an insight to the mentality that he's bringing this year. And he looks like a guy that's locked in right now. And that's great. And it got me thinking, the slow start conversation that we had in 22, 23, 24, last year, this year, why are we still having it, honestly? This is a completely different team of the teams of the last four years. You heard what Chase Brown said.

This is the best training camp they've had in a long time because this is a totally different team. I think they're so locked in and so motivated and have that high sense of urgency that not playing a line in the preseason isn't going to really matter. Where do you guys stand on that? Well, I think you know where I stand. 12 plays is not enough for Joe Burrell.

And I think that behind the scenes, and they wanted a sitting for, two games, you're basically practicing, practicing for three days a week. There's seven days in a week. And without game time playing experience, you lose that sharp edge. You cannot do that. And it wasn't necessarily Joe Burrow, and I know they want to kind of keep him healthy and say but the rest of them

I don't see the conditioning the stamina game stamina that is being developed on this football team I don't see that and I really it worries me it really concerns me

about their first two or three games because you don't want to play and get too tired is that all I'm ready to go 12 play series? Are those wide outs? Now there's So enough in training camp, but once you cut them down and a lot of those guys were legs to take the beating off of those guys, but are they prepared to go 65 plays? I don't know.

That to me, and I'm, believe me, I'm as old school as you get. I think you get better playing football. Your body gets used to it. And I believe the stamina part of it is the biggest thing. They've all got talent. Every single guy that they sat has talent. But what they don't have is game time stamina, be able to play every down and be able to build up that kind of conditioning, mental and physical that allows you to be really, really on it. Yeah, for me, I'm not that concerned, I guess.

I don't know. Would it help the slow starts? It might. Some of that is just going to come back to the players. And at some point, you can give all the excuses you want. But at the end of the day, starting fast sometimes on you. Joe Burr took two hits. He said he likes to take a couple of hits to get into the feel of the game. They had that joint practice, long practice against the bears. So I think that's going to help them a little bit there. so that probably himself made it feel like maybe you don't need to go out there and play a series. If it was me, maybe I'd have him play one series in the second game, too. But I'm not overly concerned about that just because there is the risk of preseason injury, live football, taking hits.

I think it would be great to get that offensive line some more time together. Like coaches are saying, are you ready for a 12-play drive at the same time? That's probably the position you're most likely to get hurt with the amount of bodies near your legs. So for me, I see both sides of it. They've got to come out and start faster, though, because it's unacceptable. They keep playing a little bit more in the preseason and it doesn't seem like it's making a huge difference.

So the offense just got to come out firing the same way they would in November in September so that they can start hot and not have to play catch up when you're halfway through the year. Yeah, I agree with Mike. I don't think it's that big of a concern because we've seen them play a lot. We've seen them play none. really hasn't done a whole lot. Last year, they played about the same as they did this year, and they went to and O'nona. That was against the Browns and the Jags with the new coach. But I do

think my biggest thing is always just keep Joe Burrow healthy. If you can keep Joe Burrow healthy, that's a win. So, you know, we saw him get hit a few times. And so I, you know, with what I've liked to see and probably play one more drive in the second game, sure. But I don't think it was, I don't think it'll have that big of an impact. But I am interested because the first two games aren't the easiest games on the schedule. It's the buccaneers and the Texans. So, you know, that's, that's not a, that's a hard, tall task to, you know, have. So it's, it's not like you're playing the Browns week one and the Cardinals week two. Like, those are, there are two teams that very well could make to the playoffs and the Texans are, you know,

they're a team that are looking to make the Super Bowl and they have one of the, they have the best defense in the league. So I am a little concerned about just the first two games of the schedule being tough opponents. But like Mike said, it comes down to the players having to just get it done and having to go out and execute when game time happens. And I think, Alex, what you said, Joe Burrow was locked in this season. His mentality is completely different, and that's rubbed off on everybody on the team. And I think there's a sense of urgency that they need to go out and get it done. And Joe Burrow is instilling that into everybody.

And from everything that I've heard, it's rubbing off really well on everybody else. And it sounds like they're fired up to get started and ready to, you know, have a good season. But the first two games against two tough opponents does worry me a little bit. Everybody wants to win. But are you prepared to win? Now, I know it comes back on the players, but are they in the game type condition to absorb a 17-game game regular season? And that's a long time.

And if anybody were to get injured, God forbid, in a preseason game, at least you got time to bring them back if they get hurt in the first regular season game now that extends it case in point um dax in uh in dallas had a liz lice frank or a jones fracture in his foot they did not hold him out they waited until the regular season in game two he popped it they lost him for five weeks weeks. So you have to be in great shape and have great stamina. Other case and point is the catch that Jamar Chase took on the other day. What was amazing about that is that Jamar went out. He made a great catch. It buckled and it looked nasty. But you know what? Because of the way that he has

conditioned himself by running routes, by landing, by doing. and everything else is that allowing him to come back and be the guy on day one he did not everybody didn't play it yesterday and i think you have to be in that kind of football shape to be able to sustain it other case and point is joe burrow stayed out for what 40 minutes throwing the ball to uh myers the other day that tells me as a quarterback because every quarterback coach has a pitch count on a quarterback so you don't overuse their arms. And that tells me that Joe needed the extra work, wanted the extra work, so he stayed out. And I thought that that was brilliant on Joe's part.

What is he lacked in practice? He stayed out to get because he knows his body and what he needs. Now, man has been sad, them all. But I can guarantee you, there's some guys that really loved it. And there are other guys that were going, well, you know, I kind of need to work. You know? And so I think that that's the way it comes out. And, you know, I hope they come out firing.

But you know what? I just know a football player and what he needs mentally and physically to perform at his highest level. Playing the guys that they played the other day aren't the same. And they're not opening it up with the Browns and the Jags. Have you guys seen Houston? on defense? Oh, yes. They have bringing the onion, man. They're going to make you cry.

And you would better be prepared for that. What a quote. That's not Houston. You have a problem. It may be Cincinnati. You have a problem. Bravo, coach. Well done.

I'm going to double down on what I said earlier to close out the show. I know we're going a little bit over an hour, but I'll make this final point. Okay. The Bengals got so close to winning the Lombardi Shur just five years ago. But that was five years ago. And so when you get that close,

every decision you make gets put under the microscope by yourselves, by the media, by the fans. So then the slow starts became an narrative. It's like, well, we know what the Bengals can do once they get to the playoffs. They just, you know, they got to start fast.

And so everything starts weighing on you when you get so close. The Super Bowl was five years ago. And yes, Joe Barrow's still here. and Jamar Chase is still here, and T. Higgins is still here, and they're going to be here for the long call. Dexter Lawrence is now here. This is still a different team than the one that played in the Super Bowl five years ago. It's different than the team that got this close to going back to the Super Bowl just four years ago. So talking about should Joe Barrow have played more, should he not have?

I personally don't think it matters because what does matter is when the bowl is, kicked off at 1 o'clock or whatever 102 on September 13th, you're ready to go out there and play a game for four quarters. Because yes, you can say, well, Burroughs should have had more reps. They'd be more sharp. Last year they did. They went 2 and 0. Look what happened. Joe Burrow got injured. He was taking hits in the preseason, by the way. Just look at the Washington game last year. I still have nightmares about Joe Burrow running around like crazy. Anyway, this is not the preseason of 15 years ago where there was four preseason games and you gradually play the more and more. Now you're just trying to get the guys to the regular season, your stars,

your alphas, because they're 17 games. So yes, should they play more? Should they not? I don't think it matters. What matters is this team is ready to go. This team has that sense of urgency and they're ready to unleash when they kick the ball off September 13th against Tampa Bay. One quick note, listening to the radio broadcast of the second app last night. The praise for Andy Dalton from Dan Horde, Dave Lapham, Tony Pike was tremendous first class. Coach, Mike and Evan, you guys know Andy Dalton well. You've covered him for a long time. But coach, you're new to the Bengals Beat still.

One word to describe Andy Dalton. Oh, he's a pro. Love it. I love it. Do you know Andy Dalton has more passing yards than 17 Hall of Fame quarterbacks in NFL history? Really? Not bad. It's a nugget from Dan Horde last night.

And those quarterbacks, by the way, include Troy Aikman, Kirk Warner, and Jim Kelly. Interesting. Longevity helps. Yeah. But you know what? No matter where he has been, whether it be the Bengals or the Cowboys or any of the others that he's bounced around you, he's always been productive. And I tell you what, for him to be playing, he is a Joe Flacco. They're in the same boat.

Yeah. They are. Did Andy Dalton not win a playoff game here? He didn't. And look, obviously that haunted us for many years. But what I'll say is this. When you watch how great Joe Burrow is, you realize how hard it is to be as great as he is. And it makes you appreciate what Andy Dalton did five straight years to start his career,

taking the Bengals to the playoffs. And when he came here, this franchise was in turmoil. I mean, they were in turmoil, hell, so to speak. He brought them back. That is a credit to the pro coach. You mentioned that he is. Mike Evan coach real quick final thoughts. Bengals beat the Eagles last night.

We got a midweek show coming up this Tuesday and then another show coming up next Friday. Bengals 3 and no in the preseason for the first time in 20 years. A lot of kids. A lot of kids played well. Yep. Mike. Ready for real football. I think we all are.

Hey, you got college football on right now. I mean, you got North Carolina up 1210 on T's East to you. Youngstown State 1-01. They won already. They got Kentucky next week. week, Will Stein debut, so good luck to them. Evan. We're probably done. Yeah, I'm just ready for football to get rolling. I'm preseasoned 3 and O. A lot of players looked good, but now it's time to,

now it's time to get to the real stuff. So I'm, I'm ready. Players are ready, kicked up all off the tee. For Coach Arvillera, Mike Santagina at Bengals underscore Sandsap and Stacey at Evan Stacey 3. I'm Alex Frankie Frankie underscore Natty. This has been the Bengals Squad Show postgame edition. Bengals beat the Eagles 30 to 13. Finish 3 and O, a perfect preseason record for the first time since 2006. We are part of the lockdown podcast network and lockdown Bengals, the number one sports podcast, number in America and the world celebrating 10 years of your team every day. Have a great rest of your weekend. We'll be back on Tuesday following the cutdown day tomorrow. And please

remember that these athletes are human and they have real feelings towards their dreams that may be realized or unfortunately the alternative tomorrow. So please remember that. This has been the Bengals Squad show. We'll see you next week right here. on the Bengals Squashio and Lockdown Bengals, part of the lockdown podcast network, your team every day.