Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - BENGALS SQUAD SHOW: Bengals SEND MESSAGE by DECLINING Myles Murphy's FIFTH-YEAR option

Episode Date: May 1, 2026

After signing Boye Mafe in free agency and drafting Cashius Howell in the Second Round in the NFL Draft, the Bengals declined to pick up Myles Murphy's fifth-year option. Duke Tobin says they want to have a long-term relationship with the ascending edge rusher, so is this the right thing for the Bengals to do with Murphy? Alex Frank, Coach Art Valero, and CLNS Media Bengals beat writer Mike Petraglia discuss how the Bengals are sending a message to Myles Murphy by not picking up his fifth-year option.  Colbie Young is the Bengals' riskiest draft pick, and it's not just for his off-the-field suspension in 2024. Can Young silence the concerns about him and potentially become this team's WR3? If Young can, Andrei Iosivas's future with the team may be in serious question. But if both Young and Iosivas both don't produce this season, then what does WR3 look like?  The Bengals' front office has never been under more scrutiny than this offseason. To their credit, they have responded and delivered. How much credit should they get right now, and is there more they could do this offseason?  Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! 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!  FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.  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.  Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnfl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.  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.

I'm Alex Frank. The Bengals were right to not pick up Miles 50 or option. Coach Valero, this is a proven message for Miles Murphy when it comes to the Bengals. And Mike, I think it's time we give the Bengals front office some credit. No question. No question at all, Alex. I think this was the right move. They're not guaranteeing $14.4 million for next year. And I think that's the wise thing. This team is already a bit up against the salary cap. But the money they have spent so far has been wise money and for money that has been given to players with demonstrated production miles murphy frankly hasn't done that he's a first round talent that has been progressing

and progressing but he's still yet to show that kind of production on the field this is the kind of thing perhaps that can generate a chip on the shoulder a healthy chip on the shoulder for Miles Murphy and the Bengals are hoping that lights a fire under him, frankly. And they get more out of Miles Murphy this year in addition to Boy A. Maffei and Cassius Howell and obviously Shemar Stewart, you light a fire under him and get four guys who have something to prove. I think that's what the Bengals are looking for. Coach, Miles Murphy, the message has consent. Hey, I'm just hoping in his case, just like Mike had talked about. You know what? Too little too late or light a fuse. And I think they made the right decision by doing that.

We'll find out. That's time we'll tell. 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. Happy month of May to all of you. Thank you so much for making Bengals Squad. Part of your daily listening routine to twice a week long form conversational supplement to the daily lockdown Bengals podcast.

I'm Alex Frank. Today's episode is brought to you by a Fandual. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Head to fandul.com to get started. With Coachard Valero, we have a special guest today. He covers the Bengals for CLNS Media and CLNSNSC.com does a tremendous job. my boss and mentor at Sealingess Media, Mike Petralia, joining us on this Friday afternoon.

And he is a very happy man. His Philadelphia 76ers are taking the Boston Celtics to a game seven tomorrow now. And he's also a very happy man because you might get to cover a very interesting team in the NFL and the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm going to ask you, do you think that Bengals had a good draft last week? I do. And it wasn't spectacular, but I think it was very solid. But they did take obviously a chance on Colby Young, the talented but raw talent, I should say, out of the University of Georgia. But the rest of the moves made a lot of sense to me.

We talked about Cassius Howell. They had a first round grade on him, getting him in the second grade. I thought that was a terrific pick. Then they get one of the players that I am most fascinated by. And that is Ticario Davis out of Washington. and six foot four. Look, a name like Sauce Gardner comes to mind because he's got that same body type.

He doesn't have the same college production, but he has that body type. And obviously the Bengals would not be spending third round draft capital on him. If they didn't see that kind of potential, perhaps him growing into that, he's still very young. And he's got a lot of raw speed

to go with that 6'4, 81 inch wingspan that he's going to bring to the table. I think you put him in the defensive backfield in the secondary with Dax Hill and DJ Turner. And then you add a guy obviously a veteran Super Bowl winner like Brian Cook, Jordan Battle gets another year under his belt. This is a very dynamic, different looking secondary this year. The Bengals secondary at the last few seasons has been a big reason why the defense has struggled mightily. But I think when you look at what they have done in the draft and what they did in free agency,

I also think, Mike, one of the reasons why I believe this draft was a success is while the focus of the offseason was they have to, the Bengals have to rebuild the defense, they did not neglect or forget about the other side of the ball where Joe Burrow obviously is the commander of. And the Bengals, I believe in this draft, they plan for their future if Ted Karras does walk after this season with Conor Lou. if they also maybe use Brian Parker the second in a certain role. They plan for the future, not just for this season, but for future seasons. Do you see that in this draft class, Mike? I do. I think Connor Liu is the center of the future. I mean, he's young.

It's amazing that he's 20 years old. I asked Zach Taylor this after the press conference, I mean, at the press conference after the draft on Saturday afternoon. I said, it's not often that you get a center of his. ability at the age of 20 and he was joking around how when he was at 20 years of age he was still a quarterback in junior college and it's just fascinating to me that Connor Lou has been a team captain he's had 25 starts at an SEC program and he is somebody that could step right into the fold obviously we're making a lot of assumptions here there is a transition from the college game to

the NFL game. We understand that. But the talent is there. The raw ability and the demonstrated ability has already been put on films why the Bengals drafted him. And then Brian Parker is fascinating because guys, he is somebody who can play legitimately all across the offensive line. Players like that at, you know, a Division I school like Duke and he started at left tackle for Duke last year. They don't grow on trees. And this guy, even though he started at tackle at Duke, he was projected as an interior offensive

lineman. Specifically, he was classified as a center, projected as a center out of college. So that tells you what kind of flexibility scouts and other people around the game of football see in him.

And I think certainly he could bring that to the Bengals. I think those two picks are home runs. Assuming they both get on the field and they both stay healthy. That gives the Bengals something they haven't had in recent years to players who can step right in on game day and play essentially anywhere, one of them on the interior line and the other anywhere on the offensive line. That is certainly a luxury if you're a team like the Bengals and you have Super Bowl

aspirations. You need to have offensive linemen like that. I think of Dave Lapham playing all five positions in the same game. That's what I think about when you talk about Brian Parker the second and Conrad Loo, Coach, I'll go back to you. When it comes to the other side of the ball, Miles Murphy and the Bengals declining his fifth year option, and I think maybe the viewpoint or the thought process was they would pick it up because he was ascending. And his second half last year was really good.

But I also think this is the Bengals being smart by saying, we signed an edge rusher in Boy, Mafei, we drafted an edge rusher and cash is how old in the second round. we're going to keep you in mind for a long-term relationship, as Duke Tobin said. But at the same time, he's got to prove that what he did in the second half last year, coach, was not just a blip in his career with the Bengals. Absolutely. You know what I think it does? It's kind of twofold.

One is, you know, he is ascending still, not there yet. And usually those fifth year options are guys that are solid starters and stars on teams. They don't wait around very long. And I think the other thing that it allows is that it allows Stewart to say, hey, you know what, in a couple of years I'm going to be in the same boat as him. I better pick myself up and start to show these people something because they're not going to wait. And if I want that fifth year option or a chance to play at that level, I better pick myself up. So I think it's good on both sides.

Sorry, I was muted. I am sorry. Mike, is that how you see with what coach is saying with Miles Murphy and the fact that Shamar Stewart's now seeing it, that this could happen to him? But also with Miles Murphy, it's like, he still has some work to do. This isn't Sam Hubbard after his third season where he got a contract extension. Miles Murphy's still largely unproven. I'd say over the course of a 17-game NFL season, you're absolutely right.

He's unproven. I think certainly what he demonstrated to the Bengals and to his teammates in the last seven or eight games of last year being a little bit generous there, perhaps, is that he can do it. And that's the first step. He demonstrates that he can be that player. Can he be that player over the course of a year?

Can he be reliable? Can is he a guy you could put out there, let's say, 35, 40 snaps a game, and he brings pressure on almost every snap? He's not going to get to the quarterback every single down. We get that and we understand that. But is he going to bring it? Is he going to create disruption from his spot on the defensive edge of the defensive line? That's what the Bengals are looking for. And if you have a high motor, and I think they thought that Miles Murphy had that high motor coming out of Clemson,

if they see that high motor snap in and snap out, when you combine that with everybody else that they've brought in, the Bengals are going to want to keep Miles Murphy. But again, Miles Murphy has to put it on film. He has to do everything the right way in OTAs, in mini camp, in training camp, in the preseason, and then start with a really good bull rush, if you will, for the season. Well, the defensive line definitely is deeper than it was at this point last year.

And, I mean, definitely after the season ended, coach, you talk about all the time. Don't let a guy leave the building if you got him. But in this instance, it's a little different because you're saying to him, he needs to show that he deserves to be in the building. Is that accurate? Yeah, I would say absolutely. You know what? I mean, he came a long way.

He went from you never heard of him to all of a sudden he started. making place. And he does have that high motor. He can run around. He can make plays on the perimeter when you usually, you know, you would like an edge guy, a defensive end, to be able to make. And he showed me that, at least during the course of the season, last half of it anyway. And I think that, you know what, that room has just been elevated because they have so much competition in that room now that I think that about across the board, there is going to be great competition for playing time and to remain on the team, you know, because they're going to have some, you can only dress so many. And so I think that it's really going to light some

fires under some people. I want to jump in, I want to jump in here real quick. Go ahead. One of the things that Zach Taylor and Duke Tobin have mentioned, and Al Golden as well, defensive coordinator. The Bengals want to do what the Eagles did in 2024 and the Seahawks last year in 2025, wave after wave after wave of defensive line pressure, getting to the quarterback. That is what is going to make the linebackers better because there's been so much scrutiny, and I understand it. And I think Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr., they understand it. They try to tune it out. But they understand where that's coming from after their challenging rookie years. And it's going to make the secondary better. They need, they needed to completely revamp

the defensive line. And Miles Murphy can be part of that going forward. But again, he's got to do all of the right things here now that, I wouldn't say it's a warning shot across the bow, but a kind of a wake-up call has been delivered to Miles Murphy. I think it would have been more of the same if they had given it. And the way we're talking about this is if they had given the Bengals, Miles Murphy, they would have picked it up the fifth year option. It would have been more of the same. Like, hey, you show that you are improving, we'll keep you around. No, the Bengals have done a lot of things different this offseason.

And I think one of the things that I've been meaning to say on this show, coach, is that going into training camp, there are going to be some unknowns and uncertainties at key positions on the defensive line. Who's going to start? Dexter Lawrence obviously is going to start. but outside of him, who's starting on that defensive line? I think that's a legitimate question. It is. You know what?

I mean, they are very deep right now. And I think, you know, as far as they're going to have to find out and they're going to have to work for it. And you want nothing better than competition in a room. When you can come wave after wave of defensive linemen at an offensive line, you know, because those five never leave the field. and you put together a few long drives, and all of a sudden this, now it's past first time at the fourth quarter, somebody's going to get tired,

and if you've got that wave coming at you, you know they've got fresh bodies coming in and out. It's just that when you look at what the Bengals have done this offseason, they signed a Super Bowl champion at Dresher Boy Mothfe, who like Miles Murphy is ascending just at a higher level. Cassius Howell, SEC defensive player of the year. I mean, that's about as good as a guess as far as accolade, and what a player has done in college,

and then the Bengals draft him. So, Mike, I think it's interesting when you look at the Bengals edge rusher, and you started covering this team full time in 21, but you've been obviously, you've been following them for a really long time. You look at what the Bengals did after Carlos Dunlap walked. Carl Lawson walked. Well, Carlos Dunlap was traded. Excuse me.

They brought in Trey Hendrickson signed him. He's walked. Drafted Miles Murphy. Jerry's still out on him. They bring him boy Mafe. We don't know how that's going to pan out. hopefully it turns out to be a hit in free agency. And maybe the Bengals can have an extension several years down the road.

And then you look at, excuse me, Cassius Howell, maybe he is as advertised and the Bengals give him an extension when his time comes. I just wonder if there's been this revolving door at edge rush or at a position that is skyrocketed in terms of value over the last handful of years. And do the Bengals finally have an answer and a plan for the direction they want to go at that position because Duke Tobin talked about it at length back in January. They've got waves. It's just a matter of which direction they ultimately want to go in.

So you know how I mentioned how the defensive line is going to make the linebackers and the secondary better? The interior defensive line is going to make the edge players better. And that is where the Bengals, I think, are feeling that's why they went out and obviously traded for Dexter Lawrence. I think the best at his position in the National Football League, certainly in the conversation of the top three. Okay, it's a short list.

Then you add Jonathan Allen, who I love the toughness, the attitude. I'll clean it up there. But the toughness and the attitude that he brings to the defensive line, the Bengals love it. They know they needed that, and it was missing the last several years. They were soft in the middle. Ask anybody, whether it's, you know, a 59-year-old. old guy like me with a soft belly in the middle.

That's not where you want to be soft. You want your core to be tight. You want to be athletic, right? Well, the Bengals want to be tight and strong and solid in the middle of their defensive line. And that's what they feel they are now with Dexter Lawrence, with Jonathan Allen. T.J. Slaten is still on this roster.

Let's not forget. B.J. Hill and Chris Jenkins. There are a lot of bodies in the middle of that. defensive line and a couple of them are three techs who are there to get to the quarterback not just run stop but get to the quarterback so if you have to account for all of those bodies in the middle of the defensive line by definition you're going to create some one-on-one matchups on the edge and i'm sure trey hendrickson somewhere out there in baltimore is going well if you had that for me last year or the year before that maybe the story would have been different and i would have gotten to the quarterback even

more. Coach? Well, you know what? I mean, Mike just pointed out a great analogy of what's going on inside. You know what they've tried their attempts. The Bengals attempts at getting an edge player, you know, other than through free agency, you know, they're at the plate just fouling them off because you haven't seen those guys step up and be that guy. And let's hope during free agency in the draft that they find their

guy to be able to be those two edge players that can shut it down, press the pocket. You know, I'd say the one thing on Miles Murphy, he's got to work on his hand speed, he's got to work on his past rushing technique. And I think that now he shows them he is one of those every down players. Yeah, they've given him a lot of help this offseason. It's not just bringing in my and Howell as competition. It's also helped to finally get this off the ground, as Mikey mentioned, over the course of a 17-game season. Now, Mike, real quick, because you're in the locker room a lot. You were there this past week. You were there the week before. I really think one of the more underrated aspects of the Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence is that it's going to completely

rejuvenate BJ Hill. And if that's the case, and if BJ Hill is playing well this upcoming season. Good luck trying to move the ball against this Bengals defensive line. Great point. And I think there is some, certainly some credence to that way of thinking. I do think B.J. Hill needed to have a little bit of a fire lit underneath him. And I think this does it. It's a friendly way of doing it, certainly. It's not threatening. It's bringing in a guy he played with, obviously, with the New York football giants several years ago before. BJ Hill came to the Bengals. So there's familiarity there.

But I think Dexter Lawrence, in addition to being a good friend, he's also a motivator. And he's not going to let anybody, including BJ Hill, slack off on that defensive line. One other point I want to make about Dexter Lawrence, about Jonathan Allen, about BJ Hill and T.J. Slayton. If they are what they're supposed to be, the middle of that defensive line has not been able to collapse the pocket in recent years. They should be able to do that.

Even if it's not getting to the quarterback, it's disrupting and pushing that pocket back into the quarterback. So the quarterback can't just step up and avoid the eggs rushers and make a pass down field or get rid of the ball to a safety valve like a tight end or a running back. And that's the other thing that the Bengals are thinking about with the way they've constituted the defensive line. It's very similar to the Steelers coach because you look at T.J. Watton, and he's otherworldly at edge usher. We know that. But they also had Alex Highsmith or have Alex Highsmith on the other side.

Who do they have in the middle? Cam Hayward, bulldozing interior defensive tackle. So he collapses the pocket. Watton Highsmith converge. Boom. You got game changing plays. Coach, now the Bengals have that. And you saw the impact that the Dexter Lawrence trade had on the AFC North, when a lot of them went after offensive linemen in the NFL draft. Absolutely. You know, that's just so true. You know, the one thing that quarterbacks want to be able to do is step up in the pocket. And if they can step up in the pocket, it doesn't really matter who you have outside

because they can always step up and get behind whoever is that wherever the double team is because there's going to be one. and now you have that pocket presence where the middle of the pocket is getting pushed in. It chases that quarterback, whether it's to the right or to the left, right into those guys that can get out and run, and it makes it very, very difficult. It does. That is.

I get the ball out of your hands in a hurry. I mean, I can't believe we're talking about the Bengals' defensive line and their defense, Mike. keeping offensive coordinators up at night. Because last year, if they were up in night, it was because they were trying to figure out gadget plays or trick plays to just completely embarrass his Bengals defense. Yeah, Ben Johnson won't be doing that this year. No, and now the offensive coordinators are staying up at night,

making sure, okay, we have to account for these guys over the center, over the guard, because if we don't, it doesn't matter what we call it. The play will be destroyed. and that's what the Bengals are hoping for is that they win more of those battles than not. The Bengals need to get their defense in a position where it's not third and two, third and three, even third and four all the time.

Because those are very manageable downs for offenses in the National Football League. And Zach Taylor has made reference to this many, many times. You need to get defenses into third and seven, third and eight, third and nine, and then you're talking. And that really involves, stopping the run on first and second down. Exactly.

I mean, that's exactly what the Jets and the Bears did last year when the season basically was shot down of any chance the Bengals had in the playoffs because those teams could run the football straight at the Bengals defense and it set up everything else that they wanted to do. Speaking of offense, we're going to go to that side of the ball next. I imagine we'll circle back to Miles Murphy in our fourth segment with the topic. But the Bengals draft pick, there is one draft pick that could have a multi-year impact for better or for worse, and it's out of position of strength. We'll get into that conversation next right here on the Bengals Squad Show.

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notes or go to bengles.orgat or locked on bangles. com. We'll get Coach Ardallero back here in just a second with Mike Petralli, our guest from C LNS Media. I'm Alex Frank here on the Bengals Squad show. Mike, real quick, you mentioned 59. If I'm remembering correctly,

satchel page pitched at 59 years old. He did. I could swing a bat at 59. I don't know if I'd hit a ball, but I'd love to I've always wanted to take a shot at playing some sport late, late in life. And the closest I'm ever going to come is a golf course

and it won't be with pros. I can assure you that. You were just at the RBC Heritage down at Hillman. That was a great tournament, by the way. An underrated tournament. an underrated take for a golfing fan, a sports fan, but especially a golfing fan. The week after the Masters, it's really a very unique tournament with lots of South Carolina character.

I love it. It's right on Hilton Head, beautiful views and really a gorgeous course. How about that? I've always wanted to go down there. Coach, when you were coaching and still are coaching, would you and the coaching staff, like, get together during the week or maybe in the offseason for a golf tournament or golf scramble? you know what being in it was when I was a coach in in college we were able to do that once you got into the NFL it was very very difficult because you were either out scouting

you know talent or you were in the office grinding away or you were in OTAs mini camp or the season and it's not you know you would like to but then a lot of older guys couldn't play so it was usually the younger guys that got out and played. And then once I started to get older, hung him up. I haven't got my golf club's house since. By the last time I played golf was the Nation Moore Stewart signed his contract last year. So interesting connection there. Yeah, I was on the sixth hole when I got worried that he signed his contract.

So that's an interesting anecdote for me. Anyway, that's a good conversation and start off segment too. Let's go to Colby Young. You too will know this name very well. I know this name well as well. It's not that Colby Young kind of reminds me a little bit of Jermaine Burden. At least I hope he doesn't become him because he hadn't off the field incident in 2024. He had injuries throughout his college career.

He reminds me of Percy Harvin. And I say that because the talent is there. If you look at the statute and you look at the tape, the talent is there. but if it doesn't materialize if he can't stay healthy and to his credit he hasn't had any off the field incidents since 24 then i just wonder if this is going to turn out to be a good pick by the bangles mike what's at you well i believe that this is one of those uh i would say low risk high reward but maybe it's more like medium risk high reward they are spending the draft capital in the fourth round on a wide receiver they think can make big plays down the field.

And that is something that Zach Taylor loves for Joe Burrow to have. He wants that next weapon to make big, big plays down the field. And what they saw on tape from Colby Young was the ability to do that. Did he do it that often? Probably not enough for Kirby Smart and the folks down at Georgia. but he is somebody who has the God-given athletic skills, right, or the athletic measurements. He's 6'4-4-15 pounds, and he runs a 4-4-40.

And he can get downfield. I think he's got reasonably strong hands from everything I read about him. But he's got to, again, there's the word, demonstrate during games and during practice, during training camp, during a preseason, that he can do this, that he can read a defense, get down, an NFL defense, get downfield, and make the play. Can he make the play and move on to the next play? And to me, that's where Jermaine Burton had trouble. He would make one or two plays, and then you wouldn't hear from him the rest of the game.

That can't be the case with Colby Young if he is to fulfill that fourth round promise that the Bengals see in him. Look, I remember in 24, when you bring up Tremaine Burton, that's a great comparison. He made that big deep ball reception against Kansas City. You didn't hear from him again until he made that deep ball catch against Philly.

And on that same drive, Mike, burrow through a gorgeous fade into the end zone that landed right in Burton's hands, and he didn't catch it. And he didn't really hear from him the rest of the way. Now, coach, I think it's interesting. When you hear about all these great things that Colby Young can do a wide receiver,

and the fact that the Bengals can maybe use another guy that is a big play down the field receiver because the Bengals really haven't been able to generate a ton of explosiveness offensively since 2021 as far as explosiveness down the field. That can really impact opposing defenses. But again, it's just a matter of can he do it? And that's where I fear this is more of a risk than maybe Zach Taylor wants to admit. Well, you know, you look at it. He's got all the measurables, right?

huge upside, is he mature enough to step into the NFL in a national football league offense and play at the level of that he needs to be able to play at consistently? And it's the inconsistent players that are the ones that, oh, they've got a great upside, but you just can't capture it. And I think that, you know, hey, giving the kid a clean slate, letting him come to Cincinnati, letting him learn how to be a pro from the likes of, you know, T. Higgins and Jamar Chase, I think is a great fit. Now, you got three of those guys going down the field, too, and if they put Jamar in the slot,

boy, I mean, that's going to put some serious pressure on a defense. they could really explode into it. And I think that's probably the biggest thing with a young man who's got all the measurables is that maturity level. And can he walk in, can he learn, and can he demonstrate it? And I think that's what it's like to be a pro. And that's what he needs to be able to be. It's what Jermain Burton couldn't do.

He couldn't get under Jammar and T in their wings and learn how to be a pro. because look, Jamar and T are incredible receivers. But the one thing that I love most about them, arguably, is the fact that they're great leaders and they carry themselves with such professionalism, minus what Jamar did last year in Pittsburgh. I know people may bring that up and that's fine. But for the most part, they have handled themselves with incredible professionalism both on and off the field, in addition to their greatness on the field. Now, Mike, do you, when Zach Taylor, he said something, and I'm paraphrasing here, that he's taken risks before in the draft. This one wasn't one of those when he said that about Colby Young.

Do you believe when he says that? Do you believe him? Yes and no. I mean, I think he knows what the risks are. You take a pick in the fourth round. You expect him to be on the field and make plays, and he doesn't wind up doing that. At least he doesn't do it consistently enough to earn a spot on your 53-man roster

or even your 46-man game day roster. roster. He knows that, but I think the reason he doesn't feel he's taking a risk is the due diligence. I believe that the Bengals talked to enough people to assure themselves that this is not Jermaine Burton. And remember, Jermaine Burton played at Georgia for Kirby Smart. They're well aware of both Jermaine Burton and now Colby Young. And Kirby would tell him, and I'm sure, sure the conversation came up. Did, you know, did Zach say, is this another Jermaine Burton? I'm sure that question had to have been asked. If Zach Taylor was not doing his due diligence if he didn't ask that question. And I'm sure Kirby gave him an answer like, well, we brought him

back on the roster in 2025 after his off the field incident with his ex-girlfriend. And he was pretty productive until he got hurt, you know, the left fibula injury. and missed the final six games, but he did come back to the roster. And Zach Taylor brought that up when he was asked about Colby Young last weekend. So I do think that the Bengals feel like this is a guy that is not Jermaine Burton all over again. This is someone who, I hate using the expression, learned his lesson, but learned from his experience. It's probably a better way to put it.

Learned from experience. He knows he's under the microscope. coming to the Bengals, and I think he probably doesn't have some of the issues, frankly, that Jermaine Burton struggled with when he was here in Cincinnati. And frankly, I think part of the problem with Jermaine Burton, and some of it was his own doing, is he didn't have enough appropriate support around him 24-7. I don't think Colby Young is that same kind of personality, and I'll leave it at that. That's a great point, because I think when the Bengals took Burton, first off, it was a second round.

a second round pick. But also, I think a lot of us viewed at the time that Jermaine Burton was drafted because the Bengals were going to move on from T. Higgins. Now, Burton still had T. Higgins both that year and this past year. But T was also, you know, dealing with his distractions potentially with the franchise tag, with wonder if he was going to be gone after 24. He ultimately got a contract extension. But Colby Young, you mentioned him like that he hasn't had. anything happened to him off the field since. And that's good. So maybe he's in a better place, even with the mistake he made coming in.

But coach, again, I just fear, given what happened with Jermaine Burton, given what's, excuse me, happened with several other draft picks in recent history for the Bengals, that I'm worried that this could turn out. And it's not just off the field. It's on the field, too, that this could be a whiff. And if it is, where do the Bengals go at wide receiver three? Well, hey, they put, you know, that seems to be what the Bengals do. They put their, all their eggs into one basket.

You know, the first question I would ask, Zach, is, who are the other ones you took a shot at? And where are they now? Are they performing well for the Bengals? Or are they playing well for somebody else? How'd they pan out? Because a lot of times, especially in football, if a, if they show you who you, who they are, you need to believe them. And until you, until they step up, until they grow into themselves, that's, you know, then they show you both off the field and on the field and they can,

they can complete themselves as a professional football player. And that's maturity, that's work ethic, that's, that's everything that goes around it. And if you're somebody, who comes in who needs support, you know, is that the only way you're going to make it through life? You know, you have to be a self-starter. And when you get to that level of football, they want self-starters because then you don't have to babysit them. You know, you're done.

In college, they babysit you. In the NFL, hey, you're your own man. When you leave the field, they don't have a, you know, a nightly watch. You don't have to be at study hall. You don't have to do this. You don't have. And the structure has to be enough there. And you've got to be that kind of person to get yourself out of it.

So, yeah, hey, the ball's in his court. And he can do with it however he plans out. And I'm sure they did their due diligence. And they researched everything because you would never take anybody that you weren't totally prepared for anything they came up. And I'm sure they did. they did a great job of evaluating him. And it was easy probably on film. And now it's doing all the underlying work.

I'm sure the position coach went out there. The scouts went out there. You know, the head coach probably listened to a lot of them. And I'm sure they, you know, by making that choice at four, they said, hey, you know what, he's our next wave of guys when these other ones just get a little bit older. quick correction. I just want to jump in here. He was a third round pick,

Jermaine Burton was back in... That's right. 24th. Yeah, not a second, but still, my bad. A high, high draft capital spent on Jermaine Burton there.

Day two. Day two pick. And you won the... If you're picking those guys in day two, you're hoping that they pan out. You're wanting to give them, I would think a contract extension. Day three guys,

as coaches, you mentioned, like that's where you're building your roster depth. Now you never know. Teacher Hushman's out. It was a seventh round pick, and he's one of the best receivers. and Bengals history. I keep thinking of Joe Mixon because of his serious off-the-field incident in Oklahoma on 2014,

the Bengals drafted him in 17. It was met with tremendous pushback. To Mixon's credit, for the most part, he was a very good role model on the field, off the field in the community. He carved down a very nice seven-year career with the Bengals. But you just, I remember just fearing that this was another pick that he was going to turn into a problem in the locker room and ultimately he wasn't. But I just hope that's not going to be the case for Colby Young.

Because Mike, you bring up the measurables and the intangibles. When I was reading his profiles on ESPN, NFL.com, I was thinking of AJ Green. Another Georgia receiver, who we all know, is one of if not the greatest wide receiver in Bengals history. No question. And I think when you think of Colby Young, you just think of him flashing, making big plays down the field. If he doesn't pan out.

And I know a lot of Bengal fans aren't going to want to hear this. It's not just Andre Yosevosh at the third wide receiver position. You've got guys like Mitch Tinsley, who I think really showed Joe Burrow and Zach Taylor quite a bit last year. And Dan Pitcher, the offensive coordinator, that Mitch Tinsley can be trusted. And I think they believe a lot in Mitch Tinsley. We still haven't seen Charlie Jones make enough plays to where he could be considered a true number three in the offense, or at least in the wide receiver position. And I think he is more of a specialist.

They like him in that role. They really do. And he is some valuable depth on the roster. But I also think don't sleep on Kishan Williams, another guy who's a returner. They also have Kendrick Pryor on this roster as well. So there are some options if Colby Young doesn't work out immediately with the Bengals. Because Coach, again, it all goes back to if you can allow Jemar and T to do more things with your third wide receiver, that's why you spent the traffic in the fourth round on Colby Young.

Oh, no doubt. The more weapons you have, you're now, you've got an awful lot of choices. And with not only those wide outs, if they start to sink, then that's where you're running backs and your tight ends need to make plays underneath and catch and run and keep the chains moving. Speaking of Andre Yossi, his name hasn't really been brought up since Colby Young was drafted in this offseason, but for lack of a better term, it is a make-it-or-break-it-year or else his future with the team this season and beyond could be a major question. That conversation next right here on the Bengals Squad show. I'm going to pose this as a two-part question because the last two seasons, every time I've been in a training camp and everything that I hear, Mike, on the Jungle War podcast, which you co-host from your columns on CLNSCinC.com, I am just so looking forward to Andre Yosevaj breaking out.

And the last two seasons, I've heard that and read that. And it just has not happened. So my question for you is because you're a training camp every day. And I've seen Yosey Vasha training camp be outstanding. Why have we built him up so much the last two seasons? And why has it just not panned out the way we hoped it would with him? Opportunity. I think the Bengals just have not integrated him into the offense because they've had to make places and opportunities for Jamar Chase and T.

And, you know, not find some wood somewhere, got my desk here, neither one of those players has really missed all that much time over the course of their careers. And the Bengals, that's a good problem to have, right? That both Jamar Chase and T. Higgins have been on the field for the most part doing what they do. But when that happens, you've really got to work to find opportunities for Andreyeosovash. And he's had some red zone opportunities. and I think made the most of them there.

I think where he flatlined a little bit, and I heard a Bengal insider in the locker room tell me this week, he's flatlined between the 20s. He just isn't making plays downfield. He doesn't, I mean, he was a track star at Princeton, but he doesn't have that explosive separation speed that you look for from guys like T. Higgins and Jamar Chase because he is not as refined.

a route runner as those two. Those are two of the best receivers in football. And Andre Yosevosh can make, I think it's expected that he makes more compete completions. What do I mean by that? Where he's going up for 50-50 balls and bringing it down. And I don't think he's done enough of that. I don't think he's separated enough.

But when the ball is in his hands, for the most part, he makes the catch. It's just that it's a funny one to consider. It's a funny circumstance to consider. But I think the biggest thing with Andre Osivash is that he hasn't had the kind of opportunity that he would like in the offense. So how do my quick follow up here, how do the Bengals view him and what his role could be going into this season with the fact that they spent a draft pick on a receiver? And they still have, of course, Jamar and T, who are the best wide receiving duo in football. He's a insurance policy in the red zone. Certainly if one of those guys goes down,

Joe Burrow knows that Andre Yosevosh knows the offense back and forth, right? And that brings an inordinate, certainly an intrinsic value to that weapon on the field that Joe Burrow can trust him to be in the right spot in the red zone to make the catch. And I think we did see that at times last year, and that was a good sign for Andre. of Sivash. But I think we need to see more out of them. Coach, how do the Bengals get more out of Yosibash and maybe incorporate him more into the offense? Because you and I talk about all the time, every great wide receiver duo had a number three alongside of them. Right. Well, you know what? Number one is it just took a fourth round

pick. That's one way. There's serious heat for playing time now. Two, his contract is coming up. So now it's a matter of him taking those fine points that Mike had mentioned that he, that I believe, I totally agree with Mike with, you know, opportunity one. You're not just a clearing round guy for these other two, but you're making plays by separation and catching contested balls over the middle to where he can all of a sudden now establish himself. And maybe, excuse me, take away some of those routes that even the tight end is being asked to run. They can certainly go 10 personnel with four wives, put him on the field. Let's see what he's got.

Let's see. And that's how you can start to give him more opportunities, give young more opportunities, give Tensley more opportunities, to not just be undercover guys that will. allow linebackers to sink down on them, but, excuse me, actually make plays. And I think that that's where he's at right now. And I think that, you know, he's a smart kid, you know, and it probably took him a couple years to get used to and nothing against the Ivy League. But playing Ivy League football and playing in the National Football League is quite different.

No, it is. So speed, technique, all of those things. He, again, has great intangibles. Now, let's show me. You're in, what, your third year? It's time for you to bubble up and go. It's not for, you know, a lack of work ethic on the field. It's not for any off-the-field issues.

Andre Josievush, for the most part, has been a very hard working player with the team. He doesn't have any off-the-field issues that I know of, at least. I go back to a point, Mike. made about between the 20s. So let's look at this two game stretch last year. When the Bengals beat the Steelers on Thursday night football, Yose Vosch had a gorgeous over the shoulder, rainbow ball catch. Joe Flacco took a big hit and Yosefosh caught it over his shoulder. Huge play in a very, very important win at the time for the Bengals. The next week on the Bengals would be game winning drive against the Jets, Flacker throws a pass over the middle. It's tight coverage that the Jets were playing.

Yosevosh couldn't haul it in. The Bengals will be. ultimately have the drive stall, they lose. So it's just a matter of consistency there. Now you look at Yose Vosha's touchdown on Thanksgiving against the Ravens, and you're like, that's why you keep him on the roster. But I am just worried that let's say Colby Young doesn't work out. They don't get immediate impact this year. Yose Vash, you know, further drops off this year or doesn't live up to the hope that

we've had for him for the last three years. I just wonder, because Mike, you know this, every great tandem, Harrison and Wayne had Brandon Stokely. And then you look at the Rams head, Azima, I forget I've pronounced his name, but I know who I'm talking about. Asakim. Yes, thank you. Asakim, yes.

Yes, thank you. Asakim, thank you. And you look at other great tandems throughout NFL history, wide receivers, they've always had that wide receiver three. So if Yosevosh doesn't ultimately, you know, take a step forward this year, could the Bengals be looking at a wide receiver three on day two even or day one even? in 2027 or maybe even, gosh forbid, because they're doing things differently,

go after a receiver in season and a trade. Well, certainly they could, but the reason they didn't do it this year with, let's just say Carnell Tate were available. Yes. Zach Taylor would love to have that guy. And it's not because it's a good point you're making, Alex, because the Bengals are not looking to draft a third receiver. They're looking to draft the best receiver available.

with the best value with the pick they're at. And if they could get another number one and slot them into a number three position on this roster, that would be the ideal situation for Duke Tobin, for Zach Taylor, for offensive coordinator, Dan Pitcher. They would love to do that, but they don't have that opportunity because they had so many holes on the defense to fill.

And they did the right thing. I mean, I don't think anybody's arguing with the fact that they spent all of this draft capital and spent all that money that they did, $200 million committed. over how many ever four or five years on the defense. Nobody's complaining about that because it needed to be fixed. But to your point next year, if this continues to be an issue,

certainly wide receiver, getting a third wide receiver of elite value and elite production and skill set would be, I think, close to the top of their priority list simply because you have Joe Burrow as the quarterback. And you have Jamar and T. Higgins as your wide receiver duo. I mean, look, this is a position of strength. I mean, the Bengals have wide receiver. They have the best duo in the NFL. They're locked up for the next few years. But if you can get coach a wide receiver three to allow Jamar and T to do more and that wide receiver three becomes that weapon, you go and get. Now, maybe it's a tight end. Maybe Jack entries, which Mike, I know you're very in on that pick.

Maybe he steps up this year. Maybe Mike. like Gisicki has 60 catches this year if he plays all 17 games. There are options out there. I just wonder if it's on the roster coach right now going in the next season. Well, I think that's what the Bengals are shooting for, that they have a complete receiver group by drafting young. And the guys that they have, they feel like they can feel those needs. The one thing that's crazy about having such a talented group of wideouts, It's just only one ball. And, you know, right now, you're number one and number two receiver

are going to get a majority of the calls, and it's up to the other one, the third, to be creative enough and to be able to get himself in a position where he's open. And I think that, you know, certainly Zach has a great offensive mind and Dan has a great offensive mind. And you know what? If you've got those kind of weapons, you're going to feed the studs. and they're going to get them the ball. And they just need that guy to be able to step up and be that guy.

And I think that, you know what, hopefully next year, they're not picking in the top 10 and they're a playoff team and now you're picking somebody a good whiteout at number 20 or 28. Yeah. You know, so that has a big difference. Now you're looking for free agents, not necessarily draft picks. Well, that's the hope because then you're picking BPA. And Mike, when you do that, you have an opportunity to maybe a receiver falls to you at 28, 29, or 32, hopefully, if you win the Super Bowl this year.

So that's what coach you're saying. You want the Bengals to be in that position. If a receiver does end up there, you could end up getting a very good pick with a good value. Yeah. So true. Yeah. Up next. Go ahead, coach.

No, absolutely. That's, you know, I think that's where they. They've got their sights set, and I think that they feel in the building that they've got the right pieces to the puzzle. They do. They definitely do. Up next, we're going to credit the Bengals front office, but how much exactly that conversation next right here on the Bengals Squad Show? Mike, you wrote an excellent column on CLNSNC.com this week about why you're crediting the Bengals front office and you outline all the moves that they have made this offseason, including signing Joe Flacco, to be the Bengals backup quarterback. this year, which may have been viewed as a layup, may have been viewed as a move that should

have been made, but you still got to make them, and they did. And then they ultimately swung big in trading for Dexter Lawrence. How would you grade, Mike, the Bengals front office and the job they've done this offseason as we sit here today on May 1st? I'd say solid A. Maybe there are a couple of moves. Maybe they could have gone out and gotten a linebacker or two, and maybe Bobby Wagner's still out there. Maybe he comes to Cincinnati on the deal that is within the Bengals budget. But you have to give the Bengals a solid A. And I listed all of these items, and I itemized them, if you will, like a grocery list in my column on CLNSCinC.com.

Resigning tight-end Mike Keseki, signing backup quarterbacks, Josh Johnson and Joe Flacco, re-signing guard, Dalton Reisner to make sure that their entire offensive. line is intact going into the season. Something they really haven't had in the Joe Burrow era. Think about that. He is going into his seventh season, and we've never been able to say that about Joe Burrow going into a particular NFL season. That's remarkable to me.

Then, of course, all the free agents, Boy A. Mape, Brian Cook, Jonathan Allen, Kyle Dougger. And let's not forget potential starting nickel corner, Jaseer Taylor. He still has to battle guys like Jalen Davis. Maybe Dax Hill moves inside if Ticario Davis wins a job outside. Who knows? But anyway, those are all the free agents. Then, of course, the Crem de la Crem, the crown jewel of the Bengals off-season without question.

Trading for the number 10 overall pick to the New York Giants for nose tackle, Dexter Lawrence. Then you come into the draft with a lot of momentum. And this is why I like the what the Bengals did, having all of that precede the draft. they were able to go out and take a Cassius Howell to add to the edge. They were able to take Takario Davis to add to the secondary. Connor Lou, Brian Parker on the offensive line. They were able to take a chance on a guy like Colby Young. Then they draft the tight end and Jack Endries and wrap it up with a,

don't sleep on Landon Robinson out of Navy because he brings some technique and some skill sets that the Bengals don't have in a defensive tackle. He is somebody, I think, will make the roster. and again could be in that rotation of defensive tackles. Maybe not every game day. Maybe there are a lot of games where he's inactive, but he's an option who they believe brings a skill set that is different than your prototypical NFL defensive linemen.

They spent $122 million in new player contracts this season, as I said earlier, committed $200 million to overhauling the defense. What more do you want them to do? Really? What more do you? you want Duke Tovin, Katie Blackburn, and Troy Blackburn, and of course, Mike Brown to do. And that was the point in my column. And I think now the ball is firmly in the courts of the players and the coaches and both players.

And Zach Taylor mentioned that repeatedly in the last several weeks. There's no question about it. The coaching staff has all the pressure in the world on this year. Zach Taylor's in his eighth season. Al Goldens and your two is defensive coordinator. He's got a ton more resources. Dan pitcher, for the most part, has lived up to everything we hoped he would be since he took over his offensive coordinator prior to 24. Coach, I'm going to turn to you because here's an interesting quote.

And Mike, you were at this press conference, Duke Tobin held one earlier this week. When he was asked about the cap and the fact that the Bengals have basically reached the cap, they only have, I think, but $2 million or so left to spend because they've spent a lot of money. About $7 million now. $7 million? Wow, okay. Yeah, there you go. It's in that ballpark. Okay.

But they've spent a lot of money. money. They've gotten closer to the cap than they have in recent years. Here's something interesting that Duke Tobin said, coach, that really got my eye and got my antenna perped this week. When he was asked about, Mike, this may have been your question, when he was talking about contract extensions for Daxhill, DJ Turner, Miles Murphy's fifth year option, Joe Barrow restructuring his deal. Duke Tobin said the following, quote, those are things that we're working through after the draft. We're layered in challenges, but we're up to them. And we do it because we have the opportunity.

to add the right people and the right players. Those are challenges that the locker room isn't interested in. They're interested in having the best team possible, and that's what we're trying to give them is the best team possible. And quote, Coach, the Bengals have done things financially that they haven't normally done. So yes, there are challenges, but this is a good problem to have. Now the question is, how do the Bengals manage this challenge? That's a, that's a specific point.

It's like, you know, you're in uncharted territory. How do you manage, coach? That's what I'm wondering. You know what, that's going to be the brain trust. And hopefully that they have, you know, what we talked about it during this season. In order for them to be in contention, they have to spend money. And they certainly have invested a lot of money in all of these players that they brought in. And so now it's going to be not only that, but they've got on the horizon,

they've got some quality players that are coming up. And it's always better to get them and give them the extensions, whether you push it off into the future or whatever, earlier than later because then they're going to want more money if they're playing up to their potential. So that's a juggling act that those front office people are going to have to do, and that's the one they fight every day. And I think that, you know, the one thing that with what they did during the off season,

I always think about or I've been thinking about since the draft is what if Dexter Lawrence was not available? That came up in two weeks. You know, he was out there. That came up in two weeks. If they didn't make that sign or if the Giants re-signed him, now where's that draft grave now what's that the vision of what they wanted does it come to fruition now you're adding dexter lawrence oh yeah hey great job what if he wasn't there because it was about two weeks he was there and you were two weeks away from the draft where would you

have gone you know and i know that yeah i love that question question, Art, because I think it would have obviously changed what they did in the first two days of the draft. You would have seen a defensive tackle. Maybe it wouldn't have been one of the top defensive tackles because there was a run on them. But I think the Bengals would have been pressured into taking somebody like a Peter Woods out of Clemson. That would have been certainly on the table had they not gotten Dexter Lawrence. but the Bengals are fortunate they don't have to cross that bridge because they were able to do things in the draft. And again, on the edges and on the offensive line because of that Dexter Lawrence deal. Yeah.

You were so right. And I think it goes back to, again, that this front office is doing things differently because they recognize that this is a win now window. And Joe Burroughs window may be his whole career. I think he's right because I believe a lot of what Joe Burrow says. But Mike, I know you got to run. I'll make this final point. I keep going back to this. Mike Brown is going to be 91 years old when the season starts in September.

And I know there were people before the Bengals that before this offseason, and particularly when last year went south that said that Mike Brown doesn't care about winning. And I've never bought into that. Mike Brown's Paul Brown's son. That's all I need to know. And Mike Brown is 91 years old. And I hope he lives a long life ahead of him. 91's 91.

He wants to see this team win sooner rather than later. That's why you're seeing potentially this front office operate differently because they know what they have in that building and they got to give Joe Burrow a competent defense to complement everything that he and that offense can do. Action speak louder than words. You're never going to hear Mike Brown say this. But in signing off on allowing Katie Blackburn, who Duke Tobin gave a fuse of praise in his press conference on Monday, if it weren't for Katie Blackburn signing off on everything, as essentially a proxy to Mike. Let's be fair here. It's all one family. But if it weren't for those two people, Mike Brown and daughter Katie, signing off on all of this, they wouldn't have had the offseason that they have had. And I think they certainly have been the subject of criticism, and I think rightly so, fairly so in many years prior to this for the way they've run their

football operations. Business first, legal second. Football third. Well, they changed the dynamic of that a little bit this offseason. And I think it was to placate a little bit Joe Burrow. I don't think there's any question that Joe Burrow coming out vocally saying, we need to improve or my long-term future is not with the Cincinnati Bengals. I don't think that's hyperbole. I think that's putting money where the mouth is. And I think that's speaking truth to power. All of that being said, it still took Mike Brown and Katie Blackburn to commit. to spending the money that I just mentioned a couple of minutes ago. And they've done that. They've done their job. They've put the ball in the court of the coaches and obviously the players. You go out and do your job. We've given you all of the tools that you said you needed.

Or certainly 98% of them. No situation's perfect. Now go win. And I think that was the mandate. Yeah. Total alignment within an organization. Cocha works for the best. Seattle last year, Philly the year before.

when there's alignment from players, coaching staff, and ownership front office, they, that makes everything that much easier to do. Well, you know what? I've had an opportunity since the draft to talk to some former Bengal coaches and players who said, wow, what they did in the front office with Mike Brown and his daughter, they wish they had. So that's kind of weird. You know, they blew it up. And they said, I wish they were doing the same thing.

So I think that tells a lot about their willingness to win and win now. And within the next three or four years, and especially when they've got arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks ever still in the building. And you don't like him saying, I'm not happy. having any fun. Well, Joe, you're going to have some fun this year. Oh, and he clearly showed that when he posted a picture on Instagram with Mike and Sikichich, Hymar, Jason T. Higgins, with the caption, got better. Clearly, he's rejuvenated. And if that is the case, that's a darn good thing. Mike, Sixers, Celtics, Game 7 tomorrow night. Who you got in that one? I'm going to go against history. I will bring up this nugget. The Celtics have never blown a 3-1 series lead, and the Sixers have never

come back from 3-1. Those are two of the most historic franchises in the NBA, and it's hard to believe that I'm saying that. I think the Sixers are going to make history tomorrow night in Boston. I think the Sixers are going to win that game and go on. I don't know if they're going to have anything emotionally or physically left in the tank, although if they're healthy, they'll give the Knicks a good run. But I think the Sixers get it done Saturday night in Boston.

It's just the vibe. You can feel everything. swinging in that series. I didn't think the Sixers had a prayer in 80s of winning that series at the start. Not a prayer. And after losing by whatever it was 42 in game one, you know what this feels like a little bit? Two things. The 2010 Philadelphia Flyers who came from behind to beat Boston and Boston in game seven.

And obviously using a basketball vernacular, the Celtics. coming from behind and beating the Sixers back in 1981. So I think it's time for the Sixers to make some history of their own. 7.30 tomorrow night on NBC right after the run for the roses down at Churchill Downs. Coach, give me one key to your guys' game, Orlando Storm versus the Birmingham Stallion Sunday afternoon, 4 o'clock on Fox. Hey, we both offensively and defensively, we have got to execute. Just go out and do what you're supposed to do. Don't make stuff up.

Go play, go play hard. Hey, and the rest will take care of itself. Sounds so simple. There you go. Mike, Kent, thank you enough for joining us on this Friday. Always great to have you one. I'm sure we'll talk to you sometime before this season starts. Kojiu and I are back next Tuesday and next Friday.

Joe Daniman from Fox 19. He'll be joining us one of those shows. Thank you, everybody, for tuning in on this Friday afternoon. May 1st, Reds are in Pittsburgh tonight to take on the Pirates, 20 and 11th, start of a seven-game road trip through the division to kick off the month of May. This has been Bengals squad right here on lockdown Bengals, the twice a week long-in-form conversational supplement to the daily lockdown Bengals podcast, host by James Rapine and Jake Lisco. For Coach Art Valero, for Mike Petralli of CLNS Media and C-LNSinC.com at tracks on Twitter. I'm Alex Franke and Frankie underscore Natty. Have a great weekend.

Enjoy the flying pig. I'm running the half marathon on Sunday. Mike, I'm talking to you on Sunday morning sports talk on 700 WLW right after I cross the finish line. I can't guarantee you. I will have consumed a cheese coney by then, but good times. We'll be had. Coach, good luck to you on Sunday. We will talk to all of you next Tuesday on Cinco de Mayo right here on Bangal Squad and Lockdown Bangles, the Locktime Podcast Network, your team every day.