Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - BENGALS SQUAD SHOW: Where are POSITIVE STEPS on DEFENSE? Areas of IMPROVEMENT for PLAYOFFS return?

Episode Date: February 16, 2026

The Bengals' defense did have some positive steps in the second half of the 2025 season. They just may be hard to find. FOX19's Gabi Sorrentino joins Alex Frank and Coach Art Valero to discuss where the Bengals' defense improved in 2025 and what they can build on going into 2026. It's also not just the defense. The Bengals must be better in other key areas if they're going to return to the Playoffs in 2026, including not hading points to the other team. New York Giants head coach, and former Baltimore Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh recently gave how he approaches the first round of the NFL Draft. It makes sense, and it begs the question if the Bengals should draft in the first round for needs or best player available. Speaking of the draft, what if Jeremiyah Love is available at No. 10 when the Bengals are on the clock? Should they make a bold selection and draft him? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. FanDuel Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. 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. Zocdoc Stop putting off your doctor’s appointments and get the care you need. Go to http://Zocdoc.com/lockedonnfl to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. 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.

Can the Bengals defense carry over the positive steps forward they took in the second half of last season into this season? That question, Coach Valero, even though we're still seven months away from the season opener, it very well could determine the entire fate of the 2026 Bengals. You know, it is. And I think the biggest thing, not with the past team, I don't think. But they don't want to be elite. I mean, they can't be elite with the exact same thing. the free agency and the draft, they get some nuggets,

then they've got a chance to really set the tone for how they want their season to end up. If you go shopping, you can cook the meal. That and much more coming up on Bengals Squad. 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 President's Day. I don't know people say that, but I'm saying it. Welcome to the Bengals Squad show. We are live on the Lockdown Bengals YouTube channel and the lockdown podcast, the number, the number one sports podcast, network in America and the world, your team every day. Today's show is brought to you by a fan duel. Use your profit boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA

finals. Play your game with Fan Dual, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. I'm Alex Frankie's. Coach Arr-Vallero's Super Bowl 37 champion with the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And today we have the privilege of being joined by a Fox 19 sports anchor and reporter. I view her as the Sue Bird of Cincinnati Sports Media for her ability to lead and direct a conversation with any player coach and executive in the Queen City. We're happy to welcome to the rotation of guests, Gabby Sorentino of Fox 19.

And now, Gabby, my first question to you is this. I'm going to go on to live and say this. Okay, I'm going to go on a live and say that your dog, Fendi, who we see a lot on social media, he's probably enjoying this weather a lot more than he enjoyed the snow we had three weeks ago. Is that accurate? Yeah, I have a miniature dog in that a lot of people know Fendi, and he is very close to the ground. So does not like the snow, is not a fan of the cold weather. He's been standing by my door, looking outside of the balcony, wanting to go outside because he sees the sun out there.

So he's definitely enjoying the warm weather. I'm welcoming spring. I am tired of the cold. Well, Coach brought the, I think coach brought the warm weather from southern California to Columbus because last week was gorgeous. Tomorrow's supposed to be like 65 degrees. I'll be outside.

That's for sure. So coach, we thank you and certainly Fendi thanks to you. Most importantly, dogs are smart. You know what? I don't blame Fendi for how he's acted because when I left and came here and all of a and it kind of warmed up, it got really bad back out there. So I don't know. Who needs me next?

Who needs to? Wow. Should I go into Minnesota, Montana, or maybe Siberia. So, but, wow. Anyway, okay. So we got a great show coming up for you today. We got Gabby Sorrentino added now to our rotation of guests. My first Bengals-related question, Gabby, to you is this.

where did you see the biggest positive steps for the Bengals defense in 2025, particularly in the second half of the season? Yeah, I think we started finally seeing this defense play together, play as one unit, find their strides. Of course, kind of when they did, it was a little too late, right? But it was all about getting that defensive unit playing together and getting some momentum for next season, seeing guys like DJ Turner and Dax Hill really come into their

roles. I thought that that was huge for this team, seeing some of the younger guys step up into their roles. Look, it's all about gaining confidence for next season if we can continue what we saw from this defense at the second half or even the third half part of that season, continuing into next season. I think they're in a good spot. Of course, there's things that need to happen in free agency and the draft like we're going to talk about. But I think that it's moving in the right direction and we're seeing some of these younger guys get these reps and really step up into roles. think, hey, Abby, do you think that with some of those kids that are coming back,

do they have, they've got a, do they have a good foundation to build up up? Not necessarily their abilities, but you add some other pieces. And now that defense show up sooner than it did last year? Yeah, I think so. I think that when you have guys like Barrett Carter and Demetrius 9 Jr., who were kind of thrown into the fire and then really found their stride, now they kind of have that foundation like you just mentioned, Coach. And I think that that's going to help them go into next season.

And then, of course, building around these young guys is going to be huge. But I do think that it's a good starting place. Just got to see what we do in the offseason now. Coach has mentioned this several times, and I totally agree with them. And I brought this up after the Miami game where we really saw this team, Gabby, play complimentary football for the first time all season. The Bengals defense, you mentioned Barrett Carter. He had a big turnover in that game.

down in Miami. You were there for it. I was there for it. And the Bengals offense feasted Chase. Brown had some touchdown. So you really saw the offense turnovers into points. Now, you interviewed Barrett Carter on your podcast off sides with Gabby Sorrentina. If you haven't listened to it, for those of you listening, highly recommend it's very good. So you've interviewed Barrett Carter during the season. And I remember thinking when I heard it, man, I just don't want him to do well. He sounds like a guy who's easy to root for. But I think to coach his point and your point, when you get veteran guys that have been there that have been on winning teams to show them the ropes of how to play well when the expectations are there, when you're

not already eliminated from contention. That's what this team has to do. Is there something, you know, I think it was tough for them because they had Logan to look up to, right, and they had him to learn from. And then, of course, that didn't go the way, you know, for the Bengals. He got treated. But Barrett and Demetrius, first off, they're amazing people off the field. They are so great to talk to, and they're so mature for young guys for rookie season. They were so mature, so great. So I do think that as the season got on, the bank was putting that confidence in them and saying, you're our guys, was huge, because then that gives them all the confidence in the world,

right, to then be like, all right, they're giving us the starting role here. We got to prove it. And I really think they did. And I think that we're just going to keep seeing them grow. and I'm really looking forward to a year two with them. What are your reasonable expectations for those guys in year two? That's a good question. I mean, I think that we saw what Barrett can do in terms of turnovers and his awareness and wrecking plays. I think that he's going to continue on that.

Same with Demetrius. I mean, obviously there were some mistackles that we saw. There were some not great plays that were pointed out, but you're going to have that. It's a learning curve for them. So I do think that a little less of that, a little less of the missed tackles and the plays that end up being explosive for the offense are going to improve in year two.

So I'm looking forward to seeing that growth. What do you think that talking about the two linebackers, good, young, you're physical. They lasted the whole year, which is from a health standpoint, awesome. Right. But they, I mean, it seems like a lot of the secondary made a lot of were the leading tacklers. So that's telling you they're getting through.

But what do you think, I mean, is there a guy that's up front, a defensive tackle, that you're really looking to step up and to be that anchor that's going to kind of hide them and allow them to flow a little bit more freely? That's a good question, coach. You know, I think that that's a position that does need improvement on this team. This team needs game wreckers up front, right? Like, that is what they need. And with Trey Hendrickson, presumably not being a bangle next season, they need to either in free agency

or in the draft hit someone that's going to be a game wrecker. We saw Miles Murphy step up into that role. Shemar Stewart obviously dealt with so many injuries this season. We didn't really get to see him to his full potential. I'm looking at Miles to, you know, if they do extend him or pick up his fifth year, I really do think that it's going to be a season for him to step up into that. But I think that that's what they need to hit on in the draft is finding that one guy that's going to be able to wreck up front and really make a difference.

And put pressure on the quarterback because we saw so many times, quarterbacks were doing whatever they wanted against the Bengals. And that's where they really need to do some damage and free agency are in the draft. Every time you say that, Gabby, I always think back to the two games against the Jets and the Bears. We're Justin Fields and Caleb Williams, back-to-back quarterbacks, by the way, in Chicago, if you want to go that far, they had their way with the Bengals defense. Ben Johnson against the Chicago Bears, he was in his bag of trips that day. So I'm going to ask you this question.

I asked this to coach a few weeks ago. So if Trey Hendrickson is not with the Bengals in 26, and I agree with you, I don't think he's going to be. Right. Are you prioritizing up front because they do need disruptors? But are you going to prioritize stopping the run first or rushing the or getting after the quarterback first? What's more important in your eyes? I think you've got to get someone that's going to get to the quarterback. I think you have to find that game wrecker up front. I really do. I understand that their run defense was not good last season. I think you can probably find some pieces later on in the draft or maybe some guys in

free agency that will be help with that. But I think you have to find that one guy, their Trey Hendrickson replacement, that's going to be able to get sacks, put pressure on the quarterback. We didn't see that last season. Like you just mentioned, those two games, those are the ones that stick out to me, too. because teams were literally doing whatever they wanted to against the Bengals defense. And I think that it starts up front with that position. Coach knows all about the trenches, right?

Oh, I'm telling you, when you, I mean, we and between Alex and myself and Mike and Jake, we talked about the same thing. And it's like, okay, it's the chicken before the egg. You know, I mean, do you want to stop the run to get the third downs, or do you want them to Just keep moving the ball. But I agree with you totally. I mean, there's nothing like rushing with four makes your secondary that much better. Right.

And I also think to that point, Coach and Gabby, when you can stop the run, that puts teams into unfavorable second and long, third and long. It doesn't matter who your edge rusher then is in that position because then you can tee off knowing that they're going to have to throw the ball on third and long. Now, if they're deep in their own territory, they may not. But still, if you can stop the run, then you're good. So you mentioned Gabby and Miles Murphy, who really, I feel so happy for him because it just seemed like that light bulb finally clicked in the Pittsburgh game, other games down the stretch. But then you have Dax Hill and D.J. Turner, two guys that I really like.

Dax Hill, I thought, played well last year. DJ Turner became a star in that snap of a finger, completely unexpected. And your colleague and boss at Fox 19, Joe Dandman said he thought he was going to be benched. And I think he was benched at the start of the season. Incredible bounceback for him. So with those three guys, do you expect Hill and Turner to get extensions? And then even Miles Murphy, an extension or a fifth year option. What do you see the Bengals doing with those three potential cornerstones on defense?

I mean, I can't see why you wouldn't extend them. I think that, you know, those cornerbacks are huge. We saw DJ Turner really step into that CB1 role and he proved what he could do. Honestly, we thought that he was going to be going to the Pro Bowl. So I do think that you extend them, get it over with, get their money figured out. So then we don't have to worry about this fifth year stuff because then the money goes up. It was the same thing with Miles Murphy. I was reading about his fifth year option.

And it's a lot of money. And I understand that. But if you get it done now, you can kind of work with those numbers and figured out over however many many years. So if I'm the Bengals, I don't see how you're not getting these extensions done now. Let's avoid the drama this offseason. Let's not have this off season. I don't want to deal with it going into training camp. Let's just get it all done early. Let's get it figured out. And then let's have a drama free training camp because that would be beautiful. Obviously, you know, last offseason we were dealing with the Jamar and T stuff. It got figured out in

March. So if we could just not have that happen this year, that would be. You got here to Cincinnati before the 24 season, and you mentioned Jamar and T. That was drama that just, I don't like remembering at all. And then last year, it was Shamar Stewart. I was on the sixth hole at a golf course in Lake Michigan when he signed. And then Hendrickson, that just didn't even need to be a thing, but it was. Yeah. So please, for this show and for you guys at the flagship, can we please have new content,

original content. Let's talk about, oh my gosh, look at the penguins. They're being proactive when it comes to contracts. Let's imagine that. Let's get it figured out now. Let's just do it now. Absolutely. No question. It's like your parents trying to build that pool in the back. And they end up building it after everybody's gone. Yeah. So now no one uses it, you know. Exactly. Yeah. I think, I think, and I know that we've all been talking about Chase, round too. It's the same thing. Like, let's just get this stuff figured out now. I know his representation is working with the Bengals on it. So it's the same thing. Like, if we can get these things figured out early, I also think it's going to help the team in the long run, because there's not going to be all

this drama going into training camp and in the offseason as well. All right. So you mentioned all those guys. The obvious extension, I think, Gabby, is Dalton Reisner. Can you get, can you get him done? Like, okay, the franchise tag window, I believe, opens tomorrow. Free agency, believe. legal tampering period as starts on March 9th. But just imagine if you don't even have to wait until free agency to sign, you have right guard right in your hands. Get the deal done. Yeah, and he wants to be in Cincinnati.

He wants to be a Bengal. He's made that incredibly clear. I think he asked for a contract for Christmas this season. So I think that keeping a guy like that, a veteran presence, a culture guy. He was fantastic in the locker room with so many. young guys on this Bengals offensive line. Again, having these pieces are huge, not only just for the team, but when you have so many young guys, having these veteran presences in the locker room on the team, I think is huge. And Dalton is amazing. He does so much in the community, too.

And I think that he would be great to keep here. And I really do think he wants to stay in Cincinnati, so hopefully they can get something done there too. Yes. And coach, you talk a lot about veteran presence and how that helps the young guys on either side of the ball. Yeah. Well, you know what, without a doubt, and both of you would probably agree, they are great ambassadors. Not only on the field, on the field is almost secondary for what they do to the community, what they do for the organization in terms of, you know, their presence at a function, out eating dinner. You know, people are proud of those kinds of people. and they're never in the paper for the wrong reason. True.

That's always a good thing. Always a good thing. You know, newspapers used to dominate back in the day. Now it's TV and social media and Twitter and Instagram and TikTok and yikyck and I don't even know what else. You know what? That's what happens when you've stuck your head into one too many piles as a kid. You lose track of that now everything's online. and no one else buys a newspaper anymore.

By the way, I was running, I was at our running club this past Saturday, and we were in Beechmont, and I saw a Santa flag still up, and mind you, it was Valentine's Day. So Gabby, you mentioned that Dalton Reisner asked for Christmas for a new contract extension. Hey, you know what? It's never too late based on that Santa Claus flag I saw. Yeah, well, you're hoping Scrooge. Didn't do anything. I'll tell you what, never too late to be the organization that fans want you to be.

Up next, we know what the defense needs to be rebuilt, but there's another area the Bengals must be better in if they're going to return to the playoffs in 2026. We'll get to that conversation next right here on the Bengal Squad Show. Today's edition of the Bengals Squad Show is brought to you by Zok Doc. Finding a doctor you actually like can feel like discovering a diamond in the rough. Sure, you want someone who's in network nearby and has availability, but you also want a doctor who listens, makes you feel comfortable and explains things clearly. And that kind of doctor does exist.

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All right, I'm going to ask you, Gabby, a question here because I know you're a big Washington commanders fan. We've had many conversations when we have crossed paths at various games. So between the Bengals and the commanders, who had the more disappointed? 20-25 season. Oh, gosh. Well, I don't know.

That's too tough of a question for me to answer. As a commander's fan, I would say that it was really hard going from playing in the NFC championship to then me not even watching games because I was so disinterested. But as someone who covers the Bengals, I obviously really want to see this team be in the playoffs, I think that seeing Joe Burrow in the playoffs is something that nobody wants to see, no other team wants to see. And I was so excited this season because I felt like it was my first season of everybody's healthy.

We've got Joe Jamar and T out there. We've got T. Hendrickson out there, right? Like, I was so excited to start the season. And then obviously things didn't go the way that everybody wanted with Joe Burrow getting hurt. So I do think it was disappointing because it was like so much like, all right, we've got all the pieces.

We can do this. we can go to the playoffs and it didn't go that way. But I think that hopefully that's next season because I really do want to get to experience playoff football here in Cincinnati. Absolutely. And I can tell you for a fact, having witnessed it, it is unlike anything in this city. It is absolutely incredible when the Bengals are in the playoffs. And by the way, the Bengals do play at Washington this regular season.

They played last year in the preseason, which you were there for. So that will be fun to see. All right. Speaking of the offense, and I do remember, it's interesting, Joe Barrow and Jaden Daniels kind of got injured at the same time when they both sustained their initial injuries. So for both teams, just really, really disappointing because both quarterbacks are so easy to root for. Now, speaking of the offense, so Borough goes down, but we're thinking, all right, Jake Browning's done this before. Jamar and T are still healthy. You got a bunch of other weapons on offense. the amount of times, Gabby, that this team would hand points to the other team. You can't win.

I don't care how bad your defense is. You cannot win when you're throwing pick sixes when Noah fan fumbles three times and has them return for touchdowns. So when I watch that offense, I think to myself, they need to take care of the ball better. I mean, how accurate is that? I mean, 100%. I mean, you can't win games when you're losing the turnover battle 3-0-0-0-0-0, or whatever it was. We all saw the Minnesota game. It wasn't pretty.

Denver, too. But, you know, I understand that we're not expecting Jake Browning to be Joe Burrow, and he's not Joe Burrow. But, yes, he does have guys. He has weapons still. He had Jamar and T. He had Chase Brown healthy. but I mean it was just it was so unfortunate and you know I do feel for Jake because he did have you know that success in previous years and it just didn't work out for him this season but hey

Joe Flacco was a fun story for when he was here and he won one game which too bad he didn't win more but it was a fun little story I guess that we got to experience this season and I don't know if he's going to stay or what he's going to end up doing but Yeah, I mean, you can't be turning over the ball that much, obviously. And, you know, Zach Taylor talked about it every single post-game press conference of turnover battle, turnover battle, and we're losing it. And, you know, that's just going to lose you games. That's not sustainable in the NFL. Definitely not.

Turnovers and takeaways. Yeah. You can certainly turn the ball over, but you want to make sure that you at least get balanced. Yeah. where it's not detrimental, you know? Yeah. I totally agree because we hear so many times, coaches say the ball, the ball, the ball. You can be whatever you want offensively.

This team has the weapons to be elite. But if you're handing the other team, the ball, you're making it even harder for a defense that is still young, or at least they were last year, and doing their jobs. Now, let's turn it back to the defense and talk about safety. Because Gabby, you mentioned game wreckers up front. I like those guys. I also like game wreckers on the back end. I mean, you grew up in the DMV watching guys like Ed Reed and Sean Taylor and

Loran Landry and those guys. So Jordan Battle, regardless of what the Bengals do in free agency at the safety position, do you see a long-term future for him here in Cincinnati? Yeah. I mean, I think we saw great stuff from Jordan last season. I, you know, I remember talking in him in the locker room. and first of all, I very much enjoy getting to talk to these guys in the locker room. And Jordan is one guy that is always so willing to talk and be incredibly vulnerable,

win, lose, whatever. So I'm very grateful for that. On the field, I think we saw really good stuff from Jordan. Look, he came from Alabama. This guy's used to winning. He wants to win. And I think he brings that, like, determination to win to the Bengals team. But, I mean, Caleb Downs, uh, I think.

think the Bengals have to do it in the draft. I think that that is where they need to be looking because I think having a guy like him back there is going to be huge for this Bengals team. And Jeremiah Rao, if you are listening to this, I am sure you are pretty darn happy about that. And if the Ohio State guy, I don't think he'll make it to 10. Yeah. I think Washington will take him at 7. Interesting. Okay. Whoa.

I don't be bad about that. Coach has already dished on box jerps. Yeah. I know. Yeah. You know, I'm with you, Coach. I don't know if he's going to fall there. But I mean, if he dies, if he's there on the board, right?

You have to take him if you're a Cincinnati Bengals. I don't think you have a choice at that point. So, okay, let's say he's not. If Jeremiah Love is at number 10, Gabby Sorrentino, are you drafting him if you're the Bengals? No. Why? I don't really think that's their need right now.

I think they really need to get the best available defensive guy. Keldrick Folk, I think, is one of the guys I'm working at from Auburn. I think he'll probably be there at 10. I'm taking him. I mean, look, Chase Brown's the dude in Cincinnati. I don't think they need another back right now. And I think that I would be going with a defensive end or a safety at that point. I like to just said best defensive player available because coach,

sometimes if you're drafting for needs, you may not hit. If you draft BPA, you'll hit. You know what? That's absolutely right. And you know what? A lot of it depends on what you're doing free agency. You know, they can get a piece and all of a sudden, say the linebacker at Ohio State, he's a good football player.

Now you've got three, very young, very good players. And if you get those guys up front that you need in, free agency or a safety in free agency. You know, I think they've got a lot of pieces. Hey, if Jeremiah loves zero at 10, somebody else wants him. Can you maybe trade back, get some more draft capital? And all of a sudden now that person you wanted anyway is still there. Shoot, hey, now you're playing the Bill part of the Bill Belichick chess pieces

where you're getting more draft capital. I don't hate that. I really, I think that that would be a good move too. So it sounds like, go ahead. I thought that they might have even done that, done that last season and, and traded down, but they didn't. But I think, I don't, I don't think it would be a bad move. So it sounds like Gabby, to me, you're more best player available defensively, which, again, this team needs a lot of help on defense, as opposed to needs in the draft, which I kind of like. And John Harbaugh was even quoted as saying when you're drafting, and I have the exact quote pulled up right here.

John Harbaugh said recently, in quote, we'll take the best player in the first round. When you draft high, you take the best player, it's not a need pick. It's a best player because you're going for the guy that's going to be that kind of player. You're talking about a guy that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket, if possible. That's what the goal is with that pick and quote. I thought that was brilliant because you see so many of these guys, and Tom Brady is the obvious exception. You see so many of these guys that are drafted so high over the last 20, 30, 40 years, they're getting enshrined in Canton.

So you want someone to be your new face of the franchise, so to speak. Now, Gabby, I know you've got to run here shortly, but going back to Chase Brown, is running the football all of a sudden now a strength of the Bengals offense? 100%. I think so. I think that Chase has proven himself time and again for this team. I think that his ceiling is way up here. I don't think he's reached his ceiling yet, honestly.

We keep seeing the Bengals that they'll have this depth at running back and then a guy will get hurt and then it's all the, you know, Chase becomes the workhorse. But I think that's kind of like his bag almost. Like I think he really thrives in, you know, taking the workload on and being a star running back for this team. And I see really big things for Chase Brown. I really do hope they get something done because I think he's a big piece for this

Bengals team. And I think he's another weapon at him with the other offensive weapons. and this guy scores touchdowns, and that's huge. Touchdown Chase Brown. Yeah, exactly. You know what? The great thing about Chase Brown is he's an every down back. Exactly.

You don't have to replace him in third downs. I mean, he's just as effective catching the ball as he is running the ball and protecting the quarterback. And I think that, you know, you guys are exactly right. I think that he can be somebody you can build up. Now you get Todd Brooks to step up, and he can be a. two and you go out and get another slasher, very fast guy, and he can be another, I mean, it's like a pitcher having multiple pitches. You know, you always want that kind of thing when you build in a backfill. Yeah. Totally agree. Absolutely. Well, Gabby Sorentino, it has been so

great to have you on the Bengals Squad show today, and I'm sure we'll have you on again as we approach the draft and the true dead part of the offseason, which is June and through July. And then we get into training camp anything notable that you and the great team over at fox 19 sports are working on right now as we head towards the combine and free agency yeah we're going to have combine coverage of course we're really pushing streaming right now so we have fox 19 now plus uh is our streaming platform you can find it on all of our social media channels on rococo apple tv we're really doing a lot of streaming shows uh jo dahneman's gold standard with charley goldsmith will be on They're streaming now.

So a lot of stuff happening at Fox 19. We're excited. And thank you guys so much for having me. This was so much fun. I really appreciate it. Absolutely. Yes. We thank you.

And don't forget, for those of you listening, check out Gabby, Jeremy, Joe, and Reagan Holgate on Fox 19 Cincinnati's board show every Sunday night at 1130. Trust me, it is worth staying up for it. Gabby, thank you so much again. We'll talk to you again soon as we continue here on the Bengals Squad show. Today's edition of the Bengals Squad show is brought to you. by a fan duel. If you've ever wanted to experience the NBA finals live in person,

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Play your game with VanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. my goal coach is to make you a true basketball fan by being a member of the Bengals Squad show. So you told me that you're a baseball fan. You told me that when you were in Louisville, you enjoy watching the Louisville Cardinals. This is coming from a Kentucky fan, by the way,

with Denny Crum. By the end of this show, I'm going to make you a basketball, not the, I shouldn't say by the end of the show, hopefully this show goes on for a really long time. I'm going to make you a basketball fan. Well, you know what? We're getting close to when I really start to focus in, and it's time to do my research on when the tournament starts

and then it's up and going and it's win or go home. And you have these Cinderella's, that's when I really get excited. But at the end of the day, those blue bloods end up always playing in the final four. So I'm excited about that. I'll tell you what, we're at the, where there's three weeks remaining in the regular season, and you have some incredible matchups this week in college basketball.

But that should not be the focus. That's not the focus here on the Bengals squad show. We got plenty to get to still in the second half hour. Thanks to Gabby Sorrentino again of Fox 19 sports. Truly fantastic. And she's now a regular in the rotation of guests that we have here on this show. Coach, I find that John Harbaugh, quote, really interesting. Because I think all along, I for one,

and I've been watching the NFL draft for 20 years almost, is, all right, the draft is there because you need something. I mean, you know, when the Bengals drafted Borough, they need that franchise quarterback. But then it's also in that same breath. They need a face of the franchise. When you're drafted in the first round, you want that guy that is going to sell tickets.

You know, we say it all the time, coach, you've got to spend money to make money. So if in the first round, you're drafting a guy that you want to be a face in a cornerstone of your franchise. And it doesn't matter what position that is. So what John Harbaugh is saying actually has made me rethink my giraffe philosophy, and it makes a ton of sense what he's saying. You know what, 100%.

Those guys that you pick. And the great thing is, is that if you really look at the draft and the series of drafts before, you're anything after 20, they're usually high twos, but you took them early. because you just needed a body. You needed a good body. And they're all all good players. And if you look, I mean, you want somebody who's going to be the face of your team and the city and also be a, you know, fabulous player to where you're going to have him for two contracts and be able to, you know, kind of like when it's time to up him, you up him. put the fifth year tag on him.

You know you're buying in for the long haul because of how much money that one is going to be. But you really want him to show by year three, they got to be an everyday, you know, there. And he's already got to put his, he's no longer a role player. He is the man. And I think that that's what, you know,

whether, I mean, and it kind of goes hand in hand with, best available and need. This year, fortunately, best available is probably need worthy on defense for the Bengals. Yeah. Yeah, Gabby brought it up when she mentioned Keldrick Falk out of Auburn. He's definitely been a name that I've been seeing on the mock drafts that I'm looking at. I have a running list of the most common names that I've seen.

I'm up to like 13 or 14 names. And Falk has been one of them. And if he is the best player available defensively, then draft it. because you're not necessarily drafting to what John Harbaugh is saying, you're not necessarily drafting a guy that you want to, you know, eventually be in the Hall of Fame. That's, you know, that's very, very hard to do. There's only a select few, I mean, considering how many players are played.

But you want a guy that's going to be a face of your franchise, second contract that you said, and maybe in your ring of honor. That's what you're drafting for in the first round. You want him to be the face of your franchise on the field. You want him to be an impact in the community. that's what Joe Borough has been. Jamar Chase has been.

Dax Hill looks like he could be that some, that guy, Miles Murphy. Even Amaris Mimson 24 coach, he came on last year. Really good to see that on the offensive line. And like, look at the guys that have been drafted by the Bengals in the first round going back to Marvin's first season, Carson Palmer.

And then you go to, I'm blanking here. You go to guys like AJ Green. And then Tyler Eifert is a shame that injuries happen the way they did. But then you go to Jesse Bates was drafted, even in the first round, Billy Price. Like all those guys, and Billy Price obviously didn't pan out,

unfortunately, but you're seen in the first round, they have drafted players that have become faces of their franchise. And even in the second round, too. In the second round, as you say, coach, like when you get to the 20s, like those are high two players, but you never know what you might find in that round too.

That, well, you know what? They're not the most high. highly touted or the ones that are out there on the internet all the time. They're the ones that very quietly at whatever school they are and at whatever position have been productive, healthy. And when you draft those guys, you also get not only production and health, you get longevity. Because they don't come in as the top dog, but they're always, they got a chip on their shoulder as if, hey, I'm going to prove just like, like the threes and fours are. I'm going to prove I belong.

Yeah. And you made the right choice by getting me and by taking me. And I think that that's where you really, you really make your, make your money is by those, those three spots, those three positions in the draft. First round, first round draft picks are going to get all the headlines. Because nowadays, the first round of the NFL draft has its own night. It's on Thursday night. It's the only round that night.

you and I will be live Thursday night, April 23rd, the entire first round. That's going to be a fun show, by the way. Just you and I talking football, we'll have our, we'll have guests on it. And if fans want to join us too, they want to make a guest appearance, come right in. We'll take you. We're the show for the fans. So I think Mike Santagina will also be on with us. So that'll be good to have hit one because he's a great access-in-nosed-guy can probably

tell us about anything of any player with that. Now, it's interesting with the Bengals because they have struggled in the second round. they have struggled in the middle round. So how can they better hit coach on their second through seventh round picks? Like what should they be looking for? You mentioned what they should be looking for in a second round player. But what about those like third through seventh? What should they be looking for in those guys?

Well, I think number one is you have to do your history work on every, I mean, there are so many young people in the draft. and you have to turn over rocks, but you also have to have the staff that can turn over every rock. And you've got great history with those particular players. And they're not just pencil pushers, but they're actual football people

who will stand up on the table and saying, I'm telling you, here is a guy that fits, us that it's going to be, you know, very lengthy his time here, and it's worth it. And I think a lot of that has to do with just size of your scouting department. Not only your pro department, but your college scouting department. And to look at everybody. You know, I didn't know this year looking at potential draft choices or who is at the senior bowl. And you're going, see, where's this guy come from. He was isolated on his team. You never noticed him on his team. But all of a sudden,

you get out there and you're starting to evaluate and all of a sudden he stands out. It's like in the old days when people used to go recruiting, hey, you went recruiting one guy and you found two more on the same team, but they were just kind of hidden. And those are the ones because you still got a draft from potential when you get to three and four and not solid come in right away, gold jacket wearing a ring of honor guys, these guys are hungry and they

want to make sure that they perform and they perform well. They're excited and nowadays, I mean, with the NIL, you'd probably not make them more much money than you were then, but hey, they just love the game. Not what the game gives them. They love the game. And that's who you want to surround yourselves with.

I can't tell you how many times I think about this and Gabby brought this up earlier. when an organization has what's called tunnel vision, when they're only focused on what they need. And I think you mentioned it earlier. If Jeremiah Love is a number 10 and you know that another team wants him, you may want him too. But what if you could trade to acquire more picks and let somebody else have him

when you don't necessarily have a need for them? I think the thing with the Bengals, in addition to a larger scouting staff, which I get having too many voices in the room. That doesn't always work. But if you have more people to gather more information, that only enhances the collaboration that Duke Tobin talked about a lot back in January. So when it comes to the Bengals,

you have to understand what other teams around you are doing. You have to be aware of it. It's like two things. If I'm driving a car, I can't just focus on what I'm doing. No, I have to be like a quarterback essentially in my pocket, so to speak. I got to look to my left. Like I look to my right. I look in the rear view mirror.

I got to make sure all my bases are covered when I'm driving a car. Someone how when you're running an organization, you got to look at what other teams are doing. I'm not saying you have to copy what they're doing. Yes, you're in competition with them. But there's a reason others have won. And quite honestly, you have not. You know, and that's so true. I mean, that's the great thing about free agency.

People are going to lose people and people are going to gain people. And when they lose them, did they replace him? If they haven't replaced him yet, that's the, and he's got the same position. We've got the same position need. Those are the guys that you want to be able to see. Okay, where are they? What do they need? You have to be aware of what everybody around you,

needs wants what their trends are i mean how many years in the in the draft did you look at them and all of a sudden when there's a a group of offensive tackles that are available and one goes the next five go there's a run on them because no one wants to be shut out even though it may not be the guy they wanted but they have they had a need and he wasn't that much far off. So you take him and he ends up being better than the one you need it. Yeah. It's a crazy, crazy system that you have to go through during the draft and free agency.

But you have every name up on the board and say, hey, can he serve a purpose? Can he be productive for us? Does he want to come to Cincinnati? Is he a southern kid? And does he want to come north? we don't want anybody destructive they'll go wherever the money is but it was like coach dungy

always drafted guys very rarely did he draft guys especially defensive players north of the mason dixon why because they were used to practicing in that heat they were used to playing you know in humidity that was unbearable and same with Pittsburgh

they had a foundation of how they wanted their defensive players to be and they stuck with it for so long and it was so successful. But even in that foundation, what I would say to the Bengals is don't just sit on your hands. Like, don't just be so focused on that one draft pick that you can't do anything with it. Like you have to be thinking outside the box of what you could do to maximize what that draft pick is.

You can't just sit on your hands and just say, all right, we know we have this, this and this. You can't be rigid about it. Like Mike Tariko one said, I read this article many years ago, when he was asked, what would you advise young sportscasters like myself trying to get into this business? He said, don't think you have to do this, this, and this. Like, just be natural about it, but also try to maximize your potential, your chances. And that goes for the Bengals and the NFL draft. Because as you say, you never know what you may stumble upon.

Like if you have a needed safety and you go after that, you, you, you, you, You may, excuse me, let's say you call a team about a certain player. He's not available. All right. Oh, wait a second. They have this guy that can fill another need. Let's check that box off. It's just you have to step outside of, okay, I know I need this.

This is what I'm going to do. Don't just have a rigid list evolve. That's how you can get the maximized chances of hitting in free agency. Absolutely. I mean, that is so correct. you hit it right on the head. You have to be so well-versed in what is out there,

who is out there, who's getting rid of who, who's going potentially sign somebody in order to make it's like playing chess. You have to be two steps ahead. The entire draft and you have to have a bucket of players

that you're saying, well, if this guy's gone, here's our next one. same it fills in what we need great player great character you have to be ready to go and you have to know what cleveland wants or and our needs and Pittsburgh and baltimore and the whole ball of wax you have to be aware of all of that in order to say you know what here's they're in need of this this and this so you know what later on hey y'all You might have them.

The more history you have in a player, the easier it is when they become free agents because you've got history in them already. Exactly. You can see their progress from a college free agent or second, third round pick to now, has he improved? Is the sky still really high? Or has he bottomed out as he maxed out? And they're just trying to, he's trying to make a buck and the team's willing to let him go. Yeah, I mean, these are all things that have hindered the Bengals or things they haven't done to hit on these mid to late round picks because that's where you're going to find diamonds in the rough that are only going to make your team stronger. If you just say, well, we're looking for a guy that fills her sixth round draft pick, think of it in the mindset of let's look for a guy that we think could get a second contract with us.

let's look for a guy that could be a cornerstone. In the sixth round, if you're thinking, like you say two steps ahead, if you're thinking two rounds ahead, you'll find somebody. At the very least, if he's not that, he's still a sixth round draft pick, which can only fortify your team. So think, like, I'm not saying that Bengals don't care about winning. They do.

But think in that mindset, I guarantee you, you'll hit on something. You know, it's like they have that sign in elementary school classrooms. Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars. That's like how it is in the NFL draft. Like even in fantasy football, we put certain players in our queue, players we want, best player available. If we don't get Christian McCaffrey, we still might get Jamar Chase. We still might get C.D. Lamb.

We still might get James Cook. Like, it sounds so simple, and I think we've said it so many times. But we're saying it differently every time because it can't be stated enough in so many ways. the Bengals can do better in the NFL draft. Yes, first round pick, best player available defensively. Second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. Again, think, all right, how can we maximize this pick? Trade up, trade down like Gabby was talking about. Or better yet, let's think about this player is rated here. We think he could be here. That's the mindset to have. Yeah, I mean, there are a lot of teams that every year they'll take a quarterback. Why? Just because,

never know what's out there. You know, you've got Herdy, Brady. I mean, there's a lot of those guys that are out there that'll be very, very late. And, you know, the other thing is you don't know at this point in time, if you lose free agents, where, what kind of compensatory pick are you getting? If that is the only added draft capital you're getting, you're kind of playing behind the eight ball. You need to build up those things so you can bring in 12 new players that are not necessarily arms and legs to run routes. So you're not wearing out the other guys.

But they've got potential to make teams. And I think that that's important for front offices to really get a good grasp of. Classic example. In 2020, the Eagles at Carson Wentz, they drafted Jalen Hertz in the second round. Four years later, they win the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts is Super Bowl 59 MVP. Seattle in 2012, your former organization, they drafted Russell Wilson in the third round.

He was in a battle with Matt Flynn in training camp. Russell Wilson becomes the starter. Boom, Seattle wins a Super Bowl in year two. So it's just all about knowing your entire organization inside and now and knowing what other teams are doing. I'm all for focusing on what you do. That's fine. But you've got to be aware of your surroundings.

And that's what's hindered the Bengals in recent seasons. Up next. I mean, just don't be so rigid, you know? Oh, yeah. I mean, it's just like playing offensively. If you're an offensive football team, you are only limited by the scope of your imagination. Yes. So go for it.

Yeah. I mean, like, even like in my preparation to cover a Kentucky game, like, you know, I might go wind with thinking I'm going to do this, this, and this, but then I see somebody that's like, ooh, this may help. If I do it differently, if I still get, if I still have a good performance, I will have done something right. Up next, Chase Brown's future in Cincinnati, isn't as clear as it seems. We'll get into that conversation next right here on the Bengal Squad show. This episode of Bengal Squad is brought to you by Intuit TurboTax.

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We are the number one sports podcast network in America and the world. Don't forget if you want to become a member of the newly established every day or It's locked on podcast.com slash every day or where you can get among many things, access to the members-only Discord. He's coach our Valero 45-year coaching veteran. I'm Alex Frank and Frank and Frank Gennis Cornady. The host and quarterback of Bengals Squad coach is our coach of the Bengals Squad show. So Chase Brown, Gabby touched on it. He could be the three-down back for the Bengals.

They really have not had that. It feels like, I mean, Joe Mixing, we thought he could be, really wasn't. Rudy Johnson, God rest of soul, was that. So Chase Brown being that, and you mentioned it, the fact that he can catch out of the backfield, I mean, you have that guy in your room. So that makes me think his future in Cincinnati is clear, but there's still something inside of me, coach,

that makes me think, I just don't know if he's going to be the primary back. If you really, it's not anything the Bengals do or don't do. It's his on-field performances. There's something to me that makes me think, is he really that? Well, you know what? A lot of times for a running back, especially like Chase, is it's one thing to be the featured back. It's another thing to play like the featured back is do you have a rotation? Am I the guy?

And I can tap my helmet and you're going to send somebody else in. But other than that, I'm working myself and working this offense down the field. Are you going to take me out when it's starting short? Are you going to take me out when we're down in the low red zone? I want to be the guy. And I think that he kind of, as you watch the year go on and you saw it progressive, he was always very productive, whether it be by running the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield or screens. There was a production element that was always there in every game.

And I think that as the coaching staff and the higher level guys look at it, and they said, you know what, he's still young. He can play in the cold. He can play in the heat. You know, he can do them both. And he's a pleasure to be around. Why not reward him? you know, and the way you do the contract,

if he's not the guy in two years, you're not out of anything. But at least you've given him peace of mind, you've given the coach and staff peace of mind, and you've given others in the room something to look at and say, you know what, I'm better than him. I'm better than him.

Okay, show me, show me. Your opportunities are a challenge for you to show me. And I think Chase Brown has shown what he's capable of doing. Yeah, second Napa last year from week seven on, he was one of the best running backs in the NFL. He had several games with over 100 yards rushing. He had a lot of touchdowns. So he has shown he can be your guy and he is worthy of the contract extension. I just wonder if you bring in another guy, whether it be in free agency, whether it be in the NFL draft.

And again, it doesn't have to be in the first round. It could be in the second round where you've had success. draft in running backs before, aka Giovanni Bernard in 2013. So that's what this comes down to for me. Chase Brown, he has the hunger to be a really, really good running back. And I think the Bengals have done a good job, particularly damn pitcher as their opposite coordinator unlocking him. So can he stay healthy, which I think he has shown that he can do throughout his career.

Can he be effective early in the season, which it's interesting when he look at him, the last two seasons, he has come on strong in the second half of the season. Can you be ready to go right out of the gate? Now then again, last year, obviously, there were some things around him that prevented them from doing that. But if he comes out week one and has 100 yards rushing, or if he comes out in week two, weeks two and three and has 75 in both of those games, then you're going, all right, we have our guy at running back.

If you decide to invest long term into Chase Brown, I think he would send a very positive message through this fan base. I think it would send a message to him that he is a cornerstone of this organization, a guy that you drafted in the fourth round of 23. Absolutely. You know what? And this year we talked about Jeremiah Love. He's by far the premier guy coming out.

Okay. But you don't need, you don't necessarily need him. later on it's not as strong a running back class as you know when ronny bound carnell williams and uh cedric benson came out so you can wait and find that third and fourth round player who fits your system and groom him to be in the mix and still you already know what you have and i think that that's very very important that you can get that player a little bit later perhaps and his value is probably a little bit higher than where he's going to be drafted for you. And I think that Chase can come out, and I think that he can come out and perform very well.

And you know, it's always great to have a great receiver coming out of the backfield because you have such dominant receivers outside. Checking the ball down is not a bad thing. because you drafted him as a running back. He is the best player with the ball in his hands. Why not throw it to him? Why not let him do it in space as opposed to run through piles? He can still run through piles and now they're just not as big.

And so, hey, I'm all for, throw the ball to the back, let him get just some yards. I think if Chase can get somewhere between 115 and 125 yards, per game of all purpose. Oh, shoot, you've got a great one. Because you've got to remember, a thousand yard rush is about 60 yards a game. But what are you doing the passing game? That's hidden yards for a running back.

And I think that's big. And I think Chase Brown can be 120, 120, 125 yards a game all purpose yards. Yeah. I think he has shown that. He's a guy that has outperformed his expectations, his draft pick, and is now worthy of a contract extent.

But again, this goes back to our conversation with Gabby earlier. Can you get out in front of this? Can you say, just make a decision. Don't drag your feet. Say, Chase Brown is our guy running back or locking him up for the next four years. Great. So now you're essentially crossing running back off the board for free agency and the NFL draft.

You're not going to take Jeremiah Love if he's there a 10. You're going to take a guy to compliment him in the third round, round something like that. That's how you go about this as an organization. You commit to who you want at that position. And oh, we got a cornerstone back. He's behind door one. We like this.

Check. Don't ever let anybody out of the building when you've already got one in your own backyard. Yeah. Because the one thing about the current job you have, you know what your problems are. You know your limitations. That other job, you have no idea what their problems are.

So if you can keep the good ones and let the bad ones walk, hey, fill them in with other good ones, and you've got a great chance. Absolutely. Absolutely. But speaking of which on Thursday, yeah, we're going to talk about it. Jeremiah loving the temptations. That's not the actual name of a band. I just put that in there for cultural references.

If he's there at 10, and let's say the Bengals, gosh forbid, having decided on what they're going to do with Chase Brown by that point, do they take Jeremiah Love at 10? And if they do, what are the repercussions that could come for them and from this fan base? We thank Gabby Sorrentina for coming on with us earlier. Coachard-Pallaro, 45-year coaching veterans Super Bowl 37 champion with the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

I'm Alex Franke and Frankie underscore 90. coach, you and I are back on Thursday afternoon with Mike Santagana at Bengals underscore stands for Jeremiah, love, and much more. Next week, we've got Combine. We're going to take a look at other players the Bengals could take in the NFL draft with the number 10 overall pick. And then before you know it, we are going to be in free agency frenzy. And that is when we can finally have some actual like news to react to, games to react

to. And then we don't have to scrape the bottom of the barrel for content like we are doing this off season. Thanks a squad. Alex, you short change yourself, my friend. Your topics are right on and everybody needs to know because you know why? Driving down the highway, listening at home, they don't think of those little things. And it's taking care of the little things and that are the important things.

Okay. Well, thank you. See, that's how I think when I'm driving to like Nashville or Tampa or wherever. And that's why they asked me to host this show, potentially. No, there's cuckoos out there like us all the time. You know, everyone. Oh, yeah. There are. There definitely are. Bangle Squad is the twice a week, long-in-form conversational supplement to lockdown Bengals. If you want to become a member of the newly established Everydayer Club at the Lockdown Podcasts, the number one sports podcast,

and then we're in America and the world, visit lockdownpodcast.com slash every day. For Coach Arfallara, 45-year coaching veteran and Super Bowl 37 champion with the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I'm Al-Lah. Alex Francafranity. Have a great best to your president's day. Have a great rest of your long weekend. And we'll talk to you on Thursday afternoon right here on the Bengals Squad Show, part of lockdown Bengals and the lockdown podcast network, your team every day.