Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Breaking down takeaways from the Cincinnati Bengals' final preseason game

Episode Date: August 23, 2024

The much anticipated conclusion to the preseason has arrived for the Cincinnati Bengals, and the guys are here to break down the takeaways from the Bengals' loss to the Colts. Highlighted by Jermaine ...Burton late and Jordan Battle early, we discuss who helped themselves the most and where there are big questions for the cutdown to 53 as it's time to shift our attention to games that count. For your next listen, check out the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast. Get daily insight to the best Fantasy draft strategies so you can win your league this season. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengalsFind and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-bengals-daily-podcast-on-the-cincinnati-bengals/id1159723162Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7AObc0lh0WmQl5fJVgtajsGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vbG9ja2Vkb25iZW5nYWxz?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwio_sXtj8nuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAgStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-bengalsSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply.FanDuelNow through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COM/LOCKEDON to get started. 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.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up their preseason. They finished 0-N-3. We don't care about that, but we will look for the takeaways from the Bengals preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts. Let's go. You are Locked-on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. What on, Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. I'm your host, Jake Liskow.
Starting point is 00:00:36 James Rupin. The Cincinnati Bengals have wrapped up their preseason, and we will wrap it up with you here on the Lockdown Bengals podcast, part of the lockdown podcast that we're covering your team every day on YouTube and everywhere you get your podcasts. Welcome back to the everydayers. Welcome back to those of you who make us your first list and appreciate all of you regulars out there.
Starting point is 00:00:57 And if you're new to the show, you can subscribe and join those clubs. And today's episode is sponsored by Fandul, where right now through September 22nd, you can get three weeks of free NFL Sunday ticket with a $5 bet. Three weeks of free Sunday ticket to start the season from YouTube and YouTube TV. Check it out at vandal.com slash lockdown to get started. And James, who helped themselves the most tonight? Let's start their big existential question for you to lead the show off.
Starting point is 00:01:28 Who in your mind helped themselves the most in this preseason game? Well, let's start with a guy, your guy. My guy. Did you notice Matt Lee? In good ways. Yeah, that's right. In good ways. It wasn't 62's on his back or 62 is struggling or this.
Starting point is 00:01:49 And I think he had secured his roster spot anyway. But just more reps, more experience, more reps against a starting NFL unit. Valuable, valuable, valuable. And so Matt Lee, he was one of those guys that you knew he would play. You knew this would be another opportunity for him to gain experience. And mission accomplished. I think it's huge to have a backup center like him and playing at the level that he is already is pretty darn exciting.
Starting point is 00:02:20 I think he has the right approach, right mentality, and it's shown really throughout training camp in the preseason. And had a really nice block on a Trayvian Williams screenplay, the most explosive play the Bengals probably had against the Colt starters. And it was tough sledding. for that offense early. Not because Matt Lee was a problem on the topic of Matt Lee, but the Coles defensive line is good.
Starting point is 00:02:45 Lyatu-Latu was a problem. DeForest Buckner was a problem. Grover Stewart was a problem. These guys are really good players and against a backup offensive line for the Bengals, featuring a left side of Cody Ford at left tackle and Trey Hill at left guard, where the Bengals shifted the guys around the center, Matt Lee,
Starting point is 00:03:03 Gillian playing right guard, and Jackson Kirkland this week at right tackle. The left side had its issues with the starters, but especially in the past game, pleased with Matt Lee, looked good on that screenplay. There's probably mixed results in the run game for Lee. The run game in general early on
Starting point is 00:03:22 was really rough for the Bengals when it got to the Colts rotational players and reserves. It got a little bit better for Travian Williams and that Bengals offensive line. But against the starters wasn't much there. Matt Lee on at least one play was on the ground, but outside of that, I thought he had a pretty nice block on another run play.
Starting point is 00:03:43 And that's just not the strength of his game right now as a rookie who's calling card in college was pass blocking as well. We've talked about that fit for the offense, but very clear today, as he left the game in Trey Hill switched over to center, changed positions late in the game, that Matt Lee will be the backup center for the Bengals entering the season. Yeah, huge. Mission accomplished, right? That's one of the goals I would have said probably is can you get Matt Lee to a point where you feel comfortable with him as your backup center? And coming into camp, that was one mission accomplished. Another one that I thought a lot of people thought was going to be a battle and a real battle would be Jordan battle versus Von Bell. It wasn't a battle, but it was nice to see Jordan make the play that he did. And I get it's Anthony Richardson and Anthony Richardson isn't necessarily, the best at reading defense is at this stage of his career.
Starting point is 00:04:37 He's not the most accurate. I get it. I also don't care. A 14-yard pick six is a 14-yard pick-six, and that's what he had against the cold starters. That's a big play for Jordan Battle. And I chat with him briefly after he said, that's just a little something.
Starting point is 00:04:54 But it's good for him to get that, to build up a little bit more confidence, not that he didn't have confidence, but build up some confidence going into the regular season. Yeah, that was not. of battle throughout training camp, you're right, thought that there might be a chance, but very quickly, very early on, it became very apparent to all observers. And I think you hinted at this quite early in the process of Von Bell was by far the leader. And then when Von
Starting point is 00:05:20 was present on the field, we've heard the way veterans in Lou Aniromo talked about Vaughan's presence and the impact on communication. And it became apparent that that wasn't going to be a battle at all. But that being said, a very good play for Jordan Bowler. to collect that pick six. It was a miscommunication between the quarterback and I believe it's tight end on that play. The tight end breaks out when he kind of initially sat down a little bit and then started drifting away from where Jordan Battle was breaking on the pass.
Starting point is 00:05:47 I would imagine they, well, actually, I don't have to imagine. They definitely had a conversation on the sideline about it. Anthony Richardson a few times in this game was not on the same page as his receivers. And it was obvious on the broadcast that they were discussing those plays afterwards. His accuracy at times was a little bit erratic after that first drive, which was very good for the Colts against the Bengals reserves. But Jordan Battle in the right place in good position, even if the tight end doesn't drift away,
Starting point is 00:06:14 and that is a completed pass. Jordan Battle is there for the tackle or a chance at a big hit to break up the pass. So right place, right time, and good awareness to catch the ball when it landed in his lap and get it back in to the end zone there. Battle was generally, I thought, pretty good tonight. Showed up on several teams as well. believe that he was on some of those special teams units, which will be part of his playing time this year. He will, of course, be one of the first safeties off the bench.
Starting point is 00:06:40 If needed at any point this season, probably the first safety off the bench, if a true safety substitution is needed, but making plays on, or making, getting reps, I should say, on special teams as well, because that will be a big part of his role this year. An overall positive night for Jordan Battle showing that the promise is still there. there for the young safety. Yeah. Yep. It's you want him to respond the right way after, I'm sure, going through it a little bit. It's a lot like Dax.
Starting point is 00:07:14 Like I've praised Dax who didn't play tonight, stock up. DJ Turner didn't play tonight. Stock up. Joseph O'Sai, you don't play him. It's exactly what you should do with the Miles Murphy News, four to six weeks, according to Jeremy Fowler, and we'll see. But still avoided the serious, scary stuff. But it's one thing to bring Gino Stone in if you're Jordan Battle.
Starting point is 00:07:37 It's another to also bring back Von Bell and you're like, wait, well, where do I fit in? And I'm sure he had some of that and kept working. And they're going to need him at some point. And so we'll see. That's just part of the NFL, right? Is they're going to need him? So I'm glad he responded the right way and made a big flight of it. One question I have after this game, James, is where we're we?
Starting point is 00:08:02 was Jermaine Burton. Why didn't he play a ton and get way more targets than he got part of it was the offense wasn't able to function at a high level. And I'm also very curious about this tight end room at this point and what the status will be for Tanner McLaughlin, a six-round pick who we had some hopes for as a receiving tight end. We'll get to those topics and discuss some skill players coming up next. This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. When your schedule is packed with kids' activities, big work projects, and so much more, it's easy to let those priorities slip. Believe me, this is busy season now and as excited as I am for the regular season to start, priorities. Well, sometimes they take a back burner to work to all the things that go on in our lives. And even when you know what makes you happy, sometimes it's hard to make time for it.
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Starting point is 00:09:44 That's BetterHelp, help.com slash locked on. James, I honestly thought we would see more of Jermaine Burton tonight. He made a very flashy play when once again in the fourth quarter against reserves in Paycourt Stadium. Burton hauled in a vertical ball for a touchdown. it was the last touchdown the Bengals scored on offense, Jermaine Burton in that first preseason game to the last touchdown, the Bengals will score in the preseason on offense,
Starting point is 00:10:14 Jermaine Burton in preseason game number three. But despite that, he only got 28 snaps. And I believe the offense had 43 total snaps, if I am remembering correctly who didn't leave the game, Trey Hill and Nate Gilliam playing the entire game. and Jermaine Burton was often off the field early. Not that there were a ton of opportunities for the Bengals to push the ball downfield and he did have another opportunity to deep ball after he was targeted
Starting point is 00:10:42 and caught a little screen pass that didn't go for many yards. But what's the feeling on Jermaine Burton right now? Is he active on game day? He wasn't out there returning kicks tonight. Does he have a role for this team in the immediate future? or is this a player that's going to take some time to cook? If you're not willing to play him on offense as that deep ball specialist, then the answer is probably no.
Starting point is 00:11:14 And did you see? So you were watching the broadcast, right? Yep. All right. Did they talk about this meeting stuff? Did you see that? Because our listeners are going to ask about it. So what did you hear on the broadcast?
Starting point is 00:11:25 Because I didn't hear the broadcast part. I have some insight on this, but I'm just curious. I did not hear exactly. what was said on the broadcast. I occasionally experience what is known as broadcast or deafness where the yapping sometimes just goes in one brain out the other. You know what I mean? Like I just don't retain it.
Starting point is 00:11:45 Well, apparently they referred to him sleeping in meetings. It was unclear whether they were referring, I guess, to something that happened in college or something that happened with the team in Cincinnati. Yeah. And so I would assume they're talking about here, right? I would assume that. Now, maybe not. Maybe it's wrong.
Starting point is 00:12:06 Maybe I'm dead wrong. So we'll just start there. Two, I would bet. And again, no one told me that I would have already talked about it. Right. So I don't think it was in an offensive meeting if that happened. Does that make sense? So what would it be in special teams meeting?
Starting point is 00:12:27 That's all. So just to be. clear. I don't think he fell asleep while Zach Taylor or Troy Walters or Dan Pitcher was talking if that happened. I still don't know if it happened, but I saw the reaction to it, didn't listen to the broadcast. So anyways, get that out of the way because clearly it's how it's working. He's making plays on offense. And so that's the path. I think it's up to this coaching staff. It's up to germane to mature, regardless of the meeting thing, needs to mature clearly. I've referenced that a couple times. I think that's very clear. At the same time, clearly he has a ton of talent.
Starting point is 00:13:02 And so can he mature enough and earn the trust enough to do what he did tonight where he has two 21-yard catches is clearly their most explosive player of the preseason, has two of their three offensive touchdowns in the preseason, had led them or had their longest catch in each of the three preseason games. Like, however you want to look at it, and even if it is against backups, I don't care. He still has a a skill set that translates, right? And so getting that on the field at some point this year, that has to be a goal. And because I think he can help you. And so if you're germane, keep maturing, grind, work. And then the Bengals keep working with him because he's clearly
Starting point is 00:13:45 got the talent. I mean, the catch tonight was a contested catch. And he just tracks the ball as comfortable in those situations and is able to make the play even with a cornerback. back trade talk. And that's the thing that's easy to fantasize about when you consider the way Joe Burrow distributes the football and his affinity for the back shoulder throw. It looks like something that Jermaine Burton could excel at and in that two-way threat on the vertical route, the ability to control his body and make a catch in a contest the situation because the thing that's been most impressive with Jermaine Burton has been the ball tracking and his reliability in catching the football and attacking the football at the catch point. It doesn't always look like T. Higgins
Starting point is 00:14:26 level elegant. T. Higgins catching a contested catch when he goes above the rim is like the kangrophy junior of contested catches. It looks beautiful. Like there's something that not very many other players in the NFL, not none, but maybe junior is a bit of a lofty comparison there because like D'Andre Hopkins is in this realm as well, Oda Beckham Jr. in his prime, you know, those kinds of players are incredible when making plays on the ball as well. But the point is, Jermaine Burton does it consistently and has shown that ability both in college and in this free season so far. And finding a way to get him on the field would benefit the team. I agree with you there.
Starting point is 00:15:03 I wonder where the disconnect is. I wonder if it's truly that he just doesn't know the playbook enough, if it's a maturity thing, if it's a trust thing, like he's doing the little things wrong and that's robbing the coach is wrong way or even if it's Joe Burrow where Joe Burrow is just like you're not there yet and he's not earned that from the quarterback yet. I wonder where that true choke point is that he needs to get over. You know what I mean? Sorry. Let's let's just pretend that the sleeping thing is a thing, right? But he's also making plays. We've seen him make plays. Let's combine that with Zach Taylor on the sideline of that first
Starting point is 00:15:51 three-season game to Jamar. Sam, we've created a monster, right? Maybe they're keeping him as the sixth receiver for now to harden him up, toughen him up, make him earn it, whatever, like he's going through his boot camp, right? He gets the number 81, not number three, even though he'd never worn 81 in his life. I don't know why that's the case. But you know what I mean?
Starting point is 00:16:16 Like you tie all this stuff together to try to get the most out of him. again speculation it's a podcast not i'm not reporting it but it it kind of goes together like you can kind of connect the dots yeah and so hopefully it works because it's easy it's easy to see the talent i mean it oozes and in for whatever reason whatever it is maybe it's just simply we don't want to give this guy one of the car keys to our offense yet when he's not doing all the little things that we want him to do and if that's the case then damn it, Jermaine do all the little things. Right?
Starting point is 00:16:52 And if it's other things, you know, if it's learning the playbook, and it probably is. Rookies do that. Charlie was doing that last year. Andre had to go through that last year, so. Like, that's part of it. And so I think worst case, though, the Bengals clearly have a guy who can win outside,
Starting point is 00:17:08 win deep down field, and that's something that they should be able to use at some point this year, hopefully sooner rather than later, because that's another dynamic defenses would have to plan for. And the thing that stands out to, to me about this is they start with a soft schedule. We've talked about this a ton. It would be great to get them on the field in one of those first four games. Maybe it's not against Kansas City, but if you have a game where there's a package you can get together for him and help build the
Starting point is 00:17:33 confidence up, that'd be awesome. But he has to hold up his end of the bargain there. It seems to be the consistent theme of doing the little things. This coaching staff all the time talks about doing things the right way. It is something that is important to them, the way you carry yourself as a pro. especially so for rookies. On the other hand, I really don't know what to make of this tight end room right now. Seems like Tanner Hudson is a shoe in for the team. He played six snaps tonight, all of those early. And then we saw a good amount of Eric all with 21 snaps. And then Tanner McLaughlin at 17. I mean, Camp Brandy had 17 snaps. Those tight ends with the same amount of snaps, Grandy on the field for his blocking ability, I think, a little bit.
Starting point is 00:18:18 Didn't see a whole lot from McLaughlin as a receiver tonight. Didn't see him early. Didn't see them have much designed for him. At least it appeared. And based on his preseason and the guys he's been working with in practice and all these things, it's getting a little tough to make an ironclad case for Tanner McLaughlin making the roster. it might be tough to make much of a case at all based on what you've seen outside of the fact that the Bengals keep their six-round picks historically
Starting point is 00:18:49 and he is a he's probably the most athletic tightout with the ball in his hands the ability to move with the football in his hands. Yeah, I think, and I had him on my 53 man coming into this week. I did. I thought that they would probably keep five. You could easily see the future, all of those things. but if we were basing this on camp, let's combine camp in preseason. Do you think that Tanner McLaughlin is a must-keep, Jake, based on what you saw at camp
Starting point is 00:19:25 and what you've seen this preseason? Because the answer for me is no. Yeah, I mean, when you frame it that way, the answer is no. The case I would make is that it's worth trying to protect him from that first wave of waivers and trying to make sure you can keep a hold of him in. development because he does have an athletic skill set at tight end that you don't really have, even though I'm bullish on Eric Hall. I think Tanner McLaughlin is more athletic, a smoother mover.
Starting point is 00:19:51 And so having the opportunity to develop that at a position where development is a real thing that takes time, that would be the argument you would make to keep them. For sure. And let's continue this, because I have a quick response to it. I think we're pretty close there. And then we have some fallers, some other reaction, certainly that we have to get to coming up next. Today's show is brought to you by LinkedIn Jobs.
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Starting point is 00:20:43 sites. If you're not looking on LinkedIn, you're looking in the wrong place. 86% of small businesses get a qualified candidate within 24 hours, hire professionals like a professional on LinkedIn. And right now you can post your job for free at LinkedIn.com slash locked on NFL. That's LinkedIn.com slash locked on NFL to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. All right. Let's get to just my quick response to Tanner McLaughlin because I agree with you. And I think a lot of fans feel the same way. They say, oh, well, 30-year-old Tanner Hudson is the same as Tanner McLaughlin, the rookie that he just drafted. And I disagree.
Starting point is 00:21:22 I think the Bengals clearly trust Hudson much more. There's one. But to your point, the future of the tight end room could easily be next year. Easily. In an ideal world, honestly. Eric Al as your starter, Drew Sample, as your blocker. Tanner McLaughlin as your kind of your weapon that isn't to do it all like Eric. but he's your pass catching Mike Gisicki type.
Starting point is 00:21:48 And then you have sample who's your blocker and then Eric Gahl, who's the mixture of both. Like, you could easily see the path to that. And so is that why you don't play much in the preseason? You're trying to sneak him by. You're trying to make it work. I don't know. But I think it's interesting. And when you talk about keeping five tight ends, honestly, I think back to the draft often.
Starting point is 00:22:11 I wonder if Eric Gahl just healed much faster than they realized, or they just thought Tanner McLaughlin was a must. take at where he was. But if you feel that way and you've seen what you needed to see from him, and maybe you haven't. But then I'm on your side. Don't expose him. Like if you think he's a big part of your future, don't expose him to free agency here where he can just get claimed and you give him away. And I wonder. So we'll see. It's an interesting dilemma. It's one that I'll be thinking about for a few days here ahead of cut down day. Can we move to one other rookie that was drafted just after Tanner McLaughlin? Is Dejohn Anthony still a lock for this roster?
Starting point is 00:22:55 I am inclined to say yes, but it does feel to your point, feel a little bit less certain than it did before. Jordan Battle obviously is a lock. We believe Tyson Anderson is a lock because of his special teams ability. And he also played a good amount on defense tonight. And then do they need a fifth safety? Dejan Anthony has impressed him throughout camp. He's had packages where he's worked in with the ones throughout camp. So for all of those reasons, the majority of the preseason and training camp
Starting point is 00:23:30 would still lead me to believe he's on the roster. But then we start to ask these questions of, well, do they keep five tight ends? Do they keep five safeties? do they need an extra body on the defensive interior if McKinley Jackson isn't going to be ready right away? What do they do with Miles Murphy in terms of the IR and keeping an extra body or finding an extra body on the edge or generally on the defensive line?
Starting point is 00:23:54 What about linebacker where Joe Bachi is banged up? And we think Muma Jong-Met is probably the leader there, even after tonight. How many are they keeping there? And then maybe they'd want to keep Jalen Davis around after Zach Taylor has praised him so highly in the past. So it's not just that one player, but when we're talking about Tanner McLaughlin,
Starting point is 00:24:13 it's a similar kind of conversation around Dejan Anthony where you think about all these other dominoes that would have to fall to make the roster math work out. Let me ask you this. And it isn't as simple as picking one, of course. But I'm going to make you do it because why not? Dejan Anthony or Tanner McLaughlin. If you're making me pick,
Starting point is 00:24:36 you have to pick. Jake is picking, not what I think the best. Bengals would do. I would pick Tanner McLaughlin. Personally, I think the Bengals would not. I think that we are not a line there. I think that the Bengals really like Dejan
Starting point is 00:24:50 Anthony, but I feel like when you have Jordan Battle and Tyson Anderson is your safety depth, that is solid safety depth. I know that Tyson Anderson has ever made it through a season. Honestly, both of these guys might clear waivers. Maybe it would be fine. I think that intuitively to me,
Starting point is 00:25:07 and this is probably just my bias talking, I think there's a higher chance to Adam McLaughlin would be claimed. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I'm going to think about it more. I always think weapons, right? And I'm as bullish on Tyson Anderson as anyone. And so I could Anthony clear? Maybe he could. I think one guy that would clear waivers if he was a rookie or now or certainly going to be looking for a job elsewhere is Jackson Carmen. What are they? What's that? It's irony, I would imagine. Right? Yeah, it's irony. The fact that Jack Jackson Carmen doesn't get in until the fourth quarter in the same night that Creed Humphrey agrees to a record-setting deal.
Starting point is 00:25:44 Creed Humphrey, the guy that the Bengals could have just taken set in their lap taken at 46th overall in the 2021 draft. It just crazy. Your second round pick from what year was in 2021? Jackson, Carmen, got as many snaps tonight as your college-free agent guard Eric Miller from 2024 and your college-free agent tackle from 2022. I think he joined the Bengals last year. I can't remember. Devin Cochran. Those guys all played the same amount of snaps. 14. They all played at the end of the game. That's the worst pick at the Joe Burrough era by like a mile. It feels that way. Yeah. I mean, by like forever. I just. I mean, it's a second round pick that you got literally nothing from. You set a second round pick on fire.
Starting point is 00:26:33 Then we thought they did at the time of the pick. Let's hope that somebody needs a fire. right now and is willing to trade something of value for a little bit of heat. Is there a football team in Alaska? Is it even cold in Alaska in August? Maybe it's too early. You live in Canada. Hey, there is football in Canada. I don't know if it's going to work for Jackson.
Starting point is 00:26:57 I hope they can get something for him. I do not think that that is a thing that's going to happen. That is certainly wishful thinking. Jackson Kirkland, the other Jackson in the room who has been apparent. and obviously favored since, but probably the Jackson-Carman-Fault start when he got into that one drive in training camp, and then they pulled him immediately
Starting point is 00:27:19 and put Cody Ford in it, right tackle. Maybe even before that, Jackson Kirkland is a guy that they liked for his approach to the game. But I still think that the right waiver claim should appeal to them on the offensive line. Cody Ford is not a tackle. I know Leocchi Lottes, He's awesome and he's a technician and he's probably got a really bright future ahead of himself as a pass rusher.
Starting point is 00:27:45 And we're talking, we're not talking even about your backup. We're talking about your fourth guy. I know. And he's a fine, you know, swing backup and all that stuff. But Nick Gilliam's been better in the preseason than Cody Ford has. I wonder about Gillian. See, this is the Tanner McLaughlin debate. Like maybe you keep Nate Gillian and you have 10 linemen.
Starting point is 00:28:07 I think it's really hard to justify the 10th line in this year. but they've done it in the past Nick Gilliam's been solid man yeah you're not wrong you know I just I really I think he has been and yeah I think it comes down to like Jalen Davis Dejohn Anthony
Starting point is 00:28:26 Tanner McLaughlin because for a long time I've been on five corners thinking that Josh Newton was enough insurance for them to feel like they could go to five there and have DJ Turner and Josh Josh Newton who can play multiple spots but maybe they just want to
Starting point is 00:28:42 keep Jalen Davis. They've always liked him. Yeah. We'll see. I mean, I think they'll be looking waivers wise, trade-wise. Like, we've already seen some trades across the league. Like, you know, Jackson is obviously available. It's not making the team.
Starting point is 00:28:58 Yeah. There'll be some other guys. Would you think about them featuring Trevionne William so much, just to get him some run? I was surprised to see him so late in the game. Yeah. I think I'd be ended. Like what? Trayvians going to the game in the fourth quarter. Why risk it? You have zero depth at running back. Zero. I mean, we've talked about this. I think that if the right running back is
Starting point is 00:29:16 available, I think they're happy to go with three, and we know who two of them are. And if it needs to be travian as a third, I think they're comfortable with them. I think they like him, but I think they could be swayed as well. That's a feeling. The one other thing that we should probably mention before we get out of here, are there others from the offense defense that you want to hit before we talk Rico real quick? Oh, no, let's talk Rico. Let's talk. RICO. Let's talk. There you go. So inconsistent. Maybe as a punter by default.
Starting point is 00:29:48 Do not have a feel for Brad Robbins' health and his return to action. Would not be surprised if they made a waiver claim on a punter either. Yeah. It's on what's going on with Brad. I think, I think that's it. I mean, all offseason, I've said Brad was the favorite. Maintain it. He's hurt now.
Starting point is 00:30:09 It's tough. It's cloudy. I don't know. I've tried to dig, obviously. It's my job. I don't think Brad's out for the year, but I don't know if he's back week one either. And so you need a punter week one.
Starting point is 00:30:26 And so as of now, I think you're right. By default, it's Ryan Rico, but you're certainly not feeling great about it. And you're keeping your eye out, much like you did when you had a punter here and then you're bringing Ryan Rico, you're going to keep your eye out. I think the good news is,
Starting point is 00:30:41 as you know he has the talent, you just got to get him more consistent. At the same time, the games are here now. It's on April 23rd. It's August 23rd. So we'll see. Hopefully they can get Brad healthy because I thought Brad was impressive and I thought he was going to have a pretty good season. A lot of fans would prefer, judging from my Twitter timeline tonight,
Starting point is 00:31:04 the inconsistency of Rico to Robbins, even after the preseason. That doesn't make sense. I think it'll be really interesting to see how they manage this cut down. We will talk about the questions they face with the cutdown looming. That is going to be on Tuesday. So we'll be back on Sunday evening with another show. Miles Murphy, the injury question there. Joe Bachi, the injury question there.
Starting point is 00:31:30 How they're feeling about Amarius Mim's recovery. There are a lot of injuries in addition to Brad Robbins there that are going to make some of these roster cuts challenging. And that doesn't even mention McKinley, Jackson, not having a healthy nose tackle, potentially on the team at all. These are questions the Bengals will face that we will grapple with and discuss over the next couple of episodes here on lockdown Bengals until that cut down occurs on Tuesday. Until then, we're through the preseason. Thanks for listening. And until next time, Ho-Day. And have a good one.

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