Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Cincinnati Bengals' Defense Facing MAJOR Questions | Gotta get better!

Starting point is 00:00:00 Al Golden's got a three-level problem to solve with his defense. They need to get better on that side of the ball. Let's get into it. You are Locked-on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Well, up Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. I'm Jake Gliscoe.

Starting point is 00:00:32 He's James Rapine, and we've had you covered here on Lockdown Bengals since 2016. the best one-stop shop for all things, Bengals. You get news, you get analysis, you get film breakdowns, you get previews, you get everything you need to stay up to date on your Cincinnati Bengals. Every dayers already know about that. Welcome back if you make Lockdown Bengals your first listen today. On what is the beginning of a mini-by week in many ways, as the Bengals are back to work on Monday in some capacity.

Starting point is 00:01:03 Have a long week to get ready for the New York Jets. we're going to dive into some of the things that hopefully they're fixing over the course of the first of what will be two mini buys for the Bengals this year in addition to their actual buy week with the second Thursday night game coming against Baltimore later this year and some problems that they need to address at every level of this defense whether it's Cam Taylor Britt and the secondary and the safety play that we saw against the Steelers or the lack of a pass rush the rookie linebackers out there a lot at every level to dive into today we also will touch later in the show about the questions that remain at guard. We've been talking about the guard position for the Cincinnati Bengals since the summer, since the spring, since forever, and, well, that will remain the case today. But James, the Bengals have to get things sorted on this defense. Joe Flacko will not be out there to score 35 points a week. That is a lofty standard.

Starting point is 00:02:02 However, the defense is allowing 30 points a game. and well we're sponsored by Fandul today and you can get $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins with Fandle but if Fandle were to just set the over-enders based on what the Bengals are allowing in points for game it would be 30 points for the opposition right now yeah it's uh look this Bengals team is built for the offense to win them games and for the offense to be the reason why they make the playoffs and do everything that they're hoping to do. But, and here's the big but, and that's right, it's a big but, Jake.

Starting point is 00:02:41 The Bengals needed multiple young guys to emerge as not just functional, not just solid, but emerge as big time playmakers. And it's no coincidence. I really don't think it is a coincidence. Jordan Battle has three interceptions this year. All three of those interceptions came in Bengals wins. and they were big difference-making plays. But outside of DJ Turner, whose recent emergence over the past month, has made him, to me, the most exciting young player on this defense,

Starting point is 00:03:18 the most exciting building block that isn't an established star like Trey Hendrickson. And as great as that is, there's really not a close second. I'm probably the biggest Dax Hill guy on the planet, maybe outside of his family. And he's been really solid.

Starting point is 00:03:35 But that might be the list is like Jordan Battle, half the games. Dax Hill, solid. DJ Turner, oh, man, he's been so sticky and has all these past breakups. And obviously I had that amazing interception the other day. Like maybe he's going to be a not just a foundation piece, but a budding star. Like if you look at it through the best case or best scenario. But outside of that, it's not like you're getting a ton out of all these rookies that you're banking on on defense.

Starting point is 00:04:08 It's not like you're getting a ton out of Miles Murphy or Joseph Osai and approve it year when he signed that one year contract with hopes of cashing in in March. Like all of these guys that were what ifs or question marks, most of them are either still question marks and haven't emerged or have emerged, CAM, and what they've done is been underwhelming enough to be a healthy scratch. So I know I just hit on like the entire defense, but that's why you said three levels because it's not like, it's not like we're like, oh, well, Shamar and Joseph and Miles, they have a pass rush outside of Trey Hendrickson. No one feels that way. No one feels like Jordan Battle, at least I don't, has played well enough to

Starting point is 00:04:50 know at this point that he's going to be a contract extension type of player this offseason. Maybe he gets there, but I don't feel that way right now. And that sucks. because that's translated to this defense doing what it's done, which is give up 30 plus per game. For the regulars on this defense, it's Trey and DJ Turner. And those are the guys that you feel like have relatively consistently made place, especially DJ Turner in the last three weeks. He's had an excellent three weeks, last two weeks highlighted by past breakups.

Starting point is 00:05:22 He leads the NFL with nine pass breakups according to PFF charting, whatever you want to say about the stats. He's had the crazy interceptions. DJ Turner is having a breakout year that is reminiscent of how last year went for DJ Turner, where it was a bit of a slower start for him. And then by the time he started to emerge, you got hurt. So if he can stay healthy, there's a two-year trend. And there's a linear trajectory that DJ Turner's been on since a rookie,

Starting point is 00:05:51 where we saw some of the flashes. We saw that, you know, DJ Turner often was the guy that was like in position, but couldn't make a play on the ball. and then started making plays on the ball a little bit more. And then this year we're seeing a lot of plays on the ball to the point where he's leading the league in ball disruption at corner, if you count past breakups and interceptions and just add those numbers together. But it's him and Trey is still an effective pass pressure.

Starting point is 00:06:18 I have seen some people say that Trey has slowed down this year. His numbers are worse. He's losing money. You know, he missed a game. I think that's a little bit of a superficial look at Trey's. stats. If you're only looking at Sacks, his trend for Sacks is certainly off of 17 right now. His trend for overall pressures is down a little bit right now. But the underlying pass rush win rate, if you look at those numbers across the board, if you look at Brandon Thorne's

Starting point is 00:06:46 analysis, Tray is still good. But beyond that, remember when we talked about coin flips for this team and we're going to toss like 10 coins on this defense and maybe have. Half of them come up heads and you start to figure some things out, find some guys to build around. Maybe Al Golden can find ways to put guys in better positions. And part of this is Al Golden needs to be better, in my opinion. I think there are a few play calls, and this isn't surprising, but there's a few play calls a game where I'm really wondering what the heck Al Golden's thinking. Zero blitzing Aaron Rogers on third and eight in the red zone I've talked about a few times. I still don't like that call.

Starting point is 00:07:27 Aaron Rogers is just too good for you to try to pull that car. out that the three-man rush that leads to Aaron Rogers 10-year touchdown where he's running around for the entire game and then finds a guy. Algon took responsibility for that one. It's, well, you're highlighting two extremes. For sure. Right, right. And so that tells me he's searching. Right. And he's really, really trying to search for the right formula. And is that? And it's like the way they're starting games, right? The way that they're kind of getting these slow stars giving up touchdowns on opening drive so frequently. But then beyond just hell golden and we can come back to this topic,

Starting point is 00:08:06 they have this throw it at the wall and see what sticks approach right now with personnel too. And like all those coins that we talked about flipping, except DJ Turner, have come up at best on their side. But most of those are on tails right now. And they're not getting those good outcomes where we thought, maybe half of them will turn up heads and they'll be okay.

Starting point is 00:08:29 they've had some spurts of playing okay they're really inconsistent right now as a group but it's just not good enough between tackling between guys being out of position in zone between some of these play calls between guys not being in run gaps there's just too many problems too consistently right now for the spengal's defense yeah it's it's a good point and it's i'm trying to think a theme might be the wrong word but i'm going to say theme searching is probably the right word they're searching everywhere clearly they're looking under the rut oh barrett carter all well marco wilson well like it just trying anything and i just want them to be able to tackle jake like just just like simple stuff like you're going to give up plays fine

Starting point is 00:09:23 Aaron rogers buys time and you only rush three and you realize you probably shouldn't rush there and he has 8.6 seconds to throw, and he finds Johnny Smith for a touchdown. Like, okay, but can you tackle Jalen Warren? Can you not have a breakdown with your veteran safety when you're up six where Pat Friermuth scores, what could have been the game winning touchdown? Like, those are the things that are really frustrated.

Starting point is 00:09:50 Like, that can't happen. Like, if you and me were playing safety, I'd be so mad if we gave that play up, just so you know. Like, if you and me were there. because it just shouldn't happen. And beyond that, it was the second time it happened in the game. And Aaron Rogers had seen the entire game.

Starting point is 00:10:05 Yeah, when D.K. Metcalf's over there, Gino Stone's getting way out over the numbers. And that's opening up the scene. They got you on a third and 18. And then they got you again on a second and 20 for a 70-yard touchdown. And it's second in 20. And they got to go get a touch to, like, oh, it's mighty, mighty frustrating. And it is the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals defense to this point. We'll continue the conversation.

Starting point is 00:10:27 coming up next. I'm Cody Roark from Lockdown. Brockos, and this episode is brought to you by Peloton. Peloton is shaping the future of fitness with the brand new Peloton, cross-training, tread plus powered by Peloton IQ. This is Peloton's most advanced equipment yet, giving you real-time guidance and endless ways to move, whether you're running, lifting, or you're cross-training with your favorite instructors

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Starting point is 00:12:33 Like we kind of understood Lou and moving on and how Al Golden could theoretically fit. But then personnel-wise, their big free agent addition was T.J. Slayton. Shocker, NFL teams need a nose tackle. They get Mike Pennell right before the start of the season. But it's not like they went out and they got a great edge rusher. Right. They drafted Jamar Stewart and drafted a bunch of guys and addressed the defense that way. But those decisions and those question marks and banking on you. young players. I think that's part of why this Bengals defense. A big reason why this Bengals defense is where it is right now. You also bring back BJ Hill and I think BJ Hill is playing fine. Yeah. But he's playing fine. And there's no presence on the interior. So when you start

Starting point is 00:13:18 up front and I'm starting there when I think about the three level problem because we've talked about how Trey is still good. He's still a good press rush. We've still seen it. He's still going to, if he's playing against Steelers in that fourth quarter, life is a lot harder for Air. Rodgers than if it's Joseph Osai over there and Shamar Stewart getting lost and trying to turn and trying to corner coming off an ankle injury that is probably hampering the already somewhat limited flexibility and bend for Shamar like he's a great athlete but turning corners is not his forte things probably go a little bit differently but the reason I start there is because you're talking about what they did on the defensive line and they still apparent

Starting point is 00:14:03 the team that drafted Gino Ackins doesn't believe in having an interior pass rush anymore. And I don't know what happened between drafting Gino Ackins and literally everything this happens since the Bengals drafted Gino Ackins and saw how good he was in his Hall of Fame career with the Cincinnati Bengals. But they just haven't had an interior pass rush at a significant level with a havoc creator since then. And so you've got Miles Wernerby, Joseph O'Sai, camp sample playing a lot. and now the return of Shamar Stewart,

Starting point is 00:14:34 and you're hoping to get literally any production out of those guys. Miles Murphy's flashed at times, but not enough to stay on the field consistently. Joseph Osai still looks like the same guy. He hasn't taken any steps. He's, you know, a clean-ups that kind of player. He's going to play with the high motor. But we saw Aaron Rogers get out of his grasp a couple of times,

Starting point is 00:14:56 and that's Aaron Rogers we're talking about. Camp Sample still Camp Sample. And Shamar Stewart has to learn. And so you got one guy here in Trey Hendrickson. And all those coin flips, like, well, anybody take a step? Can anyone develop? Can Shemar Stewart make some splashes as a rookie? Yeah.

Starting point is 00:15:16 So far, the answer is not so much. And the injury sucks. Like dealing with the injury, I liked what I saw from Shemar in training camp and think he can matter. But he can't be your guy. like your number one pass rush. Like that's never, that's not something that we ever thought.

Starting point is 00:15:37 Especially when he misses a bunch of time. No doubt. But like, he's like the perfect compliment to Trey in, in a lot of ways. He can play in multiple spots. He's versatile. I think that he can help.

Starting point is 00:15:49 But when you don't go out, like banking on BJ Hill, when you already have Chris Jenkins as a second rounder and like, I think you're hoping Chris Jenkins becomes the next. DJ Hill in some ways, as weird as that and that comp's been made. But you obviously hoping for more.

Starting point is 00:16:06 But, you know, when you could have used that on an edge rusher, taking that money in Osai and gotten a stud edge rush, like, there's a lot of ways you could have done it. And it just, it hasn't worked. Now, maybe one of these guys figures it out. Maybe Trey and Shamar becomes this awesome duo, but it hasn't. And when you give up that much time, regardless of DJ, and Dax Hill, and even if they had really good safeties, you're going to give up plays if you can't rush the passer.

Starting point is 00:16:37 And that's what sucks right now is clearly they had a personnel problem. I don't think anyone doubted that with the Lou stuff. Like I've seen some people try to revisit the conversation. When they moved on from Lou, I don't think any of us were like, oh, well, it's only on Lou. The personnel was a huge issue. I get wanting to start fresh and go that route if you do, and they did. But you need more talent. And banking on what they're banking on in the pass rush, it certainly hasn't worked.

Starting point is 00:17:07 And banking on what they did at linebacker, where they invested, sometimes it's wild. They invested more at linebacker this offseason than they did in their pass rush. But that's wild. And yet I look at linebacker and it's like, well, that's not solved either. So what the hell were you doing if you invest that much in a position that it isn't as valuable and it's still not solved? It would be one thing if they had one of the best linebacker units in the league now, or it felt like their rookies were going to be so good that it was worth it. But they didn't invest enough in the pass rush, invest a lot at linebacker, and they're still not even above average there in my eyes. And part of this is rookies are going to be rookies, you know, rookies are going to struggle at times.

Starting point is 00:17:53 And we've talked a lot about, right, and it's the two sides of the coin, right? like we've talked a lot about, like, can we get some rookies on the field? Can we see what some of these guys have? We've talked about this in the past at numerous positions, right? There are times, they're just like, can we find a role for these guys that we spent these draft picks on? This year, they're doing that. They're finding roles. They're shoehorning Barrett Carter and Demetriusite onto the field.

Starting point is 00:18:17 And as a result, have some of the guys that have missed the most tackles in the NFL on the Bengals. Demetriusite and Jordan Battle have 10 and 11 missed tackles respectively. I believe Barrett Carter has seven miss tackles. This is all PFF charting. And Barrett hasn't played. It's not like he started every game, you know? Barrett Carter's played about half the staffs of Jordan Battle. And the result is you get the worst PFF tackling grade in the NFL.

Starting point is 00:18:44 PFF's pretty good in charting missed tackles. If there's something you want to say that they do well or don't do well, they're pretty good at charting mistackles, in my opinion, having seen like the play-by-play data and then gone to watch the film. So part of this is growing pains, right? At linebacker, they're going to have this sometimes with rookies where it might just take a little bit of time for some of these guys to figure things out and learn those rookie lessons. Maybe in the long term, both of those guys are fine NFL players and develop. And this time of making some of these mistakes is crucial development for those guys. That's part of what it was for Lou, right?

Starting point is 00:19:21 They spent all these draft picks and they just didn't get enough out of them. and Lou was part of that conversation because the coaches are so involved in the draft in Cincinnati and it's their job as a coaching staff to find the roles and find the ways to make those players succeed once they get their hands on them. They weren't able to do that enough, but now we're seeing that persist with another defensive staff and Al Gorenton still trying to figure some things out from a schematic perspective, from a personnel perspective, trying to develop guys, trying to, you know, in his words, keep things in a way where the players can play fast.

Starting point is 00:19:57 And that's just still work in progress. And that doesn't mention the issue of Camp Taylor Britt. That you have Cam Taylor Britt who came into the season expected to be this leader in the secondary and then he's enacted, healthy scratch. Let's make sure we hit on that Camp Taylor Britt topic, James, before we get to the guard questions that still linger as the Bengals work through their mini-bye,

Starting point is 00:20:16 coming off a win. So it's not bad by any means, but this defense has answers to find. We'll continue on those topics coming up next. Today's show is brought to you by Fandall. Fandall is America's number one sportsbook for a reason. They have all of the props, all of the odds, all of the betting lines. Maybe you think that the Bengals are going to rally and win the AFC North.

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Starting point is 00:21:37 Like we've had two full loss seasons for the Bengals since then between injuries and last year's defensive debacle. In fact, it's Cam Taylor Britt's rookie season, 2022. The last time, the Bengals won the AFC North when Cam Taylor Britt was seen as an ascending future potential cornerstone player. and he put together similarly productive years in 23 and 24. And then between benchings at times and getting back onto the field, we're back to the same song and dance with Cam Taylor Brint with the new coaching staff,

Starting point is 00:22:17 which I think definitively kind of points in a direction at who can change this. And I guess the question is, does Cam Taylor Britt have a change? chance to salvage this thing with the Bengals? I think if he stays on the roster, he's going to have a chance. And what's so interesting is how quickly Cam and DJ have gone in opposite directions. Like, DJ Turner was a punchline for a lot of training camp for people on social media. DJ Turner was told by Zach Taylor before their week one game against the Browns, like, hey, you're not starting. And Cam Taylor Britt has had those conversations. I know he has. And the coaching staff,

Starting point is 00:23:04 and this isn't just about the coaching staff, but like the theme of the offseason when it came to Cam Taylor, Brett, what was the word everyone used? Consistency. Zach said it the other day, again, after this, after Cam was a healthy and active. And so he's, he's just got to, got to, got to be consistent because I think he has the talent to start, to play, to matter. And so whatever it is that is not happening behind the scenes that the coaches feel like is impacting him on the field, on game day, it's got to be dialed in on football. And I think that's it is whatever it. It might be he's just not watching enough film. It might be that technique-wise he needs to work on it after practice. Like, I don't really care at this point. But I think Kim is a good human being. I

Starting point is 00:23:52 like Cam and we only see so much, coaches are only going to say so much. And he's, he's respected enough and he's earned some of that with his teammates where it's not like you're hearing chirping or mumbling or anything like that behind the scenes about him. But he's clearly losing the trust or has lost the trust of this coaching staff and he's got to earn that back. And the only way you do that to me, you just got to put your head down and work hard. And that's pretty much his option, unless they traded him, which I would not rule out. It's not like there's a lack of continuity for, like, they have a new defensive coordinator, but it's still the same corners coach.

Starting point is 00:24:37 No doubt. And a good corners coach. It's been some of the same, some of the same stuff for Cam. It's not just the staff change. That's the issue here. So, yeah, I mean, it's interesting that the trade possible. we're getting closer to the trade deadline. That conversation is going to be a little bit different

Starting point is 00:24:56 now that they have won a single game in the post Joe Burrow part of 2025 and we'll see obviously if Joe can get back. But part of this is going to extend to the lingering questions that the Bengals have a guard where Jalen Rivers is now, the fourth highest rep guard or offensive linemen on the team. You have the roughly every snap players in Ted Karras, Orlando Brown and Aramarius Mims.

Starting point is 00:25:24 Mims missed a few snaps as he came off the field with various bumps and bruises. But Jalen Rivers, at 198 pass blocking reps, has the fourth most pass blocking reps on the team right now and has given up the second most pressures on the team, despite having 100 less snaps than those tackles. According to PFF charting anyway, he's at 19 pressures allowed, which is more than Amarius Mims, and two less than Orlando Brown so far this year. Meanwhile, we've seen the shift at left guard from Dylan Fairchild when he got hurt to Dalton Reisner.

Starting point is 00:25:57 Reisner has acquitted himself reasonably, I think, and has represented at times a more consistent player. He got got a couple times against Pittsburgh, but the decision-making for the Bengals at guard remains interesting, where Lucas Patrick is now back. And you've seen Dalton Reisner, the upside. of having the veteran Dalton Reisner on the team. And now you have these two rookies and Jalen Rivers and Dillen Fairchild and you're trying to develop them,

Starting point is 00:26:26 trying to get them live action to get them ready to go. But at the same time, it's similar to the linebacker spot where you've got rookie growing pains and you've got guys that maybe just aren't ready in some cases. So it'll be interesting to see over the course of this mini by. How long do they stick with Jalen Rivers? Because some of the tape, especially in Passpro, you like the attitude,

Starting point is 00:26:47 you like some of the approach that he's bringing, especially in the run game, but some of the pass pro tape for Jaylen Rivers in particular is leaving something to be desired, I would say. Yeah, I don't know why you wouldn't, as you're trying to win games, look at it and say, Dalton Reisner needs to be starting.

Starting point is 00:27:06 I just, I think that's an element of it. And I do think that Dylan Fairchild is ahead of Jalen Rivers. And so don't be shocked if that's the route they go. Now, that involves moving. moving Dalton back to the right side next to Armarius Mims. I don't think that's a down, like I think that's fine. Maybe they like that, that tandem of Orlando and Dalton on the left side. And so that's what they have to work through.

Starting point is 00:27:31 To me, though, clearly. And at the time we said this, like it would have been nice to have Dalton in training camp and working and all those things. He wasn't in football shape. He wasn't, he wasn't ready to go. And he got his butt-wipped a few times because he signed. and had to play 10 days later and then started the next week and then the next week gets nicked up and you go with the rookie like i get it but now the rookie is is struggling and you need to keep your 40 40 year old quarterback upright so he can do what he did the other night

Starting point is 00:28:03 i don't see a like would you debate that dalton is one of their two best guards regardless of who the other guard is like i wouldn't i think he's clearly one of their two best guards yeah i just honestly might want to keep him on the left side and that's where it gets tricky because i do think there's some chemistry kind of evolving between him and orlando and he he just had a good run blocking game he was key to some of their better run plays and that is not something that you would expect to see from dalton riser especially against that pittsburgh interior which maybe he's underachieving this year like if you if you go listen to pittsburgh fans they're very disappointed with their defensive line this year. But that's where it gets tricky to me is really we're trying to figure out what to do at

Starting point is 00:28:48 right guard. And Dylan Veritans played left guard. And so do you think about the return of Lucas Patrick as he gets further and further away from some of the injuries that hampered him throughout training camp in early this season? I would. Like I would consider, I would have considered that going into that Thursday game, given where they were at. It stinks with Dylan. because he's basically only played left guard, like even in college it was left guard. And that doesn't mean he couldn't move him to right, but you wouldn't want to do that now. At least I wouldn't. And so, yeah, I think could it hurt to have Lucas Patrick out there?

Starting point is 00:29:31 Now, the other element of it is he was your backup center. And how that plays out. Like we saw it week one. If you roll with two centers and one of them is starting a good. guard. Like that's, that's a scary proposition to be in if that guard gets hurt. Because Matt Lee has been inactive often this year. Yeah. It is why we're talking about that. Yeah. So, so it's a juggle. It really is. And I, I think Dylan Fairchild is going to be good at some point. But what Dalton has given you is very real. And to your point, there is chemistry there. And that would be my concern.

Starting point is 00:30:10 So both of us agree. He's one of the two best guards. He should continue to start. Do you move him from the left side? The answer is probably based on how confident they are and what they've seen from Jalen Rivers. Like I know what the numbers are. Like, are you sticking with Jalen Rivers or not? If not, then I would, in an ideal world, I would rather play Dillon Fairchild at left guard

Starting point is 00:30:36 if you think he's going to be better than what Rivers is at right guard, because I do think he's, the future there. And so if you think Reisner can give you what he's giving you at left guard at right guard, then you do it. I'm not sure they feel that way. I don't know how they feel about it. They've left it open-ended for a reason. But if you're keeping Reisner at left guard, then you're worried about rivers, well, then Lucas Patrick is the obvious option. And what that leads to, if you do that, is then are one of these rookies inactive if you want a true backup center ready to go active. And that's the real dilemma.

Starting point is 00:31:15 Now we're getting into the weeds a bit when it comes to offensive line decisions. But all things the Bengals have to consider when they're making these decisions because if Lucas Patrick gets nicked up and you don't have a backup center available and you're playing the Jets, well, that can really screw you over in a game that you should win, for example. I wouldn't really hesitate personally. like if you need to go with the veterans for a couple weeks, maybe it's just until the buy. Maybe it's until one of those veterans shows that they shouldn't be on the field.

Starting point is 00:31:45 You have the other options. The tricky thing, I guess, then would be like, yeah, if you have one of those rookies down, Jalen Rivers rep, both sides, I guess then Cody Ford is your backup right guard, if Dylan Fairchild's only playing left guard, just in terms of like the backup conversation, if Lucas Patrick deals with another injury. Well, I think if you decide that Fairchild isn't going to start at left guard, then you instantly put him and have him rip both sides. Like the moment Dalton came out, yeah, the moment Dalton came out and was no longer the starter,

Starting point is 00:32:19 he was he was wrapping both sides at top. Right. I think you would have to. The Jets gives you a chance to try to get some footing at guard. Like they've got Quentin Williams for sure. He's not having a great year. But the Jets are playing J. Tufele, a defensive tackle right now. Not to take anything away from J2Fellé. But this is a guy that couldn't make the Bengals team. The Jets on the interior right now, not the scariest past rush. Like, they got some guys that can beat you, and I'm sure in a week I'll be regretting talking about the Jets' interior defensive line this way, but it gives you a chance to find

Starting point is 00:32:57 something and try to build some continuity and build some confidence on the offensive line. And Joe Flacko, the way he's navigating the pocket and path production from the passing game perspective, the way he's feeling pressure, getting rid of the ball very quickly. At some point, teams are going to make that harder for you if you're the Bengals, but right now he can help you build that confidence in the offensive line. And that's something that they need. They obviously need to figure that out and answer some of these questions. Find some development.

Starting point is 00:33:27 One of those things has to come together for this team as they're trying to remain in the picture here and got a big win on Thursday to do. Yeah, I'm with you. I lean veterans right now. And that doesn't mean don't have those other guys ready. They're rookies. They'll be fine. They'll bounce back.

Starting point is 00:33:45 They might be back later. Don't show them three weeks ago how to handle it. We're long and we've got to go. But I talked to Dalton and he handled that about as well as anyone could have given the fact that he had signed like two weeks prior. And he's like, how in the world am I a backup now suddenly with no Joe? borough. Like he could have lost his mind. It'd been like, I made a mistake. I should have went here or there, all these other options

Starting point is 00:34:11 that he had. And he said, no, I just got to keep working. And he got right back in it. And now we're both saying, hey, start it. So good for him. And I think the rookies will approach it the same way. Rookies could be back later this season. We'd almost expect it. That's going to do it for this episode. Yeah. I mean, we might still see them. I mean, I'm just saying if you took our approach,

Starting point is 00:34:34 the rookies could earn. their way back onto the field. No doubt. As soon as you wanted, as soon as they're ready. Anyway, that's going to do it for this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. You got that mini-buy. So we've got a couple more episodes for you this week before we get to the preview. Until next time, thanks for listening to this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast.

Starting point is 00:34:53 Good day. And have a good one.

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