Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Wink Martindale for DC? Bengals "could have interest"

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

The Bengals reportedly "could have interest" in Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who fans know best from his comments about Joe Burrow before getting blown out of a job in Baltimore in ...2021. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the Bengals' potential interest in Martindale for the DC job, before discussing positions that the Bengals should be open to in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL draft.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!Turbo TaxReady for stress-free taxes and the most money back, guaranteed? Head over to TurboTax.com today and get matched with your Expert—who’s ready to take your taxes off your plate, so you can focus on your day.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.PrizePicksDownload the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFLGametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelYou can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. 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 00:00:02 A new candidate potentially emerges in the Bengals search for a new defensive coordinator. Let's break it down. You are Locked on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. What up Bengals fans and welcome to another episode of the Locked on Bengals podcast. I'm your host, Jake Liscoe. He's your host, James Ropeen. We're here today to update you on what's going on with the Cincinnati Bengals Defense.
Starting point is 00:00:37 of coordinator search, which seems to be taking its sweet time. But as we're recording this episode, just afternoon on Tuesday, a new name has entered the fray potentially for the Bengals DC job. Today's episode is sponsored by Fandall, where $5 bet will get you started with $200 in bonus bets. If you win or lose your first $5 bet, check it out at fandul.com to get started. And welcome back to all the everydayers out there. We appreciate all of you, everydayers online.
Starting point is 00:01:07 on Bengals so very much locked on on Locked on Bengals, those every day. There's all of you who make us your first listen, shout out to you as well. If you're new to the show, you can find us on YouTube or anywhere you get your podcast and hit that subscribe button to make sure you don't miss an episode.
Starting point is 00:01:23 And James, when we sat down to record this episode, we were going to discuss, what's taking so long? Why is the process seeming to go slow? I mean, it's only been about a week, but with little hair, Little head coaching movement and little coaching movement in general so far with the coaching carousel in the NFL after the wild card round is now in the books.
Starting point is 00:01:48 A new name reportedly in the mix for the Bengals is Don Wink Martindale, who is a bit infamous around the Cincinnati Bengals water coolers in Cincinnati. Yeah, and we can get into that for sure. Tom Pelliserra with the report, Don Wink Martindale, currently the Michigan defense of coordinator. He's the highest paid coordinator in college football would certainly be getting probably be the highest paid coordinator in Bengals history if this did work out. Now, to be clear about the report, Tom Pelliseros saying that Wintmartendale scheduled the interview with the Falcons on Tuesday, the Colts on Wednesday, and quote, the Bengals could also have interest.
Starting point is 00:02:31 And it's interesting because do they or don't they, right? Why would Pellasel Seros say that. Usually he's pretty darn good with Bengel stuff. And so let's just assume they have interest. It would surprise me. It's a surprising name to come up. Part of it because of the infamous Joe Burrow scenario where he said, let's not put a gold jacket on him yet. And Joe Burrow goes out there and throws for 525 on his Baltimore Ravens defense in 2021, which just sliced and diced him. That that man out of Baltimore is what happened. Let's be honest here. That's why Don McMartindale ended up with the Giants.
Starting point is 00:03:13 It didn't work out there. And so then he goes to Michigan. And he's held in high regard in NFL circles. It's in football circles in general. There's a reason why he's the highest paid defensive coordinator in college football. I just, I'm a bit surprised to see it, but would not shock me if he at least does come in for an interview. and it's another veteran, it's a college coach, but certainly a veteran coach that we can throw into the, whose hat we could throw into the ring as the Bengals continue this process.
Starting point is 00:03:45 He is a veteran coach, but he's only been a defensive coordinator for a relatively short part of his career, especially when you get to the NFL level. Like you go back to Western Kentucky in the early 2000s from 2000 to 2003. He was a defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. Same at Western Illinois. So he's at directional Midwestern University Schools being the defensive coordinators. He was the special teams coordinator at the University of Cincinnati from 1996 to 1998. But the D.C.
Starting point is 00:04:13 Yeah, and linebackers coach. The D.C. tenure for him was a year with the Broncos, four years with the Ravens, a couple years with the Giants. And when he was with the Ravens is when he was seen as a respected and difficult to deal with defensive coordinator before Joe Burrow came along and ended that tenure for Wink Martindale with the Baltimore Ravens preceding their high. of Mike McDonald, who went on to give Joe Burrow more significant problems than Martindale ever did. But the idea of Martindale is when he's good, he's creating a lot of confusion for opposing quarterbacks by mixing up pressure looks consistently and matching that with coverage in the back end that punishes quarterbacks for mistakes. And it's something that's exploitable, I think, we've seen from the other side, from the Joe Burrough side, when you have a quarterback who can
Starting point is 00:05:04 decipher the pressures, who can decipher what you're doing behind the pressures, and get the ball to the right place at the right time. You're just leaving yourself vulnerable to explosive plays when your schemed up pressures and your cookery, as it were, is not on point. And you have quarterbacks that can pick it apart. Even at Michigan this year, still a very blitz-happy defensive coordinator. That's what you're getting with Wink Martindale. He builds his defensive approach around blitzing. At least that's what it seems like, is it's a very blitz heavy approach, and it seems like things build from there, right?
Starting point is 00:05:40 And so that is what you would be getting with Martindale, but the last three years of its time in the NFL did not go well. Good year in Michigan for that defense, but by a lot of measures, but some really good players on that defense too, and it's obviously very different at the college level where you don't have the level of quarterbacking that you face in the NFL.
Starting point is 00:05:59 And perhaps that level of football, that level of quarterback play is more, in tune or aligned with the kind of defense Martindale wants to play and allowing it to be more successful. I don't know for sure the answer there. This is, I agree James, a bit of a surprising one because I don't really know what box he ticks for the things that we've talked about, the things that Zach Taylor said he was looking for the next defensive coordinator that the team
Starting point is 00:06:26 hires outside of being a veteran. Like he's done it before. He knows how to be a defensive coordinator. Obviously, he's been part of a good and successful franchise in Baltimore for sure. But like the player development side is something I would have to dig into a little bit more and getting the most out of players, putting players in position to succeed, being adaptable to the personnel you have. Those are the questions that I would have for Martindale, who clearly has skins on the wall. But to me, there are some questions about his approach in the modern NFL. Yeah, there's one Joe Burrow. That would be my push. Like if you want to sell yourself on it, there's no one does what Joe Burrow does. No one.
Starting point is 00:07:03 homes no one well but i'm not just saying this because of joe burrow to be clear for sure uh two he knows the a fc north so that checks a box for zach very well three he's got more defensive coordinator experience than louana rumo right so like matt eberflutes outside of his Missouri tenure it's not like he's been a defensive coordinator in the NFL for a bunch of years so i think it checks off a bunch of boxes what i think is wild i looked it up he's older than mike zimmer i never would have guessed that 71 and and so So just surprising there. I don't think he looks, or he's 61, excuse me.
Starting point is 00:07:39 Why did I, why did it say 71? Anyways, all right, so that's why, because he's only 61. Dayton, Ohio, though, he's from Dayton. So maybe he does want to come back to Ohio. But I think a lot of people are going to see the name. And like, you'd be like, I did look up that quote, by the way. So back in 2021, the Bengals beat the Ravens 41, 21, one before that game he's talking with jamison hensley uh vspn dot com and he said this was after
Starting point is 00:08:08 they had played the packers apparently because he said Adams is one of the top two receivers in the league and he's not number two talking about devante Adams erin rogers is a hall of fame quarterback and i don't think we're ready to buy a gold jacket for joe and so that was the comment that joe bro said uh wasn't a necessary comment he responded i don't think it was a necessary comment i wouldn't say I was offended by it. I'm in year two. Who knows what's going to happen down the road, but I didn't think it was a necessary comment.
Starting point is 00:08:36 So he could have certainly gone without saying that. But he said it, and Joe Burrow doubted him for 525 yards. I think, I just think it's interesting. I don't know how interested the Bengals are in him, but the fact that this name is being tossed out there, I certainly wouldn't plan on them interviewing him, and maybe they do, but I don't know how to feel about this report. I don't. And Tom Pellissera usually gets it right, but it would be a surprise overall if Don Wink-Martindale was the Bengals'
Starting point is 00:09:10 defensive coordinator, say, a week from now. It's a second in a series of kind of strange reports around the Bengals' interest or not interest in potential defensive coordinator of candidates following the Matt Eberflus report that said he was going to be involved, whatever that means. And this report from Pelliserra is that the Bengals also could have interest. in Martindale following his interviews with the Falcons, which is apparently happening probably as you're listening to this podcast, might be done by them. And the Colts on Wednesday,
Starting point is 00:09:40 which happens to mirror Luanna Rumo's upcoming interviews where he will be interviewing with the Colts on Wednesday as well, and then with the Falcons on Thursday. Louana Rumo, apparently, according to Albert Breer, also on the DC list for a few head coaching candidates out there this cycle who could be hired. So it looks like Lou will land somewhere, else as a defensive coordinator in 2025.
Starting point is 00:10:03 And an interesting parallel there with the scheduled interviews for these two candidates for the same teams coming up in very close proximity to one another. We'll wrap up any thoughts there. James coming up next and then we'll get into some early thoughts on 2025 draft priorities as we shift away from the D.C. conversation coming up next. Today's show is brought to you by Fandle. From big upsets to game winning drives, Fandle is America's number one sports book for a reason.
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Starting point is 00:11:21 Make this playoff season. and unforgettable with Fandle, official sportsbook partner of the NFL. I did have one closing thought on Wink Martindale. I don't know if you do, James. It's possible that this guy could still be a great defensive coordinator in the NFL. That's the thing with defense in particular that makes it kind of tricky. You look at his last three years of defensive coordinator experience in the NFL, and they were all bad.
Starting point is 00:11:43 Got fired from the Ravens, had two subpar years of the Giants, but it's the Giants. So there's a little bit of an asterisk on that particular performance for his. defenses in two years in New York. And then it was pretty good at Michigan, like I said. There's a chance, like I said, that he could still be a very good high-level defensive coordinator in the NFL defense is volatile. It's often very personnel dependent. We talked about this yesterday a little bit with Mike Zimmer when I pointed out the results
Starting point is 00:12:10 that Zimmer got from Dallas and you pointed out the injuries that Dallas had to deal with this year. When you lose some of your key players and you face really good offenses, things can look really lopsided for defenses in the NFL. So it could be that Martindale is just a product of that sort of thing, the variance that occurs on defense factors outside of his control. It's certainly possible that he is a worthy D.C. candidate could certainly be worth talking to. An interview doesn't hurt.
Starting point is 00:12:37 But the one other interesting note for me there is the salary bit where we're talking about big fish hunting a week ago at the D.C. spot and how much money the Bengals may or may not be willing to spend after thinking about what Louana Rumo was making. And you're talking about Martindale potentially needing 2.8 to $3 million salary to get a raise if that's important to him to leave Michigan. Or if he just wants to get back to the NFL, perhaps this price tag will be a little bit lower. But some interesting factors there with Martindale. Yeah, certainly if Lou is reportedly at 1.5, you're looking at a minimum of 2.5, I would say, for Wink Martindale, minimum. And probably, you're right, is a slight raise. it would be interesting.
Starting point is 00:13:22 You mentioned the personnel and I thought about it. You know the Roquan Smith deal was made in 2022, October of 22, and he transformed their defense a lot. And I know it's a linebacker, but there are a few linebackers that actually make a difference. I think he's one of them. And so that's part of when that defense kind of changed.
Starting point is 00:13:43 Obviously, they added Kyle Hamilton and they have guys like that that have just kind of changed the way they play since we saw Wink Martindale too. Big schematic change as well. That kind of coincides with, and you know, who knows the fit with Roquan in the Mike McDonald's system versus a Wink Martindale system. I don't know the answers to those questions.
Starting point is 00:14:03 I think probably you make it work because Roquan Smith is, he didn't have the best year. You're still an All-Pro, which I think some people might actually take issue with based on his performance this year. Regardless, good player. And you're right. That did postate Martindale. I think that's all I got on the DC stuff.
Starting point is 00:14:21 It is interesting to see the timing play out. We might need to wait to see some of these head coaching jobs get filled. That might be the way the NFL cycles tend to work. A lot of times these markets wait for the first dominoes to fall before subsequent dominoes can fall. But that's the only thing I can really think of. It is a bit strange to me, I guess, that we're not getting reports of interviews being completed. And there's very little getting out in terms of candidates. and Bengals could potentially be interested in as well, I would say, compared to other teams.
Starting point is 00:14:52 You're buying that it's just a wait and see for Al Golden? That's where a lot of people are when it comes to the time. It's just there, there's some logical leaps there you've got to take to get to that point. I mean, it could be, but there are a few steps, and I don't know that there's necessarily an indication that that is what we're waiting for. Could be one of these D.C. is still in the playoffs or one of the D.C. candidates still in the playoffs in the NFL, too. sure are we sure al golden is better than wink martindale i mean you're not sure about any of that for defensive coordinators i'd say yeah i think that's what's so interesting is i was like i almost put you on the spot about two minutes ago in my head i'm like all right we'll rank a mad eber flus
Starting point is 00:15:32 out golden don't wink martinale and i don't know if you can i think it's such an interesting element here to it is it's you can look at how they've done and what they've done but there's so many things that go into it, can you get the right coach that fits right that is going to align with the front office, maximize what you have, and also maximize the guys you bring in this offseason? Like, that's really where you're at. And so do I blame them for leaving no stone unturned and even looking at the guy that said, had Joey B for the Hall of Fame?
Starting point is 00:16:06 Come on now. You know, I don't. I just, I would still be surprised if they interviewed him, even with this report. But we're not shocked, just slightly surprised. That's all. I think surprise is fair. I think that the general gist of this DC search reminds me a little bit of the things that we don't know about the draft. And this is our transition.
Starting point is 00:16:35 With players in the draft, the thing that we always don't know is about character, 10, be the things we don't find out about character medicals team fit cultural fit those are the things that we as the public are generally not privy to some of it gets out like we knew that there were issues around germane burton for example we did not know exactly what those issues were or how deep they ran other than it happened in multiple programs etc etc so like we can find out some things like that you can get some ideas but you never know exactly how the player in the draft is going to fit with your culture when he arrives in the culture And I think that's also true for some of these DCs and D.C. candidates that we've been talking about.
Starting point is 00:17:19 That's how I'm tying it together. That's one element here. If you were to ask me to rank these guys, like which do I think is going to be the most successful? We're kind of blind ranking because we don't know how they mesh with the front office and the personnel and the personnel philosophies in Cincinnati where like if they were to hire Al Golden and Al Golden, for example, this is totally conjecture. And Al Golden go back a couple years is like, I want Nolan Smith. And the Bengals front office is like, we don't draft that body type. How can Al Golden live in that world then, right? How can whoever is the DC live in that world where maybe the Bengals front office has a way of doing things? It doesn't mesh with the kind of player they want. Again, an answer that we don't know the question that we don't know the answer to.
Starting point is 00:18:05 And so that's where we're blind on some of these factors when we're talking about the potential success of some players or coaches when they, changed situations from college of the NFL or even from NFL team to NFL team. Yeah, I think it's a really good point because the Bengals, and that's why it needs to match. Like the vision, the Dax Hill vision needs to match from coaching staff to front office and vice versa. And when it doesn't, you see what we've seen. So let's dive into that a little bit from a draft standpoint. what player or players or positions, we won't name specific players,
Starting point is 00:18:44 but I'm sure a lot of you, I think a lot of our listeners, Jake, have done a lot of draft homework, more so than us, at least in these mock draft simulators. I haven't done one yet. Obviously, we'll do plenty between now and the draft, plenty of time to get into it.
Starting point is 00:18:57 Is there a position that we would rule out outside of quarterback in the first round? We'll answer that question coming out next. Today's show is brought to you by LinkedIn. LinkedIn is here for you. It's for anyone, everyone, especially those that have a small business because growing your small business
Starting point is 00:19:16 comes down to how well you can hire. And let's face it, if you're the Bengals and you're looking for the right defensive coordinator, or you might have to look on LinkedIn. Hey, I'm going to submit my resume on LinkedIn, Jake. Maybe that'll work out. I'm just kidding. The last thing I would want to do
Starting point is 00:19:30 is be the defensive coordinator. We know I'm all about skill. But LinkedIn can help. you find the right hire for your small business. And LinkedIn gets that. You're wearing so many hats as a small business owner. You've got to find the best candidates. Well, LinkedIn uses data you won't find anywhere else. They'll find the unique skills and interest to the connections that you share. And 72% of small businesses say LinkedIn has helped them find high quality candidates. So don't delay. Check out LinkedIn today and hire smarter this year and find your next great
Starting point is 00:20:03 hire on LinkedIn. 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. James, as we discuss the draft position or positions in the draft that we think you could potentially rule out. I am not very willing. That you would rule out.
Starting point is 00:20:32 I don't understand the distinction. I mean, let's not predict the Bengals yet. It's like what we would be out on right now. If we were running things. Yeah. I see. I understand the distinction now. Where would you start?
Starting point is 00:20:47 Quarterback. Yeah. You said besides quarterback in the T's. Connor. Come on. Kicker. Come on. You're going to say long snapper next?
Starting point is 00:20:56 Get to real. Long snapper. No, that's a good one. All right. Real position. Dude, I can't wait to tell Kyle out of mine just. You don't think he has a real position. Real positions in the first round of the draft.
Starting point is 00:21:06 None of those positions exist in the first time of the draft. Quarterbacks do. Quarterbacks do. Outside of that, I'm down for any offensive linemen, any defensive lineman. We just talked about how Rokon Smith transformed the Ravens defense. I'm not going to completely dismiss linebacker, even though that's probably, that's borderline for me, probably linebacker. Maybe it's a linebacker that gives you some juice as a pass rusher. So again, hard to say.
Starting point is 00:21:33 Like Micah Parsons was thought about as not an edge player in pass rusher when he was coming out. That's why he fell as far as he did. But probably linebacker. Outside of that, like I'm not going to completely rule out safety, even though I don't think they should necessarily go that route. Corner, never rule that out. Defensive line, offensive line, wide receiver.
Starting point is 00:21:56 Show me where T's done. And then that changes, but it hasn't been. So wide receiver is still in the mix. and running back, tight end. I'd be open to all of those. So there's not many for me. And that's why I wanted to do this, because I think a lot of people aren't nearly as open,
Starting point is 00:22:13 but I'm pretty open right now. Yeah, I think when you talk about prioritization or ideal world versus ruling out, those are very different conversations, right? If you're trying to rule out a first round position, then, yeah, you start with specialist quarterback, obviously. the Bengals aren't in need of a first round quarterback right now, especially in the middle of the round.
Starting point is 00:22:37 They've got Joe Burrow. That's not changing. And you never draft a specialist in the first round. Those are very obvious. But then it is much more difficult because there are safeties that are worth the Bengals draft pick this year, which currently sits at 17 in the first round. There are certainly corners. There are defensive linemen, offensive linemen.
Starting point is 00:22:58 In this year, more than many years, there's probably an argument for running back. I think there's even a first round off-wall linebacker this year, like you mentioned. But for me, I'm probably with you on ruling out linebacker. I just don't think that that is a way that... He'd have to be Roblox Smith. He'd have to be right away. It would have to be a transformative kind of player, like a Luke Keekly kind of player, right? Like one of those kind of linebackers who, you know, a Fred Warner type,
Starting point is 00:23:30 but Fred Warner was a winner pick. Sure. But if you could get Fred Warner at pick 17, you do it. Yeah. And there's certainly a chance that the Bengals are looking in the linebacker market this year. Sure. Oh, yeah. Yes. Like, in terms of prioritization, I understand after you get past this ruling out thing. Because there is a priority in an ideal world. But the one thing that I think
Starting point is 00:24:00 We've probably said this every year I'm pretty sure I said this last year That we need to remember As a lesson learned When we're thinking about drafting for this team Is they need an instant impact player somewhere Yep And I'm sure that I've said this before
Starting point is 00:24:18 The everydayers that have been with us for a while Have heard us beat this drum before It can't necessarily be drafting for the future because you're anticipating losing a player. They can't necessarily be drafting a developmental player who has the tools but needs some time. You need to find those players that can make an instant impact
Starting point is 00:24:39 because you look at the playoff teams right now. Boy, are they getting some impact out of those players? And Nolan Smith, a recent example, certainly one of those players. I guess technically he's in his second year, but the Eagles rookie class has also been great. The Rams, another one of those. The Lions,
Starting point is 00:24:57 certainly another one of those where the lines in particular is you bring up Sam LaPorteur, a team that is willing to overlook positional value and find players that can make an impact and be game changers. And the Bengals maybe need to be a little bit more willing to do that. Yeah. Well, they do need to be because I'll tell you right now that they really like Sam Laporta. And not that I don't like Miles and maybe he figures it out, but it's the same thing with Nolan Smith as well. Either way you look at it
Starting point is 00:25:29 it's like okay well here are two guys that are making an impact and yeah tight end there are going to be people that say you're going to consider a tight end in round one and the answer should be hell the answer should be hell yes of course they should consider a tight end in round one
Starting point is 00:25:44 now that doesn't mean you take one it doesn't mean that Brock Bowers is in this class it doesn't mean that it's going to happen or it's going to play out that way, but you certainly, one, don't rule it out, and two, have to be open to it because do you know what? Like, you got a glimpse of it with Eric Al, a glimpse of it. Can you imagine, and they got it right with Amarius Mims.
Starting point is 00:26:07 There's no doubt. Like, he had an impact. Can you imagine what Brock Bowers would have done in this offense? Yeah. He did that with the Raiders, with the Raiders. So if you can find a guy that can do, not all of Brock Bowers, can do. be 80% of Brock Bowers as a pass catcher and Eric all the blocker that's valuable.
Starting point is 00:26:31 It's extremely valuable, even though people poo-poo the idea of a tight end early. And I know, I mean, we've done it three years in a row. I mean, we talked about it with Kincaid two years ago. And obviously LaPorte was in the mix there. And we talked about it last year with Bowers. We'll talk about it this year. People will just trenches or nothing.
Starting point is 00:26:50 And it really, obviously, I'm open to that. I would love a guard. The guard out of Alabama, maybe he's there at 17 and is a guy. But I don't know where Booker is his name. I don't know where these guys are going to fall yet. But the point is, you got to be open to a bunch of different spots. And that's how you get that instant impact that you're talking about. When you start crossing off positions or ignoring positions because of the value,
Starting point is 00:27:16 then it becomes harder to find that instant impact because it's hard to do. It's hard to find it. And I wonder if offensive tackle in the first round, like a pure offensive tackle is the one position we haven't talked about as a potential elimination for the first round. Because if it's a pure offensive tackle, yeah, there's value there in having that guy be your first guy off the bench. But if it's not a player that you think can also play guard, that's one where it's like, where's the instant impact there? How many tackles can't play guard though? Like a little? I don't know.
Starting point is 00:27:48 I think Orlando, like if you asked Orlando to play God, I think he could. I'm not saying you would. I think he's capable. I think Amarius certainly could, right? I don't know. I mean, you're asking a player to learn a new position sometimes. If a guy, like if you're a tackle and you've only played tackle in college, you've probably only played tackle in high school. Maybe you also played some defensive line.
Starting point is 00:28:11 Maybe you're also running back or something because high school football is like that. But asking a player to learn an entirely new position that can be very different. sometimes work sometimes not sometimes you get a guy that can play both or has experience at both spots or maybe you find a tackle that needs to transition to guard but then can be a flex tackle for you in the NFL at some point but I do think that it's certainly lower on the priority list some of the pure tackles in the class yeah I think a lot of what and it's because you've invested you've invested in Orlando you've invested in Amarius and so but I think a lot of guys guys can do it.
Starting point is 00:28:52 And a lot of them have turned into good ones. Now, the Bengals haven't gone that route. Cordell-Voson was a tackle at North Dakota State. Jackson and Carmen was a tackle at Clemson. Wilson worked out better than Carmen, but people were going to see that and say, oh, well, you can't do it. And it's like, no, most tackles can kick into guard when you need them to. So I would say that that position flex would be not needed, but you'd hope that they would be
Starting point is 00:29:18 able to do both so they can start because that could be a huge instant impact position if you take a tackle at 17 and he ends up starting for you at guard. If there's a plan to move a tackle to guard, that's a different thing that I'm thinking about. But the point that I was trying to get to there and we're kind of away from it now was when you mentioned trenches or bust, I don't think that that can be quite the mentality. Yeah, they need to get better in the trenches. Don't get me wrong. But the second you force it is when you get the Jackson Carmen kind of picks.
Starting point is 00:29:54 Not that Jackson Carmen was the best available at that spot. But that sort of mentality gets you into picking players that are not as good as other players that you could have. And so when wide receivers are discussed, maybe that's one where, you know, James, you're obviously not going to rule it out. But if T. Higgins returns, is it the best value on your return to get a wide receiver in the first draft? Maybe. But when we're talking about tight ends and safeties and corners and even wide receivers, there's a world where that is something that is a reasonable option or reasonable path for the Bengals to take in the first round. Yep.
Starting point is 00:30:35 Wide receivers for days. Just kidding. But maybe. Never say never. Maybe. Maybe just kidding. Man, man. If they had just gone after Ladd or Troy or McMillan or.
Starting point is 00:30:48 Oh, boy. Anyways. McMillan is, he had a very up and down. Good finish for the regular season, though, for McMillan. Certainly would be giving you more than they got out of the wide receiver they picked in the third round currently. But a lot of time to go to discuss this draft in a lot more detail. We'll get into our draft primer soon. We'll get our look at some of these players in the Senior Bowl.
Starting point is 00:31:10 We'll do a mock draft Monday after that Senior Bowl picking all Senior Bowl players. That is the annual tradition of mock drafters everywhere. and we will get there here on lockdown Bengals. Until then, thanks for listening to this episode, Ho day, and have a good one.

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