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bold WHO DEY predictions · WhoDey All Dey!

• 0:42
  SPEAKER_01: Ladies and gentlemen, happy September 2nd, 2026, and welcome to the Hoodet All Day Podcast.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_01: I'm your host, Michael Bergs, in beautiful, carefree Arizona.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_01: Good to be home.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_01: But more importantly, got our boys with us tonight.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_01: Brian Kyle, Utah County.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_01: Brian, home.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_01: How you living?
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_02: So good.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_02: It's finally good.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_02: It's good to finally be back together.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_02: Uh after some power outages, different, different schedules, lots of things going on.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_02: So it's good to be back and talking Bengals football.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_02: We are the season is upon us, fellas.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, Mother Nature is undefeated.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, and so working that obstacle is difficult, but good to be back.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_01: Brant, Northern Kentucky.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_01: How are you doing?
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: Doing awesome, guys.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: So appreciate the uh, you know, you guys hanging on tonight for me and I'm excited to talk some bangles talk with you guys.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_01: You want to give a shout out to the uh reason that you were uh delayed this evening?
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, yeah.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: So thank you again, guys, for uh for bearing with me, but I was delayed because we were at the soft opening for Traveler's Table tonight up in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: So opening this Friday.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: So if you guys haven't made your way out looking to do something this weekend, not sure where to go, I think it's a great spot to hit up, very unique uh menu, lots of different uh options on that menu.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: If you're uh if you're a kind of a world traveler, kind of going with the name there.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: So yeah, head on out.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: Great spot to hit up.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_00: Uh get the cheesecake at the end.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_01: Love that.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_01: Love that you're supporting the local spots, especially in good old beautiful Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_01: You all know the drill.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_01: We're gonna go four downs.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_01: First down, the preseason is complete for the first time in 20 years.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_01: Your Cincinnati Bengals are preseason, undefeated.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_01: Definitely heading the right direction.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_01: Want to get your thoughts on the preseason.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_01: Wrapping that up.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_01: Second down, roster cuts were made pretty much Sunday.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_01: Monday, want to get your thoughts on the 53 and the practice squad.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_01: Third down, we've talked about the schedule before.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_01: We all are in consensus that there's going to be a lot of winning this year.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_01: I actually want to get your take and predictions on where the losses and maybe the potholes will be this year on the season.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_01: And then fourth down, I want a bold prediction from each of you on the 2026 season for our Bengals.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_01: So first down, Brian, wrap up the preseason for us.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, no, I think it obviously great preseason for the Bengals.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_02: I think what we showed was this team was deep.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, there's guys that ended up, and we're gonna talk about it next down, that didn't end up making the roster, uh, that uh they're worthy of being on an NFL roster.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_02: Uh there but what I really liked about the last game uh with Philly, and he and you know you've got backups of backups of backups that are that are playing, but I can't re really remember the last time the Bengals in a pre in a preseason game dominated physically.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_02: And they dominated that game physically, especially there toward the end, uh with with the way you know the offensive line gets credit for it, uh as well as the running backs with the way the bullock finished some runs and was running the ball, and and uh, you know, if you if you're diehard bangles fans like the like the three of us, you saw Haynes run uh there at the end, showed off talent.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_02: But the defense was physical, guys were coming up.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_02: I love preseason's always fun for me.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_02: I love seeing guys that they hey, you know, if we're if we're being realistic, their time, their time in the NFL is gonna be very short, if not at all, but that are like putting it out on the line, you know, doing everything they can to win a job, basically.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_02: And then hearing stories where I'm gonna go back to Dante Myers.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_02: The more you hear about Mr.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_02: Myers, who has made the 53-man uh roster, congratulations to him.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_02: But the more you hear about him, the more his story is is unbelievable and awesome.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_02: The fact that he paid a hundred bucks to try out for the CFL, and now he's now he is living the dream and is on an NFL roster is awesome.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_02: There's stories like that throughout the league.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_02: So the preseason could be fun.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_02: I'm glad that the nation got to see if you tuned in to on a quiet Friday night and wanted some football, that the nation got to see the the Cincinnati Bengals, uh, and and a good football team and the Eagles as well.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_02: So got to see some good football uh and have a little bit of fun with it.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_02: So I'm excited.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_02: I was excited about the preseason.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_02: I'm excited that it's done, and we get to have real football here in not too long.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_01: So it finally felt like a preseason that we had wanted where you got the starters to play, everybody thankfully is healthy, but we've got to see exactly what you're talking about.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_01: The depth show up and make these decisions very, very difficult because it was so competitive and it was fun football.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_01: For those of you, one thing, you know, when they always say we want to get rid of one thing that we say in in society or whatever.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_01: When everyone says it's the preseason, it doesn't matter.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_01: We've got to stop saying that.
• 6:03
  SPEAKER_01: There is nothing more but then the complete opposite.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_01: You tell these guys that this is their only way of making a living for the rest of their life.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_01: This is their one shot, or not their only way of making a living, but their one shot in the NFL.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_01: Look what happened.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_01: Brian bringing up Dante Myers, perfect example.
• 6:20
  SPEAKER_01: I know he had performed in practice, but then he did it in the game.
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_01: It matched the practice.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_01: The performance did it equaled a roster spot.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_01: The preseason matters, Brant.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I would I would just reiterate what you're saying, Mike.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: And uh, I think I'm most happy or happiest about uh the winning, just going three and oh in the preseason, first time in Zach Taylor's uh tenure with the Bengals.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, I don't think we won beyond one game in the preseason with Zach.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_00: So uh I'm super happy because uh you know there's a bunch of commentators out there if you if you guys look it up and research it, but there's not really any correlation to uh you know winning in the preseason and winning in the regular season.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: But I'm a total believer that winning breeds winning, and once you get a taste of that, you want more of it, and it it can't be anything else but a positive in my mind.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: So I I just love the fact that they established that they want to win.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: That's what Joe was talking about on that podcast today.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_00: Like, what's his goal?
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_00: He just wants to win.
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_00: So I think they all have that same mindset, and I love it.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, just a couple quick other comments I would say about the preseason.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, I was surprised a few more guys weren't claimed.
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, that just I like Brian said, the depth just it was evident.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, so many guys just come out, the same offensive line, keeping Josh Johnson uh clean.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: Uh and you know, it was unbelievable just the way our quarterbacks could play, uh, just with confidence, not having to get flushed out every other play.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: I thought the the backup quarter play quarterback play uh was phenomenal.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, Josh Johnson deserved to be on a roster the way he played.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, you know, I you just you can't say enough good things about what we did in the preseason.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, I think my last two things would be Landon Robinson.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_00: Brian, uh, Brian already touched on Dante Meyer's story, so I'll hit on Landon Robinson.
• 8:39
  SPEAKER_00: Seventh round draft pick out of Navy.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_00: You guys know how much we love him, but balled out in the preseason, earned, earned his way onto the roster, wasn't given it.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, and then the last thing, maybe a little bit of a sour note, but I want to see what happens with DJ Turner's contract.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: Uh preseason-wise, I really was hoping we'd already have that across the finish line.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe they can still get it done, but I I, you know, little birdies are out there saying it's there's not really much of a chance, so we'll see what happens.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_01: I'm surprised, especially too, with some of these other elite corners getting their contracts.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_01: Thought maybe DJ Turner would slide in right underneath there.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_01: But I do appreciate you bringing up Josh Johnson and that offensive line group, that second offensive line group.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_01: They played all of the first half in uh the second and third games and into the third quarters.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_01: And then in the fourth quarter, a lot of the uh third and four strings came in.
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_01: But how clean that pocket was and how professional they looked, that makes me feel awfully confident in our starters.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_01: Because if these are the backups and they are that hungry and professional and focusing, it wasn't perfect.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_01: They made mistakes, but if they are working in that manner and expecting to be that professional, what do you think the starters are ready to do?
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_01: One last thing on the preseason after the first game.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, we won 17-14 against Detroit, but Zach said briefly at the end of the game, we should have run out the clock on these guys.
• 10:08
  SPEAKER_01: And what do you know?
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_01: We did it in both of the other two games.
• 10:11
  SPEAKER_01: The team is learning, they are listening and adapting.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_01: This team both, like both of you said, want to be there, want to win.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_01: So second down, Brand roster finalized for today.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_01: I'm sure there'll probably be still be some more moves in the in the future, but just want to get your final thoughts on the roster cuts, the practice squad, and who's a part of this uh 53 team.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, uh, I would start out with I wouldn't have wanted to be one of our coaches this year trying to make these final cuts.
• 10:40
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, so many guys I think really deserve to be on that final 53.
• 10:45
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, I'll I'll throw a couple guys out there.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I thought Isaiah Foski had a really good preseason.
• 10:51
  SPEAKER_00: And if it wasn't for the depth that we went out and and you know collected this this offseason, uh Fosky would be on this team.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_00: Uh he played really well.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: I think when the Bengals cut him, uh, they made it clear like we want you on the practice squad badly.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: We're gonna you're gonna get elevated at some point.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_00: The way he was playing, uh, he was impressive.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: I thought he made a lot of uh caused a lot of havoc, uh, created pressures, was a solid tackler.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_00: Um, is just you know him and Al Golden, he knows Al Golden's system.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_00: I think Al trusts him.
• 11:29
  SPEAKER_00: So I I love having Isaiah Fossey around still.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_00: I thought uh the tight ends, especially uh Zach Andries or uh Jack Endries, sorry.
• 11:40
  SPEAKER_00: Uh I I think a lot of us were kind of questioning what do we have in this guy?
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: Like, you know, he showed that he could catch some balls uh while he was at Cal and then when he was with Texas.
• 11:50
  SPEAKER_00: But guys, go throw on the tape.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_00: This guy in his blocking, like he's he is physical, he's aggressive, and Zach even said it.
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_00: Like, we thought he could catch the ball, we weren't sure about his blocking.
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_00: He made the team because he showed he could block, which I think just reassures uh, you know, obviously the scouting staff, but the coaching staff as well.
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_00: Like, if Eric Hall is your number one option in that, you know, guy that can kind of do it all.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: I think Jack Andrews is showing he can do the same thing.
• 12:25
  SPEAKER_00: And so now you got a backup like that.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: Uh I think my last comment would be uh I love that we're still searching in in kind of, you know, we're looking under every rock to find that swing tackle.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_00: I'm pulling for Blake Freeland, guys.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_00: He's got experience.
• 12:42
  SPEAKER_00: I love that pickup.
• 12:43
  SPEAKER_00: I hope he's healthy.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_00: I know he broke his leg last year, but he's got experience with Indianapolis.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, can play left and right, solid guy, huge, 6'8, 310 pounds, whatever he is.
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, we still need to be on the hunt, though, for an RB3.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, that's where I would live uh really be kind of focusing on still improving the roster, but how good is it to talk about you know, RB3 and we're trying to figure out a swing tackle?
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_00: That's it.
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_00: Like everything else is set.
• 13:13
  SPEAKER_00: So great final cut uh great job building this roster, Duke, and uh everybody's doing a great job.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_00: You're right.
• 13:21
  SPEAKER_01: I love when you said that about the coaches and the tough decisions because not only the depth was there on paper, but they performed and everybody did their part and made it very difficult, which is appreciated, Brian.
• 13:34
  SPEAKER_02: No, I I it's kind of hard, almost hard to believe.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_02: I I don't know what's going on in the front offices in the Cincinnati Bengals.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, to me, the move of being able to bring back onto your practice practice squad a Josh Johnson, a Tanner Hudson, and and Brant mentioned Isaiah Fosky, that's a that's incredible.
• 13:57
  SPEAKER_02: I I was kind of joking with with my son, but I kind of believe it.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_02: I think if you took if you took the top guys on the practice squad, if you put if you had to play Josh Johnson and Blake Freeland and Isaiah Fosky and Noah Thomas at wide receiver, everybody else is still on, you have everybody else, but you're replacing Burrow, maybe you're replacing Higgins there with Thomas, Fosky stepping in for Stewart, and Freeland's got to play for Mims or Brown.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_02: We're beating the Miami Dolphins, we're beating the Arizona Cardinals, uh, and there's a lot of other teams we could would would beat with those guys.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_02: Uh because so there's a lot of talent.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_02: I love that we're it's what we've been clamoring for, I think, since January is like look at every piece, not just the 53-man, but the 16 guys you have in your practice squad and go, is that the best guy that we can get for the Cincinnati Bengals?
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_02: And I think right now Duke Tobin and company can say, Yes, we do, and it, but at the same time, it doesn't mean that they're resting.
• 15:10
  SPEAKER_02: Because if they can find a running back that can be your third running back that's better than Brooks, they're gonna they're gonna bring him in.
• 15:18
  SPEAKER_02: Uh I think if if Mr.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_02: Uh you know, if Blake Freeland or or or Miles Hinton or Foster don't necessarily prove that they can be that swing tackle, I think one of them will prove that they can.
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_02: But if they don't, they're not gonna just go, uh, it's we're good.
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_02: They're way credit to the Bengals, they are past that of, oh, we're good.
• 15:40
  SPEAKER_02: It's like, no, it's it's not good enough until we get it right.
• 15:43
  SPEAKER_02: So credit to them.
• 15:44
  SPEAKER_02: I'm with Brandt.
• 15:45
  SPEAKER_02: I'm not gonna I wouldn't be surprised if by week four if Blake Freeland is our swing tackle.
• 15:51
  SPEAKER_02: He had a he's he started some games in Indy, had an injury last year, guy's talented, he can get it done.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_01: So Stanley is a zoobie, he's a freaking uh BYU or but he is pretty solid.
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_01: He was very solid with the Colts win healthy.
• 16:05
  SPEAKER_01: And I like what both of you were saying, and I think this is going to be a theme for this year.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_01: I could see us making a trade for someone like a third running back, back up offensive line, somebody like that mid early season, quick, making a move, even sacrificing a late round draft pick just to make sure, hey, if the team starts 0-4 and they're already packing it up for the year, like let's go take it, let's go invade that roster.
• 16:29
  SPEAKER_01: Let's give them draft capital.
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_01: I feel like Duke is ready and willing to do that, and the organization is behind him to do so.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_01: Third down, Brian.
• 16:38
  SPEAKER_01: All right, Vegas has us favored in 15 of the 17 games as of today.
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_01: Last year we went through all the games.
• 16:48
  SPEAKER_01: I want to know your losses that you see on the schedule today.
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_01: I know we like to be positive, but I think it's also important to talk about hey, why do you see those losses?
• 16:58
  SPEAKER_01: But so far today on the schedule, what do you see as our losses and why?
• 17:03
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I think we do end up losing.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_02: I've got three.
• 17:06
  SPEAKER_02: I think we're we end up losing more than three games, but there were three that stood out to me.
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um, just as tough games, kind of where they fit in the schedule.
• 17:14
  SPEAKER_02: And that's I think we drop one of the two games to the Ravens.
• 17:18
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, they're just a solid team.
• 17:19
  SPEAKER_02: It'll be tough.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_02: Uh ideally we win the one at home, drop the one in Baltimore.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_02: I think we lose to, I don't think they're a great team.
• 17:27
  SPEAKER_02: I think they'll be competitive in the NFC East, but they just scare me, and maybe I have flashbacks to what they did to us uh on on a Monday night.
• 17:36
  SPEAKER_02: I think the commanders get us.
• 17:37
  SPEAKER_02: I think Jaden Daniel, Jaden Daniels is the type of quarterback that can go off any week and just beat you by himself, and what can you do?
• 17:46
  SPEAKER_02: So I think that's a loss.
• 17:47
  SPEAKER_02: And then the the last one, again, not I think it's where it fits in the schedule, a road game, solid physical team.
• 17:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um and I think and we drop one to the Colts.
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and those those are the three that kind of stand out to me.
• 18:03
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, as lost as two of those, most Bengals fans will be like, no, we're we're not losing to Washington and we're not losing it to Indy.
• 18:09
  SPEAKER_02: But those types of games happen every year.
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_02: So those are those are my three that kind of stood out.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um and a lot of it is is quarterback play.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_02: And yes, Daniel Jones, he he he played really well last year, and that run game is the type of run game with with Jonathan Taylor that can if you if you blink, it'll beat you.
• 18:27
  SPEAKER_01: So I could see that too.
• 18:30
  SPEAKER_01: It's crit it's the day after Christmas.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_01: We've got the huge game on New Year's Eve, right?
• 18:36
  SPEAKER_01: Strike jungle with the Ravens, kind of that trap game.
• 18:40
  SPEAKER_01: We've been cranking, get a having a lot of wins.
• 18:43
  SPEAKER_01: I could see something like that.
• 18:44
  SPEAKER_01: I I not to uh piggyback on there, but I said losing at Baltimore.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_01: I think we start hot.
• 18:51
  SPEAKER_01: I know everybody's got the Texans game circled, but I don't think they can score with us.
• 18:55
  SPEAKER_01: I really don't think the Texans can score with us, and I think we can do enough to keep Burrow upright and attack that defense.
• 19:02
  SPEAKER_01: So I'm gonna say at Baltimore, uh, I believe that's week, is that six or seven?
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_01: And then late in the season at Indianapolis as well.
• 19:10
  SPEAKER_01: Funny that you pointed that one out.
• 19:12
  SPEAKER_01: I actually think Indianapolis is gonna win the division, keep Daniel Jones healthy and uh and win the AFC South.
• 19:17
  SPEAKER_00: Brandt?
• 19:19
  SPEAKER_00: All right, uh, I think a lot of us we're we're all thinking the same.
• 19:22
  SPEAKER_00: So I got us at 13 and four.
• 19:25
  SPEAKER_00: I got us losing to the Texans second game of the year.
• 19:30
  SPEAKER_00: I actually got us losing the pit third game of the year.
• 19:34
  SPEAKER_00: Because what would you know, it just wouldn't be the Bengals unless there was a little bit of suspense early in the year.
• 19:40
  SPEAKER_00: We're sitting one and two.
• 19:42
  SPEAKER_00: We gotta win the fourth game, get to two and two.
• 19:45
  SPEAKER_00: I think we make that happen.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, and then we rally off some wins.
• 19:51
  SPEAKER_00: We actually lose to the Ravens away.
• 19:54
  SPEAKER_00: So I think we're all in agreement there.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, and then I got us losing to the commanders away as well.
• 20:01
  SPEAKER_00: So I think we're holding down the fort, fellas, at home.
• 20:05
  SPEAKER_00: I don't think it's gonna happen this year for a lot of people.
• 20:07
  SPEAKER_00: I think the away games, it's just it's it's just always so much harder to win away.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, and you know, Pitt, uh, we all, yeah, it's it's a dog fight.
• 20:18
  SPEAKER_00: The Ravens, it's a dog fight.
• 20:20
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, like Brian said, the Commanders, you know, Jaden Daniels.
• 20:25
  SPEAKER_00: If that guy gets hot, it's gonna be tough.
• 20:27
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, they got a much improved defense like us this year.
• 20:30
  SPEAKER_00: So I I think damage, and the Texans have really, really good defense.
• 20:35
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we'll see.
• 20:37
  SPEAKER_00: I I'm hoping we we still can can score more than what their offense can put up with their quarterback struggling, but that defense is solid.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_01: So 13 and 4.
• 20:46
  SPEAKER_01: I love what all three of us are saying in Bangladesh.
• 20:49
  SPEAKER_01: I know it's tough to believe or used to the bottom dropping out.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_01: It is interesting.
• 20:54
  SPEAKER_01: I listened to Arizona Sports Talk versus Cincinnati sports talk.
• 20:59
  SPEAKER_01: I'll listen to 1530 sometimes when I'm working in the office and stuff.
• 21:03
  SPEAKER_01: The tone is negative.
• 21:05
  SPEAKER_01: And Brand, I'm gonna call out your Cincinnati folk is, and I'm not talking negative for the Bengals.
• 21:12
  SPEAKER_01: I think negative of always waiting to see something bad happen.
• 21:16
  SPEAKER_01: We've got to get over that and let it go.
• 21:19
  SPEAKER_01: We've never had somebody like Joe Burrow.
• 21:21
  SPEAKER_01: I understand there's been heartache in the past, totally understand.
• 21:24
  SPEAKER_01: That is why this is gonna be so much more sweeter.
• 21:27
  SPEAKER_01: Enjoy the wins, enjoy the victories.
• 21:30
  SPEAKER_01: All of them won't be pretty, but I feel like what both of you are saying is like, look, we're gonna hold it down at home.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_01: Some of these tough road games are gonna be tough, but that is what will help us into January and into February.
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_00: But to build off of that, and what you you guys have already pointed out like, yes, bad things are gonna happen to every NFL team this year.
• 21:51
  SPEAKER_00: The difference is in what you guys have said is if Joe does have to miss a game or two this year, you got Flacco.
• 21:59
  SPEAKER_00: You Got Josh Johnson, right?
• 22:02
  SPEAKER_00: Like you got guys that have done it in the league, won games, solid backups.
• 22:07
  SPEAKER_00: You got multiple guys at other positions that can step up.
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_00: We haven't had this depth.
• 22:12
  SPEAKER_00: You know, depth is so big in the NFL.
• 22:15
  SPEAKER_00: So I think we're gonna see that difference play out this year.
• 22:19
  SPEAKER_01: Love that.
• 22:20
  SPEAKER_01: And I believe that's why everybody on the team feels so much different.
• 22:25
  SPEAKER_01: When Joe talks about he can just feel it in his bones, it's different.
• 22:29
  SPEAKER_01: That's why I love what you're saying, Brant.
• 22:31
  SPEAKER_01: There's a plan, and that's the difference.
• 22:34
  SPEAKER_01: We're not just counting on only one person, there is an entire plan with this team.
• 22:39
  SPEAKER_01: So, with that said, fourth down.
• 22:41
  SPEAKER_01: Brant, get us out of here.
• 22:43
  SPEAKER_01: One bold prediction for the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals.
• 22:48
  SPEAKER_01: What you got?
• 22:50
  SPEAKER_00: Quickly, my my bold prediction is we are gonna have a top 10 defense this year, fellas.
• 22:57
  SPEAKER_00: I am a believer in Al Golden.
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_00: I you know think he had a rough first year.
• 23:03
  SPEAKER_00: I think a lot of that was because he came in a little late, didn't really know his personnel super well.
• 23:09
  SPEAKER_00: Uh and he he's really trying to shore up how he runs to wants to run his defense.
• 23:16
  SPEAKER_00: I think this year, if you guys have been paying attention, we're not running the same old Bengals defense anymore.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_00: We're not trotting out four guys down on the line of scrimmage, three linebackers.
• 23:29
  SPEAKER_00: So it really is, you know, more of a hybrid 3-4, if you want to call it that, or you know, more of a 52 kind of bear front.
• 23:38
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, you're gonna see some of our, you know, whatever you want to call them now, outside linebackers, edge guys, they're gonna be dropping, which drives me nuts every once in a while.
• 23:47
  SPEAKER_00: But I'm hoping that Al can uh to he can uh disguise that enough so we can hide uh you know, Shamar or Mafia if they're dropping into a passing lane.
• 23:57
  SPEAKER_00: But uh Brian Cook, the difference that he's gonna make on the back end, getting everybody aligned, the shore tackling that people they take for granted on a lot of teams.
• 24:08
  SPEAKER_00: But Brian Cook is gonna put guys on the ground if anything gets through the to the second level.
• 24:15
  SPEAKER_00: So don't worry about that.
• 24:16
  SPEAKER_00: And then I actually I was really worried about our cornerback depth fellas behind um behind DJ and Dax.
• 24:25
  SPEAKER_00: But Bobo preseason, I I wasn't a believer.
• 24:30
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not gonna lie to you guys.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_00: I wasn't a believer.
• 24:33
  SPEAKER_00: I know he was banged up while he was at Washington, uh, hadn't reached his peak that he really kind of hit while he was at Arizona.
• 24:40
  SPEAKER_00: But this kid can play, like in that length, give me it all day.
• 24:45
  SPEAKER_00: Put him on the tight ends that we somehow struggle covering, and let's go play ball.
• 24:49
  SPEAKER_00: So, top 10 defense with Burrow.
• 24:52
  SPEAKER_00: How are you not in the playoffs and doing damage?
• 24:55
  SPEAKER_00: Love that, Brian.
• 24:58
  SPEAKER_02: Man, Brian's got me excited about the defense.
• 25:01
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, those those four starters we picked up in free HC and obviously that uh the trade for sexy dexy, that four guys changes your defense, and they're all four solid players, gonna make the players around them better.
• 25:15
  SPEAKER_02: Uh so yeah, excited for for the defense.
• 25:18
  SPEAKER_02: My hot take and prediction for the the Bengals season involves one, Mr.
• 25:24
  SPEAKER_02: Chase Brown.
• 25:25
  SPEAKER_02: Uh Chase Brown will have 2,000 yards from scrimmage this year.
• 25:30
  SPEAKER_02: So that's my prediction.
• 25:31
  SPEAKER_02: I think he's gonna have a huge, huge year.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, the fact that they've been talking about like they've where they've moved in practice, they've moved him out to receiver, put him in the slot, things like that.
• 25:40
  SPEAKER_02: I think he's gonna get a ton of catches.
• 25:42
  SPEAKER_02: And working with the receivers we've got on this team, he's gonna catch the ball in space and get your track shoes on.
• 25:51
  SPEAKER_02: Trouble.
• 25:51
  SPEAKER_02: I'm gonna say get your track shoes on because that kid can run.
• 25:54
  SPEAKER_01: I promise we did not collaborate on uh on these predictions, but mine is actually a combination of both of yours.
• 26:03
  SPEAKER_01: At first, I was gonna say we were gonna have eight pro bowlers this year, but then I realized in 1988, the only other time we've had eight was 2015.
• 26:14
  SPEAKER_01: We had nine in 1988, and so I can't go eight.
• 26:19
  SPEAKER_01: Of course, I gotta go nine and tie the franchise record.
• 26:23
  SPEAKER_01: So I had Burrow in, Jamar Anti in.
• 26:30
  SPEAKER_01: I had Chase Brown, like you said, having a massive year, Amarius Mims getting the respect he finally deserves.
• 26:38
  SPEAKER_01: Money Mac representing and finally getting a Pro Bowl, sexy Dexie, DJ Turner, that's only eight.
• 26:47
  SPEAKER_01: So I was like, all right, who's my ninth?
• 26:49
  SPEAKER_01: I actually think Boye Mafe is gonna have a monster year, but Brian Cook in that secondary, man, I saw an interview with him and Dan Horde, where Dan Horde asked him to picture having a parade at Union Terminal in Cincinnati.
• 27:07
  SPEAKER_01: And Brian Cook got quiet and almost got emotional and said, I need a minute because that really just gave me the vision I needed.
• 27:17
  SPEAKER_01: And he said, I can see it.
• 27:18
  SPEAKER_01: And he said, Wow, would that be one of the greatest things ever?
• 27:22
  SPEAKER_01: And so Brian Cook is here for a reason.
• 27:24
  SPEAKER_01: I know he's already won a couple Super Bowls, but he wants to win one for the city of Cincinnati.
• 27:28
  SPEAKER_01: So he will be my ninth.
• 27:30
  SPEAKER_01: I think he's just gonna be such a massive piece on the back end.
• 27:33
  SPEAKER_01: So I'll say nine Pro Bowlers, fellas, super pumped.
• 27:36
  SPEAKER_01: Guess what?
• 27:37
  SPEAKER_01: Next week we get to preview the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a live game.
• 27:42
  SPEAKER_01: You both are the best.
• 27:44
  SPEAKER_01: Glad to have you back.
• 27:45
  SPEAKER_01: Let's keep this thing rolling and hoodé all day.