BIG QUESTIONS: Will Play Action HELP or HINDER Bengals Offense as OT, LB Depth Questions Linger

0:00This is the Lockdown Podcast Network celebrating 10 years of your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by the Dell XPS. I'm Wes Goldberg from Lockdown NBA Daily and Lockdown Heat. So what does it feel like to have a better laptop like the Dell XPS powered by Intel Core? With a premium design that's thin and light, it feels smooth. With a responsive touch screen, it feels fast and precise. And with long lasting battery life, it feels like non-stop energy with a laptop that can keep up. Built for those who want better, the Dell XPS. Built for you. Now that the Cincinnati Bengals are through the preseason, as we look ahead to our questions and answers about this team, play action might be a microcosm of everything we're hoping for and still have some worries about with the 2026 bank. You are locked on Bengals.

1:02You're daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. What up Bengals fans and welcome to another episode of the Lockdown Bengals Podcast. He's your good, very object. Let's go. And today we're talking about their expectations and our questions about this team. Where do they look like they're strong and should be threatening in the playoffs? Where do we still have questions after all we've seen in the preseason from the transition to the 3-4 defense? And why we think that's a great direction for a team that's had a extra Lawrence. So the questions we still have about Al Golden and whether or not he'll figure out exactly how to deploy all of the veterans and new pieces that they've added on that side of the ball. It goes both ways and that also starts on offense with really play action, which could be, in fact, the silver bullet that the Bengals have been looking for to rediscover the explosive play it also could be they're undoing early if they're growing pains.

2:04And so that's where we're going to start this episode. We're looking at both sides of the coins. The questions, the answers, the concerns and the reasons for optimism. Now that we've seen everything that we've seen in the preseason and training camp in an episode brought to you by Calche. For limited time, download the Calche app. You've got to lock down. You'll get $10 when you save $10. And Joe, we're going to start today with the play action question because I really think that in so many ways and encapsulates the reasons for optimism and the reasons that we still have questions with this team. As I've said a few times already in this episode because Joe Burrow is still running the show here. Tomar Chase and T Higgins are still going to be a huge part of this thing. And you can't get better than that trio in the NFL. And so there's a lot of reason to think that should just propel the Bengals offense forward and make them everything that we hope they should be, especially when you just select of endpoints looking in past years as you've done recently. When you cut out like the one or two terrible games that Joe Burrow and the offense have to start the season and then look at the rest of the season, they're actually top three,

3:04top five offense a lot of years, but it can take them some time to get going. And I think that's part of the concern with the under center part of the playbook early in the season. Yeah, this is an effort to take something that's really, really good and make it perfect. And sometimes chasing perfect, it makes me a little bit nervous because I think the last final infinity stone in this Bengals offensive gauntlet could be their undoing because they haven't been good under center in all the years of the Joe Burrow offense. They've been great at pretty much everything else. They figured out every other thing that they struggled with whether it was a year one, they couldn't hit the deep ball right. And then year two, they were extremely explosive after adding to March chase into year three. I don't think it's 2022 now where they got the shell coverages and the cloud coverages and they had to get super efficient against cover two. They had to scrap the under center stuff and be really good at the shotgun offense. And they did like every time they had a new problem, they figured it out. Even last year, getting into a really efficient and successful run game.

4:05But what are the last final pieces for this offense? Number one, start faster. And I think a lot of teams that start fast tend to be the ones with the play action, the misdirection, the lot of motion, condensed formations, things. The Bengals have added. Actually, we haven't talked about that enough probably. They have added those things. But being proficient at it, being good at it is what's going to help them in September. And then also going to provide those explosive plays when they're really struggling. And they're having those 12 and 14 play drives to the defense that just will not get out of those cloud coverages. You got to force them out of it, right? So they're trying to open up this offense and give it that final piece it needs. I wonder how long that leash will be if it's not good. And then I also start to get excited like what if it is really good in 2026? Yeah, but it's really good that you're talking about hitting play action crossers, getting Jamaar chase in space, using the weapons on this team and letting them get free in a way that we haven't necessarily seen this offense emphasized separation. And instead relies on T Higgins and Jamaar chase to just beat the guy across from them.

5:09And that's something that they're really good at. So there's no reason that you can't lean into that a little bit. But we've been looking for those easy buttons to chew up yards and see what other teams do where somehow Justin Jefferson's wide open in the middle of the field, 20 yards down field. And they're like, well, I can't we get that with Jamaar chase. And maybe we do get a little bit more of that if this thing works the way we hope it does this year. And as you're talking about the fast start element here as well, that is a balance. I think the Bengals have to strike because when you look historically, a lot of the teams that start fast, the most prominent example for Bengal stands would be the Pittsburgh Steelers and the fraudulent 10 and O Pittsburgh Steelers, the way these teams start out with in the Mike Tomlin era in particular, these strong starts, but you know, they're not that good. You know, they're not actually contending for anything. And you see that around the league. Last year, I think it was Tampa, right, where they started the year really strong and collapse down the stretch. Meanwhile, the Bengals and the Zach Taylor era, the M O has been, we're going to be rocky

6:09out of the gates. Hopefully we scrape through some wins. But by the time you get to late November, December, January, we're going to be clicking. And we're going to be the team no one wants to face in the playoffs, but we've given up too many games early. So we're not going to make the playoffs or we're going to continue to win games back to back to back like we did in 2021, 2022 until we get to the AFC championship and or the Super Bowl. And so finding the balance there, because they won their first couple of games last year, right, it was ugly and doing so. And maybe you need to endure some of that early in the season. But though the fast start question, I think is not answered. We haven't talked about it as much this year. I think part of that is that they were to in the last year. I think part of that is also the renewed energy vibe. Joe Burrow, Jermar Chase talking about LSU vibes on the chasing no one, I've learned. It's not number one, it's no one, even though in the initial publications about it, there's a NO dot IE number. Anyway, chasing no one podcast, invoking 2019, right, LSU and the vibes around the team

7:13continue to be that way going into the season. That's something that has been a persistent trend this preseason as well, Joe. So hopefully that'll just translate. And the concerns we have about this offense and the questions we have like swing tackle and RB three are questions that don't come back to bite. Exactly. And you know, that's one of the things about the fast start is that this year they're not playing Browns and the Jax, right? They're playing the box and the Texans, a much stiffer competition. I think especially going into last year, we didn't know the Jax would end up being really good. But so I think the expectation, we've taken the heat off that discussion a little bit because if you split or if you lose, I mean, I get it, those are quality opponents. But I also think because the run game has gotten so good last year and people may contest that statement. But Chase Brown under center averaged 4.8 yards per carry and they were the number three team in explosive rate, depending on when you want to put the marker of like week seven on. They were very explosive under center last year in the run game.

8:15And so if they're going to lean on it and if they're going to use it, I feel more confident in this running game, being able to carry the offense and being an aid to Joe burrow and being able to compliment this passing attack early in the season, if they start the way they ended last year, that's always a caveat, like the defense needs to pick up. We're going to talk about the defense at some point. You know what we saw in the second half of last year? Is that real or is that a mirage as we've seen at times with the dead cat bounce, right, Jake? And so if this run game is what we saw and if it's Chase Brown and Chase Brown doing this thing and looking like we know who he can, he can help carry this offense through the rough patches of early September until they start to get right. So while I have the concern, I also can see why it would work this time rather than in previous years. Well, that's one of the big upsides of going under center too, right? Is it opens up the ability to be more explosive, more multiple in your run game and that I think is a big part of the hope and that ties directly into the fact that Eric Hall is out there ready to embarrass people as he told Charlie Goldsmith and Eric all being a

9:18full go in the regular season. We saw the impact he had with the mentality and physicality that he brings to bear the versatility that he brings to bear at the tight end position. That goes along with returning all five starters on the offensive line and those guys that really jelled in the run game down the stretch that got James Casey the promotion and Scott Peter continues to deserve praise for the way that guys have developed and the run game came together and the offensive line is no longer this punchline for people that are paying attention, I guess, as a cabinet there. But that very much should be the case and should propel the run game to potentially be that stabilizing force, right? And give them the additional answer. This offense has seen it all at this point. They've been together for so long and the same terminology, the same system for the guys that are consistently going to be relied upon on this unit with the continuity they have. They should have answers to everything. Defenses are throwing at them. The only question there is, well, they get to those answers quickly enough, well, they

10:22realize those answers quickly enough because we have seen that sometimes it takes the Bengals a little bit of time to make those adjustments. Yeah, that's right. You know, you're bringing up good points of things to be excited about why this offense and largely the team should still be really good. I've got some concerns and maybe we can balance some of the concerns with some of the positives. But I think some major ones, you know, I read the comment section in here on YouTube and I think we're going to get to a couple of those that people continue to have and we'll do that coming up next. We're talking about week one football games. That means football is back. That means Sundays are about to get a whole lot more interesting with the Bengals playing on the weekend. Every week brings new matchups, breakout players, big performances and plenty of storylines to follow. And if you want to get even more engaged with the players and the stats that you're watching on the broadcast, there's a new way to make game day even more exciting. That's prize picks bringing out its best offer yet for kickoff. New users who sign up can get $150 in lineups. If they win their first $5 lineup and prize picks is now available nationwide with prize

11:26picks, you're building daily fantasy lineups, which is two to six players and selecting more or less on their projected stats like passing yards, rushing yards for fantasy score and for week one. The San Bernard has one yard against New England. That cash is his pick. Doesn't get any easier than that. Do you like Joe Burrows? Chance to go crazy against Baker Mayfield in the Tampa Bay. Bucking ears. You can check out all of the Bengals on prize picks as well. And if you download the app today, you use code locked on you get $150 instantly in lineups if you win your first $5 lineup. That's prize picks running your game. Take a mention that they're bringing back all five starters on the offensive line and that is a good thing. I think it is. I think they willingly brought them back. That's a sign typically that you're happy with the progress they made with the players you have in their positions and the development of some of the young guys that are expected to come along, be on Fairchild and Marius Mims, you know, front and center of that. But I, even, and we've talked about, I will say that the interior offensive line feels

12:31good like the backups, right? But that brings such a highlight to two things. One, Orlando Brown Jr. And I just saw a ranking of all the offensive lines in the NFL. Was it Mike Clay, I think? And he had the Bengals 30th overall. Or is it 31st? Either way, terrible. But the point was they had Orlando Brown Jr. as the worst starting left tackle in the league. Now there's some people at Leaf Comments pretty consistently that believe this. I don't believe that for a second. That he's the worst starting left tackle in the league. There's a guy with too many skins on the wall that we've seen play well to be ranked that low. But then that goes directly to swing tackle. And it's clear they believe they have an issue there too. They've made a move to claim someone they added a veteran to the practice squad. They know this is an issue. They're trying to add bodies to it. They kept a guy like Javon Foster that you wouldn't typically keep if you had an option or a plan there. If you had assigned a veteran, no way Foster makes this roster. So when I look at the potential, maybe we're overriding.

13:32Maybe you and I are overriding Orlando Brown Jr. And he really stinks and he's going to be terrible. And he's going to be the worst left tackle in football. That'd be bad for this offense number one. Number two, they don't have an option to go to anybody else on this roster and they need these guys to stay healthy. There's some past rushers against this Bengals team early in the schedule that terrify me. Yeah, the last place projection for Orlando Brown. If that does come to pass, honestly, first off, I'll be surprised. I don't think that he's the worst tackle in the NFL. But second, you actually look at every other left tackle in the NFL and it becomes really obvious that most of these guys are first round picks. Some of them were there's, you know, Rashid Walker. I don't think it was a first round pick. Deandalk is wasn't a first round pick for Buffalo Lesi. It was an e-mail. It's like day two. Yeah. So there's some exceptions to this role. Braxton Jones. Like you tell me Braxton Jones is, Mike Lay has, it's a 10 point scale, I think. Looks like it. Nobody's ranked higher than an 8.8 that I see.

14:34So maybe it's a nine point scale. Either way, Orlando Brown on the scale is a 4.4 and Braxton Jones, who we just saw go through it for the Bears in the preseason against the Bengals back up a little bit. It's a 6.5. You tell me he's what, 50% better. I don't know how this scale works exactly. Paris Johnson's 6.7. There's a lot of upside there. Just makes me wonder. Spencer Pinot is a 5. It's better than Orlando Brown projected 4.4. So if Orlando Brown is, in fact, the worst left-act on the NFL, the Bengals have a pretty big problem because like you said, there's not an answer there and they just signed up to an extension. So they clearly don't think he's going to beat a worst left-act in the NFL, but certainly a concern. Also a concern, as I mentioned earlier, like they lose Chase Brown. There's not a whole lot of health coming and running back. But let's get to the defensive side of the ball here, Joe, because one, we got a bit of good news. Schermar Stewart is back in practice in some capacity.

15:35He's not doing everything out there, but he's back in uniform and that was starting on Wednesday. Thursday, more of a walk-through practice, but he's out there again. Schermar Chase, he hits the on the rehab field on Thursday. I think the big question for those guys will be next Tuesday Wednesday when we start to get some of those injury reports. I guess it's Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, we get injury reports. But starting to see those injury report statuses for T and Jamar, those injury questions, because that is like kind of in the background lingering. The Bengals have really downplayed what's going on with those guys. But if those guys are going to miss any time, that's a story for next week, right? A concern. If we get there next week. But Schermar Stewart back in practice in some capacities. The Bengals are still trying to figure out how soon he'll be ready to go. That's a great sign. Max Hill continues to ease his way back in as he talked to reporters after I think Wednesday's practice as well. And they're not ready to yet say whether he'll be a full go for week one, but it looks like it is trending in that direction if I were to make a projection here.

16:35But on the overall topic of the defense, once we get beyond the injuries, big change just here, obviously centers around dexter Lawrence, the additions in the secondary being Brian Cook, the addition in the secondary being Brian Cook, the many additions up front. And I don't know how you start anywhere other than dexter Lawrence with the defense. No, I agree. And I think that goes hand in hand with the three, four defense being a shift. Although they shifted to it last year. But I think that was part of, hey, we can get a nose tackle, not just a nose tackle, the best nose tackle in the league, a rare unicorn level nose tackle for this defense that we've already shifted into, right? That was a proof of concept. Now we can like really add that piece to it last year was. So I think that made it easier to do it. And they're being rewarded by that the cascading effect of dexter Lawrence is huge. Just the way everybody around him is talking about him and his potential impact. It's hard not to get excited. Plus what we saw in training camp, we both came away with this is the best player at Bengals Camp this year.

17:36In the way the offensive line talks about blocking him, Joe Burrell, the effect it had on him in his passing windows, even some of the receivers saying like they have to get open before Lawrence compresses the pocket, right? They have to deal with that. This is not something they've ever had to deal with in camp. So the effect of him at the nose Jonathan Allen at defense attack, which gives you depth with TJ Slate and as a backup BJ Hill, also rotating in, especially if they're going with three, four, three of those guys will play. Then that keeps the linebackers free. And I think the linebackers are a whole conversation, but starts with dexter Lawrence. I have concerns that El Golden is he a good coordinator? Any call that game that Lou would be able to play that card when he had to in these playoff games against these great quarterbacks? I don't think we have an answer to that, but getting better players and having a better plan week one, then what we definitely saw last year to start the season is one of my concerns, but also the answer to why they'll be better. And I think a largely is Lawrence. I think the better in theness to make up a word a little bit of the defense also could

18:39potentially enable El Golden to do more of the game plan specific stuff where they throw significant, entirely unscouted books as some of the quarterbacks that they face on a week to week basis, because that's still going to be a challenge to get out of the AFC, even in the division, confusing Aaron Rodgers with his 45 years of NFL experience. It's probably closer to 45 years old, is tough to do. The large acts in containing him will continue to be a challenge, right? So even in the AFC North, the ability to pull the right card at the right time and have guys that can execute it. That's one of the big questions for the linebackers going into year two. There's a lot on their shoulders, a lot on their plate, and there's again no fallback option there. The addition of Swaisy Boseman serves as linebacker for, but we're talking special teams here. There's no reinforcements that came at those linebacker position at all. But just one more thought on Dex real quick before we get to the rest of the defense here and wrap up with the rest of the questions and answers we have on the defense side of

19:40the box. We have a whole nother segment to talk about it here, but we haven't really talked about Dex real learns for a few weeks in a big way. Like we talked about him in passing, but I think it's since the Bears joint practice, like we didn't see him in preseason games after that. We've been so focused on depth pieces and who's making the 53 man roster. It's probably been two weeks since we've talked about Dex real learns has been the best player in training. We've been talking about a underscore just how disruptive Dex real learns could be. This could be like inserting a Jamar chase level player on the defensive side of the ball on the defensive front. If he's that disruptive and that dominant the way we see Jamar sometimes take over games, you have a guy in Dex real learns who can take over games from the middle of your defense. You got all the pieces around him. So it's not only on Dex real learns and we should talk about the other pieces in this past rush. I think coming up next Joe, but Dex the lawyers could just be that piece that takes his defense to a significantly higher level this year. If he looks like we expect him to look based on everything we've seen this preseason.

20:43But we'll talk about this past rush a little bit more of the rest of the questions and reasons for optimism with this defense to finish the show next. Before the season even kicks off, everyone's making predictions who wins the division, who makes the playoff, who's lifting the trophy at season and on CalShe America's number one prediction market platform. You can trade those predictions in a live market in the Bengals win at least 11 games this year. A $100 trade pays out $198, which has actually gone down because they're expected to win these 11 games, which I'll take that bet. But if they hit the 11 win mark, $100 pays $198. On CalShe, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house and as probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position, trade the draft pick, the game, and more on CalShe. Download the CalShe app today and use code locked on to get $10 when you trade $10. K-A-L-S-H-I CalShe trade on anything. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply.

21:46Event contract trading involves risk. It may not be suitable for all investors. CalShe products are not available in all jurisdiction. Crisis, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see CalShe.com slash regulatory. So we were doing a live stream last week and there was some discussion about the Bengals getting the 50 Sacks or 60 Sacks. There was some optimism about the past rush. We were trying to figure out, like, all right, tell us exactly. List a breakdown of where all these Sacks are coming from. And some people had some reasonable projections for the Bengals to get to. Some pretty lofty Sack numbers. A lot of that will require Dexter Lawrence to not only pressure the quarterback, but put them on the ground, also will require boy and my fate. Once again, not only pressure the quarterback, not only win against his offense tackle, but get the quarterback on the ground. So talk about your questions and where you're at with this past rush, where there's no dominant winner on the edge.

22:46At least right now, there's no trade Hendrixen necessarily on this roster. And unless Boia Maffe really takes a step. So when you think about Boia Maffe, Miles Murphy, Cassius Hell, and now we get from our Stuart working back, really no idea what to expect from him because we didn't see him in the preseason. Where are you on the past rush right now? I have my concern still. And it's largely because they don't have that dominant winner, even though Lawrence is fantastic. No stackles, defensive tackles don't get the same past rush production that a trade Hendrixen does, right? And we're very happy to have that centerpiece that changes your entire defense and kind of trade, air duet once in a while by being dominantly just a past rush. Right? Like those times where he's running the arc and the defense isn't being helped by that. But you are going to lose some production. Who can match it? Who can replace it? How can we push past the 30 something sex and get to 40, get to 50? I think the bangles are banking on this entire unit being better, right?

23:47Bending the floor definitely is the ceiling raised. We're going to have to find out. But the waves of guys they can send it, even this is something that I'll golden one. And I think watching the sea ox defense last year also is a like we want to mirror that. We want to do more of those things. When the bangles had trade, Sam Hubbard was the next. Like in Hubbard was a six to eight set guy and his best. And that Joseph will side very inconsistent player. But you know, is that a great number three? Rarely had a number four Dn you could use not. They'd have a schmarcer, no matter what you think of schmar. He's better than any number four Dn they've had during the Joe Burrow run. And that extends to defense attack as well. They're way deeper there. So if the waves can make up for it, I'm very excited and interested to watch this develop and see how far like a wave can push it. How much debt can really raise the entire boat here? I don't have the answer to that. To be honest with you, someone's going to have to develop. Someone's going to have to emerge. Is it cash or sell? Is it miles Murphy taking that leap? He's taking steps. He's not taking a leap yet. Can you take that this year, really make money in the off season?

24:47Can boy and mafe get back to some of those win numbers, pass or win rate numbers? He had early in his career when his play started to decline or a snap share started to decline in Seattle. If we can get these guys back to it, if we can get Dexter Lawrence back to 2023, like that would do a lot to get us there. But I don't think Lawrence is the silver bullet that just makes this pass rush better. I think seeing how the stunts are executed this year is going to be a big deal too. Last year was a big complaint in mind watching the way that these stunts came together for this team. They've looked better in the preseason. I'll say that. But it's a preseason. We're not necessarily seeing the starters out there. I have a quick trivia question for you, Joe. Speaking of that 50 sack mark, how many teams do you think over the last two years, same number of teams in both years cracked the 50 sack mark in 2025 and 2024? I would say two or three each year. Three teams per year. In 2025, it was the Browns Falcons Broncos in 2024. It was the Broncos Ravens and Cowboys. Not a whole lot of teams getting that high, but the Broncos in the last year, 68 and 63

25:52sacks, which I don't know how much attention people have played paying to the Broncos because there are questions about Bonaix on offense with that defense the last couple of years. Holy dominant. Speaking of defense, let's finish Joe with the Bengals back seven. Backsl and DJ Turner, assuming they're both ready to go. I think they will be. That gives the Bengals two really good corners. Brian Cook should really stabilize things at the safety position for this team, could help elevate Jordan Battles floor a little bit with his consistency back there that you're expecting. But as I mentioned earlier, there's no answer at linebacker. If those guys struggle, the way there's no answer at left tackle, if Orlando Brown is in fact what Mike Clay projects him to be, which I don't think either of us quite think. Same is kind of true at slot corner where they're currently looking at Josh Newton being probably the first slot corner off the bench. I think this even extends a little bit to outside corner depth.

26:53We'll refuel much better now. I think then we did a few weeks ago because DJ Ivy looked really good in the preseason. And Tacariot Davidson, particular, maybe young future piece looked really good in the preseason. So maybe they're a little bit less concerned about your depth at outside corner, but the combination of some strengths, some questions here. It's really how is it going to play out with the potential strength at outside corner and safety and the big questions at linebacker and in the slot. Yeah, we're kind of doing good cop bad cop period. Right? I like all those points. And those would be the reasons why this defense is much better. They're better on the defensive line. They're deeper. They should be stabilized at safety and not only Brian Cook, it should help and hopefully have an effect on Jordan battle. Really good at boundary corner. Plus you've got some options now because of DJ Ivy into Cario Davis. But then we still end up with will opposing offenses just isolate and attack the linebackers in the slot corner. The Bengals liked to last year. That answer.

27:54The answer to that question by the way is yes, until. Yes, he will. You should not. Yeah. That could also be how they overcome. Right? So let's say these guys are better and offenses are game planning like yeah, we're going to attack Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter right away. And then first game they're trying all this misdirection and those guys are ready and they have answers and they're playing faster and stronger and more decisive. Well, guess what? Your plan is now thrown out of half time because these guys have arrived. Now let's hope that happens. Let's see if it happens. That's an interesting element. But you're right. There's no answer. If Jalen Davis isn't that guy. Yeah, Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter aren't that guy. We're going to throw orm Berks in there. You know, throw Swayzee Bozeman. People ask me all the time. What's some like practice squad linebacker or a guy floating on waivers that you think could develop into a future guy? Well, I did like red Murdoch, but besides the point there were none. That was it. There's no guy you're going to pick up on that's on your practice squad or linebacker number four. That's going to be a future starter for you. It rarely ever materializes and happens.

28:55Happens once in a while at slot corner. I think that's why I've carried the Braille and Lux Torx at times. And Jalen Davis is an example. I used to guys have been on practice squad for years. He was caught last year at the cut down day before they eventually put him on the practice squad and brought him up. But also, those are signs of a weakness. And other teams will definitely try to attack those guys. The Bengals funneled things inside last year and didn't really put the defense and make and really lean on is what I want to say on the boundary corners until the last five or so games last year. And are they going to do that again? And El Golden say we want to funnel these throws to DJ Turner to DAX Hill. We want to keep, we want to hide our linebackers in our slot corner a little bit. I have concerns. I have questions. I don't know if we'll have answers until November. Honestly, like when will we have answers to this? Maybe they'll be great right away. And we're there. We got our answer. I guess it could be real. Yeah, maybe Dexter Lawrence is in fact that dude, Daniel Popper, by the way, over at the F-Laddaq has a list of veterans that are out there that can help. And there are still some names on this list that if things really get off the rails,

29:59maybe that's where the Bengals use some of that $18 million or probably $17 million of cap space. Once you account for the full practice bar, Kenny Moore is still out there. Bobby Wagner is still out there. Taylor, Decker, Jonah Williams and Kevin Zitler, Cam Robinson, still out there. Not that they need his Zitler, but I'm just calling him out because he's probably still pretty good at football. And well, we like Kevin Zitler. Those days are still out there if the Bengals decide, yeah, you know what, we could use some reinforcements at these positions that we have questions about. One spot where we don't really have any questions right now, Joe, special teams. Oh, yeah, good job. Looks like the kicking battery is going. Evan McPherson looked great in the preseason. Ryan Rico continues to develop a little bit as a good enough puncher, certainly. And it's not a spot where we're like, man, we're going to lose this game because the Bengals can't punt with 2022 as a championship. Yeah, unfortunately, the 2024 season, if they had this special teams right now, they even

31:02with that bad defense, they probably won a couple of those games at the end. You think Ravens game, Chargers game, there was a couple others. I probably make playoffs. Yep. And you can't overlook special teams. So they get a shout here at the end of the episode, Joe. And well, next week we're back and it's a game week for the Cincinnati Bengals. We're getting ready for week one. We got plenty of matchup stuff that we're going to get into with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers going to Cincinnati for that week one action. And we'll have real regular season to football to look at real excited at like Joe burrow, you know, rubbing my hands together, ready to watch. I'm running wild on this defense for the first time. That's going to do it for this episode of the lockdown Bengals podcast. Until next time, thanks for listening. Who day? And have a good one. And Kawishi, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position for a limited time. Download the Kawishi app and use code locked on to get $10 when you trade 10 KAL S H I Kawishi.

32:03Trade on anything, 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see Kawishi.com slash regulatory. Pack, subscribe on YouTube or everywhere you get your podcasts.