Lance with James Rapien 4/30/26

0:00Our 2026 I Heart Country Festival presented by Capital One Tickets are on sale now to see Luke Bryant, Kane Brown, Parker Lecala, Riley Green, Carly Pierce, Shaboozy, Dylan Skull, Russell Dickerson, Wretched Wilson, Chase Matthew, Lauren Alaina, Special guest, George Birch, Saturday May 2nd, at the Moody Center in Austin, Stream Live on Disney Plus and Hulu. 2%. That's the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter, and on my podcast, 2%, I break down the signs of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange modern world. Put yourself through some hardships, and you will come out on the other side, a happier, more fulfilled, healthier person. Listen to 2%, that's T-W-O percent on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

1:04A win is a win. A win is a win, I don't care what y'all say. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor IV. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and the college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills, or conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcasts Network on TikTok. On the look back at the podcast. In 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex Egrish. Each episode, we pick you here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite artists. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. It was a wild, I mean, it was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for Black people. Listen to Look Back at it on the I Heart Radio app,

2:06Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thistalk.com, the Cincinnati Bengals Talk podcast and the Lockdown Bengals podcast. I'm here to probe his brain once again. He's probably tired of talking about the draft. He might be able to like close his eyes and recite everything from memory. He's said about this draft, but I said, we got to wrap up the draft tonight. And who better to do it with than James Rapin? How are you? I'm doing great. You could add backpedaling eyes closed. This doesn't matter. You're right. The draft is a bread and butter. I'm sad it's gone. But in a way, it's certainly exciting to talk about the guys that Bengals have. All right, let's play a game. I want to play a game with you. If I gave you a do over, if you knew that at number 10, Rubin Bain Jr. or Caleb Downs were going to be there, would you still trade for Dexter Lawrence? Absolutely, how yes. How yes, and I would do the sexy dexie after where they're in before. And you know, I think the NFL told you a bit

3:06about how they thought about Rubin Bain and him falling to 15. And that doesn't mean he's not going to be a game breaker, a game changer on defense. But if they viewed him as a day one game changer, he wouldn't have stayed till 15. There would have been teams moving up, going crazy. I mean, the Giants passed on in twice. Part of that's because they got our Valarice because they felt like he is that type of guy, right? So I think that that's in the back of my mind a bit. And I do think I don't know. I think that they had the Bengals had Caleb Downs ahead of Rubin Bain. And so if you're telling me Caleb Downs is on the team, well, that would have been an A pick. You know, he's going to start day one. He's going to help in a bunch of ways. You could do three safety sets and all those things. And I say that knowing what Dexter Lawrence brings to this defense right now, and it's a guy that opposing offenses have to lose sleep about, have to account for, have to plan for, and have to commit two guys to each and every play. And if you don't double team Dexter Lawrence, well, good luck. He's going to be the game breaker. And if you do double team him,

4:08well, it's going to free up Jonathan Allen and Vijay Hell on the rest of this defensive front. So the Bengals defense really came together when they made that move. And I was leery of giving up the 10th pick, but now that I've thought about it, and it had time to really focus on it, I think it was absolutely the right move. Was a talent like Cash's Howe worth moving off of corner or linebacker at 41? It was, it was, and this is why I love it. I love the Bengals mindset here. They said we're going to take a good group. And I think they were a good group going into Friday night with the draft. And we're going to make it a potentially great group. And Cash's Howe is something they don't have. He complements what they do have in a very nice way. You can play him alongside all your, the first round picks, and from our miles, you can play him alongside boy Mafe, and his style is going to really compliment everything they have in that room. He's going to bring the juice. That's how I describe him.

5:08He's going to bring the juice off the edge and give them a true, it's a passing down. We're putting 55 in, and he's going to make your quarterback really feel him throughout this game. So no, I think he's ready to go right now. I think he's going to make an impact and give the Bengals the fence of front a well-rounded deep group, which is something we haven't said in a long, long time. Wide receiver Colby Young had some off-field issues that have been documented, some injury issues documented, and some waning production in the big picture. Would you have still rolled the dice with it? Wasn't someone that I was, me personally, that I was eyeing in that range. And you look at consensus, and that's certainly lower than the fourth round. And I think the Bengals told you that with what they did in the trade, because they were eyeing and considering Colby Young had picked 110. And so what they did is they traded down, and this really made the draft.

6:09You trade down, you're able to address center, which was in me. Backup center was a pretty big under the radar need behind Ted Karrison. You get a guy in Conor Lou that could develop into your long-term center. We'll see TBD on that, but certainly can be your backup. And then you're still able to get young. So from a draft philosophy standpoint, I love how they did that. From a player standpoint, I understand the vision. He's just, it's always been something. And two years ago it was off the field last year he broke his leg. It seemed like he was an emerging star after his first two seasons. And Miami transfers the Georgia. It feels like it's going to get going, and it just didn't. So the Bengals are banking on him. It's not a huge bet. It's not the 80th pick in the draft, like Dermain Burton. I don't think character wise, he is Dermain Burton, having a bunch of conversations that I've had. So we'll see, it's proof of time for him. But if he does dedicate himself, so I think he can contribute this year, I do, because there aren't many six more, 218 pound receivers that can block

7:11and kick into the slot. They like his versatility. So we'll see what he gets here, but I see what the Bengals were doing even if he wasn't necessarily on my radar. They clearly have confidence in their linebacker position enough to not sign one to this point and for agency or draft one, do you have that same level of confidence in the linebackers? Heck no, no one should. Heck no, I mean, the worst pick last year's, but you're banking on this year, right? The biggest reach last year wasn't from our steward. It was taking the meetrious night when you did, and it was because you hadn't addressed linebacker well enough in free agency and you needed one in the draft and they were thin, and so they reached there and they looked up and they had a similar grade on Barrett Carter, so they doubled it. And so now they're really committed to it. Look, I think they would, in an ideal world, have already addressed linebacker in their mind. And that hasn't happened. If you're going to address the defense of front instead of address linebacker, I'm always on board with that because I think that that matters more. But is linebacker still in need?

8:13It is. And in an ideal world, and I think that is hopefully what they're working on now is they do the cap gymnastics that they're probably doing this week, line the path of getting another linebacker that's going to help in that room because they certainly need it. I think night and partner are both gonna take a step forward. There were two of the worst linebackers in the league last year. So how big is that step forward going to be? Is the last thing we want to be doing after all these new faces on defense is talk about how the linebackers are letting the defense down. So hopefully they can add one more veteran here that would at least raise the floor of that room and give them a little stability and experience. ESPN reported earlier today, the Bengals will not pick up the fifth year option on Miles Murphy, explain in simple terms to listeners what that means and what it could mean going forward. Yeah, I think it's surprising and it's surprising because the Bengals just traditionally take up the fifth year option. If you're a reasonable talent that has been productive-ish

9:14or shown flashing, they take up your fifth year option. They did it with General Williams. There's questions about General Williams. A year ago today they did it with Dax Hill. He was coming off of a torn ACL and there were certainly questions about him and that that paid off. I think they looked at it with Miles and they said, should we guarantee nearly $15 million in salary to him next season? And they looked at the defense of front and what they've invested there. They looked at potentially what it would cost to get a Miles-like figure either in the draft or in free agency if he leaves. And I also think they looked at it this way. We can try to get a long-term deal done without guaranteeing him $15 million next year. And so when you look at all of those things, that's the conclusion they came to. And I'm still surprised Lance because fifth year option, it's something they do. Even if there are question marks about that player, as long as they're not outright blessed. The only time they've done this, it's three times until today. It's a good way he, John Ross, and Billy Price. And the verdict was out on those guys after three seasons.

10:16I think the verdict is trending the other way with Miles Murphy. I think he's going to be a solid player. Duke Tobin, Zach Taylor, Al Golden, have all over the last 10 days thrown a lot of credit upstairs to the front office for how they have executed this offseason. Do they deserve it? They do. This is also what it should always be. Right? So it's like, you know, you get really excited and you keep praise. But this should always be the standard. This shouldn't be such a shock and a surprise. And the past couple of off seasons have been awful. Downright awful. From what they've done or haven't done in free agency. However, you want to phrase it. And that includes trades and things like that. And so, yeah, they deserve credit because they made a lot of moves. And I think that defensive front is suddenly a strength, which is really, really hard to do in one off season. And you feel good about the direction of a lot of addition groups outside of linebacker on that defense. And they've done enough on offense where they should be really darn good this year.

11:19They should. But this is the standard. This shouldn't be abnormal. This should be the norm. And I hope they understand that because this is year in and year out, we should be talking about them winning 10 games minimum because they have Joe Barrett order back. And they should be good enough to overcome Joe missing six or seven games because they can go four and three or three and four where the world doesn't end a few if he's out for a few weeks. So that's where they need to be as a roster. And I think they have accomplished that accomplished that this off season. But it's certainly like this is what you should do. Not that you have to trade the 10th pick every year, but you need to be really aggressive every single year that you have Joe Barrett. So last question, perfect segue from that. Are they as currently constituted as a team a Super Bowl contender in your mind? I think so. I do. And it took a lot to get there. But just think about it, like Geno Stone has probably missed like 52 tackles in the eight minutes, 10 minutes we've been talking right now in Buffalo.

12:22I see he's training to be a bill this year. Meanwhile, they got Brian Cook back there who doesn't miss tackles, who's the definition of consistent and stable. And so you add that to everything they've done to the defense of front. And there's just there's a lot of reasons to buy into this defense, being significantly better. And on the other side, you have Joe Burrow, who is really going to feel like, hey, we have a real shot this year. Let's go get it. And I'm not sure he, I think that's why the Buffalo game was so frustrating last year. That was like his shot. And they came up short and they wouldn't have made the playoffs anyway. But it was like a one game size that was realistic of making a push. They're going to have a full season here to make a real push and be a contender. So absolutely, I think they're in the next draft is done. But your coverage is far from done 365 24 hours a day. Tell listeners where and how they can find what you have to offer. Cincinnati Bengals talk on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast,

13:25banglestalk.com and a lot on Bengals podcast. You're the man. I enjoyed this. Thanks for making time. Yep. Appreciate you, Lance. Talk to you soon. All right. Look forward to it. He's James Rapin with some good angle stuff. All right. Still ahead about some headlines. We'll get into the the reds and where they are one with April in the books. First place, 2011. We'll talk about it and discuss things we have learned about this team ahead. R&L Courier Sports Talk presented by Kelsey Chevrolet, 700 WLW. If you're traveling through Great Falls, Montana, check out this sip and dip lounge. I hear their drinks are great and their live mermaid Joe is even better. Wow! Wherever you roam, take us with you. Listen to the 700 WLW live stream on the iHard Radio app. This Mother's Day, think about the woman who always knew what. Our 2026 iHard Country Festival presented by Capital One. Tickets are on sale now to see Luke Bryant.

14:26Kane Brown. Harder with color. Riley Green. Carly Pierce. Shaboozy. Dylan Scott. Russell Dickerson. Richard Wilson. Chase Matthew. Lauren Elena. Special guest. George Birch. Saturday, May 2nd at the Moody Center in Austin. Stream Live on Disney Plus and Hulu. 2%. That's the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter. And on my podcast, 2%. I break down the signs of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange modern world. Put yourself through some hardships. And you will come out on the other side. A happier, more fulfilled, healthier person. Listen to 2%. That's T-W-O percent on the iHard Radio app. Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying.

15:27Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor IV. We might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills or conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the iHard Radio app. Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. On the look back at a podcast. In 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex Egrish. Each episode, we pick you here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite artists. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild, I mean, it was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to Look Back added on the iHard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your

16:27podcasts.