Bleav in Cincy

On this episode:

-Trey Hendrickson's contract holdout continues as OTAs commence.

-The Bengals ad Shemar Stewart are at a contract impasse, as Cincinnati is attempting to insert new contract language into his first round deal.

-Charlie Jones has flashed, but injuries have caused his pro career to sputter. Can he take the next step in year three?

-The Bengals have plans for Cam Sample on defense, but he'll need to prove valuable under new defensive coordinator Al Golden to be in the team's longer-term plans.

-And more!

Jason and Kevin are back to break down their early 53-man roster prediction. Who is in and who is out and who is on the bubble?

Olympic Flag Football Fever... Catch it! Spike it! Do a little dance.

It looks like NFL Players will be allowed to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics much to the chagrin of the US National Flag Football Team (who have notably played and grown the sport, not to mention won multiple world championships over the last several years.)

Anywho... Matt and Willie have a flag football fantasy draft selecting only current Cincinnati Bengals players, but here is the catch, not one can play their natural position.

That's right, quarterbacks can’t play quarterback, of...

I don’t know about you, but I need a break from talking about extending a certain NFL sack champion of sack-pion if you will. I love Trey Hendrickson. I want him to be happy. I want it to be here. At this point, the conversation has become more Toxic than the subject of Briteny Spears’s 2003 banger of the same name. So, let’s talk about someone else, shall we?

On this week’s edition of “Matt and Willie Know Ball” we look to the future. The Bengals extended Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Yeah...

Jason and Kevin are back this week to discuss the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals schedule, which was released on Wednesday. They share their thoughts on the entire schedule and make week-by-week predictions.

On this episode:

-Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals continue their public stalemate.

-Aside from Cincinnati's desire for Hendrickson to honor his other recent contract extension, they are also continuing to maintain their long-standing precedent with players and contract issues.

-John and Anthony break down the Bengals' schedule game-by-game and give a way-too-early record prediction.

And more!

He refuses to open up. And when he gets anywhere close to being vulnerable, he fires off a zinger or some obscure reference to something very specific to a 40-year-old white man from middle America.

No, Willie is not related to that guy you think he is related to.

No, he not that guy either.

In the immortal words of Garth Algar "I just hope you didn't think it sucked"

On this show:

-The Bengals have signed a number of their rookies already.

-Geno Stone took a pay cut--is that a sign of a forthcoming Trey Hendrickson extension, or maybe more safety additions in free agency? Neither?

-Can Cordell Volson hang on to the starting left guard spot this year?

-Will Cam Taylor-Britt show that he can be a solid long-term starter at corner in 2025?

And more!

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Follow @CoachMinich on Blue Sky and @Willie_Lutz on X

On this episode:

-What's the latest with Trey Hendrickson?

-What positions might the Bengals be monitoring in post-draft free agency?

-It's a make-or-break year for Jermaine Burton in just his second pro season.

-Can Geno Stone carry over his late-season heroics from 2024 to become more reliable under Al Golden?

And more!

Jason and Kevin are back to discuss the 2025 NFL Draft and share their takes on the six players the Bengals selected to hopefully help the team make another Super Bowl push.

On this episode:

-We recap the team's six selections and contemplate their fits.

-What's next for the team?

-What did we make of their draft strategy?

-Some UDFAs that have caught our eye.

And more!

On this episode:

-What does Shemar Stewart bring to the table right away?

-Just how big of a risk is Stewart?

-Who are some of the names and at which position groups the Bengals could be targeting on Night 2?

And more!

On this episode:

-What's the latest, if anything, with Trey Hendrickson?

-It appears that Cincinnati is looking at defensive line in the first round.

-Who are players likely to be picked in round 1 by Cincinnati?

And more!

It's Draft Day! Jason and Kevin are back with 3AO. To celebrate draft day, they put 17 possible targets for the Cincinnati with the No. 17 overall pick into tiers. What do you think?

On this episode:

-A comprehensive list of top-30 visits conducted by the Bengals with incoming prospects before the draft.

-Relaying a few notable comments on prospects from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah from a media conference call we were on this week.

-We break out "The Wheel of Defensive Linemen" and give a handful of mini previews at random.

-We unveil our first three-round mock of the draft season.

And more!

On this episode:

-The Bengals and Hamilton County are bouncing proposals back and forth for some massive upgrades in Paycor Stadium.

-Many of the proposed changes put forth by the Bengals are in the name of "fan engagement".

-Cincinnati has been meeting with a lot of local guys for pre-draft visits--particularly those from THE Ohio State.

-We break out "The Wheel of Prospects" and give you a handful of mini-profiles of intriguing defensive linemen.

Jason and Kevin are back this week with special guests Andrew and Ryan from Gridiron Grading to discuss the upcoming draft, their grading system, their new app, and go through a mock draft. Check it out!

On this episode:

Jason and Kevin are back to discuss and debate the potential rule changes for the 2025 season, and go through a couple mock drafts, each with a different scenario.

On this episode:

On this episode:

Yuck. Jason and Kevin are back to complain about the Bengals' relative inactivity in free agency now that the new league year has started.

On this episode:

-We give an update on the comings and goings with Bengals players.

-How big on an impact will the early signings provide?

- What’s next?

-What’s the inkling on Trey Hendrickson’s future?

And more!

On this episode:

-Trey Hendrickson has been granted permission to seek a trade with other teams. What's the reaction and implications?

-Sam Hubbard has retired as a Bengal. While we celebrate his career, the Hendrickson news brings more defensive line questions for Cincinnati.

-Might the Bengals focus on the interior of the lines in outside free agency and then edge in the draft?

-Joey Bosa could be a stopgap solution at end, particularly with his career being on the left side left vacant by Hubbard.

-And more!

On this episode:

-The Cincinnati Bengals made a wise, albeit somewhat-frustrating decision to place the franchise tag on Tee Higgins for the second year in a row.

-Alex Cappa was released, paving the way for a new starting right guard and providing cap flexibility to extend some of their stars.

-Who else might not be re-signed and/or released?

-Tate Ratledge of Georgia tested well in Indianapolis and should be a prime Night 2 target for the Bengals.

-Some love for throwback Bengals running back, Garrison Hearst.

-And...

Jason and Kevin are back to discuss the NFL Combine, which opened this week. They go through Duke Tobin's (and others) comments to the media, as well as talk about possible trade value for Trey Hendrickson or Tee Higgins.

On this episode:

-Duke Tobin had some optimistic comments about the futures of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson.

-Zac Taylor noted that the Bengals are looking to completely change-up their offseason approach to avoid a slow start.

-Ole Miss's Walter Nolen would be a solid pickup at No. 17 overall.

-Daniel Jeremiah provided valuable insight on this year's class, which favors the Bengals in their roster re-tooling.

-And more!

On this episode:

-The Bengals are reportedly looking to place the franchise tag on Tee Higgins again this year.

-There are caveats with "cash spend", "cap space" and "non-exclusive tag" designations.

-The salary cap has jumped roughly $53 million since 2023 and this year's cap is projected to be in the $280 million range.

-What does this jump in the salary cap mean for the Bengals, their stars and outside free agency?

-A local Cincinnati product could bring depth and starter potential in this year's class at a major position of need.<...

On this episode:

-Germaine Pratt has reportedly requested a trade: Was it because of the new defensive coordinator, team financials, or both?

-Joe Burrow continued his polite public lobbying of the Bengals' pivot to spending big money this offseason.

-One familiar name in free agency could bolster the team's rebuild on defense--even if on a short-term deal.

-An incoming rookie running back could be the perfect complement to Chase Brown.

And more!

On this episode:

-The Bengals were largely snubbed at the NFL Honors annual award ceremony--why?

-Joe Burrow made some eyebrow-raising comments on Radio Row this week.

-Along with Burrow's comments, Cincinnati's star players with contract questions have publicly put the offseason onus squarely on Bengals ownership.

-What's the confidence level in the secondary going into 2025?

-And much more!

The great Trent Brown joins the OBI crew!

-What led to the slow start for the Bengals this year?

-His embracing of a mentorship role for Amarius Mims and his impressions of him as a rookie.

-His interpretation of "The Patriot Way" and comparisons between Tom Brady and Joe Burrow.

-His ranching background and ways for fans to get high-quality meats for the big game!

And more!

On this episode:

-Al Golden gave Bengals Nation positive vibes in his introductory presser.

-Duke Tobin had his own interesting comments about the Bengals' free agency approach this week.

-What's next for Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson?

-What are the lessons the Bengals should be learning from the Eagles and Chiefs to make their own Super Bowl run?

And a big announcement!

Jason and Kevin were back to discuss the Bengals hiring defensive coordinator Al Golden and what the team needs to do to field a better unit int 2025.

On this episode:

The Bengals have selected their position coaches for the offensive and defensive lines. They not only have a track record of success, but some have experience in the AFC North.

Al Golden appeared to have been the favorite the entire time for Cincinnati's defensive coordinator job.

Is Golden qualified for the job? Is his familiarity his biggest asset?

How, if at all, does Notre Dame's lackluster performance on defense in the National Championship Game play into perceptions?

What were some of the biggest whiffs in Bengals...

Jason and Kevin are back to talk about eight players the Cincinnati Bengals could potentially cut to save some money.

On this episode:

-What's the latest on the Bengals' assistant coach search?

-We often talk about each passing offseason as the most important...but each one that doesn't lead to a Lombardi Trophy makes the following spring of utmost urgency.

-Who are some early intriguing draft prospects for the Bengals?

-What do we think happens this weekend in the Divisional Round?

And more!

Let’s recap the 2024 season with our panel of experts : T. J. Houshmandzadeh, Ben Baby and James Rapien. Make sure to join us!