Bengals Booth Podcast: Believer

FAU make it to the Final four. And I'll chat with the retiring Cincinnati sportscaster George Vogel on forty years of covering the Bengals. Finally, it's the fifth edition of our NFL Expert Mock draft as Austin Gael from The Ringer takes his turn on the Pro Football Focus mock simulator. The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by Bengals Picks and Ultimate Bengals. They're free to play with ticks and signed merchandise up for grabs. Find both inside the

Bengals app. Now here's a quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the greatest thing since new rules in Major League Baseball. Jeff Passon from ESPN calls it baseball liposuction. In other words, they are removing some of the fat. Major League Baseball is added a pitch clock to speed up play, made the base is bigger to encourage more

stolen base attempts, and band lopsided in field shifts. Now teams must have two infielders on each side of second base, which will result in more hits. The sum total should mean more action in less time. Spring training games were nearly a half hour shorter this year than last year. Football remains king in this country and that's not going to change. But here's hoping baseball is more watchable than it's been for at least a decade. Now, time for

my first guest. Irv Smith Junior signed a one year contract of the Bengals on Thursday and is likely to replace Haydon Hurst as Cincinnati's number one tight end depending on what happens in the draft. The New Orleans native and former Alabama standout was a second round pick by the Vikings in twenty nineteen, number fifty overall, and had two solid seasons in Minnesota before battling injuries the last

two years. Erv missed all of twenty twenty one with a knee injury and missed half of last season with an ankle injury. Smith is six two two forty, so he's not as big as Hurst, but he has great speed and one of his strengths is run after catch. He'll obviously give Joe Burrow another target in the passing game, and he's five years younger than Hurst. I talked to the newest Bengal shortly after three passed his physical inside.

I'm a dotted line, IRV. You are coming to a Super Bowl contender with an obvious need at your position. That seems like the ideal combination for a free agent to me. Is that the case? Yes, sir, it's UM. It's a huge blessing. I'm excited for this opportunity. UM. You know, Coach Taylor and and and the whole organization, they've been very adamant about me coming here and the things that I can do to help this offense, and

UM contribute anyway I can. So I'm just excited for this opportunity and Um, you know, I'm just thankful and try to get to work. It's been reported that it came down to Bengals and Dolphins. Is that accurate? Yes, sir, Yeah it was. It was a tough you know what I'm saying. It's tough decisions kind of at the end. But um, you know, I felt like how to do its best for myself and my family, and um, you know, I'm excited to be here to a tungkle Vlo was

your college quarterback at Alabama. Did he try to sway you down to South Beach? Yes, sir, Yes, sir, I talked to a great friend of mine. UM, great leader, great person, um, and you know he's going to do great things in Miami. But um, you know, I felt like this is a decision that you know, I felt like it was best for me in my situation and um for my family and uh, you know, just just following following the steps a guy. He played against Joe Burrow in college. It went well for the Crimson Tide.

How big was the Borough factor in coming here? Yeah, definitely it was a It was a big factor. Um, you know, playing against Joe in college. Uh, you know, when I was at Alabama. He was at LSU and you know, competing against him and seeing the type of player he is, and um, the type of leader he is, and you know, just the the role that he that he plays, and you know, or all our aspects of

the team, but especially you know the tight end position. Um, you know, just being able to you know, give me the football and make plays with the ball in my hand and um, you know, move the chains and score touchdown. So I'm excited to get to work with Joe and you know, learn more about him and you know, pick each other's brains and um, go do this thing. Your dad played in the NFL. I read that he recommended that you come to Cincinnati. It's that true, Yes, sir, Yeah,

you know kind of going through this process. Um, you know my dad, he's been through it before. So it's a big blessing. Um, you know, having him on my team and just being able to lean on him for you know, different different questions and different things, uh, because he's been through this process. So UM that definitely, you know, hearing his words of assurance and um, you know, believing in me and having that confidence to make the right decision.

Were chatting the Bengals tight end If Smith Junior. When the Vikings drafted you back in twenty nineteen, you were twenty You were the youngest player in the NFL. Now you've been in the league for four years and you're still only twenty four. Do you feel like you're just getting started? Yes, sir, Yeah, it feels like you know, Um, it feels almost like a another like I'm going into my rookie year again, and so I'm not not rookie year,

but in a sense, um, new beginnings. And you know, I've laid a lot of groundwork in the NFL so far, and you know, this is a new journey and I'm just I'm excited to get to work. I'm you know, young as well, like you said, and um, you know, I have a lot of energy, a lot of juice. Uh, I want to bring to this team in the city and this organization. Your career got off to a great start.

You set the Vikings rookie record for catchers by a tight end, and then there have been some injuries since, including an injury a couple of years ago that cost you a season. How have you dealt with the ups and downs? Um, you know, I've just been leaning on, leaning on God. You know, he he'll you know, you'll go through certain situations. Um, you don't know why, but you know when you when you battle those those situations and you come out stronger as a as a man

and as a person. So um, it's something that you know, it's behind me, but it's definitely uh, definitely growing me mentally as a player, physically as a player. And I'm just sided to play football and get toured. I mentioned that you're from New Orleans. What's your relationship like with Jamar Chase. Uh. Yeah, me and Jamar we actually grew up playing against each other in high school so um, which is which is pretty amazing. He was two years two years younger than me. He was two grades younger

than me. Um. And he was at Rum while I was at Brother Martin. So I remember those battles us. Uh, you know up at Tag Gormley and at joe Yenni his stadium. Um. It's it's amazing, you know. And as well just training with Jamar, um with my trainer NXC training and uh and Gary and and and those guys. It's just it's just amazing to be able to reconnect and you know, at this level. You know, this is this is the highest level. It doesn't get any higher. And um, I'm decided to get to work with him

for sure. When the news broke that you were going to sign with Cincinnati, he tweeted Jeff for gift fight. I never know how to pronounce it, but it was like a little kid dancing on top of the table with a one word caption mood. Did you see that? What was your action? Yeah? I definitely did. Um. We talked like kind of right after I uh, it kind of had got announced, and you know, we was just

really excited. Um, you know he was. He was just telling me, you know, I'm not missing piece that they that they need to get this to get this thing done. So um, it's it's a blessing. And you know that's definitely that's definitely the mood around here. We're gonna we're gonna have a lot of fun. Uh, bring a lot of juice, a lot of energy and and win a lot of games. Have a lot of guys reached out already. Oh yes, sir, Yeah, I talked to Tyler Boyd, Joe, Um, Jamaar,

I've seen T and T Higgins here today. Um, so it's it's it's super cool just hearing hearing from the guys and you know, hearing their excitement and um, you know a few weeks, we're gonna we're gonna be ready to strip it up and um, you know, begin begin this process. Do you know what your number is going to be? Do you have a preference? Uh, We're gonna see. That's I had asked trade that. Um when we was

coming up here in the elevator. I was like, you know, uh, I said, I said, what are the number of situations and stuff? I wear eighty two in college and eighty four in the league. So those those are two numbers that stick stick with me and h in my family. So, UM, we'll see, we'll see what happens. We're chatting with Irv Smith Junior. The Bengals recently signed Orlando Brown Junior, whose dad played the same position for a long time in the NFL, and the situation is very similar for you.

Irv Smith Senior was an NFL tight end for seven years. How has that impacted your path to the NFL. It's impacted me tremendously. Um, just in terms of you know, as a young kid, Uh, seeing my dad's as helmets and jerseys and different things like that around the house. Um, you know, just subconsciously, uh, picking up you know, picking

up as helmet and different things like that. Um, you know those dreams you said at a young age, and you know, by the time you know, you start getting older to play football, it becomes more and more real than you through the high school process, go through the college process, and then it's like, wow, I'm finally here

in the NFL. So it's a surreal Momentum. You know, every time I get to walk into an NFL building and you know, see my name on my locker and um, you know, be able to catch the balls and touchdowns from NFL quarterbacks and you know here the fans cheer and just all of that. It's amazing. And you know, I'm still living my dreams. He didn't let you play right away though, right, Yeah, No, he didn't let me play till till eighth grade. Actually I had to fight

him to let me play in eighth grade. He wasn't gonna let me play till high school. But every year for Christmas, I'd ask him to let me play football and he wouldn't let me. And then finally eighth grade, he let me play, So, UM, I just had a lot, a lot of energy and just wanted to wanted to go out there and make him proud, to make my family proud. And you know, I feel like I'm doing that and I want to continue to do that. I'm

glad he caved worked out well for all. So after this steal came together several days ago, you said, quote, I feel like I'm almost the missing piece to get us that Super Bowl. What do you bring to the table for the Bengals, Um, you know I bring. I bring a lot of things I feel like, UM, you know, being a young player and it played in a lot of big games. UM throughout my career. You know, I just want to show the consistency and show you know that I'm all around tight end. UM. You know, I

can make plays in all aspects of the game. UM. You know, I feel like my speed is definitely an advantage to me. UM. You know, being able to play different positions in the backfield, out wade in the slot, UM, put my hand in the dirt. UM you know, third down, red zone, the mismatch, and UM just creating those mismatches because we have a lot of weapons on this team and you know they're not gonna be able to cover us all. So I'm I'm excited. Your last catching Minnesota

was a playoff touchdown last year against the Giants. Was that a special moment for you? Yes, it definitely was. Um. You know, anytime you can play in the playoffs and make an impact and help your team have a chance to win, it's it's a it's a big, big blessing. So UM, I'm excited to you know, hopefully my next catch as a Bengal as a touchdown right away. Last

thing for earth Smith Junior. The dates aren't out yet, but we know the Bengals opponents and the Vikings are on the schedule, a home game at Bay Core Stadium. Were you aware of that and is that something you really look forward to? Yeah, my my aunt she actually, um, she showed me at the other day when when the schedules and stuff got released, and I've seen it was it was here in Cincinnati as well, And it's gonna be it's gonna be a lot of fun. You know, we gotta we got a long way to that to

that road. Um, you know, just take to take it one day at a time. Um, you know, it starts in Otash this offseason and you know do the training and different things like that. It's a long, long process till then. But you know, when that time comes, we'll be ready. We're excited to have you here in Cincinnati. Congratulations on the deal and welcome, so thank you appreciate it. Herb Smith Senior and Orlando Browns Senior were teammates with

the Cleveland Browns in nineteen ninety nine. It's pretty cool that their sons are about to be teammates in Cincinnati. The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by Alta Fiber, future proof fiber Internet capable of delivering multi gigabit speeds designed to take your home, business, and community to a new level. Elevate your connection with Alta Fiber. College Basketball's Final Four is coming up this weekend in Houston, and one of the bengals best defensive players will be there.

Trey Hendrickson, the two time Pro bowler, will be rooting for his alma mater, ninth seeded Florida Atlantic. The Owls are thirty five and three, including wins over Memphis, Fairleigh, Dickinson, Tennessee, and Kansas State to get to the Final four. I talked to a very proud former OWL at the beginning of the week, Trey, how exciting is it for you that your alma mater, Florida Atlantic is Final four bound. Yeah?

Anytime you you know, in the final four, you know, you take that Cinderella, you know, that story kind of drifts away and now it's just a good basketball team. So it's exciting to see, you know, good coaching, passionate players, and good chemistry coming together and doing something special for FAU. Your love for your alma mater was evident last weekend. You made the trip to New York, went to those games at Madison Square Garden. Why was it important for

you to be there? Well, you know, I was in Columbus for their first win ever in March Madness, and then that was another one that was historical, was the first trophy that we've ever hosted or hoisted in at FAU. So it was important to me to be there support the guys. You know. Obviously my wife could make it too, which is really important. So it was just a fun atmosphere. It's hard to say no to the garden, and you know,

excited to go to Houston too. So for everybody to say that's saying this is an unbelievable underdog cinderella story. Maybe you can point out how good Florida Atlantic has been all year. Yeah, it's hard to call a thirty win team a cinderella story. You know, they've won, and they've won consistently. They found ways to win, special, special, passionate group. I mean, they're resilient. They were down a couple times in March, came back and beat these teams.

Good discipline, making free throws in the last you know, ten twelve seconds of the game, four for four, last game in Kansas State, it seemed like it was a home game an MSG. So you know, the discipline, the attention to detail, it's the stuff that makes great teams great. So I went to Syracuse in two thousand and three they won the national championship. That was well past my graduation. I went. It was in New Orleans and it was like a college reunion set in New Orleans, and my

team won. It was one of the greatest experiences of my sports fan life. So you are planning to go to Houston, correct, absolutely, Yeah, you know it's obviously on a weekend, and then the Championship on the weekday, So I'm going to book a one way, you know, and hang out with the guys and obviously cheer on my

alma mater. And if any Bengals fans are wondering about your dedication, it's nine in the morning, the day after your team just went to the Final four, earned the right to go to the Final four, and you're here at pay coorse stating working out. Yeah, it's you know, I have a job to do and I have big goals for this season. Obviously we've we have bigger goals in the last two years, you know. So anything that I can do to improve to keep on the right track.

And you know, I'm surrounded with a lot of great guys in this building. I can't say enough about the coaching staff and the strength staff. So mentally ready, physically ready, emotionally ready, and you know, ready to get back after it. Best the luck to the Owls. Congratulations on making it to the final four and Joy Houston, thanks so much. FA. You will face San Diego State on Saturday night at

six Trays OWLS a three point underdog. The winner will battle either Miami or Yukon for the national Championship and for what it's worth, Yukon coach Dan Hurley is one of the biggest Bengals fans I've ever met. The Bengals Booth podcast is brought to you by Kettering Health, the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. With more than one hundred twenty care facilities and fifteen hundred care providers, Kettering Health is committed to guiding you to your best health.

Visit Kettering health dot org to learn more. This week, one of Cincinnati's best sportscasters is retiring after working for more than four decades at wl WT TV. My friend George Vogel I moved to Cincinnati more than twenty five years ago, and I don't recall meeting anybody who doesn't like George. I talked to him this week about his

career and covering the Bengals for forty plus years. George, you realize, since you are leaving Channel five in Cincinnati and will no longer be covering the Bengals after forty plush years, you are guaranteeing that they will win the Super Bowl in the near future. That's exactly what's going to happen, and it's probably going to be next year, which is fine by me. We tried, we tried, and we tried, and almost got it done in the home stretch.

But I'm very confident Bengals fans will be in jubilation in a February coming soon. You are still outstanding at anchoring and reporting. Why are you retiring, Well, it's just kind of time because priorities change, and it's got to do with you know, my mom passed away last year, my father in law passed away, and my wife and

I have been talking about stuff. Then she had an appidect to me in the fall and I had this kidney surgery thing flare up, and it's like, you know what, we haven't had a lot of time to do a lot of things we talk about doing, and we always talk about doing them. Someday will do this, Someday we'll do that, and even it may just be like long weekends, you know, leave on a Friday, come back on a Monday. That kind is It's hard for both of us with

our schedules to arrange that. And she's going to continue to work, but with me having free reign, we'll be able to do that. I have two grandkids, four and one and I want to do stuff with them before it's too late. You know, I've got another surgery coming up next week for next fusion for the second time. So I've got a numb right arm and numb right leg and it's like before it's numb permanently. Time to smell the roses and do some stuff we talk about doing.

And fortunately I'm going to be able to do that. What, if anything, do you think you'll miss? Oh, my gosh, First of all, being around the games, because I've been too married to this desk over the past ten years. Probably a lot of that's my fault because I I can't get used to the concept that I can do all this stuff in the field with the graphics and the rundowns and you know what I'm talking about with the computer driven stuff, Well you can, and I probably

should have been a little better about doing that. And so when I went to Kansas City last week and was around that environment and the NC Double A Tournament, and you know, I got to go to the Bengals playoff games and I was at the Super Bowl of the previous year. Being around that stuff and especially being around it and it's not on your dime I mean, that's even better. And it's like to go to a Super Bowl cost an arm and a leg and to be able to do that and be paid to do

it and just be just being there. And I'm going to go to games, but I'm gonna be sitting in the stands, and I mean I'll be going to games all the time. But being in those locker rooms talking to those kids last week, and you know, you do it with the Bengals and what a group they have to deal with. I mean, that stuff is so fun, dealing with those personalities and the youthful enthusiasm that you kind of forget about if you're away from it at all,

and you're in there. You know, I'm talking with those Xavier players last week and just the fun they were having being a part of the NCUBA tournament. Something they always dreamed of doing. Now they're doing it and it's living up to their expectations. Being around that I think keeps you young, and that worries me. That's why when I have to be around those grandkids a lot, because that stuff keeps you young, I think, no question. Now.

One of the things I admire about you, and I've always admired about you is that you are honest and you can be critical on the air, but the coaches and players respect you and never seem to take offense when you were being honest and sometimes critical. Did you feel that way and if so, how did you pull it off? Well? Sometimes it wasn't that way. I mean, well,

I try to treat them like I want to be treated. Look, I know, uh, they're hurting after a bad loss and a bad play and a bad and I don't want to go busting right in their face with this stuff. And you know, I've seen people do that and they probably get the reaction that that I wouldn't want, but maybe they want it. I just want to know how the guys feel about it. I want to do it in a way that that isn't rude. I guess. I just try to treat them the way I want to

be treated, and I know how I would feel. And it didn't always work that way. I mean I've I've been you know, barked at more than once, and that's part of it. It's gonna happen. It happens, you know, it happens here at work with co workers. It's just when you're around people a lot, there's gonna you're gonna rub somebody the wrong way. They're gonna react, maybe the way they wish they hadn't down the road. Uh, it happens. But I just think you treat them the way you

would want to be treated, and you respect them. You don't act like, hey, you did this and you're just a miserable football player. No, They're out there doing their best, and I just want to treat them the way I think anyone would want to be treated, and that's in a respectful way. I'm glad you said that, because one thing that I've always said is the worst player who has ever put on a uniform is infinitely better than

I ever dreamed of being. So they deserve our respect. Yes, And I was just down at the red scrimmage a little bit ago watching that, and I'm just thinking about the stuff they hear. And you know, they had a hundred losses last year, terrible season for the Reds. But again, the worst player on that team is a darn good athlete and a darn goood baseball player. And to navigate your way through you know, high school sports, college sports, minor leagues and you get to the major league level,

you're pretty darn good. Yeah, you know, you can say, oh, come on, and there's gonna be frustrations and booze. But to to ride a guy in a way that's just, you know, not the way you would ever want to be treated. I think it's just wrong. And I hate to see these athletes when they have to snap back, and you see it a lot in basketball because the crowd's on top of them where they're throwing drinks at

them and that. But I understand their frustration hearing that from some guy who you know, couldn't make a free throw if you gave him a hundred tries. George, will you dabble in broadcasting in some way, shape or form. I don't know, And people have asked me that, and I don't know. I'm gonna, you know, I'm gonna get through this surgery kind of clear my head for a few months and then see what is out there, what

would interest me. I wouldn't be shocked. I'm not saying, you know, I'm not shutting the door to everything forever. In fact, I've told him here, you know, if they need help down the road or something happens, and it's just like, you know, what's going on WCPO having Popovich help out on the opening day parade. I could see myself doing things like that if they ever wanted me to do it. And you know, I certainly still enjoy it.

In fact, you know, it seems like since I set a date to retire, it's almost like I've been enjoying it more sometimes. And I've just been able to loosen up a little bit, I guess because you know, you know that, you know, not that I'm saying, hey, what are they gonna do? Fire me? But yeah, it's just been a lot more enjoyable knowing that, um, you know that I can, I can maybe be myself a little more. I tried to be that way all the way through,

but um, I really am enjoying it. And maybe it's just because I know that there's little time left and I better enjoy it if I like and I do, I like it. We are visiting with George Vogel winding up a great career at WLWT TV here in Cincinnati. This is a Bengals podcast, so let's hit on some Bengals topics. You are from the small town and Georgetown, Ohio populatian. I think a little less than five thousand. What was it like for you to meet and get to know Paul Brown? Oh my gosh, that's like one

of the best things ever. I you know, you grow up knowing about the Cleveland Browns and him what happened there? He comes to Cincinnati with the team starting in nineteen sixty eight, and I was the first kid in Georgetown with a Bengal sweatshirt. By the way, it was so funny.

My mom buys his staying and brings it home. And this was like maybe summer of sixty seven, I can't remember, but I'm wearing this Bengal sweatshirt at the We had these nighttime softball games, adult softball games at the local school, the local playground, and I'm up there and kids are going Cincinnati Bengals. What is that? You know? I was more than happy to tell hey, it's a football team

govern to Cincinnati. And then to see Paul Brown when I got to meet him, and you know, he Paul was in his later years and probably a lot more mellow than he was. You know, some of the players who had told me about him and how rough and gruffy could be in demanding he was, but man, What

a gentleman and what a great guy. And he would stand over there at Spinney Field and he knew me from doing these high school football reports and he would be asking me like, who's gonna win the Madara Indian Hill game this week and be laughing and then asking about another team that he was familiar with. And that was the thing that I mean he was. He was knowledgeable, funny, funny as all get out, interesting but all you know, he liked to have fun and he joked around about that.

I remember another time a local reporter was doing a stand up over there, and this guy kind of screamed a little bit when he did his stand ups. I remember Paul stopping and looking at me and my photographer and he's like, who is he talking to? Whoever it is they could hear him from here. It was so funny. He was just it was amazing, like how you know, it's this football legend and for him to be that human and interact with us because he didn't have to

give us the time of day. It was interesting and it was special and I got to do a probably about two years before he passed away, I sat down with him for a long interview inside Old Riverfront Stadium, and he talked about everything his high school days and you know, he was a high school high jump champion in Ohio and and telling me things that I had no idea. And boy, he loved his sports. He loved all of it, but football. He was a specially good at. One of my regrets is that I got to Cincinnati

after he had passed away. I've read every book ever written about him. I wish I could have met him, But it's great to hear stories like that from you. What kind of relationship do you have with Mike? It seems pretty good, I think, I think. I mean, the last time I talked with him, it was good. And that's another guy that's funny that people wouldn't realize unless you get a chance to talk to him like we have that. That sense of humor is amazing, and he's sharp.

Oh my god, I do not want to try to match wits with him every time I think I got him on something. I remember asking him about not having a general manager once and he pretty much knifed me in a nice way. But it's like, oh my god, I should have been ready for that. I mean, it came out of nowhere. With a machete, and he was right. And he's a sharp guy. He is a sharp guy. And yeah, our relationship is good. I thought he wouldn't want to do this. We did a Bengals Brown special.

This is probably about six years ago, seven years ago, and I asked if I could talk with Mike and just talk about the old because you know, Mike really only does his one thing on television, which is at the pre training camp luncheon, and he he agreed to

do it. It was all about the history of the Bengals and Browns that he was amazing in that interview talking about those old days and him remember and being like a ball boy at training camp for the Browns and you know Maryon Motley and Otto Graham and all these old time greats that he was hanging out with as a kid, and the influence that had on him and boy, and he did not hold back on the whole Art Model fire and his father situation at all.

He talked about how bitter it was, how much the Bengals when Paul was alive, how much they enjoyed beating the Browns and what it meant to them and everybody in that organization knew it. Everyone the players knew it. Paul used to have that talk with him even when he wasn't coaching, about how big of a deal it was to beat the Cleveland Browns. And and you know, Mike was so good in that interview. So I think

our relationships pretty good. I don't ain't good enough, you know, he would want me over for dinner, but I think it's good. Who have been some of your favorite players and coaches to interact with over the years. Oh gosh, I gotta tell you, Zach right now is awesome. And you know I haven't been able to do a whole lot with him, but just right away, his positive attitude is unbelievable. I try to be optimistic that guy, you know, he makes me look like schlep Ross. I mean, he

is so optimistic. And the first time I did a one on one with him and he's given me these answers. And you know, the Bengals were kind of in a bad way and we're off to a bad start that season, and he's given me all this positive stuff. So finally, I'm like, you're a half glass full guy. Right He's like from the get go, I am total half class full. It's like, Okay, I get that, and I love that about him. He's been great. Sam Weish was probably I would have to say he would be the favorite because

he you know, he understood the media. He knew what we had to do. When we had this Sunday night show back in the eighties, and this is when I was still working in the news department, but the sports guys had this Sunday Night Bengal show during the season. Sam did magic tricks on that show, like they would go down and record a segment with him at Spinney Field.

Then later in the eighties are the this would have been yeah, right, late eighties, early nineties, we did this segment with him called Hey Sam, where we would go get these questions on Mondays from fans about the previous day's game. Then we would give him the questions on Wednesday. He would answer and we would marry it up. It looked like, you know, he was answering the fans question right away. It was a fun segment. It was a

good segment. He was open to do it, and you know, he did some crazy stuff, but he was I mean he did on and off the field. I mean, there was one time we went to his house for an interview, and his whole living room is full of these boxes and he's like, hey, to see what's in here. He pulls out and it's like this green Army surplus underwear or something that he had gotten a hold of a shipment somewhere that they were gonna throw away, and he

got it for the homeless shelter here in Cincinnati. And he was always doing stuff like that that people didn't know about, always helping, you know, people who were struggling, helping with the food Bank, the Goodwill and doing charity things like that that I don't think anybody ever knew about that. He was a lot, a lot of fun.

I mean when he closed that locker room that time after the game, he did some stuff that it's even the players are like sorry, guys were not allowed to talk because they him, And it was so I remember Boomer coming out after that game saying that basically, and he would laugh at some of the stuff Sam tried to pull and did pull. So he was he was a laugh riot. How about players, I imagine Boomer had to be pretty high on the list. Oh yeah, you

know what he did. I was telling somebody this, Yes, today we're talking about the super Bowl at eighty eight and down to Miami, and Boomer would come through the lobby because we were allowed to hang out in the lobby at to play the team hotel and we were doing live shots there and stuff. But he would come through every night and ask all the local stations if they needed him for anything, if they needed any more of an interview or whatever. And you know, like the

second night, I'm like, Boomer, what are you doing? What? He goes, you guys have covered us the entire season. I just want to make sure you guys are taken care of. And I appreciate everything you guys did during the season. I want to make sure you get what you need here. You came down to Miami to cover us. I just want to do what's right by you guys. I was impressive. People you know, wouldn't think he would do that. But he was a sports intern at a TV station and it may have been DC or Baltimore.

He worked with Gail Seens. He said back in the day, I think it was Baltimore, so he kind of understood the business. But he was great. That whole team was great. Um, But you know, Chad Ojosinko my god, when when he had that list and I had to go in there every Wednesday, and I'm like, every Wedn's gonna be like, oh God, not this list again. We're gonna do this, and that would be the funniest darn thing. He would come up with some new angle on it. Um, So

he was. He was delightful. And TJ right next locker by him, was great to deal with. Those guys were great. Um, there's been mostly good ones with the Bengals. I mean that whole eighty eight team and that team. Now, I listened those interviews you do with those guys. I listened that. I mean I look forward to that every Sunday on the pregame show, and that those those kids are amazing.

They have right now. Just you know the one and I told you about this last year, the one you did about the kid in Columbus who didn't make the team but was talking about listening to the super Bowl on the radio and he's delivering pizzas at that time, and he get what an amazing story and what a good young man. And I hope he's doing well. I'm sure he is, because he certainly has a head on his shoulders on the flip side. Who gave you trouble? Well, Oliver Gibson did that one time back in it was

early two thousands. But that was a bad situation and it wasn't it wasn't personal at me, but it was. It was at our station because of the story we did on Tremaine back and you know, he wasn't supposed to be driving. He was driving the practice. Somehow I get elected to be the first guy in the locker room with a Channel five microphone flag after that whole fiasco, So I kind of knew it was probably coming. I didn't know it was going to be that bad because

I'd been in there all season. I thought, well, they'll go easy on poor old George. No, there was no such thing as easy. That was bad. And I give you know, I give Jack Brennan a lot of credit because he told how they're like, get him out of here now, and he's like, look, he's got an NFL credential. He has every right to be in here. If you don't want to talk to him, you don't have to. And I said the same, Bay, I'm like, you know,

I don't. So I stood there and they're like, well, we're not talking to anybody until he's out of here. So I stood there for about a minute, you know, maybe two minutes, got some bad stares, and I see all my poor you know, media buddies from Cincinnati getting nothing, and I'm like, dah, this isn't productive. So I walked out and then lo and behold, we walk into an interview with Scott Mitchell and he didn't know what the heck was going on, so he talked all day to us.

That was so fun. I don't want to knock on Scott, but that might be the only thing he did right that season. Not one of the more successful quarterbacks in Bengals history now, but he tried and he was a stand up dude. And you know what, what can you do. Not everyone's cut out to be an NFL quarterback. That's that's for sure, hardest job in the world. We're chatting. We're chatting the large Vogel. Do you have a most

memorable moment or moments from the Super Bowl trips? Oh? Gosh, in eighty eight, there was so much because the riots broke out down there like on Monday or Tuesday, I think it was Monday night, And that was crazy because there was there was a spot like four blocks from the hotel where you could enter Overtown and they had all that blocked off. You couldn't go in, you weren't allowed. There were like guards there. It was the craziest thing

I've seen. But what I took away from that game, you know, you think about the crumb right thing and the Stanley Wilson situation, but when Stanford Jennings returned that kickoff for a touchdown and the jubilation in there, and I'm sitting around a bunch of Bengals fans because we were in what was called media overflow, which turned out to be great seats in the club level. It was awesome padded seats, which was a big deal back in that time, and people were going crazy. It was like,

it's gonna happen. Yes, they're gonna win the Super Bowl. And you know, I don't think anyone doubted until Taylor caught that touchdown pass late that the Bengals were gonna somehow find a way to win that ballgame. It didn't happen, but that moment was unbelievable. And then you throw in that Stanford's wife had a child the day before, a baby girl, and it was just it's like, this can't be happening. What a storybook. That was cool, the one

in La I just remember the heartbreak from that. And so I'm sitting next to Mike Dardis, our news anchor, in the press box and the Rams come out for that last drive and I'm like, I don't want to say this, but I've been here before and it was in Miami. I'm like, there's too much time, and gosh, that fourth down play still and then of course the call at the end, that was a tough one. That was a tough one, and I it's but boy, the Bengals coming out at halftime, at second half and that

bomb that Tee Higgins caught. What an amazing moment that was. That's when I thought they're gonna do this, especially since he grabbed the guy's face mask and got away with No that's the thing. And I look at the play at the end of the game and it's like, well, they got away with that one, so maybe it makes up for it, but boy, that's still a heartbreaker all

the way through. And that fourth down play was at Cooper Cup took that little inside hand off and got the first down that That's why I'm like, oh my god, they had him right where they wanted him. But yeah, I just remember mostly that heartbreak and that sick feeling. You don't that feeling where like your mouth you's got just got this metallic taste in there because everything drains, and it's like that's what it was walking out there, and it's like, here I go again, out to talk

to Cincinnati about another heartbreaking sports moment. That metallic taste is going to be gone soon with this. Yeah, I'll say this. Whether this team wins a Super Bowl or not, and I feel they will, they have been amazing and it has turned the whole city around when it comes to attitude towards sports. I know the Reds are struggling, but you know, FC Cincinnati off to a hot start and the Bengals really captured this city and I do

believe they'll win one. But whether they do or not, they've they've done a magnificent job of getting this fan base fired up, no question about it. Obviously it begins with Burrow, but beyond that, they've been one of the biggest spenders in free agency over the past few years. It seems like all the things they used to be criticized for no longer apply. You've been covering this team for four decades roughly, what's your reaction to it. It's

stunning and it's great to see. It is stunning because they were getting and when Marvin came, they had a pretty good free agent hall his first year, he thought, Okay, they're gonna turn this corner. Then that seemed like it started fading away a little bit this time. You know, when they got DJ Reader, I'm thinking, Wow, that's a great signing, But what's going on here, Like, are they

really going to start doing this? And then you know, they come out of the gates last year when they pick up the offensive lineman Carris and Kappa on day one, and it's like, my goodness. You know. Then they find a way to get Lyell Collins and you're like, they're really doing this and they have been, they've they've you know, and and the Trey Wayne's thing didn't work out, but they took a stab they you know, that was a big signing at the time and I thought it would help.

It didn't because of injuries. But yeah, it's night and day and hopefully that continues. I don't see why it Walt it's happened this cycle. I mean they've gone out. I mean, you know when they get Orlando Brown Junior, because everyone's like, oh my god, they lost the tight end and they lost the starting safeties, and that was You're like, and I'm thinking to myself, there's no way they're sliding back into what they used to do. There's

no way. They saw what worked. They saw how you know, Paul Brown Stadium now pay Course Stadium came alive with just energy plus down there. There's no way they're gonna let this slide back. And thankfully they haven't. I mean, they got Orlando Brown and then just kept adding from there and and here they are. They seem to be in great position again heading into the draft, which is beautiful.

Do you have a player or a position that you would like to see them target in the draft, particularly with the twenty eight pick, Yeah, boy, that's you know, I'm gonna say the obvious Michael Mayer at twenty eight and if they don't get him, then maybe a couple rounds later. Josh Wiley, that's what I'm That's what I'm such a homer. It's it's just I can't help it. But I've seen a lot of mocks with with with Meyer fall into their position and them taking him, and

he would fit, you know, I mean it. There's a lot of ways they can go now, though, which is which is good because of the tight end signing earlier this week, you know, that buys him a little bit of time maybe to find the right guy they want long term, and maybe it's him. Maybe it is him, But I would not be shocked if they do draft a tight end and draft one early in this draft instead of being in the press box. Do you anticipate being in the stands this fall? Beer in hand? Absolutely,

That's a no doubt or no brainer. There will be many weekends. I'm probably at Nippert on a Saturday and then I'm rolling in and I probably won't have my face painted, but I'll probably have a Bengal's hat on, maybe a Bengals golf shirt and you know, be out there. That's I love watching games with the crowd. I mean, I've had so much fun at games doing that. And you know how it is when we do what we do,

you don't get to do that very often. And you're also kind of trying to maintain some impartiality for your job. It's going to be kind of nice to throw those shackles all completely. Well, that's a good segue to my last question for you, because it seems to me you have always walked the tightrope well of being a fan. I mean, we can understand that you root for the Bengals, Reds, Bearcats, whatever, but yet maintain your objectivity on the air. Well, I'll

tell you what. It helps being around the fans because they're as critical as anybody. You can't fool him. I can't say here and say, oh my gosh, you know this player. Yeah, he had a bad game, but you know, give him a break. He's been pretty good. You know, if if a guy's not getting it done, they know it, and they're harsher than anybody. And I've actually got a couple of good friend fan friends here at the station that if they'll keep me in check if I don't

do that. It's kind of funny. It's like you kind of gave him a pass on that. It's like, you know what I probably did, and that's because I know he's a good dude. But you're right, Um, I gotta and they do they keep me in check. Um, you probably know both of them. Uh and people and up you know, people in other stations too that we both have worked with might say something someone like rufus. So it's it's so that that has helped. But you can't

fool fans. They've got eyes, they've got to ears, they see and hear what's going on, and uh, so you can't. You can't fool them, and so I don't try. It's like, this is what we saw, this is what it is, and you know, sometimes it's tough, but you gotta do it. And you're not always you know, you're not going to be best buds with everybody. You try, but you can't always be, especially in these jobs. George, I sent it to you privately when you announced your retirement. Let me

say it publicly now. I am such a big fan, not only of your work, but the way that you've conducted yourself while doing that work over the years. It's been a real inspiration to those of us who have been in broadcasting in this town. Congratulations on a tremendous career. I hope you continue to do some stuff in the media,

because I'll be watching and listening if you do. Thanks for your time, today, Dan, thanks so much, and come from you, that means a lot because I feel the same way about you and the way you've done it. And I almost said, when you ask me that question, it's like you've done a heck of a job of that as well, and telling it like it is, but not going overboard and being you know, mister harshaw on people and able to maintain those relationships and treat people

with respect. So coming from you, that means everything, and I appreciate you having me. I hope there's some golf in our future. There will be Thank thos. Both podcasts is brought to you by Paycorps. More than twenty nine thousand customers trust Paycorps to help them recruit, pay, engage, and retain employees. Learn more at paycorps dot com. Now time for our fifth edition of the three round mock

Draft with an NFL Expert. Here's the concept. When I attended the NFL Combine several weeks ago, I had the Pro Football Focus mock Draft simulator set up on my laptop and invited several NFL experts to make the Bengals picks in the first three rounds. If you've never tried a mock Draft simulator before it allows you to play Bengals GM for as many rounds of the draft as you want. The simulator begins making picks in order, and then when it's your turn, you can make trades or

go ahead and pick. It's a good way to get to know the players who might be available when the Bengals are on the clock. In late April, Dane Brugler from The Athletic chose Maryland cornerback Deante Banks in the first round, Northwestern defensive lineman at A Tommy wah at A Barre in the second, and Iowa tight end Sam Laporta in the third. He received an A minus grade

from Pro Football Focus. Pete Prisco from CBS Sports chose Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid in round one, Washington State linebacker day On Henley in round two, and by U offensive tackle Blake Freeland in round three. He received a b. Ryan Fowler from The Draft Network chose Oregon State tight end Luke Musgraven round one, Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergerroud in round two, and Maryland cornerback Jacorean Bennett in round three.

He received a B minus and Charles Davis from CBS picked Kincaid in round one, Illinois safety Sydney Brown and round two, and u AB running back Dwayne McBride in round three. He was a good sport when his second and third round grades got C minus and D minus grades. Now time four contestant number five. It is great to be joined by my guy, Austin Gale, now with the ring formerly of PF back on the West coast. We

mission Cincinnati. But in any case, kind of you to join me here at the NFL Scouting Combine to do a three round Bengals mock draft trades allowed, so we are making picks twenty eight, sixty and ninety two. You worked at PF, so you know how this works. I'm about to hit start draft on the mock simulators. So borderbacks are going. I've seen three quarterbacks go already. Oh Michael Mayer. Bengals fans are gonna wish he was still around at twenty eight. He is not. We have reached

the twenty eighth pick in the first round. I'm going to scroll back a little bit on this screen so you can see the guys that were just taken. What do you think of some of those guys that just went off the board. Immediately, my eyes go to Jacksville Jaguars. At twenty four, they take Osiris Torrance, the offensive guard. I think he can play, he can play center. I think he's going to be a guard in the NFL. Literally, if you built an NFL guard in a lab, he'll

look like Osiris Torrance. And I know that the since Mangal specifically have more needs at tack gold than they do into your offensive line, but that is such a value if they can get him, indeed at twenty eight. So see him come off the board right at twenty four. I think he's a bit tough to see us a bank if you are a Bengals fan. I also like Tyry Stevenson. I think he's a quarterback with long arms

coming out of a Miami cornerback. I think is a very big value pick in this draft, specifically in the first round. Bengals picking at twenty eight, I think should be looking at cornerback. There were going to be a lot of guys. Joey Porter Junior just measured in here at the Indianapolis Combine with thirty four inch arms, eighty

five inch wingspan or whatever it is. You also have Julius Brands out of Kent State, who has some big arms, Like, there is some really really talented you talking about built in the lab, really talented cornerback prospects here. So seeing Tyr Stevenson off the board, Osiris Torrans off the board, Michael Mayor, obviously I know the Bengals want a tight end.

I'm interesting to see who we have available, all right, So we moved to the guys there are still available list and you can discuss some of these guys as I scrolled out. So Klajia Cancy is going to be, you know, PF's top guy available here. I think p F is a lot higher on can't see the Pittsburgh defensive tackle then the league will be He did run a blazing forty time. However, under thirty one inch arms.

There hasn't been a single defensive lineman in the NFL over the last ten years to play more than six hundred snaps in the single season with other under thirty one inch arms. So he's a legitimate outlier. And normally you don't see those guys really come off the board in the top thirty, top forty picks. I think he's more of a top of Day two, guy still ranked fourteenth on PFF's board, so one of the top available. You also have Andre Carter, the edge defender out of Army.

I don't think he's had a really great combine thus far. So that's a little bit concerning Dalton Kincaide, someone that I think a lot of people like, the tight end out of Utah. My buddy at the Ringer, Danny Kelly, compared him to Travis Kelsey, so a lot of people really like him. Obviously Cincinnati fans there as well. But if you scroll back up here, Deontay Banks cornerback in Maryland, you know I said I want corner. I value corner in this draft. Deontay Banks just leaped broad jumped eleven

feet four inches for one second. That was the second best time or second best jump of any cornerback or any player in the NFL, behind Byron Jones. And then right after that you have Julius Brent of ken staatego eleven six but still really impressive for John Tay Banks, extremely explosive, extremely fast to getting phase. I think he's going to be a guy at the back end the first round everyone should look for. I think I'm going Banks here at twenty eight. Well, Banks be there at

number twenty eight. It's looking iffy. In their latest mock drafts, mel Kiper has him going seventeenth to the Steelers, Todd McShay says twenty third to the Vikings, and Daniel Jeremiah goes with number twenty four to the Jaguars. It sounds like it could be. Don't get your hopes up pick for the Bengals. Now time for Austin Gaels second round selection. We're up to pick number fifty five. Darnell Washington, the

big tight end, just went to the Lions. I think a lot of people expect him to go higher than that. But in any case, let's take a look at some of the guys that just went before the Bengals pick at number sixty, so Moredy having some buyer's remorse seeing the pick after we went Banks, Nolan Smith, the Georgia defensive end that literally broke the combine record for forty yard dash at defensive defensive line. Washington off the board at fifty five. Little bit like a little bit rough

to see. Like there's a lot of talent I think in the second round. I've talked to a lot of draft media and also even scouts that mentioned, hey, this class isn't that good, right, This class isn't that good at the top. But the depth in this class is

I think where people are going to have value. I wouldn't be surprised too, even just a tangent off this to see people trade back into this round, specifically trade out of the first into the second round to pick up picks to go attack the depth in this class. So a little bit concerning, not concerning, but sucks to see so many good players come off the board, but

looking at a midst to see who have available. Andre Carter again still available for whatever reason, it may be Nathaniel dell if the Bengals did have a need at receiver and wanted to bring in a guy that I comed into a more polished Marquise Brown. And I know Marquise Brown hasn't been overly successful in the league's injuries have been a part of that. He obviously has flipped teams as well. I think Nathaniel Dell Man because it immediately a guy that steps into the slot and is

super productive. I already see my guys though. Dayon Henley, the Washington State off ball linebacker, extremely explosive, extremely fast. Henley's a guy like and then I don't even know how to pronounce this guy's full name, but I call him Ada. Ada the guy at a Northwestern who everyone made this big deal of cancy running the time that he did at two or eighty one pounds, and he was in the four six seven range ade ade at a Northwestern beat his time at the same way and

had better jumps and all that stuff. This guy is a freak of nature. I think getting him at this value is the way to go. I know that's attacking defensive line to have a lot of studds in Cincinnati, but I think that's a position to premium position that you constantly need to restock with athletes. I think the Northwestern Ada is who I go here at sixty is at a Tommy wa At a bare who ran an insane four four nine forty yard dash at the combine, a record for anybody at or above two hundred and

eighty pounds. He's ranked number forty one overall on the PF Big Board. So a cornerback in round one and an edge rusher in round two. Time for Austin Gals. Third and final pick. It is number ninety two overall, and we are seeing names go off the board. Rashi Rice, a speedy wide receiver from SMU, has just selected Eli Ricks out of Alabama just went off the board. We have reached the Bengals third round pick pick number ninety two. Take a look at some of the guys that just went.

You see some of the receivers come off the board in this round. I think are a little small, right like Jaden Reid, small but fast, Nathaniel Dell, small but fast and get open. I think that's where you're gonna see those types come off the board in this class. Guys that man, I don't think he'll ever be an x orra Z at the NFL level, but in the slot I think he can do some damage other players coming off the board in this range. He saw Hendon Hooker come off the board in this round three. I

think he is a round three round four player. Despite the age. Everyone talks about the age. He was also one one of the most absurd college offenses that I think I've ever seen. They line up their receivers that like far far far along the sideline of vanc can see how Hooker adapts the NFL looking at who we have available. Carl Brooks, the Bowling Green defensive lineman I know, is someone that went to the Senior Bowl and lit it on fire. So everyone is high on Carl Brooks

coming at the Senior Bowl. I don't think a lot of people were going into the week. Nick Herbig, the edge defender out of Wisconsin, undersized. I don't really know where to play him right. I don't think I'll play him on the edge, a pollowing play him at off ball linebacker. I know we already took Audia auDA out of Northwestern. We could have took day On Henley there. Sam Laporta is a tight end. I think a lot of people like in a deep deep tight end class. However,

they need a pass catching tight end. Man. I don't think you want to bring in the guy similar with what they have with Drew Sample and that he's gonna come in and block, and they want someone who's gonna go get catches for this offense. Sidney Brown one of the most Maybe this isn't the best word to us, but the most jacked players in this class. Sydney Brown is a monster dude, like a workout warrior. So is his brother. He also played for Illinois, the running back

Chase Brown. Now we're looking at Trevias Hodges Tomlinson, who I think has potential to be a legitimate, legitimate slot cornerback in the NFL. I think he had just under thirty inch arms when he measured in here at the combine. For me, one of the best football players in this class, one of the best slots in this class, after Devin Witherspoon. I know we already picked corner, but that's a position

where I like to really double down. I'm tempted. But then I see right here, right now, we just heard, we already have heard how the Bengals are looking at Joe Mixon. I think there's been some conversation around maybe he isn't back next year. Devin A. Chain out of Texas A and M is a firework man. This guy has some of the best speed in the draft class. I think he's going to be one of the best like risers out of this class. I'm I'm gonna take

him now before the hype comes up. I'm taking Devon to Chain out of Texas at m here in the third d Von A Chain from Texas A and m is one of the top running back prospects in this draft after rushing for more than eleven hundred yards last year. He's not very big at five eight and a half and one hundred eighty eight pounds, but he can fly. His four three two forty yard dash at the combine

was the fourth fastest ever for a running back. A Chain average six point four yards per carry in his three college seasons and had a pair of kick return touchdowns. Now let's find out how PF graded those picks. It's looking pretty good. What do you think we got a B plus for a running back pick in the top one hundred from PF. I think that's a pretty big win obviously, and then getting Deonte Banks. Are always gonna love taking corner rain like that's a premium position in

the first round. Like I worked at PFF, I know how this simulator works taking premium positions early. So getting a corner and an edge defender. I think Ada could play on the inside, who knows, but getting a corner and edge offender, those are always going to be highly graded. Seeing the B plus on the running back pick of Devin to Chain, I think that's the biggest win of this draft man. We picked a running back inside the top one hundred, and we're still getting good grades. Overall

draft grade and a minus. I'll take it. You have tied for the highest overall draft grade thus far with Dame Brougler from The Athletic. Congratulations on a great three round mock draft. I appreciate it. If I'm in the same sentence as Dame Brugler of The Athletic, I feel pretty good. Austin Gale, always great to speak with you.

Thanks for the time, of course, thank you. That's going to do it for this episode of the Bengals Booth podcast, brought to you by Kettering Health, the official healthcare provider of the Bengals, by Bengals Picks and Ultimate Bengal. They're free to play with tickets and signed merchandise up for grabs by pay Corps, the official HR software provider of the Bengals, and by Alta Fiber future Proof Fiber Internet

elevate your connection with Alta Fiber. If you haven't done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and if you have a minute, give it a rating or share a comment that helps more Bengals fans find us. I'm Dan Horde, and thanks for listening to the Bengals Booth podcast