CINCINNATI -- Everybody knew the Bengals had to do something to make their franchise quarterback Joe Burrow feel more secure in the pocket in 2022. With the signing of free agent right tackle La'el Collins, they've managed to overhaul three of their five starting positions along the offensive line and appear poised to enter next season with a line that will indeed do a better job of protecting Burrow next season. Collins joins new center Ted Karras and right guard Alex Cappa in forming a front t...
Mar 23, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals are in the market for a new tight end after C.J. Uzomah left for a three-year, $24 million deal with the New York Jets. What are the options for the Bengals now? Trags talks with Jay Morrison of The Athletic for some insight and some names that are likely on the Bengals' radar. Also: The Bengals upgraded their offensive line significantly on Day 1 Monday Why choosing B.J. Hill over Larry Ogunjobi makes sense Who will Bengals target in the secondary and is Eli...
Mar 15, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 2
INDIANAPOLIS -- In the opening episode of Season 2 of the Jungle Roar Podcast, Trags talks with James Rapien of AllBengals.com and the LockedOn Podcast to discuss how the Bengals are likely to actually go about improving in the offensive line. Also, how will the Bengals use the NFL Combine to strengthen other areas of their roster? Getting Joe Burrow some much needed help Improving the secondary at the other corner spot Is J.C. Jackson a realistic option for Bengals if he hits free agency? Learn...
Mar 03, 2022•16 min•Season 2Ep. 1
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals, fresh from their first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years, now have the challenge of tweaking their roster to get back to the big game and finishing the job in 2022. Trags spends 30 minutes chatting with Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer about the possible path of doing exactly that, and it starts with Jessie Bates. Starting Tuesday, they have the chance to franchise their starting safety. Will they? What are the chances the two sides work out an exten...
Feb 21, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 31
LOS ANGELES -- The Bengals are back in the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years and on Sunday in Super Bowl LVI they will attempt to bring home the Vince Lombardi trophy for the first time in their 54-year history. Trags is joined by James Rapien of AllBengals.com and LockedOn Bengals to break down the details that will decide if they can bring the Jungle Roar home and celebrate a Super Bowl win over the Los Angeles Rams. Trags and James discuss: What will be needed to contain Aaron Donald ...
Feb 10, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 30
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals are in their first Super Bowl in 33 years after a stunning overtime win against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. But leave it to Tom Brady to steal some of the spotlight this week as his hand was forced and he formally announced his retirement Tuesday via Instagram. Trags, who covered Brady for 20 of his 22 NFL seasons, is joined by his former Patriots beat colleague and CLNS Media teammate Evan Lazar to discuss how badly the announcement was handled sinc...
Feb 02, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 29
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing in their first AFC Championship since 1988 when they visit Arrowhead Stadium Sunday to take on the two-time defending AFC champion Chiefs. The Bengals are 2-0 in AFC Championship games, having beaten the San Diego Chargers in 1981 and the Buffalo Bills in 1988. Both games were at Riverfront Stadium. But the Bengals finally have a road win notched on their playoff belt and hope they can make it two straight Sunday. The Chiefs beat the Titans an...
Jan 25, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 28
CINCINNATI -- Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson says Cincinnati's AFC Divisional playoff against Tennessee this weekend will be the tough run game they've faced all season. Starting with Derrick Henry, who is expected back after missing nine games with a foot injury, and continuing with D'Onta Foreman, the Titans run behind a massive offensive line. The Bengals defensive line, without Larry Ogunjobi, must counter. Offensively, Joe Burrow might have some downfield opportunities against a Titans sec...
Jan 18, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 27
CINCINNATI -- The AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals this Saturday have their ninth chance to win a playoff game since their last postseason win on Jan. 6, 1991, a 41-14 rout of the Houston Oilers at Riverfront Stadium. The opportunity comes against the Las Vegas Raiders, the same franchise - two cities removed - that started the eight-game losing streak over 31 years and two days. On Jan. 13, 1991, the Bengals lost to Bo Jackson and the Raiders at the L.A. Coliseum, 20-10. They then lost to ...
Jan 12, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 26
CINCINNATI -- In the wake of the greatest season in the 137 years of Cincinnati Bearcats football, Trags talks with Justin Williams, on the Bearcats beat for The Athletic. Trags reflects on what made the 13-1 season so special for the players, coaches and, of course, fans. Trags and Williams also look ahead to what's in store in 2022 and how head coach Luke Fickell could possibly orchestrate an encore to its breakthrough year that ended with a disappointing loss, 27-6, to Alabama in the Cotton B...
Jan 06, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 25
CINCINNATI -- With the Bengals entering the final weekend of the 2021 season having already clinched their fifth AFC North championship, what to do with Joe Burrow? Do they play for the chance at a No. 1 or 2 seed that would give them either a bye week or at least another home game if they win in the first round? Do they not take any chances, rest their star and start anew in the playoffs? Was the win over the Chiefs the best ever in the 20-year history of Paul Brown Stadium? So much to discuss ...
Jan 05, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 24
CINCINNATI -- In this episode, former Cincinnati Bearcats star quarterback Tony Pike joins Trags to discuss how the No. 4 Bearcats need to play a near-perfect game but have the skill to do it and beat No. 1 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl and advance to the CFP Championship on Jan. 10 in Indianapolis. Also: Sauce Gardner on Jameson Williams will be worth price of admission Heisman winner Bryce Young vs. Desmond Ridder Bearcats getting after Alabama QB is key Who kicks for UC and why it matters Luke F...
Dec 28, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 23
CINCINNATI -- Inconsistency has defined the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals. Can they shake it over the final four regular season games to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2015? Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer joins Trags to discuss why these Bengals are so very difficult to figure out. Also: Sunday was one of Joe Burrow's best games yet as a pro How to fix the offensive line Figuring out how the Bengals win their final four games Zac Taylor deserves credit for keeping this group on ...
Dec 14, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 22
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have a chance to get back on the right track this Sunday in the finale of a three-game homestand but they'll have to beat back Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers. How will Zac Taylor and the Bengals attack Kyle Shanahan's offense? How will Joe Burrow bounce back this week? Trags talks with the NFL Network's Mike Giardi about how the Bengals could be on the path to the playoffs. Also: What is it about Jimmy G that is so effective? What can the Bengals do to appl...
Dec 08, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 21
CINCINNATI -- Trags and James Rapien of AllBearcats and AllBengals discuss how the city of Cincinnati will be the epicenter of the football world this weekend as the Cincinnati Bearcats look to make college football history as the first non-Power 5 team to be selected for the four-team college football playoff. To do so, the 12-0 No. 4 Bearcats must first beat 11-1 and 16th ranked Houston in the AAC title game at Nippert Stadium. If the Bearcats win, they will find their fate at noon on Sunday a...
Dec 03, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals picked a really good time to get back to their winning ways Sunday in Vegas. And Zac Taylor had the faith to not give up on what he believed would be the winning strategy. Therein lies a critical lesson about these Bengals and their head coach. They believe in one another. I discuss this and much more with longtime Bengals.com beat writer Geoff "Butch" Hobson. Also: The Bengals might have really found something big in right guard Hakeem Adeniji Don't judge Joe Burrow by...
Nov 23, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 19
CINCINNATI -- With the Cincinnati Bengals entering the final eight games of the season with a 5-4 mark, they are still in prime position to make a playoff run for the first time since 2015. They have to shore up their defense and be much more consistent on offense. How will they go about this? Trags talks Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon and Jessie Bates III with Mo Egger of ESPN1530. We also talk: Why the Bengals need to do a better job of finding Chris Evans How Bengals can improve a woeful running game ...
Nov 17, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 18
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals are at their bye with a 5-4 mark. But it feels so much worse after the last two weeks. Trags is joined by veteran Bengals observer and reporter Lindsay Patterson to explain why these Bengals are different and will use the break to regroup for a run to the playoffs in the second half. Plus: What it will take for Joe Burrow to eliminate the interceptions and sharpen his game Why D.J. Reader and the defense will continue their dominant run from the first half Why Tyler Boy...
Nov 09, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 17
CINCINNATI -- Coming off their most disappointing loss in the Zac Taylor era - which came off their most resounding win under Taylor - the Bengals look to return to the kind of defense and complementary football that has, for the most part, defined their hopeful 2021 season. They'll need every bit of it, especially on defense, if they're to contain the No. 1 rushing team in the NFL and beat their archrival Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. This is a season-defining game heading into the by...
Nov 04, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 16
CINCINNATI -- After their dominating performance in Baltimore, the Bengals deserve to be considered among contenders in the AFC. How will they handle it? Will it be their defense to lead the way? And we explain why Joe Mixon a front-runner. Also: Lou Anarumo has taken the training wheels off his defense and opposing offenses should be concerned. The tight end is suddenly a position opposing defenses really need to be concerned about. No time for any let-up or trap with the Jets game coming up be...
Oct 26, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 15
CINCINNATI -- If the Cincinnati Bengals are the team they believe they are, a win this week in Baltimore would not only convince themselves, it would start making believers of those around the NFL. Trags welcomes back James Rapien of the AllBengals.com, SINow and the LockedOnBengals daily podcast to discuss how the Bengals can get the job done in Crab Cake City. Also: Why the Bengals should make a very serious play for LB Whitney Mercilus Chris Evans deserves to be Bengals No. 2 feature back How...
Oct 19, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 14
CINCINNATI -- In Episode 13, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer joins Trags to talk about the Joe Mixon leadership factor and the urgency the Bengals must show this weekend in Detroit to rebound from an OT loss to the Green Bay Packers. Conway and Trags also talk: How the Bengals offense gets jump-started How defensive line coach Marion Hobby has sparked greatness from his unit Lou Anarumo the boxing fan and defensive coordinator The Cincinnati Bearcats are legit, says a certain UC alum Me...
Oct 13, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 13
CINCINNATI -- Fresh from their 24-21 last-second win over the winless Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bengals now turn their attention to Aaron Rodgers and the suddenly hot Green Bay Packers. After the Pack was embarrassed 38-3 by the Saints on opening day, they have rebounded to win three straight, including Sunday's convincing win over the Steelers at Lambeau Field. What will the Bengals need to do to contain him. Trags welcomes in Bengals expert Jay Morrison of The Athletic to discuss what challeng...
Oct 05, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 12
CINCINNATI -- No one offers any better perspective on the four charter members of the Bengals Ring of Honor than Dave Lapham. He came into the NFL in 1974 and played for Paul Brown. He protected Ken Anderson. He played alongside Anthony Munoz. He played with Ken Riley. All four will be inducted into the Ring of Honor Thursday night as the Bengals host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium. In addition, Thursday marks the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1981 AFC Champion team that lo...
Sep 28, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 11
CINCINNATI -- It's the first of two Steeler weeks and the Bengals are coming off a very disappointing effort in a 20-17 loss to the Bears in Chicago. The offense looked completely out of sync and the quarterback and receivers don't appear to be on the same page as the offensive coordinator and head coach. How do the Bengals go about changing that? Defense is carrying this team in many ways Joe Burrow and receivers need to get on same page with HC and OC Getting Joe Mixon in gear in Pittsburgh is...
Sep 21, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 10
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals didn't make it easy on their fan base Sunday, but it sure was entertaining. Joe Burrow made a clutch throw and Evan McPherson kicked the Bengals to a 27-24 overtime win. Bengals longtime beat writer Paul Dehner of The Athletic joins Trags to break it all down, and why this could be an interesting season going forward. * Joe Burrow's leadership shines through * A rebuilt defense appears to be legit * Andy Dalton with the Bears will be different than the version seen last...
Sep 14, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 9
CINCINNATI -- The 2021 regular season is finally here for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Now we can finally look and see what these Bengals are capable of achieving on the field after an offseason of changes and heightened expectations. What should we really expect from Joe Burrow to start the season? How big a role will Joe Mixon provide and can he be a modern-day James Brooks? How critical are the first four games for the rest of the season? How much fun will this Bengals defense be to...
Sep 07, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 8
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals are already making adjustments to their 53-man roster after Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline. How will their 53-man roster work to best fit their needs to open the 2021 season against Minnesota? Where are the priorities on this roster? How much pressure is on the younger players to take this roster to the next level? Trags talks all that and much more with Bengals expert blogger and observer Joe Goodberry. How much will Joe Burrow have to take on his own shoulders? Is the offe...
Sep 02, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 7
CINCINNATI -- With the Bengals approaching their final preseason game on national TV Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, three major questions remain: Who will be the right guard? When will Joe Burrow take the field? What do we make of the sudden case of the drops for rookie Ja'Marr Chase? Also, has this Bengals roster taken a turn from filling holes to filling depth? Should the Bengals have done more to OLine and is that showing now? Trags talks with Jake Liscow of the LockedOnBengals daily podcast c...
Aug 24, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 6
CINCINNATI -- There was a lot to be encouraged by in the Bengals' 19-14 preseason win over the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, not the least of which was an aggressive defense that generated pressure and closed out a win, something that has been a rarity in the Zac Taylor era. In the latest episode of the Jungle Roar podcast, Trags breaks it all down with Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, who was on the scene covering it all. Among the topics: Bengals D newfound e...
Aug 17, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5
