Cincy 360 -- 4/19/24

Austin is out, Drew is in. On today's show Tony talks to comedian Blake Wexler, Tommy G and Charlie Goldsmith stop by, look at the weekend ahead in the sports world, plus, your talkbacks, and more!

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Is Skyline Chile. Since he threeto sixty about Cincinnati from Cincinnati, sponsored
in part by Skyline Chile. Stopby Skyline Chili for a three way or
cheese coney today. Feeling good,It's Skyline Time. This is ESPN fifteen
thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station. Allright here we go, Welcome in Happy

(00:21):
Friday, since He three sixty ESPNfifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station. A
service of our good friends. It'sSkyline Chili, or anytime you're feeling good
and hungry, it's always Skyline Time. So happy, so excited to have
you along right here on ESPN fifteenthirty or via the iHeartRadio app. However
you find and listen to this show. It is greatly greatly appreciated. Leave

(00:45):
us a talkback today the Friday editionof talkbacks. Those will come up in
our number two. Outside of that, a very busy day on Sincy three
sixty. We didn't get to himyesterday. We will get to him today.
Bob man Jean at the University ofSince from Novacare, We'll join us
in our number three. Talk aboutall seasons, talk about relaxing, talking

(01:07):
about the grind from a collegiate athleteto a rookie professional athlete in what that
looks like. We'll talk to Bob, We'll talk to Charlie Goldsmith. Charlie
goes at two o'clock today because Ibelieve Duke Tobin is speaking sometime before that,
So instead of Charlie as we normallyget him at one, we get
him at two, which means TomGallaider, the voice of FC Cincinnati,

(01:29):
will join us at the top ofour number two right before your talkbacks and
to finish up our number one.The second time we've had this gentleman in
studio. National touring comedian Blake Wexleris in town. He's at Go Bananas
this weekend. He came in inhis last trip to Cincy where he was
filming a special for YouTube. Ibelieve Blake is going to stop by at

(01:52):
the end of the first hour andtalk about everything he's got going on,
as well as some sports related topicswith Blake. So that's everything along with
your talkbacks. Moegger will be infor quick hits also our NBA Playoff special
locks of the weekend, so youwant to be tuned in for all of

(02:14):
that. In between everything we justmentioned and right now five one, three,
seven, four, nine, fifteen, thirty phone lines are open.
No Austin today, He's on somebachelor party trip. Probably not. He's
actually probably not listening right now.He's probably listening to the new Taylor Swift
album and he's he's locked himself ina room somewhere. But without Austin,

(02:38):
that means Drew is in here.Drew, what's up? How are you
today? Happy Friday, Tony,I'd be Friday doing well. Happy to
be here as always, great tohave you here as we recap everything that
happened and everything that is happening insports here in segment number one. That
is a service of our friends atKlaus Roofing. Thanks to them, visit

(02:58):
them at krs Sincy with a ydot comkrssinse dot com thanks to Klaus Roofing.
Drew, you know about this becauseyou're a Dayton basketball fan and this
is the time of the year wherethe portal starts to pick up again.
NCA just came down with a rulingover the last twenty four to forty eight

(03:20):
hours that transfers are going to gainimmediate eligibility as long as they're in good
standings from an academic standpoint, Ibelieve Dayton's already seen that Kobe Brea is
in the portal, and I thinkhe's getting looks from pretty much every major
program out there. For a schoollike Dayton drew, how how stressful,
how unique is this time because youknow, when you are at schools,

(03:43):
you have guys that have really goodyears and then they go to a bigger
school and try to cash in andmake more money. What's the landscape of
Dayton basketball right now? So it'stough. Dayton's in a pretty tough position
with where they are as a programbecause while they I do think they're one
of the better, you know,middle tier, small tiers college basketball programs,
you still can't compete with a programlike a Yukon or a Duke or

(04:08):
as it's been rumored, as I'veseen today, Kentucky and those were the
first three schools that I saw listedof teams that have reached out to Kobe
brew when he entered the transfer portal, and he said on senior day that
he was going to be coming backto Dayton and then lo and behold,
Yeah, once one of these programsthrows a six figure sum atch you to
go play and maybe go win anational championship. Feelings can change. So

(04:30):
I don't begrudge Kobe Brea for makingthe decision. You know, is it
is his right, as is withany player in college basketball nowadays. I
wish him luck, but obviously it'sit's a tough time, and you know,
Dayton's kind of in a like,we don't really know what this thing's
gonna look like come November. Ishas Doron Holmes said if he's gonna come

(04:53):
back yet? So he has notcome out and said anything. I believe
the deadline to enter the NBA Draftis coming up short Lee, so it'll
be interesting to see. From whatI've heard, and what I've gathered is
that he's probably either going to gopro or he's going to come back.
Okay, I don't think he willenter the transfer portal and go to a
different program. I think he iseither going to the draft or coming back

(05:15):
to Dayton. Which Deron Holmes isone of the very very unique college basketball
players in today's day and age,and I don't think you're going to see
a lot of guys like him aswe move forward into the future. Other
portal news right now, there wasa report out there earlier that Jeremy Roach,
who is leaving Duke, is lookingfor one point five million in NIL
deals. Now he came out andsaid, I wish So if that number

(05:39):
stone out there, you're looking seveneight hundred thousand, maybe a million dollars
for a guy like Jeremy Roach.There's just not a lot of schools that
can compete with that. There's alsoportal news, as we pretty much came
on the show today about the XavierMusketeers and their guard des Claude. Desmond

(05:59):
Claw has officially entered the transfer portalfrom the University of Xavier. So for
Xavier University, this is this isbig news. This is a big deal
for Xavier. Desk Claude was apreseason All Big East nominated player last year.
It is a for Xavier. Iwould imagine this is a tough one

(06:25):
to take. I think des Claudeis a legit future NBA prospect and losing
a des Claude who in the BigEast last year averaged nearly seventeen points a
game, four rebounds, and threeand a half assist, that's a huge
loss for the Xavier Musketeer. Xavierdid add Dante Maddox Junior and Marcus Foster,

(06:46):
both at the guard position in theportal, so maybe they had an
idea that this was coming, butnonetheless tough news for the Xavier Musketeers as
they lose des Claude, and alsotough news for the Kentucky Wildcats. In
the span of about three hours lastnight, it was announced that Kenny Payne,

(07:06):
former assistant to coach Cal at Kentucky, also the former Louisville coach who
had just been let go. KennyPayne, who was rumored to maybe land
in Kentucky, is joining coach Calin Arkansas. And shortly after that,
Reed Shepherd, son of Jeff Shepherd, Kentucky legend. Reed Shepherd had a

(07:27):
phenomenal freshman year and if you followedalong with Mark Pope's early press conferences,
you would have thought that there washope that Reed Shepherd was going to return.
I thought it was a possibility.It seemed fifty to fifty to me.
At the end of the day,Read Shepherd is announced that he's going

(07:48):
to the NBA. It's the smartmove. Let's be honest. Reed Shepherd
is a professional. The way hehandles pressure, the way he can facilitate
He was on a NBA point guardat Kentucky this year, the way he
helped others around that team. Buta tough day for the Kentucky Wildcats to
have Kenny Payne go to Arkansas andto have Reed Shepherd leave to go to

(08:15):
the NBA. That, on topof desh Claude. Deon Sanders is downplaying
the mass exodus that Colorado received.It it is the wild wild. I've
said this many times. It's it'sthe wild wild Western college sports right now
and that does not seem to bechanging anytime soon. We'll talk to Tommy
g about FC Cincinnati there in Atlantatomorrow, Reds and Angels tonight. What

(08:39):
is your level of concern? Leaveus a talk back. Let us know
what's your level of concern right nowat the Cincinnati Reds, it's only eighteen
games into the season. They're nineto nine. It's too early to hit
the panic button. But a bigseries at home and an Angels team that
is hovering right around five hundred aswell. Mike Trout is one of the

(09:00):
greatest players to ever play the game. Mike Trout is also playing really well
to start this season. Drew Iasked Austin about this. We had a
conversation about this yesterday. Baseball doesnot do a good enough job. And
I know that he's on the WestCoast, so it's different. In my
opinion, Baseball has never done MikeTrout a service because he should be a

(09:20):
household name across the country. He'sone of the greatest baseball players to ever
live. His stats show that,and yet unless you live out on the
West Coast, you don't get tosee much of Mike Trout. Is Mike
Trout Drew the type of player thateven if you're maybe not following along here,
you don't go to many Reds games. Is he the type of player

(09:41):
you go to the ballpark one timethis weekend just to see Mike Trout?
Yes, he is, and Ihave. When the All Star Game was
here in Cincinnati in twenty fifteen,I made it a point to go to
watch him. Like it was youknow, getting to see all the other
great players in baseball was great andall that, and going to the home
run derby and watching Time Fraser win. It was a lot of fun.

(10:01):
But the main draw for me,as someone who loves baseball and has loved
baseball since I was a little kid. I wanted to go watch Mike Trout
play, and that's why I haveto get this weekend ye to go see
him play. You know, Iwant to. I'm going on Sunday and
I want to watch Mike Trout playbaseball because that is truly greatness in a
baseball player. He is one ofthe best. And yes, has the

(10:24):
MLB kind of dropped the ball withpromoting him to an extent, I think,
But I also think the team thathe plays for doesn't do him any
favors. And I also think MikeTrout kind of has to bear a little
bit of the brunt of this.He's not exactly an electric personality, you
know. I think he just kindof wants to wake up in the morning,
eat breakfast, hit baseballs, andthen, you know, in the

(10:45):
offseason go to Philadelphia Eagles games.I think that's pretty much the extent of
the life that Mike Trout wants tolive. But you know, if he
played for if the Angels were good, I think he would be a little
bit more marketable. But I alsodon't think he's necessarily the most marketable athlete
now. Granted, outside of lookingat like, look how good this guy
is at baseball. But there's alot of guys that are like that.

(11:05):
You you look at that that heis in the same vein as when Michael
Jordan was still playing, or ifLebron was coming to town, or Otani
or Tom Brady, Guys that youjust want to go see because you want
to see greatness. And you don'thave to be an Angels fan. You
don't have to be, you know, a fan of Hope. You just
if you're a fan of the gamein the sport. You know Messi coming

(11:26):
to Cincinnati, those types of things, you want to go just because you
want to witness greatness in person andsay that you did. And that's the
opportunity you have with the Angels intown this weekend, starting tonight again,
what is your level of concern highor low? To start this young baseball
season? Will get an NBA playin doubleheader tonight Bulls Heat Sacramento in New

(11:50):
Orleans. New Orleans is going tobe without Zion Williamson. What am Miami
will be without Jimmy Butler, althoughI've seen Miami has already booked a trip
to Boston for tomorrow eleven am.Oh, there's the confidence, So the
confidence is already there. Those twogames will play in the winner of each
game, there will be the eightseed in the respective conferences in the Eastern

(12:11):
and Western Conference, and then theNBA playoff field will be set. And
we're going to have a n NFLconversation today, not particularly you know,
with who the Bengals are going totake at eighteen, but I want to
have the conversation of a draft strategyof biggest team need versus best versus best

(12:33):
value for that first pick. Right, it's easy to say, well,
the Bengals got to have a righttackle or the Bengals got to have an
interior defensive lineman, because that's thebiggest hole, that's the biggest team need.
What if you get to eighteen andthere is a wide receiver available that
maybe you had grated as a topten wide receiver, At what point does

(12:56):
value trump need in the NFL draft. We'll talk about that from a Bengals
standpoint. We've got so much goingon with guests, with callers, with
talkbacks. Let's get our first breakin. Let's come back. Who opening
up the phone lines to U five, one, three, seven, four,
nine, fifteen thirty. We'll takeyour phone calls on the other side
of this break, since he threeto sixty. The Friday edition a service

(13:20):
of Skyline Chile on ESPN fifteen thirtyCincinnati Sports Station. Now your chance to
win up now, since he threeto sixty resumes brought to you by Safe
Auto, Give us three minutes saveup to twenty five percent on ESPN fifteen
thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. Two ballsand no rock Simeon both times he reached,
he scores, and he might scorehere. He's a flyball deep in

(13:43):
the left fit since green back tothe wall, he leaps, can't get
it. Home run Marcus Simeon histhird of the year. We start the
game with a leadoff home run?What nothing, Texas. That was a
fun game yesterday. Uh. Notthe ideal first start for Jack Lighter.
He got roughed up a little bityesterday with the Texas Rangers, but Rangers

(14:05):
did find a way to win thatgame nine to seven. A very light
slate of games, only four gamesplayed yesterday, obviously a getaway day or
off day for a lot of teams. One of the teams that did play
yesterday was the Angels, who fellto the Rays to to one. That
means the Angels come into town tonight. Nick Lodolo is taking the mound for

(14:28):
the Reds. Tyler Anderson taking themound for the Angels. Thirty four years
old, but a two to onerecord with a one point four to seven
e RA early in the season.We'll wait and see if we get a
Reds lineup at any point today.But no game yesterday means we're a little
lighter on the Reds today. Solet's take a couple of calls. Mark

(14:50):
is calling in. What's up?Mark? Okay, I got a Bengals
question. Yeah, you know thered has been played yesterday either wait o,
wait after this weekend. But myBeagles question is, since they decided
to bring Bom Bail back, whichwas a great decision, will he be

(15:11):
a star or will he play behindJordan Battle? Because to me, unless
he's on the field at the sametime as this Geno Stone guy, you
know the issues that were happening lastyear, Yeah, they don't get fixed
unless he's on the field. Sowhat's so take on that? Will he

(15:31):
will he start? I think so? I think the move to bring him
back is to start. I thinkthey will rotate guys. But if you
look at One of the biggest problemswith the defense last year was the communication
on the back end, Guys outof place, players in spots they shouldn't
have been. And you know,when you ran the risk of moving on
from von Bell and Jen and theJesse Bates, you bring two guys back

(15:54):
there with not a lot of experiencethat hurt the Bengals last year. So
I would assume the move is toget von Bell back there. I would
assume that the Geno Stone move isalso part of that. To get more
veteran leadership, to make sure guysare in the right spot, locker room
guys, practice guys, Guys thatcan help these young guys along. I
would assume would be the plan.But it's a good question. I'll ask

(16:18):
Charlie about that later this afternoon aswell. Because there's been a lot about
dox Hill. What does the safetyposition look like? I think it's one
of the more intriguing spots to lookout for the Bengals going into camp.
Okay, one last question. Youknow, I'm I believe in letting the
player go a year earlier than ayear late, like on the T.

(16:40):
Higgins thing. If the organization knowsthey're not going to sign him. They're
not going to pay him what he'sasking for. Wouldn't it make sense to
go ahead and try to make atrade and then try to draft a wide
receiver either in the eat in thesecond round. You can get a good

(17:00):
wide receiver in the second round.Wouldn't that make more sense? You know,
don't hold on to in for anotheryear and then he walks away from
nothing, just like you did withJesse Bates. Sure about how about trying
to get something for me? Yeah? Mark, I appreciate it. Yeah,
Mark, I appreciate the phone call. Look the t Higgins stuff.

(17:22):
I really think it's how the draftplays out. You know, I mentioned
earlier best value versus biggest team need. If there's a value there, the
best value there sitting at eighteen andhe's wide receiver, maybe it does change
the viewpoint. I just don't feellike at this point there is anything that
would lead me to believe that thatwould be the case with the Bengals.

(17:45):
We do have Drew sad News toreport, Yes, around the Bengals,
Jay Morrison. I saw this fromfrom Jay Morrison just now. Others reporting
it as well. Duke Tobin wassupposed to speak to the media at one
o'clock today his pre draft presser thathe does every year. Legendary NFL GM
Bill Tobin, who is obviously thefather of Bengals Director of player Personnel Duke

(18:07):
Tobin, has passed away today.Very sad news to report for Bill Tobin,
which obviously means that the Duke Tobinpress conference will also be canceled today.
Tobin's eighty three years old, joinedthe Bengals as a scouting consultant in
two thousand and three, worked inthe team's player personnel department through twenty twenty

(18:29):
two. Came to Cincinnati after beingthe GM with the Bears. GM of
the Colts. Director of player personnelfor the Lions, Mike Brown called him
a true NFL success story, agood person, considered a good friend,
and said with Bill, I respectedeverything he said. I just took it
as a given. Had an eyefor players and what they could develop into.
If he said a guy was agood player, then he was a

(18:51):
good player. That's all I wouldneed to know. We will miss him
greatly, so that coming from theCincinnati Bengals, also meaning no Duke tobn
press conference later today. Dave iscalling from Florida. What's up, Dave
Hey Toning, Thanks for taking mycall, Yes, sir, Hey,
So, so I got a littledifferent spin on this draft philosophy for this

(19:14):
year, for this team. Andyou know, and I know historically they
don't like to move up. Butif we all believe that this team is
gonna go where it's gonna go forthe next five six years, we're gonna
be drafting late in the draft,down in the thirties, getting that high
second round pick that happens to jumpin the first round because we're you're picking.
So why wouldn't it make sense thisyear being his oat, You've got

(19:37):
a great tackle class and an elitetight end that's up there to try to
move up this year because this ishopefully the highest we're gonna draft in on
the few years and try to getthat guy you want instead of hoping that
he gets there like we like theydo all the time, instead of and
then you settle for Plan B orPlan C and you get at Jackson Carmen.

(20:00):
Yeah, I would. I wouldcertainly see the value in that.
You know, I've been on this, you know, move up a couple
spots and try to get Brock Bowersbecause I think he is a transcendent type
of player. I think he canchange the way your offense operates. I
see the thought process, though ithistorically and I hate the term historically.
It's not what the Bengals do,because you're right, if things go the

(20:22):
right way, you're drafting later anywayin the upcoming years, and if things
go wrong, we're having a wholedifferent conversation. If you're drafting high again
next year, so you've got draftequity, you've got extra picks that you've
received, I would see zero problemin trying to do something like that.
I just don't know historically if that'ssomething the Bengals do. Dave, I
appreciate your phone call. Thanks alot, man. I could see it.

(20:48):
I'd love for it to happen.I just don't trust that it will
happen. Let's get some more phonecalls in here. Greg, what's up?
Greg? How are you? Hey? Tony? Hey? You know
with the chaos now know, withthe portal, the ni L money,
I mean, where do you wheredo you see the just maybe leveling off?
Or we have some rules I don'tand and and who and you know?

(21:11):
Okay? Then and then I mean, who would who would make the
rules? I mean the issue is, you know I I go back to
you know, the NFL years agodid away with the you know, back
to back padded practices, and theyessentially did away with two days. And
you can come out and say,well, the teams don't start nearly as
well as they used to. Butthere's no one in the NFL from a

(21:32):
player standpoint that's going to go backand say, you know what, we
need more padded practices, we needmore to a days. That's just not
going to happen. And there's nevergoing to be an athlete from the NCAA
standpoint to go back and say,you know, we are making too much
money. We do need to puta cap on this. The only thing
I can think of Rick Patino saidit last year. If you're going to
to to not cap N I L, then you have to have a chance

(21:55):
to make these athletes, uh workers, make them sign some type of commitment,
just as you would at any otherjob, that hey, we're gonna
pay you on a two year deal, but here's what you need to live
up to in those two years.Unless you do something like that, you're
gonna have guys collect their money andmove on to a different school at the
first sign of not something not goingtheir way. And that's where to me

(22:18):
it gets dangerous for sports. Allright, Well, you know, you
know, I'm a big you seeguys, so it doesn't bother me too
much the clause leaving. But atthe same time, I mean, there's
basically a small school. Yeah,they can't, they can't afford him.
No anyway, No, Greg,I appreciate it. Man. Hey,
thanks, Tony, you have agood weekend. I think that's a good

(22:38):
point about how like I think you'regonna start seeing written commitments. You have
to to happen because all these kidsare hitting unrestricted free agency every year.
Well that's what happens, I'm guessing, and I don't know the details,
but I know that the last nilinstallment. Jeff Goodman talked about this the
other day. Players are getting paidthis week for their last nil installment.
So a lot of these players aregetting their last ANIL chain and now they

(23:00):
could go back into free agency.That's why you des Claudeley, That's why
you're seeing all this because guys collectedtheir last check. It's incredible, Mike,
what do you got man? What'sup, hey guys. Happy Friday,
Yes, sir, as well,to quote my friend Jeff from Virginia,
the Hino's right. You know,we've got to have some structure on

(23:23):
this nil saying one way or theother, whether it's the contracts or or
some other concoction regarding structure. Butwithout structure, this is like the Wild
West in the eight need to strapon a six shooter and go down and
you get it kills somebody to killthem. And I appreciate how well Cincinnati

(23:45):
has taken to nil, and theyhad to because they've kept a good core
of their basketball roster. But Ijust can't help but think down the road.
You look at these bigger schools.I mean, Jerry Jones, the
owner of the Dallas Cowboys, cameout yesterday and said, I'm I'm willing.
What do you say my hands don'tcramp when I'm writing a check?
He said, I have no problemwriting a check that will double the money

(24:07):
that Arkansas freshman can make. Thatwe're going to go to Kentucky. You've
got owners of NFL teams we're talkingabout that. It is the wild West.
It's got me, it's got everybody. Kind of baffled at this point,
I think kind of holding your breastwaiting to see what's going wrong.
Hey, real quick about the Redsand the Halos tonight. It's interesting.
We've got two lefties right now.I'm pretty sure the Angels haven't seen Wadolo

(24:32):
in person, they haven't based themin the batter's box. And I don't
think there's anybody on the Red teamthat's face Anderson now. Maybe in twenty
twenty two when he had a hellof a year for the Dodgers and ended
up with a two point five sevenover one hundred and seventy eight innings.
Last year he fell on his facepretty much with the Angels, ended up
with a five and change ERA.So I'm interested in this. And on

(24:56):
top of that, the Reds arehitting two thirty six against left hand heded
pitching. The Angels are hitting twosixty four against left pairs. For what
work interesting matchup. If you wanta understanding of where this lineup is,
there are currently on the Reds rosterthirty five at bats spread out that have
been had against Tyler Anderson throughout hiscareer, and out of the Reds hitters,

(25:21):
they have four hits in those thirtyfive at bats, so not a
lot of success against Tyler Anderson thirteenstrikeouts, one home run, and obviously
left handed pitching has has given theReds problems already this year. Dude,
that is some excellent detail. Loveit, Tony, Thanks buddy, I'll
to see you soon. Yeah,Mike, Kevin goib Man. Thanks,

(25:41):
good guys. One more, wegot time for a quick call here.
Jeff is calling in. What's up, Jeff? Happy Friday, Happy Friday,
shout out to the Tobin family.That's never good news. I sent
you a couple of pictures on Twitterbefore they put the nets up in front
of my seat at at Matt's Park. Ye, I'll stood in front of
us for twenty minutes one night signan autograph. He could not have been

(26:04):
any nicer or more happier to besworn by little kids than other seen.
So now you said you have apicture for tonight. MLB dot com still
says TBD. Yeah. I'm justgoing through ESPN. As I pull up
the matchup, it has Lodolo versAnderson, so I'm just following along with
that. I'm sure between now andthree o'clock the Reds will put out their

(26:26):
lineups we'll know for sure there,but on ESPN it does have Lodolo versus
Anderson. Okay, because I justhaven't seen anything for the entire weekend.
It'd be nice to get back onthe horse again. Let's let's get a
few wins and move on to somethingelse after this weekend. Definitely, completely
completely agree, Jeff, thank youman. All right, have a great
weekend, Tony, Yes, sir, all right. We got to get

(26:48):
a break in. I was good. Good to hear from our listeners since
E three to sixty A service ofSkyline Chili, ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports
Station, Hey, Alexa, who'sgoing to win it all? Getting ESPN
fifteen thirty from iHeartRadio, Hey,welcome back SINCEY three to sixty, thanks
to our friends at Skyline Chili.Just a quick touch and go here.

(27:08):
I do need Red's information for you. Ian Jabbo returned from a Reham assignment
with renewed forearmed discomfort retro April sixteen. Charlie Goldsmith said, Ian, who
was nearing a return from the alhas renewed the discomfort and his timeline to
return pushed back. Not great newsfor the Reds. We'll get more on
that from Charlie Goldsmith at two o'clock, but for now a quick break and

(27:30):
we will finish hour one with comedianBlake Wexler, who's joining us on this
Friday afternoon. Sincey three to sixtyESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station, the
NFL Draft to Cincinnati Bengals Select.This is an ESPN fifteen thirty Cruise Development

(27:51):
Orange and Black Draft Profile Cheos Cruisepresented by Pellow Windows, Indoors, Greater
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, Ox YourGas and Holman RV dot Com. Now
here's Moegger with a name you needto know. As good as the Bengals
are expected to be a wide receiverthis coming season. With Jamar Chase and

(28:12):
t Higgins both still on the rostertogether, this year's draft will likely be
used to address the future of theposition while adding some short term depth.
One wide out worth paying attention tois George's Lad McConkie. Mcconkee played three
seasons for the Bulldogs, helping themthe two national championships, and in twenty

(28:32):
twenty two he was a second teamAll SEC player. He's lightning quick and
he can get up to his topspeed up field in a flash. Scouts
love his route running ability, butthere are concerns about his five foot eleven
inch one hundred and eighty six poundframe, and he did deal with multiple
injuries during his final college season.Still, he has the sort of ball

(28:53):
skills and running ability that suggest he'dbe a quality number two wide receiver in
the NFL. Keep an eye onGeorgia wide receiver Lad McConkie has more.
Listen for the next player profile onESPN fifteen thirty, the official home of
the Bengals from the station Welcome backsincey three sixty. ESPN fifteen thirty,

(29:15):
Cincinnati Sports Station. Finishing up hereour number one, a service of Skyline
Chile. On this awesome Friday afternoonof Cincy three to sixty, we are
U touching base with a former guest. I guess we could say at this
point today comedian Blake Wexler is instudio. He's in town at Go Bananas.

(29:37):
That's right, correct. This isnot your first appearance on Cincy three
to sixty. It's my second secondappearance, and first appearance went extremely well.
I agree you were in town.I believe shooting a special shooting a
special at Godmananda's and you were niceenough to have me on one, how's
your time in Cincy? Two?How did the special go? The time?
So only been here like less thantwenty four hours, but special went

(30:00):
great. Could not have gone better. You got a little shout out again,
So thank you for your for thepromo, for the help, and
yeah, man, it just cametogether and it went exactly the way I
wanted it to go, which youknow, in any business is very rare.
So crowd was electric Cincinnati. Youknow, the Cincinnati crowds were amazing

(30:22):
and got to spend some time inthe city, hopefully going to see more
of it this time now that becauseyou know, now it's more fun this
week, it's less stressful, lesspressure exactly. You've already acclimated, Well,
you've got a Cincinnati Bearcat hoodie on, so you're like, you still
got the Philadelphia Flyers on, Yeah, but you got the Bearcat hoodie,
so you're you're acclimating. Well,how much pressure more pressure goes into and

(30:44):
a special? And are you areyou choosing the location for your special or
is that something Hey we're gonna shootit on this date. It is ultimately
my decision, but also it's it'skind of limited. There's other things that
go into it. Where Pie inthe sky. Oh, I would like
to do it in this place,but with this special that I was shooting,
it worked out where the company thatwas shooting it was located in Nashville,

(31:07):
so it's like, Okay, that'sless expensive to get them here than
if I was to like shoot itin Malibu. And this club had a
great reputation and the director he's anamazing comedian named Sciamonsen who lives here now,
very funny comic. He hosted asports center for a brief period of
time to big sports guys. Soyeah, that's that's why I did it

(31:32):
in Cincinnati. And the pressure isa lot more because it's permanent, right
right exactly. If the crowd's thatif I'm dead, we're in trouble.
So you know, you can andit is a lot like you can edit
it, but you can only editso much. So if I mess something
up and I turned to the crowdlike, hey, guys, I'm gonna

(31:53):
do that again, they're like,what what do you mean You're gonna do
it again? We're here, whoare you doing it again? For and
so I'm they would get it.But yeah, No, it was the
preparation that went into it. Iprepped for that way more than I've ever
prepped for anything, and it andit paid off. So yeah, we
shot two shows last time here inCincinnati, and ninety percent of the footage
came from the first one, whichwas great, good which speaking of pressure,

(32:15):
okay, cool, we have it. Yes, I give us around
a little bit I had. Iremember when I would run scout team at
UC and we have a good play. The coach would be like, hey,
run that again, and I'm like, well, the defense already knows
what we're doing. Similar to ifyou got to tell the audience a joke
again, like are you gonna needyou to laugh a little more on this?
No pressure right exactly. In differentcities that you visit, are you

(32:37):
trying to at all push your materialto that specific city or are you going
on a trip and you're Hey,I'm gonna i'm gonna do my routine,
I'm gonna do my actor I'm gonnastick to it, or hey, Cincinnati
has this I'm gonna try to spin. Are you going city by city because
I know you're all over the place, and you're busy. I don't know
if you have time to do that. Are you sticking to the script that

(33:00):
you have at this point? Yeah, it's a great question. I think
that it's a mixture of both.Where I would say most of the material
it's me, so it is whatit is. But I will like to
at the top of shows talk about, you know, the city a little
bit, just to show that I'mnot like a tape recorder or not just
regurgitating free planned stuff. So,for instance, last night, I told

(33:22):
a story when I was here lasttime, my buddy Mike Cronin, who's
a funny comic, was opening forme, and my wife was in town.
I'm like, oh, let's goto like the like see some historical
stuffy William Howard Taff's house. SoI told him I'm going to Taff's house.
And then he shows up like alittle bit buzzed, and he's I'm
like, are you drunk right now? We're at like a light like right
at a national park, and hegoes, I thought we were going to

(33:44):
taff Sale house. So he thoughthe was going to go drinking with his
buddy at two o'clock in the afterdude and instead he was in the childhood
home of a president like a library, right, So a very different experience.
So, yeah, you started doingstand up in Philly, correct,
Yeah, the Flyers represented today.Philadelphia had Jason kelce Yes, Cincinnati had

(34:06):
Jason Kelcey. Yes. Last weekJason Kelcey and Travis did their live podcast
here in Cincinnati. Jason lost hisPhiladelphia Eagles super Bowl ring with our our
hour one sponsor, Skyline Chili.He lost it in a pool of Skyline
Chili. Will you use that atall with what Jason Kelsey is thinking and

(34:29):
putting a legitimate Super Bowl ring ina vat of chili with a bunch of
fake rings. I might try tofind it. I think I might say,
Yeah, I think I need toscone has to have it out there.
It's there's no way something because that'salso I mean, it's it's very
it's sentimental obvious. Correct. Butthe thing has a million diamonds in it
too, Like I think that's likea seventy thousand dollars ring or something and

(34:52):
not just some you know practice teamplayer. No, the starter, the
starter Hall of Fame player famous JasonKelcey from you Know Who play in Cincinnati.
So yeah, I do need todig into that a little bit.
I was, I was. Iheard you got like a shout out on
their podcast recently too as well.You know, best quarterbacks in since the
history. So it's fun getting toplay with with both Jason and Travis.

(35:13):
You know today, Travis has gonefrom you know, backup quarterback, moving
to tight end to now he's gotsongs being sung about him by Taylor Swift
on our new album. And I'mjust trying to like process how all this
has happened. Jason has now retired. But your Philadelphia Eagles have put together
a very impressive offseason. What's theuh, what's the excitement level around Philadelphia

(35:36):
sports? Right now? Phillies havea good team. Yeah, Phillies are
good. What what is the excitementlevel around Philadelphia? It's I mean they're
always angry, Yeah, exactly exactlythey are. There is excitement too where
the Phillies have very expensive roster,a lot of star players. We would
love for Castiano's former Cincinnati read toyou know, he's he's been struggling a

(35:59):
little bit, but if he picksit up that lineups with Harper Schwarber,
it's it's crazy. So the Phillies, we you know, it's a long
season. We'll see what happens.I think we have a similar record.
They're coming to town. Phillies arenext week and I know, well,
my original date was supposed to benext week, and I'm like, oh,
I can go to the game.I'm still going to go on Sunday,

(36:20):
I think to the Angels game.But uh, and the Eagles have
had an you're right, an interestingoffseason where you to lose a guy like
Jason Kelsey is It's it's almost likeif Disneyland lost Mickey Mouse. You know
this is yeah, this is theway with Donald Duck and Mini, but
you still have lost Mickey Mouse.Mickey aged out of out of Disney and

(36:42):
but I'm sure he could actually stillplay really well. But I think good
for him for you know, startingHe is a million pursuits to pursue outside
of the game obviously, and Ithink we're in good shape. We had
a second round pick out of Ibelieve Iowa Cam Jurgens, who had to
start at art last year even thoughhe was a little undersized, and he
did well. And then like thecontracts where we obviously signed Saquon Barkley,

(37:07):
which is was a move where I'mlike, oh, that's a lot of
money for a running back, whichif you're Jason, You're like, Okay,
maybe I will come by for onemore year. I got Barkley backer,
right exactly make his life a littlebit this year. Yeah, and
yeah, it's like that's exciting.You know. They extended uh DeVante Smith.
We also obviously have a j Brownon the outside, and there's been

(37:29):
a lot of extensions over the offseasonlocking up the good players and but the
defense is really yeah concern. Socan you can you tell in cities you're
and do you get different reactions ifthings are going well for a sports city,
because this city, more so thananything, they rally around the winning
culture that that the Reds got intoa little bit last year. The Bengals

(37:52):
obviously years removed from a Super Bowlf C Cincinnati won the Supporter Shield last
year. Can you can you getdifferent feels in different cities of maybe an
electricity or a feel in the crowdbased when things are going well and maybe
when things aren't going so well.Yeah? Absolutely, And the Cincinnati is
just like a well known sport,It's a sports town. And even when

(38:15):
you're on stage, you see,uh, there's a uc head, there's
a Bengals hat. You know,there's more sports merch than there isn't ye
in the crowd. And it doesremind me of Philly to where the there's
a movie that came out, SilverLinings Playbook years ago with Bradley Cooper,
and he showed up to a datein like a the Shawn Jackson Jersey's like,
yeah, that's what some sports fansdo. What is hate it exactly

(38:39):
exactly or you love it and youhate it ed? But no, like,
yeah, definitely you do know toto tread lightly or like how to
rib the local fan base also wherethere's definitely too far. Where's the line?
Yeah, where's the line? Youdon't want to go into injury is

(39:00):
generally like you don't want to likemake fun of an injury to a star
player, correct, But you couldmake fun of a game or a play,
you know, So yeah, itis fine line here is there is
a fine line. Cincinnati is prettyclear where but there are some sports towns
where it's, oh, how diehardare they here? But yeah, Cincinnati
is definitely not one of those whereyou know, correct, Yeah, let

(39:22):
listeners know how they can find outmore about everything that you have going on.
Yeah, I'm at Blake Wexler onall social media Blake Wexler dot com
or where my dates are at.And then that special that I recorded here
is on YouTube. Just search BlakeWexler Daddy Long Legs is the name of
the special. And yeah, that'savailable at streaming for free on YouTube.

(39:43):
And your schedule at gilb Bananaz.This weekend schedule is two shows tonight and
which is Friday, two shows Saturday, one show Sunday. And then there's
a promo code right now on theirinstagram, So if you guys check it
out, you can get free tickets. And yeah, I would I would
love if you did that. Yeahyou do. You have a preference on

(40:04):
your favorite performing times, Yes,first show of the night, second show
the night, Saturday shows, whatis it? It is generally Thursday Sunday
are the are the best comedy fansbecause they're there just for comedy. They're
not there to drink necessarily. ThenI would say early shows okay, because
late shows is no Late shows cancan be the most fun if it's a

(40:28):
controlled chaos, but then it canbecause also there's no limit on how long
the show can take because the showfirst show, there's a second show coming
up. You got to wrap upby a certain time second show. It's
like, all right, how muchdo I want to deal with this?
Yeah? Yeah, I got todo a little bor a little bit less,
but yeah, definitely the earlier ones. I actually have I have a
question for you sports question. SoI remember last time I was in we

(40:52):
may have been talking off Mike aboutthat, like nil, and for me
where I come from, I'm wearingthe UC sweatshirt because I don't have a
college football team that it's here forPhilly kind of has Temple University and that's
not No, it doesn't. Yeah, yeah, it definitely does not count
ed Penn States. You know,it might as well be in Pittsburgh.

(41:14):
It's very far away. So Iremember, to me, you see is
like like a massive football school andit obviously has a ton of success.
But then I remember when we weretalking, I forgot that you you mentioned
that you guys are going up againstthe Texases of the world and the Oklahoma's
and the amount of money and youknow, like the the the endowments that
these places have and boosters. Somy question is as a Philly sports fan

(41:39):
and Eagles guy, where we've hadKelsey, Trent Cole, Bricella, Connor
Barwin. Yeah, very yeah,I love it, And I'm wondering how
much has or does do the Kelsey'sand their new fame notoriety and they just
did that big event, like yousaid, at you see, how much

(42:00):
does that help with potential recruiting forthe football team. You know, the
Kelsey's have been great because they havegone out of their way to essentially provide
millions of dollars in marketing for nothing. Yes, you know, you look
at you know, a game andTravis is doing the UC sign, or
he's celebrating, or they're on theirpodcast which is a top in the world,

(42:20):
and they're wearing Cincinnati gear. Thatitself the marketing dollars alone that you
get out of that by not havingto give anything out of that, and
they've been They've been so gracious withtheir time. A large portion of the
tickets for last Thursday's event went strictlyto the NIL, so they didn't profit
a ton off of it. Thatmoney went to the NIL. SINCEI Range

(42:42):
has got started at UC and they'vegot a beer SINCEI Light and a lot
of the breweries around town where portionsof that goes to the NIL. That's
great. So you have uniquely rightnow in the NFL Jason and Travis who
are well Jason no longer but stillthe podcast. Travis is the best tight
end in football. Us Gardner isthe best corner in football. Des Ritter
is still in the league. Soyou have prominent guys that played at Cincinnati

(43:07):
that you see a lot on Sundays. Yeah, and to have those guys
as ambassadors of the program that they'veobviously made good money because they were able
to retain a lot of their keyplayers in basketball through NIL and I know
the nil price is a lot,and they're doing so. In football.
They were able to get a quarterbackout of Indiana and Brendan Soresby. So

(43:27):
they have helped, you see,financially, and they've helped them in more
ways than probably you can even quantifyfrom a dollar standpoint. That's awesome,
crazy, it's been really good.Yeah, that's great. Blake Wexler is
at Go Bananas, Go Bananascomedy dotcom. You can pull up the tickets
right there, or he said,go to their Instagram and can get tickets
that way. Yeah, absolutely getthat promo Goo and the easiest way to

(43:47):
follow you one more time at BlakeWexler all social media Blake Wexler dot com.
There it is. Appreciate you stoppingby. Great to see you again
too, and I look forward tocatching up soon. Likewise, thanks,
Sony love it. That is theend of our number one. When we
get back Tom Galltder the voice ofFC Cincinnati ahead of their match against Atlanta
tomorrow night at seven thirty, we'lltalk Tommy g to kick off our number

(44:09):
two. It's Cincy three to sixtythanks to our friends at Skyline, Chile.
On ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Stationsee three sixty about Cincinnati from Cincinnati,
inter sponsored in part by Cincy Shirts. Cincy Shirts All Cincy all Day.
This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati SportsStation. Welcome back our number two,

(44:31):
Cincy three sixty kicking things off ina big way thanks to our friends
at Cincy Shirts, where you canget all of your FC Cincinnati needs filled
at cincishirts dot com, download themobile app, or visit any of the
retail locations. They can print itright on site for you. Let's get
right into it. Let's talk aboutthe Orangeine Blue. Tom Galetder is the
voice of FC Cincinnati. Tommy G'sjoining us right now. What's up,

(44:52):
man? How are you? Tony, Tony Tony? Happy Friday, Glad
to be here, back into thegroove. You enjoyed your Friday off last
week? Yeah, froze out atthe Yes, froze sophy in any of
the pictures or video I saw fromthis Uh before we even dive into it,
Tommy Days removed from celebrating a birthday. Happy belated birthday this week.

(45:15):
Yes, thank you, I appreciateit. There's a couple of slices of
cake left if you want to comegrab one. But I'm off to Atlanta
today, so uh yeah, greatcelebration earlier this week. Appreciate it.
Another year older and like a finewine. Do you treat yourself to any
any new heat? Do you getany new heat for your birthday? I
did get a new pair of Airmasthat I have on the trip today,

(45:36):
so that was a gift, theirgift. But yeah, they're they're pretty
sharp, so keep an eye outon the IG for those. All right,
all right here, let's let's getinto this now, Tommy, because
we are in a mode and thishas been Cincinnati sports my whole life,
and I see it daily because theReds are nine and nine, But every

(45:57):
time the Reds lose, it feelsmore and more like the sky is falling.
And for a lot of FC Cincinnatifans, last year, not a
lot of hiccups along the way.They were the winners of the Supporter Shield.
They were dominated at TQL Stadium.And they have started this season a
little slower. They've lost to NewYork, lost to Montreal. The goals

(46:21):
have been an issue. The lasttime they scored two goals was against I
believe New England, so they're notscoring offensively. They are missing some players
due to injury, and let's faceit, they've lost players in the offseason
that were very key parts of thisorganization. What do you say to those
folks that are that are overreacting alittle bit or panicking a little bit when

(46:43):
it's this early into a season.I think it's well. The first thing
I say is take a deep breath, right, And I think that's a
good piece of advice. Whenever youpanic in life, take a deep breath
and evaluate the big picture of thesituation, because it's certainly is odd to
lose back to bad games. Thathasn't been the norm in any way,

(47:05):
shape or form for the last twoyears. You go all the way back
to May of twenty twenty two,to Pat's first season as the head coach
to find the last time afually Cincnatylost consecutive games. So, sure,
it's an odd feeling. Sure theteam is not firing in our cylinders at
the moment, so people are panickingin some ways, But I don't think

(47:27):
inside of the walls of the MercyHealth Training Center where f C Cincinnati puts
in their training sessions every day,there's panic. I think there's concern because
they're looking at the big picture,like, yeah, we should be scoring
more goals. Our defense is reallygood and putting us in situations. But
when you look at these two losses, both of them without your starting goalkeeper
who was a finalist for goalkeeper theyear last year, Roman Celentano. If

(47:51):
Roman plays of those games, doesthat Cincinnati win. I don't know.
That's nearly impossible to predict, butyou certainly feel good if Roman is back
there starting in goal, and theopportunity is there every time he starts.
We've seen that for two years.That's why the job has been his since
he took over against LAFC in Aprilof twenty twenty two. So I think
that's one factor. I think youmentioned it. A lot of change in

(48:13):
the starting lineup in players that leftand players that have stepped in, and
I think they're still building chemistry togetherand still figuring out the best ways to
stretch the field and where to makethe runs to work with Lucco and his
extreme amount of skill and ability.So I think, is it okay to
be like man, the team doesn'treally have their mojo right now? Sure,

(48:37):
is it hit the panic button,burn it down and start over.
Absolutely not. That's the extreme.I hope not many people are at that
point because this is a very talentedteam that I think will come together.
And you know, nobody wants tohear about the Columbus crew, but you
want to look at where Columbus waslast April. They weren't in a real
good spot. Yeah, they didn'tlook really cohesive last spring, but men

(48:59):
as the summer one of they startedto click, they lost a couple key
players, they reloaded with a couplekey players and obviously went on to win
MLS Cup. So am I sayingthat this team's absolutely the win MLS Cup.
No, but this happens all thetime. I mean, how many
people in Kansas City wanted to burnthat Chiefs team down in the middle of
the NFL season left that it's theend of the dynasty. Right, those

(49:21):
were the headlines. I'm sure wecould dig them up and point to the
Chiefs of everybody saying it's time tostart over. It's you know, the
dynasty is dead, blah blah blahblah. And that team went on,
you know, people betting against themin the first round of the playoffs,
and of course they went on towin the Super Bowl. So let's not
hit any panic buttons. Let's takea deep breath. Now. What's interesting

(49:43):
and challenging is that this upcoming stretchis going to be very telling. Fresh
Teas cinnaty because it's really tough.You're at Atlanta, you're home against Colorado,
who is maybe starting to find alittle bit of rhythm. That seems
like the easiest game in the stretch. Then you're at Orlando and at Columbus.
So these four game stretch is goingto be an opportunity for USh.
He since down to get right,but it isn't going to be easy by

(50:04):
any means. What do you makeof Okay, from let's say an X
is an O standpoint? Yeah,and you mentioned just time playing together for
the offense to generate more shots ongoals. Is there I feel like if
there was an easy fix, theywould be doing it. But is there
anything that you can point to say, Okay, they're getting close or or
they're getting to that point based onwhat you've seen, Well, you know,

(50:28):
I think if you look at thekind of player map from the last
three games that shows who had thehighest starting point on the pitch of the
attacking players, it's Luco And Lucais not your center forward. You don't
want Lucia to be the highest playeron the pitch when you start your attack.
You need your strikers ahead of himso that he can get that ball

(50:51):
turn and you make that run andgo. And I think that that's been
hurting the team a little bit inthe attack and finding those goal scoring opportunities.
The goal that Coupo scored a perfectexample of how f C Cincinnati wants
to attack and how they want tofire on all cylinders when when looking for
goals, and those opportunities unfortunately havebeen few and far between. So I
think they have to find ways tobetter stretch their opponents and create space for

(51:14):
Luco to find those those two attackingplayers, the two strikers ahead of him,
But Aaron Blupenza's starting position shouldn't bebehind Luco Aucusta as far as I
you know, kind of look atsome of the analytics from the last few
games. So I think that that'ssomething that that this staff probably looked at
quite a bit this week and tryingto determine who will be their best eleven

(51:35):
to be out there to give themthe best chance to win this game in
Atlanta. So I think those startingpositions have to be a little bit better,
and those starting positions are better.We all know what Luca can do
in setting up his teammates, andI think that that would be very,
very beneficial for the Orange and Glue. Are you seeing things from certain players
that would maybe hint to their closeyou know, you've you've thrown you know

(51:55):
again, you lose the all timegoal scorer in FC Cincinnati history. You're
gonna take a while to fill thatrole, but you know, seeing different
guys and different opportunities. Are therea name, Is there a name or
maybe names that you're looking to tosay okay, they feel like they're close
and they could start to play asignificant role on getting this offense turned around.
Well, you know, I thinkthat Luca Oreono' gets better and better

(52:19):
every week. Remember this is theplayer who came in late in training camp
and you can't use that excue forever. But he's only been with his
guys, you know, for theseason so far, which is only about
two months old, and a weekor two before that in preseason. So
I think that we're seeing his improvement. Alberd Barriol was so important to the

(52:39):
attack last year and they need LucaLuca excuse me, to be at least
you know, a portion of thatproductivity in the attack. And I think
he's getting better, and I thinkthat this coaching staff feels really good about
what he can do. Now it'sjust a matter of his execution over on
that left side. So I thinkwhen looks at it, he has a

(53:00):
really good team and it's just amatter of figuring out exactly what the best
eleven is to give this team achance to win on every given night and
piecing it together. And I don'tthink they're real far off. And you
know we've said it here on theseFriday hues a couple of times, but
like when this team figures it outand starts clicking offensively, and whether that's

(53:22):
with the current group or that's ChrisAlbright bringing somebody in before next week's deadline
or bringing in somebody over the summer, when they really start to click offensively,
this team has the ability to bereally, really good. And I
think that's what people should be holdingon to right now, is that they're

(53:42):
gonna put it together. They havethe Ragning Coach of the Year, raining
defender of the Year, the leagueMVP. The pieces are there. It's
just a matter of firing on allcylinders, which we haven't really seen yet.
Have not seen them firing yet,but we have seen Tommy. The
defense has played better. Last yearwas almost flipping the script. They were
scoring goals, but they were givingup a lot. How impressive has this

(54:04):
FC Cincinnati defense been, And againI say this, they are only eight
games into the MLS season. Howimpressed have you been at the way the
defense has come together to start theyear to allow them and some of these
matches to escape with a one nailvictory or to gain a point in a
one to one draw and keep themin it while the offense still figures it
out. No, I think it'sreally really important, right and we knew

(54:27):
with the reigning defender of the Yearand then Miles Robinson arguably the biggest free
agent in the league history joining himon the back line, the biggest question
mark there has been who's the thirdcenter back? But the great thing is
that it's there's options, which wasn'tthe case last year. Often. You
know, there was often injuries orsuspensions that Cincinnati was so hampered or international

(54:49):
call ups, they were so shorthanded at the center back position. Now
you have three guys competing for thatthird spot, and Ian Murphy, Kip
Keller and Nick Haglin, who ofcourse is working his way back from injury.
So I think that one of PatNewton's most difficult decisions week by week
right now is who's the third centerback alongside Miles and Matt Because those two,
I think are penciled in on theteam sheet every week because of the

(55:12):
ability and what they bring there andthen you know you have DeAndre Yelling on
the right side has been fantastic.What a great addition he has been to
the back line. And Luca Oreano, who to be fair, is more
of attacking player and is learning thedefensive role on the left side. So
I think for for Luca that's that'sbeen the biggest learning curve and you know,
something that you know he needs toimprove on and will improve on with

(55:36):
more time over there is just makingsure he knows his defensive assignments. But
no, I think the back linehas been fantastic and you're right, you've
seen it with the fact that thesegames have been close even when the team
is not scoring or when they haveone they've won by a goal. And
I think the defense fantastic. Romanobviously out again this week, but has
been really good in goal. Andyou know, whomever starts to Marrow,

(56:00):
whether it's al Canigan or they goback to Devin Laurel, will be ready
to ring the bell speaking of tomorrow, as much as you know folks get
frustrated and want to see more goals. This team has twelve points. Interer
Miami and New York both sit atfifteen at the top of the standing so
you are only three points clear ofback at the top of the Eastern Conference
standings. And you know, whenyou look at this team and you go

(56:22):
off last year, it's just asstaple. You pull up the standings,
you see FC Cincinnati at the top, they're near the top. What do
they need to do, in youropinion, on the road tomorrow night,
Tommy, to get three and agood road win against Atlanta. Yeah,
I think it's you know, firstof all, you just talked about the
defense, and it's continuing that strengthand being really strong along the back line

(56:44):
and not allowing Atlanta the scoring chancesbecause they've scored goals this year. Atlanta's
off to a good start. They'vekind of found their mojo again. You
know, expectations. That's a teamof expectations because they were so good from
the start one on the last Cupin their second year in the league in
twenty eighteen, the bar was setreally really high for them, and as
they've dropped off a little bit inrecent years. You know, there's certainly

(57:06):
been frustrations there around that team,but I think they found some of their
mojo this year. They conceded atwo goal lead at home. It was
only the third time at home infranchise history that they've gone up to nail
at home and not won a game. I think fifty six to Oho and
three in those situations, which isbonkers. But they have a couple of
guys who are working their way backfrom injury, so it'll be interesting to

(57:28):
see what their team she looks likewhen it comes out. But I think
that this is an Atlanta team whoplays very well at home and will be
a very good challenge. But afuallyseen Sady went there and won last year,
so I think they really got tofind, like I said, ways
to stretch Atlanta defensively, find thoseproper starting positions with two strikers that they
do, then the team will bein a good position to win the match

(57:51):
or at least get a result outof the match and come home with something,
which is the key. Before Ilet you go, Tommy, I
didn't mean to bury the lead.We addressed your birthday. We've talked.
Cincinnati were less than a week awayfrom the NFL Draft, but earlier this
week, the Cleveland Browns made oneof the biggest moves of the off season
as a whole and they went backto the white face mask. This is

(58:13):
something that I think maybe some peopleare sleeping on. As a Browns fan
yourself, how crucial and how bigis it going back to the white face
mask for the Browns. I mean, I booked a hotel in New Orleans,
so he tells you everything you needto know. I'm planning to be
there and hoping that I'll see thosewhite face masks. Then, I mean,

(58:34):
what a hype video, right,Oh goodness, I got to get
with these NFL teams. I'm makingface mask hype videos. And I love
my team Browns. I love That'swhat I grew up on, with the
white face mask. So you know, they want to pull the heart strings.
You're talking, Bernie Kills are richin Western slaughter, Kevin mack,
Ernest Beiner, That's that's the tradition. So I think it's uh, you
know, I think it's funny watchingNFL fans from every other city like kind

(58:59):
of scream at all the teams socialmedia polls like you didn't change anything,
dummies, and like, well wedid and whatever, and they kind of
took that. They took that MattFinish off. So back to that,
Johnny finish. But you know,when you don't have a logo, your
helmet do I mean, that's whatthat's where you tweak, right, you
tweak your helmet. So do youenvision that trip to New Orleans going better
than maybe a two thousand and ninetrip, I hope. So, Okay,

(59:22):
you brought to me too, crystalcrystal clear. That was your that
was your lead in. But uh, I mean, I'll be honest.
Well, we were there for aweek everything up until the first Yeah,
that's great, fantastic. Saved afew years off my life. But uh
and then maybe the I was gonnasay January first May shaved a few years
of each of our lives. Yeah, but uh, yeah, no,

(59:44):
I don't know almost I've been backsince then, so I guess I have.
I probably did a couple of basketballgames at two Lane, but yeah,
no, uh no, you getI appreciate you bringing that up as
well. It's been a productive Fridayfor us, Very good, Tommy.
Uh, enjoyed the trip to Atlanta. Appreciate Thaw taking the time. And
we'll talk again next Friday after yougo get three Anthony anytime. Thank you

(01:00:05):
so much. That's Tommy G.The Voice of FC Cincinnati. We got
to break talkbacks next and our numbertwo Cinty three to sixty thanks to our
friends at Cincy Shirts on ESPN fifteenthirty Cincinnati Sports Station. Well, now
your chance to win one thousand dollarsenter this nationwide. Seat three sixty carries
on on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati SportsStation. Is that time for talkbacks?

(01:00:28):
Press the microphone, hand record yourmessage for Ustin and tone please keep it
clean and don't be mean. Anda sprinkle sprinkled, drip drip. It's
that time for talkbacks. It's ourfavorite part of Cincy three sixties. Austin,
Buddy Trew, please true talk backon your screen and please try not

(01:00:51):
to Saba Taja. We've gotten tothe point now is sincey three sixty thanks
to Cincy Shirts, we've gotten apoint where you filling it up? Can
we get a rendition of the songwhere they get it Drew as well,
and not just Austin. I wouldlove that. I didn't want to be
the one to come out and saythat I was, but I would love
that. I'll say it all right, excellent, Shall we begin? Yes,
hey, guys, the old ladyand I are hanging out talking about

(01:01:14):
the show. We think it wouldbe a great idea if there was a
name the Pike baby contest Tony.If you're struggling with baby names, leave
it up to the talkbackers. Ilike the name Spike, James Claus and
little Jimmy. I like the name. I'd be proofn Profen's good. That

(01:01:35):
could work for either a boy ora girl. This is a great yeah,
great idea. Now we already dohave a name picked up, but
maybe a way for you know,those talkbackers to guess what the name will
be. Oh, there you go, Trusty Quad as well a couple fiber

(01:02:05):
made Themorrow for twenty spectacular ten dollarsby thousand dollars guaranteed Ruggles Blue west Chester.
Wow, Drew, can you playpoker? Uh? I've played.
I wouldn't call myself good? Okay? Seen it in Orange You and I
yet with me my good friend.That's even the Paddy also with us,

(01:02:30):
I got hey, yell, it'sMarcus from the Grove. And I also
have ripping out in ug running Ronripping my bear cat, got my bear
can cub with me today? Andgot my Bear can't cub? So good
to hear talkbackers getting together on afry of course, Drew, what's up

(01:02:51):
man? You're doing a great jobtoday. Yeah, we had more of
you, man, keep it upand go bear cats. Yes, make
sure you stay in the middle lanethere in the middle, in the middle
lane. Thank you for the kindwords. Hello, this is former President
Ronold Higgin RONI. Well, weall know that the capital of the United
States is Washington, d C.We also know that the capital of Ohio

(01:03:14):
is Columbus. But I'm wondering whatis the capital of the Sincy three to
sixty talkback nation? Oh? Wouldit be Ready, possibly Mount Healthy or
could it be the Ronold Higgan Highway. I think the Highway is a safe
bet, reading to me would bein second. Yeah. Where would Clifton,

(01:03:34):
Oh rank on that list? That'sa good question. Uh, Clifton
top five five? Top five?All right? Tp uno Sinco Drew.
Happy Friday, guys, Kevin inNorth Kentucky. Here a question for you
next week's NFL draft, bingos turnto select No bronc Bowers, no top
offensive lineman. That's you're looking at. But yet these guys are available,

(01:03:58):
which one are you choosing? BrianThomas Jr. Quinnon, Mitchell, Johnny
Newton, give me Brian Thomas Jr. I will leave that to you.
If here here's the thing, ifyou're looking, and again, I think
it would be madness if brock Bauerswere falling, because I do think he's

(01:04:19):
that type of player. The Bengalshave to have an idea. I know
it's a deep offensive line class,but the Bengals have swung and missed on
so many old linemen. They've gotto have one or two in mind.
You can't just rely on a deepclass. You've got to have guys you
think you can develop going forward.And I thought the trading up was an

(01:04:40):
interesting philosophy of maybe, like,if there's ever a year to do it,
I feel like this year is theone. Yeah, And Todave's point,
if things go the way they're supposedto, you're not drafting until very
late in the first round next year. And if things don't go that way
and you have a hydraft pick,then there's more problems that you have if
there was a year to do it, I think you could make the case

(01:05:01):
this year. Let's say let's saypick thirteen is up and brock Bowers is
still on the board. Can youget from eighteen to fourteen or fifteen if
that means landing a brock Bowers typeplayer, you would have to look into
that. And the other thing isis and obviously trading up for a quarterback
is a little bit different, butwe haven't really seen anybody leaping up into
the draft yet to kind of setthe market of what moving up would be.

(01:05:25):
So I think you're kind of waitingto see what maybe what Minnesota does
because they've got those two first roundpicks and they're kind of the rumored team
that will be moving up. Correct. Hey Tony Hail Gerbs, it's god,
Hey, god, b God,Hey, what's your stance on this?
Caitlyn Clark, Greg Doyle bit.I was out of town yesterday and
I don't know if you guys talkedabout it. I personally think he needs

(01:05:49):
to be disciplined just like everybody else. No free pass for him. Yeah,
that was weird. It was sucha weird story. And the thing
is like, as a media member, like you never want to make yourself
the story, No, and that'sexactly what he did. It was.
It was one of the weirdest interactionsI can remember. And you got to

(01:06:10):
think, dude, this is justthis is her first time getting to Indiana
to do a press conference, andthat's how you're representing yourself, especially the
way she handled it, Like that'ssomething I do to my family and friends,
Like that's something that we have.Yeah, right, I always issued
apologies and so on. But man, just a weird start to that press
conference. Hey, Terry, Ohno, I have one request from the

(01:06:38):
talk Okay, that's kinda dag onto be known as the weasel from now
on. Oh, how the hellhe ever weaseled his way from being a
producer to mean a so called costof yours. Damn weasel, Terry the
weasel man. Now, there arepeople out there, Drew, that feel

(01:07:01):
like Austin picks and chooses what talkbacksto play. Now, to be fair,
if he were playing a talkbacker readinga talkback and there's something that can't
be said over the air, he'snot going to play it. But there
are folks out there that believe heis sabotaging talkbacks on a daily basis.
It's been one of my favorite thingsto learn about as I've started being with
you guys on this show, islearning just the deep, deep lore of

(01:07:25):
since he three to sixty, allthe different characters, all the different storylines
and everything. I do have onepromise to you, for all the talkback
nation out there, I will notsabotage anything when I'm sitting in this chair.
That's all people can ask for.Here we go. That's it.
Yeah. I was supposed to nilright from the beginning. I am a
dinosaur, but they needed to havesome guidelines, some structure instead of just

(01:07:47):
the wild, wild West. Ashout out to Dicky Bett's the guitar player
from the Almon Brothers, phenomenal ramblingman Blue Sky, So shout out to
him, all right, shout outto him. What's up, guys,
Happy Friday. He got some rapidfire questions for you. Okay, who

(01:08:10):
has more this weekend? Jonathan Indiahits or f C Cincinnati goals? Oh
my goodness. Next, who's yourfavorite NBA Playoff matchup of the first round?
I like Bucks Pacers even without Giannisand Nick's sixers. And then a
quick start bench cut pro athletes withfish names Mike Trout, catfish hunter,
Tony Pike. Wow wow, I'llstart with the fish named Pike. I

(01:08:38):
will say, Jonathan India hits justbecause f C Cincinnati has not scored a
lot of goals. So I'm kindof on India and maybe get on base
twice. First round matchups I'm lookingforward to, Uh, I have a
lot. I think this Mavericks Clippersrivalry that's been started, that's where I'm
at. Yep, that's where Istarted. And I think under the radar

(01:09:00):
Sun's Timberwolves can be really good.Yes, a lot of star power.
I will also throw Pacers bucks withno Johannis there, I think those first
couple of games could get really interesting. Hey, I thought I saw that
the one goal Wonders were playing downin Atlanta tonight, but I don't know
what time tomorrow? What time theyplay Atlanta Tomorrow seven thirty? Who Gole's

(01:09:21):
the thing? My friend? Yep? JK. Dobbins to the Chargers,
even though his career has been injuryprone. I would have loved to see
him be part of the Bengals backfieldin twenty four Talladega this Sunday for NASCAR
Trip Bull boogety buggey boogety boogety boogeybooge. Everyone have a great weekend.

(01:09:45):
May all your sports wagers be winningones. Wow, man, what a
guy? Did you know? Guyhere? Oh, did you know that
the Pope cannot be an organ?I did? Huh? You learned that?
Huh? I have a question.Okay, you become a talkbacker,

(01:10:08):
is it on you to give yourselfthe name random bat guy? Or is
it on the rest of the talkbackersor maybe even hosts to come up and
say, Hey, this is whoyou're gonna be. I think you got
to start off with like, thisis who I am, you know,
whatever your name is, and thenkind of evolve from there. You kind
of need the host or the talkbackyou buy into the name onto you.

(01:10:29):
But if it sits right, likeyou, when we hear you, we
know who you are. Correct,He's still got He's still at the stages
of his talkbacks where he's got tolet people know, which I respect.
That's fantastic. But you get toa point where people will know who you
are when you leave a random fact. There you go. You know what

(01:10:53):
makes me sick? What you know? What makes me? Some man?
I could take one a hand killspro paane tanks and blow it up,
but a postgame priss com all thesemany pamby ballplayers and coaches going on about
how much they learn when they lose. If that was true, them nineties
Bengals teams would have been some ofthe smartest teams of all time. They
should have played very intelligently. Somehowit didn't work out that way. Wake

(01:11:15):
up on mar Yeah, I'm theown sixteen Browns would have went undefeated the
following season easily. Wake up.I'm Erica. Damn Bengals teams is what
you call highly educated taking to schoolon a regular basis. She If you
lose, it's called just stink,period, but trying to sugarcoat it.
Stop making excuses, Just shut upand try to win the next one.

(01:11:39):
This is oral Pitts, American pitsoff. So Earl I don't know.
Is Earl Pitts trying to make arun at a campaign run here for talkbacks?
Sounds like it. I don't knowif you get my vote yet though,
yeah not yet. Hey Tony,it's Adam Loving the FC Cincinnati talked
today, and I'd like to throwmy two cents in. When Roman Semantano

(01:12:01):
does not play, they do notwin, period. Remember that stretch last
year when he was out and theylost them all. The other thing is
Haglin coming back is not a goodthing. I mean, that guy,
It's like, at best, it'slike playing with a man short. It
worse, it's like suiting another guyup for the other team. Come on,
he's horrible. Wow, I'm gonnaI'm going to have to take this

(01:12:25):
guy's word for it. Oh yeah, me too. Hey, guys,
Margaret from the Groove. Since Drewis now part of the Sincy three family,
thank you got a question for him? Oh, will you be at
the Holy Grail next Thursday for theDraft? I will not because I will
be producing on WLW for all ofthe draft coverage next week. So you'll

(01:12:49):
be there in spirit. I willbe there in spirit, yes the host.
The host will be able to hearmy voice, yes, but physically
I will be here. That's fair. Yep. Yeah, to build up
a little bit more cachet before Ievents. Brian for Thomas, Hey,
can you give me an update onthis Perker thing tomorrow? They're just trying

(01:13:10):
to figure that out. I wouldbe interested. Yeslick Willie just did.
Hopefully you heard his talk back.It's good. Rnnie Robert hold it down
today, Tony. I did watchthe throwback game Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Big
East Man back in the days.Man, I'm expecting two out of three
in a series. I'm expecting twoout of three. Great American Small Park

(01:13:32):
worries me. Man, it'd benice if they expand the park a little
bit. Now, I'm starting theone to do to get the players.
False. Hope you did what I'msaying getting drafty? Who did? No?
I love Great American small Park.Don't change the thing. Yeah,
I'm with you. You know Austin. Austin really tried to dig in yesterday.
He's a Reds insider. If youdidn't know, Uh, Austin tried

(01:13:53):
to dig in and say that hethinks part of Jonathan india struggles is that
being a new father and being awayfrom the baby, he struggling on the
road. Yeah. I think that'sa very real I mean, that's that's
something that would never be talked about, but something that you know, maybe
as a new dad, Jonathan Indiabeing on the road is a little bit

(01:14:14):
different. Let's see his his splitsright now at home. I'll pull it
up in a minute, all right. Sorry, Yeah, I'm back again
for a double dish. This forTony and the Bearcats. Uh, the
president of the universitys Cincinnati Bearcats.Get Tony Pike in the Hall of Fame.
Let's something doing with the Bearcats.This dude is a straight trooper,

(01:14:38):
straight cat. You know what I'msaying, Like, come on, this
is not right. This dude representsthe city, the university, the state
of Ohio. Get him in aring or something. Put a stat to
you up, Ronnie. Ron's aftermy heart right now. As long as
as long as you see historian asI've been my entire life, I completely
agree. You know, Ronnie's init now to to re up here.

(01:15:00):
Drew Jonathan India this season at GABPis hitting two ninety Jonathan India away from
GABP is hitting point zero three toone. Yep, maybe it is being
away from the kid. There's something, there's something there. I think if
you had one year to get readyfor it and it's all you were preparing
for, do you think you couldsteal a base in a Major League baseball

(01:15:24):
game? No, absolutely not,No, absolutely not. I I will
stand by being able to get ahit off Wade Miley long before I can
steal a base. No, Idon't. I think the only thing I
could do on a a professional baseballfield is catch a fly ball. That's
somebody else hit. Now I'm listen, I'm I'm very forthdcut. I like

(01:15:44):
going through the combine prep. There'sonly so much faster you can get.
Like, I had the best trainersavailable, and you're not building on the
speed. I don't care how longI had to get ready for it.
Stealing a base is completely different.Nope, yeah, no chance. What's
up, Tony. It's Ash fromTampa. What up your favorite place here?

(01:16:10):
Good old Dacory Tech. Oh whenare you coming down? Crazy to
see you? Guys? Who theynow? Last year drew my guy there.
He came up from Tampa for thethe schedule release party at Bad Tom

(01:16:30):
Smith Brewing. I'm a huge BadTom Smith guy. He comes up,
but he has a pike jersey ofthe Carolina Panthers, but he forgot to
bring it to get signed. Ohoh no, so you gotta do you
gotta give him the return trip.He's got to get the return. Now
you're calling me on a Friday fromthe Daktory deck. Yeah, that's that's
tough man, that's tough. Gotgreat great tune in the background. Oh,

(01:16:53):
my goodness, so way that thePope cannot be an organ donor.
I mean, what if he hadthis organ in a church or something that
you know, the big pipe organor something, he wanted to donate it.
That he can't donate that organ somewhereto another church, maybe the Methodists,
I don't know, maybe the Protestantsor something need an organ or something,

(01:17:15):
you know, a pipe organ,maybe donated to the Great American Ballpark.
We need an organ at the ballpark. Wow. Hey guys, Gina
from Moregon you here. I havea question, you know how I can't
remember what talkback was talking about howthey need to come up with some kind
of structure rules for the I inL I think they should do that for
the portal, the transfer portals,I mean a couple of years ago,

(01:17:39):
you see, almost got wiped outwith everybody leaving. I should there should
be a set number and a timelimit when you can request a transfer portal.
What is your opinion on that?Yeah, the nil, I just
other than regulating it the way wetalked about earlier, I don't know how
you do it at this point.Like my thing, I tied it back

(01:18:00):
to padded practices in football. Youknow, no one's ever going to say,
oh, you know, we needmore padded practices when in reality you
might. No one's gonna want togo back and do that. Right now,
you're at a point with where theportal is in NIL that it may
have gotten out of hand. Whatare you going to back up and say,
Okay, now that you've been paid, we're not going to pay you
as much. We're gonna cap it. No. The only thing that I

(01:18:20):
think you can do is make theseguys sign contracts when they get an NIL
deal YEP. That's I don't know. How else I don't know. I've
not been given a different scenario ora different idea that makes any more sense
than that. If not, itwill continue to be the world wild Wilde
West. Speaking of the transfer portal, Drew, how about this you see

(01:18:43):
turning into punter university? I sawthis now. Mason Fletcher is the punter
from down Under, YEP for theUniversity of Cincinnati Bearcats. One of the
best punters in the country. Justgot a commitment from his brother Max,
who is transferring to UC as apunter from Arkansas. How about that the
punter position of the present and thefuture now belongs to the Fletcher family at

(01:19:09):
ucat McAfee would be proud. Andand we've got a new rule in college
football. Yes, we do twominute warning. The two minute warning coming
to college football. Okay, thatalong with the headsets and the helmet.
All right, NCAA, we're onlydoing We're only the past interference penalty becoming

(01:19:30):
a spot foul from becoming NFL junior. There it is. We gotta get
a break. Yep, let's doit. Since he three to sixty,
thanks to our friends at u Cincyshirts on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports He
sixty continues on ESPN fifteen thirty CincinnatiSports Station. Welcome back, since he

(01:19:54):
three to sixty ESPN fifteen thirty CincinnatiSports Station, a service of Cincy shirts.
Charlie Goldsmith two o'clock will join usBob Manjen from Novacare. After that,
Moagar Quick Hits and your NBA playoffbetting spectacular for Locks of the weekend
all still coming your way in inour three of course, Mowager then will

(01:20:15):
take over the Moager Show, Imean following h Sincy three sixty. So
you have all of that to lookforward to. We will we'll get with
Charlie on some draft topics. We'llget with Charlie on the Cincinnati Reds.
Drew, you're obviously in a situationnow you're you're a obviously a sports fan,

(01:20:35):
but you're not producing these shows aswell. For the Cincinnati Reds nine
and nine, some good, somebad already kind of playing with one hand
behind their back because no Freedom,no McClain, no Marte. What's your
level of concern or what's your levelof optimism through the first eighteen games for

(01:20:55):
the Reds. I'm pretty level,honestly. There's a couple of things that
I think will turn towards, youknow, being better, and then some
things that I am concerned about.But I link it to a golf tournament.
You can't win the golf tournament inthe first round, but you can
lose it. And you can losethe division in April, but you can't
win the division in April. Soas long as you kind of just stay
even keel, get into the summer, get you know, kind of get

(01:21:18):
into the season, I think we'regonna be okay. The NL Central doesn't
exactly strike fear into me. Iknow that some teams have gotten off to
good starts, but I think theReds are gonna be fine. And I'm
an optimist by nature, so Ithink the Reds are gonna be just fine.
I would like to see them gofive and two on this home stand.

(01:21:38):
Yes, I think you start withsmall goals, the smallest. You
gotta win this series, right,you know, you come off a sweep
of the White Sox, you getnothing going your way against Seattle. Hunter
Green struggles again with the pitch countand the efficiency and foul ball rates.
The lineup struggles, and again guysare out. I get it. The

(01:22:00):
unwillingness to move certain guys in thelineup has all come in to focus this
week and has been a conversation point. But we talked about it with Tommy
g earlier in the show. It'sso easy in sports when we're conditioned for
this NFL model where there's only seventeenweeks, to react a little bit more
week in and week out. Andwith baseball, it's easy to lose sight

(01:22:25):
that it is one hundred and sixtytwo games over the course of a season
and here we are only eighteen inthe season is in its infancy stages.
But you do see certain things thatmaybe cause concern for the future. What
is Hunter Green? Where are hislevels? What can you expect? What

(01:22:46):
can you count on with Hunter Green? Frankie Montas has not looked like himself
now for two outings, things that, yes, could be worrisome, But
it's still so early that you needto wait and really see how all of
these things play out. But likeFC Cincinnati, like the Cincinnati Reds,
it's not a seventeen game slate.It is a long regular season. I

(01:23:09):
always equip and talk baseball with theunderstanding that you're gonna win one hundred,
you're gonna arrow, that you're gonnawin fifty and lose fifty, What do
you do with the other sixty two? Yep? Is how you really need
to focus on Major League Baseball.And for the Reds again tonight, it
looks like Anderson is going for theAngels, and if that's the case,

(01:23:30):
left handed pitchers have posed a problemfor the Reds hitters already, and to
take it a step further, Redshitters are four for thirty five against Anderson
in their career, so it's noteasy to go against a lefty. Lodolo
is playing is pitching tonight for theReds. So it's lefty on lefty.

(01:23:51):
But you've got to find a waynow to start winning series, especially series
at home. If you missed earlier, the bullpen did take a little bit
of a hit to Ian Jabou suffereda set back, his timetables being pushed
back. But this is all stuffwe can get to at the top of
our number two when we come back. Because Cincinnati dot Com Zone Charlie Goldsmith

(01:24:12):
will be joining us right here tokick off the third hour Sincy three sixty
ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station,A service of our good friends at Cinti
Shirts, ESPN Station Eastco Subs sincee three to sixty of about Cincinnati from
Cincinnatis spontered in part by Pinstation EastcoSubs, handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh
cut fries and lemonade. It's allabout good taste. Pennstation Eastco Subs order

(01:24:38):
online today. This is ESPN fifteenthirty Cincinnati Sports Station. All right,
welcome back, Cincy three to sixtyone, Final hour to go on this
Friday afternoon. Could not think ofa better way to start the third and
final hour off than with Cincinnati dotCom Zone Charlie Goldsmith joining us as he
does each and every Friday. Charlie, what's old? What's going on?

(01:24:59):
Man? How are I'm good?How about you? Charlie? Always always
a pleasure to talk to you.Let's start with the Bengals. The unfortunate
news today we were planning to hearfrom Duke Tobin at one o'clock. The
passion of his fathers has canceled thatconversation with Duke Tobin today. But you
hear Mike Brown on down what DukeTobin's father was thought about throughout the NFL

(01:25:21):
and throughout the Bengals organization very easilythrough those words, you know, kind
of something that made me think aboutwas just the importance of family and family
relationships with the Bengals. And youknow what Duke took from his father,
what Mike took from his father,Zach and his father in law, and
of course his parents and different mentorshe's had along the way. You know

(01:25:42):
Brian Callahan when he was in Cincinnatiand his father. There are so many
of these figures kind of from aprevious generation that shaped to the Bengals are
now, and certainly the Toven familyis one of those We had a listener
ask a question today and I wantto depose it to you. The Bengals
have addressed the same safety position viathe draft, via free agency, They've
brought back Von Bell, They've usedpicks on it in years past. I

(01:26:05):
know there's a long way between nowand training camp. As we sit here
today. We heard Dax Hill speakearlier this week. How do you view
those two starting positions from a safetystandpoint once the season gets underway. So
I've been thinking a lot about thePatriots defense versus the Bengals. The defense,

(01:26:25):
the Bengals have a very versatile defense, but I wouldn't call it exotic
in terms of it's been the sameeleven. You know, the safeties will
do different things, Mike Hilton willdo different things, but it's the same
eleven who have pretty defined roles ofwhat they do. The Patriots, back
when they were humming with Bill Belichick, they bring in their backup slot corner,
use them as an outside receiver fora certain matchup. That was an

(01:26:46):
exotic defense, and they really catchyou by surprise with brand new stuff.
I think overall, when you lookat the bodies and the different skill set,
the Bengals skill sets. The Bengalshave a safety. The ideal thing
to do with safety for me wouldbe rotate the four of them, Stone
Bell, Dax Hill, Jordan battlebased on specific strengths and matchups, and
I'd have Dax is one of thoserotational safeties. The problem is the thing

(01:27:10):
that no one's talking about, whichfor me is a huge concern with the
Bengals, is they literally don't havea fourth current, especially because dj Ivy's
coming off in athl surgery. Soif they played today, I think you
moved Dax to be your first outsidecorner on the bench, so I'd have
him in that room today, Butin an ideal world, in a vacuum,
I'd like to rotate him in it. Taking Charlie, with the draft

(01:27:32):
less than a week away now,and you and I speak on Friday,
so by the time we speak nextweek, the Bengals will have drafted their
first selection. I'm not asking youto make a player pick yet, but
have you settled in on the positionthat will be addressed at eighteen? Well,
to me, it's a big boardand I have it just off the
top of my head. Right herelay some men's Murphy Bowers, Satan who

(01:27:58):
yeah, Fatanu Fuaga, and thenthere might be one other guy missing kind
of in that tier. But youknow, most of those guys are offensive
tackles. I've prioritize at the topthe guys in Latham and mem To literally
check every box some physicality, toughness, size, from the athletics standpoint.
What you're probably saying is, Man, that team's pretty high on the Marus
Mims my calendar to that would bethe best pass protecting right tackle in the

(01:28:20):
draft. Who has one concern islack of experience, But he won a
team of college football playoff and thattape spoke so much volume to me,
and the Bengals put so much volumeinto you know, college playoffs, college
football playoffs style environments. And thenof course Barron Murphy's a fantastic player in
his own right. We don't needto go through that. That's been well

(01:28:41):
litigated. Those would would really bemy top three Latham, Mems and Murphy
in that order. How do younavigate best fit or team need versus best
value. Let's say someone is droppingout of the top twelve that wasn't expected
to drop, and all of asudden and you're at eighteen and here is
a big time wide receiver who younever expected to get there, but you

(01:29:05):
know the team need is really thattackle or defensive interior lineman. Where do
you stand on team need versus bestvalue available? It's got to be someone
who has a short term role,a long term role and has a clear
fit from a scheme and trade youprioritize and all that kind of stuff.

(01:29:26):
Like an interesting name to look at, for example, Quenon Mitchell, cornerback
out of Toledo, a cornerback onepotential with the speed, every trade,
every intangible from what you hear abouthim, looks in a lab exactly like
the type of corner of the Bengalswould draft, you know, high up
in the first round. Now Idoubt he makes it, but he's the
type of guy who if you knowMims and laith them and Murphy and say

(01:29:49):
Towers are off the board, thencould Mitchell be a surprised guy you would
slot in making this year's Miles Murphy. Because a great point you make there
is like, that's exactly whom MilesMurphy was last year. A guy who
was really the best player available ata premium position, who checked every box.
That's what dak Hill was the yearbefore. The guys that took to
me in this class who would fitthat potential really are Mitchell, you know,

(01:30:12):
brought Bowers as well. With howthey prioritize playmakers. There are some
solid, powerful edg rushers, buteach one kind of had their own question.
I an Terrian Arnold, who's asolid number one type corner, but
the athleticism kind of makes me ginghim a little bit in this tier.
But there are definitely a couple ofthose guys, but probably the best player
available will be a tackle or ByronMurphy. Cincinnati dot COM's Charlie Goldsmith covers

(01:30:35):
the Bengal also all covering the CincinnatiReds. Did you take in a Dayton
Dragon game this week, Charlie?I didn't CALLI your homer twice, so
that worked out well. What whatdo you make of of you get to
see some of these prospects? Whatdo you make of where the farm system
sits for the Reds right now?Dayton's goods the top of Dayton roster.

(01:30:55):
Dayton's roster is very they don't quitehave the depth right now. But guy
who I just mentioned, Tylier,but Tell Stewart's a guy who really is
in that top prospect here for theReds. He has a lot of Spencer
steering him in terms of how he'sjust very polished in old school. So
we could talk about this all day, but you know, a lot of
excitement, a lot of talent rightnow and date Charlie. A little bit

(01:31:17):
of a setback today, Ian Jabbo, who was progressing towards getting back to
the Cincinnati Reds. But names outof the bullpen we've heard going into the
season, but we've not yet seenSam Mall Ian Jabou. What's the latest
on some of those injured Reds pitchersto start the year. Sam Mall is
getting very close to returning, veryvery close to returning, and when he

(01:31:40):
does, it'll be a very interestingdecision because they'll have to make the decision
do you option sam Mall put himin triple A because he is really the
only reliever who could realistically be optionedbecause CRUs and Diez aren't going anywhere,
and everyone else you have to releaseor designate for assignments. So would you
know, would you release Buck FarmerWilson and eliminate some depth to get Sam

(01:32:01):
maulback. That's the question. They'llhave to answer. And then you know,
Jobo no timeline specifically yet, Youngstill a ways away, Williamson still
a ways away as well. HCharlie, Let's start with the pitching staff.
You know, we go into theSeattle series after sweeping the Chicago White
Sox, and a lot of theconversation immediately turns to for the Cincinnati Reds,

(01:32:26):
Hunter Green and who and what isHunter Green going to be? And
for many reasons, the same HunterGreen we've seen now through almost fifty starts,
some really good, some bad,but just that not that consistency yet,
ninety eight pitches through four innings,a ton of foul balls. When
you see a pitcher who an opposingteam is hitting twenty plus foul balls off

(01:32:49):
of, what does that tell you? That's the big mystery to me.
Like, I know I've talked tothe Reds about this. I know they
have had like meetings. How doyou reduce the foul balls Hunter Green?
And that's like the white whale froma development perspective, from an adjustment perspective,
Like, I don't know, theydon't know. It's a really tricky
question. It's really unique to Hunter. The best strategy that they've come up

(01:33:12):
with. Overall is you know,the new pitches, curveball, the slow
hitters down to let's have guys waitingon things to be able to time pitches
up because the fastball and sot andslider there could be more separation between those
velocities, so the curveball can reallyflow you down. And then the splitter.
The idea behind that is, youknow, when Green needs a ground
ball, when he wants to doubleplay, he can steal a bunch of

(01:33:33):
pitches if the splitter leads to thatresult. Right now, he's sort of
like those pitches six to ten timesa game. Maybe he could bump that
up even further, but you don'twant to get too far away from what
you're best at. My biggest youknow, point on Hunter right now when
he said this, you know tentimes the slaughterer just has to be better.
You know, when he was arookie, I thought the slidder was

(01:33:53):
a better pitch than the fastball.The lack of consistency, the big misses
with some of them in terms oflocation. He used to be able to
like separate them. He had avertical flight of it dropped off the table
and one that ran more sideways.He just has to improve his feel for
that pitch. Right now, thatstuff comes and goes. He's young.
He's still in the process of makingthat more consistent or winning when he doesn't

(01:34:15):
have his best stuff. This isall part of the process for a very
young pitcher. I think that's theconversation to echo that he's fifty starts into
his career. Would there get tobe a point where you would be more
concerned with Hunter green or do youstay? Patients say, Okay, he's
still feeling his way through this.What I want to see is Hunter continued.

(01:34:38):
So, like, what's so interestingto me about this year was Hunter
reached the point where he's like,all right, I need to make it
change. The change up wasn't working. The way I was sequencing pitches wasn't
working. There were some small behindthe scenes mechanical stuff as well, like
he's not going through the stages ofyou know, denial or anything right now,
but like you know, the sevenstages or whatever you know they call
those. He got to the stagewhere he admitted it time to make a

(01:35:00):
change. The next step obviously ismaking that change, and that's something that
you know, like Nicklodola is ableto do that in college because Nick Wodolo
got as many innings in college aslike Hunter had for his entire minor league
career and then some. So Hunter'sstill so early in that adjustment process.
Again, overall, the slaughter andthe feel and the way he's able to
make that pitch look different is huge. And then really continuing to commit to

(01:35:24):
the new pitches, it's huge.He didn't commit to the change up.
That's a big reason why he gaveit up. So after you know,
investing all this time in these newpitches, he has to continue to progress
with those. I have to toadd because Lodola's first star was phenomenal.
He starts tonight at Great American Ballparkagainst the Angels. Graham Ashcraft has been
better Frankie Montas. I think thealarming thing about Montas the velocity seemed down.

(01:35:50):
He has not seemed like the samepitcher in his last two starts that
he was to start the year.Are you concerned at all with Frankie mount
toss in the way he's looked recently? A harder question to answer for me
and the Reds, especially because likewith Hunter, all right, you know,
obviously, I'm evaluating Hunter in avery different way than the Redsnar.

(01:36:13):
But we've all got like five yearsnow of seeing very you know, every
step of the process with Hunter.You know, everyone's only got like two
months, including spring training, ofevaluating what. You know, what Frankie
Montas is going through right now.Here's my best read. He had a
similar stretch in spring training. Hecalled it a lull and kind of what
you know, very similar things happenwith the command dropping off, the velocity

(01:36:34):
not as sharp. My read hereis that Frankie Montash just missed the whole
year and coming off something that significant. In any sport, it's very very
rare to immediately be at full go, full throttle exactly what you're able to
do before and do it consistently.You can have games, but it's so

(01:36:55):
hard to do that consistently after youmissed that much time. So you know,
whether you want to on a wallor fatigue that you used to push
through' that's my best read on what'sgoing on with Frankie Montas right now,
and that will just be a bigthing for him in his career. It
seems like right now it's Montas greenAbbot Lodolo, Do they stick with the
four man rotation in your opinion fora while. Now they got five,

(01:37:18):
They got Asscrafts at five. Yeah, and they got Nick Martinez. They
got Nick Martinez is their hybrid swingman out of the bullpen. So Martin,
that's my Martinez. Now does heget some starts still and then become
that long relief guy for this team? So, like I said this last
week too, like I guarantee youMartinez will make more starts for the Reds

(01:37:39):
because that's how pitching depth works inan era where injuries have never been higher.
I really like the idea. Ithink the Reds we're going to do
this too before I think Martinez gotsick over the weekend, piggy backing him
with an Andrew Abbat and Nick Lodolo, maybe Lodolo because Abbot's giving you deeper
starts to keep him stretched out.Martinez is also like he'd be high on

(01:38:00):
the leverage rankings. So even ifit is a one nothing game, you're
up all right, you know,Ladola comes out, then you got Martinez
in to pitch four really important innings. You keep him stretched out and you
keep him pitching important innings. Ilike that plan to keep him as ready
as possible for when the need comesback up in a rotation. But right
now it's our ranking them one tofive. I certainly would have the five

(01:38:20):
they have over Martinez. He's definitelyin that sixth spot, I think,
Charlie, since we've talked, thelineup has come out. Have you had
a chance to see the lineup fortonight yet? Very very briefly, but
I saw enough that Strand and Candelariodue to illness Martin it Yeah, so
still no Strand Candelarry. Let meask you a couple questions about how they'll

(01:38:40):
attack the Angels tonight. Jonathan Indiaobviously going through it right now at the
plate. I know he wasn't expectedto be the everyday guy at second base.
I know the McClain injury has hasthrown a wrench into everything. Are
you surprised at all to still seeJonathan India leading off for this team with
the struggles he's had as of late? So what Johnson India is doing now

(01:39:02):
is in some ways the exact opposite, but in some ways the exact same
thing he did in twenty twenty two. In twenty twenty two Johnson. India
saw the Reds trade you know,Winker and Suarez, and you know they
lost all these guys. India said, you know what, I'm going to
make up for this. I'm goingto start hitting Colpage and India then called
it one of the worst mistakes he'smade in his career. He got away
from himself and it took him likea year to get back on track.

(01:39:25):
What I see from Indian thatways right, there's no freedom, there's no McClain.
India is so committed to being I'mgoing to be the gritty, tough
at bat tables that are at thetop of the lineup, and I do
think that is the best identity inversion of India. The problem is is,
you know has been well documented he'snot swinging enough with some swingable pitches.
He's working deep counts, but ifhe necessarily gained the advantage of those
counts, that kind of mouse gameis something he's got to work through.

(01:39:49):
I still don't think the Reds havea better option for the leadoff spot than
him. I think it's probably timeto move Ellie up with a lone for
the whole kind of David Bell asa whole he's been very, very consistent.
He's kept blind with the same likehe'll put Stuart third to keep Ellie
sixth, or you know, he'llkeep a left handed you know, Nick
Martini in the game to face aleft handed reliever instead of bringing in the

(01:40:13):
right handed pitch hitter. He's givenguys a shot to have consistent ability in
certain roles because he believes it willpay off in the long run. Now,
now, what does that do foryou that day? You can debate
that, but I do think that'sreally been a priority for the Red mixer.
So that that that's my follow upquestion to that. Charlie. You
know we talked to yesterday. Austinalluded to something that you had said about
you know, this is historically thetime of the year where you'll see some

(01:40:35):
lineup changes for the Cincinnati Reds.I see tonight again it's going against a
lefty, so Will Benson is hittinglast. Jake Fraley, he said almost
four hundred on the year, butagain lefty on lefty, I get India
leads off, Steer hits second andthen three four as fair Child Stevenson,
Ellie de la Cruz is still aboutingsick. This is a guy who much

(01:40:57):
a springbat at second. Why haven'twe seen the move to get Ellie higher
in the lineup, seeing that he'shad a very successful start to this young
red season. This is this isreally the story. It's a really great
question. Like the priority has beenkeeping Ellie six, so they'll move guys
up. Who you know, Ithink Nick Martiniz didn't fit today? Yes,

(01:41:18):
Nick Martini is so for listeners,real quick and no go ahead,
India Steer, Fairchild, Stevenson,Martini, De la Cruz, Freiley,
Espinal Will Bentson is how they hittonight. So like Martini, he just
had his first homer, Affileft,he's having a nice year. But Martini

(01:41:39):
is not a better hitter against lefthanded pitching than Ellie de Lacruz, who's
a switch hitter. You know,we know that they know that. But
again, the priority is keeping certainguys in consistent roles and consistent flocks.
The exception being like Benson hit secondagainst rightings and eight or ninth against lefties.
So if it were September, Icould see them doing it differently.

(01:42:00):
But again, like again, thisis part of a you know, this
is the trickiest part of being amanager is how do you balance letting guys
get comfortable to set them up forthe long one hundred and sixty two game
stretch ahead of them, where somuch is going to change and you need
that consistency versus, you know,maximizing one specific spot in the lineup that
day, but maybe risking something interms of, you know, a guy

(01:42:21):
moving around his role changes, whatdoes that mean for a change in his
approach? Like Again, that's thehardest part of being a manager. And
certainly right now with the lineup withroles, with guys like skydiag Wespinal playing
a lot, and how they're usingtheir bench, with how they're using their
bullpen in that pecking order, theyhave really really prioritized consistent roles hoping it'll

(01:42:42):
play off in the long run.And again that's just the path they're going
right now. Different managers do itdifferent ways, and that's how David Belt
doing it. Charlie Goldsmith, youcan find them on x or Twitter,
whatever you want to call. Youcan find all his work on Cincinnati dot
com. Uh Draft next week,I know it's a busy week coming up,
Charlie. Looking forward to all yourcoverage of the Reds and the Bengals,
and for catching up next week.Thanks as always, Buddy, Thanks

(01:43:05):
Tony. Yes, Sir Charlie GoldsmithCincinnati dot Com. We'll break, We'll
come back. We'll switch from thatto Bob Manjean from NOVACARE, who joins
us right here now, number threewhen we get back ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati
Sports Station. Thanks to our friendsat Penn Station. Now your chance to
win about Cincy three sixty is backon ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.

(01:43:31):
Welcome back, moving a long hour. Number three here of Cincy three sixty,
a service of Penn Station, andeach and every week we have the
opportunity to speak with our guy,Bob Manjean from the University of Cincinnati,
also the National Director of Sports PhysicalTherapy Clinical Residency for NOVACARE one day late
this week. We normally get Bobon Thursday. We got him on Friday

(01:43:54):
this week. Bob, what's goingon? How are you? Oh?
Just having another great day, Tonyand ark that land, you know,
getting ready for next year because it'shurts as soon as the season's over.
As you know nowadays, you knowwe're dealing with transfers in the portal and
all the good things that come withthat, with the transfer and the portal,

(01:44:15):
before I even get into anything else, at least from a core group
standpoint, from the way that yousee basketball finished the season to where they
are now, you couldn't be reallyin a better place because that core group
is all back for West Miller theUniversity of Cincinnati. That has to boost
things going into the off season andraise expectations as well for next year.

(01:44:39):
Yes, well, you know that'sthat we were fortunate enough to have that
core group come back. The boyshave been working out on their own.
You know, we're in a periodof voluntary time, and so the kids
who've been you know, doing thingsto stay in shape, get in shape,
improve their skill set. So andthis is a great group kids.

(01:45:00):
I mean, they're they're basketball fanatics. They love they love putting shots up,
they love being in the gym doingtheir thing. So they take care
of themselves in the off season.And as you know, you know,
the off seasons gets shorter and shorterevery year at college level. And interesting
it's the way it's going. Football, men's basketball all all year around here.

(01:45:26):
How much do you get to interactwith guys in the off season because
obviously there's dead periods and there's timeoff, and I know coaches can only
do so much or string trainers cando so much. How much are you
getting to interact with a lot ofthe guys in the off season. The
sports medicine staff has no restrictions,So when we're in a dead period or
a quiet period, or you know, a non contact period, that does

(01:45:47):
not count for sports medicine. Okay, So sports medicine gets to you know,
I get to interact with them everyday about a variety of things.
Uh. And the kids are reallygood about taking care of the bodies.
They commit and shoot, they wantto come in and take care of their
body, and you know, ontheir health and safety reasons from the NCAA,
we're allowed to interact with them everyday. I have to add a

(01:46:10):
good thing because you know, you'reyou're dealing with collegiate athletes, and if
you look at the professional schedule,there's always at least a concern for me
of that rookie year in the proscoming out of college because it's a shorter,
more condensed, unique offseason and thenit's a longer regular season. You

(01:46:30):
think of college football seniors get finished, they go without much rest, They
go and start training for the Combine, they start training for pro days,
they have the draft, rookie minicamp, and next thing you know,
you're in a full NFL season.The WNBA had their draft this week,
and the first week of May,they're already playing basketball. The The off

(01:46:51):
seasons, as you mentioned, aregetting shorter and shorter. My question to
you is how much does that impactrookies at the profession level. Because they're
coming from a collegiate sport, theydon't really get much of an offseason,
and then it's such a longer grindMajor League Baseball pitchers or or players that
are now playing one hundred and sixtytwo games after a college season, how

(01:47:13):
difficult is it on these players,especially during their rookie years. I think
anytime you transition from one level tothe next, starting all the way back
from being an eighth grader going toninth grade, being a twelfth grader,
going to a freshman in college,being a senior in college, going to
the NFL, NBA, whatever,you have a transitional period and it sort

(01:47:35):
of sorts itself out. But let'sgo to your first point. The guys
who are seniors in college. They'vedecided they're going to go and try to
make the NFL. They immediately starttraining as soon as the season's over.
You did it. You have togo a throwing camp. If you're a
quarterback, you've got to go toeight camps. If you're you know,
linebackers, you got to go topower camps. If you're in alignment,

(01:47:58):
and you're going to train with somebodyin that transition period, Tony. Over
the years, I've seen more guysget hurt achilles tendon ruptures to tell their
tendon ruptures torn him strings because they'veplayed a whole season. There's no period
to rest, and now all ofa sudden they're to go work with somebody
who specializes quote unquote in strength andconditioning to become an NFL player or an

(01:48:23):
NBA player. And the bottom lineis it's hard on your body. It's
absolutely hard on your body. Andthen you can drop back one level.
So the kids were bringing in thisfreshmen into college, they haven't spent a
ton of time in the weight room. And Mike Rayfeld blessed, so he
does a great job with making surethe young kids coming in that he doesn't

(01:48:44):
throw them right into where the olderkids are. He gives them a good
three or four month transitional period toget used to lifting in college and training
in college, because again, thosekids have a higher risk of injury because
a lot of the kids have playeda a U ball, A lot of
the football players that are seniors inhigh school, juniors in high school,
when they do all summer, theywent to various football camps trying to get

(01:49:08):
recruited, so there's no off seasonanymore, and your body just it eventually
will break down one way or another. And so when you make the transition,
it's got to be slow, it'sgot to be progressive, and the
game changes. You remember going fromcollege or high school to college, from
running high school to U. See, the speed of the game was different.

(01:49:30):
You remember going from UC to theCarolina Panthers. The speed of the
game is different, and it takesa while for you to really get a
you know, adapted to that,to that speed of that game and to
that level of performance. And toomany kids rush it. They don't make
enough time off, they don't dothis, they don't do that, and

(01:49:51):
then you know, you know they'vetorn achilles tendon or they've torn their hamstring,
and you know that now all ofa sudden there's a major set back
that could cost you your ast.Well, I feel like it's so difficult
because, again, if you're afirst round pick, you can choose to
be a little more picky on whatyou're gonna do and not do at the

(01:50:11):
Combine or Pro Day. But ifyou're a mid round project or if you're
a fringe guy to draft, you'regonna do everything you can to specialize in
making your numbers pop out of ProDay or at the combine. So I
guess for me, I'm watching nowguys get done with a physical college football
season, and then they go andall they do is kind of work on

(01:50:33):
starting a forty yard dash or howto run the fastest or how to broad
jump, and then you really getout of your football specific movements. You
just want to go test very well. But now we're starting to see a
difference. Marvin Harrison Junior, andI know he's going to be a top
five pick, didn't do the Combine, didn't do Pro Day. Instead,

(01:50:54):
he's gone into a I guess forhim, a normal offseason. Do you
think that can become more of anorm going forward? You don't have to
do away with the combine, butmake the combine about meetings and interviews and
get your measurements. But allow theseguys to get into some normal off season
training so they can be ready tolast both mentally and physically during a grouling

(01:51:17):
season. Do you think we canever see a transition to that from an
NFL level? My advice to thekids when they leave here and they're going
to go to the next level,if they're a one or two round draft
pick, do what you normally do. Take some time off, do your
interviews, you know, take allthe tests that they want you to take.

(01:51:39):
You don't need to go to thecombine. The combine, it's just
a waste of time in terms ofit's just a numbers given. It's data
collection. It's kind of the youknow, the happiness data as I call
it. How fast can I runa forty? Remember Don Bowie? Yeah,
remember when John played here and Johnwas a corner and John said,

(01:52:00):
big East one hundred meter record.I can't remember his number. But then
for his forty for NFL combined,he ran a four to something. And
you know John, John, youknow he didn't like to hit you but
he loved to push out of bounce. They drafted him by the Oakland Raiders
because he ran up four two fortyand so you know, you can't remember

(01:52:20):
the game against West Virginiuary crossed thefield and track down Steve Slayton from behind.
So those are the things that gothim drafted. Was the fact that
he you know, he had incrediblespeed, and you can't train speed.
I mean, you can only trainspeed to a certain level. So I
mean, you know, John said, after the season, we're we're going

(01:52:42):
to dinner. It's like we'll justtrain like you normally do, like you're
a track and field athlete, becauseonce you run your forty, you're going
to impress everybody. And so youknow, that worked for him. But
I think too many guys are youknow, they're not sure they're going to
get drafted, they're not sure wherethey're going to get drafted, so they
want to work out extra empty orextra hard in order to improve their draft

(01:53:02):
position. And in that in thattime period, you know, you end
up getting hurt and then all ofa sudden and I can count on both
hands the number of guys who graduateda year era and even earlier who went
to train somewhere where they specialized insomething. The next thing, you know,
I get the call, Hey Ijust tore my billies pendent. Can

(01:53:25):
I come down and get it fixed? Or hey I just tour this or
I tore that. Can I comeback and see them in the next You
know, by the time I getthem better, it's four months. Well,
guess what, the draft's over,free agency signings over, and all
of a sudden, you're you know, you've got to go find a real
job. I you know, forthe last couple of months, we've talked
about training, the mental, thephysical side. I guess to to sum

(01:53:50):
up and to wrap up this conversationfor grade school, junior high, high
school, collegiate professional athletes or parentsout there, how important does rest become.
I know, we always want tobe on the go, and I
know it's one sport to the next, and I know you always got to
stay training and stay at your peak. But you know, you just talked

(01:54:13):
about it with a lot of theguys at you see, this is a
rest period. How important is itfor those listening to incorporate rest when they
get done with their seasons. Ithink the number one group that are heard
that I've seen more of today.Just saw a seven year old young man
with an achilles tenon string and thekid was playing basketball, then was trying

(01:54:34):
to get him into baseball. Theyoverlapped a little bit and then all of
a sudden they were going into summerball. Then he was getting trained for
football. And it's it's great thatthey play all the sports. They need
to get a diversity of sports tosee which wins they like the best.
And at the same time, youcan't overstep. You can't be playing one

(01:54:55):
while you're trying to train for another. You can't you kind of take a
little time to let your body toeven at seven, eight, nine,
ten years old. If you lookat me as an article about two years
ago, you know, in theold days, we would say, oh,
young kids should never lift weights becauseit's going to stunt their growth.
Well, the American Academy of Worthfeed Exurgence finally came out and said,

(01:55:18):
hey, there's no data to reallyshow that if a young kid lifted life
weights and learned how to lift andworked little bit on strength and agility and
speed as young as seven eight nineyears old, that it's beneficial for them.
So that it's not just plain allthe time, but getting them into
a very slow, progressive program sothey know how to lift a weight,

(01:55:42):
they know how to get strong,and they differentiated between the females and the
males because females tend to mature fasterphysically than the males, and females really
need to build their strength. AndI go back to people saying to me
all the time, well, whythe female soccer players have a thirty seven
percent higher risk of tearing their aclsand a male football player because most of

(01:56:05):
the time they're not in a wait, they're not working on agility, they're
not working on speed, they're notworking on foot position, and all they
want to do is they want toplay. You know, mom and dad
went to play for the summer recleague or the summer competitive league, than
the high school league, than theindoor league, then this, and then,
and the kids just don't take timeoff to just get their strengthen and

(01:56:28):
have some fun. You know,I mean that are when was it like
two weeks ago the article came out. Thirty seven percent of the kids quit
by the time they're nine years oldbecause they're burned out, And it's ridiculous
that we're pushing the kids so hardthat they're burned out by the time they're
you know, nine years old.It's it's ridiculous and a lot of that

(01:56:50):
sits on the parents to control thekid. And you know, it's just
parents. Don't get me started onthat one. But you know, again,
there's a fine line between you know, hey, we're gonna I'm gonna
take my nine year old, I'mgonna make my baseball pitcher so he can
make money in the major leagues,or I'm gonna take my nine year old

(01:57:10):
and I'm gonna gethim a scholarship tocollege, you know, to play running
back or whatever. Dude, Let'sjust get him to ten years old,
you know, forget to college.None of my kids are allowed to play
college ball. You know, butbecause I started in college ball in sixty
nine and and it's physical. It'scollege football, Tony, and you played.
It is violent. And the bottomline is how many guys got hurt

(01:57:33):
who I would not let play againafter their injuries were significant enough. And
I'm not being negative through college football, don't get me wrong. But at
the same time, you know,academics are important, having fun is important,
learning to drive is important. Allthose things are fun for the kids.
The sports is you know, teachesdiscipline, teaches accountability. But at

(01:57:57):
the same time, you know,parents have to have an active role and
investigate. You know who should Igo? You know, where can I
take my son or daughter and tobecome a little stronger or how soon should
I put it into a strength program? You know, call official surpist,
have a physical therapist, give meany evaluation and tell you where you are.
You know that happens to me allthe time. Dan here. You

(01:58:19):
know I have former players will say, hey, can I bring my son
or daughter in? Can you takea look at them and tell me?
You know what I should be doingwith them? So you got to get
you got to get on top ofthem. Yeah. And for the mental
we've talked to so much about mentalhealth, the mental break as well.
It is the rest is extremely extremelyimportant. Uh. That's Bob man Gene

(01:58:41):
from a Novacare look over one hundredconvenient locations across Ohio, Spaining, and
the Northern Kentucky. Novacare's clinical expertscan help you heal. No doctor referrals
necessary. Visit novacare dot com toschedule your appointment. That is Bob Man
Gene from Novacare Bob always appreciate yourtime. We'll talk again next week.
Thanks Tony, we have a greatgood weekend you too. That's Bob Manjean.

(01:59:01):
We got a break moving on ournumber three. When we get back
since he three to sixty thanks toour friends at Penn Station. On ESPN
fifteen thirty, Logger Reality is they'reprobably not good enough. He dissects the
local sports scene. They're not consistentenough. The way Up fourth grader dissects
across not reliably Moegar Today at threeon ESPN fifteen thirty. Imri Road.

(01:59:25):
Cincy three sixty continues on ESPN fifteenthirty, Cincinnati's sports station. It's time
for Cincy three sixty quick kets.Yes, it is time for quick hits.
And I'm so far behind that I'mgonna say hi to Mowager and ask
him what's on today's show? What'sup me? Sam here is going to
be on today's show. Pat Brennancincinnatidot Com is going to be on today's
show. And Pat Kelsey's going tobe on today's show. Wow, unbelievable.

(01:59:49):
Well, Stuart Fairchild making appearance.Uh he's betting thirty's too busy tonight.
He's not adding third for the Redstonight, So I don't think he's
going to make an appearance, butwe are pro probably going to talk about
him. You know who else we'regoing to talk about today? Hill Jay
Bruce. Oh, will you talkabout Desk Claude today? Does Claude hitting

(02:00:09):
the portal? Man? Yeah?Also heard about Ryan Conwell coming to Xavier
from Indiana State. Good player.Yeah, A lot going on today.
We are going to revisit one ofthe great moments in television sports history.
So good. Without further adoo,we have to get to our locks,
our NBA Playoffs spectacular with Locks ofthe Weekend. Yes, yes, Hey,

(02:00:32):
Degenerates, it's time for Lots ofthe Weekend presented by Cincy Shirts.
Visit either store in Hyde Parker onDixie Highway and Fort Mitchell and always online
at Cincy Shirts dot Com. Nowlet's make you some money. All right,
mo, you are red hot youfor your NBA in season futures bets?
What do you like for the playoffs? All right? Well, let's

(02:00:56):
start with the two games tonight.I like the Pelicans. I'm getting a
point and a half. People aregonna say, a minute, they have
no Zion Williamson. Cool. TheKings don't have Monk, they don't have
Herders. They went five and ohthe Pelicans did against this Kings this year
in the one games Ion didn't play, they won by thirty three points.
Wow, give me the Pels,give me the Bulls. I'm also going
to go a couple of player props. Kobe White over two and a half
threes, Kobe White over four assists. I will go under Damar DeRozan's point

(02:01:19):
total because I do think that Miami'sown can frustrate him. In terms of
some individual series. I think thevalues on Cleveland, I would do it
this way. I cannot see ascenario where Orlando scores enough to win four
games in this series against the Calves. You can buy Calves in five at
plus three seventy five or Calves insix at plus four ninety. I would

(02:01:42):
go ahead and buy both. Lovethe value on the Clippers over Dallas,
you could buy that in six.Every Datchet series that he has played in,
with the exception of one, hasgone at least six. You can
pretty much get the same ratio withKawhi so I'll go Clips over Dallas and
six plus seven hundred. I cannotwait for the Nuggets to beat the Lakers,
so we can stop talking. I'vegot Denver minus one and a half,

(02:02:05):
which means they've got to win theseries in six games or less.
You could buy that at minus oneforty. And I know I'm gonna be
called a homer here, but Ithink there's just really good value on the
Knicks. I'm not sure on Philadelphiawho guards Jalen Brunson. I think the
Knicks can throw just enough bodies atTyrese Maxey, who I love, And
I don't know what Joe lmbat Iget. I just think Knicks to win

(02:02:26):
the series. They do have homecourt plus one seventy. I think the
value is insane. I understand whyPhilly is the favorite in the series.
They should be, they have thebest player. But the value here is
ridiculous for a two seed when theother team's best guy doesn't look like he's
in great shape. Are you are? Do you wonder at all? I
look at the odds for the WesternConference champion Denver plus one thirty five,

(02:02:48):
Clippers plus six hundred and the numberone seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder are
plus six fifty. Is that strictlybecause of how young that team is and
the playoffs are just a different animal? Yeah? I think so. I
mean, young inexperience kind of harderto wrap your brain around how they're gonna
beat Denver four times? Right,Like, That's how I look at it.

(02:03:09):
Could some of these teams give Denvera competitive series? Absolutely? I
look at Boston the same way.Could anybody in the East give them a
competitive series? Yeah? Sure,I mean some are gonna say, last
year the Lakers played four competitive gamesagainst the Nuggets, they still got swept.
I think you're being fair if youlook at Denver and go, look,
I just don't understand who's going tobeat them four times. I think
you could apply that to Phoenix.I think you can apply it to OKC.

(02:03:32):
That said, I think the Thunder, by how they've built their team
and the opportunity for Shay Gildess Alexanderto kind of have the stage of the
postseason, could be a lot offun. That is a fun team to
watch. Absolutely. I like Calvesin Game one minus four and a half.
I also like them in the series. I like Denver in Game one
big because of all this nonsense talk. I also like them in the series.

(02:03:55):
I have the over five and ahalf NIX seventy six ers because I
think that's gonna be a really goodseries. I have the Milwaukee Bucks plus
one hundred over Indy in that series. A lot's made of Giannis, probably
not available for the first two.It's still I know it hasn't worked a
lot. It's still Damian Lillard inthe playoffs. I'm interested to see what
he can do. I just don'tknow if Indy's there yet. So if
I'm getting value at plus one hundredin the Bucks, I'll take them over

(02:04:17):
the Indianapolis Pacers. I don't seeI'm sorry to say this about your knicks.
I just don't see a team inthe East, as you said,
that can beat the Boston Celtics infour out of the seven. So I'll
take the Celtics to come out ofthe Eastern Conference as well. I don't
know how you don't. I willsay this. You mentioned Milwaukee. If
you think they beat Indy, goget jas back. Yeah, go ahead

(02:04:41):
and take a flyer on them tomake the finals. Because if you believe,
okay, they can beat Indiana withoutYannis, and I think it's fair
to wonder if they can. Butif you think they will, and you
think, all right, they're gonnaget him back for round two, you
know, I mean, I betyou the value is really good right now,
plus seven fifty. Yeah, Likeif you' I think they're gonna beat
Indy, and it's fair to say, I think that's kind of a coin

(02:05:03):
flip series right now. But ifyou think they're gonna beat Indy, that
means Giannis comes back in time forround two. I don't know why you
wouldn't love the value there. Ifyou would play, they would play the
Knicks or Philly Yep. I wouldlike them in either series quite frankly with
Giannis. If you want the valuein the West, I think the Suns
are plus a fifty or good valuejust because of the star power they got.

(02:05:24):
It's the playoffs what Devin Booker cando. That's it. MO,
have a great show and appreciate yourswinging in today, Tony, thank you
very much for it is. That'sMoeger He's next. Thanks to literally everyone,
Tom Gillaird or Blake Wexler, BobManjing, Charlie Goldsmith. Thanks to
Mo. Thanks to Drew for producingtoday. Thanks to the callers, listeners,

(02:05:45):
talkbackers, since he shared Skyline ChiliPenn Station, everyone that makes this
show possible. Have a great Friday, have a great weekend. We'll do
it again Monday. Moeger is nexton ESPN fifteen thirty