Bleav in Cincy

It is a tale far too familiar for Bengals fans. The official end of the preseason and beginning of the regular season in Cincinnati occurs when a star player ends his holdout. Trey Hendrickson gets a big raise, and just like that preseason is over. It’s kind of like Groundhogs Day, but Punxsutawney Phil a much better against the run.

The other sign that training camp has ended is the cuts.

“And then there were 53”

If you see that as an Agatha Christie reference, we can be friends. If you see that as Seinfeld reference, we can still be friends, but you really pick up a book once in a while.

The Bengals have made their cuts and are down to their “final” roster. That is of course final until waiver claims go through, which depending on when you are reading this, may have already happened. If this is the case, what is the future like?

But I digress…

The Bengals have made their initial cuts and Matt and Willie have much to discuss.

All this and Andy Rooney on this week’s edition of Matt and Willie Know Ball

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On this episode:

-What's it like to win not only one, but three Super Bowls?

-A a pro and a father, what's it like to be NFL dynastic royatly?

What is the 2025 outlook for the 2025 Bengals and the Broncos?

-What's the NFL landscape?

And more!

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Jason and Kevin are back this week to discuss several Cincinnati Bengals topics as the team prepares for their final preseason game of the 2025 season.

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On this episode:

-The Bengals' first-team offense continues to churn out points in the early portion of the preseason.

-Cincinnati's defense made more plays against Washington, but first-team concerns continue.

-Will the Bengals make moves after final cuts?

-The Bengals are still trying to finalize a deal with Trey Hendrickson.

-What's to come of the reported visit with guard Dalton Risner?

And more!

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Jason and Kevin are back this week to share their thoughts on what they saw from the Bengals in their first preseason action, and what they need to see on Monday night in Washington.

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The Bengals rookie class was on full display on Thursday night with all six draftees and several UDFAs seeing action. Matt and Willie talk about what they say from these youths.

Of course, the big name that everyone is talking about is Shemar Stewart. His Dad has a Thanos chain, but the “blip” in his young career caused by his bro of an agent is now over. Stewart is here and on Thursday night he made it clear that he is ready to contribute in a big way. Matt and Willie discuss his performance and what his rookie campaign could look like. Then they talk about defensive tackle Howard Cross III who saw an unexpected amount of action. Cross’s performance on Thursday has met with mixed reviews, but he has a lot of buzz in the building.

Stepping back four yards, we come to the linebacker position where rookie Demetrius Knight made the start next to veteran Logan Wilson. Fellow rookie Barrett Carter saw significant action with the twos. Both will be expected to contribute for the Bengals defense this season. What type of first impression did they make?

Now, let’s talk about the offensive line. Rookies Dylan Fairchild and Jalen Rivers had very different nights. Fairchild seemed as snug as a glove at the left guard position, which is to say that he looked comfortable. Rivers had a bit more turbulence at tackle and appears to have flipped spots with Cody Ford in the aftermath.

Overall depth on the offensive line is full of questions.

Questions like:

Anyway, y’all should listen, like, subscribe, and tell your friends.

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Joe Burrow and the Bengals starters saw a full quarter of action in the preseason.

Matt and Willie have their instant reaction to the Bengals first preseason game.

Who looked good?

Who is not going to have a fun film session tomorrow?

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The Bengals are finally playing real (kind of) football again, and Jason and Kevin are back to share what they'll be on the lookout for Thursday night.

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Camp report! Shemar Stewart has reported to camp and Trey Hendrickson is about to do the same.

Matt and Willie discuss the impeding return of Trey Hendrickson. What does it mean? Are we getting close deal? Is this just a power play?

Then they talk about the youth movement on defense. The Bengals are looking to utilize the young talent that has gone neglected in recent years and pushing more young players into key defensive roles. More than that, they are embracing their identity as a young, feisty, chippy defense.

So what does that mean for Trey?

Obviously, he is their best defensive player, and they need him out there, but how does the veteran fit in to the Al Golden age? He said he wants to be a captain. Is he the kind of leader this group needs?

After the Bengals gave up the smallest concession imaginable so that his future former agent could save face after making himself, Shemar Stewart is in the house. How has he been received? How has he looked?

We transition from the most talked about players of the offseason to the least talked about player of the offseason: Jermaine Burton.

The way his rookie season went, no news is good news with Burton, and fortunately all has been quiet. Now we are starting to see why the Bengals were so excited about him as he has been a camp standout making big plays left and right.

And let’s not forget about Ja’Marr Chase and his well-deserved 99 rating in Madden. Taco-bout impressive. Amirite?

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On this episode:

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