This week’s conversation with The Next Man Up was conducted by senior writer Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, with Bengals quarterback Jake Browning in attendance. Using the same calm demeanor that helped him win training camp, Browning is getting ready for his first NFL start on Sunday at Paycor Stadium (1 p.m., Cincinnati’s Local 12) against the 6-4 Steelers in the AFC playoff picture.
JB: I believe it illustrates the caliber of backups the NFL currently has. However, as I watch some of those, I also believe that the coaches are calling plays to help them win the game. Observing certain players, you can discern that their goal is to shield the quarterback and make plays that will keep the quarterback from losing the game.
I’ve always kind of felt that way about the coaches. “Hey, let’s call whatever plays will help us win against the Steelers,” and stop worrying so much about whether they’re trying to run the ball to give me plays off or protect me with specific play calls. Call plays and let’s go win the game.
JB: It’s still early in the week, but their pass rush is undoubtedly very strong. It seems like they have had a top-notch pass rush for the past seventy years. They make a strong team. They are adept at what they do, and they excel at it.
They’re going to put you through external challenges and attempt to reduce you to a one-dimensional running stop. The two guys on the edge and the two on the interior, along with their pass rush, are where I believe it all really begins. We all know Larry, after all—Ogunjobi at defensive tackle. Larry is a big splash play maker. appears on film. Cam Heyward has spent an eternity there. Among the better ones are the two guys on the edge.
JB: You’re right, I don’t want to give that baby a pat. However, mixing up when you take your shots is a part of that. You don’t want to play the entire game quickly while sitting there. DBs shouldn’t be allowed to play poorly. You wish to put them to the test. Just like this entire division, you want to be selective when facing a strong pass rush, like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or any other team. Down the field, you still need to challenge people.
JB: I believe that the first part of that play was just a rewarming period. It’s difficult to open up and run when you’re on the sidelines. This offense has been a part of me for a while. I’m not going to show up on a Tuesday and be thrown in on Sunday like Josh Dobbs did. You know I’m offended. Regarding favorite plays, Joe enjoys doing that every week, and my preference is to simply call and find someone who is available. I’ll forward it to the open folks. I’ll play as appropriate, so just get someone open and call whatever will help us defeat the Steelers.
JB: If eight of the top 10 went to Folsom, that wouldn’t surprise me. We launch the sphere. By California standards, it’s a smaller town, but its football legacy makes it famous. Rewinding all the way to football in third grade. We have the best junior football program around. Sacramento is a somewhat haphazard football hotbed. But you are familiar with Folsom football if you live in California.
