Mike Hodges LB coach Interview

[Luvnit2]

https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-lbs-coach-mike-hodges-enjoying-ground-floor-of-new-scheme-we-re-creating-our-own-defense-here-the-conversation

This is a great read and I know many will call it a fluff piece, but is it.

My key takeaways:

1. He did not mention Pratt as a running mate rght now with Wilson.
2. He really likes Wilson
3. They are creating a new defense together with Al and the rest of the defensive coaches.
4. He has known ZT for a long time and appreciates his demeanor (not an eleistist) and him letting the defensive and offensive coaches sculpt their schemes.

There is a lot more, but he seems very enthusiastic to be here and brings a lot of expereince with him.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-14-2025, 12:53 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-lbs-coach-mike-hodges-enjoying-ground-floor-of-new-scheme-we-re-creating-our-own-defense-here-the-conversation

This is a great read and I know many will call it a fluff piece, but is it.

My key takeaways:

1. He did not mention Pratt as a running mate rght now with Wilson.
2. He really likes Wilson
3. They are creating a new defense together with Al and the rest of the defensive coaches.
4. He has known ZT for a long time and appreciates his demeanor (not an eleistist) and him letting the defensive and offensive coaches sculpt their schemes.

There is a lot more, but he seems very enthusiastic to be here and brings a lot of expereince with him.

Thanks for this Luvnit. Nice interview, I like this guy's resume' and he knows a lot about football. There is a reason Golden brought him in.

Sounds like a Pratt trade will be in the works to me. I didn't hear him speak a word about him, only Logan, Shaka and Oren he spoke of.

Just a lot of interesting tid bits in this vid and it would be really cool if we could add a player like Jihad Campbell even if he won't be ready 
to play immediately at the start of the season I think he would make a huge impact if we drafted him. Talk about a running mate for Logan.

[SunsetBengal]

I'm really liking the cast of our new Defensive Braintrust so far. I like what Hodges says about teaching a system and being able to reach and connect with whomever he's trying to get the message to.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(04-14-2025, 12:53 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-lbs-coach-mike-hodges-enjoying-ground-floor-of-new-scheme-we-re-creating-our-own-defense-here-the-conversation

This is a great read and I know many will call it a fluff piece, but is it.

My key takeaways:

1. He did not mention Pratt as a running mate rght now with Wilson.
2. He really likes Wilson
3. They are creating a new defense together with Al and the rest of the defensive coaches.
4. He has known ZT for a long time and appreciates his demeanor (not an eleistist) and him letting the defensive and offensive coaches sculpt their schemes.

There is a lot more, but he seems very enthusiastic to be here and brings a lot of expereince with him.

It is a fluff piece, I wouldn't read too much into it. He didn't mention Heyward either. 

[Luvnit2]

(04-14-2025, 11:15 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: It is a fluff piece, I wouldn't read too much into it. He didn't mention Heyward either. 

It is hard to read into your response since you obviously did not listen to it or read the transcript I provided.

"We've got some young guys. I'm excited to see how Shaka (Heyward) grows. Oren Burks is a good ad for us. He took advantage of his opportunities that were presented last year on their path to the Super Bowl late in the season. But I think that we've got to re-develop the room."

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-14-2025, 11:48 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: It is hard to read into your response since you obviously did not listen to it or read the transcript I provided.

"We've got some young guys. I'm excited to see how Shaka (Heyward) grows. Oren Burks is a good ad for us. He took advantage of his opportunities that were presented last year on their path to the Super Bowl late in the season. But I think that we've got to re-develop the room."

Yep, Hodges mentioned Shaka as he should. 

Plus I am sure he has been watching film from late last year and Shaka Heyward was damn good IMO.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 12:22 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yep, Hodges mentioned Shaka as he should. 

Plus I am sure he has been watching film from late last year and Shaka Heyward was damn good IMO.

If a fluff piece, he would have mentioned Pratt, it is telling he did not.

Pratt is either in the dog house and going to be cut or traded or not a projected 2025 starter in my humble opinion.

[Sled21]

This exchange right here is the nuts and bolts of the conversation. He obviously does not see Pratt as either being here or being a starter.

Quote:GH: Do you think Logan's potential running mate is in the draft?

MH: I think there's one in there. We've got more needs than just linebacker. And so where you value that draft pick, we have to lean on our decision makers upstairs to do that. I'll get up there next week for draft meetings, and I'll have a nice sales pitch, and then we'll wait and see what happens at the end of the week.

[Joelist]

They probably want another LB who can cover in the passing game and be at least competent tackling. Everyone praises Jihaad Campbell and that is possible but Carson Schwesinger or Demetrius Knight could also fit and be a lower pick.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 01:11 PM)Sled21 Wrote: This exchange right here is the nuts and bolts of the conversation. He obviously does not see Pratt as either being here or being a starter.

Yes it is.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 01:30 PM)Joelist Wrote: They probably want another LB who can cover in the passing game and be at least competent tackling. Everyone praises Jihaad Campbell and that is possible but Carson Schwesinger or Demetrius Knight could also fit and be a lower pick.

Pratt makes a lot of money for a player not in our plans. If we cut him, we eat some dead cap (2.3 million), but would gain 5.8 million in caps space. Bengals will have a hard time trading a 2 down LB who is scheduled to make 5.8 million in 2025. His cap hit is 8.1 million and dead cap is money he already received in a signing bonus.

If we can't trade him, it may not make sense to cut him until after camp.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

I personally feel it to be another G sitch, where they roll with whatever, depending on draft.

The difference here though, is they have a LB on the roster, G they don't (not a competent one, anyways).

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 02:49 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: I personally feel it to be another G sitch, where they roll with whatever, depending on draft.

The difference here though, is they have a LB on the roster, G they don't (not a competent one, anyways).

I agree guard is the weakest position heading into the draft. I hope it does not make us overreach as a result. Draft fast approaching, so we find out soon.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 12:58 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: If a fluff piece, he would have mentioned Pratt, it is telling he did not.

Pratt is either in the dog house and going to be cut or traded or not a projected 2025 starter in my humble opinion.

They must be waiting for a possible trade request or till it is cheaper to cut him sounds like the plan, because yeah, he isn't even mentioned.

Doesn't even sound like Pratt is a part of the game plan with this LB core from what Hodges says, or doesn't say.

(Yesterday, 01:11 PM)Sled21 Wrote: This exchange right here is the nuts and bolts of the conversation. He obviously does not see Pratt as either being here or being a starter.

That is it. That raises my eyebrows.

(Yesterday, 01:30 PM)Joelist Wrote: They probably want another LB who can cover in the passing game and be at least competent tackling. Everyone praises Jihaad Campbell and that is possible but Carson Schwesinger or Demetrius Knight could also fit and be a lower pick.

I like all those guys mentioned, well said Joelist. We need a LB next to Logan who can cover and tackle well. This isn't Pratt from what Hodges
is saying or not saying.

(Yesterday, 01:55 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Pratt makes a lot of money for a player not in our plans. If we cut him, we eat some dead cap (2.3 million), but would gain 5.8 million in caps space. Bengals will have a hard time trading a 2 down LB who is scheduled to make 5.8 million in 2025. His cap hit is 8.1 million and dead cap is money he already received in a signing bonus.

If we can't trade him, it may not make sense to cut him until after camp.

Yep.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

I am going to make a prediction that the Bengals do little/nothing to address the d-line the first two days of the draft.

The defense will lean more on getting pressure from the "viper" position, and I feel they believe they can get by with their current "talent."

Just a guess, and gut feeling though.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 04:51 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: I am going to make a prediction that the Bengals do little/nothing to address the d-line the first two days of the draft.

The defense will lean more on getting pressure from the "viper" position, and I feel they believe they can get by with their current "talent."

Just a guess, and gut feeling though.

I think we get a pass rushing DL by the 3rd round. But I could see us going Jihad Campbell and Guard or Safety 1/2.

Something like Jihad, Ratledge or Jihad, Xavier Watts to start out the draft. We could also go with Donovan Jackson at 17 and viper in the 2nd.

There are more viper types after the first, not just Jihad and Jalon Walker.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

(Yesterday, 05:47 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I think we get a pass rushing DL by the 3rd round. But I could see us going Jihad Campbell and Guard or Safety 1/2.

Something like Jihad, Ratledge or Jihad, Xavier Watts to start out the draft. We could also go with Donovan Jackson at 17 and viper in the 2nd.

There are more viper types after the first, not just Jihad and Jalon Walker.

I think there are some great day two prospects for that role, and some day three, but not ready this season.

The value in them not being ideal size, either too short (under 6'1"), too small (under 240), or too lanky (taller and light).

I am hoping to post a mock regarding those ideas on Good Friday.

Mocking a viper, so to speak.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 05:57 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: I think there are some great day two prospects for that role, and some day three, but not ready this season.

The value in them not being ideal size, either too short (under 6'1"), too small (under 240), or too lanky (taller and light).

I am hoping to post a mock regarding those ideas on Good Friday.

Mocking a viper, so to speak.

Cool man, I am wanting a little bit of time off from work to study up on viper LB's as well and do a couple mocks before the Draft.

Haven't really been able to do one yet been so damn busy.