In The Trenches with Dave Lapham

Bengals OC Brian Callahan Part 2 | It All Starts and Ends with Joe Burrow

We finish our conversation with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as the Bengals have finished OTAs and minicamp with the start of the 2023 season just weeks away as Joe Burrow will look to lead the Bengals to another AFC North Championship and a deep run in the playoffs with a Super Bowl win the ultimate goal.
Callahan knows success starts and ends with Joe Burrow but is confident the Bengals roster has a mastery of the coaches system on both sides of the ball.
Also discussed on In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, is new backup quarterback Trevor Siemian, the battle he'll face from Jake Browning in camp, and more.

Brian Callahan Part 1 - Offensive Newcomers Stepping Forward

The end of OTAs and minicamps by the Cincinnati Bengals means the 2023 season will be here before we know it. Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan returns to In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, to explain how the offensive unit looked and more.
In Part One, Callahan talks about new tight end Irv Smith Jr., drafted wide receivers Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas, the addition of Orland Brown Jr, and undrafted college free agent Jaxson Kirkland who has opened some eyes early, showing how much depth along the Bengals offensive line.
Callahan and the Bengals coaching staff know there will be some hard cuts to make when they look to make a final roster before the Bengals open the season against the Cleveland Browns.

Bengals DC Lou Anarumo - We’re Battle Tested

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo returns to In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, to discuss the recent mini-camp workouts as fans can start counting down the days until camp opens in late July with huge expectations with the signing of key free agents, drafting of talent to provide more depth and a majority of core players returning on both sides of the ball.
Ararumo looks at what is expected from the 2023 rookie class and how the newest Bengals on defense have adapted to his defensive scheme.

Chris Simms Part 2 | Special Era Of Quarterbacks & Next In Line

In Part Two with Chris Simms on In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, we continue to discuss the recently released Top 40 NFL Quarterbacks released by Simms and how some lower-ranked signal callers could rebound for big seasons.
However, the next line of signal callers heading to the NFL is looking to make their mark as players like Caleb Williams (USC), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Drake Maye (North Carolina), and Ohio State's new starting quarterback, Kyle McCord, look poised to be the next players headed for the first round of a future NFL Draft.

Chris Simms Part 1 | We’re In A Special Era Of Quarterbacks

One of our favorite guests on In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, returns as Chris Simms recently released his 2023 NFL Quarterback Rankings.
Simms discusses how special of an era the NFL is in right now at the quarterback position, especially the strength of play in the AFC and the AFC North led by Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, and Kenny Pickett. 
This is Part One of Two, so stay tuned for Part Two later this week.

Bengals Punter Brad Robbins | Brings ”A” Game Everyday

When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Michigan punter Brad Robbins in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they sent a message about competition being open at every position on the field.
Last season saw a change at punter, with longtime punter Kevin Huber being pushed by Drue Chrisman before Huber was released and Chrisman was signed to the active roster.
Now, Chrisman will be pushed, as many expect Robbins to replace the former Ohio State punter this season.
Robbins joins Dave Lapham In The Trenches, presented by First Star Logistics, to discuss being a multi-sport athlete growing up in Central Ohio, choosing Michigan despite his parents both being Ohio State grads, playing for Jim Harbaugh and how an injury prepared him to think of a life without the game of football.

Bengals HC Zac Taylor - OTAs - Rookies Breakdown - 2023 Schedule - One-on-One with Dave Lapham

We welcome back to In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor for an in-depth look at the Bengals rookies and new free agents and an early look at the 2023 NFL schedule.
Lapham and Taylor talk about the newest veteran additions like Orlando Brown, Nick Scott, Sidney Jones, Cody Ford, and Tarell Basham while also giving snapshots of all seven 2023 draft picks, Myles Murphy, DJ Turner, Jordan Battle, Charlie Jones, Chase Brown, Andrei Iosivas, and Brad Robbins, as well as one massive undrafted free agent signed.
Before we know it, the Bengals will welcome the Green Bay Packers to Paycor for pre-season play as they prepare for their season opener against AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns, to kick off their title defense.

Cincinnati Bengals Middle Linebacker Logan Wilson | Bengals Defense Will Be Even Better In 2023

#bengals Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Logan Wilson joins Dave Lapham in the Trenches today brought to you by First Star Logistics. Logan is coming off two amazing seasons where he has excelled as a young player in the NFL. The 2023 season is a big season for Logan because it's the final year of his contract so he will try to play his best to earn the most money possible for his next contract.
Logan and Bengals have already begun contract negotiations but will most likely be on hold until the Bengals figure out Joe Burrow's contract first. Wilson isn't focused on his contract though he is focused on being the leader of one of the best defenses in the NFL. With Jessie Bates leaving in free agency Wilson will have to step up and be the quarterback of this very strong defense. Lapham and Wilson talk about his defense back upbringing and how that has helped him be one of the best cover linebackers in the NFL.
Wilson also shows high praise for defense coordinator Lou Anarumo who has made a name for himself the past two seasons and if the Bengals defense has another strong year in 2023 you figure it will be hard to keep teams away from Lou as their head coach in the years to come.

Jimmy Burrow | One Of These Days I Bet He’ll Be Good

Jimmy Burrow is back on In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, to discuss his son Joe Burrow and how things are progressing as the Cincinnati Bengals continue OTAs with some new additions to the offense from the draft and free agency, especially what tight end Irv Smith Jr. brings to the Bengals offense.
Also discussed is the work done by the Joe Burrow Foundation in Cincinnati and Louisiana and how fans of Joe's can help the foundation help more people during their latest Joe Burrow Foundation competition between the two areas with the "Let's Do Good" competition. 
The challenge runs through June 6, with fans being able to purchase apparel celebrating Burrow's career in both areas. 
Over 4,600 items were sold during last year's challenge, with Cincinnati fans winning bragging rights with more than 2,800 purchases.

Former Bengals Quarterback Jon Kitna - One-on-One In The Trenches with Dave Lapham

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna proved during his football career to be a winner and a leader. 
After playing three sports at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington, Kitna walked on at Central Washington University (NAIA), earning the starting quarterback job as a true freshman.
Kitna proved he was no fluke leading Central Washington to the NAIA Football National Championship his senior year.
After earning a math education degree, Kitna was prepared to teach and coach at the high school level. But, instead, Dennis Erickson saw something in Kitna, signing him to the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996.
After being waived and signed to the Seahawks practice squad, Kitna was allocated to the World League of American Football and the Barcelona Dragons. It was here that Kitna showed he had the makings to play in the NFL and would play in the league with the Seahawks, Bengals, Detroit Lions, and Dallas Cowboys.
However, after finishing his pro career, Kitna started the job he thought was his future all along, becoming a high school coach, the position he holds today as the new head coach at Liberty Township (Ohio) Lakota East High School, where he'll coach his youngest son, Jamison Kitna, a Class of 2025 quarterback prospect who already holds double-digit offers from the likes of Baylor, Duke, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and more.
Kitna joined In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, to discuss his career, including what may surprise many as his most significant achievement in the game, and respect he has for former teammate Carson Palmer and what he's seen so far from current Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Bengals New Tight End Irv Smith Jr | ”Can’t Wait To Play with Joe Burrow”

Cincinnati Bengals new tight end Irv Smith Jr joins Dave Lapham in the Trenches today brought to you by First Star Logistics. Lap takes a deep dive into Irv's football foundation and how his father helped him into the player he is today.
Smith tells us about his football upbringing and how excited he is for this new chapter in his career. Smith played college football for Alabama from 2016-2018 where he excelled in his pass-catching ability which lead to him getting drafted 50th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019. The biggest issue for Smith's young career is staying healthy and staying on the field, like Hayden Hurst last season Smith is looking to prove he is an elite player at the tight end position.
Irv couldn't be more excited to be joining Joe Burrow and this Bengals offense. With the Bengals not selecting a tight end in this year's NFL Draft Smith will be the TE1 to start the season. We can't wait to see the Burrow and Smith connection this upcoming season!

Cincinnati Bengals QB Coach Dan Pitcher Pleased With Quarterbacks & New Additions

While the Cincinnati Bengals didn't draft a quarterback during the recent NFL Draft, there were changes in the quarterback room as backup Brandon Allen left the organization and veteran signal-caller Trevor Siemian took over as the backup for Joe Burrow.
Bengals quarterback coach Dan Pitcher gets back In The Trenches with Dave Lapham, presented by First Star Logistics, to discuss how the Bengals offseason work has been coming along, the addition of Siemian, and what he's seen from newcomers, tight end Irv Smith Jr. and newly drafted wide receiver Charlie Jones out of Purdue.
Pitcher gives excellent insight into why Burrow has become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL since being the first player in the 2020 NFL Draft and more in another great episode of In The Trenches from the First Star Logistics Studios.