Episodes

Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
On today's show we discuss the Bengals not caring about their fans, Dianna Russini's comments on Joe Burrow, why the Bengals feel comfortable with Zac Taylor, Tua Tagovailoa being benched for Sunday's game, Jizzle James returning to the UC basketball team, Arch Manning committing to returning to Texas next season, Xavier vs. Creighton tonight and more!
Bengals news: Paul Dehner Jr.’s recent reporting suggests that, even after missing the playoffs for a third straight season and finishing with a 4-10 record, the Bengals are unlikely to make sweeping changes at the top of the football operations or coaching hierarchy. Internally, both Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor are expected to remain with the team heading into the 2026 season rather than being dismissed.
A key reason for this continuity is Tobin’s deeply rooted relationship with Bengals ownership. Dehner notes that Tobin—officially titled Director of Player Personnel but functioning as the de facto general manager—is regarded almost as part of the family by owner Mike Brown and the broader leadership structure. Because of this, ownership reportedly has no internal inclination to fire Tobin, even amid external pressure and fan frustration.
Taylor’s situation is similar in that his contractual status strongly favors retention. Dehner explains that Taylor is under contract through the 2027 season due to an additional extension that was not widely publicized at the time. Because the Bengals rarely fire head coaches with multiple years left on their deals, and given Taylor’s history leading the team to a Super Bowl and consecutive AFC Championship Games earlier in his tenure, his job is viewed as relatively secure.
In short, Dehner’s reporting paints a picture of ownership favoring stability and loyalty over dramatic change, even in the face of poor on-field results and vocal calls from the fan base for a reset. Both Tobin and Taylor are therefore expected to stay put for the foreseeable future.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
On today's show, we react to friend of the program Paul Dehner Jr.'s article about how he believes Duke Tobin, Zac Taylor and Al Golden will all be back with the Bengals next season. Plus, we roll through our Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, discuss Pittsburgh's win over Miami, whether it is time to move off of Tua Tagovailoa and Brendan Sorsby's decision to leave Cincinnati and enter the transfer portal.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 season has been a stark departure from expectations, and pressure is building not just on head coach Zac Taylor, but also on director of player personnel Duke Tobin and defensive coordinator Al Golden. At the heart of the frustration is a team that was once seen as perennial contenders — led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase — now heading toward missing the playoffs for a third straight season. Recent analysis from NFL hot seat rankings even lists Taylor among the top coaches whose jobs could be in jeopardy.
For Taylor, criticism centers on game management, inconsistency, and offensive decline without Burrow healthy. With the Bengals at a losing record and recent blowout losses — such as the shutout at the hands of the Ravens — national media and fans alike are openly debating whether Taylor can right the ship. Some reports place him at risk of being fired, pointing to coaching decisions and the team’s overall malaise.
Behind the scenes, Duke Tobin’s roster construction is increasingly questioned. As the de facto general manager, Tobin has seen the Bengals struggle to build a defense capable of complementing their offensive talent. Fans and analysts argue that draft and free-agency misses, especially on defense, have hamstrung coach and coordinator alike, contributing to the organization’s slide.
Meanwhile, Al Golden, brought in to fix defensive woes, hasn’t turned around a unit that has been historically bad in key statistical categories this season, leading to louder calls for change. Some outlets even speculated midseason about the possibility of firing Golden, illustrating how his performance is being judged.
Collectively, ownership faces mounting pressure from fans and pundits to overhaul leadership at multiple levels — a rare crossroads for a franchise that has prized continuity. The coming weeks, especially how the Bengals finish the season, could decide whether these three retain their jobs or if Cincinnati opts for a fresh start.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
On today's show we discuss yet another Cincinnati Bengals loss where the offense couldn't muster a singular point, will changes be made this offseason? Plus, the Cincinnati Bearcats quit vs. Georgia as Wes Miller's seat continues to get hotter & Around The NFL.
In a frigid Paycor Stadium showdown on December 14, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a humiliating 24-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, officially eliminating them from playoff contention for the third straight season. The defeat dropped the Bengals to 4-10, capping one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent franchise history amid high preseason expectations.
The Ravens (7-7) avenged their 32-14 Thanksgiving loss to Cincinnati just weeks earlier, delivering what coach John Harbaugh called their most complete performance of the year. Lamar Jackson, efficient on a cold day with temperatures around 10 degrees and wind chill below zero, completed 8 of 12 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns—both in the first half. He connected with rookie running back Rasheen Ali for a 30-yard score and Zay Flowers for a 28-yard strike, building a 14-0 halftime lead. Derrick Henry pounded out 100 yards on 11 carries, controlling the ground game.
Cincinnati's offense, despite possessing the ball for nearly 40 minutes and running 71 plays, managed just 298 yards and no points—the first shutout of Joe Burrow's career. Burrow went 24-of-39 for 225 yards but threw two costly interceptions, including a fourth-quarter pick-six returned 95 yards (with a lateral) by Kyle Van Noy and Alohi Gilman that sealed the game at 24-0 after a field goal. Ja'Marr Chase hauled in 10 catches for 132 yards, but the Bengals repeatedly stalled in scoring position, missing receiver Tee Higgins (concussion protocol).
Baltimore's defense dominated, sacking Burrow three times and forcing turnovers. The win kept the Ravens half a game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North, fueling their playoff push after a 1-5 start. For Cincinnati, the blowout underscored defensive woes (last in the NFL in yards and points allowed) and offensive inconsistencies, shifting focus to a pivotal offseason.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
On today's show, we preview Sunday's AFC North battle between the Bengals and Ravens as Joe Burrow makes his first start in Cincinnati since Week 2. Plus, we break down some Sherrone Moore replacements at Michigan, react to what national pundits are saying about Joe Burrow and roll through our Best Bets Of The Weekend.
In the electric hum of Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati Bengals fans have waited 11 agonizing weeks for this moment. Joe Burrow, the cool-headed gunslinger whose left big toe turned traitor in Week 2 against Jacksonville, steps onto his home turf this Sunday for the first time since that brutal turf toe rupture. What was expected to sideline him until mid-December became a defiant Thanksgiving triumph in Baltimore, where he diced up the Ravens for 261 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-14 rout. Now, at 4-9 but flickering with Burrow-fueled fire, the Bengals host Lamar Jackson and a 6-6 Ravens squad hungry for redemption.
Burrow's return wasn't just early—it was engineered. Post-surgery on September 19, he rehabbed with a carbon-fiber-plated cleat, a rigid ally against backward bends that could reopen the wound. On Thanksgiving, the plate didn't cramp his style; he scrambled, play-faked, and zipped lasers to Ja'Marr Chase, shaking off rust like a champ. "I've been through a lot," Burrow reflected post-loss to Buffalo last week, his voice laced with the weight of a ruptured appendix last offseason and this season's frustrations. At 29, he's philosophical: Winning burns bright, but fun fuels the long haul. Against Buffalo, he dazzled in defeat—over 300 yards in a 39-34 heartbreaker—proving the toe's no longer a tyrant.
Enter Lamar Jackson, the dual-threat dynamo who's Baltimore's heartbeat. Fresh off nagging knee, ankle, and toe woes of his own, Jackson's elusiveness torched Cincy's secondary before, but the Bengals' defense, galvanized by five Thanksgiving takeaways, smells blood. This rematch crackles with AFC North venom: Burrow's precision versus Jackson's chaos, Chase's speed against Baltimore's vaunted front. Paycor will roar as Burrow, arm cocked like a .22, aims to flip the script on a Ravens team clinging to wild-card hopes.
For Burrow, it's personal—a home debut reclaiming his throne, toe be damned. Bengals Nation, starved for stripes of black and orange glory, braces for fireworks. If Thanksgiving was appetizer, Sunday's the feast. Will Burrow carve up Baltimore again, or will Lamar's legs dance away dreams? One thing's certain: The riverfront's about to rumble.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
On today's show, Stone is joined by Miami Head Basketball Coach Travis Steele and they discuss Miami's perfect start to the season and last night's win over UNC Asheville. Plus, we react to another strange Joe Burrow press conference and discuss Michigan firing Sherrone Moore with cause.
Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow delivered one of the most introspective and concerning press conferences of his career on December 10, 2025 — and the reaction from fans and analysts has been intense. Coming off a tough loss and a season plagued by injuries, Burrow openly talked about how the mental and emotional toll of the game has affected him this year.
Burrow, who celebrated his 29th birthday the same day, didn’t hide his feelings when asked how he’s approaching football right now. Instead of his usual confident, competitive answers, he said “if I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it,” suggesting that the joy of playing has been harder to find amidst the challenges.
He admitted he’s been through a lot — both physically and mentally — after multiple injuries over his six NFL seasons, including his latest turf toe setback this year. When a reporter asked whether his frustration was football-related or personal, Burrow’s simple reply was “all of the above.”
These comments sparked immediate worries online, with some fans comparing his tone to that of former NFL MVP Andrew Luck before his sudden retirement. While Burrow did not say he’s considering quitting, the fact that he’s openly questioning his motivation has been a rare and sobering moment.
This press conference highlights not just the physical toll of the NFL but the mental strain even superstar quarterbacks face — making this a must-watch for every Bengals fan and football follower.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
On today's show we discuss the Reds missing on free agent Kyle Schwarber despite a more than fair offer, key defensive miscues vs. Bills, Tee Higgins injury, Philip Rivers signing with the Colts practice squad and Stone's Super Bowl Bubble.
In the cutthroat world of MLB free agency, few stories sting like a prodigal son choosing the bright lights of Philadelphia over his Ohio roots. On December 9, 2025, Kyle Schwarber, the Middletown native who grew up idolizing the Cincinnati Reds, inked a five-year, $150 million deal to stay with the Phillies—leaving the Reds empty-handed after a spirited but ultimately underpowered pursuit. For a franchise desperate to reignite fan passion at Great American Ball Park, this was more than a missed signing; it was a gut punch to the Queen City's baseball soul.
Schwarber's 2025 season was a revelation: 56 home runs—tops in the NL—and 132 RBIs, a career zenith that vaulted him to second in MVP voting. At 32, the burly designated hitter evolved into a complete force, smashing an MLB-record 23 homers against lefties and posting a .964 OPS versus them, upending his platoon woes. His raw power, infectious energy, and Wawa-endorsed Philly flair made him the perfect leadoff masher behind Bryce Harper, fueling the Phillies' championship chase. No wonder Philly locked him up; he's their clubhouse heartbeat, a grizzled leader who bet on himself and won big.
The Reds, though, saw Schwarber as destiny's gift. Just 35 miles from his boyhood diamond, he could've been the thunderous bat to complement Elly De La Cruz's spark and Jonathan India's savvy—propelling Cincinnati from rebuild purgatory to playoff contention. GM Nick Krall courted him aggressively at the GM Meetings, even hosting Schwarber and wife Paige for a November tour of GABP. Their offer? A five-year pact around $125 million, with escalators—respectable, but shy of Philly's bounty. Even the Orioles matched the Phillies' terms, only to watch Schwarber's heart pull him eastward.
This miss exposes the Reds' fiscal bind: a mid-market team chasing splashy dreams without the deep pockets of NL East behemoths. Ticket sales would've surged with "Schwar Bomb" nights echoing off the Ohio River, but instead, fans are left with echoes of 2010 glory. Pittsburgh and Boston sniffed around, too, but Cincinnati's emotional pitch fell flat against cold cash.
As Schwarber preps for another Citizens Bank Park barrage, Reds Nation mourns what could've been: a homecoming homer derby that never materialized. It's a reminder that in baseball, roots run deep, but dollars dig deeper. For now, the Phillies feast on continuity; the Reds pivot to Plan B, hoping for fireworks elsewhere. But oh, what a Schwarber-shaped hole in the lineup—and the heart.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
On today's show we discuss Jermaine Burton being released in what will go down as one of the worst picks in franchise history for the Bengals, Trey Hendrickson will get surgery ending his season + Is there reason to be concerned with Joe Burrow's postgame comments? Also, we roll through our NFL Power Rankings and discuss the finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
n a crushing blow to the Cincinnati Bengals' already sputtering defense, star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is set to undergo core muscle surgery this week, effectively ending his 2025 campaign. The procedure, confirmed by multiple sources including ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, addresses a nagging hip/pelvis injury that has plagued the 31-year-old edge rusher since Week 6. With a recovery timeline of approximately six weeks, Hendrickson will miss the Bengals' final four regular-season games—and any slim playoff hopes they might cling to.
Hendrickson's season began with promise but unraveled amid contract drama and physical setbacks. Entering 2025 as the reigning sack leader from 2024 (with a league-high 17.5 takedowns) and a first-team All-Pro, he inked a one-year, $30 million deal just before training camp after a contentious holdout. The Bengals, desperate to retain their defensive anchor, avoided a franchise tag but failed to secure a long-term extension. Hendrickson appeared in seven games, notching four sacks and 22 tackles, but his production dipped as the injury flared during a loss to the Green Bay Packers on October 13. He gutted it out for partial games against the New York Jets and others, but aggravated symptoms forced him to the sideline indefinitely after Week 8.
Head coach Zac Taylor, speaking Monday, revealed Hendrickson consulted specialists at Philadelphia's Vincera Institute, opting for surgery after rest and rehab failed. "It's kind of all that," Taylor vaguely noted of the hip/core issues. For a 4-9 Bengals team three games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, the timing is devastating. Cincinnati's pass rush, once elite, now ranks near the bottom, exacerbating a defense that has surrendered 30-plus points in five of their last seven outings.
This surgery isn't just a season-ender; it casts uncertainty over Hendrickson's Bengals future. As an unrestricted free agent in 2026, he'll command top dollar—potentially $25 million annually—from suitors like the Eagles or 49ers. The Bengals, cap-strapped with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, may let him walk, ending a five-year tenure that yielded 61 sacks, four Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl window that slammed shut. Hendrickson's resilience—pushing through pain for a team that drafted him as a mid-round flier in 2020—earned him respect, but this injury symbolizes Cincinnati's broader woes: talent undermined by misfortune and mismanagement.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Monday Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
On today's show, we discuss another Bengals heartbreaking loss despite an impressive offensive showing from Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki. Also, Indiana shockingly upsets Ohio State as Ryan Day reverted back to old ways and why Notre Dame was snubbed from the College Football Playoffs.
In the swirling snow of Highmark Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals authored yet another chapter in their tragic playbook of late-game agony, succumbing 39-34 to the Buffalo Bills on December 7, 2025. What began as a masterclass in offensive dominance devolved into a defensive meltdown that left Who Dey Nation numb, dropping the Bengals to 4-9 and burying their faint playoff dreams under an avalanche of what-ifs.
Joe Burrow, ever the unflappable gunslinger, orchestrated a clinic early on, torching Buffalo's secondary for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase, his favorite weapon, hauled in 44 yards . The Bengals struck first with a Chase Brown 5-yard rumble, then added scores on their next two drives, converting seven of eight third-downs to build a 28-18 cushion midway through the third quarter. It felt like vintage Cincinnati: explosive, resilient, ready to flip the script on a middling season plagued by injuries and inconsistency.
But as the flakes thickened, so did the cracks. Josh Allen, Buffalo's dual-threat dynamo, awakened with 251 passing yards, three aerial strikes, and a scrambling touchdown of his own. The turning point? A fumble at the goal line that the Bengals miraculously recovered—only for the defense to unravel thereafter. With 5:25 left, trailing 34-31, Bills cornerback Christian Benford snagged a telegraphed Burrow lob intended for Ja'Marr Chase, racing 63 yards untouched for the go-ahead score.
Coach Zac Taylor's postgame lament—"Just sick for the guys"—echoed the ghosts of Super Bowl LVI and countless other collapses. Three games back in the AFC North, with Pittsburgh looming, Cincinnati's 6% division odds now teeter on a miracle 4-0 finish. Burrow's stoic presser masked the frustration: "We had it. We let it slip." Fans, shivering in the stands and scrolling highlights at home, know the drill—talent squandered, heartbreak harvested. In a league of margins, the Bengals' Achilles' heel remains their inability to close. Will this be the loss that ignites a reckoning, or just another scar in the saga? For now, it's devastation, pure and piercing.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
On today's show, we discuss Sunday's upcoming tilt between the Bengals and the Bills, tonight's Crosstown Shootout, Ohio State vs. Indiana, Alabama vs. Georgia and Stone's Best Bets Of The Weekend
This Sunday, December 7, at Highmark Stadium in chilly Orchard Park, NY, the Buffalo Bills (8-4) host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) in a Week 14 NFL showdown with massive playoff stakes. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, flexed from a later slot amid Cincinnati's sudden spark. The Bills, clinging to AFC East control amid a wild-card scrum, must win to stay ahead of surging rivals like the Jets and Dolphins. For the Bengals, buried in the AFC North but two games back of Baltimore, this is elimination Sunday—Joe Burrow's return has ignited faint hopes of a late miracle run.
Buffalo enters as a 6-point favorite (moneyline -275; over/under 52.5), per BetMGM, with a 70% win probability from models like Dimers. Their offense hums, led by MVP frontrunner Josh Allen (30 total TDs, second in NFL). Allen's dual-threat prowess—19 passing, 11 rushing scores—pairs with the league's top ground game (155.7 yards/game). James Cook, fresh off back-to-back 100-yard outbursts, feasts against Cincy's porous run D (153.3 yards allowed, second-worst). Buffalo's defense, No. 1 in pass yards conceded (163.2/game), has rebounded lately, forcing turnovers and stifling Pittsburgh 26-7 last week. Linebacker Shaq Thompson anchors the front seven, eyeing Bengals RB Chase Brown and TEs (65 catches, 527 yards, 6 TDs).
Cincinnati counters with Burrow's precision (261 yards, 2 TDs in his Week 13 return from a foot injury) and Ja'Marr Chase's wizardry (chasing 1,000 yards for a fifth straight season). Chase torched Baltimore for 110 yards, but Buffalo's secondary—featuring Rasul Douglas—ranks eighth in yards per attempt allowed (6.5). The Bengals' D, 32nd in points (31.2/game) and total yards (410/game), leans on DE Joseph Ossai (5 sacks) amid Trey Hendrickson's absence. Tee Higgins remains in concussion protocol, thinning the arsenal.
Experts lean Bills in a shootout: USA TODAY predicts 28-24 Buffalo, NBC sees a 27-23 squeaker. Yet Burrow's perfect December road record (5-0) tempts upset whispers. Expect Allen to exploit gaps early, Cook to grind clock, and Burrow to rally late—but home-field and Buffalo's December dominance (23-4 since 2020) tilt the scales. Fireworks await in this AFC thriller.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
On today's show, Charlie Goldsmith stops by to talk Bengals and Reds, including Trey Hendrickson's injury and Emilio Pagan's new deal. Plus, we discuss tonight's NFL matchup between the Cowboys and Lions, the mess that is the Cleveland Browns and roll through some sports headlines.
The Cincinnati Bengals' defense, once dubbed the worst in NFL history for surrendering over 400 yards per game and 32.7 points on average through 11 weeks, has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last three outings. Post-bye week, this young unit—plagued by rookie errors, poor tackling, and a lack of takeaways—has flipped the script, providing a lifeline to a 4-8 team clinging to faint playoff hopes.
The turnaround ignited in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, where Cincinnati limited a surging offense to 26 points, their second-lowest yield of the season. Defensive coordinator Al Golden highlighted improved tackling and run defense, crediting middle linebacker Barrett Carter's "line of scrimmage command." Though the Bengals fell 26-20, it marked a stark contrast to prior debacles, like the 80 combined points leaked to the Bears and Jets pre-bye.
Thanksgiving's 32-14 rout of the Baltimore Ravens on November 27 epitomized the surge. Facing the AFC's hottest team, the defense forced five turnovers—including three from Lamar Jackson—while sacking him thrice and holding Derrick Henry to 60 rushing yards. They allowed just 346 total yards, converted only 3-of-10 third downs, and notched their first sub-26-point game since Week 1. Rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Carter shone: Knight's red-zone interception and Carter's leadership in calls anchored the front seven. As Golden noted, the group is "populating the ball" more aggressively, blending sophisticated blitzes with veteran poise.
Head coach Zac Taylor praised the "complete-game" effort, the first of 2025, while quarterback Joe Burrow, returning from injury, credited the "building" momentum. Even safety Geno Stone admitted fewer missed tackles, signaling growing confidence.
With edge rusher Trey Hendrickson nearing return, this three-week sample—yielding 14 points per game against Baltimore and better third-down stops—hints at sustainability. For a squad eyeing a Buffalo rematch, it's not just improvement; it's redemption. The Bengals' kids have grown up, turning a liability into a weapon just in time.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow







