It’s been a big week for the Cincinnati Bengals, in terms of announcements and news. The team officially unveiled the first parts of their vision for the Ring of Honor, wherein founder Paul Brown and offensive lineman Anthony Munoz will be two of the first four into the enshrinement.
Aside from talking about that wonderful announcement, John and Anthony were pleased to bring in another generational offensive line talent to the Orange and Black Insider in Richmond Webb on this week’s show. After a stellar 11-year career with the Miami Dolphins, Webb played his final two seasons in Cincinnati.
We chatted with him about his career with both teams, the Ring of Honor announcement by the Bengals, which offensive linemen he likes in this year’s draft class and a lot more.
It was interesting timing, in terms of Webb coming on the program, as Who Dey Nation was aglow with the ROH news, but Webb already has said enshrinement with Miami. Given what that honor meant to him as a Dolphin and as a former player who had a good experience with the Bengals, Webb was pleased with Cincinnati’s Thursday announcement.
“I think it’s great...you have (Anthony) Munoz, Boomer Esiason, Ickey Woods, (David) Fulcher in the 80s when they were really rolling,” Webb said as he listed some of the great names in Bengals history. “Ken Anderson—he was on the offensive staff while I was there—(Tim) Krumrie—he was on the staff as well—those type of guys deserve recognition because they paved the way for the organization.”
“A lot of times, some people who are just now becoming Bengal fans don’t know about some of the older players,” Webb continued. “The good thing about the Ring of Honor, if your name is up there, it lets them know you were one of the best...so, it gives the fans the ability to become more in tune with the present guys, but also the past guys. It’s long overdue. I played with some great guys—big Willie Anderson, Corey Dillon, Takeo Spikes—some guys that definitely deserve to be up there.”
Speaking of Munoz, Webb also noted the impact of the lone Bengal enshrined in Canton. In Miami, Webb wore No. 78—it was a different story when he joined Cincinnati to wrap up his illustrious career.
“One of the guys I looked up to was Anthony Munoz,” Webb said while talking about the impact of the Bengals’ Ring of Honor. “He’s the prototype, he’s THE guy that everyone kind of patterned themselves after.”
“I can remember when I signed in Cincinnati, you know we had the same (jersey) number. It was an unwritten rule that they just don’t give that number out,” Webb continued with a chuckle. “I said ‘Hey, man—I’ve got too much respect for Anthony, you don’t have to worry about me kicking up too much of a storm or fuss for a number’, I just respected him that much. I understood that when you play that long in an organization and play at that high of a level and have the impact that he did...those type of guys deserve recognition.”
Speaking of Hall of Fame recognition, Webb definitely deserves it with his resume. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a member of the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team and had two first-team and second-team All-Pro designations apiece, respectively.
Also on tap with the Webb interview and the rest of the show:
- Interestingly, Webb noted that the Bengals were never really devoid of talent—even in 2001-2002. He said a mental block, of sorts, seemed to exist, wherein the Bengals allowed bad things to snowball on them in a game until it became an eventual avalanche.
- Not surprisingly, Webb said that a Hall of Fame divisional foe was the most difficult defensive lineman he has ever faced in his illustrious career.
- Like his Bengals brethren Ken Riley and Ken Anderson (who was actually an offensive coach with Cincinnati when Webb played there), Webb is fighting to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a career that should have made him a slam dunk nominee.
- After playing most of his career with Dan Marino and keeping a close eye on SEC football, Webb believes the Bengals found their own really good quarterback in Joe Burrow.
- Does the Giovani Bernard release point to drafting more pass protectors (a strong trait from the running back) and a Day Three running back in a few weeks? Or, is it simply backing the big investment into Joe Mixon?
- There is one polarizing name in Bengals history who deserves his name in the Ring of Honor sometime down the line.
- And more!
Our thanks to Mr. Richmond Webb for a great conversation and to those of you who joined us live and to those who downloaded after the program aired.
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