Coming off career-highs with 15 carries for 80 yards, creature-of-habit Bengals running back Chase Brown is changing nothing in preparation for the first division game of the season Sunday (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Local 12) against the Ravens at Paycor Stadium.
Brown didn't have Bengals.com senior writer Geoff Hobson's weekly conversation scheduled, but he took a break from his routine to talk about his evolving roles on-and-off the field as he prepares to become a father for the first time.
GH: You had only 14 carries in the first three games and then got 15 in Carolina. What was that like to all of a sudden get the call early and often?
CB: It feels good. It allows me to get into a rhythm. But I mean, no matter how many times I get the ball, not really counting carries or counting opportunities. I'm just ready whenever my name is called, and that's the goal. To run the ball, catch the ball, block, whatever.
GH: Your first NFL rushing touchdown. What did you think on third-and-goal from the 3 and they called run?
CB: Let's go. That's exactly what you want.
GH: In the age of Burrow, that hasn't always been the call.
CB: We're capable of running the ball. Anytime we're on the goal line, it's liable to happen.
GH: That had to be a message.
CB: For sure. We're confident in our run game and were going to keep showing it off.
GH: What's the difference in the run game this year compared to last year?
CB: Obviously, new faces, number one, I think that would be the most obvious thing. The O-line is killing it. They're crushing up front. Not saying that it was any different last year, but we're just making plays when there are plays to be made, and we're consistently doing that, and I think that shows a reflection of the whole offseason and training camp and emphasizing things like breaking tackles and making people miss in space and being extremely strong up front. It's just coming full circle now.
GH: You and Zack Moss are the new faces in the backfield, and you've got two new tight ends. The tight end usage has pretty much doubled from years past.
CB: It changes it up a little bit more. We're a little more tough out there with the tight ends, using them in the run game, the pass game, versatile in both 11 and 12 (personnel).
GH: Rookie Erick All Jr., is one of those new tight ends who has been all over the place.
CB: He blocks like a guard, literally, he's pulling around like that.
GH: Your second touchdown, the one from the 1, it looked like All and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase got good blocks for you.
CB: Yeah, they caved that down. You can't block everybody, right? So there's obviously one for me, but I'll take that situation 10 out of 10 times. You know it's going to hit in one of those gaps. But when you're gapped out like that, and you have the corners and the safety is playing low and corners tight, you know somebody is going to be free off the edge. I knew that going in. I just knew I had to get out there and put my shoulder down.
GH: What did you see on your 20-yard run off the left side?
CB: Sometimes I feel like the first part of it is what you see. And I saw the defensive tackle come straight up the field, so I got around that, and I feel like the rest was just instincts. I don't really think about what I'm doing in that moment. I'm just kind of reacting to what I see.
GH: It's all speed, right?
CB: Speed, patience. It's a combination, but they blocked it up really well, the line, too. That definitely helped.
GH: Are you waiting for the tackle to commit?
CB: Just kind of getting a feel for what's happening on the second level. You can see what's happening down the line. Read the down linemen. But then you have to feel kind of what they're doing up top. That's aII I was doing.
GH: Every running back says it, right? Get carries, get into a groove. It looks like this thing with you and Zack is going to go game-to-game. It's the first time in 10 years this team has had two backs each get at least 15 carries in a game.
CB: I don't need a lot of touches to get me into a rhythm.
GH: It doesn't seem like you're wired to be calling for the ball.
GH: Whenever the ball comes my way, I'll take it. Obviously, I want the ball. I think every offensive skill player wants a ball in their hand. When I get the opportunity to make a play, that's what I'm going to do.
GH: With your speed, do you feel like you can go all the way any time you touch the ball?
CB: Yeah, I really do. I'm trying to take it all the way every time I touch the ball.
GH: You and Zack aren't exactly "Thunder and Lightning," but you have different styles.
CB: Different games, different traits. You could put it like 'Thunder and Lightning,' but Zack definitely has a quickness to him, and solid hands, great speed. He's a playmaker, too.
GH: So is it 'Lightning and Lightning'?
CB: I guess you could put it like that.
GH: You had two touchdowns, but he had the play of the day catching that swing pass for a touchdown with six seconds left in the first half.
CB: We were able to double dip. Score going into the half, and then just punch it in as soon as we get that first opportunity after halftime. That puts you up two scores like that. (Snap of the fingers). Like two seconds.
GH: Like Zack said, he wanted to be the last guy at that point to get the ball because there were just six seconds left. What was going through your mind?
CB: It just shows how much trust Burrow has in Zack to throw it out on a swing pass, one-on-one, really tight situation, usually a situation where you either want to throw the ball out-of-bounds or to the back of the end zone. It just shows the trust and the confidence that Joe has in Zack to make somebody miss and make a play in a tight situation like that.
GH: Just like they showed confidence in you on third- and-three on the goal line.
CB: That's what it is. Especially as a younger player in year two. Just building confidence, getting the feel for the game, and just trying to get better. Continue this trend that we're doing right now. Keep on building up confidence every single week and continue this success.
GH: I can't believe a fan dumped water dumped on you after Sunday's game.
CB: It honestly didn't really faze me. It kind of looked like blue Gatorade or something. We just got our first win, so I'm not going to overreact and put my career at risk over a couple of drops of water, know what I mean?
GH: Your brother Sydney, a safety, has been on IR but due to get back soon. I know you're hoping he can play here Oct. 27 when the Eagles come in.
CB: That would be a lot of fun if he was.
GH: We'll see it this week. Dax Hill, your cornerback, is playing against his brother, Ravens running back Justice Hill.
CB: Brothers playing against each other in the NFL, it's like a complete dream mode. But they do it twice a year. It's like normal for them.
GH: You're a creature of habit. How has your routine changed since your rookie year?
CB: I just try and do as much as I can for my body.
GH: It seems like you disappear from the locker room into the training area for hours on end.
GH: I've got a routine in my head. I wrote it down this offseason. I just follow it every single day. Trust that it's going to make sure my body's in the right place every Sunday.
GH: I know you write down stuff. Today is Monday after a game. When do you write that down what you do today?
CB: For this week, I'd probably write it down today. But for a day like today, I kind of have the same routine every Monday. I know what I'm doing in my head already.
GH: When do you get in?
CB: I probably get here around seven for the sauna.
GH: That's kind of early after a game.
CB: It's a good mental challenge at the start of the week, right after a game. Kind of gets my mind right. Go lift. Get in the tubs.
GH: How long does that take?
CB: Everything? Takes me about two and a half hours to do everything, and then get some treatment. Go eat lunch here. Then I roll into the assigned schedule that we have with the team. So special teams, offense-defense. Then I'm talking to you.
GH: Which was not planned.
CB: This is free time. I would just probably be hanging out here anyway before the team meeting.
GH: It seems to be more rigorous than last year for you.
CB: More rigorous, more thought out. I've already gone through the trial and error, things that worked last year and things that didn't work.
GH: What didn't work last year?
CB: I spent way too much time in the sauna. I think that didn't really help me. I do it on a day like this, but I'm more mindful, and thought out with my routine and what works for me and gets me the in right mindset.
GH: This past offseason you committed to working the body, right?
CB: Just working on skills trying to become a better player.
GH: Could you tell on Sunday that the offseason work paid off?
CB: Definitely, definitely. Just catching the ball, running the ball, and just relaxed out there. Trusting that. Everything I did over the summer.
GH: You and your girlfriend Jazmen Brock have announced you're expecting your first child (a boy). Due date?
CB: Jan. 30
GH: The playoffs.
CB: Playoffs and a baby due around that time. I'm not missing a playoff game.
GH: Have you thought about what fatherhood would do to your routine?
CB: It's been something that's been on my mind. But I don't think it's going to take away from my routine at all. My girlfriend is an extremely hard-working individual, and she supports my football career to the absolute fullest. So I know the sacrifices that she'll make for me and I'll make for them. I don't think this changes anything.
GH: You were raised by a single mother, and I would imagine this is so important to you.
CB: I'm taking a lot of pride in being a good dad.
GH: Did you look at anybody as a dad?
CB: I have multiple father figures. A lot of people I met in Florida in high school. College a little bit, too. People I can go to for guidance. It prepares me for certain situations. I'm confident in the man I am today. I feel like there's definitely going to be a lot I'm going to learn on the road of being a dad. But in the end, I know I'm going to do everything possible to make sure my son is cared about in the best way possible, and I'm there for him in every aspect.
GH: What are you looking forward to the most?
CB: Just the cuddles right now, honestly, when I think about it.
GH: You never had cuddles from a father figure.
CB: No, but from my mom. That was enough for me and my brother. My grandma. We had plenty of love.
