Sam Hubbard: Bengals Are ‘Ready To Roll’

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard says it’s up to the players to maintain the winning culture in the team.

Sam Hubbard credited quarterback Joe Burrow and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in particular for the Bengals’ change in fortunes. 

The last two years have seen Cincinnati become a championship contender, and this coincides with Burrow’s rise to prominence.

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Joe Burrow sustained an ACL tear at the end of his rookie year but has gone from strength to strength since. He’s lead them to a Super Bowl and an AFC Championship game. It’s the farthest the Bengals have gone since 2008.

In the last two seasons, Joe Burrow has gone 22 – 10 as a starter.

“I think it goes back a long way,” Sam Hubbard said. 

“We struggled in Cincinnati for many years. I grew up a Cincinnati fan, and I’m one of the longest-tenured Bengals nowadays. But it all starts with our quarterback. We got a great quarterback that we believe in in Joe Burrow. Having a guy like that that you can always play hard for and you always know you’re in every game, it inspires the whole team.

“Our coaching staff and front office has done a good job just collecting guys that fit our culture. Self-motivated guys that want to win and have experience winning. And it all just kind of builds on each other. And it’s up to us as players to keep that standard rolling.”

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“Lou’s amazing,” he said. “I love playing for him. This is my fifth year with Lou, so we really know each other well. I know what he’s thinking, what he’s trying to accomplish on certain play calls. … He’s a player’s coach. We’re the ones on the field, and playing for a guy like that makes you want to play even harder. I got a lot of respect and I love playing for Lou.

“The anticipation is growing, and the excitement is growing,” Hubbard said. “We’re ready to roll.”