Rookies Begin Learning Process

The expectations aren’t much for the Bengals’ draft class of 2008. All Marvin Lewis wants from them is on-field production come this September.

All of the rookies – drafted and those whose names weren’t called in the seven rounds of last weekend’s gala event – are at Paul Brown Stadium this weekend for their introduction to life in the NFL, Cincinnati style. The Bengals selected 10 players in the draft, led by former USC linebacker Keith Rivers in the first round with the ninth overall pick.

The Bengals have signed eight college free agents to go along with their draft choices: G James Blair (Western Michigan), G/C Justin Britt (Alabama), CB Simeon Castille (Alabama), RB Bradley Glatthaar (Cincinnati), LB Anthony Hoke (Cincinnati), RB James Johnson (Kansas State), DT Michael Marquardt (Arizona State) and FB Tyler Whaley (Ohio State).

Lewis made no bones about the fact that he foresees several players being able and ready to help the team once the regular season begins on Sept. 7 at Baltimore. That is especially the case for the first four of the team’s draft picks – Rivers, wide receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell and defensive tackle Patrick Sims.

The selection of Simpson in the second round ahead of some other players that may have had more name recognition than the product of Coastal Carolina surprised many but he fits what Lewis wants.

“When picking a receiver this early, he needs to come in and fill a void,” said Lewis shortly after Simpson was drafted. “We wanted to find a guy who we felt had the stature to be able to do that and to have the physical tools to get away from bump-and-run coverage and things like that. This has been a pretty in-depth process.” Rivers was a three-year starter at USC, playing from the weakside position. He impressed scouts by playing on the inside and outside during Senior Bowl week practices and the game but the expectation is that he will take over for the Bengals on the weakside.

“We dealt with a lot of calls. It was a pro-style defense and it should help me with my learning curve,” said Rivers of his time with the Trojans. “I have talked to guys who have been in my situation like Lofa Tatupu (now with Seattle). I’ve asked him about the differences between pro and college football and he said they were subtle.”

The players will be put through classroom work and five practices outside to give them a chance to start catching up to the veterans who have already been working out during the team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program. The Bengals begin organized team activities (OTA) on May 13.

The Bengals are also offering tryouts to several other players. These players are not signed to the roster but in the past the tryouts have unfounded players who make their way onto the 53-man squad. Current wide receiver/kick returner Glenn Holt impressed coaches enough two years ago that they signed him and took him to training camp where he earned a spot on the practice squad. He was eventually signed to the main roster after five games.

Some of those given tryouts have local ties to the Greater Cincinnati area: OL Tom Anevski (Boston College) is from Elder high school. CB Clay Hamblen is from Georgetown (Ky.) College, as is WR Brian Piper and QB Jeff Smith. Piper (Covington Catholic) and Smith (Newport Central Catholic) both grew up in Northern Kentucky. Smith was also with the Bengals during training camp last season. S Anthony Williams and RB Greg Moore are from the University of Cincinnati; Moore went to Trotwood Madison high school in the Dayton area. RB Jay Peck (Alabama State) went to Brookhaven high school in Columbus.