Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > May > 02
Friday, May 2, 2008
First impressions of Bengals rookies at minicamp
NO EXPENSIVE CARS…AT LEAST NOT YET
Walking across Central Avenue from the practice fields to locker room at Paul Brown Stadium, here’s what I saw at high noon on Friday, May 2 after the Cincinnati Bengals’ first minicamp practice:
A man, clutching an infant daughter in his arms, manages to intercept Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers for an autograph. Rivers obliges without hesitation.
Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer making small talk about the morning’s proceedings.
Tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes grabbing and pushing tight end Dale Thompson — a rookie from Southern Cal here on a tryout basis — in an attempt to show him some blocking technique.
How can you tell it’s rookie minicamp?
By the cars in the parking lot.
I saw a lot of mid-sized sedans and modest trucks. There are no GMC Denalis, Cadillac Escalades or Hummers — at least not yet.
All the rookies have temporary metal dressing stalls in the middle of the locker room.
Why am I wearing a sport coat & tie?
The Cincinnati-area Bengals alumni players will be arriving at 5:30 p.m. for a reception in the press box. I want to make a positive impression when I meet them in the players’ parking lot at PBS.
My first impressions:
LB Keith Rivers — Great speed; did a nice job of fighting through traffic and flowing to the ball.
WR Jerome Simpson — Fluid with outstanding speed. He said that when he arrived, he went over and checked out the lockers of Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. “I want one of those lockers,” he said.
DT Pat Sims — Showed the eye of the (Auburn) tiger, saying he wants to make an immediate impact. First things first. He must improve his upper-body strength and reshape his body by getting rid of those rounded shoulders.
WR Andre Caldwell — Has a mesmerizing Southern drawl to go with his 17 tattoos. His latest tattoo — “Born To Fly” — in emblazoned across his chest between a pair of wings that decorate his breast plates.
OT Anthony Collins — A very, Very, VERY large man. I’m going to stand next to him when I need some shade.
DT Jason Shirley — Big and tough. He said he knows he’s under a microscope because of his DUI arrest. Looking forward to a fresh start.
FS Corey Lynch — Showed good awareness roaming the middle of the defensive backfield.
TE Matt Sherry — Smart and agile. Flip-flopped from the left to right sides on the line of scrimmage.
DE Angelo Craig — Showed good speed and quickness rushing off the edge.
WR Mario Urrutia — Looking forward to overpowering DBs at the goal line on alley-oop patterns. “That’s what I do,” he said.
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Rivers deserves uniform number “55,” not Brooks
RIVERS THE NEXT JIM LeCLAIR
My friend, Debbie Schoborg, a lifelong Cincinnati Bengals fan and season-ticket holder, has a great idea.
Make Ahmad Brooks give uniform number 55 to first-round draft pick Keith Rivers.
Rivers will wear the number with HONOR, just like he did at the University of Southern California, where “55” is the Trojans’ Holy Grail, worn only by the best of the best, such as Junior Seau. Willie McGinest, Chris Claiborne … and Rivers.
Brooks doesn’t deserve “55.” He smeared the Bengals’ image with his recent arrest.
“I love Keith Rivers!” Debbie writes. “He is not going to be pushed around. I can’t wait to see him play. I think the Bengals should make Brooks give him 55 to wear. After all, Rivers would do honor to the number, the same as my favorite Bengal of all time, Jim LeClair.”
Amen, Debbie. I’m with you.
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