Veterans Of Cincinnati: Kyries Hebert Returns To The CFL

This has nothing to do with the Bengals today, but generally speaking, I like keeping tabs on former Bengals players. And when news crosses our desk about those players, we have to say something, right? One of those players is a semi-favorite of mine, Kyries Hebert.

When we charted, analyzed and predicted this year's preseason roster, we elected to keep Hebert on the roster because he was one of the team's best special teams players, recording a team-high 23 special teams tackles in 2008 and 12 in 2009, second most tackles on special teams. With the log jam that developed in the secondary heading into final cut-down day, Hebert was forced out and David Jones was used as trade bait to acquire safety Reggie Nelson from Jacksonville. Note: Did you notice how much television time Jones got on Monday Night Football?

Before the Bengals, Hebert spent time in the Canadian Football League, playing for the Ottawa Renegades between 2004 and 2005 with a reputation as a power hitter and a special teams player. He signed a massive five-year contract after 2005, making him one of the highest paid defensive players in the CFL, until Ottawa folded their franchise soon after. No, no. They didn't fold because of Hebert. Ottawa has had issues with keeping their franchise afloat since forming in 2002, with the team hoping to be revived in 2013. Hebert was claimed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers just before he was to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006. After losing an appeal with the CFL's Players Association, Hebert remained in Canada for another two years before finally signing with the Bengals in late December of 2007. After two seasons with the Bengals, Hebert was released.

Now he's back in the CFL, signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Wednesday. Hebert brings 68 career CFL games to Hamilton, which includes 100 special teams tackles, eight quarterback sacks and eight interceptions.