Bengals second year backup linebacker, Vincent Rey, has made an impact this year for the Bengals on special teams. He is currently second only to Gibril Wilson in special team tackles. Rey spent his off-season working out with Seattle Seahawk Leon Washington, who has also made his impact in the NFL on special teams. Washington is currently 2nd all-time in NFL history, to Cleveland's Josh Cribbs for most career NFL kickoff returns for touchdowns with seven. When asked to describe Washington, Rey had this to say:
"He’s a very hard worker and he spends a lot of time making his legs strong. You can’t tackle him up high. We’re going to have to gang tackle."
Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons also acknowledges the challenge the Bengals specials teams will be facing in Leon Washington. He described Washington as a combination of Josh Cribbs and Chicago's Devin Hester. He describes the combination as follows:
"Cribbs is a power runner, very strong. Hester has great speed and is very elusive. This guy is a combination of both ... he does not go down. ... He’s like the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going. It’s not a game to miss tackles. It’s very important to wrap up. The first guy has to make the play and we all have to rally to him."
Washington is not only a threat to the Bengals returning kick-offs. He's also currently 8th in the league in punt returns. Simmons will have his hand full getting Rey and the rest of the special teams standouts ready to contain Washington.