The Cincinnati Bengals are spread out across the nation, scouting Pro Days, disseminating workout warriors from ballers, who play well in games but may not have the best measurables during deceptive workouts that began with the NFL Combine. A fast receiver is no good if he can't catch the football. A lineman who breaks bench press records is no good if he doesn't move his feet. How accurate is a quarterback without a pass rush or defensive backs when he's suddenly thrust into a Dick LeBeau zone blitzing scheme?
That tends to be where the good coaches and scouts break away from the rest, not so much enamored by the workouts as they are with the validation of the players (and thus a team's selection) after watching tape of that player during game conditions -- kind of important, right?
Along with Pro Days, teams are allowed to invite 30 players for private work outs up until the NFL Draft. And one player the Bengals are expected to meet is Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers.
Bowers, who led the nation with 15.5 quarterback sacks in 2010, underwent arthroscopic surgery earlier this year after suffering a meniscus injury to his knee that prevented him from participating at the Combine and delaying his Pro Day.
Bowers will also meet with the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans.