Bengals running back Jay Finley, one of Cincinnati's seventh-round picks, received heavy praise from head coach Marvin Lewis roughly around the same time that reports surfaced running back Cedric Benson finally signed a one-year deal. Said of Finley:
"He's got great quickness and shows an ability to make people miss. Yesterday when we did the one-on-ones I thought he did a great job separating from the linebackers. You saw a lot of separation and once he got that crack you saw the speed for a long run."
Finley broke Baylor's school record with 1,218 yards rushing in 2010 while averaging 6.2 yard/rush and 12 rushing touchdowns. Twice he ran the football 25 times or more last season and was named a 2010 Honorable Mention All-American and an All-Big 12 honoree. Against Kansas Finley set a school single-game record of 250 yards rushing while posting 2,660 yards rushing in his career; third-most in school history.
Finley knows that his 5-foot-11, slightly heavier than Bernard Scott, frame may force some to wonder if he's physical enough. Yet he knows he has a great opportunity and waiting to taking advantage of it.
"It’s been a blessing. I am stoked. I want to show them I am physical. I want to show them at my size I can play with the big boys.