Rookie offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, selected No. 27 overall during the 2012 NFL draft, took part in his first workouts with the team last weekend. After spending the weekend in Cincinnati at the team's rookie minicamp, Zeitler explained to Carlos Holmes with the Dayton Daily News earlier this week that he has much to work on.
"Pass protection technique is completely different here from anything I’ve ever done," he said. "Anderson is a different type of coach. He says in our meeting that everything he does no one else will ever do. It’s just a matter of getting used to that. What he’s teaching is starting to stick. However, there are a lot of things I have to work on."
One concern might surround Zeitler's overall experience coming from a heavy-rushing offense in Wisconsin, making the transitioning as a pass protection artist in the pass-heavy NFL. In a very real sense Zeitler will have to start from scratch, despite the fact he didn't allow a quarterback sack in his final three season at Wisconsin.
But the rookie is turning into a sponge, which continues this weekend at what's called the "World Famous Line Clinic" where offensive line coaches gather to talk about one of the most critical aspects of football. Blocking.
"I used to listen to my offensive line coach in college talk about going to this clinic and bringing back stuff that he learned," Zeitler says. "I never knew it was in Cincinnati. I'm really looking forward to it. Anytime I can learn something new, I'm ready for it."
Zeitler is a favorite to start the regular season opener as the team's starting right guard.