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Brandon Ghee, the benefactor from injuries and rehabilitation with players like Dre Kirkpatrick, Adam Jones, and Leon Hall, is taking advantage with his increased role during the team's offseason training program. So much so that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and secondary coach Mark Carrier are taking notice.
"Brandon has done well this spring, in the OTAs and in the minicamp," Lewis told Bengals.com. "Brandon's got to play real football against guys with different colored helmets on, but he shows us promise. So I'm looking forward to him doing that."
Lewis' comment echoes one of the remaining stepping stones for Ghee, who has only played 13 games in three seasons since being drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft.
Ghee missed the first two games during his rookie season after sustaining a concussion during the preseason. Eventually he was placed on Injured Reserve on December 8 with a groin injury. Yet he still ranked fifth on the team, for the entire season, with special teams tackles.
Injuries again affected Ghee in 2011. After fighting through various ailments during training camp, Ghee was placed on the practice squad, promoted to the 53-man roster at midseason and finising the rest of the season as a special teams player. Last year a wrist injury on August 2 sidelined him for the entire season.
"Brandon's quick, he's fast, he's technically sound, and he has good football instincts," Carrier told Bengals.com. There's a lot of competition in our area, and the biggest tests are yet to come, but he'll have his chances. Another thing he has going for him is that like Leon Hall, he has the ability to play both the regular cornerback and the nickel positions. That's the kind of versatility that can help you make a roster and help get you on the field once you're there."