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George Iloka was one of, if not the best, performer last season on Cincinnati's defense -- Pro Football Focus called him the "Bengals secret weapon" (how cool does that sound):
On the year Iloka allowed a reception just once every 51.8 snaps in coverage, the best mark in the league at safety, and a step up from the already impressive 42.4 he posted in 2013. He allowed just 12 receptions throughout the year, and just 176 receiving yards, giving him a Yards Per Coverage Snap allowed average of 0.28, good enough for 12th in the league.
Iloka is entering the final year under his four-year rookie deal (as a former fifth-round pick from the 2012 NFL draft) -- with a significant salary increase to $1.542 million in 2015 (over the last three seasons, his base salary was a combined $1.44 million). Yet he isn't worried about getting an extension done.
"This is football, you know how this sport goes, how this business goes and I think any player would like to get a contract done sooner than later, but that's for my agent and the Bengals to decide," Iloka told reporters on Tuesday. Players are at Paul Brown Stadium this week for mandatory mincamp. Due to a minor injury, Iloka isn't practicing but anticipates being ready for training camp.
"For me it's just rehabbing and getting back healthy," he said. "My mindset is that I'm not getting something done (contract wise) and I'm going to play out this year and come back after the season and see what teams are talking about and what the Bengals are talking about. Anything else will be a bonus. I'll be happy if I get something done, but I won't be disappointed if I don't."