Cincy Jungle - Q&As with SB Nation’s college blogs: Get to know the 2018 Bengals draft classWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2018-05-18T10:30:02-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/170923952018-05-18T10:30:02-04:002018-05-18T10:30:02-04:00Q&A with Hustle Belt: Bengals QB Logan Woodside could be the NFL’s next Case Keenum
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A MAC football expert thinks Logan Woodside could be the next Case Keenun. Why? Find out here!</p> <p id="geBOvp">We’re joined today by <a href="http://hustlebelt.com">Hustle Belt</a> MAC writer Steve Helwick to talk about former Toledo quarterback and <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> seventh round draft pick <span>Logan Woodside</span>.</p>
<p id="nsAhci">Woodside started for three seasons at Toledo and racked up 10,514 passing yards, 93 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in the process. He had a 65.1 completion percentage and averaged nine yards per throw.</p>
<p id="VD558Z">But what should we know beyond the stats? Helwick already <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/10/17339672/hustle-belt-darius-phillips-unreal-14-touchdowns-western-michigan-bengals-fifth-round-draft-pick">shared his insight on fellow MAC player</a> turned Bengal Darius Phillips, and now it’s time to learn more about Woodside’s college career with the Rockets.</p>
<p id="9oLpmC"><strong>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of </strong><span><strong>Logan Woodside</strong></span><strong> in Round 7 of the draft?</strong></p>
<p id="KDMdr0"><strong>Steve Helwick: </strong>Woodside is a solid addition to the Bengals’ QB depth chart, especially with backup <span>AJ McCarron</span> heading to Buffalo. If Marvin Lewis decides to keep three quarterbacks on the roster, Woodside will likely have to beat out <span>Jeff Driskel</span> — who has yet to take an NFL snap. Woodside is decent value for a seventh round pick, as he posted video game numbers throughout his college career, including an FBS-high 45 touchdowns in the 2016 season. He was a projected fourth to sixth round pick prior to his Dollar General Bowl performance and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practices, so the Bengals were fortunate to land the MAC Offensive Player of the Year with the eighth-to-last pick of the 2018 draft.</p>
<p id="FBgfza"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="VDgNNZ"><strong>SH: </strong>The best part of Woodside’s game is his decision-making. He plays with high intellect and has a gift for reading coverages. Woodside finished 2016 with a 5-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio and threw 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions in the first 13 games of his senior campaign last fall. He has a cannon arm and excels at throwing the deep ball, where he often connected with his favorite target <span>Diontae Johnson</span> in college. At the peak of his Toledo days, Woodside completed 69.1 percent of his passes, demonstrating his spectacular accuracy. It wasn’t uncommon to see Woodside finish with over 300 passing yards or four touchdowns in a game, and his excellent stat lines pushed him past <span>Bruce Gradkowski</span> to No. 1 on Toledo’s all-time passing yards list.</p>
<p id="DLNQPr"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="QegPkV"><strong>SH: </strong>Like many stars from Group of Five conferences, Woodside is often overlooked due to his size. He stands 6’2” and only weighs 201 pounds — slightly smaller than the preferred size of an NFL quarterback. He’s also a pure pocket passer. Mobility around the pocket and the ability to escape pressure weren’t Woodside’s strengths at Toledo. But the biggest question mark of his college career arose in his final game in blue and gold. In the 2017 Dollar General Bowl, Woodside’s 11-3 MAC champion <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/toledo-rockets">Toledo Rockets</a> were shut out 34-0 by Appalachian State, who entered the game as touchdown underdogs. The senior threw for 124 yards, three interceptions, and took a handful of sacks in the abysmal performance. We haven’t seen Woodside on a meaningful playing field since then, so it’s important he puts that game behind him and comes out with fire during training camp and preseason.</p>
<p id="sANmiq"><strong>RT: Did he have any major injuries/injuries of note while in college?</strong></p>
<p id="R3hqId"><strong>SH: </strong>Woodside never suffered a major injury in college. In fact, an injury to quarterback <span>Phillip Ely</span> in 2014 is what paved the way for Woodside to see playing time as a sophomore. Despite winning eight of his final 10 games including a bowl victory, Woodside was benched upon <span>Ely</span>’s return in 2015 and elected to take a redshirt season. He started all 27 games Toledo has played since Ely’s graduation.</p>
<aside id="NQwJRq"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Logan Woodside “always wanted to be drafted by the Bengals”","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/15/17353662/bengals-fan-rookie-qb-logan-woodside-always-wanted-drafted-by-cincinnati"},{"title":"Bengals considered trade up for Woodside; may have wanted Mason Rudolph before Steelers took him","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/29/17298236/bengals-trade-logan-woodside-mason-rudolph-steelers"}]}'></div></aside><p id="MBO6W9"><strong>RT: Is he a capable leader, do you see him as someone NFL players would rally around?</strong></p>
<p id="sHTvR7"><strong>SH: </strong>Woodside’s a capable leader because of his high level of confidence. He’s been an undersized quarterback who has been doubted for the majority of his football career. The Frankfort, KY native received offers from Toledo, Ohio, Troy, and WKU — getting snubbed by all Power Five schools. But the constant state of being overlooked hasn’t affected the 23-year old. Woodside led his team to three bowl games in three seasons as Toledo’s starter and claimed the 2017 MAC Championship. He was the focal point of Toledo’s offense and he seems to make receivers around him better. When the Rockets’ star receiver <span>Cody Thompson</span> suffered a midseason leg injury last year, Woodside had no problem running the offense through Diontae Johnson, Jon’Vea Johnson, and <span>Danzel McKinley-Lewis</span> — all of whom seemingly improved in Woodside’s presence throughout the season.</p>
<p id="0Bloov"><strong>RT: Do you think he has the potential to be a starting NFL quarterback?</strong></p>
<p id="LvYtyu"><strong>SH: </strong>Woodside seems to resemble former <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> and current <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> quarterback <span>Case Keenum</span> in a lot of ways. Keenum was also a longtime starter in a Group of Five conference who put up ridiculous numbers in college. Standing just 6’1” and 207 pounds, Keenum was an undrafted free agent, but worked his way up to a starting-caliber quarterback after receiving opportunities with a variety of teams. I think Woodside’s career could develop in a similar manner. If injuries or poor QB play occur on Woodside’s roster(s), he may receive some valuable chances to demonstrate his on-field abilities. If he performs similarly to Keenum, a team may take a gamble on Woodside and claim him as a franchise quarterback (as Denver just did with Keenum). Just like Keenum, his eye-popping numbers at the collegiate level show he can play the game of football well — he just has to capitalize on his opportunities.</p>
<p id="t2JzIT"><strong>RT: Anything else Bengals fans would want to know?</strong></p>
<p id="1fZNqJ"><strong>SH: </strong>Woodside is the first MAC quarterback selected in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> since the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> chose <span>Keith Wenning</span> in the sixth round from Ball State in 2014. He went on to play for the Bengals for some time in 2015. The last Toledo quarterback to play in the NFL was Bruce Gradkowski, who spent two seasons as Dalton’s backup in Cincinnati from 2011-12.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/18/17366258/hustle-belt-bengals-qb-logan-woodside-nfl-next-case-keenum-toledo-mac-footballRebecca Toback2018-05-11T09:31:28-04:002018-05-11T09:31:28-04:00Q&A with Underdog Dynasty: Davontae Harris is the Bengals’ new big-hitter
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<p>We spoke with SB Nation’s FCS blog, Underdog Dynasty, to learn more about fifth round cornerback Davontae Harris and what he brings to the Bengals.</p> <p id="WRMrBA">In the fifth round of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2018 NFL Draft</a>, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> selected two cornerbacks. The first was Western Michigan’s <span>Darius Phillips</span>, the second was Illinois State’s Davontae Harris.</p>
<p id="TfRPMd">Today, we’re talking to <a href="https://www.underdogdynasty.com/">Underdog Dynasty’s</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jrwillis85">Jonathan Willis</a> who closely followed Harris’ college career. </p>
<p id="Cw7nyk">Harris had 208 tackles, 39 passes defensed, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 4 interceptions in four seasons (49 games) with the Redbirds. But what should we know about him beyond his stats? Let’s get to our conversation with Jonathan!</p>
<p id="D3N1U2"><strong>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of Davontae Harris in Round 5 of the draft?</strong></p>
<p id="lnuPZ7"><span><strong>Jonathan Willis</strong></span><strong>:</strong> I’m interested to see how the Bengals decide to use Harris. He was a cornerback in college, but he might be better suited at safety. He has a bit of trouble matching up in man-to-man and can get beat deep. Harris is a very good tackler though and doesn’t shy away from coming up to play the run. </p>
<p id="kMYvV3"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="GimJE4"><strong>JW:</strong> Harris has a lot of strength for a defensive back. He put up 22 reps of 225 pounds at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a>, the third-most of any defensive back. He is a big hitter and is not afraid to make a play on the ball. Harris led the MVFC in pass break-ups as a junior in 2016 and was tied for second in that category this year.</p>
<p id="HY1juP"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="zrsTRV"><strong>JW:</strong> He has decent speed, but his instincts aren’t great and he doesn’t always react as fast as you may want. Opponents were able to beat Harris deep at times and he was quick to try to clutch and grab in order to make up space. In the FCS, referees will let you get away with that some, but he won’t be able to get away with some of the things he was doing at the next level.</p>
<aside id="7K1Y9m"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Analyzing Bengals’ Round 5 selection of Davontae Harris","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/28/17296336/bengals-draft-2018-analyzing-round-5-selection-davontae-harris"},{"title":"Film room: Bengals may have found a long-term nickel CB in Illinois State’s Davontae Harris","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/3/17309080/film-room-bengals-excellent-nickel-cornerback-illinois-state-davontae-harris-fifth-round-nfl-draft"}]}'></div></aside><p id="RTxMQN"><strong>RT: Did you expect him to be drafted earlier/later?</strong></p>
<p id="bNLwEV"><strong>JW:</strong> Coming into the draft, the consensus seemed to be that he would be a fifth round pick. Harris is still raw and will need at least a year to adapt to the NFL. </p>
<p id="RB4CtM"><strong>RT: Did he have any injuries of note during his time in college?</strong></p>
<p id="l27Fdf"><strong>JW:</strong> In college, Harris didn’t suffer any major injuries. However, he had a rather bizarre injury that sidelined him for nearly the entirety of his senior year in high school. During the first game of the year, he took a cleat to the midsection and it caused a tear in both his small and large intestines. He didn’t play again for the rest of the season and FBS teams backed off of him as a result. Before then, he had been recruited by Kansas State and others, but there were concerns about whether or not he would be able to play football again. Illinois State only offered him a scholarship after being assured by doctors that he was going to be able to play.</p>
<p id="cZxlnd"><strong>RT: Anything else Bengals fans should know?</strong></p>
<p id="ZFzG0Z"><strong>JW:</strong> Harris has a high motor and will give you a lot of effort on every play. As a rookie, he should be able to contribute on special teams and he could help out in nickel and dime packages too. Don’t be surprised if you see him land one or two big hits.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/11/17341660/qa-underdog-dynasty-davontae-harris-bengals-new-big-hitter-rookie-cornerback-illinois-stateRebecca Toback2018-05-10T13:34:51-04:002018-05-10T13:34:51-04:00Q&A with Hustle Belt: Diving into Darius Phillips’ unreal 14 touchdowns at Western Michigan
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<figcaption>Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals’ fifth round pick is a playmaker. SB Nation’s MAC blog, Hustle Belt, shares what Cincinnati fans need-to-know about rookie CB Darius Phillips.</p> <p id="zwelZo">Today, we’re joined by <a href="https://twitter.com/s_helwick">Steve Helwick</a> who is a writer at <a href="https://www.hustlebelt.com/">Hustle Belt, SB Nation’s MAC blog</a>! Helwick is a big fan of the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ fifth round pick, <span>Darius Phillips</span>, who joins the team after three impressive seasons of play at Western Michigan.</p>
<p id="PXn2SS">In his time in college, Phillips accounted for 127 tackles (13 for loss), 2 sacks, 12 interceptions (5 of which went for touchdowns), 35 passes defensed, 3 fumble recoveries (1 of which went for a touchdown) and 4 forced fumbles.</p>
<p id="b8Otpn">Simply put, this guy is a playmaker. When you take into consideration his six special teams touchdowns — five via kick return and one via punt return — it’s clear to see he’s a record breaker.</p>
<p id="EHbvL6">He ranked #2 in the MAC in punt return yards in both 2016 and 2017, as well as ranking #2 in yards per return. He also ranked first in punt return touchdowns in the NCAA in 2016 and first in the MAC in kickoff return yards in both 2014 and 2016. In 2015, he ranked ninth in the NCAA in kickoff return yards. Honestly, the list goes on and on regarding his special teams accomplishments. And, on defense his ability to turn the ball over can’t go unnoticed either. He ranks first in the MAC all-time in career interceptions returned for touchdowns and fifth in the NCAA in that same category. </p>
<p id="kx72PQ">In case you lost track, that’s 14 total touchdowns scored by a college cornerback.</p>
<p id="fXZVaa">Ok, enough ranting about his playmaking ability. Let’s hear from Steve to learn more about Phillips’ college career.</p>
<p id="IsQru5"><strong>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of </strong><span><strong>Darius Phillips</strong></span><strong> in Round 5 of the draft?</strong></p>
<p id="aB0udu"><strong>Steve Helwick: </strong>This is an excellent pick for the Bengals in the fifth round. Darius Phillips could receive immediate playing time in Cincinnati as he is arguably the most electric return specialist in the draft. Cincinnati was a middle-of-the-road team in terms of kick return and punt return average, so selecting the two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year should be a great boost to the return game. </p>
<p id="irO9dU">In terms of defense, his ability to jump routes and corral interceptions is outstanding. Phillips intercepted 12 passes in his three years playing cornerback at Western Michigan, while the Bengals tied for second last in the league in 2017 in number of turnovers forced. He’ll likely back up cornerbacks <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> and <span>William Jackson III</span> in his rookie year. But if he impresses in training camp, Phillips could see valuable time in dime formations or other lineups that require additional slot cornerbacks. For a fifth round pick, this should be a steal for Cincinnati, a team that could utilize him in numerous ways immediately.</p>
<p id="e7Fvn1"><strong>RT: What was Phillips known for during his time at Western Michigan from an off-the-field perspective?</strong></p>
<p id="sjxOY5"><strong>SH: </strong>Phillips was known for being a leader on the Western Michigan team. On-the-field, he’s more of a serious, determined player. But off-the-field, he is more lighthearted and has a charismatic personality. There’s a famous photo from the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>’ 2016 MAC Championship win over Ohio where Phillips performs a backflip at midfield following the victory. His positive personality also showed when he directed the band on the field after a home victory over Idaho in 2017.</p>
<p id="9kAwoV"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="k1jboj"><strong>SH: </strong>Phillips’ greatest asset is his speed. He ran a 4.39-second 40 at Western Michigan’s Pro Day, although that number slipped to 4.54 at the combine. Make no mistake though, he can play against top-notch competition. In the first two games of 2017 — USC and Michigan State — Phillips seemed to be the marquee athlete in both contests. In those games alone, he ran back two kick returns for touchdowns and scored defensively after stripping a ball carrier. As a cornerback, Phillips’ man coverage skills are strong, he can adroitly time routes, and he experiences no trouble keeping up with the most agile receivers.</p>
<aside id="Y8cEPY"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"College highlights of entire Bengals draft class and UDFA signings","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/30/17302860/highlights-bengals-2018-nfl-draft-class-udfa-signings"},{"title":"Analyzing Bengals’ selection of Western Michigan CB Darius Phillips in Round 5","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/28/17295860/2018-nfl-draft-analyzing-bengals-western-michigan-darius-phillips-round-5"}]}'></div></aside><p id="dJNvs8"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="YTZVme"><strong>SH: </strong>The primary reason such a talented ball hawk and speedy corner slipped to the fifth round is his size. Phillips is only 5’10” and 193 pounds. Also, the ability to make open field tackles is not one of Phillips’ fortes. Battling one-on-one against taller, stronger receivers such as the <span>Mike Evans</span>’ and Allen Robinsons of the league could be an additional struggle for the undersized corner. But what he lacks in size, he definitely makes up for it in talent.</p>
<p id="etKOGw"><strong>RT: Did he have any major injuries/injuries of note while in college?</strong></p>
<p id="IVY0Jp"><strong>SH: </strong>Phillips’ availability was nearly flawless in college. From 2014-17, Western Michigan played 52 games. Phillips participated in 51, missing one game against Virginia Tech as a redshirt freshman wide receiver. However, he sprained his ankle at a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/senior-bowl">Senior Bowl</a> practice in January and watched his <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a> numbers drop as a result. The injury, which sidelined him for the Senior Bowl, contributed to him sliding down to the fifth round.</p>
<p id="Rhbny4"><strong>RT: Was he a leader on the defense?</strong></p>
<p id="xnNnc2"><strong>SH: </strong>Phillips was definitely a leader on the Western Michigan defense. He was the most talented player on that side of the ball during the Broncos’ 13-1 MAC champion season. Western Michigan’s defense, which made key stops in the MAC Championship Game to secure a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/cotton-bowl">Cotton Bowl</a> bid, held opponents to 21 points and under on eight occasions in 2016. That specific defense ranked 25th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game. However, the unit slightly regressed in Phillips’ senior year after a departure of several key defenders and head coach P.J. Fleck.</p>
<p id="vKsvDF"><strong>RT: Anything else Bengals fans should know?</strong></p>
<p id="WXcRKr"><strong>SH: </strong>One of the most unique things about Darius Phillips is that he holds several NCAA records. Phillips ranks first in college football history with 12 non-offensive touchdowns. He scored 14 times in his career by receiving and returning kicks, punts, interceptions, and fumbles to the end zone. His 263 interception return yards were second to none in the 2016 college football campaign. Phillips’ five pick sixes tie a college football record with several other defenders — among them is former Bengals cornerback Deltha O’Neal.</p>
<p id="4JxxGn">In other words, once the pigskin lands in Phillips’ hands, he usually carries it a great distance.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/10/17339672/hustle-belt-darius-phillips-unreal-14-touchdowns-western-michigan-bengals-fifth-round-draft-pickRebecca Toback2018-05-09T10:30:02-04:002018-05-09T10:30:02-04:00Q&A with Land-Grant Holy Land: What Bengals fans should know about Sam Hubbard
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<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The third-round defensive end out of Ohio State was someone the Bengals had been eyeing since he was recruited in college. Now, he joins a team where he can make a lasting impact in the NFL.</p> <p id="4SO778">We’re bringing back a familiar name to talk about Ohio State University’s <span>Sam Hubbard</span>, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ first of two selections in the third round of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2018 NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<p id="kO9asW"><a href="https://twitter.com/Lovelybuckeye">Alex Chassen</a>, co-managing editor of SB Nation’s OSU site, <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/masthead">Land-Grant Holy Land</a>, already <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/5/17320850/land-grant-holy-land-billy-price-much-more-than-bengals-new-center-ohio-state-university-nfl-draft">told us all about Bengals first round pick Billy Price</a>. And now she returns to discuss the defensive end who took over in Columbus for 2016 first round draft pick and current <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> defensive end <span>Joey Bosa</span>.</p>
<p id="C434E0">Hubbard played three years at OSU and accumulated 116 tackles, 30.0 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks, 1 interception, 3 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery and 3 forced fumbles in that span. He was expected to be a second round pick in this year’s draft, but the Bengals ended up grabbing him in the middle of Round 3.</p>
<p id="V8AUdo">Let’s get to the questions!</p>
<p id="OsVdBi"><strong>Rebecca Toback: </strong>What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of <span>Sam Hubbard</span> in Round 3 of the draft?</p>
<p id="02aa96"><strong>Alexis Chassen: </strong>I think the Bengals got a steal taking Hubbard in the third. Not only did they get an almost instant contributor for the team’s defense, but they also got a local guy -- Hubbard played for Mueller in Cincinnati during high school. It seems like the Bengals went Ohio-native heavy during their draft, which typically helps drum up support for a team that’s had a few downs years. Re-building around local guys creates a deeper sense of community among the team and fans, and Hubbard -- along with Northern-Ohio natives, first round pick <span>Billy Price</span> and UDFA <span>Chris Worley</span> -- should be a good starting point.</p>
<aside id="jq1diX"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Q&A with Streaking the Lawn: What Bengals fans should know about DT Andrew Brown","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/8/17328188/qa-streaking-the-lawn-what-bengals-fans-should-know-dt-andrew-brown-virginia-nfl-draft-2018-round-5"},{"title":"Q&A with State of the U: Mark Walton offers Bengals a lot to be excited about","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/6/17320932/state-of-the-u-mark-walton-offers-bengals-a-lot-to-be-excited-about-nfl-draft-2018-fourth-round-pick"}]}'></div></aside><p id="cgkDPv"><strong>RT: What was Hubbard known for off-the-field during his time at OSU?</strong></p>
<p id="cPvG5B"><strong>AC: </strong>I’m sure you’ve heard by now that Hubbard was an elite high school lacrosse player. It was one of the oft-written storylines for the Buckeye throughout the draft process, but it goes a little further than him just being a former lacrosse player. Hubbard had actually committed to playing LAX at Notre Dame following high school, but after Urban Meyer came through on a recruiting visit, the Buckeye head coach set his sights on flipping Hubbard from a future lacrosse player to a future football star -- and it worked.</p>
<p id="GzD9ER"><em>(Editor’s note: </em><a href="http://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/29953/picked-by-marvin-lewis-and-bengals-buckeyes-sam-hubbard-comes-full-circle"><em>Marvin Lewis actually helped Meyer recruit Hubbard</em></a><em> to OSU by telling him he’d have a chance to go on to play for the Bengals after college. Turns out, that’s exactly what happened.)</em></p>
<p id="kDriYX"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="M7VZRT"><strong>AC: </strong>Hubbard’s versatility and general athleticism should give him an extra edge as he makes the transition to the pros. He played safety on his high school football team -- in addition to his dual-sport effort in lacrosse -- before being moved all over the defensive line at Ohio State. He’s shown that he’s able to learn quickly and step into a role with little experience, and still be successful. He’s naturally aggressive and is quick off the line. He should be able to contribute his rookie season for Cincinnati.</p>
<p id="7Di9do"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="xy0YQL"><strong>AC: </strong>Similar to his strengths, Hubbard’s ability to move around to different positions lends to the old moniker “Jack of all trades, master of none.” It’s too early to say whether or not Hubbard will have a hard time making a career as an edge defender, but he’s got a few solid years of experience under his belt. He’s not exactly a finished product, but with some additional development could be a very technique-driven workhorse who the team will enjoy having around the complex for years to come.</p>
<p id="Pt0u95"><strong>RT: Did you expect Hubbard to be drafted sooner than pick No. 77 in Round 3? If yes, what do you think contributed to his fall?</strong></p>
<p id="7xOVxh"><strong>AC: </strong>I don’t think there was any one thing that contributed to his fall, but there was a run on offensive players early on in the draft, and then the attention turned to secondary players before the defensive ends and linemen started being taken. Granted there were a few off the board early, but for the most part, Hubbard’s fall was a product of priority established as the rounds went on.</p>
<p id="25LxmF"><strong>RT: Hubbard replaced </strong><span><strong>Joey Bosa</strong></span><strong> in the starting lineup at OSU once Bosa was drafted by the Chargers. What was the drop off like (if any) going from Bosa to Hubbard?</strong></p>
<p id="dEvydw"><strong>AC: </strong>Filling in for Joey Bosa was one of the toughest challenges that Hubbard could be asked to undertake. Fortunately, the rest of Ohio State’s defense was pretty deep, and allowed for rotating talent to help fill the void. Hubbard didn’t crack under pressure though and finished the 2016 season with 46 total tackles (8.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks. </p>
<p id="GUvF2P">Not one to leave well-enough alone, he came back for his junior season and absolutely demolished opposing offenses, recording 42 total tackles (13.5 for loss) and 7.0 sacks -- a career-high in QB take-downs. He finished his last season in Columbus ranked among the top 10 in three different Big Ten categories: tackles for loss (No. 6), sacks (No. 6), forced fumbles (No. 7). He earned the most snaps among rotating players last season, and he earned each and every one of those.</p>
<p id="Z1gYFl"><em><strong>Thanks so much to Alexis for double-dipping and answering our questions on both Price and Hubbard!</strong></em></p>
<p id="saeQ3W"><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/7/17328354/sb-nation-college-blogs-get-to-know-2018-bengals-draft-class-price-hubbard-bates-jefferson-walton"><em><strong>Read more of our Q&As with SB Nation’s college sites here</strong></em></a><em><strong>!</strong></em></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/9/17332896/land-grant-holy-land-bengals-fans-should-know-sam-hubbard-ohio-state-nfl-draft-defensive-endRebecca Toback2018-05-08T10:30:02-04:002018-05-08T10:30:02-04:00Q&A with Streaking the Lawn: What Bengals fans should know about DT Andrew Brown
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Miami at Virginia" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qipbBoywa6IrMqnNzV_97y0aPOk=/0x0:4407x2938/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59657227/usa_today_9671867.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bengals rookie defensive tackle sounds like the kind of guy who could easily become a fan favorite.</p> <p id="6jnVv0">We continue to <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/7/17328354/sb-nation-college-blogs-get-to-know-2018-bengals-draft-class-price-hubbard-bates-jefferson-walton">get to know the Bengals’ 2018 draft class</a> with the help of the SB Nation college football writers who covered their careers for the last few years.</p>
<p id="UBEjQy">Today, we’re joined by <a href="https://twitter.com/cwdarney">Caroline Darney</a>, SB Nation’s Editor for NCAA Team Brands and a contributor at <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/">Streaking the Lawn</a>. Darney was a big fan of new Bengals defensive tackle <span>Andrew Brown</span> during his time at Virginia. She’s also a <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> fan (feel free to shame her for it in the comments) so she’s pretty mad that he’s coming to Cincinnati. (HAHAHA!)</p>
<p id="DizNwx">Brown accumulated 94 tackles (26.5 for loss) and 10.5 sacks in four years at Virginia. He also had four batted passes, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery in the span of 34 games played. But what more should Bengals fans know about the team’s new defensive lineman? Let’s turn to Caroline for the answers to our questions.</p>
<p id="7znkgR"><strong>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of </strong><span><strong>Andrew Brown</strong></span><strong> in Round 5 of the draft?</strong></p>
<p id="LXVJXx"><strong>CD: </strong>I’m a little torn. As far as the Bengals go, y’all got an outstanding player, especially at that point in the draft. Brown is big, fast, and a guy that just doesn’t quit. Where I say I’m torn is the fact that I’m a Steelers fan, and I hate the idea of having to face him for the near future. That should show you my true feelings about <span>Andrew Brown</span>...haha. </p>
<aside id="7DHMRJ"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Q&A with State of the U: Mark Walton offers Bengals a lot to be excited about","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/6/17320932/state-of-the-u-mark-walton-offers-bengals-a-lot-to-be-excited-about-nfl-draft-2018-fourth-round-pick"},{"title":"Q&A with Land-Grant Holy Land: Billy Price is much more than the Bengals’ new center","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/5/17320850/land-grant-holy-land-billy-price-much-more-than-bengals-new-center-ohio-state-university-nfl-draft"}]}'></div></aside><p id="U4nMe2"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="gc8HZg"><strong>CD: </strong>Brown times things on the line very well and uses every fiber of his being to attack the offensive line. He never stops working and churning. He shoots the gap well and is particularly effective when it comes to stopping the run and collapsing run lanes. He finished his final two years at Virginia with a combined 23.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, which, considering he was double-teamed basically all season, isn’t too shabby. I always joked that he was the most held player in the league as it often appeared that holding him was the only way for opponents to slow him down. </p>
<p id="oMlulF"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="4MajOb"><strong>CD: </strong>He could definitely improve his strength and quickness in the NFL. For college standards he was athletically gifted, but now you’re playing with the big boys. He wasn’t usually much of a factor in pass-rushing, so that’s something that you shouldn’t expect a ton of from him. NFL scouts complained about slower legs, so that’ll be a bigger deal than his hand speed or quickness. </p>
<p id="UO5VDd"><strong>RT: Did he have any major injuries/injuries of note while in college?</strong></p>
<p id="oTPOl4"><strong>CD: </strong>He missed some time his first year due to a toe injury, but nothing major that should concern Bengal fans. </p>
<p id="eiEC4p"><strong>RT: Was he known for his personality? I know you’re a big fan of Brown and his personality. What should Bengals fans know about him on a more personal level?</strong></p>
<p id="ES4JNq"><strong>CD: </strong>ABSOLUTELY. Brown is a guy that oozes personality and love for the game...one that people seemed to like to be around. He’s been described repeatedly as a ‘goofball’ He had some tough times growing up as his mother passed away from cancer when he was a child, but he’s always been one with a smile on his face...unless he’s playing. He’s a fierce competitor but has outside passions, specifically his music. According to an article from the Daily Press, one of the reasons he chose Virginia was because of their music production major. You can find some of his tracks <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fdrizobeats%2Ftracks&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2018%2F5%2F8%2F17328188%2Fqa-streaking-the-lawn-what-bengals-fans-should-know-dt-andrew-brown-virginia-nfl-draft-2018-round-5" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">here</a> and he even preceded one of Coach Mendenhall’s weekly radio spots playing his music. </p>
<p id="hNtT8a"><em>(RT note: </em><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/7/17328680/you-need-to-hear-bengals-dt-andrew-browns-music-virginia-drizobeats"><em>I obviously had to write about Brown’s music once I learned about this</em></a><em>! And, it’s pretty good!)</em></p>
<p id="BcDqbH"><strong>RT: Do you feel like he lived up to his college potential? Is there still room for him to grow as a player?</strong></p>
<p id="movqY2"><strong>CD: </strong>I have very high hopes for Andrew. I think his potential is just starting to be fully attained and getting into professional training regimens and tutelage will only help him grow faster. A lot of outside folks don’t think he lived up to the hype as a five star guy, but the fact of the matter is that Virginia’s program was (and still is, to some extent) struggling, and I’m not sure if Mike London used Brown properly in his first two seasons. Under current coach Bronco Mendenhall, you really saw what Brown was about and his abilities, culminating in a special performance at the Reese’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/senior-bowl">Senior Bowl</a>. I’m excited to see where he is as a player in a couple seasons. </p>
<p id="DsdPBp"><strong>RT: Anything else Bengals fans should know?</strong></p>
<p id="X5Vupp"><strong>CD: </strong>You’re going to love Andrew Brown. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/8/17328188/qa-streaking-the-lawn-what-bengals-fans-should-know-dt-andrew-brown-virginia-nfl-draft-2018-round-5Rebecca Toback2018-05-06T10:30:02-04:002018-05-06T10:30:02-04:00Q&A with State of the U: Mark Walton offers Bengals a lot to be excited about
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Miami at Florida State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LpZxqOAYgnpMA88sQTi0z5uy0wQ=/0x0:2343x1562/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59633631/usa_today_10333081.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The former Miami running back sounds like a stand-up guy, a willing special teams ace and someone Bengals fans should be excited to have in Cincinnati.</p> <p id="QMT9l4">Today we’re joined by <a href="https://www.stateoftheu.com/masthead">State of the U’s</a> managing editor, <a href="https://twitter.com/UnderwoodSports">Cam Underwood</a> to discuss the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ fourth round draft pick, Miami running back <span>Mark Walton</span>.</p>
<p id="RsxbVx">Who better to learn about Walton’s college career from than someone who covered him during his time at Miami? </p>
<p id="tXFhss">Walton spent three years at the U, the first two of which saw him play full 13-game seasons and the final of which ended with ankle surgery after just five games. In 31 games played in college, Walton racked up an impressive 2,006 rushing yards (5.1 yards per carry), 26 rushing touchdowns, 624 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. He also was a key special teams player, which is an area in which he’ll help the Bengals.</p>
<p id="CU40b7">So, let’s get to know Walton!</p>
<p id="avHB3g"><strong>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of </strong><span><strong>Mark Walton</strong></span><strong> in Round 4 of the draft?</strong></p>
<p id="5DA0yY"><strong>Cam Underwood: </strong>I think it’s a great pickup, obviously! Walton brings a lot to the table, and his production should exceed the value for a 4th round pick. I would have liked it if Walton were drafted a bit higher, but I think Cincinnati is a good landing spot for him. </p>
<p id="BqrT9I"><strong>RT: What was Walton known for during his time at Miami? Other than being the team’s RB, of course. Anything off-the-field?</strong></p>
<p id="8ZnDEV"><strong>CU: </strong>Walton was known for his versatility. He ran the ball, caught the ball, and played on all four areas of special teams (punt return, punt coverage, kick return, kick coverage). Walton was a good and consistent player, and did anything the coaches asked of him during his time here. </p>
<p id="Q4o3in">There were two off-the-field things that come to mind:</p>
<p id="yNYCaR">First off, Walton’s mother unexpectedly passed away in March 2017 when Walton was 19. One of six children, Walton and his siblings were raised by their single mother for much of his life. He and his family had already dealt with tragedy as his father (of the same name) was murdered in Miami when Walton Jr. was a young child. </p>
<p id="9v3kGN">Before I get to the second thing, let me say that it looks bad, but Walton was cleared in this incident. Remember that as you read forward.</p>
<p id="FpDQqV">There was an incident where Walton was <a href="https://www.stateoftheu.com/2016/4/23/11494410/miami-hurricanes-running-back-mark-walton-suspended">arrested for DUI and impersonating an officer</a>. The details of the accusation were bad, to be sure — it was alleged that Walton impersonated an officer to pull over an attractive young lady, and while doing so inappropriately groped her sexually — but the charges were dropped and Walton was cleared of any wrongdoing. <a href="https://www.stateoftheu.com/2016/7/14/12187916/miami-hurricanes-football-rb-mark-walton-shares-his-side-of-dui-arrest-story-police">Walton shared his side of the story</a>, and it was very different from the arresting info. It was revealed that Walton was set up by a police officer who was jealous of the star player, used the young lady to lure Walton to her home then arrest him once he arrived. The accusations supporting the arrest were erroneous. That, among other details, is what led to the dismissal of the charges. It’s a lot, I know, but Walton was cleared by the legal system and university, and was not suspended for even a game, because it was proven that he didn’t do what he was accused of doing.</p>
<p id="Brh230">I know that last paragraph may have some people questioning the kind of person Walton is, but let me assure you, he’s a model citizen and it took one of the more outrageous situations in a city known for outrageous situations to even come close to impugning Walton’s integrity. He’s a stand up guy who has been through a lot, but he’s a great person, teammate, and leader, and you’ll see that from him in Cincy. </p>
<aside id="BZctlH"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Marvin Lewis says Bengals “feel blessed” to draft Miami RB Mark Walton","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/29/17298228/marvin-lewis-says-bengals-feel-blessed-draft-mark-walton-round-4-nfl-draft"},{"title":"Todd McShay calls Mark Walton the Bengals’ best value pick","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/2/17302204/nfl-draft-2018-todd-mcshay-mark-walton-bengals-best-value-pick"}]}'></div></aside><p id="PSXu3N"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="NyzXVp"><strong>CU: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="o5KOD8">Vision</li>
<li id="uiCAJE">Versatility</li>
<li id="e9eMor">Pass catching (could have been 4-star wide receiver recruit if he wanted to play there full-time in high school) </li>
<li id="eVhI8x">Elusiveness (one of the top players in forcing missed tackles per Pro Football Focus)</li>
</ul>
<p id="qFihPK"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="WjbVW6"><strong>CU: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="USOjGX">Durability (Walton missed most of 2017 season after breaking an ankle)</li>
<li id="qfZPh6">Size (5’9”, 202 pounds is fine, but he’s not the biggest back in the world)</li>
<li id="rottre">Limited straight-line speed (but you have Mixon for that so you’re good)</li>
</ul>
<p id="ois68A"><strong>RT: His back story is a mix of heart breaking and amazing. Did that come across at all during his time in Miami? I know it’s part of why he left early, in order to provide for his family.</strong></p>
<p id="c2eHq2"><strong>CU: </strong>Like I mentioned before, Walton’s father was murdered when he was a child, and his mother, who by herself raised Walton and his five siblings, unexpected passed away 14 months ago. So yeah, Walton has dealt with a fair amount of personal tragedy. </p>
<p id="yxQbpq">But, Walton is a resilient person and player and he’s been able to overcome those things. I’m sure that the decision to leave early was due, in part, to wanting/needing to provide for his family, but he didn’t just blindly jump to the league before he was ready. Walton was very productive in his time at Miami (2006 yards and 26 TDs rushing, 624 yards and 2 TDs receiving, AND played on special teams, AND was part of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YXwuaniPoc">The Return, the legendary game-winning kickoff return for a TD to beat Duke in 2015</a>) and was one of the Canes’ best players for the last three years. He took the smart route and left for the NFL (especially considering the limited shelf-life for RBs in today’s game) but he’s ready for this. </p>
<p id="uerh5s"><strong>RT: Walton’s 2017 injury obviously derailed his final season of college. Did you expect him to be drafted earlier prior to the injury? What did you see in him prior to the injury to make you think he had NFL potential?</strong></p>
<p id="SJE7Pe"><strong>CU: </strong>Before his ankle injury — sustained against Florida State in October — I thought Walton could have been drafted as high as the second round. So yeah, I thought he could have gone a bit higher, but the 2-4 Round window would probably have been my projection in the end, even if I would have leaned toward the earlier side of that window at the time.</p>
<p id="wAgXnn">While Walton was at Miami, I saw what many have seen: a tough back with good vision, better quickness than speed, outstanding hands, good pass protection, and the willingness and versatility to use his athletic talents in any way the coaches asked in order to help the team. I saw Walton play since his sophomore year of high school and never once did I waver on the thought that I was watching a future NFL player. Over the course of three college seasons, Walton’s performance only strengthened my belief on that point. </p>
<p id="A4aTXs"><strong>RT: Was the ankle injury this year his only injury at Miami or were there other injuries, too?</strong></p>
<p id="gOohsS"><strong>CU: </strong>Apart from the normal dings players get from playing football, this injury was the first of Walton’s career. He had played in 31 consecutive games -- every game that he was on the roster for in college -- before the injury, so that’s good. But, I listed durability as a concern because he’s a running back and has already sustained this one season-ending injury, and that could continue to happen. OR, he could go back to being the player who never missed a game before this year. Who knows. </p>
<p id="97cbky"><strong>RT: The Bengals coaches can’t stop gushing over him, including for his special teams work. Was special teams a big part of his role in college?</strong></p>
<p id="Tvgba9"><strong>CU: </strong>I’ve mentioned it a couple of times already, but that’s 100% true. Walton played on all four special teams (punt return, punt coverage, kick return, kick coverage) and was glad to do it. Even when he was the starting running back for a team with limited depth at the position in 2017, Walton still contributed on special teams every game he was out there. </p>
<p id="rqi4Zk">So yes, special teams was a big part of his role for this program over the last three years. So much so that fellow running back <span>Travis Homer</span> (who took over as Miami’s starting back when Walton went down with his injury) followed in his footsteps joined him on STs for the last two years. Yeah, special teams is maybe a quicker path to the field for freshmen than a huge contributing or starting role, but it wasn’t just something that Walton did passively; he was a standout player in special teams, and could easily have added value in that area as he transitions to the NFL as well. </p>
<p id="1OIyKl"><em>Big thanks to Cam for his well thought out answers on the Bengals’ newest drafted running back!</em></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/6/17320932/state-of-the-u-mark-walton-offers-bengals-a-lot-to-be-excited-about-nfl-draft-2018-fourth-round-pickRebecca Toback2018-05-05T09:00:04-04:002018-05-05T09:00:04-04:00Q&A with Land-Grant Holy Land: Billy Price is much more than the Bengals’ new center
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Cotton Bowl-Ohio State vs Southern California" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nA8PIsySnFZlf1rM5eVWUeSllRk=/0x303:1861x1544/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59633443/usa_today_10518414.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The former Ohio State offensive lineman sounds like an incredible person off-the-field and a terrific player on-the-field. Let’s learn more about him with the help of SB Nation’s OSU blog.</p> <p id="4bCNqO">We continue to get to know the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>’ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2018 NFL Draft</a> class with the help of the SB Nation college blogs who covered their careers for the last few years.</p>
<p id="NL3fpA">Next up, we’re turning to <a href="https://twitter.com/Lovelybuckeye">Alex Chassen</a> of <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/">Land-Grant Holy Land</a>, who is the co-managing editor of the site covering all-things Ohio State. She’s also a writer at <a href="http://bleedinggreennation.com">Bleeding Green Nation</a>, covering the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> - boooo (yes, I’m still mad about <span>Jake Elliott</span> and holding a grudge about it for no reason with Philly faithful).</p>
<p id="0o47hA">So, let’s get to know the new Bengals center and how his career at Ohio State shaped him into a man ready to take over <span>Russell Bodine</span>’s job in Cincinnati.</p>
<p id="pUYvdr"><strong>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of </strong><span><strong>Billy Price</strong></span><strong> in Round 1 of the draft?</strong></p>
<p id="3hIL6s"><strong>Alexis Chassen: </strong>I’m glad that his injury didn’t make him a Day 2 guy. Heading into the combine he was considered the top center in this year’s draft class, and then his pec injury derailed that a bit. <span>Price</span> is absolutely the kind of guy you want to get in the first round. He’ll be worth the four-year deal — and likely earn his fifth-year option — by snap count alone. The last few first-round offensive lineman out of Ohio State went on to take 100 percent (<span>Taylor Decker</span>) and 86 percent (<span>Pat Elflein</span>) of snaps their rookie season, so it’s safe to say that so long as the rest of his rehab goes smoothly, Price should quickly become the anchor of the Bengals offense.</p>
<p id="VXBwCI"><strong>RT: What was Price known for during his time at OSU? Other than being the team’s center, of course.</strong></p>
<p id="1kBSWu"><strong>AC: </strong>Aside from his stellar play at both left and right guard, Price was known as a leader for the Buckeyes. He was a big role model for young players, instilling in them the type of work ethic it takes to be successful at a place like OSU -- and in NFL. </p>
<p id="cvk4iw">Price graduated with a Business Administration degree, and definitely took advantage of Ohio State’s commitment to preparing players for life after football. He was a part of the school’s Soles4Souls program in the summer of 2016, traveling to Jamaica in a community impact mission, and then taking a short internship at Nike headquarters in Oregon.</p>
<aside id="WoHjC4"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"An NFL team told Bengals they were going to draft Billy Price late in Round 1 if Bengals didn’t","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/1/17306790/nfl-team-told-bengals-going-to-draft-billy-price-late-round-1-if-bengals-didnt"},{"title":"Frank Pollack’s biggest praise of Billy Price is what separates him most from Russell Bodine","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/2/17311498/frank-pollack-biggest-praise-billy-price-what-separates-him-most-russell-bodine-bengals-center"}]}'></div></aside><p id="FiQjmP"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="H8DZRk"><strong>AC: </strong>Of course his leadership and work ethic are some of his biggest strengths, but I also think his dedication to facing problems head on will be a big factor in his NFL success. When he was injured at the combine, he didn’t just pack his bags and head home; he met with doctors and then finished his weekend talking to both teams and the media about the issue. He wasn’t hiding behind some smoke screen, hoping teams wouldn’t find out the true nature of the issue and how it would affect his draft stock. Instead, he stepped up to the podium and detailed his injury, recovery process, and what kind of timeline he was looking at. That kind of upfront honesty is refreshing in a league that continues to try and keep things under wraps.</p>
<p id="AYhXdy"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="g07QBO"><strong>AC: </strong>It’s hard to say the pec injury is a weakness, but the Buckeye is certainly more vulnerable to additional injuries now that he’s suffered one. The good news, is that his rehab hasn’t shown any ligament damage or issues with the muscle, so the recovery should be much more “back to normal” than contribute to additional issues. Still, that’s a very important muscle group for an offensive lineman, and will be tested during the preseason.</p>
<p id="T681um"><strong>RT: Immediately upon his arrival in Cincinnati he came off as a natural leader. Was that obvious at OSU, too?</strong></p>
<p id="GFgHKW"><strong>AC: </strong>When <span>Elflein</span> went to the NFL last season, Price was the most senior lineman left, and took the responsibility of shifting over to center very seriously. The two-time team captain spent his offseason in the gym and film room, perfecting his craft, and encouraging his younger teammates to do the same. Winning the Rimington Trophy in 2017 for being the best center in the country is no small feat, especially with Price only having one year of experience at the position under his belt, but it was the time he put in outside of practice and team events that really elevated his game to the next level. Price will be just as committed as he puts in the work to become successful at the next level.</p>
<p id="EC7j43"><strong>RT: 55 straight games played is no joke. Were OSU fans in disbelief to learn about his pectoral injury at the combine?</strong></p>
<p id="bLsUDB"><strong>AC: </strong>It was definitely a surprise, but also understandable. Starting that many games consecutively and lining up for most of the offensive snaps was bound to take a toll on his body eventually. In the long run, his injury happening at the combine — rather than during rookie camp or OTAs — ultimately will help him see the field early on in his rookie season. </p>
<p id="eRsHEw">He’s already had the worst happen to him, and shouldn’t have to live wondering when he might sustain his first significant injury. The recovery process is also something that will help Price mentally prepare for making a smoother transition to the pros. </p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/5/17320850/land-grant-holy-land-billy-price-much-more-than-bengals-new-center-ohio-state-university-nfl-draftRebecca Toback2018-05-04T10:30:03-04:002018-05-04T10:30:03-04:00Q&A with Blogger so Dear: What Bengals fans should expect from Jessie Bates
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<img alt="Presbyterian v Wake Forest" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/81Vv3wTVNuSjaeAEZvv7o5gA44U=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59621293/841377300.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>SB Nation’s Wake Forest blog tells all on Bates’ college career and what the Bengals should expect from the playmaking safety.</p> <p id="is53Au">What better way to get to know the newest <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> rookies than by talking to those who covered their college careers? After learning more about <span>Malik Jefferson</span> with Burnt Orange Nation yesterday, today, we’re getting to know Jessie Bates with <a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com/">SB Nation’s Wake Forest website, Blogger So Dear</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/BSD_RaJohnston">Riley Johnston</a> has graciously offered up the answers to some of our burning questions on the Bengals second round pick, safety Jessie Bates.</p>
<p id="hF6S3l">Bates played two seasons at Wake Forest, during which he recorded 177 tackles (including 9.5 for loss), 6 interceptions (2 of which went for touchdowns), 10 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles. He also returned punts at Wake Forest, totaling 27 returns for 234 yards (averaging 8.7 yards per return) with 1 touchdown. The Bengals love his ball-hawking abilities, so let’s learn more about them!</p>
<p id="bqMtsW"><strong>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about the Bengals’ addition of Jessie Bates in Round 2 of the draft?</strong></p>
<p id="s0MbdF"><strong>Riley Johnston: </strong>I am obviously a little biased as a Wake Forest writer, but I think he is an excellent selection for the Bengals and is somebody who can come into certain packages and contribute right away. He is a natural “centerfielder” with a knack for making big plays all over the field. I am by no means an expert on what Cincy currently has going on at their safety positions, but Bates is a guy who will be hard to keep off the field.</p>
<p id="NKUtUB"><strong>RT: What was Bates known for during his time at Wake? Other than being one of the team’s safeties, of course.</strong></p>
<p id="tVXCre"><strong>RJ: </strong>He is a bit of an interesting case because Wake Forest flipped him right before National Signing Day as a three-star when he was committed to Toledo, then he came in and just blew the competition away after his red-shirt season. He made the ACC all-rookie team and was actually runner-up to Clemson’s <span>Dexter Lawrence</span> for Rookie of the Year in the ACC, which is pretty amazing considering the talent that comes into Clemson, FSU, Miami, N.C. State, and Louisville every year. He is a high character guy and somebody who was consistently raved about by the Wake coaching staff.</p>
<p id="Uk0QlJ"><strong>RT: What do you see as some of his strengths?</strong></p>
<p id="bhI3MA"><strong>RJ: </strong>His biggest strength in my eyes is how intelligent he is on the football field. He recognizes very quickly what the offense is trying to do, and that, paired with above average athleticism, allowed him to thrive in the ACC. He has lightning-quick reflexes and is fantastic at reading the QB’s eyes to make a play on the ball. This led to multiple interceptions for touchdowns throughout his career at Wake Forest. His 4.5 speed and ability to field punt returns (as you may have seen in the bowl game against Texas A&M) make him a versatile player who can line up at a lot of different places in the secondary.</p>
<p id="Y0xfoV"><strong>RT: How about any weaknesses?</strong></p>
<p id="CFzFiR"><strong>RJ: </strong>I think his size could be a concern early in his career. He needs to add some weight to his frame but maintain his explosiveness to be an effective every down player in the NFL. He also battled some injuries last season that kept him out of multiple games. I don’t think the sample size is high enough to raise questions about his durability, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. From a playing standpoint I think his over-pursuit of plays hurt him at times in games where he would get out of position due to trying to do too much. If he can maintain his positional discipline and rely on his instincts to back him up, he will be fine. He gets in trouble when he tries to do too much.</p>
<p id="xdssfu"><strong>RT: Did he have any major injuries/injuries of note while in college?</strong></p>
<p id="SGAGz3"><strong>RJ: </strong>He had a knee injury that caused him to miss a couple of games late last season, but nothing massive.</p>
<p id="jUra0u"><strong>RT: Was he a leader on the defense at Wake Forest?</strong></p>
<p id="leojEU"><strong>RJ: </strong>I always got the sense based on his demeanor on- and off-the-field that while he was not necessarily a vocal leader (that probably fell to Cam Glenn, the safety next to him) Bates let his game do the talking and pave the way for the defense. He has a quiet confidence about himself that is rare for collegiate players to have, and that allowed him to excel.</p>
<aside id="KLu5xI"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Poll: Do you approve of the Bengals’ selection of Jessie Bates in Round 2?","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/27/17291232/2018-nfl-draft-grade-bengals-selection-jessie-bates-round-2"},{"title":"Here’s why the Bengals selected Jessie Bates in Round 2","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/27/17293876/2018-nfl-draft-analyzing-bengals-selection-of-jessie-bates-iii-in-round-2"}]}'></div></aside><p id="5wvgm4"><strong>RT: The Bengals need a playmaker at safety. Is that how you’d describe Bates?</strong></p>
<p id="LCjPRc"><strong>RJ: </strong>Absolutely. At Wake Forest he was able to rack up a ton of tackles and interceptions, but his greatest asset was being in the right place at the right time. In his freshman season he took interceptions back for touchdowns against Indiana and UVA, and was the only freshman in America to have multiple interceptions for touchdowns. Last year in the Belk Bowl he took a punt return back for a score on a short field that was extremely difficult. He was the guy that I always looked at to make a play when the Deacs needed one, and more often than not he made it.</p>
<p id="tR3a3M"><strong>RT: Anything else Bengals fans should know?</strong></p>
<p id="W0MGCN"><strong>RJ: </strong>He’s just an outstanding young man who comes from humble beginnings. He will represent Wake Forest and Cincinnati very well on- and off-the-field and I wish him nothing but the best to him in his NFL endeavors!</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/5/4/17316990/qa-blogger-so-dear-bengals-fans-expect-jessie-bates-wake-forest-safety-nfl-draft-second-round-pickRebecca Toback