Cincy Jungle - Bengals Rookie MinicampWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2013-05-13T09:08:00-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/40835832013-05-13T09:08:00-04:002013-05-13T09:08:00-04:00Impressions and Notes From Bengals Rookie Minicamp
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals have closed shop for the team's rookie minicamp. Here's a few of our impressions, notes and other things being said about the newest Bengals players.</p> <p>Certainly May stories may promote the idea of saturating talent brimming over the edges; though most excitement is instigated by the insatiable desire to satisfy a football fix. Rookie minicamp isn't so much the advertisement and awe of talent, as it is exposing rookies to the playbook.</p>
<p>Players expected to make the roster were be coached up, like Shawn Williams, Cobi Hamilton, Margus Hunt, Rex Burkhead and the team's triumvirate of offensive linemen (all of whom practiced well this weekend). Others with the promise of talent are also being noticed, like Jayson DiManche and Onterio McCalebb.</p>
<p>At this point the Bengals have offered one known contract to defensive tackle Terrence Stephens, but Cincinnati must release someone to make room on the 90-man offseason roster. That could come on Monday.</p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/10/4319542/bengals-rookie-minicamp" target="new">Our stories about rookie minicamp throughout the weekend</a>
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<p><u><strong>+</strong></u> Much of the rookie minicamp focused on the Bengals first two selections of the 2013 NFL draft. The coaching staff is beaming with excitement about the possibilities that Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard bring. Tight end Tyler Eifert was anything but, straying across the line of scrimmage and making impressive receptions. Bengals running back Giovani Bernard caught several screen passes over the weekend (while sprinting down the sidelines with a trail of dust behind him), using the speed and hands that makes Jay Gruden salivate with possibilities.</p>
<p>"I’ve been impressed with how they are studying and working hard. When they mess up, you can tell it hurts them and they don’t want to do it again," <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130512/SPT02/305120107/Gruden-puts-new-tools-to-work">Gruden said via the <em>Cincinnati Enquirer</em></a>. "Those two guys are focused on what they can bring to the team and they are going to be very good players."</p>
<p><u><strong>+</strong></u> Practicing red zone offense on Sunday, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcincinnati.com%2Fblogs%2Fbengals%2F2013%2F05%2F12%2Frookie-minicamp-ends%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2013%2F5%2F13%2F4326204%2Fbengals-rookie-minicamp-eifert-bernard-hunt" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eifert lined up in the slot</a> and then split wide left on consecutive plays. Eifert, A.J. Green, Jermaine Gresham, Mohamed Sanu? Oh, my.</p>
<p><u><strong>+</strong></u> Cobi Hamilton had a great camp, according to most reports, used primarily as an outside receiver that made impressive receptions in traffic. Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden was impressed.</p>
<p>"He'll challenge to make the squad and become a player," <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Camp-update-Bernard-has-Gruden-thinking-YAC-This-Cobi-making-a-May-run/910a7fce-4d50-46fa-b976-ec07732cf04b">Gruden said via Bengals.com</a>. "Cobi's an exciting guy. He's bigger than I thought he was. He's taller. He's got good stride to him, he's got good hands, he's tough. In Arkansas he ran a lot of crossing routes so we knew he wasn't afraid to go across the middle. We like Cobi. We're impressed with what he's done so far."</p>
<p>Hamilton figures to battle Brandon Tate and Ryan Whalen for the final two spots on the roster. Taveon Rogers, Roy Roundtree, Dane Sanzenbacher and Tyrone Goard, who dropped multiple passes during rookie minicamp, are determined to make an impression to upset the three-man battle for two vacancies. It's unknown if the Bengals will sign teammate John Goodman, who has known Eifert since before high school.</p>
<p>"That receiver room just gets stronger and stronger, younger and younger," Gruden said. "(Hamilton has) big strong hands, long arms, long body; he definitely looks the part. You take a guy like that and you know he can handle it mentally, you've got something."</p>
<p>Gruden was also impressed with team's second sixth-round selection, Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead.</p>
<p>"He's got great feet and quick; it's what we thought we had," Gruden said. "He's a great option for us. He's little bit thicker and bigger to handle the pass protection. He's tough as nails, we know that."</p>
<p>However despite being on the field Sunday, Burkhead didn't "<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcincinnati.com%2Fblogs%2Fbengals%2F2013%2F05%2F12%2Frookie-minicamp-ends%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2013%2F5%2F13%2F4326204%2Fbengals-rookie-minicamp-eifert-bernard-hunt" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">take part on the practice</a>", writes the <em>Cincinnati Enquirer</em>. "The reason was undetermined."</p>
<p><u><strong>+</strong></u> Onterio McCalebb's conversion from running back to cornerback is developing as one would expect. He has the speed, but "<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcincinnati.com%2Fblogs%2Fbengals%2F2013%2F05%2F11%2Frookie-minicamp-day-2-random-thoughts%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2013%2F5%2F13%2F4326204%2Fbengals-rookie-minicamp-eifert-bernard-hunt" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">technique is a work in progress</a>." Based on the team's prior experiments shifting a player from one side of the ball to the other, along with the current cornerback roster, McCalebb is a strong practice squad candidate if he's not ready for the 53-man roster; which means he'll have to make significant progress from now until August. Anything is possible for a kid looking to Bengals legend Ken "The Rattler" Riley.</p>
<p>One of the things McCalebb isn't <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Reach-out/c5236cfc-3cb7-4aa6-85d0-b331ffb82456">comfortable with yet is back-pedaling</a>.</p>
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<p>"That’s one thing I’ve been having problems with," McCalebb said after Saturday's first practice. "I haven’t backpedaled in I don’t know how many years it was. It was in high school, like 2008. All through my Auburn career I played running back. So I’m just trying to get the feel for it more, and hopefully I can get everything down pat and help the team win and make it to the playoffs."</p>
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<p><u><strong>+</strong></u> Margus Hunt is extremely raw, but with coaching and training, the hope is that his physical gifts translates into the NFL. Zimmer told Hunt to identify himself.</p>
<p>"He's got a lot of physical skills. He's smart. He catches on," Zimmer said. "He can run. I told him yesterday, he kind of has to know who he is. He's not a wiggle guy, he's a power guy. He's strong, physical, he's got good arms. Great strength and great speed, so he has to know what he is. He's not going to juke somebody. He's got to power on them, make them sit down, and then be able to make moves off of it."</p>
<p>Don't expect Hunt to be a major contributor on defense early. Cincinnati selected him based on his physical abilities. Yet his football abilities are extremely raw. Who else is excited about Hunt? Special teams <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130511/SPT02/305110103/Special-teams-can-open-door-rookies">coach Darrin Simmons</a>.</p>
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<p>"It’s kind of hard to not be good at (blocking kicks) when you are as quick as he is and you are 6-8 and have long arms," he said.</p>
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<p><u><strong>+</strong></u> Zimmer, who spent the weekend coaching Shawn Williams in pass coverage, was <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Handing-it-to-Hunt/946fff5a-2183-4d1b-90e7-84dc81a5e974">also fairly impressed with linebacker Sean Porter</a>. Williams wasn't asked to play coverage as much, but Zimmer is encouraged by his athleticism. Regardless, Zimmer tried silencing those that believe Williams will start on day one. He needs work, but the reality is that strong safety is extremely short-handed.</p>
<p><u><strong>+</strong></u> If there's an undrafted free agent that makes the 53-man roster this year, the early favorite is linebacker Jayson DiManche. He spent the weekend working at strong-side linebacker.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/13/4326204/bengals-rookie-minicamp-eifert-bernard-huntJosh Kirkendall2013-05-13T08:05:44-04:002013-05-13T08:05:44-04:00Jay Gruden on Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard<blockquote>
<p><p>"I’ve been impressed with how they are studying and working hard. When they mess up, you can tell it hurts them and they don’t want to do it again," Gruden said. "Those two guys are focused on what they can bring to the team and they are going to be very good players."</p></p>
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<div class="source"><p><a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130512/SPT02/305120107/Gruden-puts-new-tools-work">Cincinnati Enquirer</a></p></div>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/13/4326086/jay-gruden-on-tyler-eifert-and-giovani-bernardJosh Kirkendall2013-05-12T20:36:23-04:002013-05-12T20:36:23-04:00Bengals Offer A Contract To DT Terrence Stephens
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes</figcaption>
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals offered a contract to Stanford defensive tackle Terence Stephens, who worked out with the team this weekend as a tryout.</p> <p>The Cincinnati Bengals invited over 20 players to Bengals rookie minicamp for a tryout; though a significant road to make the squad, an opportunity existed for those players. There are camps that no tryout players are signed, others feature at least one, sometimes as many as three.</p>
<p>Cincinnati offered a contract to Stanford defensive tackle Terrence Stephens, according to Joe Reedy with the Cincinnati Enquirer.</p>
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<p>So there will be at least one <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23bengals">#bengals</a> tryout player who has been offered a contract -- DT Terrence Stephens</p>
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/joereedy/status/333644047853969408">May 12, 2013</a>
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<p>Now we should point out that offering a contract isn't the same as signing a contract; if a contract is signed, it won't be announced by the team until Monday. Cincinnati, having 90 players on the current roster, will need to make a corresponding move to give Stephens a roster spot. </p>
<p>Stephens, who generated 34 reps at 225 pounds at Stanford's Pro Day, missed his final collegiate game against Wisconsin during the Rose Bowl due to a "<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaaf%2F2012%2F12%2F21%2Fstanford-terrence-stephens-ineligible-for-rose-bowl%2F1785557%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2013%2F5%2F12%2F4325182%2Fbengals-offer-a-contract-to-stanford-dt-terrence-stephens" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">secondary violation of NCAA rules related to his rental of off-campus housing</a>." Stephens also missed the final regular season game of the season and the PAC-12 championship game due to a "personal problem".</p>
<p>Despite that, this kid appears to have a strong head on his shoulders. Per <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaaf%2F2012%2F12%2F21%2Fstanford-terrence-stephens-ineligible-for-rose-bowl%2F1785557%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2013%2F5%2F12%2F4325182%2Fbengals-offer-a-contract-to-stanford-dt-terrence-stephens" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">USA Today</a>:</p>
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<p>The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Stephens has been one of Stanford's most vocal leaders. He anchors the defensive line's run package, often clogging the middle to free up teammates to fill the gaps — and not usually his own statistics.</p>
<p>Stephens has 10 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble this season. He also forced the win-clinching fumble by Curtis McNeal in Stanford's 56-48 victory in triple overtime at Southern California last year.</p>
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<p>Even with the issues he faced at the end of the season last year, Stephens became his team's biggest cheerleader.</p>
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<p>"I love my team and the work we've all put in to get to this point," Stephens wrote on Twitter. "My situation is irrelevant. Go to the Rose Bowl and cheer on a great team."</p>
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<p>Stephens recently returned to his high school, Quince Orchard, talking with the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/recruiting-insider/wp/2013/04/26/nfl-draft-hopeful-terrence-stephens-returns-to-quince-orchard-to-deliver-speecht/">football team about the word "potential"</a>.</p>
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<p>"In my eyes, potential is what you haven’t done, with those blessings, those abilities," Stephens said later in a telephone interview. "Potential for me has never been a good word. It’s something that I’ve used as motivation."</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/12/4325182/bengals-offer-a-contract-to-stanford-dt-terrence-stephensJosh Kirkendall2013-05-12T18:30:06-04:002013-05-12T18:30:06-04:00Hawkinson Worked Every O-Line Position During Camp
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals are fairly impressed with Hawkinson, who worked all five offensive lineman positions over the weekend, either during team or individual drills.</p> <p>The dreaded fifth round.</p>
<p>Where most players selected during the Marvin Lewis era have traditionally failed to make any contribution for this organization. There's Kevin Huber, an exception. Wide receiver Marvin Jones is on the rise. There's hope. George Iloka played seven games last season as a rookie, mostly on special teams. Robert Sands, who played one game during his rookie season in 2011 and spent the entire 2012 on Injured Reserve, was arrested earlier this year and accused of assaulting his wife.</p>
<p>Otis Hudson is already gone. The Arizona Rattlers suspended former lineman Jason Shirley, who was also suspended twice at Fresno State. Jeff Rowe, A.J. Nicholson and Adam Kieft have long departed the NFL.</p>
<p>While Huber gave fifth rounders hope, added by the belief that Marvin Jones' ceiling is fairly high, offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson hopes to continue shedding the enigma.</p>
<p>During Cincinnati's rookie minicamp this weekend, Hawkinson worked all five offensive linemen positions during team or individual drills, making a convincing argument himself by applying the team's obsession for versatile players that play more than one position.</p>
<p>Per <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Camp-update-Bernard-has-Gruden-thinking-YAC-This-Cobi-making-a-May-run/910a7fce-4d50-46fa-b976-ec07732cf04b">Bengals.com</a>:</p>
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<p>...it should say something that offensive line coach Paul Alexander can't remember if anyone else has done that for him so early in his career.</p>
<p>"I'll have to get back to you on that," Alexander said after the Saturday morning practice. "He's got good quickness, he's smart. He's an instinctive player."</p>
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<p>"It wasn't bad (at guard)," <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Camp-update-Bernard-has-Gruden-thinking-YAC-This-Cobi-making-a-May-run/910a7fce-4d50-46fa-b976-ec07732cf04b">Hawkinson said via Bengals.com</a>. "It's a little different, of course, but when they drafted me they told me they thought I could play all five positions. It was a little awkward," he said when asked about playing center. "(But) getting that muscle memory down, then it's just like its second nature."</p>
<p>Cook and Robinson are expected to compete for the starting center job during training camp in July. However if Hawkinson keeps impressing the coaching staff with an ability to play all five positions, it changes things up.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/12/4324482/rookie-tanner-hawkinson-worked-all-five-offensive-line-positionsJosh Kirkendall2013-05-12T14:19:32-04:002013-05-12T14:19:32-04:00Lewis' Impression On The Concluded Rookie Minicamp<blockquote>
<p><p>"I thought they went very good. It’s been very productive. When you have 10 draft picks there’s a lot of opportunity to get those guys involved and see them get incorporated in the offense and defense and then a little bit of special teams. To a man I’ve been pleased with what they’ve come out here and done. Now most will be here this week and get infused with the rest of the team."</p></p>
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<div class="source"><p><a href="http://sulia.com/channel/cincinnati-bengals/f/4b2a2428-20ad-4f3b-875f-95d465650c62/?source=twitter">Marvin Lewis</a></p></div>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/12/4324378/lewis-impression-on-the-concluded-rookie-minicampJosh Kirkendall2013-05-12T14:15:39-04:002013-05-12T14:15:39-04:00PHOTO GALLERY: Final Day of Bengals Rookie Camp
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<figcaption>Joe Robbins</figcaption>
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up minicamp on Sunday with the fifth and final practice. A photo gallery of that day.</p> <p>The Bengals have closed shop at Paul Brown after conducting the final day of rookie minicamp this weekend. Players impressed, and impressed even more. Cincinnati's coaching staff is generating ideas on what they have and perhaps a few tryout players made enough of an impression to sign with the Bengals. </p>
<p>Either way, here's Sunday's practice in pictures.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/12/4324334/photo-gallery-final-day-of-bengals-rookie-minicampJosh Kirkendall2013-05-12T10:46:05-04:002013-05-12T10:46:05-04:00The Bengals REALLY Wanted Jayson Dimanche
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals were determined to bring Southern Illinois linebacker Jayson Dimanche, that they signed him to one of the highest signing bonuses among all college free agents.</p> <p>Within hours after the completion of the 2013 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals gave Southern Illinois linebacker Jayson Dimanche a ring. They were interested. Along with having a predraft visit prior to the NFL draft, the Bengals were so determined to sign him that <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/4/30/4286014/bengals-offered-way-more-money-to-jayson-dimanche-than-the">they offered "way more" money</a> than the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were also interested in Dimanche. In fact, the Bengals offered one of the biggest <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20130511/SPT02/305110111">signing bonuses among all college free agents this year</a>, according to Joe Reedy with the <em>Cincinnati Enquirer</em>.</p>
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<p>Besides having a chance to make the roster, the signing bonus that the Bengals offered put them over the top. According to various reports, DiManche’s signing bonus is believed to be tied for the second-highest given to an undrafted free agent this year. Broncos linebacker Lerentee McCray received $17,000 while DiManche, Giants receiver Marcus Davis and Buccaneers cornerback Deveron Carr each received $15,000.</p>
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<p>Dimanche, who Reedy suggests has a shot at making the 53-man roster this year, is shifting from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3. It's gone as could be expected.</p>
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<p>"The first couple days have gone pretty good. It took awhile to learn installation on the first day, but we’re starting to learn it now as a group and starting to run quicker," DiManche said following one of Saturday’s practices.</p>
<p>Said DiManche about the differences in defenses: "There are a little bit more coverage responsibilities and the run gaps are different. The adjustment though shouldn’t be too bad."</p>
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<p>The final practice during rookie minicamp takes place on Sunday.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/12/4323904/jayson-dimanche-received-one-of-the-highest-signing-bonuses-among-allJosh Kirkendall2013-05-11T19:00:05-04:002013-05-11T19:00:05-04:00Rookie Minicamp Draws Bengals Veterans
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Although the rookie minicamp is for first-year players only, certain Bengals veterans also stopped by to check out the newest members of the team. </p> <p>As the name implies, rookie minicamps are for rookies (and other qualifying first-year players) only. All veterans are barred from participating and the only people allowed on the field are the players who have been invited and the coaches directing them.</p>
<p>Pretty self-explanatory.</p>
<p>There is, however, nothing preventing interested veterans from also dropping in and checking out the practices, which is exactly what a few of the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> more prominent veterans ended up doing over the weekend. On Friday, it was quarterback <span>Andy Dalton</span>, and on Saturday it was a whole bevy of players, as <span>Andrew Whitworth</span>, <span>Leon Hall</span>, <span>Vontaze Burfict</span>, <span>Rey Maualuga</span>, and <span>Adam Jones</span> all made an appearance to scope out the day's events.</p>
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<p>Whitworth, Hall, Burfict, Maualuga and A.Jones made cameo appearances during the morning practice <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23bengals">#bengals</a></p>
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/joereedy/status/333268467396517889">May 11, 2013</a>
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<p>So why is it noteworthy that a couple of Bengals' veterans stuck their heads in at the rookie minicamp? Because two of those veterans just so happen to be the very players head coach Marvin Lewis called upon during the team's bye week in 2012 to take a larger role of leadership within the team.</p>
<p>And now, during the NFL offseason, at an event that veterans don't have to attend, at a practice that involves only rookie players, both Andy Dalton and Rey Maualuga showed up to make their presence known to the next crop of Bengals players. It would seem that both players have taken Lewis' message to heart.</p>
<p>While both Dalton and Maualuga have their share of questions concerning their on-field play heading into 2013, their leadership within the locker room has been undeniable as of late. Along with Whitworth, Hall, Jones, and a few other players like <span>Domata Peko</span>, the Bengals have put together a roster brimming with both talent and leadership.</p>
<p>You have to love the fact that this team actually personifies the meaning of the word. Team.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/5/11/4322080/leadership-on-display-rookie-minicamp-draws-bengals-veteransLucas Greta