Cincy Jungle - Cincinnati Bengals Undrafted Free AgencyWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2015-05-05T12:00:10-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/54692272015-05-05T12:00:10-04:002015-05-05T12:00:10-04:00Q&A with Bengals UDFA WR Joe Craig
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<p>Joe Craig is ready to put the past behind him and compete for a role on the Bengals final roster.</p> <p>We talked with one of the newest Bengals, Joe Craig, who recently signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent. The speedy wide receiver was the third fastest prospect coming out of high school and his speed is still what makes him standout. Craig has played against A.J. Green in the past (they’re both from South Carolina) and knows Brandon Thompson from his days at Clemson. Craig spent his junior and senior years at Memphis where he was especially effective on special teams. Here’s our interview with Craig:</p>
<p><b>Rebecca Toback: What do you think about being one of the newest Cincinnati Bengals?<br></b>Joe Craig: It’s a blessing especially coming from everything I went through. Getting the opportunity to make the team is a blessing. What they get from me is a hard working athlete. I’ll do anything it takes and anything I can do to get on the field I will do. The good lord has a plan for me. There’s no more troubles. Everything that I want to accomplish in the NFL I know I have the opportunity to do.</p>
<p><b>RT: Who called you to let you know you would be joining the team?<br></b>JC: I don’t even know to be honest. My agent called me first right after the draft. And a rep from the Bengals called afterward to tell me and said he was looking forward to me getting out there.</p>
<p><b>RT: What was the feeling like being called?</b><br>JC: It was surreal. I was hoping to hear my name by the 7th round. And I started crying on my porch watching the draft. My mom and track coach and cousins were there. And then literally 15 minutes after the draft I got the call. The neighborhood came out and congratulated me. The local preacher in the neighborhood had everyone come together in the neighborhood and had everyone come together outside and pray for me.</p>
<p><b>RT: What were your draft expectations? Were you disappointed?</b><br>JC:<b> </b>I had an idea that I was going to be a free agent but after all the hard work I did want to hear my name and see it across the TV screen. But either way, I have my chance and opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it.</p>
<p><b>RT: What was the draft weekend like for you?<br></b>JC: I spent the weekend back in South Carolina with my family. My mom, dad, cousins, everyone who has stood behind me. My track coach has been a second father in my life. It was very humbling for me.</p>
<p><b>RT: What do you think about joining a high quality roster of Bengals WRs? Is there anyone you’re specifically looking forward to get on the field with?</b><br>JC: Most definitely A.J. Green. Not only because he’s a great player but he’s out of South Carolina as well. I played quarterback my sophomore year and played against him in our high school playoffs. I went to Gaffney High School and he went to Summerville, I believe it was in 2008. And I remember him coming up to me and saying you’re going to be great as long as you stay focused. So to be able to play with him, I’m looking forward to that the most.</p>
<p><b>RT: Were there any other teams who tried to sign you or showed interest before the draft?<br></b>JC: I honestly didn’t have any idea I’d be landing with the Bengals, though my agent did talk to Coach Lewis before the draft. The other teams who I’d spoken with were the Jaguars, Colts, Cardinals and Dolphins and they had all said free agency was a possibility.</p>
<p><b>RT: Tell me about your college days. Any highlights you'd like to share?<br></b>JC: My special teams 23-25 yards per kick return and 30 yards per punt return. I’m really fast, that’s what I bring to Bengals nation, my speed. I was the third fastest coming out of high school and I’d stick to that I’m the third fastest in this draft class; that’s going to be my so called money maker.</p>
<p><b>RT: What's your workout regimen like and what have you been doing to prep for making a team?<br></b>JC: After our bowl game in December I’ve been working out every day since then. I haven’t stopped at all.</p>
<p><b>RT: What are your expectations for the next few weeks?<br></b>Make the team. That’s the goal, whatever it takes to do that I’m willing to do. Whatever Coach Lewis wants from me, he’s going to get. I’m going to make the most out of it and do everything I can to make it.</p>
<p><b>RT: Have you spoken to any of your new teammates yet?<br></b>JC: Not at all. I had a couple of them follow me on Twitter but I haven’t spoken to any yet.</p>
<p><b>RT: Do you know Brandon Thompson from your Clemson days?<br></b>JC: Yeah, I used to call him Yams. I’m pretty sure as soon as I get there he’ll take me under his wings, right like how he did when I got to Clemson.</p>
<p><b>RT: Is there anything else you want Bengals fans to know?<br></b>JC: <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/2/8538349/wr-joe-craig-agrees-to-deal-with-bengals-per-report" target="_blank">The trouble I got into at Clemson has drawn some concern</a>. I’m passed my troubled days. I’m more mature than I was. This is a grown man’s job and I’m focused on football and winning football games. This is my way out and I’m not going to mess it up.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/5/8549561/q-a-with-bengals-udfa-wr-joe-craigRebecca Toback2014-06-18T13:32:34-04:002014-06-18T13:32:34-04:00Jeff Scott waived by Cincinnati Bengals
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<p>Scott was getting looks primarily as a returner in OTAs, and his odds of making the roster were slim, given the Bengals' depth at RB.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> apparently weren't pleased with what they saw of running back <span>Jeff Scott</span> during OTAs, so the team opted to waive him on Wednesday.</p>
<p><span>A rookie from Ole Miss, Scott had signed with the team as a college free agent on May 13. He p</span>layed in eight games with six starts at running back in 2013 while battling thigh and back injuries. Scott had 497 rushing yards on 67 carries with two TDs and caught 16 passes for 107 yards. He also returned seven punts for 89 yards and a TD.</p>
<p><span>The No. 4 rusher in Rebels history, Scott started out his senior season with a 75-yard game-winning touchdown run against Vanderbilt, followed by 243 all-purpose yards in a win at Texas. However, he missed four games due to a thigh bruise and lower back injury, and then missed the Music City Bowl because of personal reasons.</span></p>
<p><span>Scott finished his college football career with 3,668 all-purpose yards, 2,297 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns and 20 total TDs.</span></p>
<p>Scott was getting looks primarily as a returner in OTAs, and his odds of making the roster were slim, given the Bengals' depth at RB. He now will go through waivers and can be claimed immediately by any NFL team.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/6/18/5821494/jeff-scott-waived-by-cincinnati-bengalsJason Marcum2014-06-10T17:07:25-04:002014-06-10T17:07:25-04:00Victor Hampton reportedly signs with Bengals
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<figcaption>Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="paragraph0">A new Hampton is coming to Cincinnati.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a> have <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/476465621878976513">reportedly signed</a> former South Carolina cornerback <span>Victor Hampton</span>.</p>
<p id="paragraph1">The 5-foot-9, 197-pound Hampton finished fourth on the Gamecocks with 51 tackles, including a team-high 43 solo stops. He was tied for second on the team with three interceptions and led USC with nine pass breakups.</p>
<p>Hampton showed flashes for a Day 3 draft pick this year, but his troubled background led to him going undrafted. He was kicked off three high school teams, and was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct following a dispute with his sister in April.</p>
<p>To top it all off, he was questioned in connection with a New York nightclub fight prior to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" style="background-color: #ffffff;">NFL Draft</a>, but was cleared of any wrongdoing in that case. Hampton was also benched two games in 2013 for violation of team rules, but he did get to play in those contests. He didn't help himself at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine" style="background-color: #ffffff;">NFL Scouting Combine</a>, where he posted a 4.69 40-time.</p>
<p>All of this led to Hampton going undrafted, and to this point, hasn't drawn anything more than a workout with NFL teams. He worked out with the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a> on Monday.</p>
<p id="paragraph5">Don't look at this as the Bengals going back to their 'bad boy' ways though. Hampton is a rookie undrafted free agent. If there's even a sniff of trouble from him, he's cut with no repercussions. He started 22 games in his final two seasons at USC and had 91 tackles, 13 pass breakups and four interceptions.</p>
<p id="paragraph7">Hampton was told by the NFL's underclassman advisory committee that he would be <a href="http://www.gogamecocks.com/2014/06/10/599249/report-victor-hampton-has-two.html" target="_blank">drafted in the second or third round of the draft</a>, and ESPN analyst Todd McShay graded Hampton "a fourth- or fifth-round" pick.</p>
<p id="paragraph8">If he manages to keep his head on straight and work his tail off training camp, he would beat out <span>Lavelle Westbrooks</span> and <span>Chris Lewis-Harris</span> for the sixth cornerback spot on the 53-man roster.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/6/10/5798008/victor-hampton-signs-with-cincinnati-bengalsJason Marcum2014-05-13T15:05:14-04:002014-05-13T15:05:14-04:00Bengals Announce Signing Of UDFA RB Scott
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<p>The Bengals signed another undrafted rookie free agent on Tuesday in Mississippi' running back Jeff Scott.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> remained active even though the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> ended days ago. As they are finalizing their undrafted free agent roster, the team announced that they had another addition to the list. Former Ole Miss running back, Jeff Scott, has joined the team, per their official Twitter account.</p>
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<p>NEWS: <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bengals&src=hash">#Bengals</a> sign college free agent RB Jeff Scott (Mississippi)</p>
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals/statuses/466276208137605120">May 13, 2014</a>
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<p>Do you think that the Bengals are trying to emphasize the run this year? The team drafted Jeremy Hill out of LSU in the second round, an interior lineman in Russell Bodine in the fourth round and have stacked up a bunch of undrafted free agents to also assist in this area. Two potential fullbacks in Nikita Whitlock and Ryan Hewitt have been landed, along with the big Florida State tailback, James Wilder, Jr..</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/5/10/5705508/ole-miss-rb-jeff-scott-headed-to-cincinnati/in/5469227">Scott talked about joining the Bengals</a> through his Twitter account, though the team only made it official today. Sometimes the undrafted free agent game is one of smoke and mirrors, based on early verbal agreements. Because of this, early reports of agreements are broken, but this wasn't the case with Scott.</p>
<p>He ran for 846 yards and six touchdowns in 2012, but injuries greatly hampered his senior year where he had a minimal impact. Scott is the third SEC running back on the roster, with Hill and fellow Ole Miss alum, <span>BenJarvus Green-Ellis</span>.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/5/13/5714182/bengals-sign-undrafted-free-agent-running-back-jeff-scottAnthony Cosenza2014-05-12T11:35:30-04:002014-05-12T11:35:30-04:00Jimmy Bennett signed by Cincinnati Bengals
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<figcaption>David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Right before the name of the final player taken in the, draft Jimmy Bennett received a call from the Cincinnati Bengals telling him that they were signing him as a free agent.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> didn't take an offensive tackle in this year's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Draft</a>, but they've already signed a pair of undrafted free agents. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/5/10/5705492/west-virginia-lineman-curtis-feigt-reportedly-joining-bengals">After grabbing West Virginia lineman Curtis Feigt</a>, Cincinnati has now reportedly signed UConn offensive tackle Jimmy Bennett.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://runwayramblings.blogspot.com/2014/05/uconns-bennett-signed-by-bengals.html">According to the New Haven Register</a>, the Bengals were calling Bennett to sign him just before the draft ended, a pretty good sign they had him targeted ahead of time.</p>
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<p><span>"I never talked to them before the draft so it was really surprising but it was cool nonetheless, I am happy," said Bennett after the draft. "They called me right before Mr. Irrelevant was announced they called me to let me know.</span></p>
<p><span>"It was just the Bengals, they said ‘you are signed, you are good.’ I obviously haven’t played football in a while and it is exciting to get back into football. There are a lot of things that I don’t know what to expect, it is a lot of anticipation and what is going to happen."</span></p>
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<p><span>Bennett started every game over the last two seasons at left tackle and also got some positive reviews for his performance in the Medal of Honor Bowl. He was also </span>named to the American Athletics Conference All-Academic team.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/5/12/5709940/jimmy-bennett-signed-by-cincinnati-bengalsJason Marcum2014-05-11T17:36:50-04:002014-05-11T17:36:50-04:00James Davidson has reportedly signed Cincinnati
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bengals have added another defensive end in the form of UTEP's James Davidson.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.utepathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051014aaa.html">Former UTEP defensive end James Davidson has reportedly signed a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals</a>.</p>
<p><span>T</span>he 6-3, 235-pound lineman played for the Miners from 2010-13 and registered 111 tackles and 8.5 sacks. The Huntsville, Texas native started in all 12 games last season for the Miners and lead the team in sacks (3.5) and registered 53 tackles, six of which for a loss.</p>
<p><span>Here's a rundown of his highlights from UTEP, including him sacking new Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. </span></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jldbMnLzXkc?rel=0" height="360" width="480"></iframe></p>
<p>The Bengals have an opening for playing time at DE, so Davidson will have a better shot at making the roster during camp than players at other potions.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/5/11/5707856/james-davidson-has-reportedly-signed-with-cincinnati-bengalsJason Marcum2014-05-11T16:55:30-04:002014-05-11T16:55:30-04:00Updated look at top undrafted free agents
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<p>A look at some of the best remaining undrafted free agents after they didn't hear their name called during the NFL Draft. </p> <p>The Cincinnati Benglas have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of undrafted free agency in recent years. Their linebacking unit could consist of mostly players who didn't here their name called on Draft Day, including <span>Emmanuel Lamur</span>, <span>Vincent Rey</span>, <span>Jayson DiManche</span> and Pro Bowler Vontaze Brufict.</p>
<p>Who will the latest undrafted steal for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> be? Keep track of all the <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/5/10/5705186/cincinnati-bengals-undrafted-free-agency" target="_blank">latest rumored signings in our UDFA Stream</a>, and here's a look at some of the best and notable players who have yet to sing with a team.</p>
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<p><span>Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida</span></p>
<p><span>Sean Parker, S, Washington</span></p>
<p><span>Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida</span></p>
<p><span>Garrison Smith, DL, Georgia</span></p>
<p><span>Luke Lucas, OT, Kansas State</span></p>
<p><span>Kenny Bell, WR, Alabama</span></p>
<p><span>Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina</span></p>
<p><span>Robert Thomas, DL, Arkansas</span></p>
<p><span>Kyle Bryant, OT, Youngstown</span></p>
<p><span>Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon</span></p>
<p><span>Derrell Johnson, OLB, East Carolina</span></p>
<p><span>Joe Don Duncan, TE, Dixie State</span></p>
<p><span>Senorise Perry, RB, Louisville</span></p>
<p><span>Casey Pachall, QB, TCU</span></p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/5/11/5707716/updated-look-at-top-undrafted-free-agentsJason Marcum2014-05-10T22:13:58-04:002014-05-10T22:13:58-04:00Bengals signed MSU OG Dan France
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals have signed offensive guard Dan France, according to two reports.</p> <p>The Cincinnati Bengals have signed Michigan State offensive guard Dan France, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeWScout/status/465309469371428864">Mike Wilson with Scout.com</a> and confirmed on <a href="https://twitter.com/MSU_Football/status/465310048571232256">Michigan State Spartans official football twitter account</a>. France has played 46 career games with the Spartans, <a href="http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dan_france_456638.html">including 37 starts on the offensive line</a> -- versatile enough to start 24 times at left tackle, made the transition to right guard during his season season in '13.</p>
<p>France, originally a defensive linemen who arrived at Michigan State from North Royalton, Ohio, suffered a severe sprain during Michigan State's win over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. He was forced to sit out of the Rose Bowl, watching his team beat Stanford 24-20 in his final game. When offensive line coach Mark Staten asked if France wanted to enter the game, his final in college, France said no, <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20140104/SPORTS07/301040020/michigan-state-spartans">according to Joe Rexrode with the Detroit Free Press</a>.</p>
<p>"As much as I wanted to play in the Rose Bowl, I wanted to win the Rose Bowl," <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20140104/SPORTS07/301040020/michigan-state-spartans">France via the Detroit Free Press</a>. "I didn’t want to hurt the team. I thought Travis gave us the best chance."</p>
<p>Travis Jackson finished out the game.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/nfldraft/2014/5/10/5705698/bengals-signed-msu-og-dan-franceJosh Kirkendall