Chick Ludwig scrive le prime impressioni avute al rookie minicamp.
Da Cincinnati.com
TE Jermaine Gresham (Uniform No. 84) — Big, strong, fast with excellent hands and athleticism, and extremely confident. You’d have never known he was sidelined the entire 2009 season. As one club insider said, Gresham was the perfect blend of need, talent and grade falling into the Bengals’ lap at No. 21. Head coach Marvin Lewis said Gresham is farther along than anyone expected. A positive sign for the offense.
DE Carlos Dunlap (Uniform No. 96) — If the Bengals were a basketball team, they’d want him to be the first player off the bus on game day. He’s long and strong, cutting an impressive figure on the D-line. Coordinator Mike Zimmer spent a lot of one-on-one time with him, showing him some nuances in the pass rush — like dipping a shoulder and catching an O-lineman off balance.
WR Jordan Shipley (Uniform No. 11) — Ran some nice routes. Showed some good moves. Caught numerous passes. But his one bugaboo — untimely drops — resurfaced on Sunday. He ran a button-hook near the right sideline. Turned and was wide open. Ball hit him in the numbers and fell to the FieldTurf. He’s 24, but looks 30. Love his nose — gnarled with a bloody bridge. His nose looks like it just went 12 rounds against Floyd Mayweather’s gloves. His nose belongs on a workbench where it appears to have been punished by a hammer, screwdriver, saw and wrench.
CB Brandon Ghee (Uniform No. 21) — Quick and fast, tough and strong, but you can tell he needs refinement in all aspects, including a smoother backpedal, quicker hip turn and faster breaks on the ball. Lord knows he needs work on his hands because he had only one career pick at Wake Forest. “He’s special physically,” Lewis said. “He’s going to get a lot of coaching. He will know his name in his sleep.” Zimmer and DB coach Kevin Coyle will be screaming his name frequently at training camp.
DT Geno Atkins (Uniform No. 97) — Built like a block of granite. Short, wide and strong, he showed good leverage with his low center of gravity. He’s not only a Georgia Bulldog. He’s a Georgia peach.
LB Roddrick Muckelroy (Uniform No. 56) — An impressive-looking physical specimen, but didn’t get to show off his “Muckraker” skills because of a sore foot. He limped off the field on Saturday and was walking gingerly on Sunday. At least he was walking without a “snow boot.” The injury isn’t serious. Of course, he’s going to remind us of Brian Simmons.
OG Otis Hudson (Uniform No. 60) — When I want some shade at Georgetown College, I’m going to stand next to the “Big O.” He’s massive. And when I need protection from some of my angry critics, I’m going to ask Otis to serve as my bodyguard. He fired off the line of scrimmage, pushed a defender and three guys fell like dominos.
WR Dezmon Briscoe (Uniform No. 88) — Made a good impression on Friday until he tweaked a groin muscle. Spent the next two days watching, learning and getting treatment. For some reason, I was expecting a skinny, fragile guy with stick-like, thoroughbred legs. But he’s got some thickness to him. As in, thick, strong calf muscles.
C Reggie Stephens (Uniform No. 61) — Got in some good work on the O-line. Like all rookies, his head is spinning with all the knowledge coaches are stuffing into it. Walking off the field Sunday, he flashed a big smile. He’s learning from the master — Bobbie Williams.
