Stripe Hype Player Preview: Roddrick Muckelroy
By Jason Marcum
Roddrick Mukelroy is a name that hasn’t been mentioned often this offseason, but given the Bengals situation at the linebacker spot, he’ll likely soon be a name we hear on a regular basis during training camp. Muck was a 2010 fourth-round pick out of Texas where he helped the Longhorns defense finish as one of the best in the nation both years he started at MLB.
Here’s his college profile courtesy of Bengals.com:
"Played four seasons (2006-09) at Texas, with a redshirt year in 2005 … A two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, he led team in tackles in each of his last two seasons, for clubs that posted a 25-2 record … Helped Texas lead nation in rush defense in 2009 … Career totals of 42 games and 30 starts … Logged 214 of his career 292 tackles in his last two seasons."
After appearing in 14 games on special teams in 2010 and registering 10 tackles and two forced fumbles, Muckelroy was placed on the IR list in 2011 after suffering an achilles tendon rupture practice during the first practice of training camp last season. Muckelroy has experience as an inside and outside linebacker, and figures to compete for a playing time on the strongside, middle, and weakside.
As of now, Muckelroy would be strong candidate to man the starting MLB role for at least week 1 with Rey Maualuga facing an NFL suspension for his offseason bar fight.
OLB Dontay Moch will also miss the first four games due to taking a banned substance. s. The team also traded Keith Rivers and Brandon Johnson left via free agency to sign with the Steelers, leaving holes at the middle and strong side linebacker spot. Muckelroy is a versatile player that could line up in all three spots, if needed. At worst, Muck figures to be one of the first backup linebackers to come off the bench.
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer recently tweeted that during the Bengals OTA’s and minicamps, the second-team defense consisted of Muckelroy and Vincent Rey on the outside. Reedy also speculated that there’s essentially 3 spots up for grabs, which will likely be between Muck, Vincent Rey, Micah Johnson, Vontaze Burfict, and Dontay Moch. Muck has more experience than everyone except Rey, and has experience on special teams, making him much more valuable as a backup LB.
Muckelroy was taking part in all of the drills during offseason OTAs, and he’ll be ready to rock when training camp opens this week.
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