Roy Roundtree Thrilled to be a Bengals Longshot
By Jason Marcum
Oct 8, 2011; Evanston, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roy Roundtree (12) makes a catch over Northwestern Wildcats cornerback Jeravin Matthews (3) in the second half at Ryan Field. Michigan defeated Northwestern 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
It may not be the most ideal route to get to the NFL for former Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree. He has a long training camp ahead of him if he hopes to go from being undrafted to making the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster, but after this weekend’s rookie minicamp, he said he’s taking everything in stride and enjoying the journey:
"It’s been so much fun. It’s been a joy playing out here and putting the Bengals helmet on, just going out there and making plays. (Wide receivers coach James) Urban said I’ve been doing good, and he told me to keep it up. That’s where my mindset is. I’m down here trying to get better.There’s only 53 on the roster, so it’s tough. I know I’m only going to get better. I’m a rookie. It seems like freshman year at college all over again. You have to go out there and make a name for yourself. That’s why I feel like I’m here. I feel like I can play at this level. I just have to go out there and learn and react fast.I’m not the biggest fellow, but I’ve got a big heart and I’m going to do whatever I can, and I’m going to do it my hardest."
Roundtree did enough during the 3-day rookie camp to draw praise from head coach Marvin Lewis:
"Roy showed up when I was watching a lot of the defensive players in the Big Ten play. He made some contested catches, some runs after the catch. I don’t know when it was, but I walked past James Urban and asked, ‘Who’s the kid at Michigan?He told me about him, and James talked to him before the draft, and right after the draft we talked to his people and told him that we’d like to offer him a shot here."
Roundtree will be likely find himself battling 6th-rounder Cobi Hamilton, Ryan Whalen, Brandon Tate, Dane Sanzenbacher, and undrafted EKU WR Tyrone Goard for 2(maybe 3) of the final WR spots, depending on whether the Bengals decide to keep 6 or 7 receivers.
If all else fails, Roundtree has a great chance to either make the practice squad, and catch on with another team.
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