Attending the 2013 Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Mini-Camp

2013 Bengals Draft Picks:

#85 Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame @EiferTy85

#25 Giovani Bernard RB North Carolina @G_Bernard26

#99 Margus Hunt DE Southern Methodist @Margus_Hunt

#40 Shawn Williams S Georgia @36SLY36

#56 Sean Porter LB Texan A&M @onlyoneSP

#72 Tanner Hawkinson OG Kansas @jthawkinson (tweets are protected)

#33 Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska @RBrex2022

#87 Cobi Hamilton WR Arkansas @CobiHam11

#79 Reid Fragel OT Ohio State @Fragel79

Undrafted Free Agents:

#39 Onterio McCalebb CB Auburn @_ODOG23

#41 Jordan Campbell LB New Mexico – Highlands @J_campbell_COS

#63 Larry Black DT Indiana @lbj97whatsgood

#62 Travis Chappelear DT Northwest Missouri State @chap98

#17 Tyrone Goard WR Eastern Kentucky @Tyrone_Goard8

#86 Roy Roundtree WR Michigan @WRTreezy

#61 John Sullen OG Auburn @JohnSullen71

#3 Quinn Sharp K\P Oklahoma State @SimplySalty13

#50 JK Schaffer LB Cincinnati @Schaff37

#59 Brandon Joiner LB Arkansas State @brandonj254

#69 DeQuinn Evans DE Kentucky @CaliDQ

No Twitter accounts were found for:

#60 TJ Johnson C South Carolina

#48 Bryce Davis LS Central Oklahoma

#54 Jason Dimanche LB Southern Illinois

#53 Bruce Taylor LB Virginia Tech

#47 Terrance Brown CB Stanford

#22 Troy Stoudemire CB Minnesota

Most notable among this undrafted rookie class, is Auburn running back, Onterio McCalebb. Though he posted the best forty time (4.34) at the scouting combine, at 168 pounds, he’s thought to be too light to endure as an NFL running back. Consequently, McCalebb will be getting some looks as a return or coverage specialist while other reports have him moving to cornerback for the rookie mini-camp later this month. If his shut-down talent can rise to match his speed, the Bengals may finally add some depth to a long-standing thin spot on its roster.

Equally notable is the linebacker from New Mexico – Highlands, Jordan Campbell. Smallish at 5′ 11″ and 249 pounds, Campbell suffered from off-field troubles at USC and college transfer difficulties at Louisville before ending up at UNM-H where he averaged over ten tackles, 2.4 tackles for a loss and 1 sack per game. Praised for his strength and workout regimen, Campbell, who’s highlight films have become viral YouTube classics, was a two-time All American. He played a number of downs on offense and proved extremely productive as linebacker in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

Two other CFAs will get a look at the mini-camp at defensive tackle. At 6′ 2″ 302# from Indiana, Larry Black is a local Cincinnati standout from Wyoming High School. In his four years at IU, he played in all 48 games, starting in 40. He’s criticized for a lack of consistency and growth from a standout freshman season for the Hoosiers in 2009.  At 6′ 5″ 270#, Travis Chappelear split his college eligibility between Missouri State and Northwest Missouri State, where he finished his senior year with 63 tackles and two blocked punts. Along with his totally legit NFL frame, he posted great pro-day numbers posting a 4.7 forty, a 37″ vertical and 38 reps at 225# on the bench.

In the defensive backfield, the Bengals have signed two linebackers and two cornerbacks. At 6′ 2″ 232#, Jason Dimanche from Southern Illinois University posted great stats playing linebacker for a defense ranked in the top ten nationally. At 6′ 1″ 237#, Bruce Taylor, the Virginia Tech linebacker, worked through injuries as a junior to average over six tackles per game including 11 in the Hokies’ bowl win over Rutgers. Cornerbacks Terrance Brown, 5′ 11″ 176# from Stanford and Troy Stoudemire, 5′ 10″ 199# from Minnesota both posted great numbers in terms of tackles, solo tackles and tackles for a loss as well as great games in big games as a senior.

December 2, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) after a 20-13 win against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

At Linebacker, after four years with the team, Maualuga signed a two year deal. In addition, the 2013 defense will include standouts Michael Johnson and Vontaze Burfict as well as Robert Geathers and Wallace Gilberry. So while the situation at linebacker may be clearer, it allows for only organic improvement from a corp that struggled in 2012.  Coach Lewis praises Maualuga for his “growth” and “passion.” Still looking for a playoff win, Bengals fans are justifiably more skeptical.

At backup QB, behind rising third year starter, Andy Dalton, the Bengals will not have Ryan Fitzpatrick who signed with the Titans replacing Matt Hasselback as Tennessee’s number two quarterback. And it seems that the Bengals will pass on 37 year old Hasselback as well, given his age.

Outstading free agent issues remain with cornerbacks Adam Jones and Terence Newmen, both solid veterans. The younger, Jones, is a fan favorite on returns. Reports have Newman deciding between Oakland and Cincinnati this week.