May 10, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick tight end Tyler Eifert (85) catches a pass during the Bengals rookie minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals did not address any of their primary needs with their first round pick. They didn’t select a strong safety, nor a running back, nor even an offensive lineman, any of which was largely expected by many fans and pundits alike.

Instead, the team went on offense, leaving their holes on the defensive side of the ball for a tight end out of Notre Dame.

The funny thing is that this may be why I’m more excited for the Bengals upcoming season than I have ever been.

Tyler Eifert, you can officially count me as a member of your fan club.

And Bengals fans, I think you should follow suit.

The last two years, Andy Dalton has had one guy on offense that repeatedly helped him move the chains through the air. The guy that at one point had more touchdowns than games played last season: sensational young receiver, A.J. Green.

But that’s it. The chemistry really didn’t have time to develop between Dalton and Mohamed Sanu, as the receiver went down with a foot injury after a short stint opposite Green at wide-out.

Marvin Jones was just beginning to emerge as an effective receiver as the season drew to a quick close. He even showed glimpses of his ability to make the big play down the field.

The position of tight end for the Bengals has been a strange case these last few years.

Jermaine Gresham has also shown glimpses of the high draft stock he brought to the table a few years ago. However, he has also been plagued by dropped passes, something that Dalton would certainly love to see a lot less of on 2^nd and long.

In steps Tyler Eifert, and suddenly the situation on offense gets a whole lot more intriguing.

Eifert, ironically selected with the same overall pick as was Gresham, brings with him a 6 ft-5, 250 pound frame.

He can also catch anything within a half-mile radius coming his way.

And here we see the reason why I am so excited.

Jan 5, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton before the AFC wild card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

As the Bengals enter their third season with Andy Dalton at the helm, everyone from analysts to fans say it is time for him to take the next step.  Dalton has done a lot of things well in the past two season and led the Bengals to back to back playoff appearances and back to back winning seasons for the first time in a generation.  Andy Dalton is poised to have a break out year, and with the firepower around him, there is no reason not to think that he will lead the Bengals deep into the postseason.

Dalton came onto the scene in the lockout year of 2011, when not much was expected of the Bengals.  In fact, ESPN power rankings had the Bengals as the 32nd ranked team when the season began.  He quickly led the Bengals to a 6-2 start, and finished the season on a not so stellar 3-5 bout and a playoff loss at the hands of the Houston Texans.  The main receiving threats in 2011 included A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, and Jermaine Gresham, of which Green and Gresham remained on the 2012 roster.

May 10, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick tight end Tyler Eifert (85) runs down field during the Bengals rookie minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is already getting a look at his new toy in Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert, and likes what he’s seen so far:

You can tell Tyler has really good body control when the ball is in the air, but you could see that on film when you’re watching him in college. It’s hard to tell with running backs with no pads, no nothing on. But (Bernard) has a little wiggle to him, you can see that. That would be a good complement for Benny, who’s more of a power back.

Rookie running back Giovani Bernard on his first NFL practice:

Fast-paced. Very fast-paced. I just came out of a spread offense ( at UNC in college), so that was a little faster, but I enjoyed running around and having fun with the guys and understanding the playbook, getting as many reps as possible, and getting ready for the season.

For me, I just go out there and enjoy the time. Coach Gruden has done a great job of teaching everybody. He isn’t singling anyone out, and is teaching us as a whole. We’re understanding it and picking it up real well and practicing really fast and understanding it.

On comparisons to Baltimore Ravens running back ray Rice:

I don’t mind ever getting compared to a guy already in the league, and it’s a blessing. I’m just trying to be the guy that’s gotten me here and that’s Giovani Bernard. I just want to do whatever it takes to stay on the field, whether that’s getting on special teams, catching balls out of the backfield, blocking, whatever it is. I just want to be on the field at all times.

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