Two Cincinnati-Grown Rookies Cut By The Bengals

The Bengals have just released news that they have cut Offensive Guard Mark Wetterer and Safety Brian Lainhart. Both were undrafted college free agents, and neither were truly expected to make the team. Wetterer went to the University of Louisville and attended Anderson High School in Cincinnati. Lainhart went to Kent State University and attended Colerain High School in Cincinnati.

Neither did much in camp. From what I’ve gathered, Lainhart blocked a special punt on special teams but didn’t excel at safety, and Wetterer struggled to make a difference for the Offensive Line. Lainhart had a shot at making the team due to his speed and athleticism, and could have wound up in special teams. But it looks like the Bengals have other plans at Safety. And too many Offensive Guards are on the team right now, which forced the release of Wetterer.

Here are my notes on the current situation at Safety:

Safeties:
Reggie Nelson: 7/30-8/3: Has made a few highlight plays so far, including a nice diving interception when rookie WR Bart Johnson slipped on the turf and a huge hit when he sent rookie TE Colin Cochart sprawling. [Expected to start]
Chris Crocker: no news. [Expected to start]
Tom Nelson: 8/4: First practice. 8/5: Had a nice interception of QB Dan Lefevour during a scrimmage. [an undrafted college free agent in 2009, and started 3 games in 2009. Not stellar, but he can also play both safety positions and nickel cornerback]
Jeromy Miles: no news. [an undrafted college free agent in 2010, played in 6 games and had 4 tackles]
Robert Sands: 7/30-8/3: With Gibril Wilson still out and Tom Nelson not practicing until 8/4, he has taken a lot of snaps. He’s very tall out there, and seems to have some nice potential. [2011 5th Rounder whom the Bengals reportedly had ranked in the 3rd Round]
Gibril Wilson: 8/4: injured, will be back next week. On the active PUP with a knee issue. 8/6: Hobson: “Coyle [Bengals’ Defensive Backs Coach] was pleased to report that safety Gibril Wilson is back to practice next week, 50 weeks after he suffered an ACL injury in a preseason game”. [had started 80 games at safety before tearing his ACL in the 2010 preseason, the Bengals want to see him play]
Brian Lainhart: 7/31: Blocked a punt on special teams. 8/8: cut.

And Guard:

Left Guard:
Nate Livings: 8/4: First practice. [The incumbent starter at LG. Undrafted college free agent in 2006, debuted in 2008 with 6 starts, 2009 had 9 starts, and in 2010 started all 16. According to Pro Football Focus, he was pretty atrocious. I agree.]
Max Jean-Gilles: 8/4: First practice. [4th Round draft pick by the Eagles in 2006. Had been a Right Guard, and started 16 games there. He is competing for the starting LG job, but could end up a backup at either RG or LG].
Clint Boling: 7/30-8/3: He was starting at LG with both Livings and Jean-Gilles waiting to play. He has done well as a rookie iin his first few days and already impressed OL coach Paul Alexander. [Bengals’ 2011 4th Round draft pick. Has already done well and could be starting at LG by the end of the year]
Chris Riley: no news.
Right Guard:
Bobbie Williams: 7/30-8/3: Playing well, always smiling, and is clearly a true veteran leader on this team. He’s the oldest on the team by three years in what may be his last season. He also remarked that the new offense is “a breath of fresh air”. [expected to start]
Otis Hudson: 7/30-8/3: OL Coach Paul Alexander has really been impressed with Hudson’s play, naming Hudson and Andre Smith the most improved lineman. [Bengals’ 5th round draft pick in 2010 draft; has shows promise and improvement. If not for the signing of Mas Jean-Gilles, Hudson probably would have taken over at RG when Bobbie Williams (probably) retires next year]
Mark Wetterer: no news. 8/8: cut.