Bengals OTA Updates: Injured Corners. Andy Dalton Praises Tyler Eifert
By Jason Marcum
May 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Troy Stoudermire (22) runs against wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher (11) during organized team activities at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerback Leon Hall torn thumb ligament) said he might be able to start participating in all drills next week.
Adam Jones’ is out for the rest of OTAs, and possibly the team’s mandatory minicamp due to a calf injury suffered last week.
Fifth-round pick Tanner Hawkinson continues to get plenty of reps with the first-team, but he’s not been overwhelmed with getting so many unexpected practice reps:
"It was quite a bit getting thrown in there right away but it’s what you want as a player. That way you learn the system a lot quicker, get acclimated to the type of play even if it’s just in helmet. It’s been great."
Andy Dalton loves what he’s seen from first-round pick Tyler Eifert, and how his newest toy has done so far in OTAs:
"From Day 1 nothing has seemed too big for him. It’s like ‘you want to go do this, OK I’ll go do this’. He does it really well. That’s why we picked him with the first pick and he’s really well deserving. He’s got a real good feel for running routes and getting open. It shows you what he did in college by playing all over the place, whether it is split out wide or in the slot. He’s done a lot of the stuff we’re asking him to do."
He also knows that, while these practices are a closer resemblance of walk-throughs then an actual NFL practice, it’s still a tremendous learning experience for the rookies:
"With those guys being in there, there’s already the comfort level that we’re not having to worry about what they’re doing. It seems like they have already been here for a while. The good thing with those guys is if they don’t know, they are asking questions. Whether it is telling Tyler a route or Gio knowing his protections. The biggest thing right now is there haven’t been a lot of communications issues or errors by those guys."
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