20 14 B e n g a l s Te a m G u i d e
SPECIAL EDITION
The Magazine for Business Professionals
TRIPLE THREAT
Jones, Green & Sanu are Primed for the Season Through the Looking Glass with Andy Dalton High Expectations for New Coordinators 2014 Rookie Class Schedule, Tickets & More
SUPPLEMENT TO CINCY MAGAZINE
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Medical Mutual was ranked
“Highest in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in Ohio” in the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Member Health Plan Study.SM
Ohio’s Health Insurance Choice Since 1934 Medical Mutual of Ohio received the highest numerical score among commercial health plans in Ohio in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 Member Health Plan Study. Study based on 34,315 total member responses, measuring six plans in Ohio (excludes Medicare and Medicaid). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of members surveyed December 2013 – January 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. TM
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2014-15 season DEAR BENGALS FANS,
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nce again, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the upcoming season, the 47th in the history of our franchise. Bengals fans always are among the strongest in the NFL, and our entire organization is looking forward to building on recent seasons that have been successful but still short of our goals. Although we are one of only five NFL teams to make the last three playoffs, we are focusing on another “three,” by taking the Bengals’ third trip to the Super Bowl. We’ve retained the core of a young and talented roster, one which last year made us one of only two teams to rank in the NFL’s top 10 in both offense and defense. We’re also excited about the 2014 draft that brings us significant new contributors on both sides of the ball. We need your support in maintaining a strong home-field advantage. We’ve made improvements to Paul Brown Stadium as well. We reached an agreement with Hamilton County that includes $6 million in team investments for upgrades, some for this season (stadium Wi-Fi) and some next season (new scoreboards). We also are working with ARAMARK to bring new concession options to the stadium. We began our journey to a fourth consecutive playoff berth this past April with great player attendance at voluntary workouts and practices. We resume July 23, when players report for Training Camp, and we invite you back to our third year of holding camp in downtown Cincinnati. We’ve become an attractive team for national audiences: we’re scheduled for three prime-time games, including two at home, during the regular season. I’ve been a part of football my entire life, and it energizes me on a daily basis that the NFL is the most popular sport in the nation. We’re proud to operate in Cincinnati and to be a part of a city on the move. The Bengals are ready for a championship season. Together, Let’s Roar! Thank you for your support, Mike Brown
TO OUR BENGALS FANS,
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hank you for your strong support of our team. I hope you’re ready for what we believe will be a great season. Although we’ve made the playoffs three years in a row, we know that’s not good enough, and our goals are set much higher. We quite simply want to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. As we saw in Super Bowl 2013, it takes a complete team to be world champions. The 2014 Bengals can be that team. We can look in the mirror to Seattle’s 2013 championship team and see plenty of similarities: both teams have a top-three defense (ours was No. 1 in the AFC), a young and accomplished quarterback, playmakers at running back and wide receiver, and have top-level special teams. We believe Andy Dalton is poised to have a breakthrough year. Compare the current, top NFL quarterback’s first three seasons to Andy’s first three years. Andy has more yards and wins than Tom Brady, more pass completions of 40 yards and fewer interceptions than Peyton Manning, fewer sacks and more touchdown passes than Aaron Rodgers. The key is that each of those QBs had a breakthrough at a certain point, and we believe this is Andy’s year. Hue Jackson, who we’re fortunate to have as our new offensive coordinator, is focusing on putting Andy in winning situations. We have a strong foundation of talent and are building a balanced team that can run, pass and defend. And through the NFL Draft, we have exciting new additions in Darqueze Dennard, Jeremy Hill, Will Clarke and Russell Bodine, along with four others. On behalf of our coaches and players, I wish our fans the very best. We hope you give us a loud home-field advantage at Paul Brown Stadium. Let’s make it rock. Let’s Roar! Marvin Lewis
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THE WAITING GAME BY BILL THOMPSON
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fter years of being labeled a team with a bright future, the 2013 Bengals showed the NFL what could happen when potential meets maturity. • They won the AFC North title by two games with an 11-5 record that included wins over four playoff teams: Green Bay, New England, Indianapolis and San Diego. • They went undefeated at Paul Brown Stadium with an 8-0 record. • The defense was ranked in the top five, while the offense finished in the top 10 in three different categories. • Linebacker Vontaze Burfict led the league in tackles with 171. But—and it’s a big but—the season ended in disappointment with a 27-10 loss to the Chargers in the playoffs, the team’s
Above: Leon Hall back from injury Opposite page: Jeremy Hill
third straight exit in the first round of the postseason. “The tough thing is that you don’t get to start out with it again tomorrow,” said head coach Marvin Lewis after that game in January. “You have to wait. That’s the hurt and pain of it. I don’t have any magic words, no magic dust to make it go away.” Now the waiting is over. And the expectations for this season might be as high as they have been since the team’s Super Bowl years in the 1980s. Two beneficiaries of last year’s performance were defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who became head coach in Minnesota, and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, hired to lead the Washington Redskins. In addition, defensive end Michael Johnson turned a standout season into a free-agent contract with Tampa Bay and speedy receiver Andrew Hawkins signed with Cleveland. Those are significant holes to plug, but the tone coming from the team is focused
on who has arrived, not who left. When middle linebacker Rey Maualuga missed three games, Vincent Rey played to rave reviews and signed a new contract last spring. A strong draft also brought three potential starters: cornerback Darqueze Dennard, running back Jeremy Hill and center Russell Bodine, plus others that will provide strong competition for roster spots heading into the season. Returning to the field, cornerback Leon Hall and All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins were lost to season-ending injuries last October, and veteran defensive end Robert Geathers played only two games before an elbow injury ended his year. Linebacker Emmanuel Lamur, who was contending for the starting spot, missed the season with a shoulder injury. Much of the preseason scrutiny focuses on the new coordinators, Hue Jackson on offense and Paul Guenther on defense. Both were promoted from position coaches, which Lewis believes will provide continuity. “I have different relationships with a lot of different guys on the team,” Guenther says. “I am a relationship guy. I believe you can hit guys in different ways. There are 25 guys in the room and not all are going to hit on the same clip, so you’ve got to motivate the group first, then you’ve got to motivate the individual on the side.” On the offensive side, much has been said of the new commitment to running the ball. Jackson concurs, to a point. “We know we need to run the football. We want to run the football,” says Jackson. “From there, we have some very talented players on the outside. We have to give them opportunities to make plays. We’re not going to shy away from having to throw it when we need to.” Whether they need to or not, you can bet they will. Quarterback Andy Dalton has a stable of top-flight receivers that provide nightmares for opposing defenses. And the defense should be stronger with the return of last year’s injured starters plus the experience gained by players such as Rey, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and lineman Wallace Gilberry. But one question remains: Is tomorrow finally here? n C I N C I N N AT I B E N G A L S T E A M G U I D E
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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS PERCEPTION IS RELATIVE WHEN YOU LOOK AT ANDY DALTON’S PERFORMANCES IN THE PAST SEASONS BY BILL THOMPSON B-6
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et’s start with the half-full portion of Andy Dalton’s glass. The Bengals fourth-year quarterback has led the team to three straight playoff appearances. He passed for 4,293 yards and 33 touchdowns last season to surpass Carson Palmer’s team records of 4,131 yards and 32 TDs. Dalton has led the team to a 30-18 record and has the best winning percentage (0.625) for any Bengals quarterback with 10 or more starts. And the team has added one regular-season victory each year of Dalton’s career, from 9-7 in 2011 to 11-5 and the AFC North title in 2013. Away from the field, Dalton and his wife are visible and enthusiastic community supporters with the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation. The primary focus of the couple’s efforts is to provide seriously ill and physically challenged children throughout Greater Cincinnati with daily support and life-changing experiences. But professional sports are an unforgiving environment where many people use only one measuring stick: What have you done for me lately? The half-empty part of the glass is based on a smaller number sample: 0-3. That’s the Bengals record in the playoffs over the past three years. Much of the angst among talk show callers focuses on last season’s 27-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium in the AFC Wild Card round. That disappointment came just five weeks after the Bengals beat the Chargers 17-10 in San Diego. Former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason knows how the fans feel. The man who led the team to the brink of the Super Bowl title after the 1988 season before it was snatched away by Joe Montana and John Taylor of San Francisco thought the Bengals should have beaten the Chargers, too. “In the minds of many fans they like Andy, but they’re just not happy where the season has ended the last three years,” Esiason told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com during a visit to Cincinnati this summer. “But I caution fans all the time. This is not an easy league to win in. Especially when you’re in a conference with Ben Roethlis-
In 2013, Dalton set single-season records for passing yards (4,293) and touchdowns (33).
berger, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Philip Rivers, [and] Andrew Luck. Those are not easy teams to beat because of those established quarterbacks.” The flip side to disappointment, however, is optimism. It’s not like the Bengals are the Chicago Cubs. And Dalton is not Donald Hollas or Erik Wilhelm. If the team gets off to a strong start, Dalton will be as popular as General Electric on the riverfront. “Right now he is the leader of the team,” Esiason says. “I can think of nine million guys who are 10 times worse than he is. He’s a hell of a football player and you don’t ever have to worry about him off the field. “He’s a football junkie, he loves the game, [and] he’s a smart kid. I know his teammates respect him. You have everything you want in a quarterback; you just have to get to that next level.” Getting to that level is the responsibility of new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, last year’s running backs coach who replaces Jay Gruden, who is the new head coach of the Washington Redskins. From Dalton’s perspective, it’s the best possible scenario. “It’s been a really easy transition,” says Dalton. “I had a great relationship with Jay,
and it kind of showed in what we were able to do, what he trusted me with, what he let me do at the line of scrimmage. “Hue has done a great job coming in. We’ve had that relationship kind of from the beginning. But just the amount of support and the trust I get, and knowing that I’m his guy, that I’m going to be running everything, is great. Everything with Hue is about the quarterback position, that he’s the leader of this team.” Jackson is confident in Dalton’s ability, but he wants everyone to know that the quarterback doesn’t have to carry the entire load; he just has to be the maestro. “What I have to do is not just about (Dalton), it’s about the offensive unit,” Jackson says. “Everybody’s got to play better than they’ve played around Andy, and Andy has to continue to grow and get better at what he’s doing. “My charge is to do everything I can to make sure that in the classroom, on the practice field, and on game days, he can play free and play without any hesitation, which will allow our offense to play the same way.” If that happens, the glass might overflow at the end of the season. n C I N C I N N AT I B E N G A L S T E A M G U I D E
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STRENGTH IN
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AS WIDE RECEIVER A.J. GREEN BIDS FOR A FOURTH STRAIGHT PRO BOWL, MARVIN JONES AND MOHAMED SANU HAVE HOPES, TOO BY BILL THOMPSON B-8
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FL passing games have evolved from craft into art, although fundamentals are still important. “We’ll throw it as well as anyone in the league,” says Hue Jackson, the new Bengals offensive coordinator. “We did it last year and I suspect we won’t do anything that’s different than that as far as throwing it with that kind of efficiency. To me, we’ll just throw it better. That’s what I want to do. That’s my goal for our offense.” But the offensive strength of the Bengals is its receiving corps. The team has five veteran wideouts, led by A.J. Green who has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first three seasons. Third-year players Marvin Jones (51 catches, 712 yards, 10 TDs) and Mohamed Sanu (47 catches, 455 yards, two TDs) are No. 2 and 2a opposite Green (98 catches, 1,426 yards, 11 TDs). Jackson has filled in the open offensive coordinator’s spot after Jay Gruden parlayed the team’s success over the past three years into the head coaching job with the Washington Redskins. A former head coach himself with the Oakland Raiders, Jackson knows this year’s unit has the potential (and expectation), considering the stats from 2013. • Last year’s team finished in the NFL’s top 10 in three categories: points per game (29.9, seventh); passing yards per game (258.5, eighth); total yards per game (368.2, 10th). • Quarterback Andy Dalton set singleseason records for passing yards (4,293) and touchdowns (33) as the Bengals finished the season 11-5. Running backs Benjarvus Green-Ellis (756 yards, seven TDs) and rookie Giovani Bernard (695 yards and five TDS) provided a solid running game. • Dane Sanzenbacher proved valuable in his first full season with the team and could see more playing time since Andrew Hawkins signed with Cleveland Browns as a free agent. Brandon Tate, whose main role is as a kick and punt returner, can take the field in five-
receiver sets or to give someone a breather. And the team was intrigued enough by James Wright of LSU to choose him in the draft, even though he on ly caug ht 25 passes in his college career. • Tig ht ends Jermaine Gresham (46 catches, 458 yards, four TDs) and Tyler Eifert (39 catches, 445 yards, two TDs) Above: Green was selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his first a r e s o l i d a n d three seasons. versatile, while Opposite page: Wide receivers Marvin Jones, A.J. Green and Bernard gave the Mohamed Sanu. team a threat out of the backfield (56 catches, 514 yards, receiver opposite A.J., and that’s what you three TDs). want to have.” Dalton, who isn’t allowed to play favorBut enough numbers. ites, gives Sanu props nevertheless. There has been much discussion about “He’s not your typical slim receiver, whether Jones or Sanu will be anointed the maybe like Marvin or A.J.,” the quarterconsigliere to Green’s don in the starting back says. “He’s a guy that’s bigger, and lineup. Although the topic makes for great he’s built a lot thicker, and he’s running time-eating talk show fodder, the fact is the a lot better than I think he has the last Bengals are thrilled to have such a “problem.” couple of years. He looks smooth. I think Jones is likely to be listed as the starter his speed’s increased. based on his numbers, which included a “It’s been fun to see all the things he four-touchdown game against the New does. He’s a guy that’s outside, inside, kind York Jets last season. But Sanu turned of plays all the positions. You need a guy some heads at spring practice, arriving on the team like that who can do it all.” in top shape and appearing faster than Sanu likes the fact that Jackson thinks in the past. along the same lines. “I think he’s stayed lean this entire off“I love it,” Sanu told Dan Hoard of Benseason, which is a good thing,” head coach gals.com. “I’m embracing it and I’m going Marvin Lewis says of the Rutgers product. to do everything that I can to make sure “Each and every year—it’s been funny—he that I’m the best at it.” and Marvin Jones have kind of been in a All of this is to say that the competition horse race. One edges out one for a second, for the No. 2 spot is specious at best. Every and then one edges ahead. It’s been a back- coach will tell you that the more weapons and-forth throughout their careers. a team has, the better its chances to be “But I think it’s been a good competi- successful. tion throughout. They both want to play. And when it comes down to it, that’s the They both want to be the starting wide No. 1 goal of each team. n C I N C I N N AT I B E N G A L S T E A M G U I D E
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Community & Charity
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
Hometown Huddle
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n important part of being a Bengal means giving back to the community. Each year, the club generates more than $1 million for the Queen City, which includes direct Bengals corporate contributions, NFL Charities and other efforts with business partners. Instead of creating their own specific charity, the Bengals participate in and support more than 100 charities already positively affecting the Greater Cincinnati community. Some of these efforts include: Athletes in Action Boys & Girls Clubs B -1 0
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Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Fund Cincinnati Art Museum/ArtsWave Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati Parks Foundation Cincinnati Zoo Coach of the Week: The league-wide program recognizes deserving high school football coaches for molding the lives of young adults. Each winner’s school receives a $1,000 donation to the school’s football program. Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. Freestore Foodbank: The Bengals
partner with the Freestore Foodbank for the “Taste of the NFL” raising more than $100,000 annually. And over the past 18 years, fans have generously donated more than 110,000 pounds of food and $105,000 in cash during the Canned Food Drive, which takes place before a home game near Thanksgiving. Hoxworth Blood Center: Every year, the Bengals and Hoxworth Blood Center host one of the area’s largest and most successful blood drives at Paul Brown Stadium. Marvin Lewis Community Fund: Team personnel work extensively with MLCF staff. Since 2003, the MLCF has raised
more than $8 million, benefitting various causes and touching the lives of more than 500,000 individuals. In 2013, 90 cents of every dollar raised was reinvested in the community. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Paul Brown Excellence in Coaching Award: The annual grant benefits local high school football programs. Tom Crosby of Mariemont High School received the award in 2013. Play 60: The NFL program encourages kids to enjoy at least 60 minutes of vigorous outdoor activity per day and to eat a healthy diet. Some Bengals players have visited schools 15-20 times. Queen City Chess Tournament: The Bengals have sponsored and hosted the
event at Paul Brown Stadium to support inner city outreach efforts in partnership with ProScan and the Cris Collinsworth Foundation. Salvation Army Toys for Tots: For the past 16 years, the Bengals have partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. And over the years, Toys for Tots has raised more than $230,000 and delivered more than 38,000 toys to needy kids. Tri-State Warbird Museum United Way of Greater Cincinnati: Through the Hometown Huddle, an NFL/ United Way program, the Bengals select a day each year for hands-on work with a community improvement project. Working in Neighborhoods YMCA n
HOMETOWN HUDDLE
During the Hometown Huddle last year on Oct. 22, 43 Cincinnati Bengals players and 150 volunteers converged on Cincinnati’s East End at the LeBlond RecPlex to build a one-ofa-kind inclusive playground, plant a community garden and do extensive landscaping to beautify the area. The playground took accessibility to the max, encouraging children and adults of all abilities to enjoy playtime together. The playground features double-wide ramping (so that two wheelchairs may pass each other or go up or down the ramp together), slides, swings, climbing elements, a musical instrument section, interactive panels at every level, a specialized rubber surface, and shade structures. To promote a healthier lifestyle, the community garden was constructed for families to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. Several players also got down and dirty laying sod, planting trees and bushes throughout the grounds. A few of them even expressed their creative abilities by painting themed park benches and garbage cans to be used throughout the recreation area. The Bengals will hit the dirt off the field at the next Hometown Huddle in October 2014 to further serve the community in Covington, Ky., at Marge Schott-Unnewehr Boys and Girls Club.
LEARNING IS COOL
The Marvin Lewis Community Fund couldn’t think of a better way to end the school year than to invite 6,731 students and their families to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for the Academic Achievement Celebration (AAC), the capstone event to the Learning Is Cool program, an educational reward program that recognizes students for strong academic performance. These students in participating school districts and grades achieved the “A” Honor Roll at least twice during the 2013-2014 school year. On June 9, the qualif ying student s received three tickets each to enter the Zoo that evening , met Coach Marvin Lewis, received a medal of achievement from a current Bengals player and had a professional family photo taken with that player. The Zoo opened for just these students so they and their families could enjoy all the things the Zoo offers, including meeting several Bengals players in different areas of the Zoo. During the school year and football season, some of these players also make appearances in the schools to encourage students to study hard and make the “A” Honor Roll so they can see them again at the AAC and reward them for all their hard work. The starting lineup that evening included long t ime M LCF suppor ters: Rober t Geathers, Leon Hall, Domata Peko and Andrew Whitworth. Giovani Bernard, Andy Dalton, Marquis Flowers, Darqueze Dennard, and AJ McCarron were just several of the other Bengals that joined in on the fun. C I N C I N N AT I B E N G A L S T E A M G U I D E
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2014 Draft Class
Round 1 5-11 • 199 lbs. Michigan State
Round 3 6-6 • 271 lbs. West Virginia
Round 5 6-3 • 220 Alabama
Round 7 6-1 • 201 lbs. LSU
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#21 • Darqueze Dennard • Cornerback
#32 • Jeremy Hill • Running Back
• Na med USA Today f i rst-tea m A l l-A mer ica n senior year. • 2013 Thorpe Award winner. • Played four seasons at Michigan State and totaled 167 tackles, 10 interceptions, 30 total passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal. • Marvin Lewis: “He can run and cover and he gets his hands on guys. He was a leader there [Michigan State], so he fits the mold we were looking for.”
• Second in LSU history in rushing yards per games played (93.7). • Ranks 7th in school history with 28 rushing TDs. • Had only one fumble in his 371 career touches. • Played two seasons at LSU and rushed 345 times for 2,156 yards (ranks third in SEC history), had 26 receptions for 254 yards, rushed for 100 or more yards in 11 of 23 games, set SEC single-season record with 6.9 yards per carry and placed second in LSU history for rushing average of 116.8 yards per game in 2013. • As a senior, set school record for yards per rush (6.25) and had six rushes of 50 or more yards.
Round 2 6-1 • 233 lbs. LSU
#93 • Will Clarke • Defensive End
#61 • Russell Bodine • Center
• 2013 Second-team All-Big 12 honors from league coaches and Associated Press. • Only player in WVU history who won three “Iron Mountaineer” awards for excellence in the weight room. • Played four seasons at WVU and totaled 110 tackles, with 9.5 sacks and 28.5 tackles-for-loss, and had seven passes defensed. • Placed third in Big 12 with 17.0 tackles-for-loss. • Paul Guenther: “Will has great reach. We like players who are long and athletic. Will is hard-working, disciplined and truly loves the game.”
• Earned All-ACC honorable mention from league coaches. • Credited with 23 touchdown-resulting blocks. • Known at North Carolina as a disciplined performer and a team leader. • Was the only player at the 2014 Scouting Combine to bench press 225 pounds more than 40 times with a total of 42. • Giovani Bernard and Bodine were teammates in 2011-2012. • Bernard: “Russ is a guy who’s not going to back down from anyone.”
Round 4 6-3 • 310 lbs. North Carolina
#5 • AJ McCarron • Quarterback
#53 • Marquis Flowers • Linebacker
• Won Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2013. • Only QB to win back-to-back BCS National Championships in 2011 and 2012. • Posted a 36-4 record in three seasons with Alabama. • Holds school records for TD passes (77), passing yards (9,019) and completion percentage (66.9). • Lowest NCAA interception average (15 INTs in 1,026 attempts). • Set school record for passing yards (3,063) and logged second-best completion percentage (67.3) in 2013.
• Earned PAC-12 honorable mention. • Career 272 tackles, 27.0 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks, five INTs, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and eight passes defensed. • Figures as an immediate special team’s contributor while training for full range of pro LB duties • Lewis: “Marquis has great athleticism, ability, speed and length; he can run and cover.”
Round 6 6-2 • 231 lbs. Arizona
#86 • James Wright • Wide Receiver
#22 • Lavelle Westbrooks • Cornerback
• Awarded four letters for an elite program that posted a 44-9 record during his tenure. • Played in 50 games in four seasons at LSU and played in every game for 10-3 team in 2013. • Won LSU’s “Wild Tiger” trophy for accumulating team’s highest total of special teams “production points” that included 12 special team tackles and two special team fumble recoveries. • Lewis: “He has great speed and size. He’s a guy who stands out.”
• Earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors from media and coaches. • Four-season starter and team leader for a program where 38-16 record included seven FCS playoff wins. • Career totaled 167 tackles, two sacks, seven INTs, 20 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. • Lewis: “He has a chance to compete for one of our cornerback spots and continue to give us some youth and depth there.”
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Round 7 5-11 • 186 lbs. Georgia Southern
IN WITH THE NEW WITH THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS THAT COME WITH THEIR NEW JOBS, PAUL GUENTHER AND HUE JACKSON ARE READY FOR SUCCESS By Danny Restivo
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he 2013 Bengals posted some impressive statistics. The defense allowed the fifth fewest points in the NFL, while the offense had the sixth highest points per game average. Following last year’s success, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer departed for head coaching jobs at the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings respectively. Two familiar faces have now stepped in to fill the vacancies: former running backs coach Hue Jackson takes over the offensive reins, while former linebackers coach Paul Guenther grabs the defensive. With three years of consecutive first round playoff losses, the pressure to outperform last year’s season weighs heavier on Who Dey Nation. “I have the same expectations as everyone else and that expectation is to have a very good offense,” says Jackson. “It’s the National Football League: there is pressure in itself.” The former Oakland Raiders head coach has spent 15 years coaching in the NFL. Prior to his first head-coaching gig in 2010, Jackson served as the Bengals wide receivers coach from 2004-2006, helping the team secure their first playoff birth in 15 years. During this year’s offseason, the Bengals added another backfield threat after taking Jeremy Hill, a Louisiana State University running back, in the second round of the 2014 draft. Throughout training camp, Hill will compete against running backs Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus GreenEllis to decide who will be the primary ball
Left: Hue Jackson Above: Paul Guenther
carrier in 2014. It’s one of the many competitions Jackson hopes to see throughout camp. “There are jobs open across the board,” says Jackson. “Everyone has to come back ready to play, and just because a guy has done it a year before doesn’t mean he’s going to do it again. I hope everyone comes back hungry.” Like Jackson, Guenther isn’t concerned with 2013 accomplishments. “No job has been won,” says Guenther. “Whether you’re playing 70 plays a game or 10, if you can help us win on Sundays you’re going to play.” Along with the departure of Zimmer, defensive end Michael Johnson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the offseason. But the defense has talented candidates to replace him in veteran Wallace
Gilberry (7.5 sacks in 2013), second-year pro Margus Hunt and rookie Will Clarke. Rookie Darqueze Dennard, a cornerback from Michigan State University, also will have the spotlight on him as he tries to break into the secondary’s starting lineup. “He’s a man-to-man guy, he’s a good cover guy—smart, tough—and he fits into our system really well,” says Guenther. With regular season matchups against Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger, the Bengals defense will need to shore up any weaknesses during training camp. As for filling the void left by the fiery Zimmer, Guenther isn’t concerned about comparisons. “I have to be me and do it they way I want to do it,” says Guenther. “I learned a lot from Mike but I can’t be concerned about expectations.” n C I N C I N N AT I B E N G A L S T E A M G U I D E
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BUILDING NEW BONDS THE BENGALS AND HAMILTON COUNTY HAVE A BREAKTHROUGH AND START A NEW RELATIONSHIP By Jeff Berding, Director of Sales & Public Affairs, Cincinnati Bengals
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he Bengals and Hamilton County signed a deal this spring—their most sweeping agreement since the original 1997 Paul Brown Stadium lease—that continues the development of The Banks. This deal could mean a potential 1,400 jobs, as well as upgrades to the fan experience at the stadium and the expansion of player facilities. “Very quietly we’ve been working with the county on a cooperative basis for some time now,” says Katie Blackburn, executive vice president for the Bengals. “With the announcement of our financial participation in several stadium upgrades, we’re able to take that cooperation to a new level and put behind us several issues that in the past would likely have turned into battles.” The deal between the Bengals and Hamilton County continues the development of The Banks and includes stadium improvements and upgrades. The centerpiece of what the Bengals call “a new era of cooperation” with the over several years. Plus, the Bengals are the promise of The Banks is fulfilled.” county is an agreement on developmental picking up the more than $1 million tab for Regarding the expansion of the players’ guidelines that helped pave the way for the new furniture in the two club lounges that facilities, the Bengals needed Hamilton construction of a General Electric office are home to an estimated 175 events a year. County to agree to the locker room exbuilding and more than 290 apartments. “These new improvements allow Paul pansion, which will stretch into the the The Bengals and the county also agreed Brown Stadium to remain an exciting place players’ lounge making it big enough to on a number of issues, which in the past for local fans, and the Bengals are happy accommodate all 90 players, the training caused a rocky partnership. As Paul Brown to contribute to getting them done,” says camp limit. The plan is to have it ready at Stadium heads into its 15th season, the Blackburn. the start of camp on July 23. parties compromised on the lease stipulaIn April, the city of Cincinnati and HamThere also are plans to add a new weight tion that the county is responsible for all ilton County also announced Blackburn’s room, which is included in the expansion stadium improvements and the team’s appointment to the Joint Banks Steering and will cost the club $2 million. The new contribution of $6 million to projects and Committee. weight room will be 60 percent bigger than improvements, with $2.5 million going to “I’m looking forward to getting more the original and occupy unused space THERE’S COMPETITION FOR THE NO. 2 SPOT AMONG video boards for the 2015 season. involved as the development of The Banks under the south end zone. The plan is for The parties will share in theRECEIVERS cost of continues. The riverfront has been our JONES, the current weight room to become the WIDE GREEN, SANU AND BUT installing stadium-wide Wi-Fi, while the home since 1970. It is an exciting place to cafeteria and kitchen with the aerobic ALL THREE ARE PRIMED FORsays. THEroom JOBacross the hall converted to the Bengals fund the cost allowing Hamilton live, work and have fun,” Blackburn County to spread out partial repayment “There is a lot of work ahead to make sure players’ lounge. n
BY BILL THOMPSON
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C I N C I N N AT I B E N G A L S T E A M G U I D E
Tickets & Schedule A BENGALS BANG FOR YOUR BUCK Get the best seats in the house with season tickets and ticket packs for all of the biggest Bengals home games in 2014, such as games against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, or the Denver Broncos, on Monday Night Football.
Season Tickets:
PRESEASON Date
Opponent
2013 Record
Time
TV
Aug. 7
at Kansas City
11-5
8 p.m.
Local 12
Aug. 16
N.Y. JETS
8-8
7 p.m.
Local 12
Aug. 24
at Arizona
10-6
8 p.m.
NBC
Aug. 28
INDIANAPOLIS
11-5
7 p.m.
Local 12
REGULAR SEASON
Season tickets ensure the best possible seats for every home game, including discounted pricing off the single-game price and access to exclusive events and ticket presales.
Sept. 7
at Baltimore
8-8
1 p.m.
CBS
Sept. 14
ATLANTA
4-12
1 p.m.
CBS
Sept. 21
TENNESSEE
7-9
1 p.m.
CBS
Ticket Packs:
Sept. 28
Available in two-game and four-game options, Bengals Ticket Packs offer better seating options than single-game tickets plus the same great seats for each game of your Ticket Pack.
Oct. 5
at New England*
12-4
8:30 p.m.
NBC
Oct. 12
CAROLINA*
12-4
1 p.m.
FOX
BYE
Oct. 19
at Indianapolis*
11-5
1 p.m.
CBS
Two-game packs (available on all levels of Paul Brown Stadium):
Oct. 26
BALTIMORE*
8-8
1 p.m.
CBS
Power Pack A: Atlanta, Pittsburgh Power Pack B: Tennessee, Denver Power Pack C: Carolina, Jacksonville Power Pack D: Baltimore, Cleveland
Nov. 2
JACKSONVILLE*
4-12
1 p.m.
CBS
Nov. 6
CLEVELAND
4-12
8:25 p.m.
NFL
Nov. 16
at New Orleans*
11-5
1 p.m.
CBS
Nov. 23
at Houston*
2-14
1 p.m.
CBS
Four-game packs (also available on all levels):
Nov. 30
at Tampa Bay*
4-12
1 p.m.
CBS
Dec. 7
PITTSBURGH*
8-8
1 p.m.
CBS
Dec. 14
at Cleveland*
4-12
1 p.m.
CBS
Dec. 22
DENVER
13-3
8:30 p.m.
ESPN
Dec. 28
at Pittsburgh
8-8
1 p.m.
CBS
Orange Pack: Tennessee, Carolina, Jacksonville, Denver B lack Pack: At l ant a , B alt imore , Cleve l and , Pit t sburgh
Single-game tickets: Prices for single-game tickets range from $44-$90 and availability varies by game.
Group Tickets:
All times are Eastern. * Denotes a game subject to flexible scheduling.
Bring a group of 15 to a Bengals game and receive reduced pricing in most areas, plus have your group recognized by name on the scoreboard during the game.
Bengals South Ticket Office Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Bengals South Ticket Office is located on the Paul Brown Stadium Plaza Level near Gate E. At the ticket office, fans can purchase tickets that will be mailed in August, in time for all games. Ticket Office One Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, OH 45202 Call the Ticket Hotline at (513) 621-8383 or visit Bengals.com.
2014 BENGALS TEAM GUIDE, July 2014, is sponsored by Medical Mutual and published by Cincy Magazine. Copyright 2014 by Cincy Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or pictorial content, in any manner is prohibited. Editorial, advertising and business offices: 30 Garfield Place, Suite 440, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Eric Harmon, Publisher & President Julie Bethlenfalvy, Custom Editor Guy Kelly, Design/Photography C I N C I N N AT I B E N G A L S T E A M G U I D E
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