veterans 2222 - national football...

STADIUM , NFL &

MEDIA

HISTORY RECORDS

2005 REVIEW

COLLEGE FREE AGENTS

VETERANSROSTERS

STAFF

— 127 —

2006 DRAFT CHOICES

2006 DRAFT CHOICES 2006 DRAFT CHOICES

Despite limited major college experience, Johnson quickly established himself last season as a natural playmaker, among the elite CBs in the Southeastern Conference … Boasting top-line NFL speed (timed at 4.32 in the 40), he also showed above-average cover skills and a solid build for tackling … May have gone even higher in the draft had he not been limited to two games in 2004 season, due to a stress fracture in his foot … Transferred to South Carolina in 2004 from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, where he played only one year … Entered the NFL Draft following his junior season of eligibility.

COACH MARVIN LEWIS SAYS: “Johnathan has tremendous athleticism, and he had an outstanding year in the SEC last season. He didn’t have a lot of games at South Carolina because of an injury, and to do what he did in a short turnaround from junior college is great. He has the height and the speed, and the ability to make the cuts in and out of breaks that you look for in a tall corner. He will come in here and compete very well with the players we have.”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: CAREER—Played 14 games over 2004-05 at South Carolina, seeing action in only two games in ’04 due to injury … Played in 2003 at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. 2005—Earned South Carolina’s Outstanding Defensive Back award, playing 12 games with 11 starts … Logged 4 interceptions for 76 yards, with one returned for a TD on Sept. 10 at Georgia, and had 9 passes defensed … Ranked sixth on team in tackles with 55 (40 solo), including 3.5 tackles-for-loss … Also averaged 23.5 yards on 6 kickoff returns … Had an INT, 8 tackles and 2 passes defensed in win Oct. 22 vs. Vanderbilt … Had an INT along with 5 tackles (1 tackle-for-loss) in win Oct. 29 at Tennessee … Closed

his career in Independence Bowl on Dec. 30 vs. Missouri. 2004—Started his fi rst two games at South Carolina, but suffered a broken foot in Game 2 vs. Georgia and was sidelined for the remainder of the year … Had 2 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in his Gamecocks debut against Vanderbilt. 2003—At Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, earned All-Kansas Jayhawk Confer-ence honors with 43 tackles, plus 3 INTs for 62 yards and a TD … Also had a sack and 2 passes defensed … Heavily recruited by major colleges upon leaving Coffeyville, he chose South Carolina over Florida.

ONE OF A KIND: Joseph is only the second college CB selected in the fi rst round of the draft by the Bengals, and he is the fi rst who is slated to remain at that position in the NFL. The only other college CB selected in Round 1 by the Bengals was Oklahoma’s Rickey Dixon in 1988, and Dixon was switched to safety as a pro. Joseph is the fi rst defensive back chosen by the Bengals in Round 1 since S Darryl Williams of Miami (Fla.) in 1992.

JOSEPH ON JOSEPH: “I think I can bring the Bengals a lot of playmaking ability. I want to be a great player, a great teammate around the locker room, and a great guy in the community. I’m going to do everything that’s asked of me, everything I can do to get into the DB rotation and make an impact.”

HIGH SCHOOL: At Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, S.C., Joseph earned all-state and all-region honors in football and all-region honors in track … Posted 127 tackles in his senior football season, and returned 4 of his 7 INTs for touchdowns.

PERSONAL: Hometown is Rock Hill, S.C. … Criminal justice major at South Carolina … Has a son, Jay’vion.

JOHNATHAN JOSEPHJOHNATHAN JOSEPH

CornerbackCornerback 2222Draft Round: 1stOverall Selection: 24thCollege: South Carolina

Height: 5-11Weight: 193Born: 4-16-84

RD PLAYER POS HT WT COLLEGE SEL#1 Johnathan Joseph........................ CB 5-11 193 South Carolina 242 Andrew Whitworth ........................OL 6-7 339 Louisiana State 553 Frostee Rucker ..............................DE 6-3 267 Southern California 914 Domata Peko ................................DT 6-3 319 Michigan State 1235 A.J. Nicholson ..............................LB 6-1 240 Florida State 1576 Reggie McNeal ............................WR 6-2 205 Texas A&M 1937a Ethan Kilmer ...................................S 6-0 204 Penn State 2097b Bennie Brazell ..............................WR 6-0 176 Louisiana State 2313-s* Ahmad Brooks ..............................LB 6-4 259 Virginia —*selected in third round of NFL Supplemental Draft

(continued)

7--Draft Choices.indd 1277--Draft Choices.indd 127 7/18/2006 2:06:35 PM7/18/2006 2:06:35 PM

STA

DIUM

, NF

L &

MED

IAHI

STOR

Y R

ECOR

DS20

05 R

EVIE

WCO

LLEG

E FR

EE A

GENT

S V

ETER

ANS

ROST

ERS

STAF

F

— 128 —

2006

DRA

FT C

HOIC

ES

A massive lineman with great hand and arm strength, Whitworth joins Bengals with a major college performance record that suggests he will maintain his past success as a pro … Known as a tireless worker and team leader, he started 52 career games, second-most in NCAA Division I history, and never missed a game or a practice due to injury in fi ve seasons, including a redshirt year … Allowed no sacks as a senior and only one as a junior … Also as a senior, was second-team All-America choice by Walter Camp Foundation and third-team choice by Associated Press … Helped LSU to 12-1 record and BCS national championship as a sophomore in 2003.

COACH PAUL ALEXANDER SAYS: “Andrew is all man, very mature and very focused. Reliable, a great leader, and tougher than hell. I know (LSU head coach) Les Miles very well, and Les said Andrew was probably the most critical guy in turning their season around after the problems they had with Hurricane Katrina. Les thought he was the guy who got the whole team motivated to beat Miami (Fla.) in their bowl game (Peach Bowl).”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: CAREER—His 52 career starts from 2002-05 rank second in NCAA Division I history behind Derrick Strait of Oklahoma (53 starts, 2001-04) … Earned All-Southeastern Conference fi rst-team honors in each of his last two seasons, including consensus nod as a senior. 2005—Playing at LOT, helped LSU to 11-2 record, capped by 40-3 Peach Bowl win over Miami (Fla.) … Played every offensive snap in nine of the 13 contests, for an offense that averaged 374.1 yards per game … By not allowing a sack all season, he fi nished his career with 22 straight games of no sacks allowed …

Credited with 104 key blocks/knockdowns … Played in East-West Shrine Game on 1-21-06 in San Antonio, Texas. 2004—Led the team with 799 snaps from scrimmage as Tigers went 9-3 with Citrus Bowl berth against Iowa … Key cog for an offense that scored 39 TDs and averaged 395.6 yards per game … Credited with 96 key blocks, including 66 knockdowns, and played every offensive snap during a four-game stretch against Georgia, Florida, Troy and Vanderbilt. 2003—As a sophomore, started all 14 games for 13-1 club that captured BCS national title with Sugar Bowl conquest of Oklahoma … Led the team with 1008 snaps … Credited with 105 key blocks, including 82 knockdowns. 2002—Started every game, and was a fi rst-team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News and Football Writers Association. 2001—Did not play; redshirted as a freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: At West Monroe (La.) HS, was rated by CNNSI.com as the sixth-best offensive line prospect in the nation … Named fi rst-team All-American by USA Today, Fox Sports and SuperPrep.

TRIPLE CROWN: Whitworth led his West Monroe (La.) high school team to three Class 5A state football titles —in 1997, ’98 and 2000.

PERSONAL: Hometown is West Monroe, La. … Graduated from LSU in December 2005 with a degree in general studies … Former junior tennis champion in Louisiana, and is an excellent golfer … Enjoys serving as a motivational speaker to youth groups, and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Married (wife Clacey).

Offensive TackleOffensive Tackle

ANDREW WHITWORTHANDREW WHITWORTH

Guard/Offensive TackleGuard/Offensive Tackle 7777

JOHNATHAN JOSEPH’S STATISTICSJOHNATHAN JOSEPH’S STATISTICS Defense Interceptions SKS- YEAR TEAM G-GS ST AT TT YDS PBU FF FR NO YDS AVG LG TD2003 Coffeyville CC NA NA NA 43 1-NA NA NA NA 3 62 20.7 NA 12004 S. Carolina 2-2 3 0 3 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 — — 02005 S. Carolina 12-11 40 15 55 0-0 9 0 0 4 76 19.0 42 1

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: 6 kickoff returns for 141 yards (23.5 avg.). with a long return of 28 and 0 TDs in 2005; 1 punt return for 2 yards in 2005.

Draft Round: 2ndOverall Selection: 55thCollege: Louisiana State


PLENTY OF POINTS With 421 points during the 2005 season, the Bengals tied the third-highest total in team history, fi rst set by the 1981 Super Bowl team. Both those clubs averaged 26.3 points per game. The record is 448 by the 1988 Super Bowl team, which averaged an even 28.0. The second-highest total points by a Bengals team was 441 by the 1985 team (which fi nished the season only 7-9).


STADIUM , NFL &

MEDIA

HISTORY RECORDS

2005 REVIEW

COLLEGE FREE AGENTS

VETERANSROSTERS

STAFF

— 129 —

2006 DRAFT CHOICES

FROSTEE RUCKER’S STATISTICSFROSTEE RUCKER’S STATISTICS Defense Interceptions SKS- YEAR TEAM G-GS ST AT TT YDS PBU FF FR NO YDS AVG LG TD2001 Colorado State 0-0 DID NOT PLAY — REDSHIRTED DID NOT PLAY — REDSHIRTED2002 So. California 0-0 DID NOT PLAY — TRANSFERRED DID NOT PLAY — TRANSFERRED2003 So. California 13-5 13 13 26 1.5-9 1 1 2 1 2 2.0 2 02004 So. California 13-12 21 8 29 2.5-15 2 1 1 0 0 — — 02005 So. California 13-13 35 21 56 6.5-45 1 2 1 1 2 2.0 2 0CAREER 39-30 69 42 111 10.5-69 4 4 4 2 4 2.0 2 0

A quick and agile defender, Rucker won particular praise for his competitive attitude while playing three seasons for USC … In his three years, Trojans claimed two national championships (’03-’04) before losing in fi nal game in ’05 … Logged 6.5 sacks in ’05, plus team-lead-ing 14 tackles-for-loss, and earned fi rst-team All Pac-10 honors … Also voted co-winner in ’05 of team’s Most Inspirational Player award.

COACH MARVIN LEWIS SAYS: “Frostee has played a lot of football at a very high level. He plays on the edge and rushes the quarterback. He has a strong lower body, and if you look around the NFL, a lot of very productive guys at this position are just about his size. He has an opportunity to grow, blossom and be a big man in the NFL.”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: CAREER—Played 39 games with 30 starts for USC over the 2003-05 seasons … Totaled 10.5 sacks, 25.5 tackles-for-loss, 2 intercep-tions, 4 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries … Origi-nally at Colorado State as a freshman in 2001, but did not see action before transferring to USC. 2005—Started every game at weak-side DE for 12-1 USC team … Had career-best 56 tackles … In Rose Bowl vs. Texas, 2 of his 5 tackles were for losses, and he also forced a fumble … Had 2.5 sacks in win over Arkansas … Helped beat Stanford with team-high 7 tackles, an INT that set up a TD, a forced fumble and a pass defensed … Played in East-West Shrine Game on 1-21-06 in San Antonio, Texas. 2004—Started 12 of 13 games for unbeaten team that

crushed Oklahoma 55-19 for national title in the Orange Bowl … His 29 tackles included 7.5 for losses and 2.5 sacks … Played the entire season with a painful toe on his left foot, result of surgery that followed a sprain in spring practice. 2003—Began his USC career as a sophomore backup DE, but started fi ve games late in the season as an injury replacement … Switched to DE from LB in ’03 spring drills. 2002—Transferred to USC from Colorado State, sitting out the season under NCAA rules. 2001—Did not play while at Colorado State; was redshirted in his only season there.

NO JOKE: Rucker is known for his lighthearted nature, but says, “Even though I like to joke around, it’s serious when I’m on the fi eld. Everyone who really knows me knows I’m serious about playing football. Otherwise, I like to have a ton of laughs.”

ABOUT THAT NAME: ‘Frostee is my birth-given fi rst name,” Rucker says. “My father gave it to me. He just wanted it to be unique. It has nothing to do with ice cream, and I wasn’t born during winter. He just wanted a name that stuck out.”

HIGH SCHOOL: Played RB and LB at Tustin (Calif.) HS, and was named All-Golden West League MVP as a senior in 2000.

PERSONAL: Hometown is Tustin, Calif. … Sociol-ogy major at USC.

FROSTEE RUCKERFROSTEE RUCKER

Defensive EndDefensive End 9292Draft Round: 3rdOverall Selection: 91stCollege: Southern California


GET THE POINT? Only three times in the Bengals’ 38 seasons has a non-kicker led the team in scoring. In 1979, FB Pete Johnson was the team’s leading scorer with 90 points (15 TDs). FB Ickey Woods led the 1988 Bengals with 90 points (15 TDs), and in 2001, HB Corey Dillon scored a team-high 78 points (13 TDs). The Bengals’ single-season scoring record was set last season by K Shayne Graham, who scored 131 points (28 FGs, 47 PATs). He broke the previous mark of 122 points that he set in 2004.


STA

DIUM

, NF

L &

MED

IAHI

STOR

Y R

ECOR

DS20

05 R

EVIE

WCO

LLEG

E FR

EE A

GENT

S V

ETER

ANS

ROST

ERS

STAF

F

— 130 —

2006

DRA

FT C

HOIC

ES

All-Big Ten honorable mention … Played in Hula Bowl on 1-21-06 in Honolulu. 2004—Played in 12 games as a reserve DT during his first year at Michigan State … Credited with 14 tackles (11 solo), with season-high 4 tackles vs. Illinois. 2002-03—Played two seasons at College of the Canyons, and in 2003, he earned junior college All-America honors while helping lead the team to an 11-1 record … Named in ’03 as one of the top 50 junior college players in the nation by SuperPrep and College Football News … Recorded 10.5 sacks in ’03.

COACH JAY HAYES SAYS: “It really catches your eye when you see the tape of this kid recovering the ball against Michigan and running (74 yards), and no one catches him. That’s hard to do. You’ve got a lot of great athletes in those funny helmets (Michigan) chasing him, and he weaved through there.”

HIGH SCHOOL: Played both offensive and defensive line at Samoana High School in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

PERSONAL: Hometown is Pago Pago, American Samoa … Brother, Tupe, played OT at Michigan State and played in NFL with Indianapolis and Carolina … Lifelong friend of Bengals second-year DE Jonathan Fanene … Soci-ology major at Michigan State … First name is pronounced “DOE-mah-tah” and last name pronounced “PECK-o.”

DOMATA PEKODOMATA PEKO

Defensive TackleDefensive Tackle 9494Draft Round: 4thOverall Selection: 123rdCollege: Michigan State


Peko brings the Bengals exceptional strength and agility for a fourth-round interior line prospect … Had only 11 major college starts and struggled at times with consistency, but Bengals coaches are confi dent his enthu-siasm and aggressive attitude will help him develop into a standout NFL player … Showed his speed and agility last season on a 74-yard fumble recovery run for a TD against Michigan, a play that received major coverage on sports highlight programs.

COACH MARVIN LEWIS SAYS: “Domata is a really good athlete, a guy on the rise. That was the big attraction we had towards him. He’s a powerful, strong man who stays on his feet and plays. He plays very, very hard, and although he doesn’t have a whole lot of football behind him, that can be an edge because he doesn’t have a whole lot of bad habits you need to fi x.”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: CAREER—Played for Michigan State in 2004-05 after spending 2002-03 at College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, Calif.) … Played in 23 games with 11 starts for Michigan State. 2005—Started every Michigan State game at LDT, showing rapid improvement from his junior season as a reserve … Posted 53 tackles (32 solo) with 3 tackles-for-loss, a sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble and a blocked PAT … His 74-yard fumble return for a TD vs. Michigan tied the score in the fourth quarter at 31-31 (Michigan won 34-31 in overtime) … Earned

DOMATA PEKO’S STATISTICSDOMATA PEKO’S STATISTICS Defense Interceptions SKS- YEAR TEAM G-GS ST AT TT YDS PBU FF FR NO YDS AVG LG TD2002 Coll. of Canyons statistics not available statistics not available2003 Coll. of Canyons 12-12 39 31 70 10.5-67 1 1 1 0 0 — — 02004 Michigan State 12-0 11 3 14 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 02005 Michigan State 11-11 32 21 53 1-3 1 1 2 0 0 — — 0

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: 1 blocked PAT attempt in 2005; 2 blocked PAT attempts and 1 blocked fi eld goal attempt in 2003.

PROTECT THE PASSER The Bengals allowed only 21 sacks in 2005, fewest in team history. The performance bettered the total of 24 that was posted by both the 1972 and ’73 teams, and those clubs played only a 14-game season (averag-ing 1.71 sacks allowed per game). The pass protection performance that previously had been considered the team’s best was by the 1995 team, which allowed 25 in 16 games for an average of 1.56 per contest. The 2005 team allowed only 1.31 per game. The ’05 Bengals did not allow more than 2 sacks in any of the 16 regular-season games.


STADIUM , NFL &

MEDIA

HISTORY RECORDS

2005 REVIEW

COLLEGE FREE AGENTS

VETERANSROSTERS

STAFF

— 131 —

2006 DRAFT CHOICES

Nicholson’s performance record speaks for itself, as he led one of the nation’s top college programs in tackles for both of his seasons (2004-05) as a starter … Earned high grades as a smart and instinctive player, and showed the strength to shed blocks from offensive linemen … Played in 50 games over four seasons at Florida State, and capped his career as a 2005 semifi nalist for NCAA’s Butkus Award (nation’s top LB).

COACH RICKY HUNLEY SAYS: “A.J. is a big, strong guy, and fast enough to do all the things we’ll want him to do. He played in a conference where it’s very physical, and he made a lot of plays. His work ethic and enthusiasm will be appreciated around here.”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: CAREER—Had 27 starts among his 50 games at Florida State, 24 starts coming in his fi nal two seasons … Totaled 266 tackles (142 solo), with 25.5 tackles-for-loss, 6 sacks, 3 INTs, 5 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles. 2005—Started 12 games, including ACC Championship game … Led the team in total tackles (100) and solos (53), with 10.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack … His 2 INTs both came at Boston College, 1 for a TD, and he had a career-high 19 tackles in the game, earning Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors … Had 10 tackles and forced a fumbled in the regular-season fi nale at Florida … Was suspended for Orange Bowl game vs. Penn State, due to team rules violation. 2004—Led the team in tackles with 88 … Ranked third on team in sacks (4), and led team in fumble recoveries (2) … Recorded season-high 14 tackles against Duke … In Gator Bowl win against West Virginia, had 12 tackles

and an interception … Had 2 sacks against N.C. State. 2003—Saw action in all 13 games as a sophomore and started three (Duke, Wake Forest and Notre Dame) … In fi rst career start, Sept. 27 at Duke, had 7 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries, returning one fumble for a TD … Ranked eighth on team with 55 tackles. 2002—Played in 13 games as a true freshman, and led all freshmen defenders with 23 tackles (1 sack) … Recorded a sea-son-high 5 tackles vs. Clemson and North Carolina.

HE’S PUMPED: In his initial telephone conversa-tion with Cincinnati media on Draft Day, Nicholson displayed a brand of unbridled enthusiasm not often seen from players who have long performed in the major college spotlight. “I’m so excited, I’m ready to put on my helmet and shoulder pads right now,” he said. “I’m just so proud to be a Bengal. I’m excited to be in the National Football League. I’m going to Cincinnati, Ohio with a purpose. I want to go there and dominate. I want to help my team win a Super Bowl, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

HIGH SCHOOL: Named a Parade All-American for his play at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. … Also named to the USA Today All-USA second team … Had 147 tackles as a senior, and 170 tackles as a junior.

PERSONAL: Hometown is Winston-Salem, N.C. … Father, Darrell, was drafted by N.Y. Giants in 1982 and later played for Grey Cup champions at Toronto of the CFL … Brother, Derek, now plays LB at Florida State … Majored at FSU in sports management/social science.


A.J. NICHOLSONA.J. NICHOLSON

LinebackerLinebacker 5252Draft Round: 5thOverall Selection: 157thCollege: Florida State


A.J. NICHOLSON’S STATISTICSA.J. NICHOLSON’S STATISTICS Defense Interceptions SKS- YEAR TEAM G-GS ST AT TT YDS PBU FF FR NO YDS AVG LG TD2002 Florida State 13-0 14 9 23 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 02003 Florida State 13-3 36 19 55 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 — — 02004 Florida State 12-12 39 49 88 4-16 2 1 2 1 0 0.0 0 02005 Florida State 12-12 53 47 100 1-2 2 1 0 2 59 29.5 40 1CAREER 50-27 142 124 266 6-19 6 3 5 3 59 19.7 40 1

PASSING FANCY QB Boomer Esiason passed for more than 300 yards in a game a team-record 23 times during his Bengals career (1984-92, 1997). QB Ken Anderson (a Bengal from 1971-86) ranks second in 300-yard passing games with 19.


STA

DIUM

, NF

L &

MED

IAHI

STOR

Y R

ECOR

DS20

05 R

EVIE

WCO

LLEG

E FR

EE A

GENT

S V

ETER

ANS

ROST

ERS

STAF

F

— 132 —

2006

DRA

FT C

HOIC

ES

Passing RushingYEAR TEAM G-S ATT CMP PCT YDS YDS/ATT TD TD% INT INT% LG ATT YDS AVG LG TD2002 Texas A&M 8-1 45 24 53.3 456 10.13 6 13.3 3 6.7 61 37 137 3.7 33 02003 Texas A&M 12-11 221 113 51.1 1782 6.33 8 3.6 7 3.2 91 127 370 2.9 33 42004 Texas A&M 12-12 344 200 58.1 2791 8.11 14 4.1 4 1.2 84 151 718 4.8 62 82005 Texas A&M 10-10 265 141 53.2 1963 7.41 16 6.0 9 3.4 80 96 664 6.9 63 3CAREER 42-34 875 478 54.6 6992 7.99 44 5.0 23 2.6 91 411 1889 4.6 63 15

REGGIE McNEAL’S STATISTICSREGGIE McNEAL’S STATISTICS

REGGIE McNEALREGGIE McNEAL

Wide ReceiverWide Receiver 1010Draft Round: 6thOverall Selection: 193rdCollege: Texas A&M


One of the fi nest pure athletes in college football in 2005, McNeal presents Bengals with a number of intrigu-ing options … Opens his roster bid at WR, but also has high potential on special teams and could be a dangerous weapon as a situational passer … Played 42 games at QB for Texas A&M, with 34 starts, setting school records for passing yards (6992) and total offense (8881) … Ran a sub-4.4 in the 40 at NFL Scouting Combine, and few players anywhere can match his combination of speed, agility and arm strength … Named Offensive MVP in 2006 East-West Shrine Game.

COACH MARVIN LEWIS SAYS: “The model for Reggie is (Antwaan) Randle El. Reggie’s quick and fast, and has an opportunity to be very successful. We want to develop a package for him and show him some different positions.”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: CAREER—His school-record 6992 passing yards came on 478 completions in 875 attempts (54.6%), and he threw for 44 TDs against 23 INTs … Rushed for 15 TDs while totaling 1889 yards on the ground, second-most career rushing yards by an Aggie QB … Set school and Big 12 records by throwing 213 consecutive passes without an INT over 2003-04. 2005—Played 10 games, missing season fi nale vs. Texas due to high ankle sprain suffered in Game 10 vs. Oklahoma … Returned to action in postseason East-West Shrine game on 1-21-06 in San Antonio, Texas, and led West team to 35-31 win with 9-of-11 passing for 211 yards and 2 TDs (0 INTs); also rushed 4 times for 32 yards … In the regular season for Aggies, logged career-high 16 TD passed (9 INTs), completing 141-of-265 (53.2%) for 1963 yards … Led NCAA Division I QBs in rushing average at 6.9 yards (96-for-664) … Had four 100-yard rushing games, and accounted for 34 plays of 20 or more yards (21 passes and 13 rushes) … Passed for 349 yards and 5 TDs vs. SMU and also rushed 6 times for 100 yards (including 63-yard TD), earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, Walter Camp Player of the Week and Cingular Wireless/ABC

Sports All-America Player of the Week. 2004—Started all 12 games, playing through thumb surgery and a shoulder sprain, and set school season records for passing yards (2791), rushing yards by a QB (718) total offense (3509) and most 300-yard total offense games (6). 2003—Played 12 games with 11 starts as a sophomore, but often alternated series or quarters with teammate Dustin Long … Passed for 1782 yards with 8 TDs, including career-long 91-yarder to Jamaar Taylor. 2002—Played eight games with one start as a freshman … Had a huge highlight day vs. Oklahoma, earning National Offensive Player of the Week honors after coming off the bench to throw 4 TD passes in a 30-26 conquest of nation’s top-ranked team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Named East Texas Player of the Year as a senior at Lufkin (Texas) High School, leading team to 15-1 record and Class 5A Division II state championship … Rushed for 159 yards and threw for 223 in state title game, and brought his team back from a 21-3 defi cit despite injuring an ankle … Completed 134-of-307 passes for 2385 yards and 24 touchdowns for the season, while also rushing for 856 yards and 10 TDs … Also played defensive back in critical stages of games, once returning an INT for a TD to clinch a playoff victory … Had 7 INTs as a senior … Also excelled in basketball, baseball, and track and fi eld, earning all-district basketball honors as a junior.

COACH BOB BRATKOWSKI SAYS: “As an ex-ample of what you could do with a player like Reggie, what if you came out of a timeout with him in your huddle and Carson Palmer on the sidelines? The defense wonders if he’ll stay out there or if Carson will come in. The defense has to deal with that and might get confused, and that’s the type of thing we would try to do with him. His athleticism makes you want to fi nd ways to get the ball in his hands, because he’s capable of some special things.”

PERSONAL: Hometown is Lufkin, Texas … Agricul-tural development major at Texas A&M, and was a member of the Leadership Council


STADIUM , NFL &

MEDIA

HISTORY RECORDS

2005 REVIEW

COLLEGE FREE AGENTS

VETERANSROSTERS

STAFF

— 133 —

2006 DRAFT CHOICES

An exceptional special teams player last season at Penn State, Kilmer projects for same role with Bengals … Initial pro position assignment is at safety, but he played WR for Penn State as a senior last season after playing safety as a junior … Did not play football in high school or at Shippensburg University, where he was enrolled during 2001-02 … Joined Penn State football program as a walk-on in 2003.

COACH MARVIN LEWIS SAYS: “We see a lot of speed and tackling ability in Ethan. When you watch him on tape, he blows you away on fourth down (special teams plays). He’s going to give us the chance to upgrade on special teams.”

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2005—Played in every Penn State game and led the special teams with 25 tackles (19 solo) … Also played WR, making three starts (vs. South Florida, Cincinnati and Illinois), and had 15 catches for 236 yards and 3 TDs … Closed his career in Orange Bowl victory over Florida State with 6 receptions for 79 yards, including 24-yard TD catch just before halftime to give Lions a 14-13 lead … Also

had 2 special teams stops vs. Florida State … Caught a 55-yard TD pass vs. Central Michigan and had a 35-yard score vs. Illinois … On special teams, had 6 tackles (5 solo) in win over Purdue, plus a forced fumble on punt coverage that led to a fi eld goal. 2004—Saw his fi rst college football action, playing in 11 Penn State games on special teams and as a free safety … Had 2 of his 6 tackles vs. Ohio State. 2003—Walked on to Penn State football program and spent the season as a scout team player. 2001-02—Attended Shippensburg (Pa.) University, but did not play football.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a basketball and track standout at Wyalusing Valley (Pa.) High School … Did not play football … Scored over 1000 points in his basketball career, playing four years as a starter and twice winning team MVP honor … In track, set school high-jump record and won a state high-jump medal, and also participated as a sprinter and long jumper … Winner of school’s Athlete of the Year and Scholar-Athlete awards.

PERSONAL: Hometown is Wyalusing, Pa. … Majored in kinesiology at Penn State.

ETHAN KILMERETHAN KILMER

SafetySafety 4343Draft Round: 7thOverall Selection: 209thCollege: Penn State


BENGALS’ FUTURE OPPONENTS The NFL has announced the regular-season scheduling rotation for all teams through 2009. The rotation sets 14 of the 16 opponents for each team in each season. The 14 opponents will be common to all teams in a division. Only two of a team’s 16 games may involve opponents not common to other divisional foes, as two games will be determined each year based on the previous season’s standings. Following is a list of the 14 known opponents for each Bengals season from 2007-09:

2007 Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New England, N.Y. Jets, Arizona, St. Louis. Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle.

2008 Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington. Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants.

2009 Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Denver, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit. Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Oakland, San Diego, Green Bay, Minnesota.

ETHAN KILMER’S STATISTICSETHAN KILMER’S STATISTICS Receiving Rushing ScoringYEAR TEAM G-S NO YDS AVG LG TD ATT YDS AVG LG TD TD TD-R TD-P TD-Rt 2-PtC PTS2004 Penn State 11-0 0 0 — — 0 — — — — — 0 0 0 0 0 02005 Penn State 12-3 15 236 15.7 55 3 — — — — — 3 0 3 0 0 18CAREER 23-3 15 236 15.7 55 3 — — — — — 3 0 3 0 0 18

Defense/Special Teams Kickoff Returns Punt Returns FR-YEAR TEAM ST AT TT FF YDS BP BFG BXP NO YDS AVG FC LG TD NO YDS AVG FC LG TD2004 Penn State 3 3 6 0 0-0 0 0 0 — — — — — — — — — — — —2005 Penn State 19 6 25 1 0-0 0 0 0 — — — — — — — — — — — —CAREER 22 9 31 1 0-0 0 0 0 — — — — — — — — — — — —


STA

DIUM

, NF

L &

MED

IAHI

STOR

Y R

ECOR

DS20

05 R

EVIE

WCO

LLEG

E FR

EE A

GENT

S V

ETER

ANS

ROST

ERS

STAF

F

— 134 —

2006

DRA

FT C

HOIC

ES

The most decorated All-American in LSU track history, Brazell was a 2004 U.S. Olympic team member (400 meter hurdles), and he comes to Bengals as a late-round draftee with a huge potential upside … Though his track career relegated him to mostly reserve duty on the Tiger football squad, he showed excellent football skills during Bengals minicamps, and his pure speed is exceptional … He ran on an NCAA-record 4x400-meter relay team, won four NCAA titles on other relay teams, and three times fi nished second in the nation in the individual 400-meter hurdles … No stranger in a football atmosphere, he played in 43 games over four seasons at LSU.

NFL SCOUT GIL BRANDT SAYS: “There are two kinds of these guys. Track guys who play football, and track guys who think they can play football. (Brazell) can play football.”

THE ONLY ONE: In 2003, when LSU defeated Oklahoma in the BCS national championship game, Brazell became the only athlete in LSU history to have won national titles in two sports.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS: Caught 4 passes as a reserve over his fi rst three seasons at LSU (2002-04), but started two games as a senior and caught 13-for-292 with 3 TDs … Averaged 22.5 yards per catch as a senior with TDs of 43 yards vs. Florida, 55 yards vs. Mississippi and 50 yards vs. Arkansas … Averaged 20.0 yards per catch for his career … Posted 14 career special-teams tackles.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS: In 2005, capped an exceptional four-year track career by winning three All-America awards at the NCAA Outdoor Championships … Was national run-ner-up in the 400 meter hurdles for the third time, clocking a school-record and personal best time of 47.67 … Also ran the third leg on Tigers’ 4x400-meter relay team that posted NCAA-record time of 2:59.59 … In 2004, represented Team USA in 400-meter hurdles at the Athens Olympics, fi nishing second in his fi rst-round and semifi nal heats before placing eighth in the fi nals (49.51) … During the 2004 collegiate season, he added three All-America awards to his resume … Won three national titles as a sophomore … As a freshman in 2002, played key role in LSU’s team march to NCAA Outdoor Championship, anchoring the national title 4x100-meter relay team in 38.48 while also fi nishing second in 400-meter hurdles and running on third-place 4x400 team.

FOOTBALL FOREVER: “My track stuff was cool, but I’m not thinking about that now,” Brazell says. “I’ve played football since little league. I did track and football, but football is my heart.”

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned USA Today All-America honors in both football and track at Westbury High School in Houston … Caught 36 passes for 967 yards and 10 TDs in his senior football season and was fi rst-team all-state … As a senior track performer, won 5A state championship in 300-meter hurdles (36.1).

PERSONAL: Hometown is Houston, Texas … General studies major at LSU … Last name is pronounced “bruh-ZELL.”


BENNIE BRAZELLBENNIE BRAZELL

Wide ReceiverWide Receiver 8181Draft Round: 7thOverall Selection: 231stCollege: Louisiana State


Receiving Rushing ScoringYEAR TEAM G-S NO YDS AVG LG TD ATT YDS AVG LG TD TD TD-R TD-P TD-Rt 2-PtC PTS2002 Louisiana St. 9-0 3 28 7.3 12 0 — — — — — 0 0 0 0 0 02003 Louisiana St. 11-0 0 0 — — 0 — — — — — 0 0 0 0 0 02004 Louisiana St. 10-0 1 20 20.0 20 0 — — — — — 0 0 0 0 0 02005 Louisiana St. 13-2 13 292 22.5 55 3 — — — — — 3 0 3 0 0 18CAREER 43-2 17 340 20.0 55 3 — — — — — 3 0 3 0 0 18

BENNIE BRAZELL STATISTICSBENNIE BRAZELL STATISTICS

NEW BENGALS SEASON ATTENDANCE MARK The 2005 Bengals posted a new regular-season attendance record of 526,469, an average of 65,809 per contest. The ’05 total edged out the 524,248 fi gure that had established a record in 2004. The 2005 season’s crowds included the top four in franchise history — 66,104 for Pittsburgh on Oct. 23; 65,995 for Indianapolis on Nov. 20; 65,940 for Green Bay on Oct. 30; and 65,870 for the Jan. 8 playoff contest vs. Pittsburgh. The last 20 Bengals home games have drawn the 20 largest home crowds in franchise history.


STADIUM , NFL &

MEDIA

HISTORY RECORDS

2005 REVIEW

COLLEGE FREE AGENTS

VETERANSROSTERS

STAFF

— 135 —

2006 DRAFT CHOICES

Named a fi rst-team All-American by The Sporting News and CSTV as a Virginia sophomore in 2004, Brooks was selected by the Bengals in the third round of the NFL Supplemental Draft on 7-13-06 … Entered the Supplemental Draft following his junior season at Virginia … Played in only six games last season as a junior, missing the remainder of the campaign due to injuries … Led Virginia in tackles in both his freshman and sophomore years, posting 117 in 2003 and 90 in ’04 … Had 13 career sacks, including 8 as a sophomore … Was named USA Today’s National Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2005—Played in six games as a junior, with 27 tackles (10 solo), including 1 sack, plus 4 passes defensed and 5 QB pressures … Missed Games 1-3 while rehabbing from knee surgery performed following the 2004 campaign … Played in Game 4 vs. Maryland (2 tackles), but missed Game 5 due to ankle injury … Played in Games 6-10, but missed Game 11 vs. Miami (Fla.) due to back injury, and did not play in Music City Bowl. 2004—Played in 12 games as a sophomore, earning All-America honors after totaling a team-leading 90 tackles, with 8 sacks, 2 INTs, 11 QB pressures and 10 tackles-for-loss … Was one of three fi nalists for the Butkus Award (top college LB) … Made two acrobatic interceptions to key a shutout of Maryland

and earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance against the Terrapins … Had a 2-sack game vs. Virginia Tech. 2003—Earned a starting position as a freshman and fi nished the year with a career-high and team-leading 117 tackles … Also had 4 sacks, 6 passes defensed, 10 tackles-for-loss and 15 QB pressures … Had a career-high 12 tackles vs. Pitt in Continental Tire Bowl, including key stop early in the contest to complete a goal-line stand.

HIGH SCHOOL: Named as USA Today’s National Defensive Player of the year after the 2001 season at C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Va. … Played three years at Hylton (1999-2001), and helped lead team to state titles his fi rst two hears before the team fell in the semifi nals in ’01 … The semifi nal loss in ’01 was the only Hylton loss in three years in which he played … Played in 2002 at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. … At Hylton in ’01, he had 207 tackles (144 solos), including 34 for-loss, and he also rushed for 848 yards and 10 TDs while averaging 12.6 yards per carry.

PERSONAL: Born in Fairfax, Va. … His father, Perry Brooks, played in 92 games as a DT for Wash-ington Redskins from 1978-84 … Sociology major at Virginia.

Drafted: 3rd round of Supplemental DraftCollege: Virginia


AHMAD BROOKSAHMAD BROOKS

LinebackerLinebacker 4646

AHMAD BROOKS’ STATISTICSAHMAD BROOKS’ STATISTICS Defense Interceptions SKS- YEAR TEAM G ST AT TT YDS PBU FF FR NO YDS AVG LG TD2003 Virginia 13 68 49 117 4-34 6 1 0 0 0 — — 02004 Virginia 12 39 51 90 8-67 4 1 0 2 8 4.0 8 02005 Virginia 6 10 17 27 1-9 4 0 0 0 0 — — 0CAREER 31 117 117 234 13-110 14 2 0 2 8 4.0 8 0

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: 2 kickoff returns for 55 yards (long of 40) in 2004.


veterans 2222 - national football...

Documents