7--Draft Choices.indd

STAFF
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
WT
193
339
267
319
240
205
204
176
259
COLLEGE
South Carolina
Louisiana State
Southern California
Michigan State
Florida State
Texas A&M
Penn State
Louisiana State
Virginia
SEL#
24
55
91
123
157
193
209
231
—
Cornerback
Height: 5-11
Weight: 193
Born: 4-16-84
Draft Round: 1st
Overall Selection: 24th
College: South Carolina
PERSONAL: Hometown is Rock Hill, S.C. … Criminal
justice major at South Carolina … Has a son, Jay’vion.
(continued)
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
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.
RECORDS
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.”
HISTORY
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 tacklesfor-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
ONE OF A KIND: Joseph is only the second college
CB selected in the first round of the draft by the Bengals,
and he is the first 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 first
defensive back chosen by the Bengals in Round 1 since
S Darryl Williams of Miami (Fla.) in 1992.
2005 REVIEW
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.”
his career in Independence Bowl on Dec. 30 vs. Missouri.
2004—Started his first 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 Conference 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.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
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.
22
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
JOHNATHAN JOSEPH
VETERANS
HT
5-11
6-7
6-3
6-3
6-1
6-2
6-0
6-0
6-4
ROSTERS
RD
PLAYER
POS
1
Johnathan Joseph........................ CB
2
Andrew Whitworth ........................OL
3
Frostee Rucker ..............................DE
4
Domata Peko ................................DT
5
A.J. Nicholson ..............................LB
6
Reggie McNeal ............................WR
7a
Ethan Kilmer ...................................S
7b
Bennie Brazell ..............................WR
3-s* Ahmad Brooks ..............................LB
*selected in third round of NFL Supplemental Draft
— 127 —
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7/18/2006 2:06:35 PM
STAFF
ROSTERS
JOHNATHAN JOSEPH’S STATISTICS
Defense
YEAR
2003
2004
2005
TEAM
G-GS
Coffeyville CC NA
S. Carolina
2-2
S. Carolina 12-11
ST
NA
3
40
AT
NA
0
15
TT
43
3
55
SKSYDS
1-NA
0-0
0-0
Interceptions
PBU
NA
1
9
FF
NA
1
0
FR
NA
0
0
NO
3
0
4
YDS
62
0
76
AVG
20.7
—
19.0
LG
NA
—
42
TD
1
0
1
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
RECORDS
HISTORY
2005 REVIEW
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
VETERANS
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.
ANDREW WHITWORTH
OffensiveTackle
Tackle
Guard/Offensive
Draft Round: 2nd
Overall Selection: 55th
College: Louisiana State
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 five 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 firstteam 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 finished
his career with 22 straight games of no sacks allowed …
Height: 6-7
Weight: 339
Born: 12-12-81
77
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
first-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 first-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).
PLENTY OF POINTS
With 421 points during the 2005 season, the Bengals tied the third-highest total in team history, first 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 finished the season only 7-9).
— 128 —
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7/18/2006 2:06:36 PM
STAFF
FROSTEE RUCKER
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.”
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 field. 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
first 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.”
PERSONAL: Hometown is Tustin, Calif. … Sociology major at USC.
2005 REVIEW
HIGH SCHOOL: Played RB and LB at Tustin (Calif.)
HS, and was named All-Golden West League MVP as a
senior in 2000.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
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 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries … Originally 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 five 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.
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
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 final
game in ’05 … Logged 6.5 sacks in ’05, plus team-leading 14 tackles-for-loss, and earned first-team All Pac-10
honors … Also voted co-winner in ’05 of team’s Most
Inspirational Player award.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 267
Born: 9-14-83
VETERANS
Draft Round: 3rd
Overall Selection: 91st
College: Southern California
92
ROSTERS
Defensive End
FROSTEE RUCKER’S STATISTICS
ST
Interceptions
FR
2
1
1
4
NO
YDS
AVG
LG
DID NOT PLAY — REDSHIRTED
DID NOT PLAY — TRANSFERRED
1
2
2.0
2
0
0
—
—
1
2
2.0
2
2
4
2.0
2
0
0
0
0
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
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.
TD
RECORDS
13
21
35
69
SKSTT
YDS PBU
FF
DID NOT PLAY — REDSHIRTED
DID NOT PLAY — TRANSFERRED
13
26
1.5-9
1
1
8
29
2.5-15
2
1
21
56
6.5-45
1
2
42 111 10.5-69
4
4
AT
HISTORY
Defense
YEAR TEAM
G-GS
2001 Colorado State
0-0
2002 So. California
0-0
2003 So. California
13-5
2004 So. California 13-12
2005 So. California 13-13
CAREER
39-30
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STAFF
2005 REVIEW
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
VETERANS
ROSTERS
DOMATA PEKO
Defensive Tackle
Draft Round: 4th
Overall Selection: 123rd
College: 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 confident his enthusiasm 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 fix.”
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 tacklesfor-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
Height: 6-3
Weight: 319
Born: 11-27-84
94
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 … Sociology major at Michigan State … First name is pronounced
“DOE-mah-tah” and last name pronounced “PECK-o.”
RECORDS
HISTORY
DOMATA PEKO’S STATISTICS
Defense
YEAR
2002
2003
2004
2005
TEAM
Coll. of Canyons
Coll. of Canyons
Michigan State
Michigan State
G-GS
ST
AT
12-12
12-0
11-11
39
11
32
31
3
21
SKSTT
YDS PBU
statistics not available
70
10.5-67
1
14
0-0
0
53
1-3
1
Interceptions
FF
FR
NO
1
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
0
YDS
AVG
LG
statistics not available
0
—
—
0
—
—
0
—
—
TD
0
0
0
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: 1 blocked PAT attempt in 2005; 2 blocked PAT attempts and 1 blocked field goal attempt in 2003.
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
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 (averaging 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.
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STAFF
A.J. NICHOLSON
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.”
HE’S PUMPED: In his initial telephone conversation 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.”
A.J. NICHOLSON’S STATISTICS
Defense
G-GS
13-0
13-3
12-12
12-12
50-27
ST
14
36
39
53
142
AT
9
19
49
47
124
TT
23
55
88
100
266
SKSYDS
1-1
0-0
4-16
1-2
6-19
Interceptions
PBU
0
2
2
2
6
FF
0
1
1
1
3
FR
0
3
2
0
5
NO
0
0
1
2
3
YDS
0
0
0
59
59
AVG
—
—
0.0
29.5
19.7
LG
—
—
0
40
40
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
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.
TD
0
0
0
1
1
RECORDS
YEAR TEAM
2002 Florida State
2003 Florida State
2004 Florida State
2005 Florida State
CAREER
HISTORY
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.
2005 REVIEW
HIGH SCHOOL: Named a Parade All-American
for his play at Mount Tabor High School in WinstonSalem, N.C. … Also named to the USA Today All-USA
second team … Had 147 tackles as a senior, and 170
tackles as a junior.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: CAREER—Had 27
starts among his 50 games at Florida State, 24 starts
coming in his final 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 finale 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 first 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 season-high 5 tackles vs. Clemson and North Carolina.
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 semifinalist for NCAA’s
Butkus Award (nation’s top LB).
Height: 6-1
Weight: 240
Born: 6-25-83
VETERANS
Draft Round: 5th
Overall Selection: 157th
College: Florida State
ROSTERS
52
Offensive Tackle
Linebacker
— 131 —
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7/18/2006 2:06:38 PM
STAFF
RECORDS
HISTORY
2005 REVIEW
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
VETERANS
ROSTERS
REGGIE McNEAL
10
Wide Receiver
Draft Round: 6th
Overall Selection: 193rd
College: Texas A&M
One of the finest pure athletes in college football in
2005, McNeal presents Bengals with a number of intriguing 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 schoolrecord 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 finale vs.
Texas due to high ankle sprain suffered in Game 10 vs.
Oklahoma … Returned to action in postseason EastWest 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-of265 (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
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Born: 9-20-83
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 deficit 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 field,
earning all-district basketball honors as a junior.
COACH BOB BRATKOWSKI SAYS: “As an example 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 find ways to get the ball in his hands,
because he’s capable of some special things.”
PERSONAL: Hometown is Lufkin, Texas … Agricultural development major at Texas A&M, and was a member
of the Leadership Council
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
REGGIE McNEAL’S STATISTICS
Passing
YEAR TEAM
2002 Texas A&M
2003 Texas A&M
2004 Texas A&M
2005 Texas A&M
CAREER
G-S
8-1
12-11
12-12
10-10
42-34
ATT
45
221
344
265
875
CMP
24
113
200
141
478
PCT YDS YDS/ATT TD
53.3
456
10.13
6
51.1 1782
6.33
8
58.1 2791
8.11 14
53.2 1963
7.41 16
54.6 6992
7.99 44
Rushing
TD%
13.3
3.6
4.1
6.0
5.0
INT INT%
3
6.7
7
3.2
4
1.2
9
3.4
23
2.6
LG
61
91
84
80
91
ATT YDS AVG
37 137
3.7
127 370
2.9
151 718
4.8
96 664
6.9
411 1889 4.6
LG TD
33
0
33
4
62
8
63
3
63 15
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STAFF
ETHAN KILMER
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.”
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.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
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 field goal. 2004—Saw his first
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.
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.
VETERANS
Height: 6-0
Weight: 204
Born: 1-31-83
Draft Round: 7th
Overall Selection: 209th
College: Penn State
43
ROSTERS
Safety
ETHAN KILMER’S STATISTICS
G-S
11-0
12-3
23-3
NO
0
15
15
YDS
0
236
236
AVG
—
15.7
15.7
LG TD
—
0
55
3
55
3
Defense/Special Teams
ST AT TT FF
3
3
6 0
19
6 25 1
22
9 31 1
Scoring
TD TD-R TD-P TD-Rt 2-PtC PTS
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
3
0
0 18
3
0
3
0
0 18
Kickoff Returns
NO YDS
—
—
—
—
—
—
AVG
—
—
—
Punt Returns
FC LG TD NO YDS AVG FC LG TD
— — — — —
— — — —
— — — — —
— — — —
— — — — —
— — — —
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.
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
2007 Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New England, N.Y. Jets, Arizona, St. Louis.
Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle.
RECORDS
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:
HISTORY
YEAR TEAM
2004 Penn State
2005 Penn State
CAREER
FRYDS BP BFG BXP
0-0 0
0
0
0-0 0
0
0
0-0 0
0
0
Rushing
ATT YDS AVG LG TD
— —
— — —
— —
— — —
— —
— — —
2005 REVIEW
Receiving
YEAR TEAM
2004 Penn State
2005 Penn State
CAREER
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7/18/2006 2:06:38 PM
STAFF
Offensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Draft Round: 7th
Overall Selection: 231st
College: Louisiana State
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 lateround 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 4x400meter relay team, won four NCAA titles on other relay
teams, and three times finished 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 first 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.
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
RECORDS
HISTORY
2005 REVIEW
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
VETERANS
ROSTERS
BENNIE BRAZELL
Height: 6-0
Weight: 176
Born: 6-2-82
81
TRACK HIGHLIGHTS: In 2005, capped an exceptional
four-year track career by winning three All-America awards
at the NCAA Outdoor Championships … Was national runner-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, finishing
second in his first-round and semifinal heats before placing
eighth in the finals (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 finishing 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 first-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 BRAZELL STATISTICS
Receiving
YEAR TEAM
2002 Louisiana St.
2003 Louisiana St.
2004 Louisiana St.
2005 Louisiana St.
CAREER
G-S
9-0
11-0
10-0
13-2
43-2
NO
3
0
1
13
17
YDS AVG
28
7.3
0
—
20 20.0
292 22.5
340 20.0
Rushing
LG TD
12
0
—
0
20
0
55
3
55
3
ATT YDS AVG
— —
—
— —
—
— —
—
— —
—
— —
—
Scoring
LG
—
—
—
—
—
TD
—
—
—
—
—
TD TD-R TD-P TD-Rt 2-PtC PTS
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
3
0
0 18
3
0
3
0
0 18
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 figure 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.
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STAFF
AHMAD BROOKS
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 first two hears before the team fell in
the semifinals in ’01 … The semifinal 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.
AHMAD BROOKS’ STATISTICS
Defense
G
13
12
6
31
ST
68
39
10
117
AT
49
51
17
117
TT
117
90
27
234
SKSYDS
4-34
8-67
1-9
13-110
Interceptions
PBU
6
4
4
14
FF
1
1
0
2
FR
0
0
0
0
NO
0
2
0
2
YDS
0
8
0
8
AVG
—
4.0
—
4.0
LG
—
8
—
8
TD
0
0
0
0
HISTORY
YEAR TEAM
2003 Virginia
2004 Virginia
2005 Virginia
CAREER
2005 REVIEW
PERSONAL: Born in Fairfax, Va. … His father,
Perry Brooks, played in 92 games as a DT for Washington Redskins from 1978-84 … Sociology major
at Virginia.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
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
finalists 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 finished 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.
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
Named a first-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.
VETERANS
Height: 6-4
Weight: 259
Born: 3-14-84
Drafted: 3rd round of
Supplemental Draft
College: Virginia
ROSTERS
46
Linebacker
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS: 2 kickoff returns for 55 yards (long of 40) in 2004.
RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
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