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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > December > 03 > Entry
Hail to the Victor! (Hobson, that is)
EX-MICHIGAN WOLVERINE
VICTOR HOBSON ADDS DEPTH
TO BENGALS’ LINEBACKER CORPS
WOLVERINES OUTNUMBER BUCKEYES
A STUNNING AND RIDICULOUS 4-1
ON CINCINNATI’S 53-MAN ROSTER
===The lone Buckeye is OT Kirk Barton; UM semi-studs are Chris Perry, Dhani Jones, Leon Hall and Victor Hobson.===
How much gas is left in outside linebacker Victor Hobson’s tank?
The Cincinnati Bengals are willing to find out. Eager to find out. And desperate to discover how much.
They signed the 6-foot, 252-pound, sixth-year NFL veteran, who has 58 starts in 76 career games with the New York Jets.
Victor Hobson
The former Michigan star was a second-round draft pick of the Jets in 2003. He signed with New England as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, but the Patriots released him on Aug. 30.
Hobson — whose career totals include 334 tackles, 11 sacks, three INTs and five fumble recoveries — won’t have to wait long to get in Bengals stripes.
He will get thrown into the fire at Indianapolis on Sunday, Dec. 7.
He’s expected to make an impact in kick coverage on special teams and will attempt to bring some pressure as a pass-rushing defensive end in the nickel package.
Head Coach Marvin Lewis was impressed with Hobson’s speed during his workout, and Hobson is eager to show his skills as an attacking, downhill run-stopper who can hold up in pass coverage.
With backup strong-side linebacker Eric Henderson sidelined with a painful neck and shoulder stinger, Hobson adds depth, versatility and experience because he’s familiar with all three linebacker positions.
IN MARVIN LEWIS’ WORDS:
“He’s another guy who has experience playing linebacker. He has started a lot of games in the NFL. He gives us another hand on deck and I think this week as either a down-sub guy, nickel rusher, outside linebacker. We have been a little short at linebacker the past few weeks with five players, really. So it gives us another body who can be productive on special teams, another big guy who can run. I can guarantee 24, 25 snaps a game for those people.”
IN VICTOR HOBSON’S WORDS:
“I’m thankful for the opportunity the organization has given me to get back on the field and play football. (I’ve been) just working on staying in shape, spending time with the family. It’s the first time I’ve been able to do that in a while during the football season anyway. It was a new experience but it was a good opportunity.
“I had worked out for (the Bengals) previously about two or three weeks ago. They called me just yesterday and let me know they wanted me to come in and sign me.
“It’s just a chance where I can come in and do the best that I can to help in whatever aspect that is, specials teams, playing linebacker. Whatever it is, I want to do my best to get out there on the field and help them.
“It’s a great opportunity to be here to get on the field and play football and help the team as much as I can.”
THIS SPRINGSTEEN SONG IS DEDICATED TO VICTOR HOBSON
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