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2009 Ohio State football
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 > 2009 > May > 01 > Entry
Maualuga takes Cincy by storm (and sting)
MARK IT DOWN, BENGALS FANS;
HIS NEW NICKNAME? ‘STING REY’
Linebacker Rey Maualuga has this tradition. It started way back his senior year of high school.
He adds a tattoo each spring. So what’s this year’s artwork?
“I got a little stingray on my back,” he said. “I’m Rey and I like to sting.”
As sweat dripped off his long, scraggly, tangly black hair, the Bengals’ second-round draft pick said he wants to make a positive, even dramatic, impact.
“I’m definitely going to bring an attitude to this defense and bring the whole package that everyone expects,” Maualuga said as rookie minicamp kicked off Friday, May 1. “I’m going to make sure the Cincinnati Bengals and the whole franchise didn’t make a mistake in picking me. I can promise you that.
“From Day One until I’m done playing football, I’m going to work my butt off to do what I can and become a name that everybody will remember.”
Requests for Maualuga’s jersey No. 58 are pouring into the Paul Brown Stadium Pro Shop. And in a conference call with nearly 5,000 season ticket holders listening in on Thursday night, Maualuga — among six rookie draft picks participating — was all the rage.
The players answered questions. Maualuga fielded 40, the most by far.
His anger at slipping to the second round of the NFL draft (No. 38 overall) is gone.
“I was upset, but that was just the immature part of myself,” he said. “I didn’t think about the team and the fans and everybody that was ecstatic that I’m here. I apologize about not being too happy then. I thank the fans for welcoming me with open arms. Words cannot express how I feel right now. I’m excited to be here and happy to get things going.”
Maualuga is working at both strong-side and middle linebacker spots.
“He’s extremely focused,” linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald said. “We moved him around and he picked up things well. He’s wide-eyed and willing to do whatever we want to do. You can’t ask for any more than that.”
YOUNG GUNS AT QB
Todd Boeckman didn’t have time to stop and smell the roses. The Ohio State quarterback from St. Henry High School was too busy adjusting to the terminology and playbook.
“They’re putting plays in left and right and heads are spinning,” he said on the first day of Bengals rookie minicamp. “But it’s fun. There’s always going to be nerves when you first get out there. but once you get in the flow, you feel like you’re more at home.”
Boeckman is sharing snaps with Billy Farris of Colorado State. Neither threw an interception.
“It’s a great indoctrination for them,” offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. “We’re throwing a lot at them. We’re moving along quickly. It’s very challenging for them and they’re doing a good job with it.”
A BULL ELK
Dan Cline, the Western Kentucky star from Centerville High School, showed a good push at left defensive end.
“It was a great first day with two high-intensity practices,” he said. “The offense was doing a lot of motion with some tight end trades, but that’s good for us. It raises the bar and that’s what we’ve got to do.”
BEAUTIFUL CATCH
Greg Orton, the Purdue wide receiver from Wayne High School, made a diving catch near the sideline in which he was nearly parallel to the ground.
“I’m just trying to learn and still be relaxed out there,” he said. “I just want to keep getting better and show what kind of work ethic I’ve got and how fast I can pick up on things.”
PLENTY OF HANG TIME
Left-footed Kevin Huber, the club’s fifth-round pick, unleased several strong punts, including two with five-second hang time.
“I feel real good about Kevin or we wouldn’t have picked him,” head coach Marvin Lewis said. “Not many specialists are ever drafted. He put on a show out there.”
COMING TO HBO?
The Bengals are in the running to be the next NFL franchise featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series.
“We have been in discussions with HBO and NFL films, but HBO is in control of the release of which team is going to do it,” Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said. “The announcement will come from HBO on which team has been chosen.”
QUOTE MACHINE
“Our draft picks showed a lot of qualities we hoped they had when we picked them. This is a really, really strong class of really good players and we’re obviously expecting a lot out of all these guys.” — Marvin Lewis
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By psychostats
May 3, 2009 12:18 AM | Link to this
If Maualuga is tagged with a popular nickname, it should be something more edgy than Sting-Rey. I dunno, how about “The Warrior”. It fits with how linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald describes him.By namegame
May 3, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
The MaulerBy Doco
May 4, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
How about Rey Maualuga?