Bengals sign other first-round pick

By Ken Paxson | Friday, May 25, 2012, 02:11 PM

The Bengals have signed G Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin, the second of their two first-round selections in the 2012 draft, according to a press release from the team.

Zeitler (pronounced “ZITE-ler”) was the No. 27 overall selection.

The Bengals now have signed eight of their 10 draft selections, the list also including the No. 17 pick in round one, CB Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama.

“We continue to get our draft picks in the fold, and I credit everyone involved in getting Kevin’s deal done,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “He’s a young man who we feel will be ready to play a lot of football for us as a rookie, and this only aids him working toward that goal.”

The 6-4, 315-pound Zeitler was regarded as one of the most intense offensive linemen in the college ranks, and he was rated in Wisconsin film studies with no sacks allowed during his career. He capped his four-year term last season with All-America first-team honors from Pro Football Weekly, the American Football Coaches Association and the NFL Draft Report. As a junior and as a senior, he helped his team capture Big Ten championships and Rose Bowl berths.

“I’m happy with what we’ve worked out and I’m very grateful to the Bengals for the confidence they’ve shown in me,” Zeitler said. “Now there’s nothing in the way to my working extremely hard to justify that and be a positive force for our team.”

In addition to the two first-rounders, other Bengals draft picks already signed are DT Devon Still of Penn State (second round), TE Orson Charles of Georgia (fourth), CB Shaun Prater of Iowa (fifth), WR Marvin Jones of California (fifth), S George Iloka of Boise State (fifth) and RB Daniel Herron of Ohio State (sixth).

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OSU’s Herron signs with Bengals

By Ken Paxson | Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 04:20 PM

The Bengals have signed running back Daniel Herron of Ohio State, the club’s sixth-round selection in the 2012 draft.

Herron (5-10, 215) averaged 4.9 yards per rush during a four-season OSU career. His 2869 rushing yards rank 10th in Buckeye history, and he rushed for 32 TDs while scoring once on a reception. As a senior last season, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and served as a captain.

The Bengals have now signed seven of the team’s 10 choices from the draft. Also signed are CB Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama (first round), DT Devon Still of Penn State (second), TE Orson Charles of Georgia (fourth), CB Shaun Prater of Iowa (fifth), WR Marvin Jones of California (fifth) and S George Iloka of Boise State (fifth).

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Bengals sign first-round pick

By Ken Paxson | Friday, May 18, 2012, 12:04 PM

The Bengals today signed CB Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama, their first selection (17th overall) in the 2012 draft.

“It’s great for the club and great for Dre to have him signed this early,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “Contracts can be a distraction for young guys drafted high, but now he can put all that behind him and focus on making himself better and making us a better team.”

A multiple first-team 2011 All-America selection, Kirkpatrick last year helped lead Alabama to its second BCS national championship in his three years at the school. He proved himself throughout his career as a confident defender who can physically outperform receivers and play tough against the run.

“Dre was the tallest (6-2) of the top corners in the draft, and with all the big receivers in the league right now, we see that as an extra advantage for us,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. “He does a great job at the line of scrimmage. He’s been coached hard with a national championship team, so we really like his pedigree.”

Kirkpatrick’s signing is the earliest by a top Bengals draft pick since 2003, when Cincinnati sealed a deal on April 24 with QB Carson Palmer, the top overall selection in that draft.

“Like Coach (Lewis) says, it’s just great to have this part done,” Kirkpatrick said. “I’m happy to officially be a Bengal, and I’m going to be the best player I can be for the team and our fans.”

The Bengals have now signed six of the team’s 10 choices from the draft. Also signed are DT Devon Still of Penn State (second round), TE Orson Charles of Georgia (fourth), CB Shaun Prater of Iowa (fifth), WR Marvin Jones of California (fifth) and S George Iloka of Boise State (fifth).

Video: Grading the Bengals 2012 NFL Draft picks

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Bengals sign two draft picks

By Jay Morrison | Thursday, May 10, 2012, 09:19 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms with two of their 10 draft picks Thursday, signing cornerback Shaun Prater and safety George Iloka, both of whom the team selected in the fifth round.

Prater (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) was the 156th overall pick. He played in 48 games with 35 starts over four seasons at Iowa, posting 171 tackles, seven interceptions and 19 additional passes defensed. He had a 24.7-yard average on interception returns, two of which he carried for touchdowns.

Iloka (6-4, 225) was the 167th pick in the draft. He played 53 games with 45 starts over four seasons for Boise State, with 232 tackles, seven interceptions and 17 additional passes defensed.

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Recently signed Bengal retires

By Jay Morrison | Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 03:09 PM

Cincinnati Bengals guard Jacob Bell informed the team he has decided to retire, and the club has placed the Miami University product on its Reserved/Retired list.

Bell signed a free-agent contract with the Bengals on April 10. He was a four-year starter for the St. Louis Rams from 2008-11, although he missed the final four games of this past season with a knee sprain.

Before that he played for the Tennessee Titans.

A veteran of eight NFL seasons, Bell has played in 109 games with 100 starts. He was expected to compete for one of the two starting guard spots on the offensive line.

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Bengals sign two players off waivers

By Jay Morrison | Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 11:19 AM

The Bengals today acquired two players on waivers Tuesday, guard Chris Riley from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive tackle Vaughan Meatoga from the Washington Redskins.

Riley (6-foot-4, 304 pounds from Illinois State) is classified as a first-year NFL player in 2012. He signed with the Bengals as a college free agent prior to 2011 training camp and was waived Sept. 3, after playing in all four preseason games. He was signed Oct. 5 to Tampa Bay’s practice squad, where he finished the season. He was signed to the Bucs’ offseason roster on Jan.3.

Meatoga (6-1, 294; Hawaii) is a rookie. He was signed by Washington as a college free agent on May 3 and was waived by the Redskins on Tuesday.

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Bengals sign another undrafted college free agent

By Jay Morrison | Friday, May 4, 2012, 04:24 PM

The Bengals signed guard/center Trevor Robinson of Notre Dame as a college free agent Friday.

Robinson (6-foot-5, 310 pounds, from Elkhorn, Neb.) played in 48 games with 40 starts in his Notre Dame career, starting all 13 games last season. He is the Bengals’ 15th college free agent signee.

The CFAs will have their first work with the team during the team’s minicamp for rookies and eligible first-year players May 11-13 at Paul Brown Stadium.

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