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2008 Ebony Fashion Show
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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 > August > 06 > Entry
Rivers Q&A: He’s quickly & totally immersed
$23 MILLION MAN GETS
READY TO ‘ROCK ‘N’ ROLL’
===Keith Rivers’ contract is a six-year deal that voids to five years if he reaches certain incentives, which are designed to be reasonably attainable. The Bengals’ team-owned Web site claims Rivers’ contract is worth $23 million over five years.===
Q. How much have you missed?
A. There were a few new things. There’s been some changes a little bit to some of the things. But that’s football. That’s adjustments. You’ve just got to get used to them and get ready to rock ‘n’ roll.
Q. Can you get up to speed quickly?
A. I think so. I’ve just got to (work) overtime with my studying and do what I’m used to doing.
Q. Did you feel behind at any time today?
A. I feel like there are a few plays I wasn’t up to speed on, but that’s what my night time is for, for studying and getting in my book and getting ready to go.
Q. Glad to see your teammates?
A. Yeah. It’s good to see your teammates. It’s good. Everybody congratulates you and it’s great to be here. I’m bummed I missed out on the bonding time with my team during camp. That’s a big part of it. It is what it is. I’m here now and ready to rock ‘n’ roll.
Q. Were you staying in Cincinnati?
A. Yeah. I came a week early and I’ve been here just waiting for everything to get finalized.
Q. How tough was the holdout on you mentally?
A. It’s a wear, but I’ve been hitting up my buddies around the league and buddies around here, trying to get up on instillation and study my notes. Just finding out, one of my buddies, Thomas Williams up in Jacksonville was asking, ‘You ever going to come to the League?’ I’m here now, I’m ready to go.
Q. What do you think about Brandon Johnson?
A. He’s doing a great job as we knew he would, He’s a great player. I’m just trying to catch up and compete with him. It’s all about competing and he’s doing well. I want to get back, get right and compete against him.
Q. How did you keep up?
A. I texted my teammates each night about what was the instillation the next day, took a gander at it and tried to keep up to date.
Q. Who were your texting buddies?
A. Frotsee Rucker, Pat Sims, John Thornton, Carson hit me up one time. A number of guys.
Q. Have you missed too much practice?
A. Practice is everything. Missing the first meeting was missing too much time. At this level, it’s a business and I had to let things run its course.
Q. Will you play Monday?
A. We’re just going to see how this week goes, I’m going to work like I am and hopefully I do (play).
Q. How was the first practice?
A. It was good, I felt a little rusty, but that’s to be expected. Once I get back rockin’ and rollin’, hopefully things will be running smoothly.
Q. Was it tougher mentally or physically?
A. I felt all right. Today wasn’t has hot as it has been. I’ve been in Cincinnati and there’s been some scorchers. A little but of both. You can’t get into football shape until you get in pads and running.
Q. Is it a relief to get into camp?
A. It was great to get here and be with my teammates and I had a chance to sit in on a little bit of meetings and meet with the guys. I’m just ready to go.
Q. The National Football League is a business, isn’t it?
A. I learned that from Day 1.
Q. Did your system at USC help you?
A. The last four years, I played the weakside backer, it’s pretty similar, just a little different terminology. I’ve just got to motor through and pick up on the new stuff and just press on.
Q. What do you hope to accomplish as a rookie?
A. I’m just going to come in try to compete and contribute, wherever the team sees me fit to help the best. If I can be All-World, that’d be great, everyone wants to, but it is the National Football League and you have to do the best you can.
Q. Are you in a playmaking role?
A. I hope so. Right now, I’m trying to figure it out, the first day back.
Q. You’ll rush the passer?
A. I hope so. We’ll see when everything gets fully installed. And everything’s ready to go.
Q. Are you more comfortable now than right after you were drafted?
A. It’s a little more comforting. I’ve been here for OTAs, I know people, I know my teammates. I feel pretty comfortable, it’s still a little different just for the fact that I have been gone, I haven’t had the pads on and these guys have been gelling and working together.
Q. Seems your teammates got on you pretty quick when you screwed up the end of the warm-ups.
A. It shows I haven’t been here for a while. I forgot how that rolls. Hopefully next time I’ll get that right.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
August 6, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
As The Rock used to say, “Just bring it.” I just want to witness a competent Bengals defense in my lifetime.By JC
August 6, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
What does “instillation” mean and how can you communicate it over a text message?By Blindeye
August 7, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Chick, You were quick to get an interview with the rookie. Do you think he’ll make a difference? Speaking on the defensive side of the ball, I’m wondering how you could list the top 3 priorities for the team in a national mag and not even mention defense as being a number 1 priority!! Let me see if I have this correct, you say number one is the offensive line, then the wide receivers and then other receivers. How could a team be in the cellar on defense for the past 5 years and defense is not the nunber one priority. Are we looking at the same football team? Could you clarify your reasoning?