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2009 Ohio State football
Trotwood-Madison vs. Winton Woods
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 > April > 27 > Entry
OSU’s Boeckman gets tryout with Bengals
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES’
2008 QB CONTROVERSY
MADE BOECKMAN STRONGER
All quarterback Todd Boeckman wants is a chance to prove he’s worthy of the NFL.
He’ll get that opportunity with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The former Ohio State quarterback from St. Henry High School, along with Buckeyes offensive tackle Steve Rehring, have accepted the club’s tryout offer at this weekend’s rookie minicamp, Friday through Sunday, May 1-3.
They report to Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday for a physical exam and meetings. Practice begins Friday morning.
“Anytime you get an opportunity to fulfill your dream, it means a lot,” Boeckman said Monday night. “It’s a great opportunity for me. I just want to show what I’m capable of doing and prove I can make this team.”
Purdue wide receiver Greg Orton (Wayne High School) reportedly signed a free agent contract with the Bengals.
Numerous non-drafted Buckeyes are getting a shot at the NFL. They are Alex Boone (49ers), AJ Trapasso (Titans), Rory Nicol (Redskins), Brandon Smith (Bears), Ben Person (Lions) and Nader Abdallah (Jaguars).
Boeckman led the Big Ten in passing efficiency in 2007, completing 191 of 299 passes (63.9 percent) for 2,379 yards, 25 TDs and 14 interceptions.
Even though he lost the starting job to Terrelle Pryor in 2008, Boeckman’s skills and production attracted NFL scouts.
“You look at my film and I have good accuracy. good touch on the ball and a solid arm,” he said. “Hopefully all that translates over to the NFL.”
The disappointment of not getting drafted was erased when Jim Lippincott, the Bengals director of football operations, phoned him Monday.
“It was definitely a long, exhausting weekend,” Boeckman said. “That’s probably the most I’ve ever watched the draft. I was looking forward to it. Unfortunately, my name wasn’t called. But it’s still nice to get opportunities. That’s all I wanted and all I needed.”
OSU’s quarterback controversy of 2008 strengthened his resolve to reach football’s highest level.
“Anytime anybody goes through a situation like that, whether in real life or sports, it’s going to make you a stronger person,” Boeckman said. “I had to fight and battle my way through it. It’s going to help me out in the long run.”
BENGALS COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
LB Dan Skuta, Grand Valley
RB Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
FB Chris Pressley, Wisconsin
FS Tom Nelson, Illinois State
WR Quan Cosby, Texas
WR Greg Orton, Purdue
QB Billy Farris, Colorado State
DT TY Steinkuhler, Nebraska
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By John Harvey
April 27, 2009 11:30 PM | Link to this
Boekman definitely has the tools to play at the next level. Good luck Todd!By OSUckyducky
April 28, 2009 7:23 AM | Link to this
He must really suck if the bengals what to try him out…but then again OSUcks, can’t beat those pac 10 schools either. Stupid state school.By Chick Ludwig
April 28, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
Lay off the Buckeyes. my Buckeyes, or I’ll sic my blog bouncer on you. Boeckman is a class act. Cheers, Chick Ludwig (proud OSU grad, Class of ‘76, with the immortal Archie Griffin)By Troy
April 28, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this
A nice pick up for the Bengals. So what if we did not beat the pac 10 schools! Archies Buckeye team did.