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Rookies create buzz, memories at minicamp
Monday, May 05, 2008
CINCINNATI — Ten memories of Bengals rookie minicamp:
1. JORDAN RULES: Quarterback Jordan Palmer held court in front of his locker, speaking about his older brother, Carson.
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"We're not only two different people, we're in two different situations," Jordan said. "He's got the whole franchise on his shoulders. I'm trying to get back in the league."
2. RIVERS FLOWS: First-round pick Keith Rivers showed off his outstanding speed and strength, and flawless ability to read and react.
3. TATTOO PARLOR: Wide receiver Andre Caldwell has 17 tattoos, including a "Born To Fly" inked across his chest between a pair of wings on his breast plates.
4. COMEDY CENTRAL: Wide receiver Jerome Simpson, in his best Southern-country twang, changed the octaves of his voice and impersonated Coastal Carolina University coach David Bennett.
"As coach said, " 'There's some fast talkers up there, Bo,' " Simpson said. "He calls everybody, 'Bo.' "
5. ALUMNI INVASION: Each year, the team sponsors an alumni dinner to welcome rookies. Dave Lapham, Isaac Curtis, Eric Thomas, Robert Jackson, Howie Kurnick, John Simmons, Neal Craig, Jimmy Turner and Ray Griffin were among alums I bumped into before Friday's bash.
6. DRAFT STEAL: Offensive tackle Anthony Collins created a buzz with his size and foot speed.
"He's an athlete," Lapham said. "To see him play, it's hard to believe they got him in the fourth round."
7. LEG UP: Rivers, Simpson and Caldwell got head starts on the rookie class. All three "were FedEx'd packages overnight (after the draft)," head coach Marvin Lewis said.
8. MYSTERY MAN: Defensive end Angelo Craig showed up at 231 pounds after weighing 252 at the NFL Combine and 241 at the University of Cincinnati Pro Day. He's confident he'll be 250 by training camp.
9. BEST FRIEND: Fullback Bradley Glatthaar scored 21 rushing TDs as UC's short-yardage specialist.
"I like the end zone," he said. "I try to make it my best friend."
10. SUNDAY NEWS: The Bengals signed three guys who participated on a tryout basis — defensive tackle Antwon Burton, who played for the Denver Broncos in 2006-07; and college free agents Dan Howell, a linebacker from Washington, and Clyde Logan, a wideout from Idaho State.
