“I wouldn’t say they’re struggling,” Gilberry said of the Bengals defense. “It’s just plays here and there that take you out of the ball game that can put you in the ball game, and that’s not for me to fix or the coaches to fix. That’s for the guys to fix. I’m here to provide leadership and passion. I’m very passionate about it, and I understand what Paulie (Guenther) wants and I understand how he wants to get it done and how he wants it to look. I’m very excited.”
Gilberry signed with Detroit in the offseason after four years in Cincinnati, but he played just four games with the Lions before an abdominal injury put him on the injured reserve list Oct. 4 and ultimately led to his release.
This week, Gilberry’s career really comes full circle. His first game back comes against the team he began his NFL career with, as the Bengals travel to face the New York Giants on Monday night. Coming out of Alabama in 2008, Gilberry signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent, but was released before the season began.
“It’s amazing — the place where it all started for me, too, so it couldn’t be any more perfect,” Gilberry said.
Gilberry noted it’s been an easy transition coming back to Cincinnati, almost like he never left, but the fact he hasn’t played in a month makes it a little more difficult to step right in.
Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said Tuesday the defense needed help in the pass rush, and Gilberry can help with that. Cincinnati ranks 21st in sacks with 16 after finishing 10th last year with 42 sacks.
Gilberry made an immediate impact when he first came to Cincinnati two games into the 2012 season. In 62 games with the Bengals, he registered 70 tackles, 17.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries.
“That’s a lot of pressure, but I’m built for it,” Gilberry said. “I have always been one of those guys that accepts challenges, so I’m ready for it. I’m ready to fall back into whatever my role is, whatever they have me doing, and I’m going to give it 110 percent.”
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