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Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2009 > July > 30 > Entry
Bengals officially sign No. 2 and No. 3 picks
As expected, the Cincinnati Bengals have officially signed USC linebacker Rey Maualuga (second round) and Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson (third round). Each player signed 4-year deals and will report to Georgetown College Thursday, July 30 with the rest of the team. Financial terms of the contracts are undisclosed.
“It feels good to officially become a Bengal,” Maualuga said during a phone interview Wednesday, July 29. “It has been a life long dream as a child to be able to wear a uniform as a pro. It’s a blessing for me and my family. I’m happy, excited, and can’t wait to get things going in the next couple of days. I want to come in and contribute in anyway possible and work my way into the starting lineup. Anything that I can do to help this team win ball games that’s what I’m going to do.”
The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Maualuga was a consensus All-American as a senior in 2008, the leading tackler (79) on a unit that led the nation in scoring defense (9.0 points allowed per game). USC also finished second in the nation in fewest yards allowed (221.8 per game) last season. Maualuga is a ferocious hitter and covers the field with outstanding speed.
“Having Rey on the field from the start of training camp will maximize his potential to lend a physical presence to our defense,” said head coach Marvin Lewis in a release to the media. “He showed us a lot in our offseason work, and now we look forward to seeing him in contact situations.”
The Bengals set out to improve the team’s pass-rush during offseason in snagged perhaps one of the most intriguing pass-rushing prospects in the draft.
Johnson (6-7, 260) recorded nine sacks and 17.5 tackles-for-loss for Georgia Tech last season, earning first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association. He started only 15 games for the Yellow Jackets, but posted career totals of 19 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, three blocked field goals and 30.5 tackles-for-loss.
The Bengals have signed 10 of 11 draft picks, Maualuga, Johnson, TE Chase Coffman of Missouri (third round), C Jonathan Luigs of Arkansas (fourth round), P Kevin Huber of the University of Cincinnati (fifth round), CB Morgan Trent of Michigan (sixth round), HB Bernard Scott of Abilene Christian (sixth round), FB Fui Vakapuna of Brigham Young (seventh round), DT Clinton McDonald of Memphis (seventh round) and WR Freddie Brown of Utah (seventh round).
Cincinnati’s only unsigned selection is first round pick OT Andre Smith of Alabama. There is no word on the progress or lack thereof in terms of negotiations with the team’s top pick.
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Comments
By sam
July 30, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
Going to be hard to get Smith into camp. He’s not even sure who is agent is.
By NWALKER
July 30, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
THE BUNGHOLES SUCK FACE IT PALMER IS DONE AND YOU TRADED YOUR BEST RECIEVER. BETTER CALL VICK AND SEE IF HE MIGHT COME TO THIS SORRY TEAM
By Brandon
July 30, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
Really NWALKER, that was the best you could do…I mean honestly you didn’t even mention arrest records or ownership…Please come back with a more articulated response than that…put some thought into it or something…and for the record the bandwago will be open for when you decide to jump back on.
By William
July 30, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
Go Bengals! NWALKER, are you sure your name isn’t STREETWALKER? Your vocabulary and intelligence level are comparable to that profession.