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CINCINNATI — Pat Sims is big (6-foot-4, 314 pounds). Jason Shirley is bigger (6-5, 340).

Together, they represent the Bengals' future at defensive tackle.

It's just that Sims, a third-round draft pick from Auburn University, likely will play sooner than his fifth-round teammate.

"The thing I like about Pat is he has worked extremely hard," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He can play with high energy and good burst. He's a big, strong, powerful man, and that's what we're excited about. Pat, for sure, should have an impact right away."

The same can't be said for Shirley.

"Jason has a lot to learn, but he will be a willing learner," Lewis added. "We'll get him to learn to get into the correct stances that we want and be faster and quicker with his hands, and allow him to use all that big man that he's got. Because right now, he's wasting about two-thirds of it.

"We'll hope that when he leaves here (today), he'll have a good understanding of what is expected of him when he comes back and into the offseason and training camp."

Translation: Shirley needs to shift into high gear so he can develop into a Bryant Young or John Randall — not a Matthias Askew or Kenderick Allen.

"All coaches want defensive linemen to penetrate on the other side of the line of scrimmage," Sims said. "That's what I do. Of course, you want to improve your strength. It's just a process. I need to continue to get better and work on technique to be successful at the pro level."

Shirley was a draft risk because of off-the-field issues that limited him to three games at Fresno State in 2007. He was suspended two games for conduct detrimental to the team, then suspended after an Oct. 8 arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. He faces a May 21 court date.

Shirley admitted he was "a little rusty" this weekend, but is eager to prove himself.

"I would imagine I'm under a microscope," he said. "But I know what happened to me at Fresno will soon be behind me. I learned a great deal from it and feel I've become a better man from it."

What did he learn?

"To handle all the details," he said, "and take everything into consideration. No matter what it is, no matter how small you think it is, everything has an effect on you."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDaily

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