For Now I'm #58

Back in the Yard, Barkers! Sorry for the delay - I have been running ragged since the draft. The days just keep flying by. It has been the quickest two weeks I have ever experienced. After sharing that great day with you I jumped on a plane to Cincinnati to meet the Bengals staff and the media. I flew home to LA the next day (Monday) and had to catch up on some class and repack. We had rookie mini camp that week so I had to get ready to head back to Cincinnati Thursday. Then it was mini camp, meeting the coaches, the rest of the draft class and the other guys. I flew back to LA Sunday and started getting ready for finals - my first one is today in Micro Economics. We'll see how that goes. It was cool meeting the rest of the draft class and to see the coaching style I will be experiencing from here on out. It was a rookie camp so there weren't many of the veterans around. I did meet Odell Thurman and Ahmad Brooks - they were really good guys and I'm glad I got to spend some time with them. I did talk to Odell about getting #55, but he's pretty attached to it and I understand why. The number suits him playing the SAM. He was really nice about it and I appreciated him talking to me about it. For now I am wearing #58 and have to decide if that's what I'll stay in. Mini camp was a different experience. I feel like I started to pick up the defense and was able to compete by the end. I was talking to LJ (Lawrence Jackson) and he took the words right out of my mouth - it is a different grind. The body was definitely beat down but there are more mental gymnastics in the NFL. It's much more of a work grind than the college game. It took me a little bit to get the feel for it but by the last day I felt like I could go out and play my game.

Add Comment

• BrockSamson said May 09, 2008

  Economics? Here's some useful resources:
  Economics of Football:
  http://assets.cambridge.org/97805216/61584/sample/9780521661584ws.pdf
  http://www.economicshelp.org/2007/09/economics-of-football.html
  
  This reminded me of a joke I found when I was studying for my own economics final:
  
  Worried that your positive linear transformation followed by a translation will ruin the ordering of your von Neumann-Morganstern utility function? You don't have to - that is a fine transformation!
  
  
  I think I failed that test actually so you might just want to ignore this comment on the whole.

  Reply

  
• Dewey said May 09, 2008

  "Mental gymnastics" -- that's a good way to describe it.

  Reply

  
• ClaytonHOF22__ said May 09, 2008

  cinco ocho...the anti Chad Johnson?

  Reply

  
  • Dewey replied May 09, 2008

    LMAO. Cinco Ocho. I love it.
• JWLinder said May 09, 2008

  Keith, unfortunately you were drafted by arbuably one of the worst run NFL teams probably in league history. On par with the Detroits, Arizonas, the present-day 49ers among others. Furthermore, you'll also face a career of torment from the man, the myth, and the legend.......BIG BEN.

  Reply

  
• tcbailey24 said May 09, 2008

  what up Keith, last season for my HS football team I was 58

  Reply

  
• Jeffd84 said May 09, 2008

  Hey Keith,
  Don't forget to thank Derrick, the "Bird" from Junior Varsity at Lake Mary. The best time I have ever had, even with the losing record. I remember when you were a running back. Times have changed. Congratulations on your first round pick and I will keep my eye out for you....Jeff Depto

  Reply

  
• corlando234 said May 10, 2008

  Hey....first rookie mistake. Odell is #51 and Brooks is #55. Looks like you're going to be busy at camp apologizing! Just don't get beer for Odell.

  Reply

  
  • nastynati replied May 12, 2008

    Odell is now 45 and Corey Mays is 51
• Jesus316 said May 11, 2008

  It's great getting to read some inside stuff. I hope you get your number. Brooks was #50 first and then changed to #55. I liked him better with #50.

  Reply

  
• tribe2408 said May 12, 2008

  Good, im glad to hear that everything is going good. I hope you ahve a great rookie year and that you can help lead our defense. Im glad we drafted you Keith, you seem like a team leader and a great overall person. Good Luck!!
  Who Dey!

  Reply

  
• rezod21 said May 12, 2008

  I hope you get hooked up with #55. You need to get it set anyway before the season so I can go grab one. I will be up in section 344 every game screamin my head off. Welcome to the Jungle!!

  Reply

  
• buckeyechris said May 12, 2008

  Keith, Im a huge Buckeye fan but outside of Ohio State you were my favorite player in the entire country. Im glad the Bengals drafted you, not only because you are a terrific player but an outstanding leader who can give the Bengals a new identity of being a clean team who doesnt appear on episodes of COPS every Saturday nights.

  Reply

  
• bburton359 said May 21, 2008

  Keith, I hope you figure out what number you want. If you want 55 then make Brooks an offer he can't refuse. Whatever number you choose, I can't wait to order one of your Jerseys.

  Reply

  
• tone_a1 said May 25, 2008

  Whats up Keith! Welcome to the Bengals & Cincinnati!!!... Being that im a die hard OHIO STATE BUCKEYE fan, you can understand(and forgive me) for not keeping up with anything you & your Trojans were doing in Cali! :-) But, I've done my research on your college career & im VERY impressed!!! Lastly, dont worry about the negative press going on right now... Remember 1 FACT: You young guys ARE the new faces/spokesperson(s) of the Bengals! The future of the Bengals in the next 5-10yrs are in you guys' hands. Its whatever you young guys decide to make it! (You, L. Hall, J. Joseph, K. Irons, C. Ndukwe, C. Perry, B. Utecht, etc..) I think you get my point! Lol... I look forward to seeing ya this season. GOOD LUCK! Lets go for Rookie Defensive Player of the Year!!!

  Reply