It's Official I am a Cincinnati Bengal

Wanted to let everyone know in the Yard that I signed my contract tonight about 10:00 and then got checked into the dorms at Georgetown College. I am very excited and I am anxious to get back out onto the field and start working with my teammates. It's been tough waiting around for this to happen, but it is part of football now, it's part of the process. I'm just glad it's done. Now it's time for me to do what I can do to become the best player I can be. I did send Coach FitzGerald a text to let him know that I signed and that I'd be there ready to go in the morning. He sent me a note back and said congratulations, time to get started and get caught up. Time to prepare and do what I got drafted to do. I sent a text to Coach Norton too - I needed to let him know. I do want to say thank you to the Bengals organization for making this happen and I wanted to thank the Bengals fans for being supportive and not jumping all over me. Like I said, it's part of the process and I'm glad it's over. Now I look forward to getting on the field and giving them something to cheer about. Time for bed. Up in 7 hours for my first day of camp.

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• mvbuckeye01 said August 05, 2008

  Glad to hear you get back to what you're best at. Do you think you will be playing on the strong side or weak side? Keep us posted through out camp.

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• tHEdEG said August 05, 2008

  I personally think holdouts in general are ridiculous and unnecessary, especially a ROOKIE holdout. I don't care how good you were, this is not SC, this is The League. I hope Commissioner Goodell comes good on his change of direction and this rookie class is the last to get these outrageous salaries for unproven players. Do you even feel bad about missing some of camp? I'm sure you're way behind the power curve already, being a rookie, but after this holdout there are guys on the practice squad that know more about what's going on than you.
  
  Yeah, maybe I'm a little bitter, but I think it's justifiable. I made more money last year than I had in my entire life, but the catch is that I had to go risk my life in Iraq for it. Meanwhile, rookies blessed with an ability to play a game for a living and the opportunity to get paid unbelievable amounts to do so, hold out for more money because a few million dollars just isn't enough.
  
  You've got a lot to prove.

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  • gaucho replied August 06, 2008

    With all due respect to your efforts in Iraq, you have no reason to be bitter. Hold outs are part of business in the NFL. I'm sure Rivers would have rather been on the field with everyone else, but unlike baseball and hoops very little is guaranteed in the NFL. He could blow a knee tomorrow and be done and the Bengals would owe nothing more than the signing bonus. These guys play a violent game and they should get everything they can, especially from a team as notoriously cheap as the Bengals.
    • dreyshuni replied August 06, 2008

      with all due respect iraq is pretty violent too, ive been there but was smart enough not to be a hero n got outa there with all my limbs... but you shouldnt compare iraq and nfl you know and your right it is part of the business, its his right to do it
• Dewey said August 05, 2008

  You have earned the right to make your own decisions, and you have now earned the right to lace 'em up in the NFL. Congratulations, Keith. Great news all around. I'm looking forward to seeing you take care of business against Big Ben and Fast Willie Parker.

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• FIVERINGS said August 06, 2008

  Good luck on your NFL career.

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• JoesterKing said August 05, 2008

  We are lucky to have you Keith!!!!!
  Show them "Who Dey?"
  Have Fun.

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• krosseyed said August 05, 2008

  Great to see you in the fold. I know that there are going to be some bitter fans but I look forward to the many years to come so you can prove them all wrong.

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• deadred988 said August 06, 2008

  Good luck man and try to stay outta jail hahaha Bengal curse should be over though

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  • Bengalmaniac replied August 06, 2008

    Dude get a clue ...look around the league the bengals have not had anyone in trouble in quite a while.
    at present there are three or four other teams with players in more trouble than any bengal player ever got into.
    
• dreyshuni said August 06, 2008

  youll be a great player there... just done punch and teenagers in the face or break their car windows with beer bottles and youll be fine... hopefully ull have a year like pat willis had last year for 49ers make like 200 tackles and everything!!! neways congrats man u worked ur ass off all ur life n now you got it dont worry about the haters... think you and carson are gonna watch the USC buckeye game together?

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• gobirdsPHILLY said August 06, 2008

  good luck man, holdouts are somewhat ridiculous id have to say..but at least yours is over. ur gonnna be great there, but it sux the time u missed. hopefully u catch right up to speed and are ready to go for the season. im from philly but i have a secret love for the bengals because i like chad and carson. best of luck this year.

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• NPhillyBirdman said August 06, 2008

  Whoopty doo, you finally signed. We'll see how good you really are Nov 13 when the Birds come to town...and If you deserve the ridiculous contract you just signed. I dont believe in rookies holding out until they have proven themselves and you havent prooved anything yet.

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• Bonnie777 said August 06, 2008

  I'm glad the wait is finally over!! Welcome to Cincy!

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• birdsrule said August 06, 2008

  Best of luck in the N.F.L.

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• keith55 said August 06, 2008

  Time to take over .try and be the king of the jungle!! u r good everyone knws..its showtime!
  
  Best of luck for ur career!

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• supercharged38 said August 06, 2008

  Its about time Keith, welcome to bengaldom. Its time for u to rock the jungle son. Good luck and hit hard!!

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• Justwannawinna said August 06, 2008

  congratz bro keep that USC pride alive with the bengals!

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• BENGALSNATI85 said August 06, 2008

  Welcome to Cincinnati/Georgetown and congrats on finally becoming a BENGAL! Now it's time to get out there and do the dammm thing MAAAAN!!! WHO_DEY!!!!!!

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• jeweler said August 06, 2008

  Well i feel that it's all business and you as an individual, as an NFL player, has to do what's in the best interest of your own career. You have no one to look at after your career is over but yourself, so make sure that you're diecisions are made wisely and by you alone.

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• metallicat2112 said August 06, 2008

  Great to hear you signd cant wait to see if your worth the 23 mill in green bay monday

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• GreenDragon said August 06, 2008

  Glad to see you in Stripes, Keith.

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• BengalBacker said August 07, 2008

  Glad you got it done, Keith. You're here before the first preseason game so you can't be too far behind everyone else. Believe it or not, you're at least going to the playoffs in your rookie year. Mark my words, this team is going to surprise people.
  
  People need to understand that especially for high first rounders, their rookie contract is the most important contract they have ever signed, and possibly ever will sign. No hard feelings on the holdout. Don't let the pressure of expectations get to you. Remember it's still just football, and stay confident.
  
  Welcome to the team!

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• lsutigerfan19 said August 07, 2008

  glad you signed your contract..i really wanted the Saints to pick you but we went with your former teammate Sed Ellis instead..best of luck though

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• killerlawndart said August 08, 2008

  Congratulations!!!!
  I am a big time life long Bengals fan. I can't express how excited I am that you're a Bengal. I was hoping the Bengals would select you in the draft. Now that it's official makes it even sweeter. Remember the most important thing is to beat the Steelers. I hope you become a big pain for big Ben. Here's to you Keith, and a long successful career with the Bengals.
  

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• MommaJ said August 09, 2008

  Concentrate on beating the Browns, steelers and Ravens each twice this season, the other wins will follow. This year, 9 wins could win the Division and if we sweep those three teams, we will be 2/3s of the way there. Division games are a must this year. Get to DA, Big Ben and whomever the Ravens are sacrificing and sack them! :)

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