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McNeal moves to WR
Speedster looks good to Lewis in first test
BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Saturday morning, in his first NFL practice, Reggie McNeal wore wide receivers' gloves for the first time since 1998 - when he was a high school freshman.
The Bengals' sixth-round pick in the draft two weeks ago, McNeal was a college quarterback at Texas A&M. He's making the transition to receiver on the highest level of football. The first step of the process was a productive one.
"He looked comfortable," coach Marvin Lewis said after the second of two Saturday practices. "He did a good job."
McNeal flashed his 4.32-second, 40-yard-dash speed. He ran right past cornerback DeMarcus Rideaux on a fly pattern. McNeal showed excellent cutting ability, turning the corner on routes across the middle and on out patterns.
"I think I did pretty (well) for my first go-round at receiver," he said. "I want to continue to get better. It's a big challenge, but I'm up for it. You do a lot more competing than just sitting back and throwing. You get to go against some of the best (defensive backs) one-on-one and see what you've got."
"I think it's going to work out for the best," McNeal added.
McNeal was one of the focal points of the Bengals' rookie minicamp. Wide receivers coach Hue Jackson paid close attention to McNeal through two practices. McNeal, Lewis said, would get no work at quarterback through the remaining three practices.
The Bengals want to help him turn into a receiver as quickly as possible.
McNeal could make the team as the sixth wide receiver and provide them with a versatile quarterback/receiver threat that they haven't had. The comparison is to former Steelers receiver Antwaan Randle El, a former college quarterback.
McNeal could provide some roster options. He could be the third quarterback as a wide receiver. On the field, he could throw passes on wide receiver options and end-around plays.
He would welcome any opportunity in the offensive package to run and catch the ball and throw it.
But for now, the concentration is on learning to play receiver.
"He has to get himself in receiver shape, but he has the ability to go catch the ball," Jackson said. "He's got some work to do, and I think he's willing to do it.
"He's a very smart football player. Obviously the background as a quarterback helps. He did a great job today. He understands (defensive) coverages (and) progressions, how to see things sooner than most guys, because he has had to do it his whole career."
McNeal took note of the additional running that he didn't have to do in college as a quarterback.
Though he had no work as a wide receiver at the scouting combine in February in Indianapolis - McNeal worked out strictly as a quarterback - he was considered one of the finest overall athletes in the draft.
"Then talking to my agent, we had certain teams that we worked out for at quarterback and receiver for," he said.
Former Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer, who threw all day, was impressed by McNeal.
"I talked to him at the combine," said Meyer, a college free agent. "You saw his 40 time, run a 4.3, I knew he was an athlete. I saw him at the Shrine Game a little bit, and I knew he would be able to make the adjustment.
"A guy like that is just a tremendous athlete. He made some good catches. He looked comfortable out there. He looked like he was getting it pretty good."
McNeal moves to WR
Speedster looks good to Lewis in first test
BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Saturday morning, in his first NFL practice, Reggie McNeal wore wide receivers' gloves for the first time since 1998 - when he was a high school freshman.
The Bengals' sixth-round pick in the draft two weeks ago, McNeal was a college quarterback at Texas A&M. He's making the transition to receiver on the highest level of football. The first step of the process was a productive one.
"He looked comfortable," coach Marvin Lewis said after the second of two Saturday practices. "He did a good job."
McNeal flashed his 4.32-second, 40-yard-dash speed. He ran right past cornerback DeMarcus Rideaux on a fly pattern. McNeal showed excellent cutting ability, turning the corner on routes across the middle and on out patterns.
"I think I did pretty (well) for my first go-round at receiver," he said. "I want to continue to get better. It's a big challenge, but I'm up for it. You do a lot more competing than just sitting back and throwing. You get to go against some of the best (defensive backs) one-on-one and see what you've got."
"I think it's going to work out for the best," McNeal added.
McNeal was one of the focal points of the Bengals' rookie minicamp. Wide receivers coach Hue Jackson paid close attention to McNeal through two practices. McNeal, Lewis said, would get no work at quarterback through the remaining three practices.
The Bengals want to help him turn into a receiver as quickly as possible.
McNeal could make the team as the sixth wide receiver and provide them with a versatile quarterback/receiver threat that they haven't had. The comparison is to former Steelers receiver Antwaan Randle El, a former college quarterback.
McNeal could provide some roster options. He could be the third quarterback as a wide receiver. On the field, he could throw passes on wide receiver options and end-around plays.
He would welcome any opportunity in the offensive package to run and catch the ball and throw it.
But for now, the concentration is on learning to play receiver.
"He has to get himself in receiver shape, but he has the ability to go catch the ball," Jackson said. "He's got some work to do, and I think he's willing to do it.
"He's a very smart football player. Obviously the background as a quarterback helps. He did a great job today. He understands (defensive) coverages (and) progressions, how to see things sooner than most guys, because he has had to do it his whole career."
McNeal took note of the additional running that he didn't have to do in college as a quarterback.
Though he had no work as a wide receiver at the scouting combine in February in Indianapolis - McNeal worked out strictly as a quarterback - he was considered one of the finest overall athletes in the draft.
"Then talking to my agent, we had certain teams that we worked out for at quarterback and receiver for," he said.
Former Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer, who threw all day, was impressed by McNeal.
"I talked to him at the combine," said Meyer, a college free agent. "You saw his 40 time, run a 4.3, I knew he was an athlete. I saw him at the Shrine Game a little bit, and I knew he would be able to make the adjustment.
"A guy like that is just a tremendous athlete. He made some good catches. He looked comfortable out there. He looked like he was getting it pretty good."
