"It's an opportunity to go out and play the game I love to play," said Ramsey.

Most of the players come in with such an attitude.  Privately, those on staff know the players assembled in the temporary lockers in the Bengals clubhouse are fighting an uphill battle.   In the NFL, even late round draftees struggle to make rosters.   Among staffers, the makeshift mobile dressing structures are known as "Death Row".

"It was a great experience for me to come out here and get a shot with the Bengals to compete for a position and  come to camp,"  said an upbeat Ramsey shortly after the players had run through a morning workout on the practice field outside the stadium.

Ramsey is joined by long snapper Mike Windt and defensive lineman Curtis Young in this latest endeavor.   At the very least, they'll get to wear a Bengal helmet and Bengal garb and be coached by Bengal coaches for a few days.   Numerous other players from other parts are playing the same game.

"It's been tough thus far,"  said Ramsey.  "Just trying to learn a new formation, new system, terminology, but Coach Kelly and his staff from our offense prepared me well to come in and translate the information from the Bengals pretty quick."

Ramsey came to UC as a second team all-state tailback, but rarely had the chance to be a "feature back" as Mark Dantonio switched him to defense in '06, then under Kelly he split time with John Goebel or Isaiah Pead.   In addition to catching the occasional pass, Ramsey ran for 362 yards in '07, 664 in '08 and 439 last season out of Brian Kelly's spread offense.

So, moving to a system based on  "lugging the loaf" is encouraging to Ramsey as a potential pro.

"Yessir, definitely a good thing for me,"  said Ramsey.  "Coming from the spread offense, I didn't get a chance to run the ball, so now the tables are turned.  I have an opportunity to show what I can do."

In the meantime, Ramsey may have benefited from a redshirt year as Butch Jones has a system at UC that spreads it out, but runs it more.   Unfortunately, Ramsey's four years are up, but he likes what he sees from the new regime.

"Yeah, everybody loves Butch Jones," said Ramsey.  "It's like everyone is buying into his new system.  I got a chance to watch the spring game and they seem to be explosive-- like they're not going to miss a step from where we left off last year."

It's a tall order for the current Bearcats to follow the last two seasons,  back-to-back BCS bowls had never happened at UC.   Regardless of what happens for Jake Ramsey and those that played in the Orange and Sugar Bowls, they'll always be a part of a couple of magical seasons.

"It's up to them to keep and uphold the tradition, continue to go out and compete in the Big East,"  said Ramsey.

The advice he has for those under Butch Jones now is the same advice he has for himself trying to gain a foothold into the NFL.

"Just come in and be prepared to learn,"  said Ramsey.  "Give excellent effort and just continue to try to learn a new system."

DeTemple has certainly paid his dues serving as Windt's back-up for the last three seasons but feels he's now ready for the added responsibility.

"It's been a long three years," said DeTemple.  "But I've learned a lot from the old coaches and definitely now the new ones.  I'm using this spring to get better and get ready for the upcoming season."

There is no question DeTemple is anxious to prove himself on the field, but being Windt's back-up for three seasons did have its perks.  In addition to receiving some really nice rings, DeTemple also got to travel with the team to every game including trips to Oklahoma, Hawaii, Oregon State and San Diego.

"I've travelled all three years, and it's been a really fun time.  I had to be ready in case Mike got hurt, but I could relax a bit and have fun with my teammates on the sideline and enjoy the atmosphere of the game."

Even though the weather this spring has been very comfortable, DeTemple will always been seen wearing a hand warmer around his waist.  The redshirt sophomore explained why.

"In high school, I'd always use a hand warmer during the colder games and got comfortable with it.  When I came to Cincinnati, I continued to wear one even in the hot weather because I have small hands, and the sweat helped me to grip the ball.  It's a little trick I learned."

Although DeTemple is a good athlete and played a little tight end while at Moeller, he eventually made the decision to concentrate solely on long snapping.

"The senior in front of me (Mike Rummler) at Moeller went on to play at Miami of Ohio so I figured if I really worked at it, I might get a chance to play in college too," said DeTemple.

The plan has worked so far, but DeTemple now wants to take it to the next level because the rewards could be even greater.  If he can win the vacant UC long snapping job (and it appears he has), he will almost certainly earn a scholarship.  And just like his predecessors, there's always the possibility he could get the chance to continue his football career in the NFL either as a draft pick or as a free agent.

Farfsing got a tryout with the Bengals in 2007 while Windt was signed as a free agent by Mike Brown on  Saturday.  But before DeTemple can have these kinds of dreams, there is still plenty of work to be done off the field of play.

"Mike (Windt) is a lot bigger than I am," said DeTemple.  "He's 6' 2" and about 250 pounds.  I'm 6' 2" and about 230 right now.  Last season I was about 215 so I've added about 15 pounds with Coach Lawson (strength and conditioning coach).  He's done a really good job.  I need to gain more weight this summer."

Most NFL long snappers are in the 6' 2" to 6' 3" range and weigh about 250 pounds, but Matt Katula of the Ravens stands 6' 6" and weighs an imposing 272 pounds while David Binn of the Chargers is only 6' 3"/228.  Binn is headed into his seventeen NFL season and made the Pro Bowl as recently as 2007.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that young men who excel at delivering a ball accurately from between their legs might also be considered "characters," and that's the case for these GCL alumni.

Patrick Farfsing was known to do a great imitation of his head coach, Rick Minter, and also allowed the former UC head man to call him by the wrong name throughout his entire career.  It wasn't until the team's banquet ending that career that Farfsing told a confused Minter his real first name.

Mike Windt was also entertaining.  During the first practice of the 2007 summer, the unproven walk-on approached the man responsible for writing the football media guide, Kelby Siler, with a deadpan expression and comment. "Kelby, I noticed I didn't get much space in the media guide."  The other specialists tried to suppress their cackles while Windt stood there with a straight face waiting for an answer that never came.

DeTemple also has an ornery side.  While the UC team is away at Camp Higher Ground, the long snapper tries to break up some of the monotony by performing his impressions of the coaching staff for his teammates.

"I think it's something in my blood," he said.  "You're around these coaches all day every day.  When you are at camp for two weeks, everything is the same for them.  They do the same mannerisms and say the same quotes.  I just pick up on those things.  I guess I'm just very observant."

DeTemple says a Butch Jones imitation (as well as his staff) is already in the works for this August, but preparing his act has become more difficult because the present coaches aren't quite as quirky.

"Absolutely.  You have to be ready for camp when called on, but these guys are harder to imitate because they're more normal.  The other staff had a lot of goofy guys."

That answer begged the question- Who was the goofiest?

"I would say Coach Kelly.  He was easy to imitate because of the way he talked and how he handled himself.  Coach Longo was pretty easy too.  Those two were pretty solid characters.  They were always consistent with their quotes and the way they yelled at a player."

As a long snapper, DeTemple hopes most casual Bearcat football fans never know his name.

"I hope two years from now no one knows who I am.  I don't need fans to cheer for me.  I just want to help the team.  If I do a perfect job, no one will ever wonder who No. 96 is."

When Butch Jones called this a "water-down" scrimmage, he wasn't kidding.  The water gradually picked up to a mini-monsoon at the end.  With as many spring injuries as the team had, he wisely chose not to have his players slip and slide any longer.

Still, the fans that toughed it out and the players appeared to have a good time and the format of #1 offense vs. #2 defense and #2 offense vs. #1 defense worked out and made for a fairly even game.

Several players stood out, but if I had to pick a "Star of the Game", I'd have to go with D.J. Woods.

The junior had six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, plus had the play of the night when he fired the ball some 60 yards to Vidal Hazelton who was stopped short of the goal line at the four.

"I told Zach (Collaros) he better watch his spot, I might take it," joked Woods afterward.  "It was a great overall play.  I saw Vidal, he was wide open and I knew if I just threw it up there he'd get it."

Woods also clearly looked like the veteran receiver on the field with Armon Binns sitting out injured.    He ran precision routes and big yards once the ball was in his hands.

"Me, I know my role as a slot, you know," said Woods.  "Vidal knows his role, KT (Kenbrell Thompkins) knows his role.  Everybody here is doing his part to make the team better."

With Zach Collaros and this pack of receivers, it's hard to imagine this offense getting anything but better.   Collaros was just what you would expect based on his track record from last year, 18-20 for 218 yards and a pair of touchdowns (to Thompkins and Woods).   Factor in, what Collaros might be able to do scrambling about in a real game and that amounts to a lot of possible yards in total offense.

LIST OF RECRUITS THAT VISITED FOR BEARCAT BOWL

Other numbers of note include Vidal Hazelton with 83 yards receiving on four catches.  After a year of playing "scout team", the transfer from USC seemed happy to be a contributing Bearcat.  He also has a little of the "swagger" that Mardy Gilyard brought to his game on and off the field.

"I can confidently say yes," said Hazelton when asked if UC has the best receiving corps in the college ranks.  "No doubt about it.  No other comments.  I think we're the best receiving group in the nation."

On the #2 offense, Chazz Anderson was 5-10 for 61 yards with the touchdown to Lynell Payne.   And, in the running game for the #1s, Darrin Williams rushed 12 times for 64 yards and a score, while Quentin Hines had 52 yards on nine lugs for the #2s.  Isaiah Pead did not play due to a knee bruise suffered in the final spring practice on Thursday.

Defensively, it was as you might expect.  The #2 defense couldn't stop the #1 offense, while the #1 defense more often than not stopped the #2 offense.  Afterward, some of the starting defenders kind of wished they could have played the offensive starters, believing the results may have been different.

"Yeah, I think so," said Dominique Battle.  "We've got'em the past three scrimmages, but they came through.  I'll give'em that."

Of course, not being able to pursue the quarterback as they would in a real game takes some things away from the defense.  Plus, some of the practice scrimmages I saw were more intense than this game.

"Yeah, coming off the edge you don't want to come in there too hot and knock the quarterback out,"  said Walter Stewart who may do just that to the opposition this fall.  "It was tough, but they got us."

Stewart was particularly complimentary of D.J. Woods and you can hear in his voice the "in-house" competition that makes these guys better over time.

"Man D.J., we've been trying to get a hold of this dude all spring," said Stewart in the post-game rain.  "He's been doing this all spring.  We've got to shut him down at camp (in August)."

If you're setting your countdown clock for preseason practice, it's just about three months and change away.   In the meantime, strides were made in strength and conditioning in just a few short months after the Sugar Bowl and there's no reason to think there wouldn't be more progress made by August.

"Oh yeah, definitely," said Walter Stewart.  ""We're about to hit the weight room again.  Now that we've got a better understanding of the defense.  We're ready for camp to come along."

You've got to love a player aching for fall camp mere minutes after spring ball has ended.  It's tough to measure hunger and desire, but there certainly appears to be a surplus of it in these Bearcats.

In all honesty, the "lack of privacy" is one of the reasons somewhat secretive coaches desire private practice facilities like the one being constructed on Jefferson Avenue.

However, these weren't your average hecklers.   They were noisy and specifically knew the players and numbers their verbal jabs were directed to.   Fortunately, Coach Butch Jones knows he couldn't do much to them.  In his regime, these guys are family.

Not that Butch Jones his welcoming any loudmouth in a pair of pants with a bullhorn.  It's just these late practice harassers were former players Tony Pike and Craig Carey.  They're probably fortunate that it was a Butch Jones practice since "the Irish predecessor" might have taken umbrage with being upstaged on his own field.

Instead, it was good-natured heckling that Pike and Carey were involved in as both hope to attract some NFL attention later in the week.  Seeing as Tony Pike might feel lonely without another reporter asking him about his draft plans, I approached the Orange Bowl/Sugar Bowl/practice interrupter with such a query.

"It's hard with the draft being three days now," said Pike.  "You know, they split the rounds up and you can go high or low.  So, it's kind of hard.  I think maybe golfing Thursday and Friday and I think we'll have a little family get together on Saturday.  Just trying to stay busy and stay from being in front of the TV all day."

Then again, Pike could always pack in the Reading clan in the family RV that made it's way on many a road trip during Tony's playing days.   That "urban assault vehicle" is equipped with all of the modern conveniences and probably has a satellite to pick up draft coverage from any network.

"Might as well," said Pike.  "Just start driving."

It seems the goal for Tony Pike is distraction.   Where the draft used to be a Saturday-Sunday affair, now it's Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  So, depending on where you land, an athlete could be in line for three sleepless nights.

In Daytona, that might be fun.  In Cincinnati, it can wear on you.  Unfortunately, the NFL personnel folks don't give you a day and a time range like the plumber or the cable company does.

"Yeah, that would be a lot easier, but it's a nice three-day event so I'm sure the stress will be up there," said Pike.

You can understand, if you're Tony Pike.  If this is three years ago, Tony Pike is waiting on a free agent call like his friend, Craig Carey.  Or, he's watching the draft at Buffalo Wild Wings or any other venue with multiple TVs, cold beverages and nachos like the rest of us.

Perhaps his first phone call should go to Dustin Grutza.  In the "from adversity comes opportunity"/Wally Pipp world of sports, if Grutza doesn't break a leg at Oklahoma in 2008, Tony Pike might not have had an opportunity to prove himself.  Instead, in one of life's strange twists, Pike took over and later overcame his own injuries to lead UC to it's first ever BCS bowls.

Now, somewhere in every NFL "war room", there's information on Tony Pike.

"From just everything with the Combine, I've talked to every team," said Pike.  "I've had workouts with probably 10 or 11 teams.  I actually have one with Cleveland today.  I'm staying busy up until the draft, so I'll have the day off (then)."

Pike with the Browns would be odd, especially for a native like Tony who grew up a Bengals fan is certainly not opposed (much like Mardy Gilyard) to playing at Paul Brown Stadium.   As it is now, his college exposure has made him a recognizable figure by many in town.

"It's nice," admitted Pike.  "I've grown up in the city, I love the city. To be able to help out and sign some autographs out at dinner, it's nice.  It's nice to be recognized and then being a part at what happened here at Cincinnati the last two years is definitely a nice thing."

Thanks to Pike's efforts and a style of offense that's entertaining and effective, UC football is a national program.   Recruits from USC and Tennessee have left to transfer here.  Coaches have come and gone and styles have come and gone, and the program continues to improve.  Not surprisingly, Pike is a fan of new Coach Butch Jones and his offensive philosophy.

"Just watching a little bit today, I got to see some-obviously, the practice speed is a lot faster," said Pike.  "The way he cares about his players, the relationship he has with his players on and off the field-the players respect him on the field.  From what I've heard off the field, he's a great guy to be around."

Come Saturday night, Tony Pike hopes to watch more Bearcat football as Bearcat Bowl IV takes place at 7 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.  By then, he hopes to have a professional destination and he will have come a long way from being "that lanky dude holding the clipboard" looking for reps of his own in a spring game.

Yeah, hope to," said Pike of his weekend plans.  "It'll probably depend on whether anything's happened yet or not.  I hope to get down here and watch the guys."

As we all watch, we can wonder what Bearcats in the coming years will hear their name announced on ESPN's draft show.  There certainly are many more to come.

Coach Banks answers questions from BearcatLair.com's Tim Adams

"Depth is our big concern right now.  We still don't have a couple kids, but with our package in particular on the edges, the more guys we have there the better.  Generating some pass rush is going to be key for us.  We just felt that if we could give some guys some shots there, it might make us better."

Derek Wolfe and John Hughes give Banks' an impressive pair of starters at defensive tackle, but with Jordan Stepp again battling nagging injuries this spring and Brandon Mills playing defensive end, depth is a concern for Coach Banks.

"Truth be told, we'd take you right now if we could get you," joked Banks.  "We're a little thin there to say the least.  Obviously, we have some incoming freshmen that will be here in the fall so we're trying to hold on and keep everybody healthy.  Our younger guys are working hard and learning the system."

Although developing depth will be a priority across the front, Banks also can turn to some talented veterans in Walt Stewart, Dan Giordano, Brandon Mills and Rob Trigg.  All have logged some substantial minutes in their UC careers.

"The issue with Walter Stewart was we didn't know where to play him," said Coach Banks.  "He can play outside linebacker or rush end for us.  Right now we're thinking we'll develop his game more from the pass rushing standpoint, but we're still not going to close the window for him to play some linebacker.  We probably won't know exactly what we want to do with him until the fall, but for now, we're going to let him put his hand on the ground."

Like with the other front line positions, the Bearcats have a couple of impressive linebackers in JK Schaeffer and Dorian Davis, but beyond those two, developing depth will again be the theme for Banks.

"That's the common theme, isn't it?  We've got some young guys that I like.  I like Maalik (Bomar); he's coming along.  He's not quite as big as we want him to be, but I think he has some pop and some snap in his hips.  I think his best football is ahead of him."

Depth may be an issue for the Cincinnati front seven, but there appears to be plenty of talent at cornerback, although it is still young.

"I think they are making strides," said Coach Banks.  "Reuben Johnson is having an outstanding spring right now.  He's been very aggressive and is a play maker.  Battle has been very steady, and Camerron Cheatham has had some good days.  We think as we get a little more consistent at that spot, we think we have a bright future there."

Coach Banks was asked about the progress of true freshman Adrian Witty.  "He's learning.  The thing I like about Witty is he's a competitor.  We had a tackling drill today, and if those other kids didn't know who he was yesterday, they do today.  He's made it known that he wants to contribute."

At the safety positions, Banks can lean on Drew Frey, but he needs to replace Aaron Webster.  Wes Richardson, Patrick Lambert, Quincy Quetant and Will Saddler are looking to earn more playing time in 2010.  Coach Banks talked about some of his safeties.

"Pat (Lambert) is coming along.  He's a kid that I think has a wealth of talent and athleticism.  He has to find a way to put it together.  He's taking baby steps, but he's coming."

"I'm very pleased with Wes Richardson.  He's been very physical and consistent.  I'm very pleased with him."

"I think Drew Frey still has some plays he could really improve on and become more consistent.  But we saw what he brought to the table last year.  We're really hoping he will sharpen his game as we continue through spring."

"We like what Will Saddler is bringing to the table with his size and range as he gets more comfortable with the system.  We think he has a bright future."

Stopping the run is generally the motto of defensive coordinators, but Coach Banks that might not always be the case with his group.

"Any good defensive coordinator will tell you that you need to dictate the terms.  Usually that starts with taking something away, and the natural thought process is usually starting with the run game.  But we want to take away what they do best."

Banks also said Bearcat fans can expect to see both a three man and a four man front during the year.

"We'll be multiple.  A lot of people have made a lot of that.  I've probably played as much three man front as four man front in the places I've been.  But for what these guys are best suited for, I think we'll play more four man."

Donovan Clark

The 6' 4"/285 pound Clark had certainly been showing plenty of interest in the Bearcats as he estimates this was his fifth unofficial visit in this last six months.  In the past, he has attended UC games, Junior Days and practices.  But before he would receive a verbal scholarship offer from Jones, the new UC head man wanted to have some fun at Clark's expense.  However, it would be Jones himself that would get literally swept off his feet.

"After Coach Jones got done with all his interviews after practice, he messed with me a little bit," said Clark.  "He turned to me and said, 'Thanks for coming,' and walked away.  Then he turned around and smiled at me."

"I said, 'Coach Jones quit messing around,' and I picked him up and held him in the air a little bit, and he started laughing.  That's when he said I had a scholarship offer to the University of Cincinnati."

Clark's other offers are from Ball State, Buffalo, Duke, Indiana, Kent State, Louisville, Miami of Ohio, Minnesota, Ohio University, Syracuse and West Virginia.

Although Clark was clearly excited to receive the UC offer, he isn't ready to end his recruitment.

"I want to keep my options open.  I'm pretty sure I'll be getting more offers, and I'll probably take visits to West Virginia, Ohio State, Indiana and Illinois.  I don't have any favorites.  I'm trying to look at them all as the same and figure out which one is best."  He has already taken other unofficial visits to Pittsburgh, Indiana and Kentucky.

More and more players like to make their verbal commitment in the summer.  It allows them to concentrate on their high school seasons and serves as a sort of insurance policy if they were to get injured during the year, but Clark's tentative plan is to wait until well into the season to make his decision.

"I think I might not make a decision until the late fall."

Clark plays on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football at Finneytown, but he believes the Bearcats are recruiting him for offense.

"They are looking at me for the offensive line because their offensive line coach (Don Mahoney) loves me.  He said he loved my highlight film."

Clark is the third local offensive lineman to receive a Bearcat offer.  The others are Ryan Kelly of Lakota West and Justin Murray from Sycamore.

D'Angelo Roberts

"I liked it," he said.  "I saw a lot of competition, and it was very up-tempo.  If I was to go there, I feel I would get better every day in practice because everybody was working."

Roberts is no stranger to hard work.  Last season, the junior toted the pigskin 380 times picking up 2,604 yards along with 32 touchdowns in twelve games.  For the mathematically challenged, that is a whopping 31.6 carries a game.

In a first round 5A state playoff game against Decatur Central last season, the junior carried the football an astounding 54 times gaining 329 yards.  He scored six times in the 50-49 Cougar win.  To prove it was no fluke, Roberts rushed for 421 yards (35 carries) and five scores the following week in a 49-42 victory over Whiteland High School.  The only school to hold him under 170 yards all season was the state runner-up Center Grove Trojans.

In addition to the Cincinnati offer that came on March 22, Roberts said he also holds offers from Michigan State, Indiana, Ball State and Western Kentucky.

Since Roberts lives in Bloomington, some might think the Hoosiers have the inside track at landing him, but that might not be true.  Roberts has lived in Indiana for only a short time.

"I'm pretty familiar with the (Indiana) coaching staff," said Roberts.  "But I haven't been to as many practices as you might think because I just moved here two years ago.  I'm not from Bloomington; I'm from Chicago."

The speedster (4.3 forty speed) obviously loves having the football in his hands and said he wants to attend a school that offers him the opportunity to earn early playing time.

"When I go to college, I want to start early.  I want a chance to work my way to where I want to be."

Since the Bearcats haven't signed a running back in two years, Cincinnati might be an attractive destination, and Roberts understands that's a selling point in UC's favor.

"I know it could be a good situation for me since I want to get on the field early.  I don't want to go somewhere where the running back gets only 10 or 11 carries a game.  I want to get the ball 18 to 20 times, somewhere in that number."

Roberts said he is no hurry to make his college decision.

"I don't want to wait until signing day, but I am going to take my time.  I'll probably make my decision around the first game of the season."

After not playing football as a freshman due to the move to Indiana, Roberts showed his toughness as a sophomore.

"I tore my meniscus in the first varsity game but still played the entire year and rushed for 1,400 yards."

Although no decision is pending, Cincinnati definitely made a positive impression on Roberts.

"I liked it down there so I'm going to visit again," said Roberts.  "If I'm not, I'm calling Coach Elder or Coach Stripling every week."

Roberts looks as if grades won't be a hindrance in his recruitment since he reports having a 2.9 GPA.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF ROBERTS IN ACTION

With MAC offers from Western Michigan and Central Michigan as his other bonafide options, the Michigan speedster almost immediately accepted the opportunity to become a Bearcat.  And almost three years later, Cheatham is competing for a starting spot at cornerback.

But don't think this Kalamazoo kid's two year ascension from redshirt freshman to No. 1 on the depth chart was easy.  Because it wasn't.

Despite what the Cincinnati media guide says, Cheatham had never played defensive back until his first day of summer camp in 2008.  He came to Clifton expecting to be a running back, and when he was told his future was on the defensive side of the football, he was confused and depressed.  And it showed in his effort.

"You got it down all the way," said Cheatham.  "I was depressed because I had never played defense before, and here I am with all these great athletes.  I didn't feel I was fitting in, but Coach Coombs made me feel so at home.  He really helped me out.  This has really been a testament to him."

After spending a redshirt season where he often looked like he was just going through the motions, Cheatham's career really started to take flight after spending a summer in the UC weight room.  He went from 165 to 187 pounds.  It also helped that he was starting to understand the nuances of playing the cornerback position and developing the confidence cornerbacks desperately need.

When it was suggested that he still isn't a particularly big guy, the personable Cheatham laughed and said, "I like to say I'm 6' because when someone asks me how tall I am, I like to tell them how tall I play."

Although Cheatham is currently listed No. 1 at the field cornerback position, there appears to be a very fine line separating him from his closest competitor, Reuben Johnson.  But Cheatham balked at the idea that he and Johnson are involved in anything even remotely resembling a position battle.

"I wouldn't even say it's a battle," said Cheatham.  "We're both trying to make each other better.  He's like my brother.  You would never know we were competing at the same position because he helps me out, and I help him out.  He's a great player, a great athlete and I love him to death."

That close relationship is needed since Cheatham and Johnson often play alongside each other when the Bearcats use their nickel package.

Cheatham is only one part of what could very well be the best and deepest collection of young cornerbacks the UC football program has ever enjoyed.

"We're good enough to play now, and we're only going to keep getting better," said Cheatham.  "We're going to be a problem for our opponents in these next few years."

These young corners also benefit from practicing against a collection of wide receivers that could be the best group in the country.

"We go against everything in practice.  We have big receivers.  We have fast receivers.  We have in-between receivers.  We go against great receivers all the time so in games we won't see anybody any better.  That's a great advantage for us, and I don't think any other team can say that.  Our receiving corps from top to bottom is the best."

Even though blocking drills between the defensive backs and the receivers can get very intense, Cheatham likes how the sessions end.

"Those drills have to get feisty because we can't let receivers block us.  But we still all love each other, and what I like about it is we go shake hands afterward so there's all love."

When asked to tell Bearcat football fans something they wouldn't know about him, Cheatham replied, "Cam Cheatham loves shoes.  I love any kind of shoes.  I probably have about forty pairs."

A big grin shot across his face, and he laughingly said, "My parents made me like this."

Those parents also produced a very talented cornerback that Bearcat football fans will enjoy watching for the next three seasons.

Bajakian, who played quarterback at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, talked about his top two quarterbacks- Zach Collaros and Chazz Anderson.

"I see guys that are very competitive and very conscientious," said Bajakian.  "They work hard and are always in the video room and trying to get better.  I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with them."

Since neither signal caller is particularly tall (Collaros at 5' 11" and Anderson at 6'), they need to find throwing lanes in order to deliver the ball to their receivers. But Bajakian also tries to help them with his offensive schemes.

"Finding throwing lanes is important for them, but we also try to mix it up schematically to play to their strengths.  I have a pretty good idea what their strengths are, and that is part of what the process of the spring is.  Both are very athletic and can do a lot of things in the run game in addition to being able to throw.  Both throw well on the run and have a good feel for the pocket along with the ability to escape it when needed."

The new UC offensive coordinator has plenty of play makers at wide receiver, and he's trying to determine which are the best of the bunch.

"Our philosophy is always going to be to put the ball in the hands of the play makers and to make the defense defend all our skill players.  We're going to play our best eleven guys, and it's open competition right now.  It could mean we will use some four wide receiver sets out of a tight end personnel formation.  We just need to find the right combinations of what will work best for our offensive personnel."

All Bearcat fans are very familiar with Ben Guidugli at tight end, but a name they might start hearing more and more is that of redshirt freshman Blake Annen.

"I agree.  Blake has had a great spring so far," said Bajakian.  "He runs very well for a guy his size, and he's only going to get stronger and stronger.  I'm excited about his future for sure."

Bajakian also has to be excited about the return of three starters along his offensive front, two (Jason Kelce and Alex Hoffman) were named 2^nd team All-Big East last season.  These big men could also be the key to the Bearcats running the football more in 2010.

"I think it's critical to make the defense defend the run and get the ball into the hands of the play makers.  Our running backs are play makers so whether it's throwing them screens, getting them involved in the run game or getting them in empty formations and throwing them the football, those guys will be heavily involved.  We're going to have a hard edge and be tough."

One of the key replacements on the offensive line is C. J. Cobb at right tackle.  Although he will be a fifth year senior in 2010, he has only one career start and that was at right guard, not at tackle.  But Bajakian is still very confident the group will meet the challenges that lie ahead.

"As is typical of offensive lines, they have a great mentality.  Jason Kelce is the leader of the group as is Alex Hoffman.  C. J. Cobb has done a great job getting into shape.  His body looks different.  He's shed a lot of weight, and he looks more athletic and mobile.  I'm happy with that group right now."

Importance of "Competition Saturday"....

"Well, I think the big thing is we're creating an identity for next year and the identity of the 2010 Bearcats. There's so much being thrown at them right now from new terminology, a new system, procedure on offense and defense and then a way of practicing. Everything's going extremely fast.  Today, we were a little bit slower than we'd like to be.  Every practice is critical and we're taking strides each and every day.  I thought we took some baby steps today.  As we continue to go on through spring football, practices become of the utmost importance.  We've got to come out here Tuesday and really, really hone in on our fundamentals and continue to improve."

What identity are you looking for?

"The identity is a team that's going to place fast, going to be very sound fundamentally-a great tackling football team, a team that plays with passion, a team that takes care of the football, takes away the football on defense and executes.  Right now, there's so many things going through their minds.  We use the phrase, 'You can't let the mind tie the feet up,' today our feet were tied up a little bit.  Just the mentality of playing through the whistle, great effort-every football play takes about four to six seconds-we tell them on every football play you've got to play for six seconds and give three great efforts.  That's a mindset in everything that we do."

Difference in old offense and new?

"I think with any change offensively, it's a process.   There's little nuances to each offensive system.  A lot of it may be procedurally in terminology, but a lot of the plays are the same.  It's new terminology, it's new lingo, it's new tempo, you know all those things that are associated.  As coaches, we're extremely demanding and sometimes not very patient.  You know, we've been through five practices and I think we've got to keep that in perspective as we push on.  We've thrown a lot at these young men and I think they've handled it extremely well so far."

Is Zach Collaros perfectly suited for what you do?

"No question.  Sometimes when you're doing situations and the quarterback's not 'live', that takes away some of him running around, making a play, ad-libbing a little bit, keeping a play alive with his feet.  Right now, we're focusing in on the fundamentals of running the offense, understanding how to manage an offense, manage a football game, manage situations.  When we go 'live', and we'll go 'live' a few times this spring, you'll be able to see his ability to make a play."

Based on what you saw on tape, has Zach been that type of (playmaking) quarterback this spring?

"I think today showed me a little bit of his ability to extend a play, keep a play going.  He showed me a little bit today and I'm excited at the progress he's making.  I think we see progress being made each and every day here."

Is he the starter?

"He's becoming close, but I like what Chazz (Anderson) is doing as well.  Chazz is pushing him each and every day.  We'll make a decision right after the end of spring practice.  I really like the progress he's making and I think Chazz has done some good things as well."

Is he the frontrunner?

"I wouldn't say that at this point in time.  We've had to step back with the installation of our offense and this week we're going to throw a lot more in there.  We talk about having 'functional intelligence' and being able to take the meetings to the field and the drills to the game.  Next week's going to be a very big week in the evolution of our football team."

Has he done anything to lessen your opinion of him?

"No.  Absolutely not."

On the tragic death off St. Xavier offensive lineman Matt James,  recruited by UC who eventually signed with Brian Kelly and Notre Dame. Did their paths cross?

"Well, they have. What a respectful young man. I called him when he made his decision to go to Notre Dame and I told him how much I believed in him and what a great person he was-great family. In the end, we gave our respects to the James family and to Matt. My condolences to his family, our prayers are with them, our thoughts are with them and we wish nothing but the best. It's a very tragic incident and our hearts

Recruiting

Here are some of the prospects watching today's action.

Recruits holding Cincinnati offers included:

Jarrett Grace (LB) from Colerain

Tyler Williams (RB) from Colerain

Jesse Hayes (DL) from Moeller

D'Angelo Roberts (RB) Bloomington North, IN.

Others in attendance:

DeMarco Hunter (OL/DL) from Finneytown (Soph.)

Mike Simpson (CB) from Chaminade-Julienne (Soph.)

Darian Reynolds (DB/WR) Chaminade-Julienne (Soph.)

Darrien Howard (LB/TE) Chaminade-Julienne (Frosh)

Lavell Peterson (OL) Wayne (Frosh)

Armani Miller (WR) Wayne (Soph.)

Trey Thomas (S) Wayne (Jr.)

Teven Williams (LB) Wayne (JR.)

Tre' Moore (S) Wayne )Jr.)

Anthone' Taylor (RB) Wayne (Jr.)

Hunter Maynard (DL) Bishop Watterson (Jr.)

Joe Bolden (LB) Colerain (Soph.)

Trae Clark (DL) Colerain (Soph.)

Joshua Perry (LB) Olentangy (Soph.)

2010 signeees Anthony McClung and Dyjuan Lewis also were on hand today.

Coach Jones had a group picture taken of the UC squad and the recruits and their families.

Practice Drills

Dan Giordano had the honor of addressing the team inside the circle at the beginning of practice.

We again saw the three tiered Oklahoma drill.  Here are a few of the highlights.

• Randy Martinez handled Mike Hilty.
• Sean Hooey got the better of Sean McClellan. Wes Richardson missed tackle.
• Sean Hooey over DeMarkus Bracy. Maalik Bomar missed tackle.
• Adam Dempsey good job not sure of opponent.
• Collin McCafferty tackle.
• Randy Martinez over Brady Slusher with Romel Dismuke making tackle and forcing fumble.

I saw just a little of the Rb versus LB pass blitz/block drill.

• Walt Stewart bulldozed Jared Rains
• Austin Cook went wide against Quentin Hines
• Darren Williams did a good job against Dorian Davis.

In the 1-on-1 drill.

• Reuben Johnson intercepted a ball tipped by Kenbrell Thompkins.
• Chris Williams good defense Orion Woodard.
• Armon Binns with excellent catch despite great coverage from Dominique Battle.  Excellent throw by Chazz Anderson.
• Romel Dismuke fine coverage against Thompkins.

I thought Romel Dismuke had his best practice as a Bearcat today.

There are a lot of guys nicked up and sitting out parts or all of practice.  The group includes Jamar Howard, Jordan Stepp, Randy Martinez, George Winn, Travis Kelce and Armon Binns.  I am missing a few.

Team Drill

The action was touch off.

• Dan Giordano get touch behind line of scrimmage on Isaiah Pead.
• Zach Collaros to Pead for +12.
• Collaros to Guidugli +10.
• Dorian Davis makes contact behind LOS.
• Chazz Anderson to Bones +10.
• Anderson to Hines +4 (Reuben Johnson)
• Anderson to Rains incomplete.
• Anderson to Bones +15.

Live Action

Tacklers and defenders are in parentheses.

• Pead breaks tackle +7 (Battle)
• Collaros to Binns +13 (battle)
• Collaros sack (Stewart/Wolfe)
• Collaros to Guidugli +7
• Quentin Hines picks his way for +5
• Anderson zips a pass to Hines +5 (Bomar)
• Anderson gets picked off by Chris Williams.
• Anderson to Thompkins +7.

Tagging Off

• Collaros to Woods +5
• Collaros scramble +10
• Collaros to Goebel drop
• Collaros to Hazelton incomplete (Battle great coverage)
• Anderson to Bones +4
• Anderson to Hines incomplete
• Anderson scrambles out of bounds +0

Return to Live Action

• Collaros to Bones incomplete.  Bones throws football in disgust and gets taken out immediately
• Collaros to Pead short gain
• Collaros to Hazelton +15 (Battle)
• Goebel run +7 (Giordano)
• Collaros run +0
• Collaros to Bones +3 (huge hit by R. Johnson)
• Collaros to Binns deep TD (Johnson on coverage)
• Anderson sack by Trigg
• Anderson incomplete
• Pead run +4
• Collaros to Hazelton incomplete (Johnson excellent coverage)
• Collaros to Thompkins +4
• Collaros to Thompkins +7 (Richardson)
• Collaros overthrows Hazelton
• Collaros to Bones +4 (Wolfe)
• Goebel run +1
• Collaros throws ball away
• Collaros incomplete to Guidugli (Stewart gets hand on pass)
• Anderson to Tomaz Hilton incomplete (Quetant defending)
• Pead run +1 (Battle, Davis and Stewart)
• Collaros to Bones +19 (Richardson big hit)
• Goebel run +0 (Stewart)
• Collaros +1 over top for TD
• Anderson to Rains +4 (McClellan)
• Anderson to Woodard +7 (Dismuke)
• Colin Lozier +3 (Bomar)
• Lozier +5
• Rains +0 (Bomar)
• Rains +1 (Bomar)
• Lozier +1 (Slusher)
• Anderson to Blake Annen +7 (big stop preventing TD by Will Saddler and Bruce Horner)
• Anderson to Woodard (broken up by Horner)
• Hines +1 run for TD
• Collaros to Thompkins +17 for TD
• Anderson throws ball away after bad snap
• Hines +3
• Anderson to Rains incomplete
• Rogers 32 yard EG
• Collaros to Hazelton well overthrown
• Anderson to Hilton well overthrown

-Walt Stewart really was disruptive at DE as the UC defense used a lot of nickel.

-Maalik Bomar was extremely active at LB.

Evan Davis

Nick and Evan were very similar in size as high school seniors.  Both brothers stood 6' 3", but Nick quickly added weight while at Bowling Green and played on the defensive line at about 285 pounds.  The same weight that Evan is now, but getting to that more appropriate weight wasn't an easy task for the Davis boys.

"Last year after having mono and having my tonsils taken out, I was down to about 230 pounds," said Davis.  "Now that my brother is done playing, he's down to about 200 pounds.  We just switched clothes.  I have his clothes, and he has mine."

Gaining the necessary weight and improving as a player takes dedication, and Davis showed very early in his UC career that he was not afraid to put in the extra work.

As a true freshman at Camp Higher Ground, the squad had just finished the first of two practices in the blazing sun, but no sooner had the quarterbacks taken off their gear, Davis was like a playful puppy that needed more action.  He was pleading with the quarterbacks to allow him to make more shotgun snaps.  (Davis played center only one year at Colerain).  A reluctant Zach Collaros shrugged his shoulders and eventually left his seat to help Davis do the extra work.

As a true freshman, Davis played in only four games but appeared mostly in mop-up duty.  Last season wasn't much better as he appeared in six games as Chris Jurek's back-up.  Does he regret not being redshirted?

"You have to look at the other side of it too.  I didn't redshirt, but I was also travelling so I got a feel for playing in some big games.  People don't think about it, but we played at Oklahoma in front of that big crowd which was a great learning experience."

Davis has some big shoes to fill in 2010.  Chris Jurek started 35 games at center for the Bearcats and was named 1^st team All-Big East last season.  Davis is glad he had the chance to learn from the veteran.

"He's been a big help and a great role model to follow.  I'm a little taller than he is, but he's a little bigger.  I'm nervous about filling his shoes, but I'm not worried."

Even with a brother at Bowling Green, Davis knew he wanted to be a Bearcat and wasted very little time verbally committing to UC once he received the offer.

"I was the first player to commit to UC and did it during my junior year.  Coach Coombs had faith in me because he had seen me play in high school, and he knew I'd do whatever it took to play here.  I just have to keep going so I earn that starting spot this year."

Year in and year out, the offensive linemen are usually one of the closest groups on the team.  It sounds as if that will again be the case in 2010.

"The offensive line is real close.  It's a brotherhood.  We're just really close knit.  Zach Collaros is living with some of the offensive linemen now, and I'm living in a dorm.  I think Zach might be moving out, and I'll be taking his spot."

Next year the plan is for Jason Kelce, Alex Hoffman, Craig Parmenter, Evan Davis and Derek Wolfe to all live together.  How did Wolfe get into this select group?

"Wolfe will be the only d-lineman in the house," laughed Davis.  "He lives on a farm so he says he'll bring a lot of steaks, and I like to grill so we'll be doing a lot of grillouts."

Coach Jones seems as if he'll want to put more emphasis on the running game in 2010, and if that materializes, it's just fine with Davis and his cohorts.

"That will bring something new to the table, and we're all excited to run the ball more and change things up a bit."

If you're Butch Jones and UC, apparently all you can find.   If you're at practice you watch talented guys in drills and you wonder whether or how they'll see the field.

Vidal Hazelton

Oh yeah, remember him?

Well, maybe not.  He hasn't played yet (unless you were at spring ball last year).

Hazelton comes from USC and played for then-coach Pete Carroll.  He was a Trojan.  He caught over 50 balls one year.  He was interviewed by California co-eds.

That is why, even though he technically is not from California, I consider him part of UC's "West Coast Offense".   Thompkins played at El Camino, Hazelton at USC, Binns is from Pasadena, let's roll with it!

"I think we've got one of the best receiver groups in the nation," said Hazelton of his UC 'mates.   "We've just got to continue to work hard and we'll be alright."

Hazelton sat out last season as a transfer, now many expect him to step into Mardy Gilyard's shoes.  Like Gilyard, Hazelton will have an opportunity to return punts and kicks as well as catch the ball.

"I don't want to compare him to Mardy because Mardy's done so many great things here and it's practice #4,"  said a hesitant Butch Jones when asked about inserting Hazelton for Gilyard.   " I will tell you this,  Vidal has great, great skills.  We've just got to develop them.  It's extremely difficult, even though he practiced last year, it's extremely difficult to sit out a year and to come out and just pick up right away.  He's very smooth, he gets in and out of breaks, he can run and he's got very good ball skills."

Brian Kelly marveled over Hazelton's ball skills and there's a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab on YouTube that he made as a Trojan that'll make you salivate.  Jones sees many marketable skills in Hazelton but is looking to refine him into his particular brand of quick offense.

Thus far, Hazelton is all ears.

"I see an eagerness," said Jones of yet another target to score with.   "Very hungry. Passionate about football.  Does his due diligence. Studies a lot of film. Right now, he's going through that transition of learning the offense, working on technique and the "not being in the huddle"--having to digest it.  Everything's happening very, very fast for him.  I'm excited about him."

From that quote, you would wonder how Hazelton could still be learning.  Remember, even though he practiced, he didn't play and he's going from USC offense to Brian Kelly to Bearcat Spread 2.0 with Butch Jones.

"I think a lot of times when you sit out a year, it's a growth process, it's a maturation process," said Jones.   "I'll be honest with you; I'd like to think we pay attention more to the fine details and the technical aspects as anyone in the country.  That's just our program.  We're going to own fundamentals and we're very particular in everything we ask our players."

Like any successful offense, one thing that Jones and company ask of their receivers is to make a block downfield, or up field.  Just hit somebody!

So far, these practices are more physical than Brian Kelly's.  Watching a receiver vs. defensive back drill, some guys that you wouldn't expect, enjoy a little "smackdown".  "Bones" Barnett has always hit harder than he looked.  Armon Binns has added 10 pounds of noticeable muscle.  And, our man Hazelton challenged Quincy Quetant to a rematch the other day after Quetant opined, "Is that all you got?  You ain't much!"

"Yeah, we get competitive with the DBs, man," said a grinning Hazelton.   "There is a lot of trash talking going on in the locker room, so when we get on the field it's just real competitive.  Blocking, catching, everything.  It's just competitive; we just make each other better."

While Hazelton obviously would rather catch the loaf for six, he admitted a certain peculiar affinity for knocking a defender's socks off.

"It's almost even, you know," he said about the knockdown/touchdown comparison.  "You know when you make a big catch you get hyped.  Then, when you make a block and you see the running back get a big play you kind of feel responsible for his play too.  It kind of evens itself out."

So, how many of these guys can play?

Based on early returns, I'd say quite a few.   With the rapid pace of this offense, you could see multiple receiver sets or perhaps even "line changes".

"I think five to six," said Hazelton when asked how many guys could play.  "It's the no-huddle offense so receivers get tired.  It's always rotating and stuff like that.  It's the unique thing about this offense.  A lot of people can touch the ball."

The more people touch the ball, the more likelihood the offense is gaining positive yards and the more exciting the product is.  The more exciting the product is, the more notoriety it gains and the more people here about recruits and players coming to Cincinnati, like Hazelton.

"That's where it's at," said Hazelton of UC's continuing upward swing.  "A lot of people think it's just a lot of passing.  But, the running backs, if you look at the stat sheet, the running backs get a lot of carries too.  You really don't notice.  It's a spread offense and a lot of people touch the ball and that's what's unique about it."

For a wad of cash, you can have your name on it.  Just look up Andy Hurley and you can see your name in lights for the next 15 years or so (or however the contract is negotiated).

While the facility will be eventually used by women's lacrosse and some other community functions, its primary use is to give the UC football team their own practice facilities.  I was told that pretty much everyone has such facilities with the exception of Marshall and Miami (OH).  It may appear to be a case of "keeping up with the Jones'.  Actually, it's about keeping Jones here (as it would've been with that fellow that left for South Bend).

Butch Jones fully knew what was on the menu here and it definitely was a factor in him signing on with UC (contractual details in Tuesday's Enquirer).

"I knew a lot about it and it was obviously a great draw,"  said Jones.  "It just illustrates the commitment this great university has to collegiate athletics and the total development of the student-athlete."

You can say what you want about Brian Kelly (and many have) but he did leave Butch Jones with a well-oiled late model "vehicle" so to speak.   He was also instrumental in getting this new "garage" built.

"Anytime you can go into a controlled environment, especially in the offseason and be able to work on your timing (is good),"  Jones said Tuesday. "So much of football is timing."

Jones' timing couldn't be better.

"No question,"  said Jones.  "You always look at how you can develop your football team.  Can you take each person and develop them to their fullest.  This is going to be another great tool for us-to be able to provide the best a student-athlete could ever want."

So, perhaps we'll call it "The Tool Shed"?  Personally, I like the "Butch Bubble".

Among those speaking at the groundbreaking was a UC football player with great perspective.  Chazz Anderson as a junior should get a couple years use of the new fields.  Certainly, we all know Chazz can play football (quarterbacked the team to a couple wins in 2008 when Tony Pike was hurt).

What many didn't know (and found out) was what a poised speaker he is in a formal setting.

Chazz "represented the C" Tuesday.  He represented class and Cincinnati.

"This facility as a football team serves as our home away from home," said Anderson.  "It serves as a shelter in the cold winter months.  I was one of those people standing outside in the cold.  I understand, my teammates understand what it means to have something like this. If we want to transform the community, we need to be able to have resources like this."

Considering some of the University's biggest and best donors were on hand for the celebration, it might not have been a bad idea to have passed a plate after the Reverend/Senator Chazz Anderson was finished.   He spoke completely off the cuff and was persuasive and convincing.

Anderson represents the combination of student-athlete as good as anyone.  Tuesday, he spoke as if he were on campaign, Wednesday he'll campaign for some playing time with fellow quarterback Zach Collaros.

Oh yeah, while the silver shovels dug into the ground, your Butch Jones 'Cats hit the ground running for the first of fifteen spring practices (including the Bearcat Bowl April 24th).

Personally, I find it quite humorous that day one of the "Jones era" begins on St. Patrick's Day when the Irish are drinking.

Bad references aside, it's an exciting time for anyone involved in the UC football program.  And, at this point more are involved than ever.  Ask Larry Sheakley, the donor who put up millions toward the Jefferson Complex.

Now, all Butch Jones has to do is get the Bearcats on the field and get back to the momentum that led them to a 12-0 regular season record.

"Really, really excited, can't wait,"  said Jones when asked about hitting the current practice facility a/k/a Nippert Stadium.  "I hope the weather continues to cooperate.  It's  been a long time coming, everyone's looking forward to it."

Perhaps that's why Jones is anxious to get his men on the field.  He's taking a little different path initially by scheduling a couple practices early.

"We have two practices right away, then we'll break for spring break,"  said Jones. "I think it'll be great because our players will learn the expectations.  The first two practices are in helmets and shorts.  So the foundation will be laid so when they come back from spring break they exactly understand the expectations."

Translation?

Have a good spring break guys, but come back ready to get after it.  Remember, Jones coached under Brian Kelly and Rich Rodriguez before unleashing his own rapid-fire style at Central Michigan.

"Very uptempo, very intense, we're learning as we go,"  said Jones.  "(It's) another step in the evolution of our football team and our football program.  You know there's been very minimal growing pains up to this point in time."

It'll be a typical spring day (although not quite spring yet).  Jones gets to back out the Catmobile.

photo by Enquirer/Michael E. Keating

Pike is just two years removed from being lost on the depth chart and encouraged to graduate; Gilyard in this very decade was living in his car in a drugstore parking lot.

Now, based on helping deliver the Bearcats to back-to-back BCS bowls, they're recognizable names to anyone in a pro personnel department.   With both players having that experience and looks at the Senior Bowl and combine, Wednesday's cattle call at Nippert was no big deal.

"I just think you go through it so much and obviously the stage we played on in college-Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Oklahoma and the other stadium where the atmosphere's amazing-then we went through the Senior Bowl and the combine, it's almost second nature," said Pike. "It's good, anytime there's a big showing on a Pro Day, you're doing some things right."

While Pike can be counted on to give the diplomatic answer, Gilyard's not shy about "tooting his horn" when a microphone or camera's around.  Some may call it bragging.  I was taught that it's not bragging if you back it up.

"I know one thing-I'll surprise somebody," said the talkative Gilyard.  "Someone's going to be surprised because all of my times are good.  It's like night and day from the combine.  I think I moved up with somebody."

He probably did.

Gilyard's 40 time was 4.47 and he made his typical array of acrobatic catches on the familiar turf at UC.  He also was complimentary of his quarterback.

"He was dropping dimes over people's shoulders," said the man in braids. (He pulled his famous mop into a pigtail for the 40.)

Watching Pike, I can verify his comments.  I saw very few uncatchable balls out there.  I am sure being back in the friendly confines of Nippert clearly helped.   Plus, Pike has grown extremely poised for a guy that hardly saw the field the first three-plus years of his career.

"Just from talking to guys right now, they're extremely happy with what they saw," said Pike.  "Obviously, they know that the routes that we ran in college might have the same name but they're not the same route. A couple of the guys are just getting back from California-it's an ongoing process getting those routes down and getting on the same page, but I think we did well."

Pike threw to a variety of Bearcats:  Marcus Waugh, Alex Daniels, Jacob Ramsey, Craig Carey, and Gilyard.  However, it was evident that the eyes were on Mardy Gilyard's strides downfield.

Among those eyes were Bengals personnel man Jim Lippincott, special teams coach Darrin Simmons (accompanied by Kevin Huber) and most importantly, Bengals receivers coach Mike Sheppard.  Pike and Gilyard were asked how it would be should the hometown team come calling.

"April 13^th, they have the guys from UC come down to work them all out and that's a big day as far as the Bengals go," noted Pike.  "If I could go down and have a big day, there could be a chance.  For me, staying home and playing for a team I grew up with that would be unbelievable.  Any team that's going to take a chance with me, I'm going to help them out and show them they made the right choice."

Again, the diplomatic answer from the quarterback Pike, now the "X-Box/Playstation" answer from the sometimes flamboyant Gilyard....

"Oh man," said Gilyard with a big smile.  "It would be a blessing. Just to be able to stay involved in the city because I love the city.  Every part of the city from downtown, west side, north side, east side, everybody loves Mardy. It would be a blessing to stay in the city but I don't have any control of that."

Gilyard repeatedly has expressed his desire to play with boys at Paul Brown Stadium.  He even noted that he played the Sugar Bowl with a message for "Slim"--deceased Bengals receiver Chris Henry.

There's even a number of on-line attempts to persuade the Bengals to take the young man with small shells peering out of his helmet.

"I never knew that, I didn't know that existed," laughed Mardy.   "I mean, I heard a rumor there were guys petitioning for me to get drafted and stay in the city.  I didn't even know nothing about that. Shout out to my Twitter fans. That's crazy! Again, that just shows the fans just love me."

Should Pike and Gilyard continue to perform well in workouts and interviews, both could hear their name early in the draft.  However, neither has a firm grasp on when their phone may ring.

"Just from talking with people, 80 percent of it is game film," said Pike.   "What you do on the field speaks for itself.  The combine obviously is big, Pro Days are big-the other part's the interview process-people want to get to know you besides (being) a football player.  When they draft you, they want to know you're a good person and that you'll be loyal to their franchise and good to their city."

Pike also had advice and encouragement from several ex-Bearcats now employed by NFL teams. Kevin Huber, Mike Mickens, DeAngelo Smith, Haruki Nakamura and Connor Barwin were all in attendance Wednesday.   Barwin has been extremely helpful and even noted to Pike that he worked out for 15-20 teams and then was drafted by a team that HAD NOT worked him out (Houston Texans).

Gilyard, like Pike, downplayed the Pro Day stats (although he was clearly pleased to have improved his numbers from the combine).

"There ain't no team out here going to show their hand," said Gilyard.   "It's like a poker game.  I didn't understand it at first but I understand it now. If a guy has interest in you, he ain't going to show you.  Nobody's showing their hand. They're just telling me, 'Hey, you're working hard-hey, you're looking good,' stuff like that."

They're both looking good for themselves and the University of Cincinnati.

Alex Daniels, Jeff Linkenbach, Marcus Waugh, Brad Jones and Craig Carey probably also turned some heads.  The more Bearcats turning heads, the more the NFL comes around and the more notoriety UC gets as a football power.

Wednesday is as populated as I've ever seen for a Pro Day.  Visits to the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl can do that.  Naturally, Butch Jones was there taking it all in and pressing the flesh where needed.

Times are changing and changing fast with Bearcat football.  Pike and Gilyard, as good as they are, are just a small piece of it.