HairOnFire Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Re-energized Ratliff already proving that he belongsCornerback's hard work is making believers of his coaches and teammates. By Chick LudwigStaff Writer Wednesday, August 01, 2007 GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Keiwan Ratliff has a reputation for being Mr. August. He shines in the preseason only to disappear when the real games begin.Is this the year he becomes Mr. September?"I want to play in the league for a long time," Ratliff said. "So I've got to prove to the coaches that I can be a player they can count on for years to come."Ratliff weighed nearly 200 pounds when he arrived as a second-round draft pick in 2004. Now he's a svelte 186 — quicker, faster and stronger. With Johnathan Joseph rehabbing a broken bone in his left foot, Ratliff is the temporary starter at right cornerback."This offseason, since it's my fourth year, I looked at it like it was my last year in college," Ratliff said. "I got in the best shape I could, and I'm trying to show the coaches that I want to win a spot. Whether that's a starting spot or a nickel-back spot, I'm just trying to get on the field."He got an earful from strength and conditioning coaches Chip Morton and Ray "Rock" Oliver, and he listened."They preached to me: 'If you're gonna be here every day, you might as well work hard,' " he said. "This was one of the first years I actually went in the weight room and really gave it my all."Teammates and coaches have taken notice. And judging from the tipped passes, solid tackling and blanket coverage he's shown so far in training camp, Ratliff appears ready to make his mark ... so far."Keiwan needs to just keep playing and practicing the way he's doing," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's had a great spring and offseason, and he's had a great five days of work here thus far."Added Joseph: "Keiwan's been making plays ever since the spring. He's been re-surging, doing what's asked of him and making a household name for himself."Maybe he can become Mr. September after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengal4life Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 How about Mr. September, October, November, and December. I'll be sold when I see him in action myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Bengals_Fan Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 "This was one of the first years I actually went in the weight room and really gave it my all."I think that says it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The PatternMaster Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 "This was one of the first years I actually went in the weight room and really gave it my all."I think that says it all.Excatly, wtf was he doing for the previous 3 years and he wonders why he was never on the field. Coaches know who is giving it everything and who is coasting trying to get by on their god given ability but not trying to take their game to the next level. I hope Keiwan can stay healthy because he has the instincts to be a very good corner in the NFL he just needs to stay healthy, humble and play consistantly good fundamentally sound football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J24 Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Rattlif is the Exact oppisite of Atrell Hawkins there both bad but for diferent reasons Hawkins- Very athletic player with know instincts, Rattlif- great instincts no athlectisim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COB Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Great. All we had to do to motivate him was spend a first round pick on his replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J24 Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Great. All we had to do to motivate him was spend a first round pick on his replacement.you need three good corners in NFl now in Days thus I think Deltha will be the one to go at age 31 next season if rattlif can have a good season this year he will be our nickleback for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Great. All we had to do to motivate him was spend a first round pick on his replacement.I suspect the fact he'll be a UFA next March had more to do with his newfound get-up-n-go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The PatternMaster Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Great. All we had to do to motivate him was spend a first round pick on his replacement.I suspect the fact he'll be a UFA next March had more to do with his newfound get-up-n-go.are u implying that pro athletes try harder to succeed in the year before their contract expires, no that can't be!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShulaSteakhouse Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Will he average 4 yards on PR's this year instead of 2?Either way nice to hear about a Bengal dedicating themselves to football rather than pimpin' and drinkin'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinneymulleT Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Rattlif is the Exact oppisite of Atrell Hawkins there both bad but for diferent reasons Hawkins- Very athletic player with know instincts, Rattlif- great instincts no athlectisim.Rattlif has great athleticism. He had a ton of picks in college(why marvin drafted him) and for limited play has shown himself the ball hawk. He is just 1/2 sec to slow on most plays to be anything but a nickel.Even guycheck can get deep on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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