Craig Krenzel

[redsbengalsbucks]

two retreads and a college qb that had prolems keeping the starting job, my nfc team is starting to resemble my afc team in years past

[Kazkal]

Bramlet diden't do all that well for it being NFLE it's like a down graded nfl come on no blitzing?Diden't he also throw like 10int/5td or 10/8

[bengal4life]

Kazkal you also have to realize that in Europe they only play a quarter maybe 2 a game due to the excesive amount of QB's in the league. I don't know if you saw him in the preseason last year but he looked pretty poised and confident behind the line. The kid has potential. IMO he looked pretty good for being a rookie. I'm a Bucks fan but I would rather Bramlet then Krenzel any day. Krenzel just isn't good

[jjakq27]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../508030332/1066

According to Curnutte in the Enquirer this morning, Casey Bramlet might be losing the #3 QB battle.

"WHO'S ON THE WAY UP / WHO'S ON THE WAY DOWN

On the rise: Don't forget about Duane Clemons. Though he appears to have lost his starting job - he started all 14 games he played in last season - he still will have an important role. He provides versatile depth behind the starters. He can play tackle or either end and is one of the better pass rushers. He has 13.5 sacks in two years with the Bengals and has at least six in five of the last six years.

Slipping: Through no fault of his own, Casey Bramlet, who spent his rookie season as the Bengals' No. 3 quarterback, could be out of a job. The team claimed former Ohio State QB Craig Krenzel off waivers (from Chicago, where he started five games as a rookie), and Krenzel has the look of a possible long-term No. 2 QB. Bramlet played well in Europe, but Krenzel has the same kind of smarts as Jon Kitna."

[jjakq27]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...040376/1066/spt

Thursday, August 4, 2005

His path is a learning curve

Krenzel has year with Bears under his belt as he fights for job

By Kevin Kelly

Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Learning a new language is easier when immersed in the culture in which it is spoken. The same applies for learning the language and intricacies of an NFL offense.

After the Bengals claimed him off waivers from the Bears, quarterback Craig Krenzel had five weeks to study the new playbook before he met with quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese early last week.

"I tried to teach myself," Krenzel said. "It's one of those things where you can look at it, and you can put some of the things together, but without having the whole picture, someone there to really explain it, it was somewhat difficult."

A starter in five games as a rookie with the Bears last season, Krenzel understands he must familiarize himself quickly with the Bengals offense.

The former Ohio State quarterback, who helped lead the Buckeyes to a 14-0 record and a national title during the 2002 season, is vying with Casey Bramlet for the No. 3 spot behind starter Carson Palmer and backup Jon Kitna, who is signed through this season.

"It's got to come as fast as it possibly can, in a sense that there is no confidence that I've got a year or two to learn it," Krenzel, 24, said. "It's make-or-break out there on the field, and I've got to get things done.

"That makes it more of a challenge, but that's part of the game that players love. Everything is a challenge out there."

The Bengals got to know Krenzel as they prepped for the 2004 draft, and they were impressed by the player's disposition.

Krenzel went to the Bears in the fifth round, and Bramlet went to the Bengals in the seventh round.

"He got an opportunity to play as a rookie," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "He did OK. It wasn't too big for him."

Krenzel began last season third on the Bears' depth chart behind starter Rex Grossman and backup Jonathan Quinn.

A knee injury suffered in Week 3 knocked Grossman out for the remainder of the season. Quinn took over, struggled in three starts and was replaced by Krenzel against Tampa Bay on Oct. 24.

The Bears lost that game against the Buccaneers but won their next three games and went 3-2 overall with Krenzel as their starting quarterback.

"The way I look at it, last year was a great, great experience," he said. "Getting out there for five games, getting a feel for a real, live NFL football game, has helped me more than anything coming into camp this year - in terms of confidence, in terms of knowing what to expect."

Krenzel didn't cruise by any means.

In his starts against the 49ers, Giants, Titans, Colts and Cowboys, he completed 50 of 108 passes for 649 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. He was sacked 21 times.

An ankle injury during a Thanksgiving Day loss against Dallas ended his rookie season with five games remaining.

"We had a rough go at it," said Krenzel, who had a 52.5 quarterback rating in six games overall. "But you learn from those things. You learn from your mistakes.

"Especially at this point in my career, being so young, to me that was invaluable. I couldn't put a price on it."

The Bears, who finished last in the NFC North with a 5-11 record last season, waived him June 14. The Bengals claimed him June 20.

"That's life for a guy in my position if you don't get somewhere where they're going to sit and work with you for a couple, three years and let you develop and learn the system," Krenzel said.

"That was supposed to be the plan. Things didn't work out that way."

Aware of Krenzel's athletic ability and his educational background - he majored in molecular genetics at Ohio State and went 24-3 as the Buckeyes' starting quarterback - Bengals coaches are confident he can pick up the offense.

"You find out a lot about a person by how much they can absorb in a short period of time," Zampese said. "I'm trying to make sure he understands the base. I want to hear him say it back to me. I want to see his eyes when I ask him a question if he has it.

"He's done a good job feeding the information back to me."

------------------------------

2003 BUCKEYES BOUNTIFUL IN THE NFL

Of Ohio State's starters in its national title game victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, 21 are on NFL rosters:

OFFENSE

Pos. Name NFL team

SE Michael Jenkins Falcons

LT Rob Sims None (OSU Sr.)

LG Adrien Clarke Eagles

C Alex Stepanovich Cardinals

RG Bryce Bishop None

RT Shane Olivea Chargers

TE Ben Hartsock Colts

FL Chris Gamble Panthers

QB Craig Krenzel Bengals

TB Maurice Clarett Broncos

FB Brandon Joe None

PK Mike Nugent Jets

DEFENSE

Pos. Name NFL team

RE Will Smith Saints

DT Tim Anderson Bills

DT Kenny Peterson Packers

LE Darrion Scott Vikings

LB Cie Grant Saints

LB Matt Wilhelm Chargers

LB Rob Reynolds Titans

CB Dustin Fox Vikings

CB Chris Gamble Panthers

FS Donnie Nickey Titans

SS Mike Doss Colts

P Andy Groom Redskins