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2008 Bengals season
NFL COMBINE DAY 1
Louisville TE long on confidence
Bengals could be in the market for a tight end, and Barnidge says, 'I can do all of it.'
Friday, February 22, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS — The Bengals haven't drafted a tight end since taking Matt Schobel in the third round out of TCU in 2002.
Maybe this is the year.
Extras
If not Fred Davis (Southern Cal), Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) or John Carlson (Notre Dame) in the top two rounds on April 26, then what about Gary Barnidge in a later round on April 27?
Louisville's 6-foot-5, 244-pound slugger made his pitch at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday.
The guy he tries to emulate? Baltimore Ravens star Todd Heap.
"He's been a good blocker and a great pass catcher in the league," Barnidge said. "I love the way he plays, and I see myself as both. I don't want to be looked at as one-dimensional. I want to be known as a guy who can stretch the field and also be a blocker. I feel I can help a team both ways."
Barnidge doesn't have an elite 40-yard dash time — he's been clocked in the 4.6 to 4.7-second range. But he knows how to release downfield, find openings in the secondary, elude defenders and accelerate with his deceptive speed.
He certainly doesn't lack confidence.
"I can get open on any linebacker or safety," he said. "I can seal the run game or I can pass (protect). I can do all of it. I believe I have great hands. I can catch bad passes and make a quarterback look good."
Louisville is known for its high-powered passing attack, and quarterback Brian Brohm and Barnidge were "Killer Bs" for the Cardinals.
"Brian throws a very nice ball," Barnidge said. "A lot of people are saying he doesn't have the arm strength, but I think he's got great arm strength. He can throw it 60-65 yards on point, on line, with great accuracy."
Just like the Bengals' Carson Palmer.
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cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
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