Bengals linebacker Maualuga: Just call him ‘Sting Rey’

Rookie lights up fans and coaches with enthusiasm and drive.

Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga (left) and center Jonathan Luigs connect during a drill at minicamp Friday, May 1, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Maualuga won the Bednarik Award at the University of Southern California last season as the nation's top defensive player. Associated Press by David Kohl

David Kohl/FRE Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga (left) and center Jonathan Luigs connect during a drill at minicamp Friday, May 1, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Maualuga won the Bednarik Award at the University of Southern California last season as the nation's top defensive player. Associated Press by David Kohl

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By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer Updated 2:18 AM Saturday, May 2, 2009

CINCINNATI — Linebacker Rey Maualuga was humble, polite, apologetic and — most of all — intense.

As sweat dripped off his long, tangly black hair, the Cincinnati Bengals’ second-round draft pick said he wants to make a positive, even dramatic, impact.

“I’m definitely going to bring an attitude to this defense and bring the whole package that everyone expects,” Maualuga said as rookie minicamp kicked off Friday, May 1. “I’m going to make sure the Cincinnati Bengals and the whole franchise didn’t make a mistake in picking me. I can promise you that.

“From Day 1 until I’m done playing football, I’m going to work my butt off to do what I can and become a name that everybody will remember.”

Requests for Maualuga’s jersey No. 58 are pouring into the Paul Brown Stadium Pro Shop. And in a conference call with nearly 5,000 season-ticket holders listening in Thursday night, Maualuga — among six rookie draft picks participating — was all the rage.

The players answered questions. Maualuga fielded 40, the most by far.

His anger at slipping to the second round of the NFL draft (No. 38 overall) is gone.

“I was upset, but that was just the immature part of myself,” he said. “I didn’t think about the team and the fans and everybody that was ecstatic that I’m here. I apologize about not being too happy then. I thank the fans for welcoming me with open arms. Words cannot express how I feel right now. I’m excited to be here and happy to get things going.”

Maualuga is working at both strong-side and middle linebacker spots.

“He’s extremely focused,” linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald said. “We moved him around, and he picked up things well. He’s wide-eyed and willing to do whatever we want to do. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

Maualuga adds a tattoo each spring, a tradition he started his senior year of high school. This year’s artwork?

“I got a little stingray on my back,” he said. “I’m Rey and I like to sting.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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