--The Bengals normally shy away from players from the University of Cincinnati, but both coach Marvin Lewis and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden were intrigued over the possibility of taking Isaiah Pead in the middle rounds.
"I like his versatility, no question. Guys that can catch and run," said Gruden of Pead. "He didn't have the luxury of having an offense like others from the true I standpoint with a lot of powers and downhill runs. It was more shotgun type, an inside zone, outside zone type guy where he really didn't get a chance to go downhill a lot and run between the tackles, but he's a very good player."
--Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer remains concerned about the off-field issues surrounding linebacker Rey Maualuga and noted that "at some point in time we all have to grow up."
Zimmer also noted that there are times when you have to walk away from things.
Added Zimmer: "I consider myself kind of a tough guy, but I'm smart enough to understand. That happened to me one time. I was in Cincinnati. I was in a parking lot. We flip each other off. He gets out of the car and he's coming up. Little bitty scrawny guy ... I had to make a decision. Am I going to beat the crap out of this guy and I may get fined or every other thing? Or do I swallow my pride and go on?"
Besides Lewis, Zimmer is also entering the final season of his three-year contract. However he does see himself back with the Bengals next season if he was unable to get a head coaching job. Zimmer has been in Cincinnati since 2008.
"Sure. You never know. I can't predict the future," Zimmer said. "Maybe they won't want me here next year. So many different things can happen."
--Wide receiver Jerome Simpson accepted a plea deal to a felony drug charge of prohibited acts relating to controlled substances. He is expected to serve a 60-day sentence once he is formally sentenced on April 5.
Simpson is slated to be an unrestricted free agent, but with the Bengals penchant for going after high-risk players, he could be re-signed in May or June. Simpson is the fourth Bengal to be involved in an off-field incident over the past seven months.
The Bengals said in a statement: "As the legal process is still not complete, we will continue to withhold comment at this time."
