The past few years with Vontaze Burfict in and out of the lineup have made that position Youth Jordan Evans Jersey
especially important as Burfict routinely gets suspended or fined.Last year was one of the more important years for Rey. He started 11 games as linebackers fell like flies due to injury. He also was tasked with helping along young linebackers like Jordan Evans, Hardy Nickerson and Brandon Bell who ended up playing more than anticipated.It was very much a humbling year for Rey, though as his age is starting to show. He will turn 31 in early September, and we saw several examples of athletic play makers taking advantage of Rey. Can he still hold his spot as the depth linebacker?Vincent ReyHeight: 6’Weight: 250 poundsCollege: DukeHometown: Brooklyn, NYExperience: Eight seasonsCap statusRey has one season left on his contract. He is set to make $2.25 million this season while carrying a $2.725 million cap hit, according to Spotrac. Considering the Bengals situation at linebacker it would be fairly surprising to see the team extend or re-sign Rey for next year. The only way would be if he signed a contract that was heavily based on him making the roster for the 2019 season, but even then the Bengals will likely be content to move forward with their youth at the position.BackgroundRey is probably the poster child for undrafted free agents with the Bengals. Of course Burfict followed a similar route http://www.cincinnatibengalsshop.com/cheap-kevin-huber-jersey , but he was considered much more likely to be a contributor based on talent. Rey was almost an afterthought. He had to fight his way onto the roster, and he worked his way into an eight year career that isn’t over yet.The only two seasons Rey didn’t play in all 16 games was his rookie season and the 2017 season. That is the kind of dependability that will keep you on a roster. He exploded onto the scene in 2014 when he started 13 games and recorded 121 tackles, which is a career-high.Rey has also played just about every linebacker position as well as contributed heavily to special teams. He really did just about anything the team asked him to do. 2018 outlookRey will have to fight to hold his position as the first linebacker off the bench, and we will learn early on if he remains to hold onto that position with Burfict set to miss the first four games of the season due to suspension.Nick Vigil (who started last year) and Preston Brown will likely be the starting linebackers with Burfict, but until his return we will likely see either Rey or Evans filling. For now, Evans has won the job. One of the things that could hurt Rey keeping his position on the depth chart is new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin coming in and giving everyone an equal shot at competition. A guy like Paul Guenther may have valued Rey’s knowledge of the system more. Plus the fact the defense is changing puts all the linebackers on more of an even paying field, although Rey’s experience is still invaluable.Rey will probably end up being the first guy off the bench, and we will likely see plenty of him on defense and special teams.Bengals show support for Tyler Eifert following season-ending injury The Bengals scored a big win over the Falcons Bengals Jessie Bates III Jersey , but they also suffered a painful loss in the form of Tyler Eifert.After catching a touchdown earlier in the game, Eifert suffered a broken ankle in the second half that will end his season after just four games. It was heartbreaking situation to watch unfold, as Eifert had worked tirelessly to get back on the field after ankle and back injuries cost him much of the past two years.After the game, several Bengals voiced their support for their fallen comrade. “Obviously, you hate to see it for him, especially with a guy who’s gone through so much,” said Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. “To have something freak happen like that, it’s tough. You have to keep playing and that’s what I said in the huddle. I was basically just like obviously it sucks for him Bengals Dre Kirkpatrick Jersey , but we can’t let that get to us. We’ve got to keep going. I think our guys played really well today.”Running back Giovani Bernard knows all too well what it’s like to go through the long and painful rehab process from a major injury. Twice, Bernard has suffered a torn ACL between his college and NFL career.“It’s tough. We play this sport and there are just some people who don’t deserve something like that to happen and he’s gone through a lot,” said Bernard. “He is one of those guys who is always there for everybody, and it is one of those situations when you wish you could do something. But there is really not much as a teammate or a friend I can do for him right now except just be there for him.”Head coach Marvin Lewis hated to see the injury, but he knows this is a next-man-up league. “These guys understand that a guy gets hurt we have to go back out there and focus,” said Lewis. “It’s a shame that Tyler got hurt, we are all heartfelt for him but we have to move forward.”One player who stepped up in a big way with Eifert out was actually another Tyler.“We were still talking. Andy [Dalton] said, ‘C’mon guys we’ve got to win it for him. We’ve got to continue to march it and continue to keep fighting Youth Andy Dalton Jersey ,’” said receiver Tyler Boyd. “It’s a whole bunch of leaders in our offensive group. We don’t wait for one guy to say it. We all know, we all stick among each other, and we get the job done.”Several current and former Bengals players sent their prayers and well wishes for Eifert on Twitter after the game: