I haven't had much of a chance to get out and explore Cincinnati because of OTAs and mini camp, but I have been getting out a little lately. The first thing I did notice was that there are like 5 bridges that go to the same place - that's a little weird to me. I do like the city though - it's a cool place. I have been able to get to Kenwood and Florence and a little in downtown. I haven't really gone out to explore yet so I am looking to the Yard for some suggestions. I keep hearing about the Montgomery Inn, but I haven't tried it yet. Jordan Palmer and I have been talking about going fishing. He thinks he can outfish me!!! Maybe his brother Carson can show us some good fishing spots.

If you have any suggestion on places to see, places to eat and places to fish I'm ready for them. As a rookie you gotta lean on veterans for some guidance so I turn to the Cincy vets in the Yard for your direction. Hit me back.

What's up Yardbarkers,

Checking in from Cincinnati where we just finished up our mandatory mini camp. Everyone was here and we were all focused on getting better as a team. I know there's been some stuff out there about Chad Johnson but this was all about football and putting things together so that we can take the next step. It was a great experience.

We had a team building event the day before camp that was a lot of fun. We went to one of those gokart places and raced against each other. We had different heats depending on size and weight. It was like a NASCAR track and it got super competitive. Some guys cut the track and got disqualified. Corey Mays drove me into the grass and they had to pull me out. I must've been lapped 5 times before they got me back on the track. I was pissed - I wanted to win! It was a great event because it allowed all of us to hang out. It's not like in college where everyone is in the same boat. Here guys have families so you aren't always around each other in social settings. It was really cool.

When we got back to camp it was all business. I felt like I improved each day so I was happy about that. There were 5 practices and even though I made plenty of mistakes I felt like I had more good practices than bad. I was able to correct my mistakes and progress within the defense and the calls. Last thing any of us want to do is keep making the same mistakes. I felt like I was able to avoid that and improve. That felt good. It is nice going through it with the other rookies. Being in the same hotel we talk to each other a lot and help each other through the bad days. You definitely don't feel isolated because we're all going through the same things.

I'll hit you with more this week - our football activities are finished but I'm still going to be around working out for a little longer.

Keith

Hope all is good in the Yard.

One thing that I have noticed since I have been here in Cincinnati is I like having my bed made each day. Coming home to a clean room, this maid service is kind of nice. I'm not too sloppy, especially in the main areas like kitchen and living room, but normally when you get to my room watch out. There are usually clothes every where with an unmade bed. It's definitely a big change from my apartment at USC to come home from practice to have a clean room and a made bed. The only thing missing is the little piece of chocolate on my pillow. The housekeepers have been doing great.

One other thing I like is opening the door and having the paper laying there every morning. I really like that. Honestly, I don't get much time to read it but I do like picking it up each morning. That's been cool.

What's up Yard, checking in from Cincy and wanted to give you a little update from OTAs.

Practice has been good. There is a lot more that goes into this to become completely confident. I need to continue to take reps. I like to know what everyone else is supposed to be doing around me, but right now I'm still learning my assignments. You can't really take chances until you know what everyone else is doing, what the safeties are doing, what the linemen are doing. Once I get a feel for that then I can hone in on what the offense is trying to do to us each play. I do feel I am learning the defense pretty well, but I have my moments when I get frustrated with myself. I'll get it down though.

Darryl Blackstock has really been great, teaching me how to be a pro. Everybody has been really helpful and have made it a lot of fun. But when I have to start opening the pocket book and buying everything like rookies have to do then I don't think it will be quite as fun anymore.

I hate to say it Yardbarkers, but I'm feeling like an old lady these days - I go to bed between 9-10 o'clock. Honestly tonight is the latest I've been up and I'm about to shut it down. Watched the first half of the Lakers game and now it's lights out. I'll be up tomorrow morning at 6:30 and working out by 7 then meetings, then on the field for OTAs then more meetings. If I wake up at 7:30 I'm sleeping in. It wasn't that long ago when sleeping in was 11:30 and then practice at 2:00.

Things really do change at a snap of a finger. It's football every day the minute I wake up until the minute I go to bed. I haven't gone to the movies, I haven't really seen the city yet. I've just been focusing on taking a step forward and trying to get better at something each day. I have been picking up the defense fairly well and I'm pretty happy with my study habits. I try to spend at least an hour every night in my playbook. But now it's time for me to sleep.

I finished my last final yesterday and now getting ready for graduation. Going through ceremonies on Saturday and my family is flying in. I can't believe college is ending. I have been spending the time lately reflecting and catching up with some friends. I won't be able to do much reflecting after graduation because I jump on a plane the next day and fly to Cincinnati and start working. It's on from here on out - time to move forward and start writing a new chapter.

SC is filled with an eclectic group of individuals and you'd be remiss not to branch out beyond the locker room. I have a lot of friends from freshman year who are not athletes and it's been fun seeing them the last week and sharing stories. I was a bit of a wild child when I first came here and we've been laughing about those days. I remember one story when I first moved to LA. Matt Leinart was my roommate and he was out of town. I ended up borrowing his bike and wanted to make sure I had the route down to school. When I was riding I started wondering if I was wearing the wrong colors. I was from Florida, I had no idea. It's funny to think back on those days.

Back in the Yard, Barkers!

Sorry for the delay - I have been running ragged since the draft. The days just keep flying by. It has been the quickest two weeks I have ever experienced. After sharing that great day with you I jumped on a plane to Cincinnati to meet the Bengals staff and the media. I flew home to LA the next day (Monday) and had to catch up on some class and repack. We had rookie mini camp that week so I had to get ready to head back to Cincinnati Thursday. Then it was mini camp, meeting the coaches, the rest of the draft class and the other guys. I flew back to LA Sunday and started getting ready for finals - my first one is today in Micro Economics. We'll see how that goes.

It was cool meeting the rest of the draft class and to see the coaching style I will be experiencing from here on out. It was a rookie camp so there weren't many of the veterans around. I did meet Odell Thurman and Ahmad Brooks - they were really good guys and I'm glad I got to spend some time with them. I did talk to Odell about getting #55, but he's pretty attached to it and I understand why. The number suits him playing the SAM. He was really nice about it and I appreciated him talking to me about it. For now I am wearing #58 and have to decide if that's what I'll stay in.

Mini camp was a different experience. I feel like I started to pick up the defense and was able to compete by the end. I was talking to LJ (Lawrence Jackson) and he took the words right out of my mouth - it is a different grind. The body was definitely beat down but there are more mental gymnastics in the NFL. It's much more of a work grind than the college game. It took me a little bit to get the feel for it but by the last day I felt like I could go out and play my game.

I guess it was fitting that the first day ends with a Trojan getting selected - Terrell Thomas going to the Giants. It meant so much to see all the guys get drafted and I know there will be more tomorrow. Some of these guys had a chance to leave early but we stayed together because we knew we had something special. To win all the Pac 10 championships together, we all came in about the same time. I am really proud of all of them and I'm thankful that I had a chance to play with them.

USC has the NFL scheme on defense and then you're being coached by Pete Carroll and Ken Norton Jr. and the guys who have spent time in the NFL. I have heard from a lot of guys that having that NFL atmosphere makes the transition to the NFL a little easier.

I brought my charger with me because I knew the phone would be blowing up. It has been buzzing non stop. I have gotten 90 text messages and I don't know how many calls. The best call was from Marvin Lewis of course, but I was really excited to get calls from Carson Palmer and John Thornton. They are the two leaders of the team and for them to call means an awful lot to me. I will be flying into Cincinnati tomorrow morning. I didn't realize it was so far away from Florida.

Matt Leinart called and left an awesome message. We were roommates when I first came to USC. It was great hearing his voice. Lofa (Tatupu) called just before the pick. I couldn't believe it - I told him 'Lofa I'm waiting for a team to call.' It was great talking to him though. He just wanted to wish me well. Reggie Bush sent a text so did Thomas Williams and Terrell Thomas. It's been great hearing from all my friends and teammates.

This is an absolutely surreal experience. I am numb right now. I'm not sure what to do - jump up and down or cry - I'm just so excited about being a Cincinnati Bengal. Coach Marvin Lewis made the call. When my phone rang it was an unknown number and I had some friends calling before that so I wasn't sure if I should answer it. I was thrilled to get the call. My agent called after that and told me Carson Palmer was jumping up and down. I will be too - I'm a Cincinnati Bengal!

One thing I am enjoying about today is being surrounded by my friends and family. I have a full house. We are having the party in a suite at the Marriott and I wanted to keep it private with my closest friends. I have my mom and dad and my two brothers, Gary and Reggie, my aunt and cousins. My high school coaches Greg Stanton and Willie Pauldo and three of my high school teammates, John Riga, Larry Pirollo and Pat Barrett are here. It's great being with everyone.

We'll get some photos loaded up soon.

Being back home is bringing back some great memories. Walking back out onto the field at Lake Mary High School reminded me of some big wins and some big hits. Willie Pauldo was my position coach and defensive coordinator. He taught me a lot about the game and helped get me ready for the next level. Now it's draft day. I'm looking forward to hearing my name called and learning where I am going to be playing. It's an exciting day.

What's up Yard?!

Been busy the last couple days. Knocked out my midterms in Econ and did a bunch of interviews today - two on ESPN, a couple on the radio and one with a New England Patriots blog.

I leave tomorrow morning for Lake Mary, FL where I will take in the draft with my family and friends. My brother Gary has been putting much of it together for me while I'm working through school. I am looking forward to getting home and seeing everyone. A few of my friends growing up will be there, my high school coach will be there and of course my family will be there. It's going to be a memorable experience.

I'll be getting the photos and the video and the comments ready for all of you too. Looking forward to sharing my draft experience right here in the Yard with all of you.

What's up Yardbarkers?

This is already shaping up to be an interesting week for me. We all know the draft is coming up so I have to get ready to fly home to Florida for a draft party with my family and friends. Meanwhile I still have my obligations at school that I have to focus on - I have two midterms this week.

I have three classes to graduate with a degree in Public Policy Development. The two classes I am working hard in right now are Micro and Macro Economics. It's been interesting learning about the Keynesian Model and applying some of the teachings to what we're going through now.

With all the draft preparation it has been tough to focus on school, but I am working hard at it. With all the traveling and individual workouts and the combine I don't get a chance to read the chapters when I'd like to and for me a big part of learning this stuff is being in class. I do have a tutor and that helps, but I prefer to be in class to hear the professor explain things and discuss the problems we might be facing on the tests.

I am studying a few hours a day and going through the notes and all the powerpoints online to get ready. I have my Macro Economics midterm Tuesday and the Micro on Wednesday. I'll be studying the next couple days but I will get back to you later in the week and fill you in on my travel plans and the draft day party we're going to have in Lake Mary.

As promised I am back in the Yard to fill you in on my trip to Detroit.

I flew into Detroit right after my New England visit. I got in Tuesday night and spent Wednesday at the Lions facility. I felt at home with all the Trojans there - I met with Joe Barry and Rod Marinelli and Shaun Cody, one of my former teammates. They gave me a tour of the facility and I ran into Buster Davis, who I played against in high school. He was a senior when I was a sophomore and they beat us 21-7 but we were debating who had the better game.

I got a chance to spend time with Matt Millen. He was very straight forward. He told me what to expect in my first year and how to make the transition from college to pro. It was some really good advice about eventually becoming the player who makes his teammates better. And he would know. He was a great linebacker.

Detroit really impressed me. The players enjoy being there. It was kind of like when I first came to USC to visit. Everyone was so upbeat and working hard. The Lions are going to turn the corner you could just feel it.