Tuesday, August 10, 1999TRAINING CAMP INSIDER
Kimo von Oelhoffen moved in front of Oliver Gibson at nose tackle in the new depth chart released Monday night. In the morning, the Bengals cut veteran linebacker Tim Terry, guard Scott Shaw and undrafted rookie kicker Derek Schorejs.
Rob Murphy, the former Moeller and Ohio State star, is trying to make the team as a free agent offensive guard.
(Jeff Swinger photo)
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Gibson, who signed a three-year $3.6 million deal to come over from the Steelers, moved ahead of von Oelhoffen after May's mini-camp. But von Oelhoffen, who struggled last season as the Bengals gave up 10 100-yard games, has had a solid camp and a sack in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage. Both players have been in and out with the first team.
Rookie watch
Guard Rob Murphy, the Moeller High School/Ohio State product, is getting plenty of work. He's starting to feel comfortable for the first time since he joined the Bengals last month as a free agent. He took about 30 snaps at right guard in the scrimmage and took a few turns at left guard Monday.Murphy said the month he sat out of the Buckeyes' spring practice hurt him. But he also has worked to get back into shape and spends 30 minutes before practice each day going one-on-one with offensive line coach Paul Alexander. He thinks he's starting to gain the respect of the veterans who wondered about the sudden appearance of an All-American. For one, he hopes left guard Matt O'Dwyer likes what he's doing.
“It's repetition and I missed out on all the mini-camps. I'm trying to close the gap,” Murphy said. “I think (the veterans) are finally starting to acknowledge I'm getting better. O'Dwyer is a guy who I watch on film. I think he's a good player. I think people are starting to accept me more.”
Chalk talk
Rich Braham, making the switch from left guard to center, took the morning practice off to get some strength back in his legs.It was a year ago Braham broke the sesamoid bone under his right bit toe, an injury that hampered him until he damaged his right kneecap in Game 12 and ended his season. The club wanted to back him off after eight straight days of practice.
Coach Bruce Coslet knows Braham has been frustrated with the switch. The footwork is different and he has to adjust to new looks like a nose tackle angled across from him.
But Coslet thinks Braham is the man for the job: “He's the kind of guy who'll just tough it out and get it done one way or the other. That's one of the big things we love about him.”
Injury report
DE John Copeland (mild hamstring strain) and T Willie Anderson (mild foot sprain) are probable for Saturday's exhibition vs. the Colts; RB Ki-Jana Carter (knee cyst) did individual drills and is questionable for Saturday; RG Brian DeMarco (shoulder) practiced for the first time in camp and had some soreness in the second practice. He was pulled to get iced, but will practice today and is questionable for Indy. WR Craig Yeast (ankle) is doubtful and FB Nick Williams (ankle) is out. Trainer Paul Sparling hopes to have Yeast ready for the third exhibition game.
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