By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals rookie tight end Matt Schobel. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Matt Schobel doesn't say much in the Bengals' locker room. The tall Texan is an introvert to begin with, but the fact he is a rookie makes the tight end even more hesitant to talk. But, befitting his personality, Schobel quietly has put together a solid season and given the Bengals hope at a position that has troubled them for the past four years.

Schobel has 20 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns, already surpassing the production of any individual tight end on the roster last season.

With seven more catches, Schobel would have 27, the most for a Bengals tight end since Tony McGee's 34 in 1997.

With nine receptions and 101 yards in the final four games, Schobel would equal the 29 receptions and 281 yards by the team's trio of tight ends in 2001 - McGee, Marco Battaglia and Kirk McMullen.

McGee was the last Bengals tight end to have two touchdown catches in one season, 1999.

"If you make some plays in the passing game, they're not so critical of your blocking," Schobel said.

Blocking has been the area of most improvement for the 6-foot-5, 263-pound Schobel.

"Your technique is so important," he said, "but if you're thinking about your steps, you're not reacting. Since about midseason, we don't talk about my steps and technique as much. We talk about getting the job done. I know the techniques."

Schobel had less than two years of experience at tight end at Texas Christian when the Bengals traded up with the Carolina Panthers to take him with the 67th overall pick of the draft (third round).

Schobel was recruited out of high school by Texas A&M as a quarterback before transferring to Texas Christian, which used him as a wide receiver before moving him to tight end.

While his blocking has improved, Schobel always has been good in the passing game.

Of his 20 receptions this season, 12 have been good for first downs or touchdowns. He tied his career high of four receptions Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Nineteen of Schobel's 20 catches have been on Jon Kitna passes.

"Matt has really been a big factor for us, and I think this is just the tip of the iceberg for him," Kitna said. "He has a lot of ability, and he's still learning the game. I'm excited for him and for what he's going to do in his career. He has a lot of tools."

Schobel is especially impressive catching the ball on the move and quickly turning up field.

He has made seven starts, and with each passing game, the action slows down a bit. His brother, Aaron Schobel, a second-year Buffalo Bills defensive end with 12.5 career sacks, told him it would.

"I remember talking to him when he got to Buffalo his first year," Matt said. "He was telling me how fast the game was and how it slowed down. I can see it slowing down the past couple of games, but it's so mental. You have to go out every week and try to get better and not be content."

Schobel is the second tight end the Bengals drafted in the third round in consecutive years, but the 2001 pick, Sean Brewer, has been injury prone. Brewer's season again ended on injured reserve.

Schobel has the look of a fixture at tight end. He reminds Bengals insiders of ex-starter Dan Ross.

"You try to focus on one game, but you think about the big picture sometimes," Schobel said. "You've got to go week to week. I've had some good blocking games and some good passing games, but you look for consistency and to do them both on the same day."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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