MARVIN LEWIS
Initial comments:ML: "We are excited to have our three players here. Carlos Dunlap, Brandon Ghee, and Jordan Shipley. This is a good opportunity for them to get a little introduction to Cincinnati today. They will go on back home tomorrow. I wanted to give you the opportunity to first-hand ask them some questions, although I know you spoke with them on the phone yesterday. This is a neat thing. This is great for our organization and for our fans to be able to see this group together like this. Jermaine (Gresham) is still here, but traveling home later today. As we said, yesterday was a very exciting day for us. I think in drafting these three young men yesterday, we are getting our football team better.
"Today, I feel good about where we are with one round to go. I feel like we have really improved our athleticism and playmaking ability, and our competitiveness at each position as we go through the roster. We are in a good spot right now. I am hearing a lot from our veteran players. They approve of these three guys in particular. They think they will bring some immediate help and competitiveness."
CARLOS DUNLAP (DE, Florida) and JORDAN SHIPLEY (WR, Texas) and BRANDON GHEE (CB, Wake Forest)
Q: Jordan, I know you are a coach's son. Football is big in Texas. How important is the game to you?JS: "Basically, my first memories are of running around the practice field. My dad (Bob Shipley) coached, and I was holding for field goal kickers at Abilene Christian (University). It's been what I have loved to do since I was a little kid. This has been my dream all throughout school and college. I'm really excited about the opportunity to play at the next level. I'm really glad to be in Cincinnati."
Q: The Bengals took your Texas Longhorns teammate Roddrick Muckelroy. How well do you know him? You will have four players here from the University of Texas. How does that look?JS: "It's going to be great. (Roddrick's) an awesome guy. He's a great player. He's one of those guys that seems to always be in the right place at the right time. It seems like he finds a way to make big plays, cause fumbles and do everything else. I'm excited about him being up here. Me and Quan (Cosby) are really good friends, so that's going to be great."
Q: Coach Lewis mentioned all three of you are from big college programs. Two of you have played for the National Championship, and Wake Forest has become a consistent 10-game winner. How do you feel that has prepared you for the adjustment to the next level?CD: "Competition-wise, I feel I've competed with the best of them, playing in those types of games. They only let the best play in those games. I'm looking forward to it transferring over and I know I've got to improve. It's a different game, so there are things I am going to have to work on. Nobody's perfect. I'm excited.
BG: "I completely agree with that. Wake Forest plays in a good conference, the ACC. There is a lot of speed and a lot of talent. Like he said, you're going to a different level, coming to the NFL. You have to improve on every aspect of your game trying to contribute to the team."
JS: "I think it definitely helps, coming from a program that has had success. You get used to playing in big, pressure situations, in front of big crowds. You get used to the media and that whole deal. Playing in places like I have played, it's huge for helping prepare for the next level."
Q: Marvin said you are used to winning and that's important to him. How does having that success at the college level help you as a player?CD: "Being in those pressure situations and coming out a winner. We know what it takes. It's not going to be the same. I know it's going to be different. We always have to be prepared for the changes. I'm looking forward to the changes. I'm looking forward to accomplishing my dream. My childhood dream was to be here. My next one is to be one of the best. I'm looking forward to working at it. Nothing in life worth having comes easy. I know it's not going to be easy."
BG: "I think the best thing about that is that we all love to compete. I think we are all competitors and that's why they chose us as their draft picks. Competition brings a great team, great camaraderie. Hopefully, we can contribute to them."
JS: "I agree. I believe competition is the big thing there. I think when you get used to winning, that's what you expect. That's always been the way that I've approached the game at any level. I expect to win. I am going to compete as hard as possible. I think that's the same for all of us. So, we're excited about getting the chance to get out there and do that."
Q: Carlos, people have compared you to Jevon Kearse. Do you pattern your game after that type of player?CD: "I want to make a name for myself, personally. Those guys mentioned have already done it. You can't help but be compared to others. Those are great guys. I definitely don't mind. I want to make a name for myself."
Q: Carlos, how do you have to improve as a professional player?CD: "I don't want to be the same player that I was at the collegiate level. So, I plan on hitting hard and improving every aspect of my game and continue to improve from there. Never settle. If you want to be the best, you have to work at it and play better than the rest."
Q: Jordan, you come from a good situation of having an excellent quarterback in Colt McCoy throw the ball to you. Are you looking forward to catching passes from a pretty good NFL quarterback in Carson Palmer?JS: "I'm really excited about the opportunity. I've been blessed to play with great quarterbacks. Even my high school quarterback, Stephen McGhee, who plays for the Cowboys was pretty good. I've been blessed all the way through to have some good quarterbacks. I have watched the last couple of years and Carson Palmer is as good as anybody I have seen. To have the opportunity to throw with somebody like that is definitely special."
Q: What did you think of the Bengals last year?BG: "Obviously, they have a pretty good defense. They were No. 4 in the league. There are great corners, great DBs. I think they are a very solid team. They are very aggressive. I watched 'Hard Knocks', so I got a gist of how the team was and how hard they worked during camp. I'm proud to be a part of it. The goal is to win the Super Bowl."
Q: What were your impressions of the team from watching Hard Knocks?BG: "Besides laughing at Ochocinco the whole time, I thought they were a very hard working team. You hear about teams not hitting in practice and not going through drills hard, but all the way through Hard Knocks I saw them doing the Oklahoma drill and etc. It seemed like a lot of competition as a family out there. It's a great organization."
Q: Carlos, did you watch Hard Knocks?CD: "I saw some of it. I saw Ocho talking about Kiss the Baby. I didn't keep up with it as much as he did, but I watched a little bit of it. Rey Maualuga, I remember seeing him. I hope we get it again."
Q: Jordan, you have a pipeline with Quan Cosby:JS: "Definitely, that's one great thing obviously, to have Quan here. He just told me that he loved it and that he's really enjoyed the experience. When I got the call, I already knew that it was a great place. To have someone like that, who is already a great friend of mine to be here, that's a nice thing to have his experience coming in."
Q: Can you talk about your versatility?CD: "I played on special teams and have blocked a lot of kicks as well. I got a good bit of the blocked kicks. On the defensive line I can switch to all positions, from end to tackle and little line backer too. I will do whatever it takes for the team. That's what I did at Florida and that's what I plan on doing here. I really want to make an impact at my position and I'm looking forward to getting started. All I need is the play book."
BG: "I can do anything. I played special teams. That's how I got on the field at Wake Forest University. I can play safety, corner and I can also play nickel. I have the ability to play any position in the defensive backfield. Of course, special teams are a big part of the game, so any way I can get on the field I want to play it."
JS: "Obviously, same thing for me. I love returning punts and kicks. That's been one of my favorite things to do since I first started playing football. All four years, I held for field goals and extra points. In high school, I was the kicker, but it looks like Chad has that pretty well covered."
Q: Jordan, I think four of the Bengals eight draft picks are from the Big 12. Do you have any scouting reports on the other guys?JS: "It definitely says a lot about the conference. Especially, the last couple years I've been a part of it I played against some great competition. Going against Germaine (Gresham), I know that he's as good as there is. I can speak for Roddrick (Muckelroy), like I said, he's incredible. I think it's been a great time to have been a part of the Big 12 Conference.
