CINCINNATI – In addition to talking about the success of his St. Tatty’s Day event and the tattoo he was about to get after a $25,000 challenge from teammate Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras spent some time Sunday talking free agency.
In addition to blocking for running back Zack Moss and reuniting with his former Miami Dolphins teammate Mike Gesicki, Karras talked about the big boost that defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins would bring to the other side of the ball.
Bengals Captain Ted Karras Excited About Free Agent Signings
“I’m really excited,” Karras said. “I’ve been playing against him going back to the Saints, going back to the Jets. Obviously, the Texans last year. He’s a dynamic interior pass rusher and a guy who’s gonna help this team under (defensive line coach Marion) Hobby and (senior defensive coach Mark) Duffner. I think he’ll have a really, really big year for us.”
At the news conference announcing his signing Monday, Rankins offered a glimpse of his competitiveness with some blunt assessments of the Cincinnati offensive line and Zac Taylor’s game plan in last year’s meeting, when Rankins and the Houston Texans won 30-27.
Rankins called his signing with the Bengals a perfect union.
“When you watch this defense, and you watch those guys fly around, and you watch how they play football, it’s loud,” he said. “Being able to insert myself into that what and understanding what I feel like I bring, I feel like it’s a match made in Heaven.”
Karras said he feels the same way about Gesicki, whom he played with in Miami during the 2020 season.
Ted said Burrow challenged him at the free agent dinner Thursday night to get a tattoo. Ted joked he had to smooth things over with his wife. He’ll wrap today’s event at 5 with his first ever tattoo. pic.twitter.com/0hIC4NlQfk
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) March 17, 2024
“I’m a huge Mike G. fan,” he said. “His catch radius is insane. Obviously, he’s more of a receiving type of tight end. But I think with him and Tanner (Hudson) coming back, we have some interesting personnel mismatches for teams if we want to go 12 (personnel) or empty out of 12 and stuff like that.
“I think Joe’s going to really, really enjoy throwing to Mike,” Karras added.
And Karras is going to enjoy blocking for Moss.
“I think Zack Moss is going to be a great player for us and fit in well,” he said. “Chase Brown and Zack Moss, Trayveon (Williams). We’re gonna have some good backs.”
Of course, the additions are only part of free agency. Karras also took time to praise a couple of teammates who will be playing elsewhere in 2024 in Joe Mixon and DJ Reader.
“I’m happy for Joe,” Karras said. “To get a contract extension as a running back in this climate with backs is rare, and he deserves every bit of that.
“That’s a great system for him,” he continued. “Obviously, we play football a little differently than say the Texans with an outside zone emphasis, so I think that’s a great home for Joe. They recognize that. I think it mutually benefits everyone.”
The Reader departure came shortly after the Bengals signed Rankins last week.
“I’m sad to see DJ go, but that’s this business,” Karras said. “It’s March in the NFL. There’s gonna be some guys coming and going.
“I think we have a great class. I think Duke and the front office have done a great job,” Karras added. “I think we’re putting ourselves in a position to not let something like 2023 ever happen again.”
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