(Frank Victores/USA Today Sports)
Even though it’s been a couple of years since he’s been on the team, No. 85 has always been and most likely always will be associated with Chad Johnson when it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals. However, after the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, it appears someone else will be wearing the No. 85 jersey for the 2013 season–former Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert.
Less than 24 hours after finding out which team he will be playing for in 2013, Eifert met with Marvin Lewis and the Bengals for the first time on Friday after the team selected him with the 21st pick in the draft. Eifert was considered the top pass-catching tight end in this year’s class after an impressive career at Notre Dame and at 6’6″–Cincinnati hopes he can find a way to have an immediate impact as an effective weapon for Andy Dalton in the passing game.
His blocking skills may be a reason for concern, but the Bengals have plenty of reasons to be excited about the addition of Eifert for the 2013 season as it will be interesting to see if he can give Cincinnati the dynamic duo at tight end playing alongside Jermaine Gresham. The potential is certainly there for Eifert, but it will still take some time to get used to seeing a different player on the Bengals wearing No. 85 that Johnson made so famous throughout his career.
On another note–it doesn’t look like the team will be retiring Johnson’s number anytime soon (sorry Ocho–just stating the obvious).
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