Cincinnati Bengals rookie Andrei Iosivas sure looked like a guy about to make a final roster during his first NFL game on Friday night.
During the preseason Week 1 loss to Green Bay, Iosivas had 10 targets in the base offense, plus worked as a gunner on punt returns and coverage on kickoffs.
He even told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com after the game that he’s already reviewing how he could have done better on special teams.
“By my last gunner rep, both my legs were cramping, but that’s part of the preseason life,” Iosivas said. “You’re so anxious to make plays that you’re rushing things. I’ve got to learn to let things develop … I could have got better position on one kick. On those I have to learn to have them come to me a little bit.”
Special teams is where a rookie receiver on a depth chart as talented as the one in Cincinnati is where he can really make a mark.
But those 10 targets? That sure said a lot about how the guys actually running the offense from under center feel about his talent.
“Yes, I think you saw that certainly when he had one-on-one opportunities, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters. “They found a way to target him, and that is a good sign of their faith in a receiver.”
A possible fringe 53 player before the game, Iosivas seemed to cement his status as one of the six or seven wideouts they keep. He’ll need to keep the arrow pointing up on special teams, but it’s pretty clear in the base offense that he’s not just a former track standout and project player.
