QB/WR McNeal is Bengals' 6th pick

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

After taking three consecutive defensive players, the Bengals took an offensive player, Texas A&M Reggie McNeal, in the sixth round with the 193rd overall pick.

Coach Marvin Lewis said McNeal could be the Bengals' version of former Steelers wide receiver/sometimes quarterback Antwaan Randle El -- now with the Redskins.

"I've been blessed to get this far," McNeal said this afternoon. "I'll do whatever I have to. It's just a wonderful feeling to have a chance to play in the league."

McNeal also said he was not bothered about the transition from quarterback to wide receiver and said he has been working out as a receiver in the pre-draft process.

"Coach Lewis said they'd have some things for me to play wide receiver and quarterback," McNeal said.

McNeal said he started at wide receiver as a freshman on his high school varsity team and started playing quarterback as a sophomore in high school.

McNeal, who had 16 touchdown passes and nine interceptions in 2005, projects as a wide receiver in the NFL. He is believed to be a developing quarterback but is regarded as a dangerous runner. He ran a 4.31 40-yard dash and had 664 rushing yards last season.

"We're going to try him everywhere," Bengals offensive coordintor Bob Bratkowski said. "In order to help him with the transition, we're going to make it as easy as we can for him. We're going to get him here and teach him the receiver position."

Some scouts consider McNeal a dangerous runner with the strength -- at 6 feet, 2 inches, 198 pounds -- to break tackles. He could be an emergency third quarterback and has potential to be an outstanding kickoff return specialist.

"There's a lot of flexibility there," Bratkowski said of McNeal. "He's going to make it as an athlete."

McNeal was MVP of the East-West Shrine All-Star game.