Draft notes: TE Hamby signs with Bengals

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals have begun the process of signing undrafted rookies.

According to the Web site KFFL.com, the Bengals on Sunday night signed former Ohio State tight end Ryan Hamby, who played high school ball at Moeller. He is 6 feet, 5 inches, 255 pounds, and he had nine receptions for 85 yards last season.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he wanted to take at least five ends to training camp. If he would stick, Hamby would be the fifth.

And the agent for former Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer says the Bengals have signed his client. Meyer is expected to be the only quarterback participating in the rookie mini-camp, May 13-15.

Meyer won the Walter Payton Award for the top player in Division I-AA. In 2005, he was 269-for-410 passing for 4,003 yards and 30 touchdowns. He threw 84 touchdowns in 42 collegiate starts. He is 6 feet, 1 inch, 210 pounds.

LOCAL HEROES: Three players with local ties were drafted.

Defensive end Ray Edwards (Woodward), who played at Purdue, was a fourth-round pick (127th overall) by Minnesota.

Linebacker Terna Nande (Miami University) was a fifth-round pick (137th overall) by Tennessee.

Offensive lineman Zach Strief (Milford), who played at Northwestern, was a seventh-round pick (210th overall) by New Orleans.

SHOPPED: Bengals wide receiver Kelley Washington, who signed a one-year tender on Saturday as a restricted free agent, was offered in trades by the Bengals throughout the weekend, but there were no takers.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com