LB Marshall practicing, glad `to be home'

The Bengals today announced they had signed former Washington Redskins linebacker Lemar Marshall. He played high school football at St. Xavier in Finneytown.

He signed a one-year contract.

The Bengals today also waived tight end Erik Jensen.

Marshall, wearing No. 52, adds experience to the Bengals young linebackers group. He is practicing today with the Bengals.

He started 45 of a possible 48 games for Washington the past three seasons. Washington terminated his contract earlier this week. He started at middle linebacker the previous two seasons.

"He brings a guy who has had a lot of experience the last three or four years, starting experience," Bengals defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said today of Marshall. "He’s a good football player. He is a physical player. It’s kind of early to make any comments on his play. But he’s a smart kid. He’ll bring some of that veteran leadership to the room. We’ll see where he fits."

Here is some of the early quotes from Marshall in a locker room interview after practice:

On his release Monday night in Washington: "They have their sights set on somebody else. They brought in London (Fletcher), they really wanted Rocky (McIntosh) to play a lot. They're pushing him to start. They tried early in the year to get Randall Godfrey. Whatever reason, I got released. They tell you one thing and sometimes it's another. But it's time to move on."

On being home: "Yeah, I mean, guys are welcoming me. I played with a couple (Kenny Watson). It's a blessing right now. I'm trying to make the best of it. It feels good to be on a team. I didn't have long to sit out. God gave me the opportunity. It feels good to be home. Once the season starts, I'll be bombarded with tickets."

On his one year with Marvin Lewis in Washington: "Marvin gave me a shot. That was my first early years of playing linebacker. He left early. But I started making more of a name for myself when the other guys came in. He let me play football. He gave me the opportunity to show up."

Are you a middle linebacker? "A football player. I played middle the last two years. This year I was playing more outside with the Redskins. I was playing Sam with Marvin back then."

Marshall's best year was 2005 when he started all 16 games, had 132 total tackles and four interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. His first season in Washington was 2002, the same year Lewis spent as Redskins defensive coordinator and Bengals assistant Ricky Hunley defensive line coach.

Other Bengals practice notes: Left tackle Levi Jones is practicing again today, and tailback Quincy Wilson (chest) is back on the practice field, too.

Defensive end Robert Geathers (rib strain) is not practicing, nor are cornerback Brandon Williams and safety Herana-Daze Jones.

Marshall's signing means the Bengals are unlikely to make a run at former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, cut last week.

The Bengals are likely to keep seven linebackers, with Marshall sliding into the spot vacated when Eric Henderson was lost for the season with a broken wrist. Henderson was working at strong-side linebacker.

The other six linebackers expected to stick are Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks, Landon Johnson, Ed Hartwell, Caleb Miller and Andre Frazier. Special teams coach Darrin Simmons likes linebackers in the kicking game on coverage units. In fact, Simmons walked in from practice with Marshall.