Feb. 28, 2009
Orlando, Fla. (www.UCFAthletics.com) - The Bengals tendered a contract offer to the linebacker Rashad Jeanty on Thursday that gives them the right to match any offer from another club. If the Bengals decide not to match another team's offer, they would get a second-round draft pick as compensation.
Jeanty received a second-round tender of $1.545 million after making 15 starts in 2008. He was fourth on the team in tackles and second on special teams tackles.
The third-year pro logged his first 16-game season and made 15 starts ... Had 97 tackles, fourth on team, and ranked second in special-teams tackles (15) ... Also had two forced fumbles (tied for team lead), two tackles-for-loss, five QB hurries and two passes defensed ... Voted by teammates as Bengals 2008 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, which honors players who "demonstrate commitment to the values of sportsmanship and courage" ... Suffered pectoral muscle injury in season finale, Dec. 28 vs. Kansas City, but should be recovered in time for all offseason programs.
DOUBLE DUTY: Jeanty had more than twice as many special-teams tackles (15) than any other regular defensive starter in 2008. The next-highest total for a starter was six, by LB Brandon Johnson. Additionally on special teams, Jeanty had a fumble recovery and a Bengals onside kick recovery
MORE 2008 HIGHLIGHTS: On Sept.7 at Baltimore, forced a fumble by RB Ray Rice that was returned 65 yards for TD by Bengals' Johnathan Joseph ... Did not start Sept. 14 vs. Tennessee, but led team in solo tackles (seven) while totaling nine stops ... Had nine tackles for the second week in a row Sept. 21 at N.Y. Giants, and led special teams with five tackles, team high for the season ... On Oct. 5 at Dallas, had fourth-quarter onside kickoff recovery at the Cincinnati 48 ... Also at Dallas, tied for team lead in special-teams tackles (two) ... On Oct. 16 at Houston, led team in total tackles (10) and solos (six) ... On Nov. 20 at Pittsburgh, recovered a muffed Steelers punt at Pittsburgh 39 in second quarter ... On Nov. 30 vs. Baltimore, had personal season-high 13 tackles ... On Dec. 7 at Indianapolis, stopped a scoring threat with a forced fumble against TE Dallas Clark at Cincinnati 1-yard line, with CB Leon Hall recovering in end zone for a touchback ... Also at Indy, tied for team lead in tackles (10) and had a pass defensed ... Two tackles Dec. 28 vs. Kansas City, but played only in first quarter, before being sidelined with pectoral muscle injury.
UCF's Conference USA slate will be released by the league office at a later date. The Knights will play host to Houston, Marshall, Memphis and Tulane at Bright House Networks Stadium while travelling to face East Carolina, Rice, Southern Miss and UAB.
UCF will be playing seven regularly scheduled home games at Bright House Networks Stadium for the first time in the facility's three-year existence. The Knights were fortunate to play seven home games in 2007 with the final contest being the Conference USA Championship Game.
For information on 2009 UCF football season tickets call the Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.