Cam Sample Impresses As Bengals Gear Up on D-Line

But senior defensive assistant Mark Duffner, who helps line coach Marion Hobby with the edge players, says the biggest difference between his rookie year and this preseason just might be his health. He played hurt at points last year and ended up getting surgery on his core after the season. He also missed the last two games of the regular season with a hamstring injury before returning to play 67 snaps in three of the four postseason games as a rotational edge player and occasional three technique inside.

“He’s showing more burst right now because he was hurt. He was not 100 percent last season,” Duffner says. He’s quicker off the ball. His short area burst is more. And he gives you such great versatility. He can play end, he can play inside.”

It was Duffner who told Sample during the 2021 draft process, after about his third Zoom interview with him, “I’d adopt you in three seconds.”

After spending a season with him, that first impression grew. When Duffner met Deidre’ at the Super Bowl, he told her the same thing. (She’s keeping him.) Every week when Duffner gives out his quizzes, he says Sample always hits 95 to 100.

“He nails it,” Duffner says. “He’s bright, he’s upbeat. He’s detailed in his work ethic. He does an excellent job with his preparation on and off the field.”

He was raised upbeat. Deidre’ Sample would have it no other way. Not the lady who has penned, ABCs to Self Worth,ME!andGod Loves Us! They’re for kids anywhere from 3-11 and hammers home positive, esteem-enhancer themes.

“If we don’t do these jobs of building up our children, and I just don’t mean biological but children in general,” Deidre’ Sample says, “are we going to leave it up to anybody to see their worth and tell them who they are? These are very formative years to pour into our kids so they can believe in themselves. It’s easier to build a child then re-build one.”

In Cam Sample’s house there were no negative thoughts or actions. Mainly, no negative words because they’re so lethal. Even…