Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/181992
irish in the pros drafted 21st overall by the Bengals in 2010 — sits atop the Cincinnati depth chart and has served as a guiding influence during Eifert's rookie season. "He's just an all-around tight end," Eifert said. "He can catch the football. He can block. He understands the offense. I haven't learned a lot of the technique things per se, but he helps me out when I have questions if I need to know how to do something differently or schematic things. He's always the first one to help me out and we have a good relationship." Eifert said he has maintained the bonds he formed during his four years at Notre Dame. He and some former teammates, including Tommy Rees, Dan Fox, Zack Martin and Chris Watt, participate in a group text message to keep up with each other's lives. He said he speaks with former Bishop Dwenger High School and Notre Dame teammate John Goodman daily. "I stay in contact with the players for sure," Eifert said. "My best friends are still on the team and the coaches I talk to sparingly." Despite the added bumps and bruises collected at the next level — Eifert says he's just as sore these days as he was after games in college despite not playing nearly as many snaps — he says his approach remains the same because of the lessons instilled at Notre Dame. "[I have] to work hard every day and be the same guy," he said. "Don't get too down if things are going hard, don't get complacent when things are going well. "Stay level-headed and go to work with the same attitude and good things will happen." NFL Notes • Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick carried the ball twice for minus-two yards in a 27-20 win at Washington Sept. 22. He served as the backup to Joique Bell with Reggie Bush out with a knee injury. • Eifert caught one pass for seven yards in Cincinnati's 34-30 win over the Green Bay Packers Sept. 22. • San Diego Chargers rookie linebacker Manti Te'o was expected to make his NFL debut Sept. 29. The rookie linebacker practiced fully for the first time Sept. 25 after sustaining a foot injury in the team's first preseason game Aug. 8. • New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck recorded two tackles in a 38-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers Sept. 22. He recorded nine tackles and 0.5 sacks during the team's 0-3 start. • Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph caught five passes for 28 yards in a 31-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns Sept. 22. Through three games, Rudolph had 10 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown during an 0-3 start to the season. Teammate and fellow tight end John Carlson caught two passes for 10 yards in those three games. • Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith recorded an interception for the second consecutive game, but the team dropped to 0-3 in the loss against Cleveland. In the season's first three games, Smith snagged two interceptions and recorded 10 tackles. • Kansas City Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano missed the team's win at Philadelphia Sept. 19 due to ankle injury. The ailment continued to hamper Fasano heading into the Chiefs game against the New York Giants Sept. 29. • Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate notched five catches for 88 yards in the team's 45-17 drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first three games of the season, Tate recorded 158 receiving yards on 10 catches while also carrying the ball twice for 29 yards. However, he has yet to score a touchdown. ✦