It wasn't that long ago when Mike Hilton was undrafted and had to begin the uphill climb to get an opportunity in the National Football League.
Eventually, the 5-foot-9 defensive back out of Ole Miss landed in Pittsburgh and carved out a solid four-year stint, playing in 59 games on the Steelers' defense.
This past offseason, Hilton signed with the Bengals on a four-year deal reportedly worth $24 million.
Even though he's now an established pro, the 27-year-old still feels the same way he did when he was fighting for that first chance.
"I never lose that underdog mentality," Hilton said Monday during a press conference to kick off the second week of training camp. "That's what got me in this position. I always play with that chip on my shoulder just to prove people wrong. I'm blessed to be in this position and I never take it for granted."
That mentality lent itself to Hilton's reputation on the field – one that's forged in aggression.
"We definitely had some discussion about how they wanted to use me to the best of my ability. Everybody knows I'm probably the best blitzing cornerback in the league, and that's where I made my plays, so I feel like coach Lou (Anarumo) and those guys are gonna trust that ability, but I also have to trust what he calls. If I have to cover the slot 90% of the game, I have no issue doing it, as long as I'm doing my job, and we're successful as a team," Hilton said.
Hilton brought more than just his aggressive mentality over from Pittsburgh. He's implemented a fine system for Cincinnati's defensive backs, a trick he picked up from Joe Haden and other veterans during his time in Pittsburgh.
It's a simple system. If anyone in the secondary has a missed assignment, drops an interception, or "loafs," they have to put money into the pot.
A loaf, as Hilton described it, is not having that burst to the football.
"When I came over, I told myself, 'I want to hold this group accountable,'" said Hilton. "I have to earn my stripes ... I have to show that I'm a leader on the field and I feel like this is the first step."
The decision to hold the secondary to a higher standard is one Hilton arrived at on his own.
"I knew they brought me here for a reason," Hilton said. "I want to be a leader on and off the field ... and if I can have those guys trust me and know the winning mentality I can bring over, I feel like they'll follow my lead and we can turn this thing around."
Kicker competition heating up
The Bengals were the only team to select a kicker in the 2021 NFL Draft. They went with Evan McPherson in the fifth round and now a week into training camp, the competition is heating up.
McPherson's battling with Austin Seibert, who finished last season at the team's starting kicker.
"Evan is 14-of-15 so far and Austin is 13-of-15," special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons told reporters Monday. "It's gone well so far. One of those misses (for) each has been 60 yards. I think it's something that's going to be contested right up until the end. They've both done very well so far.
"... They're both talented guys. I think they'll both be kicking in the league at some point, some place this season. I can't think of another team that's got two fifth-round kickers on their roster at one time. Both of them deserve to be kicking in the league."
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