Bengals release former NIU quarterback

DeKALB - He wanted to control the controllable.

That was former Northern Illinois quarterback Josh Haldi's motto after signing with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Watch film, lift weights, study the playbook and throw the football until his arm got tired. That was the controllable. The uncontrollable came on Tuesday morning.

Haldi was cut by the Bengals after signing a free agent contract on April 28th.

He was the odd man out in a numbers game following Cincinnati's signing of former Chicago Bears and Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel earlier this month. The Bengals elected not to bring five quarterbacks to training camp. The Bengals currently have Carson Palmer, Jon Kitna, Casey Bramlet and Krenzel on the depth chart at quarterback.

Krenzel started five games for the Bears last year, and Bramlet strengthened his position on the depth chart following a successful stint in NFL Europe.
"The handwriting was on the wall when they signed Krenzel," Haldi said. "I'll just play it by ear for the next couple of weeks. I'm going to stay positive and continue to work."
Haldi was informed of the roster move on Saturday, one day after P.J. Fleck's "Live Your Dreams" scholarship fundraiser. An assistant called Haldi and said the move was pending with Krenzel passing his physical, which he did on Tuesday. A player personnel worker and head coach Marvin Lewis called Haldi on Tuesday.

"We'll see what happens in the future," Haldi said. "Craig and Casey had more experience than I did. It's the NFL. There will always be competition. You have to compete and beat somebody out. I understand and realize that. The NFL is the best of the best. I'm just going to stay positive and try and get better."

The Ohio native benefitted from his two-month NFL experience, taking all the reps in Cincinnati's three-day rookie camp.

"I got a crash course in the NFL during rookie camp," he said. "That was great. I liked that a lot."

Haldi also participated in the veteran camp, and even played in Palmer's golf tournament. He became friends with Palmer, who won the 2002 Heisman Trophy and was the first pick of the 2003 NFL Draft.

"Carson's such a laid-back guy," Haldi said. "I have so much respect for that guy. He's an awesome guy and it was a pleasure to meet him and his wife."

Haldi's immediate plans include working out in Cleveland and Rolling Meadows, moving out of his DeKalb apartment and enjoying a family vacation in Wisconsin. His plans also include to gain five pounds from his 215-pound frame.

Haldi relinquished a spring internship with PricewaterhouseCooper in order to pursue his NFL dream. The experience from his first foray into the NFL and the recent success of several former teammates has caused Haldi to rethink his short-term goals.
"I've created enough support and connections that I think I can go back," Haldi said of his internship. "I'm not going to walk away from football until I know 100 percent it won't work out for me. I don't give 50 percent in anything I do. I'll give football 100 percent and see what happens."

By Bobby Narang - Chronicle Sports Staff