Jason

Shirley

Shirley’s stay on the active roster lasted off of five days. A fifth-round pick of the Bengals in 2008, Shirley has appeared in just three career games, and zero since he was a rookie.

Shirley, rookie Frank Kearse, and second-year pro Andre Neblett have been a boon to the run defense as well. Despite losing rookie starters Terrell McClain and Sione Fua, the Panthers have improved to 21st in run defense, allowing just 95.6 yards per during a 4-1 stretch.

A major character risk coming out of Fresno State in 2008, Shirley flashed early in his Bengals career before a failed position switch to offensive guard. He’ll add mauler size on the interior with rookies Terrell McClain and Sione Fua out for the season.

Shirley started his career in Cincinnati as a defensive tackle, briefly shifted to offensive guard and then was moved back to defense. After that, he had cups of coffee with the Panthers and Seahawks before attracting little interest on the open market. Shirley doesn’t bring much more than a 6'5/338 frame.

Shirley possesses prototype size at 6-foot-5, 338, but he’s been shuttled around positions and failed to stick in the league. His outlook is getting bleak.

Shirley has mauler size at 6-foot-5, 338, working at offensive guard for the past two seasons on the Bengals’ practice squad. The experiment was finally nixed in 2011 training camp, with Shirley moving back to defense. In Seattle, he’ll be a long shot for playing time behind Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane.

It’s bad news for Shirley’s chances of making the club. He has the size (6'5/338) and athleticism for the position, but is unlikely to catch on quickly.

Cincy’s first pick to sign. The Fresno State product has a history of off-field issues and was kicked off the team by coach Pat Hill as a senior. If he gets his head on straight, Shirley has potential as a blocker-occupying nose.

Both Shirley and the Bengals expected to have this situation resolved by now, so there is definitely a sense of disappointment. But the Bengals are used to that.