Cincinnati Bengals star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson just got some major praise from league executives and coaches.
Now, at least one player has joined the fray, too.
Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins recently went on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and said Hendrickson is his favorite defender to line up against in the trenches.
“Trey Hendrickson. He is one of the best players that I think, just mentally, physically, just what he does on the football field. He comes out there and he plays with no gloves on, Dawkins said. “That is one of those weird tells that when you come out on the football field and you see a player, and you’re looking at him on snap one, and you’re like, ‘Alright, his helmet is tied up. He has his shoes, swag check. Let’s see what type of player he is.’ And then you look at his hands and he has no gloves on; for a player that plays with his hands all game, that means that you’re just a little, he’s a real football player. And then he comes and he hits you every single play, boom, boom, boom, boom. Every rep, every play, he’s coming at you. That tells you that you have to be on your P’s and Q’s no matter what.”
Dawkins’ comments — which are presumably shared by other players Hendrickson faces — probably aren’t a shocker to Bengals fans. Hendrickson has been known to play through injuries while putting up some huge numbers, including those 17.5 sacks last season.
Unfortunately for Dawkins (and fans), the Bengals and Bills aren’t scheduled to play next season — unless they meet in the postseason.