Bengals notes: Iloka wants to level up; Billings' time is coming

Jim Owczarski | Cincinnati Enquirer

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Over the first four years of his career in the Cincinnati Bengals’ secondary, George Iloka was the safety considered the “thumper,” the “strong” to Reggie Nelson’s role as the “free" roamer who seemingly made a living intercepting Ben Roethlisberger and collecting errant passes dozens of yards downfield.

The pair worked well together from 2012-15. Nelson intercepted 17 passes in those seasons, forced two fumbles and recovered five more. Iloka picked off five passes of his own in that time, but he was the one often crashing down to the line of scrimmage in run support.

In 2016, with the departure of Nelson and ascension of Shawn Williams to the starting lineup, Iloka was the one back deep. He tied a career high with three interceptions and broke up seven passes, the second-most of his career. But, he hasn’t forced a fumble or recovered one since 2013.

This season, the 26-year-old Iloka is looking to do more.

“Definitely,” he said. “That’s always something I’m striving for and trying to increase. I think last year I had three (interceptions). I easily could have two more that I kind of dropped.”

He’s turned up the heat a bit, even in the non-contact organized team activities. He wants to practice being more aggressive, to find out if – and when – it works before trying it out when it counts on game days.

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Iloka came up with an interception on Tuesday in the OTA open to the media.

“There are opportunities back there and there will be throughout the year, so I’ve got to work on those things and focus on those things now so when it comes Sunday it’ll come easier,” he said.

Entering his sixth season, Iloka said meetings, where the defense and its calls are taught, have evolved in his mind, to the point where he is thinking ahead to how offenses will counteract them with formations and routes and then how he can adjust and react to that.

“I’m listening,” he said. “But I’m thinking one level up.”

Billings’ time is coming

A year ago at this time, the Bengals hoped rookie Andrew Billings could learn behind Domata Peko and eventually work his way onto the field in spots. A meniscus tear in training camp ended his season and Peko played the fourth most snaps on the defensive line.

This year Peko is in Denver and Billings is healthy, so while this would be the 21-year-old defensive tackle’s “rookie” season he is being counted on to provide a run-stuffing presence.

But, unlike some of his teammates at the skill positions, how he’s progressing in that are won’t be determined for some time.

“I think he knows the defense,” Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. “It's just getting his feet under him a little bit and, like (Nick) Vigil, going through a whole year of knowing where to be, what the schedule is. He's a lot more comfortable that way. This isn't Billings' time of year right now. That'll be when we get in pads.”

Daltons host annual “waiter night”

Andy Dalton and his wife, Jordan, will host their annual “celebrity waiter night” at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza on Monday from 6:30-10 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation, which supports seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families in Cincinnati. Dalton and his Bengals teammates will wait on guests while Orchids at Palm Court executive chef Todd Kelly prepares a three-course meal. A cocktail reception, live and silent auctions and hors d’oeuvres precede the dinner.

A single ticket is $300 while a single premium ticket is $400, which includes a signed football by the Bengals in attendance. Tickets can be purchased at AndyDalton.org.