Cincinnati Bengals High 5: Five questions with Alex Erickson

After ranking second in the league in kick returns as a rookie, Alex Erickson has seen his role expand in 2017.

The undrafted college free agent from Wisconsin, whose 27.9 average on kick returns last year was the second best mark in Bengals history, has been a bigger part of the offense this season with nine catches for 142 yards, including his first career touchdown on a 29-yard reception last Sunday in Denver.

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Erickson, who had six catches for 71 yards last year, talked about last week’s milestone catch and what he hopes will be a historic season for his alma mater for this week’s Cincinnati Bengals High 5:

Q: How many messages did you have on your phone after catching your first career touchdown Sunday in Denver?

A: I had quite a few. A lot of people reached out and said congrats, which is always nice to know people are supporting you and caring about you. It was mostly people I talk to regularly, but there were some old teammates and guys that I grew up with and stuff, so it was cool.

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Q: You were so eager to celebrate, did you almost forget about keeping the ball?

A: I did. I spiked it and then Andy (Dalton) came up and asked me if I got the ball, so I had to go find it. I'm going to keep it and display it in my man cave someday when I get a house. Or maybe I might give it to my parents. I'm not sure yet. Right now it's in my place here.

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Q: Kick returns are so rare now with most of the balls flying out of the end zone. How much of a split-second decision is it to return one of the borderline ones that might only go 5 yards deep?

A: It all depends on the kicker. How high is he hanging the ball up? I think it varies week to week. Any time a kick is 8 yards deep or 9 yards deep in the end zone, to get it out to the 25 you've got to have a 34-yard return. It's just pick and choose. It's kind of a feel thing for me. I try to judge how high the ball is hanging and how much time I have. It's tough. It sucks when they just kick it out of the back of the end zone every time because we're ready to make a play in that phase. You just have to be patient and be ready to block every single play because you never know when you might get a chance. Even with a kicker that kicks it out of the back of the end zone every time, he might mis-kick one and you've got to be ready to make a play.

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Q: Next week is the My Cause, My Cleats game. Will you be wearing any special cleats?

A: I am. It's a non-profit back home called Hodan Community Services. They employ learning disabled people. My wife's sister has a learning disability. They hired her. It's a really cool thing. For people who might not otherwise be able to get a job at a lot of places, it gives them a real sense of purpose and gives them a goal they're trying to achieve. So it's pretty cool. I've gone and visited them a couple times. They're such positive people. They never complain about their issues. They never complain about anything. I'm glad they allowed me to support them and make them a part of My Cause, My Cleats.

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Q: Also next week with you guys having a Monday night game, are you going to take advantage of the schedule and make the short drive to Indianapolis on Saturday night to watch your Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game?

A: I probably won't go, just because by the time I get back it would be so late. But hopefully they'll win that. I'd like to be able to go, but I just think it would be too tight time wise. I know they're locked in to play Ohio State again. I was there for the (59-0 Ohio State win in 2014). I lived that. But they have a little different team this year than we had. It will be interesting to see how it goes. That will be a huge game for them, not only to win the Big Ten but take control of their own destiny for the (College Football Playoff).

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