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Picking off some history

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley (13) returns an interception during an NFL pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers in Cincinnati, Sept. 4, 1971. The Bengals defeated the Packers 27-24 at Riverfront Stadium. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley (13) returns an interception during an NFL pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers in Cincinnati, Sept. 4, 1971. The Bengals defeated the Packers 27-24 at Riverfront Stadium. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)

That's 123 Cincy picks, kids. (Louis Breeden, Lemar Parrish, Ken Riley.)

Secondary coach Kevin Coyle handed out the thrills for both sides at the end of Saturday's practice when he called over a total of 123 Bengals interceptions to speak to his group and cap off his research into the history of thievery on the corner of Bengaldom.

Ken Riley (65), Louis Breeden (33), and Lemar Parrish (25) are in town to kick off the franchise's 50th anniversary season and Coyle wanted his guys to know they were running in the steps of royalty.

So in his meeting room he posted their pictures and some of their accomplishments that every Cincy school kid should know: Riley's 65 franchise-best picks and fifth all-time. Parrish's eight Pro Bowls, 47 interceptions (25 with the Bengals) and 13 return TDs. Breeden's runner-up 33 interceptions to Riley on the club, along with the immortal 102-yard interception return off Dan Fouts in San Diego.

"Most of them are his. He's got 65 of them," is the way Breeden tells what he told the kids. With Riley's son Ken shooting video, his father told them to have a long memory "and don't just knock it down. Catch it. Anybody can knock it down."

Cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who has one interception in one NFL snap, seemed particularly interested in numbers.

"How do I get to 65?" Riley recalls Russell asking him. "They seemed pretty wide-eyed about it. George (Iloka) was pretty excited."

Parrish talked about communication and trust and, yes, bump-and-run. There was nobody better, while Riley was the off-man technician.

"It was a great experience," Riley said. "Kevin is doing a good job. He's trying to inspire those guys. He didn't have to do that."

Cincinnati Bengals feature Bengals All-50th team banners in Paul Brown Stadium

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