MONROE - Each time Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, kickoff and punt returner Alex Erickson comes home to Darlington, he can see children wearing his Bengals jersey.
Erickson, a Darlington High School graduate and Darlington native, appreciates the support and love for the Bengals in southwest Wisconsin.
"It's pretty surreal and cool to see kids with my jersey on and the support from the community," Erickson said. "Whether you are from a small town or big town it doesn't matter. You can achieve your goals."
As a rookie, Erickson ranks first in the NFL in kickoff return yards (796 yards) and fourth in average yards per kickoff return (28.4). The leader in average yards per kickoff return is the Minnesota Vikings' Coraderrelle Patterson (31.5).
Erickson has the eighth longest kickoff return in the NFL this season at 84 yards in a 21-20 loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 14 in a Monday Night Football game.
"I don't think it surprises me," he said of his success with kickoff returns. "I've always had confidence in my ability as a returner. When I field the football, I just get the ball in my hands and you let your natural instincts take over."
Erickson ranks 15th in punt return yards (195) and is 21st in the league in average yards per punt return (7.2).
Erickson has seen a limited role as a wide receiver. He has six receptions for 71 yards.
"I just want to improve and make the most of every opportunity," Erickson said. "Any way I can help out the team and find my role. Not everyone can be the star quarterback. I've always tried to accept my role no matter the sport. I just have to continue to get better and have faith that it will come."
There was an adjustment period for Erickson once he signed a three-year rookie free agent contract with the Bengals. He moved to a new city in Cincinnati and rents a townhouse. The adjustments didn't just come away from the field. Erickson returned punts at Wisconsin, but he didn't serve as a kick returner.
"I had to get used to setting up and reading my blocks," he said of the kickoff returns.
"I returned punts some at Wisconsin. A lot of times in the NFL it comes down to one possession. Those hidden yards on special teams can make the difference. I had to get used to fielding the ball and making those decisions when there are a lot of people closing in on you."
The typical week for Erickson includes watching film, beginning game preparation and lifting on Mondays. On Tuesdays, players usually have the day off but still lift weights. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, Bengals players go through special teams, offensive, defensive and position meetings and film sessions to prepare for the upcoming opponent. Then, the Bengals practice later in the afternoon or at night. Players have a lighter practice on Fridays and Saturdays along with more film sessions. If it's a game where the Bengals are on the road, they usually depart on Saturdays. After game days on Sundays, he repeats the process again.
"We prepared well at Wisconsin and in high school," he said. "It's at a much higher level now. You watch more film now because it's your full-time job. You are getting paid to play football."
As a team, the Bengals have had a disappointing season with a 5-9-1 record and will miss the playoffs after making six straight playoff appearances under coach Marvin Lewis.
"Any time you don't achieve the level of success you are capable of it's disappointing," Erickson said. "You can say we have played in a lot of close games. At the end of the day, we didn't do enough to win those games. There is only one way to get over it. It's to come to work and work hard to get better."
After the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens at noon on New Year's Day, Erickson will return to the Darlington and Madison area. He will be back-and-forth between Darlington and Cincinnati as he and his fiancee, Kelsi Marie, finalize plans for their wedding July 15.
"Hopefully, I can keep getting better and keep making people happy," he said.
Erickson, a Darlington High School graduate and Darlington native, appreciates the support and love for the Bengals in southwest Wisconsin.
"It's pretty surreal and cool to see kids with my jersey on and the support from the community," Erickson said. "Whether you are from a small town or big town it doesn't matter. You can achieve your goals."
As a rookie, Erickson ranks first in the NFL in kickoff return yards (796 yards) and fourth in average yards per kickoff return (28.4). The leader in average yards per kickoff return is the Minnesota Vikings' Coraderrelle Patterson (31.5).
Erickson has the eighth longest kickoff return in the NFL this season at 84 yards in a 21-20 loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 14 in a Monday Night Football game.
"I don't think it surprises me," he said of his success with kickoff returns. "I've always had confidence in my ability as a returner. When I field the football, I just get the ball in my hands and you let your natural instincts take over."
Erickson ranks 15th in punt return yards (195) and is 21st in the league in average yards per punt return (7.2).
Erickson has seen a limited role as a wide receiver. He has six receptions for 71 yards.
"I just want to improve and make the most of every opportunity," Erickson said. "Any way I can help out the team and find my role. Not everyone can be the star quarterback. I've always tried to accept my role no matter the sport. I just have to continue to get better and have faith that it will come."
There was an adjustment period for Erickson once he signed a three-year rookie free agent contract with the Bengals. He moved to a new city in Cincinnati and rents a townhouse. The adjustments didn't just come away from the field. Erickson returned punts at Wisconsin, but he didn't serve as a kick returner.
"I had to get used to setting up and reading my blocks," he said of the kickoff returns.
"I returned punts some at Wisconsin. A lot of times in the NFL it comes down to one possession. Those hidden yards on special teams can make the difference. I had to get used to fielding the ball and making those decisions when there are a lot of people closing in on you."
The typical week for Erickson includes watching film, beginning game preparation and lifting on Mondays. On Tuesdays, players usually have the day off but still lift weights. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, Bengals players go through special teams, offensive, defensive and position meetings and film sessions to prepare for the upcoming opponent. Then, the Bengals practice later in the afternoon or at night. Players have a lighter practice on Fridays and Saturdays along with more film sessions. If it's a game where the Bengals are on the road, they usually depart on Saturdays. After game days on Sundays, he repeats the process again.
"We prepared well at Wisconsin and in high school," he said. "It's at a much higher level now. You watch more film now because it's your full-time job. You are getting paid to play football."
As a team, the Bengals have had a disappointing season with a 5-9-1 record and will miss the playoffs after making six straight playoff appearances under coach Marvin Lewis.
"Any time you don't achieve the level of success you are capable of it's disappointing," Erickson said. "You can say we have played in a lot of close games. At the end of the day, we didn't do enough to win those games. There is only one way to get over it. It's to come to work and work hard to get better."
After the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens at noon on New Year's Day, Erickson will return to the Darlington and Madison area. He will be back-and-forth between Darlington and Cincinnati as he and his fiancee, Kelsi Marie, finalize plans for their wedding July 15.
"Hopefully, I can keep getting better and keep making people happy," he said.
