CINCINNATI -- In terms of physical gifts, Ahmad Brooks has it all.


But in the NFL, it's not all about, Does he have it? In some cases, and certainly in Brooks', the pressing question is, Does he get it?

Put more bluntly, does he have the maturity to convert his immense talent into the type of production and leadership the Bengals need at middle linebacker?

Linebackers coach Ricky Hunley acknowledged Brooks is the type of player coaches salivate over -- and get ulcers over.

At 6 feet 5 and 260 pounds, Brooks is huge by linebacker standards. He's extraordinarily fast for his size. But this is also a guy who the University of Virginia booted out for various transgressions, including an arrest for marijuana possession.

With the release of incumbent Brian Simmons and suspension of 2005 starter Odell Thurman, Brooks is playing with the first team during minicamp this weekend.

"He's improving every day," Hunley said yesterday. "Is he a perfectionist? No. Do you have to constantly remind him, put your foot up his butt? Yes."

The Bengals took him in the supplemental draft last year, two weeks before the start of training camp. With little time to learn the Bengals' system, he had to rely on his natural ability. That was enough to make a strong first impression. In an intrasquad scrimmage, Brooks delivered a hit on running back Kenny Watson that announced his arrival.

"I was calling all my friends saying, 'Man, we've got this linebacker who's sick,' " defensive tackle John Thornton recalled.

But Brooks' inexperience and immaturity soon became apparent. He was forced into the lineup when Simmons got hurt, but coaches later replaced him with Caleb Miller. For three games, Brooks was deactivated. That was partly because he didn't contribute on special teams but also to send a message: Nothing will be given to you, kid.

Brooks acknowledged it stung to hear coaches tell him he didn't get it.

"Yeah, you want to question, what is it I don't get," he said. "Tell me what I don't understand. It's kind of frustrating, but I have to take it as constructive criticism and have to make myself better."

Brooks believes the problem is more perception than reality. Quiet by nature, Brooks didn't always feel the need to inform the coaches that he was doing all of his film study, for example.

"I think part of his maturity is learning to communicate with his coach so we're all on the same page," Hunley said.

Hunley and defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said Brooks has made substantial progress this offseason.

"Does he still have a ways to go? Heck yes, and he'll be the first to tell you that," Bresnahan said. "But he's been here, worked hard, taken it seriously and worked to get into football shape."

The Bengals have had five starting middle linebackers in as many years. At a position considered the quarterback of the defense, that's a problem. Brooks has the talent to be a star for a decade.

"I'm trying to get the swagger that (receiver) Chad (Johnson) has, that basically says, 'I'm that guy. I want the ball in my hands,' " Brooks said. "That's how I want to be. I want to make that tackle."