Like Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers, Cincinnati Bengals strong safety John Busing feels like bustin' loose. Gimme da' bridge y'all!

The former Miami University linebacker-turned-safety spent his rookie season being a wrecking ball on special teams for the Bengals but is now looking to play a bigger role in his second season with the club. Busing has his sights set on playing defense this season and worked hard in the offseason training in Atlanta, elevating his game.

"I spent a lot of time in the weight room trying to become more explosive with my lower body," Busing said. "I worked on some coverage aspects of the game, footwork, hips and some man-to-man stuff."

Busing will get an opportunity to show the coaches just how much his game has evolved when the team reports to training camp Thursday.

When asked if he was looking forward to camp, Busing gave an emphatic response.

"Definitely," he said. "Last year was a new experience getting to play on special teams, but as long as I have played football I've been out there on defense and I miss that. I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing well. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play some defense this year."

The loss of safety Kevin Kaesviharn has opened the door for some reserves to get their shot at playing in the defensive secondary. Busing is gearing up to do battle with Ethan Kilmer, Herana-Daze Jones and rookie fourth-round draft pick Marvin White for playing time behind starters Dexter Jackson and Madieu Williams.

"I had a year to switch positions and learn, but I feel like there are some opportunities out there on defense," said the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Busing. "I want to make some things happen on the field and see what I can do to help this team win."

Busing said fans can expect to see a swarming Bengals defense this year — a defense other teams will fear. He assured me that he wants to be a part of that defense.

Former Miami quarterback Mike Bath, now the team's tight ends coach, said Busing is a phenomenal athlete who can play all three linebacker positions, as well as strong safety. Bath called Busing a highly intelligent player and a guy who will last in the pros 10 years or more. Now all he has to do is put it all together at the pro level.

After spending his first four weeks on the practice squad and playing seven regular-season games on special teams, Busing is more than excited about the possibility of playing on defense. 

Let the dog days of training camp begin.