I am going to continue with my off-season priorities today since there is nothing going on besides a bunch of people walking in and out of a building talking about the CBA, boring! Today we are going to focus on the Bengals defense, what is has, and what it needs. The one thing they have, is a great D-Coordinator, Mike Zimmer, the long time Cowboys defensive coach is well respected around the league and has always been successful. If he can get the right mix of players, and keep them healthy (I am talking to you Odom) then the defense should be back to its 2009 form.
Defensive Line - Many so called "NFL Experts" have defensive end as a major position of need, but I do not see it that way. They have a budding star in Carlos Dunlap. Dunlap and fellow young DE Michael Johnson have similar resumes, both are athletic freaks who fell in the draft due to a reputation for taking plays off and not working that hard, if the Bengals can get these 2 guys to reach their potential then they should be able to not only generate solid QB pressure but also provide the Bengals with depth at the position. The other ends (Robert Geathers and Victor Adeyanju) are just average and do nothing but provide added depth, and I think that Geathers will be released. They also have Frostee Rucker who should provide some valuable depth and need to make a move to get John Fanene (sack leader previous season) back under contract. With this being such a deep draft at the defensive line position do not be surprised if the Bengals draft someone in case Dunlap and Johnson do not live up to their potential. I could see them targeting someone like Texas's Sam Acho, a guy who is a born leader and example setter who runs with a high motor that could help motivate the underachievers.
The other position along the defensive line is defensive tackle. Peko and Sims, the 2 starting defensive tackles are both good players at the point of attack. Peko is one of those high motor guys that never stops hustling, and with his size can take on double teams with ease. Sims is learning and has become more of a disruptor at the interior position, he gets off the ball well but needs to work on his mechanics. I do not see defensive tackle as a need that they will address in the draft, they have some depth at the position with a few other young players.
Linebacker - This is another position of strength the Bengals have. They have spent a few early draft picks lately on some USC linebackers that head the LB position in Keith Rivers and Rey Maulaga. Rivers is on his way to becoming an elite LB and can play at any LB position the Bengals ask. Maulaga had a bad 2010 season and was recently ripped by Zimmer for not paying attention to detail. They drafted Rey with the intention of him taking over the MLB spot from Dhani Jones this year, his all out style is better suited for playing the sideline-to-sideline MLB in the 4-3. Rey just needs to learn to play within the system and control his all out, over aggressive style to find a comfortable middle ground. If they move him to the middle he will have to be the leader of the defense, hopefully he picked up the traits and habits of Jones who is a very well respected veteran in Cincinnati.
For the LB corp the main problem was giving up to much in the run game, where it ranked 19th. Veteran Dhani Jones is going to be a free agent and will most likely not be asked to return. I believe they need to find a LB in the draft that is good at playing the run, possibly a team captain in college in case moving Rey to the middle does not work out. Some prospects to keep your eye on for them are:
-Mark Herzlich - Boston College LB who overcame a rare form of bone cancer in 2009 and has regained much of his top form. Prior to his cancer he was considered a potential 1st round pick, but after some disappointing combine numbers his stock could fall to the 3rd or 4th round where the Bengals would be wise to snatch him up, of course I would not be surprised if he is grabbed in the 2nd round... Herzlich is a technically sound player, especially when tackling. He plays with an extremely high motor never giving up on plays and is one of those guys who genuinely love to play football. Some scouts seem to have him listed as a 3-4 OLB but I think he would fit well in the Bengals scheme, either as the SAM backer or the MLB.
-Mario Harvey - Marshall LB who recorded 419 tackles, 20 sacks, & 5 force fumbles in his collegiate career. His ability to get off blocks with his free shoulder makes him an ideal fit for a 4-3 OLB and his prowess for stopping the run make him a good fit for the Bengals.
Secondary - In my opinion the Bengals have the best young starting CB tandem in the NFL with Leon hall and Johnathan Joseph. The only problem is that Joseph is a free agent, the Bengals MUST make re-signing him a priority the moment a new CBA is signed. For the nickel corner position I believe that Adam Jones (who seems to have settled down off-field) is still a solid CB, he was having a great year last year before being injured and placed on IR. While Jones wants to be a starter (possible if Joseph is not re-signed) I think he will be a great value CB for the 3rd corner/nickel role. They may also have the chance to draft Patrick Peterson at #4 (if they don't go for a WR or QB) and let Joseph walk. My opinion is to re-sign Joseph and have him and Hall continue making plays on the outside, then let Adam Jones/Jonathan Wade/Morgan Trent battle for the remaining nickel and dime role. They should have plenty of depth at the CB position if they can stay healthy this year, drafting a project CB in the late rounds such as: Buster Skrine - Tennessee Chattanooga (fastest man at the combine, good in run support, needs work on technical aspects), Marcus Gilchrist - Clemson (versatile player who could line up at corner or safety), and Kendrick Burney - North Carolina (displayed poor 40 times, but grades out well on film and played solid at the Senior Bowl, remember I value college production over running a straight line in your underwear any day).
Safety remains a primary concern for the Bengals with starting strong safety Roy Williams (liability in coverage) and his backup Chinedum Ndukwe both free agents. While Williams is a liability in coverage, the Bengals should be able to get him on the cheap and get a project strong safety to start developing. Ndukwe is a good special teams player, but may think he can be a bigger contributor for another team and they may be unable to retain him. At the free safety spot Reggie Nelson appeared to play well in the final month of the season, and the team will have to decide if he can continue that into next year. I think he can and he will finally live up to his 1st round draft potential. While this safety class is weak this year, they may want to look in the later rounds at drafting a project like Will Hill Safety from Florida, he is a guy that I think will be a good safety with some film study to help him recognize plays and can contribute immediately on special teams.
Overall I think the Bengals defense should have a rebound year and surprise everyone in 2011 (if there is football in 2011), they do not have to many holes that need to be filled immediately and their main key is retaining Johnathan Joseph.
Up next: I will start my off-season review of the Indianapolis Colts, and again I will try to keep it shorter than this one.....
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