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Bengals need Maualuga to bounce back
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Rey Maualuga with the 38th overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft, many viewed the pick as a steal. Maualuga was regarded as a top linebacker prospect and projected first-round pick, but slid to the Bengals in round two.
As a rookie, Maualuga’s impact on defense was almost immediate. He wasted little time proving he was a first-round talent earning a starting job at outside linebacker over veteran Rashad Jeanty during training camp. His fiery and aggressive play helped him record 63 tackles and one sack. The linebacker started the first 15 games of his rookie season before fracturing his left ankle.
Maualuga’s second season was equally impressive with 75 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. Despite his statistics, Maualuga didn’t appear to play with the same tenacity of his rookie year. There were times where he looked as if he was freelancing and out of position to make a play. He also had the added pressure to make plays when the defense struggled, causing him to press.
The season was a major disappointment as the Bengals finished 4-12.
Looking ahead, the third-year linebacker has high expectations and will be faced with other challenges this season. Maualuga will likely be moved to familiar territory at middle linebacker where he’s expected to flourish. He was a three-year starter at middle linebacker at USC, registering 273 career tackles, 22.5 tackles for losses, nine sacks and five interceptions.
Dhani Jones, last year’s starter at middle linebacker, is a free agent and his return to the team is questionable. Should Jones return to Cincinnati, it would likely be in a backup role. It will be tough to replace Jones’ leadership and presence in the locker room. But Maualuga is showing signs of maturity and ready to assume a leadership role this season.
Watch the following interview with Maualuga during a minicamp held by the players on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, as he talks about expectations for the season…
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Comments
By SB Nations "Primal"
June 9, 2011 10:10 PM | Link to this
Big C .. heres the problem with the Bengals, they dont let players play for positions, they automatically hand them the position, now C when we played grade school to H.S you played to win the position to start.. period .. these days players are just handed starting roles and as long as they get a check, they dont give a 110% effort, and the ones that do, notice their always in Hawaii in the All Star game, and their team is always in the playoffs, Bengals cant even put one starter on the All Star squad and the last 20yrs they are usually in the top 10 in the Draft, If Katie Blackburn dont hurry up an take this team over, its only gonna get worse, how Mike Brown can look in the mirror every morning on his taking the Team over for his Father Paul Brown and become the Worse Owner/GM in the history of NFL is Unbelieveable, but, when Katie takes over, and its her team, you will see a big difference in personel and play, shes dedicated to Win, but just like Me and You, no matter if your Father is dead wrong, you must support him in every way, and Katie does so, so keep the Faith Bengal Fans … their is Light At The End Of The Tunnel!
By Jose
June 10, 2011 8:03 AM | Link to this
Freakin awesome piece Big C! We really do need violent Rey back on the field. There is no reason he shouldn’t be playing at the level of his former USC teammates Brian Cushing, minus the roids, and Clay Matthews III. Go Bengals!!
By Lead Balloon
June 10, 2011 8:18 AM | Link to this
Bebgals will bounce back like a tomato.
By David
June 10, 2011 10:22 AM | Link to this
The whole defense underachieved last season, not just Maualuga. The safeties couldn’t cover receivers, the linebackers were all over the place, the line mostly stood around, and all the good cornerbacks were hurt. There was a spark late when Atkins and Dunlap got significant playing time. They need to be the starters this year, and the rest of the D needs to play like it knows what it’s doing.
By mott
June 10, 2011 8:04 PM | Link to this
I think its cool the players stepped up themselves to start work outs. I’m rooting for them. But the Bengals front office needs a huge kick in rear and Mike Brown to retire and sell the team. MIKE BROWN SUCKS!
By Bruce
June 11, 2011 9:28 AM | Link to this
Really a strange piece to write when the guy played every game. Keith Rivers, a higher draft pick, is viewed as having less impact. Both USC players, where the player hype is at a higher (almost ACC”) level and never accurate.
By Low performance...
June 11, 2011 2:39 PM | Link to this
The Bungals? Isn’t that the team located next to that sewer known as the Ohio River in Cincinnati? Let’s armchair this whole scenario with expert opinion as what needs to be done to be successful as a team. I know my profits gambling against the Bungals in Vegas have made me a big fan of this dysfunctional team. The term cluster “flock” comes to mind when referencing the Bungals. There’s money to be made betting in Vegas on failure and mediocrity. I thank the Bungals for thier inability to properly manage and run a potentially mega money maker….and as it is, their incompetance makes me money. Keep it up.
By jugatech
June 11, 2011 6:33 PM | Link to this
Who cares! this team will always be an embarrassment.Let them move to Dayton we’ll show them how to produce a winner.
By Bruce
June 12, 2011 2:23 PM | Link to this
Low Performance is a moron. Two division titles in six years and you’re about to get your butt kicked by the Bengals in Vegas again.