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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > May > 05 > Entry
Bengals’ ‘D’ shows flexibility on 3rd down
MORE ATHLETES, BETTER PRESSURE
SHOULD IGNITE MORE TURNOVERS
We’re more than four months away from the start of the 2009 NFL season, but I can see it all now.
It’s Sunday, Sept. 13, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton approaches the line of scrimmage facing third and eight …
… And here comes the Bengals’ defense.
Robert Geathers from left end and Antwan Odom from right end,
Michael Johnson, who is lined up at left outside linebacker, swoops in behind Geathers as Brandon Johnson and “Sting” Rey Maualuga drop into coverage.
Somebody in that defensive tackle rotation of Tank Johnson, Domata Peko and Pat Sims is pushing up the middle.
Orton doesn’t have time to go through his progressions.
Sack. Fumble.
Thanks to the infusion of talent in 2009, the Bengals have more flexibility on third-down passing situations — ahhh, the nickel defense — than they’ve had in a long, long time.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN ‘09
• Robert Geathers, Domata Peko, Tank Johnson and Antwan Odom should start on the D-line with Pat Sims rotating in at DT and DE Michael Johnson playing a key role as a nickel pass rusher and kick-blocker on special teams. Jason Shirley, Orien Harris and Pernell Phillips will wage a battle for the fourth DT.
• Your starting linebackers will be SLB Rey Maualuga, MLB Dhani Jones and WLB Keith Rivers. Maualuga will sub for Jones in the middle in nickel third-down situations, and Brandon Johnson must be on the field in the nickel package. Darryl Blackstock and Rashad Jeanty will battle for the backup strong-side LB spot in the base defense.
• If DE Michael Johnson is capable of playing OSLB, Frostee Rucker and Johnathan Fanene could stick. If MJ flops as an outside ‘backer, either Rucker or Fanene will get knifed.
• LCB Johnathan Joseph and RCB Leon Hall are your starting cornerbacks, and Chris Crocker is your free safety. Chinedum Ndukwe and Kyries Hebert will duke it out at strong safety.
• David Jones is my third corner. Geoffrey Pope, Simeon Castille and Morgan Trent will wage a huge battle at training camp. Free safeties Marvin White and Corey Lynch are battling to win a spot behind Crocker.
Mike Zimmer’s defense finished 12th in the league in 2008 despite the fact the Bengals offense was the worst in the NFL. Imagine what the defense can do if the offense can stay on the field longer?
“We have to get ‘em (opposing offenses) off the field on third down and help ourselves,” Zimmer said.
Want to win a roster spot as a backup? You had better be able to play special teams.
SPEAKING OF KYLE ORTON
How & why did he go from Chicago to Denver?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/04/05/trade/index.html
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
This is “The Chickster” saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
For more information on Chick Ludwig, go to:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chickludwig56#h150-309
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Ray
May 5, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
I will believe it when i see it.By Mike M.
May 5, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
To early to drink the Kool-Aid!By Bob V
May 5, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
Chick, I completely respect and trust your opinion but…… Show me the 4th downs, show me the turnovers, most important……. show me the WINS!!!By Chick Ludwig
May 5, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
Bobby V & Friends, including everyone who ever played for the Delhi Eagles & Saint William Braves: Scouting consultant Bill Tobin told me this was the Bengals’ best draft since he was hired in January 2003. This was the best draft in my 13 seasons of covering the team. This will be “The Year of the Bengals.” 10-6. Playoffs. Nothing less will do. Cheers, ChickBy Robert Young
May 5, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this
Uh Chick isn’t it a little early for vodka in the Kool-Aid? After you’re prediction from last summer went south I’d think you’d be more realistic. How many yrs have you covberd this team?By gochickgo
May 5, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this
Chick is not mean spirited or crazy; he calls ‘em as he sees ‘em. Go chickster, go! The schedule next year is much easier, and this draft is by far their best. Easily 10 - 6.By Airdog
May 5, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
-Why put B.Johnson in over Rivers?like I could see using both of them on a nickle package but not benching Rivers unless he needs a rest o_OBy Bob V
May 5, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this
Chick, I’ll admit this draft has a little bit of something more than in the past and I hope it translates into success on the field.By Ryan
May 5, 2009 6:08 PM | Link to this
I would like someone other than David Jones as the 3rd Cornerback. That dude worries me. I like the direction the D is going, but I think depth at CB is a concern.By Tin Can
May 5, 2009 9:24 PM | Link to this
Chick, Some will, some won’t, some do, some don’t. Believin’ that iz! By the way, that’s some mighty tastin’ Kool-Aid, Chick! …burp! Tin CanBy Troy
May 6, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this
The best Bengals draft ive seen ever. Ive see a bunch but this one just had a special feel to it. Look who fell into our laps Rey Maulaluga!By Antwan Odom in your face
May 6, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this
DEFENSEBy Harold
May 6, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
No way Fanene loses out to Harris so final spot is Fanene v Shirley. Think Bengals will still go after Roy Williams, Hebert gets cut, and last spot between CFA Nelson and Castille/.By JMo
May 6, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
Harold: No way we go after Roy Williams. Why? He can’t play special teams and his coverage skills are horrible. The only way we would go after that guy is to convert him to lb. Depth at cornerback is a glaring weakness. As good as the Bengals draft was you can’t help but scratch your head when it comes to the nickel. If J. Jo or Leon go down we have no capable players able to step up in a pinch. Its nice we got Trent but we we