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Best is yet to come, says Bengals linebacker Maualuga

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga holds up a sign to fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009.

AP Photo/David Kohl Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga holds up a sign to fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009.

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By Carlos “Big C” Holmes, Staff Writer Updated 8:20 AM Thursday, December 3, 2009

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals are the NFL’s Cinderella team and their fans are hoping this season is no fairy tale. We’re three quarters of the way through and the team’s orange color, unlike years past, is not representing a pumpkin.

The Bengals are proud owners of an 8-3 record and have swept the division (6-0) for the first time. The team accomplished the feat with some miraculous plays on offense and an impact defense.

Rookie second-round draft pick Rey Maualuga has been a major contributor on defense this season and believes the best is yet to come.

“We have the mindset that we control our own destiny,” the linebacker said during a recent interview. “The team has never been 6-0 in the division and was something that needed to be done. Things are changing within the organization and we’re making history.

“The defense played fundamentally sound football against Cleveland and buckled down during times of adversity. We’re looking to feed off that this week against Detroit.”

Maualuga had six tackles vs. Cleveland and ranks third on the team with 60 while tying for the team lead in forced fumbles with two.

The rookie has been an impact player and the coaching staff is letting him do what he does best — make plays.

“I’m getting a lot more comfortable in the defense each week,” Maualuga said. “The coaches are letting me do my thing but I have to be coach-able and play within the defense. That opens up a lot of things for me knowing that the coaches aren’t on my back telling me this and that.

“I have a great group of guys to learn from, one being Rashad (Jeanty), who has helped me out tremendously. He is unselfish and is always coaching me up on the sideline. It’s good inspiration knowing that the chemistry in this locker room is unbelievable.”

The Browns did not pose much of a threat to the Bengals’ sixth-ranked defense. The plan coming into the game was simple: Stop Josh Cribbs in the wildcat offense. Mission accomplished.

Despite a losing record (2-9), Detroit can put some points on the board in a hurry. Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford appears to be ahead of the game and Calvin Johnson ranks among the top receivers in the league. This will be no easy task for the Bengals. The team can ill afford to be blindsided by a lesser opponent as happened against Oakland in Week 11.

“The defense is improving each week,” Maualuga said. “All the coaches can ask is for us to make sure that we know what we did wrong in the game before. The coaches also have to make sure that we correct those mistakes, so that’s what we do during the week. We weren’t too focused on losing the Oakland game. Everyone’s mindset was on beating Cleveland and knowing that we had to win in order to be 6-0. We’re focused on beating Detroit this week and out to prove that we are one of the best.”

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