TOP 10 BENGALS PROSPECTS: 10 through 6
NUMBER 10: DT - Geno Atkins - Drafted 4th Round 2010
Geno came in and impressed the Bengals coaches right off the bat. Earning playing time is passing situations and collecting 3 sacks during his rookie season. The 3 sacks may not seem impressive to the average fan but he did this from the DT position in a 4-3. The great Warren Sapp had 3 in his rookie season and was taken number 2 overall. Now I am not calling Geno the next QB killer but he does have the skills to get to the QB and cause mayhem when he arrives.
Geno is an important piece to the "The Fisher-Price Toy Package" that features other Bengals young bucks Michael Johnson, Carlos Dunlap, Pat Simms and Geno Atkins. This young exciting front four are responsible for 17.5 of the team total 27 sacks. With another year of experience working together these impressive numbers should increase. This is a huge reason why he made this list.
Geno is a big reason for this boost in production. Atkins has great power and speed to rush the passer. The Bengals have not had a true pass rusher at DT in the Marvin Lewis era. I hope Geno will prove me right and continue his rise on this young and feisty defense. I am projecting 5.5 sacks this season for the young stout Atkins. This would huge and simply build on what he has all ready accomplished in his young career.
NUMBER 9: RB - Bernard Scott - Drafted 6th Round 2009
I love me some Bernard Scott. I know he is headed into his 3rd season but my question to you is have we really seen what Scott can do with multiple touches? With the switch to the new west coast Gruden offense the Bengals would be dumb not to get Scott more involved. Outside of the Monday Night Football fumble against the Steelers he has performed at a high level when his number is called. Last year Scott averaged 4.9 yards per carry but never really got a bulk of the work load due to Benson being the bell cow most of us have all grown to love.
I would love to see our new OC Jay Gruden use Bernard more often as a change of pace compliment to Benson or whoever ends up being the featured back next season. The Bengals need use his ability in the passing game to do damage. If he is used in the right way he could become a very important piece to the puzzle. Think Bush with the Saints with less injury issues. Scott does not have the same type of game changing speed or big play ability as Bush but I think Scott has a similar game.
When Benson was lost to injury two years ago during the Bengals sweep of the AFC North winning their second division title under Marvin Lewis. Scott had an opportunity to be the featured back in a week 11 match up against the Raiders. Scott rushed for 119 yards, including a 61-yard run that electrified the team. The first Bengals rookie to rush for 100 yards in a game since Dillon did it in 1997. Returning kicks is another talent that Scott has excelled at minus the fumbled opening kick off on MNF against the Steelers. I expect to see allot more of Scott being used in the overall game plan by Gruden and the Bengals.
NUMBER 8: QB - Andy Dalton - Drafted 2nd Round 2011
I really wanted to put Dalton higher on this list but I am simply basing this list off of the production I expect these players to bring to the table next season. I personally would love to see a vet FA who is familiar with the WCO to come in and take some pressure off of Dalton. I would like to see him play this season but with a possible shortened training camp and limited preseason Dalton could use the time to get comfortable. I would not want him to become gun shy in the AFC North. I think if he comes in and plays well and earns his spot. He will also earn the respect of his teammates and build on his confidence.
Dalton is a true leader and proven winner. This is something we have all come to love about Andy during this off season love fest. His arm is plenty strong enough to hit targets down field and his accuracy was the best of this draft class. Palmer was a quiet leader who times came off as a kid who didn't get the toy of his dreams for Christmas. I think Dalton's type of leadership will resonate on an offense filled with young play makers ready to make their mark. Andy’s level of play will have to be at a high level to demand this type of respect.
I could list the record he had at TCU and other stats but we have all got knowledge of what Dalton accomplished at TCU. We all want to see what he can do at this level under center. If not given the time to sit and learn behind a vet Dalton could become a victim of bad timing. If he comes out and wins the starting job by showing his ability to put up points, protect the ball and digest the playbook by working his butt off to get to where he belongs. I think he can start day 1 but I just do not think it is the best situation for Dalton.
NUMBER 7: MLB - Rey Maualuga – Drafted 2nd Round 2009
When the Bengals took Rey Maualuga in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft I was jumping for joy in my living room. Since Rey has been a Bengals he has earned a spot in the starting line up at OLB. Not his natural position in the middle where he dominated at USC. With Dhani Jones being a FA and Rey having two years under his belt the time has come for Rey to claim his spot in the middle. He will have to work for it due to a late season surge made by 1st year player Texas MLB Roderick Muckelroy last season. I have a feeling the Bengals will not promise Rey anything and make him earn his role as emotional leader of this defense.
Maualuga has flashed the ability to make big plays but has struggled to get to the QB from the OLB position. I am looking forward to letting Rey punish his foes in the running game and dominate using his aggressiveness as a plus for once. I will admit he has struggled at times with his feel for the game. Let’s hope this was due to him playing out of position and not due to poor discipline causing him to over react to run plays. I think he will be very good in the middle and finally prove to the teams that passed him up that it was a mistake. This spot will not be given to him by Zimmer he will have to prove his worth before being handed the keys. I look forward to seeing a more aggressive, productive and vocal Rey this season.
I struggled with where to place Maualuga on this list. I was concerned with the fact that he has not been able to replace Dhani as the starting MLB. Dhani is a good player that has racked up a ton of tackles since arriving in Cincinnati. Again I will reflect on the inability of the Bengals coaches at times to recognize some of our young player’s true talents. Look no further than Simpson and Dunlap recently. Is it possible he has been playing out of position and asked to think more than play? All we heard from our coaches was how both are not ready for the NFL game. Simpson was not a factor for 3 years basically. We all know what happened as soon as they hit the field. Boom! They both make major impacts and are bright spots this team can build around. With Rey setting his sights on staking his claim to the MLB position, I believe we will see some fireworks. Lets hope this move to the middle unlocks the potential hidden inside number 58.
NUMBER 6: WR - Jerome Simpson – Drafted 2nd Round 2008
Jerome Simpson was the so called “BUST” most Bengals fans griped about on the message boards. DeSean Jackson was passed up and now we are stuck with Jerome “Small School” Simpson. The Bengals coaches decided not to even dress Simpson in majority of the regular season games since he has been a Bengal. SO I do not blame Bengals fans from feeling like this kid can’t play. When he was drafted I heard about his huge hands and incredible leaping ability. Simpson had three top 10 performances in individual testing at the combine. His broad jump of 11'4" is believed to be an all time combine record. He blazed a 4.47 40 time. At the time he seemed like a bit of a reach only due to the level of compatition he faced playing in the Big South.
Still we continued to hear he was immature and not ready to play. With the late season injuries suffered by Ochocinco and TO the Bengals were basically forced to play Jerome. Simpson made his second career start in Week 16 of the 2010 season and had a breakout performance, catching 6 passes for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. He followed it up with 12 catches, 124 yards, and a touchdown in a game versus the Ravens to end the season. This left me feeling like we have been cheated out of watching this kid play for the past 3 season. I know it is only two games but these two performances confirmed Jerome has that round 2 even round 1 type of ability. This displays the failure of the former Bengals offensive staff specifically former OC Bratkowski and WR Coach Sherman to get Simpson involved in this offense. Both are gone and have been replaced with some impressive young coaches in Gruden and Urban who where schooled by great mentors of the west coast offense.
Simpson will finally get a fair shot at playing time. The problem he faces now is the uncertainty at the quarterback position. This could hamper Simpson and the other young playmakers at skill positions that will need a solid performance by Dalton or a Vet free agent option to put up numbers. I believe in this young man and feel bad for doubting his game. If the Bengals do get a chance to have a camp and digest the new offensive system, this will benefit the young Dalton. We will see some exciting football this year no doubt and big reason why will be Jerome Simpson.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my list. The top 5 will be posted tomorrow. I know you can't wait and will loose sleep due to the anticipation. Just playing but check back tomorrow! WHO DEY ALL DAY!
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