Analyzing the Cincinnati Bengals Front 7
By Editorial Staff
Cincinnati currently is ranked the #4 defense through 8 weeks only allowing 86 yards on the ground and 212 through the air. They have shut down running backs like Frank Gore, Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones Drew, and Peyton Hillis which has helped their suspect pass defense. What is even more remarkable is that they are doing all of this without any “big name stars”. But is this notion really true? With that said, let me introduce you to the stars of the defensive front 7.
Carlos Dunlap
Dunlap, primarily playing right defensive end has been an absolute terror for right tackles. Dunlap was true top 10 draft talent and if it wasn’t for his DUI’s, he would have gone higher than where he did( second round). There aren’t that many defensive ends coming out of college at 6’6, 280 lbs, and running a 4.6 40 yard dash. Dunlap had good production and this production has transferred over to the pro level. In this rookie year, Dunlap recorded 9.5 sacks in eight games. This year, Dunlap has only recorded 1 sack but has pressured the quarterback 1 out of every 5 snaps according to ProFootballFocus.com. His numbers for QB pressures are the best in the league. ProFootballFocus.com also rates Dunlap has the best 4-3 defensive end using their metrics. Dunlap has a great speed rush using his long arms to create separation and has the perfect size to bull rush the tackle. His run support is also very polished. At only 22 years old, I expect Dunlap to have a great career as a Bengal with multiple pro bowls in his future.
Michael Johnson
Johnson and Dunlap are a lot alike. Johnson was also a physical freak coming out of Georgia Tech. He came into the combine weight 270 lbs at 6’7 and ran a 4.75 40 time. He had great stats and was a 1st round talent. Like Dunlap, Johnson fell in the draft not because of his production, but questions about his motor. However, looking back at the tape, the problem wasn’t with his motor but it was with his conditioning. Anyways, the Bengals got a steal in the 3rd round and Johnson has transformed into one of the better defensive ends in the league. He is only in his 3rd year and is still a little raw but has developed a nice speed rush with an elusive spin move. On the year, Johnson has 2.5 sacks and an interception.
Domata Peko
Peko is really the only familiar face from last year’s front 7. His stats are not off the chart but he plays his role extremely well as a run stopper. He has good size and can get good leverage to penetrate the backfield and get tackles for loss. On top of that, Peko can get a few QB pressures through a game which is also a nice bonus. Peko is the oldest of the front 7 and yet he is only 26 just to put things in perspective.
Geno Atkins
Atkins plays an extremely important role in the defensive line. As the starting 3 technique, Atkins’ job is to get into the backfield which he does as well as anyone. Atkins is very compact at 6’2 and 300 lbs and can get good leverage with his strength (does a 500 lb bench press). He has the most sacks on the team with 3.5 and even has a fumble return for touchdown. His tenacity to get into the backfield has earned him the nickname “Taz”. Atkins was a steal to get in the 4th round and looks to be a future pro bowler with the way he is playing.
Rey Maualuga
Maualuga was projected as a first round pick but fell to the second behind his USC teammates Clay Mathews and Brian Cushing. None the less, Maualuga is playing at a first round level and is one of the more promising young middle linebackers in the game today. He played his first two years as the starting strong side linebacker, learning behind Dhani Jones, but has switched to middle linebacker this year which is clearly his natural position. He provides great run support and has a knack to be around the ball and lay the wood. After his DUI arrest a year ago, Maualuga has become a new man and is very focused on becoming the best football player he can be. This drive should lead him to improve his decision making and pass defense and ultimately become one of the best linebackers in the league.
Thomas Howard
Howard was a second round pick and played his first three seasons in Oakland. He had good production but was benched last season when they traded for Kamerion Wimbley. None the less, Howard has made a huge impact on the Bengals thus far. His 4.4 40 speed is as good as advertised. He can run stride for stride with wide receivers and has great pass defense for a linebacker. He plays with good fundamentals and looks like he will continue to play even with Keith Rivers (overall #9 pick 2008) comes back from injury.
Manny Lawson
Lawson is also another high round draft pick who wasn’t utilized properly on their former team. Lawson was playing 3-4 OLB on the 49ers and didn’t really produce much. As evidence by his play on the Bengals, Lawson fits much better as a 4-3 SAM linebacker. He has great size at 6’6 and great speed (4.43 at the combine). His stats don’t jump off the page but he does his job well and did a great job of getting into the backfield in Seattle last week. He does a good job covering tight ends which used to be a huge deficiency in the defense of the past.
There you have it, the “stars” of the Bengals defense. But, I did forget the most important one and that is Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer. Zimmer has taught these players what it means to be a professional and has instilled good fundamental techniques in everyone. His rotation of the defensive line is a brilliant move and keeps everyone fresh while still producing pressure. Guys like Jon Fanene, Robert Geathers, and Frostee Rucker all have good experience from past years and are much more effective with less playing time.
Another interesting aspect of the defense is that most of the players come from big name colleges and have a history of winning. They know what it takes to win.
Thomas Howard recently said on Sirius that each player practices and studies incredibly hard, because they all want to be the best in the league. Because it is through hard, fast practice that all 11 guys are able to act as one on Sunday, and that Zim has no problem pointing out on tape where they’ll fail if they don’t improve. Furthermore, he said one of the best things about this team is that every player wants to be better than they are now, making them very coachable, regardless of how many years they have been in the NFL.
Most importantly, the Bengals defense is having fun. After nearly every defensive stop, they rally around and celebrate. They are creating their own swagger which every good defense needs. With the oldest member of the front 7 being 26 (Peko), I expect this defensive to continue its dominance for a long time. If the Bengals can add a few more playmakers in the backfield, they will become elite for years to come.