| Randolph Charlotin. 27th October, 2009 - 1:33 am
 Before the season started, people thought the Cincinnati Bengals belonged in The Longest Yard instead of the NFL. Of the team colors, some of the players should wear only orange to remind them of prison jumpsuits they wore after run-ins with the law. If Cincy was to lead the league in anything, it would be visits to Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office.
Like so many teams, the Bengals got their hands on the worst-to-first script and are following it very closely. Cincinnati is 5-2 and leading the AFC North.
Thanks to a few come from behind wins, the Bengals are being called the Cardiac Cats. And with the help of five players making personal comebacks, Cincy is pointed in the right direction, on pace for their first playoff appearance since 2005:
- It starts with WR Chris Henry. As a rookie, the West Virginia product quickly emerged as a game-changing deep threat for the Bengals. In his second and third years, he averaged better than 16 yards a catch and totaled 15 touchdowns.
Henry’s problem was he lived fast on and off the field. It led to five arrests and 14 games suspended in just three years in the league. Fed up with Henry, the Bengals released him.
With his immaturity behind him, Henry is averaging 19.6 yards on his eleven receptions and has two scores.
- Chicago was already disappointed in RB Cedric Benson. A former 4th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Benson’s production dropped when it should had spiked – RB Thomas Jones was traded to the New York Jets, clearing the path for Benson and the promise he showed complimenting Jones for two years (919 yards, 4.1 average).
Instead, Benson’s average dropped to 3.4 yards per carry. Two off-season arrests and the Bears had enough. He was cut before the 2008 season and caught on with Cincy when injuries plagued the backfield.
Benson has torn the lid off of his potential and is now leading the league in rushing. He got his revenge against the Bears, gaining 189 yards and scoring once against his former team in a 45-10 route.
- DT Tank Johnson had already made good on his second chance in Dallas. He blew his first one in Chicago after four arrests. After an eight-game suspension, the Cowboys gave him a chance. After a season and a half without incident, Johnson was released in what appeared to be a house cleaning character distractions, along with WR Terrell Owens and CB Adam “Pacman” Jones. Even though Johnson didn’t have any new transgressions, his past caught up to him.
In the five games Johnson has played (four starts), the Bengals allow 77.5 rushing yards per game. In the two he didn’t play, 112. Tank doesn’t deserve all the credit, but he’s making a difference.
A police record isn’t the only reason to need a bounce-back. A demotion and being snubbed set the stage for two revivals:
- Safety Roy Williams was exposed as a liability in pass coverage. After five Pro Bowl appearances as a Dallas Cowboy, Williams was benched, and played sparingly. Looking for a fresh start, Williams asked to move on. The Cowboys granted his wish and released him.
Though limited by injury, Williams has started every game played with the Bengals, averaging seven tackles a game. For an extra measure, Williams has two defensed passes.
- Many scouts rated Rey Maualuga as the second best linebacker in the NFL Draft. The former Trojan was big, fast, aggressive, and a playmaker. He was one of three linebackers from USC expected to go in the first round, with Maualuga being the first.
As Maualuga’s former teammates had their names called, Rey waited through the first round. Passed by all teams, sometimes twice or three times, Maualuga didn’t get the call until the second round.
Maualuga is a part of Cincinnati’s defensive turnaround, currently fifth on the team in tackles, tied for the team lead in forced fumbles with two, and a pass defensed.
Thanks to these contributions, head coach Marvin Lewis off the hot seat. And with QB Carson Palmer and WR Chad Ochocinco playing at Pro Bowl levels, the Bengals aren’t pushovers this year. The Cardiac Cats aim to break hearts on their way to the playoffs without breaking the law.
Randolph Charlotin writes a New England Patriots blog at www.randolphc.com. Send questions or comments to talktome@randolphc.com. |
