Don Banks: Bengals' Jones deserves Pro Bowl nod

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 30, 2009 6:19 PM EST in Analysis

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks points out that one Bengals player deserved to be in the Pro Bowl. No, not Cedric Benson -- though if you look at the numbers, he was kind of a stretch as it was. No, not Leon Hall. Or Johnathan Joseph. Banks writes:

If I were NFL commissioner for a day, I know who would get the nod from me: Cincinnati middle linebacker Dhani Jones, one of pivotal cogs in the success of the playoff-bound Bengals.

That's right. Our air guitar playin' middle linebacker, Dhani. The same Dhani who has his own show. The same Dhani who has his own Febreeze commercial. And I couldn't agree more. Banks continues.

But he's one of the most indispensable Bengals this season, and his rock-solid play in the middle of a Cincinnati defense that ranks second against the rush (87.7), fourth in total yards (300.1), and fifth in points allowed (16.9) has not been overlooked by those within the league who know defensive football. Though he leads the Bengals in tackles for a second year with 106 through 15 games, Jones doesn't have the type of gaudy personal stats that attract Pro Bowl votes. But know this: His 3½ sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and five passes defensed tell only a fraction of the story.

Again, couldn't agree more. In fact, Dhani is the least talked about starter on defense but he's the most consistent and has step-for-step taken on more than just being a linebacker. He's a leader on defense that improved from 27th in 2007 to fourth in 2009. Banks quotes Zimmer.

"He's as smart a guy as I've ever had playing in the middle for me. He asks tremendous questions, understands everyone's role, and he wants to be leaned on by everyone on the field. The kid really loves football. And I respect guys like that. I like those kind of guys.''

Dhani will be a free agent after the 2010 season.

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make sure he isnt a FA after 2010

by ritalin on Dec 30, 2009 6:29 PM EST reply actions

MB is stubborn

He will wait till the end of next year to even think about signing him again. That’s the way he does things. Then it pisses the players off. That’s Mikey for ya!

by WHYUS!! on Dec 30, 2009 6:40 PM EST reply actions

i’d say extend him, but he will be 33 at the end of that contract. i love dhani, but i don’t love 33-year-old middle linebackers whose replacement is in his third season.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Dec 30, 2009 9:39 PM EST reply actions

As much as I like Dhani (and it's a lot), ^^^this.

We drafted Rey to be Dhani’s heir apparent. We need to give him that opportunity after next season. If Dhani wants to stick around for a discount to be a backup then fine. But 33 is getting long in the tooth for anyone other than a QB or ST specialist.

by Craig Conrad on Dec 30, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions

Or a coach. There have been at least one (and I think several) team(s) who has/have started employing “player coaches”. These guys are recent ex-players who serve as consultants to help players and coaches communicate better. Sometimes having an ex-player to be the face of the position coach can really help. Other times not. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to try that for him. He’d still be in great shape and could actually demonstrate proper technique and all that, unlike some other coaches who may be smart as a whip but couldn’t play football themselves without having a heart attack on the spot (like, say, Rex Ryan).

by FriarBob on Dec 31, 2009 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

Good idea, but no way do I take Dhani Jones over Jeff FitzGerald as a LB'ers coach at this point. Fitz is the best LB coach there is.

by Craig Conrad on Dec 31, 2009 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

Which is why I suggested him as the “player coach” / consultant role. Fitz could still be the LB coach, and Dhani is his assistant.

by FriarBob on Dec 31, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

That I'd be okay with. :)

by Craig Conrad on Jan 1, 2010 3:53 AM EST up reply actions

C’mon. The guy is the leading tackler on our team. He obviously has some years left in the tank and should get an extension without a doubt. Maybe not a long one, 2-3 years, but he’s worth every penny. If we don’t resign him a smart team like the Ravens or the Stealers is going to pick him right up and we’re going to have to watch him succeed against us.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Dec 31, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

We all love Dhani

But he’s too old to be a factor much longer. It’s time to look to the future and let him go after another season or two.

by WhoDeyDerek on Dec 31, 2009 3:08 AM EST reply actions

I would like to see

us draft McClain out of Alabama this year at MLB and keep Rey at Sam. McClain by all accounts is as cerebral as Dhani, but has better speed and size. Rey can play either, but I think Zimmer would like McClain better in the middle.

by jim0ijk on Dec 31, 2009 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

Definitely a good thought.

Falls into the same “best players on the field” mentality that took Rey Rey over to SAM this year anyway.

by Craig Conrad on Dec 31, 2009 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

Dahni has done a great job for us.

But we need to get Ray in his natural position and draft another USC quality OLB in the first round unless a stellar safety or OL guy is available. Let him play less, save is body and help coach the new guys then make him LB coach in a year or two. Down the road I see him as a HC if he decides not to take a roll on NFL Today. A guy like him can do anything he wants.

" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran

by JUNGLEJOHN on Dec 31, 2009 10:41 AM EST reply actions