Are the Bengals looking to move Rey Maualuga back as an inside linebacker?
by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 28, 2010 11:30 AM EST
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PrintWhen the Bengals saw that USC linebacker Rey Maualuga was still available in the second round, they couldn't say his name fast enough. It was one of those moments that you witnessed, thinking, wow, we actually got him in the second round? Who would have thunk it. However, Maualuga wasn't necessarily needed as an inside linebacker after Dhani Jones recorded 165 tackles in 2008 -- by far the largest margin compared to any defender on the roster.
Lesson #1: You don't take a guy that recorded 165 tackles one season and replace him with a rookie.
But you couldn't necessarily keep Rey Maualuga off the field either. Solution? Move him out as a strong-side linebacker during base 4-3 formations. Even so, Maualuga had to work his way up as the team's starting linebacker, beating out Rashad Jeanty at a position he had little experience at.
Now the question is, when (or if) will Maualuga move back inside as a middle linebacker? Marc Hardin of Bengals Insider writes:
As the Bengals' coaching staff staged its involvement with this past week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., some clues as to how the Cincinnati defense is going to look in 2010 came to light in various reports, one that suggests big changes may be afoot within the linebacker unit, specifically involving Maualuga.
According to one report, an unnamed Bengals source indicated that Maulauga may be on the move within the team's defensive scheme.
Scout.com senior NFL reporter Adam Caplan wrote in his Senior Bowl Insider Blog on Monday that, "According to a team source, Cincinnati Bengals LB Rey Maualuga probably will be moved to MLB for the 2010 season."
Hardin goes on to speculate about the move, saying it could be a transformation into a 3-4 defense, that it could indicate a move to draft athletic defensive ends and move them to outside linebacker, etc. Moving Maualuga inside is an eventuality. At the same time, as long as Dhani Jones is capable and under contract, I can't see the Bengals replacing Dhani, whose respected by the team for his play on the field as well as his leadership.
Then again, they could always swap Dhani and Rey.
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If they do
They will either need to draft a SLB early, or move Michael Johnson to SLB and draft another end (hopefuly early). If move Johnson and Mauluga, It allows the team to do anything they want in the draft, I think. Also this could be a smoke screen.
my guess is they are looking for pass rushing/depth for DE or OLB. My guess is Rey will eventually be the MLB (or Rivers for that matter) and through building depth they are looking for players to groom.
by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jan 28, 2010 11:54 AM EST reply actions
He did for many years in fact. The only reason he’s at MLB now is because he’s the older, wiser veteran presence to help control the rest of the D and be the second coach on the field.
I thought he was WILL backer in NY and Philly?
by smoormandiddy on Jan 28, 2010 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
i also think Marvin still wants his David Pollack player (DE/OLB) to play SLB
"Ghiaciuc's play was a distraction"
I don't know
While Rey has been good this year, I don’t know about his intellect in comparison to Dhani. Dhani is a smart player who can see and make adjustments on the field. I don’t think Rey has that ability (at least not right now).
If they move to a 3-4 scheme and keep Rey and Dhani, I think they would need a solid pro-bowl STUD DT. That’s not to say Peko can’t be that guy because he is underrated. However, Peko is no Shaun Rogers, Kris Jenkins, Vince Wilfork, Haloti Ngata.
On the flipside, if they do move Rey to inside linebacker with the 4-3 scheme. I wonder who would be calling the plays? Rivers? Personally, I’d want an intelligent safety to call and make the adjustments (i.e. Ed Reed type).
by sgiridharan1982 on Jan 28, 2010 12:44 PM EST reply actions
Rivers would call the shots from the WILL spot as Simmons did back when Thurman was playing MIKE
by smoormandiddy on Jan 28, 2010 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
This could be a sign they might want to bring back Thurman
only if he is reinstated
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
If we shift to a 3-4
Shop Coles and our first and second to move to the number 1. Draft Suh
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 28, 2010 1:03 PM EST reply actions
no way Brown does that
he didnt want to pay for the 6th pick what makes you think he pays for 1 overall? this is wishful thinking! If we was to shop those picks and Coles it would be for a Brandon Marshall and even that is still unlikely.
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
I know that Brown would never do it, Tenn
I merely stated that moving up to get Suh is what it would take to transition into a 3-4.
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 28, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
As much as I like Peko
He’s more suited to play DE in a 3-4 than DT
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 28, 2010 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
whatever Zimm does I have faith in it because he is the man
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Zimmer has been quoted as saying...
Peko is the best NT he’s ever coached… notice he didn’t say DT and 3-4 ends are 280-290 not 320-330
True
But Peko got a lot of speed for a big man
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 29, 2010 5:56 AM EST up reply actions
True that
maybe trading 1,2,3 round picks and 1 for next season could work thats the only way I see it happening because he wouldn’t have to pay those picks
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
They can have Coles, too.
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 28, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
I'll trade him for a 6th or 7th rouner
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
me too
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 29, 2010 5:56 AM EST up reply actions
rey is a natural strong side backer
I think we should leave rey where he is because he is the best backer we have at sheding blockers and making takles, dhani is smart so he reads the angles well and cleans up after rey takes out the blockers. Rivers might be the best pure takler we have so he needs to be un covered. The best thing they could do is pick up a rey or David Harris clone and have him back up dhani till he’s ready.
The Saints Stole Who-Dat from Who-Day!
by Dubbs-Bengals on Jan 28, 2010 1:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
He played ILB at USC
I would say that is his natural position
I hope they do
he underperformed as an outside LB and could’ve been a rookie of the year at middle, this just makes the long term signing of Brandon Johnson more important (who was great in the playoff game).
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
Plus everybody forgets about Michael Johnson
he could play DE and possibly outside LB in a 3-4 scheme, dude got some skills and speed but needs to keep working at it.
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
Yes, MJ is a monster
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 28, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
he had some huge pass knock downs and I think 2.5 sacks, not bad
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
I think he was a steal in the 3rd round
I have faith in him
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
hahaha and I love it
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
Damn right
Glad he fell to us. IIRC, Johnson also had a pick
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 29, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
I wasn't sure entirely, but I think you're right
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 30, 2010 7:56 AM EST up reply actions
No way they go to 3-4
Zimmer don’t do 3-4 unless Parcells orders him to. They don’t have the linebacker depth for that. Dhani is decent (not a star), Rivers is not a star, Mualuaga is still developing, Michael Johnson could play the flex guy, I guess.. Brandon Johnson, I dislike Jeanty he’s always missing tackles. They have nobody big and strong enough to be a 3-4 NT. Peko is a good but not great player. Their DEs are pretty small and Geathers is mostly invisible. It would be good just to improve the 4-3 they’ve got rather than changing schemes now!
by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 28, 2010 2:40 PM EST reply actions
Parcells?
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 28, 2010 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
oh I see what he means now
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 29, 2010 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
rivers can play he is not at a position to be a big play maker but he never misses takles
The Saints Stole Who-Dat from Who-Day!
by Dubbs-Bengals on Jan 28, 2010 2:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
guys, guys, guys...
we are not moving to a 3-4. we hear this every year. put the argument to bed. NAGUNNAHAPPEN!!!
as snake19 said, our 4-3 was a top 5 defense. the end.
Sonny my pitched my wild
agreed
There isn’t much to be gained switching to a 3-4. Although, I think MJ would be doubly affective in that defense. Unfortunately I don’t think we have the right pieces otherwise.
This is our year!
Just give him to the browns dammit
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jan 28, 2010 5:30 PM EST reply actions
rivers can play he is not at a position to be a big play maker but he never misses takles
I’m not saying his skills aren’t natural at middle linebacker but I think he has more up side at slb because he attacks blockers so violently that he opens things up for the mlb and safety’s to make takles. That gives them clean shots for fumbles and takles in the back field. Take the shonn green td run, Rey would have come down on that play where jeanty was caught standing still. That type of play would have lost yards with rey out there and at worst would have forced green to go further outside before hiting a hole and that’s all it takes in the nfl. But then again a faster line backer like rivers would have gotten to him which shows his importance, that’s why no one giveaway him enough credit because he stops more big plays than he makes causing him to go un noticed. Now add a faster slb and move rey to mlb and i’d be happy still, but who makes the calls and adjustments.
The Saints Stole Who-Dat from Who-Day!
by Dubbs-Bengals on Jan 28, 2010 6:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Adjustments
Crocker is the only person I can see doing thy if dhani isn’t there.
RIP Slim.
by brandone on Jan 28, 2010 10:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
sorry that title was not meant for that comment i was referring to rey not rivers
The Saints Stole Who-Dat from Who-Day!
by Dubbs-Bengals on Jan 28, 2010 6:36 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Moving Rey to MLB
Rey is all day tough and he brings it on every play. I truly believe that he was the main reason for the Bengals “D” to make the dramactic leap that they made this year. Now with that being said , I don’t think he will be able to run with Todays TE and third down backs in the league, but if Cincy changes to a 3-4 look…that will completely change everything.
Kenneth Lewis Moore
That might be a touch harsh. Even if the stories are true, which I hope the aren’t but suspect they are, as a first offender he’s much more likely to get a warning.
I know he wont get prison time hahaha
it is true
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 29, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
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