Bengals Rookie Class Offers Hope

by BeerRun on Dec 21, 2010 9:16 PM EST

CINCINNATI OH - DECEMBER 19: Clint Stitser #3 of the Cincinnati Bengals kicks a field goal against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19 2010 in Cincinnati Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

One of the few bright spots of the otherwise dismal 2010 Cincinnati Bengals campaign has been the encouraging performance of last April's draft class. As noted previously, DE Carlos Dunlap, the Bengals' second-round pick eight months ago, is currently second overall in sacks among rookies, and first among rookie DEs, this year -- and that's after playing in just 10 games. But Dunlap isn't the only Bengal rookie making some noise.

Among rookie receivers, third-round pick Jordan Shipley is second in both receptions and yards, trailing only Tampa Bay's fourth-round wunderkind Mike Williams. He has outdistanced all of the other popular WRs mocked to the Bengals prior to last April's draft, including Golden Tate, Arrelious Benn, Demaryius Thomas and Brandon LaFell.

First-round pick Jermaine Gresham ranks seventh among rookie receivers by yards and 13th by receptions. He also set a new team record for receptions by a rookie TE.

DT Geno Atkins, a fourth-round pick, has made his presence felt as well. With 2.5 sacks, he ranks 13th among rookies, but 4th among rookie DTs. He has just half a sack less than Gerald McCoy, who was taken with the third overall pick in the first round.

And finally, no list of top Bengals rookie performers would be complete with mention of the NFL's leading rookie field goal kicker. Kickoffs? Not so much...but this year I think we should just take our good news where we can find it.

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Great Draft class.

Cant wait till next years draft. We always seem to draft pretty well.

by STJ32 on Dec 21, 2010 9:43 PM EST reply actions

Stitser for President!!!

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Dec 21, 2010 10:13 PM EST reply actions

this title makes me cringe

because I know Mike Brown is going to try and use this as an excuse for not hiring a GM, despite after this dissapointing season.

Like many drafts, he picks a guy in the second round who was considered to be 1st round talent, but fell due to charecter issues or other concerns. In this case, he appears to have gotten lucky with Dunlap – but let’s not jump to conclusions, since he could still pan out to be another Thurman-bust.

Now, this does appear to be a strong draft so far and if Muckelroy and either Stephens or Hudson pan out, I will agree it was a strong draft. But then we’re giving more credence to MB (ughh).

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Dec 21, 2010 10:49 PM EST reply actions

Really... Stitser?

Stitser’s story is a nice one, and he has kicked several field goals, but the team has been very selective about when they put him in the game. At least once so far, we’ve gambled on 4th and 10 from about the 28 yard line. Obviously, he’s not trusted to make the really difficult FG’s that can be the difference between winning and losing (or would be for teams with a better record than 3-11). Come next year, Stitser will be replaced by a healthy 1st string kicker. That’s nothing against him personally, he just doesn’t have the leg strength required for this level of football.

by Mr. X on Dec 21, 2010 11:18 PM EST reply actions

I agree, but I'm happy enough with him as a fill-in who came because our starter got hurt.

"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428

by sexsalad on Dec 21, 2010 11:21 PM EST up reply actions

Taylor Mays

has been pretty pedestrian so far. He was a Bengal ‘alternative’ on a lot of mocks.

by IllinoisBengal on Dec 21, 2010 11:49 PM EST reply actions

Brown's always the issue But....

Its hard to argue the point that MB is covered in success repeliant . This season and the last few however he has dug a little deeper when they’ve asked. Hell yeah he needs to get out a the way and put someone in place before we all die of old age. But I don’t see how even Mike Brown could have messed this up.
This complete collapse no one imagined probably didn’t have much to do with our favorite punching bag this time around. Can we lose Bratkowski in this who stays and goe’s thing

by olbuzz on Dec 22, 2010 12:52 AM EST reply actions

I'm not sure what was more laughable.

Stister being mentioned or the fact that Suh was on the list.

Joe Reedy: "Supposedly Marvin could not find his flag to challenge the call. I am not kidding. #bengals"

by Doc Scratch on Dec 22, 2010 1:10 AM EST reply actions

I read an article earlier this month that listed the top 20 in the NFL for hurries per game… Atkins was the only rookie on the list with 1.6 a game. If he picks it up a little against the run.. he’s going to be a beast.

by kirby28 on Dec 22, 2010 6:43 AM EST reply actions

not sure if he ever will be good vs Run

This offseason will be huge for this years draft class

Dunlap will need to turn his bulky young body into a grown man body

Shipley could add 5 lbs of muscle

Atkins could use 5-10 lbs if lower body strength. Get stronger up top so he can hold up vs run

Ghee needs to get into shape endurance wise

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Dec 22, 2010 8:07 AM EST up reply actions

And Andre

what does he need? Since this was realy like a rookie year.

"When you chart (the plays) and see where it broke down there was no common theme to it." - Bob Bratkowski

by featherman on Dec 22, 2010 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

well we know what he needs lol

Unlike last offseason, Andre needs to take his rehab seriously. Last year he had surgery on his foot and then sat around in Alabama and got fat again. This year he needs to be in Cincinnati, working with the trainers so that his foot will heal with his weight. So that his foot will be strong enough to support him. This will make him leaner and more durable

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Dec 22, 2010 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

Stitser had kicked more field goals than Suh!

Suh is so overrated.

by GrooveLeg on Dec 22, 2010 9:30 AM EST reply actions

Joe Reedy: "Supposedly Marvin could not find his flag to challenge the call. I am not kidding. #bengals"

by Doc Scratch on Dec 22, 2010 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

Yep

The 2010 class was pretty darn solid. I was a very big fan of the Shipley pick, and nothing I saw this year changes my mind on that. He’ll give us a 3rd receiver as good as anybody in the NFL. Really like that kid.

Even the 2009 draft wasn’t that bad. You hate to see all the lazyness from Andre, but there were some contributors in there. Huber has been good.

Hopefully we can land a couple of studs with our first two picks this year. I’m still pimping AJ Green with the first pick.

by Stanley1 on Dec 22, 2010 12:50 PM EST reply actions