I Think Our Defense Will be Better with D. Jones as a Backup

by drj112379 on May 31, 2010 8:01 PM EDT

What has been truly interesting for the Bengals defense is the move of defensive end Michael Johnson to SAM linebacker during the OTAs. If the 6-7 Johnson starts the 2010 season at the SAM LB position, that would almost certainly mean that Rey Maualuga would move to the center. With Keith Rivers on the other side, it seems like the Bengals may relegate veteran Dhani Jones to a backup role. I don’t know how well that would sit with him, since he did lead the Bengals in tackles last season, but I would be pretty excited for a few reasons:

1. It’s just a matter of time before the 32-year-old D. Jones would be replaced by someone younger and more talented than he is. That pains me to say that, since he has played very well for the Bengals, but he does not have more athletic ability than either Rivers, Maualuga, or Johnson.
2. Maualuga has had a year under his belt to become familiar with the Bengals defensive playbook, so that should give him a smooth transition to take over the position that he played in college.
3. Johnson is a freak of nature. If you can have a 6-7 guy on every down who can run like a deer, you gotta use him.
4. D. Jones can still be used on third downs and Johnson can be put back at defensive end, which would maximize the skills of both guys.

And then – after you add Pacman Jones, Gibril Wilson, and Michael Johnson – there is second-round pick Carlos Dunalp. During the OTAs he could’ve had 3 sacks in a row. Granted, he wasn’t wearing pads, and it’s just practice, but pundits say that he should’ve been a first-round pick if he didn’t have "character issues." Cue the Bengals! We’ll take him! He probably won’t start, since we already have Antwan Odom and Robert Geathers at defensive ends, but he will definitely take a significant number of snaps that he should be able to make a decent impact.

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Comments

I disagree

Just because M. Johnson is getting snaps at SAM in OTA’s doesn’t mean he’s competing for a starting job. From what I’ve read it’s just for situations where we want to toy with the 3-4. To cause confusion for the O-line having Johnson on the line one play, then stand up and drop back the next.
No one can dispute the fact that Maulaluga is far more athletically talented that Jones, but I don’t think he’s ready for the mental and leadership roles that come with playing MIKE.
A lot of people don’t realize how much Dhani does with recieving the calls from Zim and adjusting everyone else on the D. I think Rey needs more experience before he’s ready to take on that role.

by B.LeonardRules on May 31, 2010 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

+1

by WHYUS!! on May 31, 2010 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup.

Plus I think you can’t deny that Dhani has at least another year at the very least being a quality MIKE for us. He conditions extremely well and he has learned all sorts of ways to prepare and play a lot of sports.

My guess is he will start this year and if Rey has a killer year as well, you can expect to see him take over the role. You can certainly do a lot worse in this league for a Backup LB corps!

by UpStateMike on May 31, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

While I agree with yo both

If MJ were to win the starting SAM job, and Rey has to start (per Fitzgerald) I think the defense would be better with Rivers, Rey and MJ.

by jim0ijk on May 31, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

... and thats saying something!

Look, I think Dhani is great and IMO he is going to be our starter for most of this year. However, I would not be at all surprised if for some snaps and in some situations that we would have Rey, M. Johnson, and Rivers out there.

Also, one of the things I love about this year is that we have young guys pushing the Vets for starting spots. Dunlap will be pushing Odom and Geathers… Atkins will be pushing Tank/Peko, Shipley will be pushing Caldwell… and on and on. This is how good teams happen… When old vets are fighting to keep their jobs, and young guys are fighting to make a spot on the team

by The Dealio on Jun 1, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Picture this

If we line up in a 3-4 in blitz situations we could have the following guys on the field: M. Johnson, Rey Rey, B. Johnson, Rivers, as our LBs and Dunlap, Peko, and Odom as our D-lineman. The Blitz could come from anywhere.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Jun 1, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

imagine the opposing Left tackle’s though process as MJ lines off Odom’s outside shoulder. Even if MJ doesn’t blitz, the LT will have to account for him which could give Odom the step he needs, and the LT can’t get help because the RT has Geathers, or Fanene or Dunlop to stop.

by jim0ijk on Jun 1, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

oh, that would be brutal (in a good way)! Even if we line up in a 4-3, we could have the following guys on the field

LB: Rey, B. Johnson, Rivers
D-Line: Odom, Dunlap, Atkins, M. Johnson

The possibilities are endless!

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Jun 1, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

no substitute for experience

and Dhani has that by the truckload. As good as I expect Rey to become, I think another year of learning from Dhani in real games is the best formula to groom him into the studliest stud he can be. And this talk about Dhani being replaced by someone younger certainly will happen EVENTUALLY, but younger does not always equal better, especially at such a cerebral position. Besides, when you lead the team in tackles, it’s hard to say anyone’s better.

by Phil Francis on Jun 1, 2010 12:30 AM EDT reply actions

I don't understand why everyone's talking about it...

Like MJ is switching to LB. It’s ONLY gonna be for 3-4 scenarios. Even if Rey did win the MIKE position over Dhani (which isn’t happening this year), MJ wouldn’t be the replacement. Why would you have a second year player, with no LB experience, who barely played last year, start at LB when we have quality backups like B. Johnson and Jeanty.

by B.LeonardRules on Jun 1, 2010 2:49 AM EDT reply actions

agree

Basically he’s going to be an LB in certain pass rushing packages which will give us more fleibility with our looks.

If rey is ready I aee him as our starting mlb with dhani and jeanty competing for strongside. If not, then rey will be stronside with MJ getting some PT in certain packages

The good news is we have a lot of depth and flexibilty. If dunlap and atkins make any impact next year, our pass rush will be sick.

by goffchile on Jun 1, 2010 8:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Age is not nearly the factor in the middle as it is on the outside in the 4-3

Aggressiveness, experience and QBing the D is far more important. I see Dahani out there this year and maybe next year as well. You have to admit the guy is always in top shape. We are lucky to have him. As the DL improves he will have an easier job of it the same way Ray does in Baltimore.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jun 14, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's the deal at Linebacker

We have a really solid group of a blend of rookies and vets.

I like the fact Zimm will be moving them around, and rotating guys in during certain packages. It’s going to cause a ton of confusion for Offenses the likes of which we have not had. As good as they were last year, this year they will be dominant.

Michael Johnson brings in a really unique talent to this group. He’s a superfreak. He’s strong and fast and has arms that reach up and out. When he rushes the QB he makes it really hard for them to throw.

What’s awesome is that I can see how effective he will be at MIKE during certain downs, especially where the QB is trying to move the chains. His job will be to knock down or intercept those short passes over the middle. It’s going to be really killer.

But, I can’t see him taking over the positon. Not gonna happen.

by UpStateMike on Jun 1, 2010 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

I love our LB's..

All of them. However, Brandon Johnson is so underrated its ridiculous. The dude plays with all he has and plays mean as hell.. I love 3rd down bc he gets on the field and just destroys. I secretly hope that when Maualuga takes over for Jones.. B. Johnson gets the starting role.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 1, 2010 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Slow down!

I am very intrigued about MJ moving to SAM too, but I don’t think he starts competing for a starting spot at that position for numerous reasons.
#1. He has never played LB. Unlike Rey who switched he has never played LB at all. That is a lot to ask a player to learn how to drop into coverage. I do think he has the physical talent though.
#2. This is mainly for the 3-4 priniciples Zim is going to incorporate to help pressure the QB.
#3. Dhani is probably got atleast another year left at MLB. However I do see some scenarios where Rey will be at MLB but I don’t think this is in a starting fashion this year.
#4. We are still going to see MJ at DE. So if he is still at DE then that is less snaps he will get at SAM and less snaps to learn the position.

I could see this happening down the road possibly but just not this year. He will get snaps at a variety of spots but I just don’t think he will be starting at SAM unless Rey gets suspended or we see a few injuries. Even then we have very capable backups with Jeanty and Johnson. It is very intriguing though for MJ. Even in pass coverage. It will be extremely hard for QB’s to drop a pass over MJ and in front of the safeties because of his size and reach. Very intriguing but lets slow down and see how things play out. Maybe in the future but I just don’t see it this year.

by C1ncy4Life on Jun 1, 2010 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

to piggyback on everything most people have said

i think they’re grooming johnson to be a demarcus ware, suggs type guy. you have to find him before the snap, but no matter what he’s going to reek havoc.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Jun 1, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I DISAGREE

Rey is not ready to man the middle this coming season. Dhani has lead this team in tackles for the last couple of seasons. There is no way that Michael Johnson can play the SAM in this defense………In Coach Z 4-3…..the SAM has to come up and smash the FB in the face and let Dhani and Rivers to come and clean the play up. Watch Rey last year….he is so physical….when he got hurt is when the defese gave up all of those monster runs that broke the Bengals back. Michael Johnson is not a physical player…he is very long and athlectic and is no where near ready to start at the SAM…..Dhani has so many responsibilites of making sure everyone is lined up properly or calling audibles when the O switches plays…he has to know what all 11 players are suppose to do. Rey is not ready.

Kenneth Lewis Moore

by lightskin350 on Jun 1, 2010 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

well done

I love Rey Rey, but lightskin350 nailed this one.

Rey needs another year working with Dhani Jones. Dhani is a very quality LB, with great leadership skills on the field and and off it.

The MJ LB experiment is simply for Passing Downs. This by no means locks him up as the SAM backer. MJ is a finesse rusher with top end speed, not a smash you in the mouth, point of attack headbanger like the StingRey.

The Great thing about Zimmer is that he has convinced his “Scrap Iron Defense” that each member of the unit is as important as the next. “Starter” really has no meaning – no where near as much as “Situational” and “versatility” and “roles” – in the Zim-tionary.

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jun 1, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

In the end, it comes to this

MJ, Rey, Dhani Jones, Rivers, Jeanty (if he make the team) and Johnson gives a great depth with a ton of options and looks that can confuse offenses, which will make our defense een better this year.

by jim0ijk on Jun 1, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

David Pollack

You guys remember him? I do. You don’t think Lewis wants to make up for that with MJ. Now you guys see how Carolina used Peppers when they were making playoff runs? That is the type of player MJ has the potential to be physically. He’s a smart kid too and i believe he can pick up what Zimmer is teaching quick. I used MJ @ SAM in some of my packages on Madden and the man is a beast out of the 4-3 defense, 3-4, and nickel 3-3-5! His range is crazy in zone coverage and him blitzing off the left side of geathers is alot for offenses to handle especially with Odom on the other side! I can’t wait to see it on the field!

by Dwight Carter on Jun 10, 2010 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

The biggest reason I am high on this D is that.........

when you look at player as a whole the most unpactful improvement comes in their second year and is completed in their third year. We have several guys on D in that position and a couple on O that are the same. I can think of several starters on this team who, just thru experience will be better. Rey and MJ are among them. Plus Zimmer has a lot of the same people so they can build on what he has taught them and allow him to put more of his s heme into place. That alone is big.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jun 14, 2010 2:34 PM EDT reply actions