Cincinnati's Struggling Secondary Might Benefit With The Remainder Of The Schedule

by Josh Kirkendall on Nov 26, 2011 3:00 PM EST

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 09: Reggie Nelson #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts at the end of his team's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 9, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. Cincinnati won 30-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Pointing out Nate Clements settling in nicely as one of the team's cornerbacks earlier this morning was by design. Because the thing is Cincinnati's secondary is a growing concern, heading into the final stretch of the regular season with a playoff position that's hanging on only by a thread.

Against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, Adam Jones played a significant number of snaps in his first start this season, allowing all three receptions against targets he covered to post 42 yards receiving against opposing quarterback rating of 118.8. In his past four games this season against the Seahawks, Titans, Steelers and Ravens, cornerback Kelly Jennings posted an opposing quarterback rating of 112.9. During his past three games, safety Chris Crocker has allowed a passer rating of 155.9 with three touchdowns allowed with a 13 yard/reception average.

In fact the only stabilizing factor in the secondary save for Clements, is safety Reggie Nelson -- but it wasn't always that way. From week three through week six, Nelson posted an opposing quarterback rating of 144.4. Settling down somewhat in his past four games, Nelson recovered to post an opposing rating of 47.9.

Aside from Nelson and Clements, as one could surmise, Cincinnati's secondary is a justified concern against the pass.

Now save for a repeat meeting against Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco later this season, Cincinnati doesn't play passing stalwarts. Colt McCoy Sunday followed by a Houston Texans team focusing on the old school rushing offense and defensive formula that Cincinnati successfully used in 2009. Even though quarterback Sam Bradford has been hurt this season, the St. Louis Rams passing offense has struggled all season and Arizona currently has the league's 21st passing offense.

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those stats

Don’t make me feel confident, they have got to step up. But, it’s not like Hall was tearing it up before he was lost for the season. Pretty much a wash.

by joeb698 on Nov 26, 2011 3:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Hall allowed a passer rating in the 60s..

by Cry on Nov 26, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

I was kind of thinking the same thing.

Pittsburgh and Baltimore should be the only two teams left that will really challenge us deep. If they still had Schaub, I’d be very worried about the Houston game, but Leinart aka Capt. Checkdown probably won’t beat us.

"I thought, 'Ball, please get down and into my hands.'"
-AJ Green

by Jaegner on Nov 26, 2011 3:24 PM EST reply actions

This is good timing to play Cleveland........

our secondary can cover them. Little has been playing well though and I think Mo Mass is out, so feeling good about them here.

by The Van Buren Boys on Nov 26, 2011 4:22 PM EST reply actions

Aside from Little maybe...

their receivers don’t scare me although Cribbs can make plays at receiver from time to time but I would be more concerned about not kicking to him on returns although our coverage teams have been fantastic this year (thank you Cedric Peerman). But Cribbs did burn us for one long return in week one and we always seem to have trouble tackling him so let’s not let that be the case in this game. Also, their TEs do scare me a little bit and Watson did go off against us in the first game as did their other TE Evan Moore and that’s why I would have liked to see more of Taylor Mays in this game because I’d at least like him to be in there and play aggressive as opposed to Crocker’s stubborn routine of playing soft coverage over the middle and letting the receiver run a good ways after the catch.

by dstacify on Nov 26, 2011 9:14 PM EST up reply actions