Bengals Safety Reggie Nelson Stepped Up In The Second-Half Of The Season

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 4, 2011 9:59 AM EST

Every year we try predicting the regular season roster before final cuts are announced. Sometimes we nail it, some times (aka, most of the time) we miss. For our 53-man roster prediction in 2010, we missed twice. We had Chase Coffman and Kyries Hebert making the squad. Neither did. David Jones and Frostee Rucker were the two players that we didn't predict making the squad. Before everything could really sink in, the Bengals completed a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, shipping Jones off for safety Reggie Nelson.

And most could argue, the Bengals won the trade. Jones allowed a passer rating of 114.6 with the Jaguars to quarterbacks targeting players he covered. Jones didn't post any defensive snaps after week eight until he played a handful of defensive snaps during the final game of the regular season. For whatever reason, the Jaguars re-signed Jones.

The Bengals greatly benefited from the trade, picking up Reggie Nelson who would become a significant contributor throughout the second-half of the season. Nelson only allowed a passer rating of 30.4 to quarterbacks targeting players he covered while posting 51 tackles. Only nine of 20 pass attempts found players he covered and for the season, he only allowed 146 yards receiving. No touchdowns allowed, two passes intercepted and seven passes defensed, the Bengals clearly picked up a contributor that helped fill in for an injured Chris Crocker.

Nelson is entering the final year under contract.

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He did, just ask Mike Tolbert.........

you got knocked the &*%$ out!

by The Van Buren Boys on Mar 4, 2011 10:08 AM EST reply actions

He's a baller.

He was wasting away in Jacksonville. A former first round pick ffs and they shipped him off for a box of raisins. Ah well great deal for us. Hope he stays a while.

by Cry on Mar 4, 2011 10:42 AM EST reply actions

The best part is how Jacksonville fans said they screwed us over with this trade and they were making fun of the Bengals for trading for him.

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

by sexsalad on Mar 4, 2011 10:52 AM EST reply actions

I think he fits our defense better than he fit Jax's

He’s pretty comfortable just flying around the field rather than being a check on individual receivers.

Home of the original Kitten Mittens.

by Pardon_My_French on Mar 4, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Not just that

and I keep forgetting which one is which but Jax had him at SS and he’s a natural FS, which he was at Florida and where Zim plays him- or vice verse because I can’t keep the two straight in my head.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 4, 2011 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

His wiki page suggests that you are correct.

He was a FS at Florida, and got drafted by Jax. When their starting SS left via free agency, Nelson got the starting gig. So he probably played mostly SS in Jax. So it makes sense that the Jax fans, whose biggest complaint about Nelson was his inability to finish tackles, would be unhappy with him as a strong safety. His skill set plays to free safety.

So have we solved our safety problem? To me, SS isn’t such a big deal, since Zim just wants that guy to be a missile. SS is going to get injured, so figure we draft one for depth in rounds 4-6 and we’re good.

Home of the original Kitten Mittens.

by Pardon_My_French on Mar 4, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

Depth is still a HUGE problem

Only Nelson and Crocker are currently under contract, and Crocker is neither getting younger, nor healthier. So I’d say that Safety is still a big position of need. If they could get DeAndre McDaniel in the 3rd round, I’d be really happy about that. BUT, I don’t think it’s so big a need that they need to address it before the 3rd.

Fight Bengals Fatalism!

by Paul Cannon on Mar 4, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

Jacksonville did not play Reggie Nelson at SS. He played strictly FS.

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by Alfie Crow on Mar 4, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

Flew to the ball

I don’t know if he was always in the right place, but you always Saw Nelson flying to the ball. He did a good job in run support… Maybe he just stood out because his dreds were flopping around… I say we keep him and maybe even try to resign him.

by Yodiak on Mar 4, 2011 11:06 AM EST reply actions

Our Polamalu?..

Maybe not quite as good, but with a year under his belt, still young, and with the ability… I can see him being great for us. I like him a LOT. He was destoying players in the chargers game

by Trevor 85 on Mar 4, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Loved this guy.

Worked hard on the field every down.
Not sure about the Polamalu comparisons, but no doubt he’s got a lot of talent.
Always around the ball.

513 'til I die.
Who-Dey!

by Nasty 'Nati Nation on Mar 4, 2011 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Leave it to Zimmer to play to a guy's strengths.

Something his counterpart on offense last year could not do.

"The only thing we have to fear is, Mike Brown himself."

by DrainBamage on Mar 4, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

Zim made some blunders too

(Michael Johnson to linebacker for one), but he always acknowledges when something didn’t go right.

Fight Bengals Fatalism!

by Paul Cannon on Mar 4, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

Reggie Nelson

looked more and more like the stud he was at Florida by the end of last year. I wouldn’t have thought that switching him up from one safety position to the other as Jacksonville did when he got there would have made such a difference on his performance but, well, it goes to show what I know. He looks like the first round talent that he was back in his element in Zim’s backfield. Hmm, kind of makes me even less keen on the idea of drafting Patrick Peterson and just switching him to safety. A lot more involved in that switch than this former defensive end here reckoned.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 4, 2011 11:36 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, but Peterson would give us the best secondary in the league (assuming they re-sign J Jo)

And if they are able to get pressure with the Fisher Price Kids, there won’t be a team in this league that would be able to throw on us.

Start salivating now. Mmmmmmm……Doughnuts…..

Fight Bengals Fatalism!

by Paul Cannon on Mar 4, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

Honestly, I think

pound for pound Peterson is the best player in the draft overall. I just keep hearing conflicting reports on whether he would make the switch to safety and I wonder just how hard that is for a player to do provided he was willing.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 4, 2011 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

He was on NFL Network today

He said he would prefer to play CB, particularly at first, but would play Safety if asked.

by emeybee on Mar 5, 2011 2:25 AM EST up reply actions

Reggie Nelson

Loved the way he played… reminded me of Crocker when he first arrived. Good to see the Bengals come out on top for a change.

by Bengalfansince67 on Mar 4, 2011 11:58 AM EST reply actions

Love me some Reggie Nelson..

The dude is a speeding bullet.

Give pizza chants.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Mar 4, 2011 11:59 AM EST reply actions

This guy is the man.

by Doc Scratch on Mar 4, 2011 12:31 PM EST reply actions

And most could argue, the Bengals won the trade

obviously. We got an ex-1st round pick (who some were hoping the Bengals would get that year in round 2) for a guy that wasn’t going to make the squad.

Kind of like how we got Brian Leonard for a guy who was going to get cut.

by ephram on Mar 4, 2011 12:42 PM EST reply actions

Reggie should continue to start

He played well down the stretch and made some big plays. Have him back there with Raheem Moore or De’Andre McDaniel and you’d have two good safeties with Hall and possibly Joseph as corners. Not bad.

Jacksonville was just downright stupid with Nelson. He was a former Pro-Bowler and they started moving him around and even playing him at slot CB. I thought this was a fantastic trade from the get-go and it proved to be that late in the year. Mike Brown really liked it too as he mentioned him in the Press Conference of all press conferences (ugh).

by Anthony Cosenza on Mar 4, 2011 12:51 PM EST reply actions

We should post this over at the Jacksonville page to gloat a little bit.

Are you with me? Yay or Nay? (Well, which one means yes?")

Fight Bengals Fatalism!

by Paul Cannon on Mar 4, 2011 1:00 PM EST reply actions

i say yay

Just for the fact of how much jags fans said when the trade was made. They were saying how he would suck and not be any good and they would take anything for him.

by JCompton41 on Mar 4, 2011 1:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Most of us are wondering why in the hell we resigned Jones. He’s been pretty crappy most of the time.
Here’s hoping Reggie and David don’t have a crappy 2nd year on our respective teams. Enjoy the goating on BCC, if you decide that’s the right thing to do. It’s probably a waste of time. I can tell you this though, we’re just glad to be rid of Nelson. I’m glad he’s done well his first year with the Bengals. Hope he doesn’t have a sophomore slump, like he did with us.

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 4, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

i understand wanting to be rid of a player for anything

Honestly I would just cut chad and get nothing for him if it came to. And I fully expect he would go on to have a great year whoever he plays for. But if you were on this board the day the trade was made, jags fans were not saying anything like you are saying now.

by JCompton41 on Mar 4, 2011 1:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Most likely because we felt like you just explained. We didn’t care who we got. We figured anyone would be better. Whoops on that one. I understand what you’re saying though. If I was in your situation, I’d feel the same way. No problems here.

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 4, 2011 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

yeah no problems

I would just like to see jags fans responses to the stats of jones vs nelson lol. I’m assuming, just like if nelson was bad and jones was good, it would be a good mix of opinions like yours, the people saying reggie nelson sucks and will allways suck, and I’m sure somewhere along the line good debate or discussion.

by JCompton41 on Mar 4, 2011 2:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I was just messin' around.

I have no intention of of actually gloating over on your board. I like the Jags, and I know at some point you guys are going to top Indy.

Fight Bengals Fatalism!

by Paul Cannon on Mar 4, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Nelson had a great rookie year with the Jaguars. Then it all went downhill. Hey, maybe he’ll do better with you Bengals. I really don’t care either way. For me, I was just happy to be rid of him. Whether we got a better player in the trade (which we did not. I know) was a moot point. Gloating would be an exercise in futility in that regard. Just my opinion.

In any case, how do you see 2011 playing out for your Bengals? Just curious.

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 4, 2011 1:16 PM EST reply actions

He's just being used the right way in Cincinnati. He's a true free safety.

2011 is a giant question mark. We don’t even know who’ll be under center. We have a new offensive coordinator and we’re all just happy to see what he does with the offense. If there are some wins, fantastic.

by Cry on Mar 4, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

What QB’s are you guys looking at? Draft? Veteran?

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 4, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

well

Mike browns looking at keeping carson palmer and not getting anything in return, and keeping it financially impossible to get anyone else. So it looks like were playing carsons little brother, a 2nd year 6th rounder in dan lefevour, and a late round pick.

by JCompton41 on Mar 4, 2011 1:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

One of each, hopefully...

Ideally, they use anywhere from a second to fourth round pick on a guy from the list of: Locker, Kaepernick, Ponder, Dalton, Mallett (only in second though), or McElroy. Then they also pursue a veteran like McNabb or Kolb for a band-aid, or make them competitive for the next few years while grooming a young guy.

And, not to be a total douche, but the Bengals STOLE Nelson from your Jags. David Jones is AWFUL.

by Anthony Cosenza on Mar 4, 2011 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

If they went after Kolb it would be to have him as our starter.

You don’t give up a 1st round pick for a band-aid. Marc Bulger would be a band-aid.

Fight Bengals Fatalism!

by Paul Cannon on Mar 4, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Jones was toast

Nelson is the real deal, with last year under his belt he will be an important part of our defensive backfield for at least another year and I hope they re-new his contract.

by James Schmid the great on Mar 4, 2011 1:34 PM EST reply actions

I heard the Eagle’s would trade Kolb for Vince Young. D’oh! Not a smart move, imo. I’m partial to drafting Christian Ponder, since I’m a FSU homer.

Good luck in 2011. We’ll see you folks in Jacksonville!

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 4, 2011 1:36 PM EST reply actions

just wondering

A few questions about the jags, why does that team seem to always want to replace the qb? Gerrards been decent and seems like he could be good if the team would build around him. Every year though it seems like they will replace him for anything that comes along tho. And what’s the deal with letting sims-walker go, was it a price issue or what?

by JCompton41 on Mar 4, 2011 2:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

a lot of fans are hypercritical of Garrard. for me, it’s his huge rollercoaster performances. plus the fact that he’s been at the helm for a good number of years and seems to always go down in flames, with 2007 being the only exception. garrard is mediocre. we want more than that. kinda like the way we feel about jack del rio. mediocre.

as for mike sims-walker, he just never grew the way we’d hoped. he’s been given plenty of time, especially with his history of injury. there are a bunch of discussions on bigcatcountry right now in those respects. seeing flashes of greatness just doesnt cut it after a while. he may be one of those guys that produces once he’s outta here. kinda like nelson has done for you guys. i think every team has those situations and it’s just something we have to live with, i suppose.

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 4, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

is it garrards medicracy

I feel a lot bengals players have failed in the past because they are not put in a position to not fail. Wether it be coaching or players around them. I guess garrard seems to have adequit players around him, decent oline and mjd, but he also has show he has talent, is it the offensive coaching that holds the jags back?

by JCompton41 on Mar 4, 2011 3:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Nahh, i dont think it’s all the coaching… if a decent qb has the tools around him to be successful and he can only win half the time, then it’s mostly on the qb… i also think that del rio has one last shot this year to make it to the playoffs or else he is gone (which the owner, wayne weaver, has said will happen)… we did great in 2007 because, i feel, we had both mjd AND fred taylor ripping up the yardage… and having a great 2 rb tandem makes life a tiny bit easier on the qb… speaking of coaches, what are your thoughts on our new qb coach (your former WR coach)??

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 4, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

i dont think hes ever been a qb coach

And I don’t think he did a good job getting the young wrs ready to play.

by JCompton41 on Mar 4, 2011 4:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

As a Jags fan,

I have to say, Nelson sucked, I’m glad he is playing well for you guys, but remember his first season in Jacksonville he played well, the same as he did his first season with you. After that he went down hill. Good luck.

"Don't go away Mad, Just go away."

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by rhettchrystal on Mar 4, 2011 6:38 PM EST reply actions