2011 NFL Draft: Linebacker Dontay Moch Will Improve The Bengals Pass Rush

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 29, 2011 9:30 PM EDT in NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted a linebacker that will, according to Joe Reedy, start out as a special teamer and an edge rusher on passing situations. The move is likely in response to several factors.

Even though Carlos Dunlap posted 9.5 quarterback sacks in 2010, the Bengals sported the league's 27th best pass rush, posting only 27.0 sacks. Dontay Moch, who posted 26 quarterback sacks during his final three seasons at Nevada, improves the pass rush from the linebacker spot -- something that just hasn't existed for some time.

Dhani Jones and Brandon Johnson will be free agents once the new league year begins, opening a need for that position, especially if both leave for free agency. In response to Jones' departure, Rey Maualuga will move inside, opening an interesting rotation between Roddrick Muckelroy (against the run) and Moch (pass rush on passing downs) at strong-side linebacker.

Adding Moch with guys like Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins and Pat Sims, the Bengals pass rush definitely improved on Friday.

As for where Michael Johnson plays -- defensive line or outside linebacker -- it's currently unknown, according to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. While Carlos Dunlap got much of the glory last season, many of his sacks were benefit from Johnson's pass rush off the edge, forcing quarterbacks to shift in the pocket towards Dunlap, who closed the deal.

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

( Off Topic ) Gotta Love Jay Gruden

Andy Dalton on his first meeting with Jay Gruden …

"I kind of knew from the combine. I remember meeting with (offensive coordinator) Jay Gruden. And after I met with him — the day before we threw at the combine — he was like, ‘Go ahead and throw a couple in the dirt tomorrow so nobody else likes you’ (laughing).

by Primal on Apr 29, 2011 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Well I'm glad to hear their interest went that far back

Means they didn’t just jump on the bandwagon of QB desperation

by emeybee on Apr 30, 2011 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Quinton Carter

Give me the safety from Oklahoma. He would be an amazing SS for us

by ochocinco4pres on Apr 29, 2011 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

You can't discount Rey in the pass rush now, either

He was a great interior ass rusher when he played in the middle at USC. When he steps up in the gap between Atkins and Sims with Dunlap, MJ, and Moch flanking him, that opposing center isn’t going to know what to do. Besides, the normal development alone of Dunlap, Atkins, and MJ combined with much more playing time for all of them is going to shoot that sack number way up. I hope opposing offenses sleep on our pass rush next year, they’re in fir a surprise.

I agree with grabbing Carter in the 4th. We do that and this draft is a home run all the way.

by eric nyc on Apr 29, 2011 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

is that a running back

by diehard bengals fan 20 on Apr 29, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

nevermind the safety

by diehard bengals fan 20 on Apr 29, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

If we can't generate a pass rush now.....

I blame it on the coaches.

We have 3 good DE/OLB’s that can rush in Dunlap, MJ, and Moch, and some adequate DT’s. We should have the DB’s that can be trusted to be on an island. Get creative Zimmer.

As for Carter…..I really, really think you all will be disappointed with him. A lot of blown assignments. I’d rather go get some OL help, and patchwork the S spot again if we have to.

by Stanley1 on Apr 29, 2011 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Safety Help

How about Deandre Mcdaniel or Tyler Sash? What about Ahmad Black?

Honestly, it depends on the first 3 picks prior to them in the 4th round. I’m excited though.

by ddbumpus on Apr 29, 2011 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeron Johnson out of Boise

Highly rated, hard hitting SS that could be a young Roy Williams if he puts on a little weight. There’s no elite ball hawking FS in this draft so Reggie Nelson is the guy there next year, but Johnson would be an upgrade.

But I’d be plenty happy with a lineman, too. Really we’ve already nailed it with the first three picks in terms of value and need. Go BPA the rest of the way and I’m happy.

by eric nyc on Apr 29, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

haha

interior ass rusher

by vottomatic on Apr 30, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

lmao i was waiting for this

by Cry on Apr 30, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I was wondering if someone was going to jump on that one

As soon as I saw the typo I kept thinking of him with that sideline reporter at USC.

by eric nyc on Apr 30, 2011 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions

We got to take Marcus Cannon in the 4th round.

We need O-Line help plus him and Dalton were teammates at TCU so thats always a plus.

by STJ32 on Apr 29, 2011 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe Clint Boling?

He played with AJ Green at Georgia, and we love our Georgia players.

by ddbumpus on Apr 29, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Cancer

It’s treatable, but I’ll bet he doesn’t play a snap this year. And the biggest knock on him is that he can’t stay in shape. So how long would it take him to get back in shape after his cancer treatment? You could be looking at a guy who wouldn’t be contending for a starting spot for 2-3 years. He has the talent, but we can probably find a more NFL ready player.

Sucks about the cancer, though. Although otherwise he never would have made it out of the second round. But still, you know…cancer.

by eric nyc on Apr 29, 2011 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

Well, the cancer would actually help him get into shape

But too many risks when it’s a position we’re hurting for. I want Boling.

by emeybee on Apr 30, 2011 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know if losing weight because of chemotherapy counts as "getting in shape"

by eric nyc on Apr 30, 2011 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps the, you know, cancer

will see him fall to the fifth round where he’d be a great value?

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 30, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

6th maybe

Sure. But I don’t think he falls that far. And we need to get a RB somewhere, and that’s about the range we should be for one. But hey if he’s there in the 5th or 6th it would be hard to fault anyone for taking him.

by eric nyc on Apr 30, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Where have you seen that he can't stay in shape

Every report I’ve read, people say he’s the most athletic guy on TCU’s offense. Yeah, he’s 350, but I have the impression that that might actually be close to his natural weight. Not one report I’ve seen say that he can’t stay in shape and he’s absolutely no moops

by Marc57 on Apr 30, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I read he had a problem keeping his weight as LOW as 350 and that he played a lot at closer to 375. That might be ok for a NT but not an O-lineman. He’s definitely got talent, but the cancer treatment and getting back into football shape will take at least a year or two. We need a quicker solution.

by eric nyc on Apr 30, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions