Roster Prediction: Bengals Secondary Remains Wide Open

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 20, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

Defensive Backs (5): Chris Crocker, Reggie Nelson, Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Morgan Trent

We're largely reserved at this point with our defensive backs. Adam Jones is still dealing with a neck injury, claiming he'll be ready by the regular season opener. That being said the Bengals will need to complete their secondary roster with two cornerbacks and if Jones isn't able to recover, that leaves Rico Murray, Fred Bennett, Jonathan Wade, Brandon Ghee and Korey Lindsey. Ghee's inactivity due to injury hurts him. Fred Bennett had a rough showing against the Lions. Though he didn't have a great showing against the Lions, Lindsey could be a favorite due to the team using a draft pick on him -- not that that's any guarantee to make the roster.

For the time being we're using a bench mark of 5-5; five cornerbacks and five safeties. Though the cornerback position seems wide open at this point, safety has a little more stability. After Crocker and Nelson, the Bengals have four players fighting for (likely) three spots meaning that Gibril Wilson, Tom Nelson, Robert Sands or Jeromy Miles would be the odd man out.

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Anyone think Taylor Mays might be an option around final cuts? We seem to have a thing for 49ers free agents this year and I can see a safety getting cut out there – probably Mays but possibly Madieu Williams. Whatchall think?

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by Gold Star Chili Cheese Fries on Aug 20, 2011 7:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Im strangely comfortable w our safeties

Provided we stay healthy. The x factor is pacman.

by quickslant on Aug 20, 2011 9:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

bengals

if its mike brown

flush it down

by greg fisch on Aug 20, 2011 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

I'm uncomfortable with the phrase

“Bengals Secondary Remains Wide Open”.

Doesn’t make me excited about having them face Plaxico.

Sure. Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by UpStateMike on Aug 21, 2011 1:26 AM EDT reply actions

I’m also strangely comfortable with our safeties, assuming Crocker can brush off the injury bug and stay healthy this season. Nelson is looking more like his all-pro years. Being utilized to his strengths, which I believe Zimmer is doing, allows Nelson to wreak havoc in the secondary.

Corner on the other hand is a big question mark. We haven’t seen much of Clements yet and Hall is going to struggle with his footwork moving to the otherside of the field. I think the Jones return is key. We need him healthy to keep Hall and Clements fresh and to play that Nickle spot (or move Clements into the Nickle since he is the best tackler). Ghee is gone I think. He has shown us nothing and isn’t even on the field right now.

by WOOD98 on Aug 21, 2011 6:23 AM EDT reply actions