Bengals Have Three Of The Top 44 Defensive Tackles In The NFL

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 29, 2011 9:00 PM EDT

A shift in defensive tackles somewhat occurred Monday afternoon. Clinton McDonald was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for cornerback Kelly Jennings; a response to the team's logjam at defensive tackle along with a concerning predisposition with rehabilitating injuries at cornerback. Tank Johnson was recently released and decided to spent the year away from the NFL with his family. The team reached an injury settlement with Lolomana Mikaele (who was number 98 by the way) on Monday, waiving him.

This brings Cincinnati's projected defensive tackle lineup to Geno Atkins, Domata Peko and Pat Sims with Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene rotating inside, mostly during passing situations.

And that's not a bad three-man rotation. According to Scout, Inc's rankings, the team's top three defensive tackles rank inside the top-44 in the NFL; Domata Peko (30th), Pat Sims (39th) and Geno Atkins (44th). Tank Johnson, if he stayed with the Bengals, would have given the team four defensive tackles inside the top-44 (Johnson ranked 43rd).

Fanene and Rucker classify as defensive ends and didn't factor into grades at defensive tackle.

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Comments

After watching

Frostee ‘Mother’ Rusker that last couple of years, I have grown to really appreciate what he brings to the field. Dude is in on a LOT of plays.

by Ochocinco on Aug 29, 2011 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

*Rucker- not 'Rusker'

by Ochocinco on Aug 29, 2011 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

Jeez. I spent about two minutes looking over the post to see where I misspelled. Thanks for that. :)

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 29, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure how much I'm trusting Scouts, Inc.

if they rank Tank ahead of Geno.

Andy Dalton: An American Hero

by Pardon_My_French on Aug 29, 2011 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

It’s all subjective really. I’m inviting the posts in a way to promote our guys a little, and maybe provide a brief overview on the team this season.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 29, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh sure,

I’m not upset you posted it. I always love reading about the Bengals and how they’re perceived!

However, this ranking kind of reminds me of how simplistic E$PN’s analysis can be. Geno is behind Tank for no other reason than the fact that Tank has been in the league for 6 or 7 seasons, while Geno just finished his rookie year. Looking at their actual play, Atkins is better. Period.