Roster Lock Prediction #37: Defensive Tackle Pat Sims

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2011 10:58 AM EDT

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by Pat Sims #90 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Since the team traded Clinton McDonald to the Seattle Seahawks and since the team released defensive tackle Tank Johnson and Lolomana Mikaele, the Cincinnati Bengals are left with three natural tackles in Domata Peko, Geno Atkins and Pat Sims. Jonathan Fanene and Frostee Rucker are likely candidates to take snaps inside, but mostly during pass rushing situations.

We have Atkins and Peko as our only natural defensive tackles in our 2011 roster locks (players we're predicting make the roster), largely because we had no idea how Pat Sims was recovering, still on Active/PUP at the time our list was initially developed.

No longer. Sims has participated in practices since Sunday. Considering Cincinnati has dropped three defensive tackles in a handful of days, there's no way Cincinnati makes a move with Pat Sims; provided said move isn't related to an injury. Not only that but you might as well scratch his name in as the starting defensive tackle, alongside nose tackle Domata Peko.

Sims becomes our 37th player and seventh defensive lineman behind Atkins, Peko, Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Robert Geathers and Jonathan Fanene (we're not there just yet with Frostee Rucker).

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Agree he's a lock but

I’m concerned about his durability. With McDonald gone, Shirley is the only wide-body tackle we have. He’s played well in the preseason, but not spectacularly. I don’t believe that using ends as swingmen will hold up in the AFC North if Sims doesn’t hold up.

by K312 on Aug 30, 2011 11:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think Shirley makes the 53-man roster.

I just have feeling that the strength he brings to the middle is more appealing (from a co-coordinator’s point of view) than another DE who can rush in the nickle package from inside.

by Boomer Lion on Aug 30, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

RE:

Depends on the numbers game. Bengals have historically taken 8-9 defensive linemen every year for the past five seasons. If you factor the list we have now, we’re talking about adding another 1-2 players.

If they only add one more, Frostee Rucker is likely returning and that’s your lineup. If they add two, it’s between Shirley and Victor Adeyanju.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Or, we cut Geathers...

…and take both Shirley and Adeyanju.

I understand the value of having players that can play multiple positions, but it’s a Marvinism that’s annoyed me. There’s a real difference between free safety and strong safety, and I feel that we undervalue pure DTs, as we seem to think we can just plug in a backup DE on third downs. I wish we had another pure cover safety, and I hope that Shirley makes the team for DT depth.

by Big Sky Bengal on Aug 30, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

well if marvin likes players that can play multiple positions

recall a few years back he put geathers in at LB for a few games when injuries ravaged our LB core. don’t think marvin has given up on geathers just yet. geathers is in his last years with cincy, not sure when he’s gone though. maybe next year.

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Aug 30, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

We won't cut Geathers

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

would put my money on shirley

he’s got heart and willing to do what the coaches ask of him. Adeyanju appears to be filler for cincy, some rams flotsam we grabbed last season. we’ll cut Victor Adeyanju and keep his number handy in case of an injury (like we did in 2010).

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Aug 30, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions