Bengals Safety Taylor Mays Expected To Return This Week

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 19, 2011 4:27 PM EDT in Injury

During the same press conference that floored Bengals fans with the not-so-shocking news that Jordan Shipley will miss the rest of the 2011 season, head coach Marvin Lewis pointed out that along with guard Otis Hudson, safety Taylor Mays will be back this week. Mays suffered a knee injury during the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts and has missed the first two regular season games this year. Hudson practiced some last week but wasn't active during Cincinnati's week two loss to the Denver Broncos.

The Bengals acquired Mays from San Francisco for the 49ers seventh round pick in 2013 midway through the preseason. Mays posted three tackles and a pass deflection during his most significant contribution during the preseason against Indianapolis before leaving the game in the second quarter. Mays is expected to backup Chris Crocker at strong safety and may even replace Crocker if the team's starting safety moves down into a nickel roll -- something he's done many times in the past -- during passing situations.

With the way that the Bengals rushing defense played against the Broncos, the team could use Mays' help.

Mays' debut with the Bengals will take place this Sunday against his former team, the 49ers, during Cincinnati's regular season opener (that has no shot in hell of selling out, or as we've been told). Manny Lawson and Nate Clements, two former 49ers, will also see their former team this Sunday.

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texans fan here.

I feel like y’all got a couple of studs in Green and Dalton. What is the initial thought on your future?

OFFICIAL MARIO WILLIAMS 2011 SACK COUNT; (2)

by Carter Liles on Sep 19, 2011 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

I have seen the future...

…and the future looks bright indeed. At this point in time, they both look like potential Rookie of the Year candidates.

Check out the recently posted article about Newton and ROY. Dalton is equal or superior in every major statistical category except total yardage, the media just doesn’t talk about him (like, at all). And as Marvin said at his press conference today, the Broncos threw every defense they had at him in the second half, and he handled it with grace and poise. To the best of my recollection, he only made one questionable decision all day. And he still has yet to throw an INT, which I could not be more impressed with.

Green’s TD catch yesterday was one of the best I’ve ever seen, definitely one of the best Bengals TDs ever. Watching him yesterday was like watching an acrobatics show. I can’t wait to see what he can do once he and Dalton get their timing synced up.

by MrMcLargeHuge on Sep 19, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

My 2 cents

What I see in Dalton is a guy that is smart first and foremost. Right up there with intelligence is his accuracy. My jaw drops at some of the throws this guy makes. He doesn’t have the strongest arm obviously but when he has to sneak it in he can throw with power. Third thing I really like about him is his poise and pocket awareness. He does not shy away from contact and will deliver the ball until the last second.

Green is everything we thought he’d be. He’s strong, fast, and has great hands. But the biggest thing I’m impressed with is his attitude. The guy is the antithesis of Chad Ochostinko. It’s exactly what this team needed after nearly a decade of selfish and childish attitudes from 85.

The future is indeed bright. To be succesful though we need to be a complete team because those two are not the only ones playing.

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on Sep 19, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

cris crocker needs to go.

He is always giving up big plays and gave up another big one yesterday hitting his own teammate instead on decker. Im so sick of getting beat deep by nobodies bc our safety is garbage. Nelson has been stepping it up but crocker needs to go.

by OBlock85 on Sep 19, 2011 8:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions