Presenting The Fifth Annual Cincinnati Bengals 53-Man Roster Prediction

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:04 PM EDT

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Anthony Collins #73, Domata Peko #94 and Rey Maualuga #58 of the Cincinnati Bengals get set to lead the team onto the field before an NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Colts won 17-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

We're finished. Remember this isn't our favorite players on the 53-man roster. This is the players that we believe the team will take by the 6:00 p.m. deadline to reach the 53-man roster limit; Even though players you might favor aren't selected, keep in mind that our locks kept the practice squad in mind (obviously provided that they clear waivers).

Offense (25)

Quarterback (2): Andy Dalton, Bruce Gradkowski
Running Back (4): Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard, Cedric Peerman
Full Back (1): Chris Pressley
Offensive Line (9): Andrew Whitworth, Bobbie Williams, Kyle Cook, Andre Smith, Anthony Collins, Clint Boling, Nate Livings, Dennis Roland, Reggie Stephens
Wide Receiver (6): A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson, Jordan Shipley, Andre Caldwell, Quan Cosby, Ryan Whalen
Tight End (3): Jermaine Gresham, Chase Coffman, Colin Cochart

Defense (25)

Defensive Line (8): Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Pat Sims, Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Robert Geathers, Jonathan Fanene, Frostee Rucker
Linebackers (7): Rey Maualuga, Brandon Johnson, Thomas Howard, Manny Lawson, Dan Skuta, Dontay Moch, Vincent Rey
Defensive Backs (10): Chris Crocker, Reggie Nelson, Robert Sands, Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Morgan Trent, Kelly Jennings, Taylor Mays, Rico Murray, Jonathan Wade

Place-kicker (1): Mike Nugent
Punter (1): Kevin Huber
Long Snapper (1): Clark Harris

Notes:

DeQuin Evans could easily replace Vincent Rey on the roster, though we believe the vital part at this point on the roster is significant special teams contributions.
We picked Jonathan Wade over Gibril Wilson because Wilson is coming off a major injury and there's only so many players in the secondary you can be concerned about with injuries resurfacing.
There's always the chance in which Bo Scaife doesn't go on Injured Reserve. In that case Chase Coffman is gone.
Andrew Hawkins presented a strong case that he should be the sixth wide receiver on the team. Though he was strong on special teams, Ryan Whalen presents just as much plus added ability as a wide receiver in this offense.

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Comments

I think Cosby is a surprise cut today. Hawkins showed something on that punt return yesterday that will be hard to pass up.

Change gone come mane! Trust me! Cause i Bleed tigerblood!--Jerome Simpson

by Grizzlyfox on Sep 2, 2011 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

Possible. It did occur to me that it could happen.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

i still don't think so

you don’t replace a guy who hasn’t muffed a punt or kick in 144 tries.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Sep 2, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

not to mention

hawkins will make it through waivers to the PS.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Sep 2, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Hawkins has the potential to be a game changer.

Quan is steady, but he doesn’t really ever break out long returns.

I’d be interested in seeing them go for broke rather than playing it safe, considering the offense won’t be too good early. Could use a really dynamic return guy.

Change gone come mane! Trust me! Cause i Bleed tigerblood!--Jerome Simpson

by Grizzlyfox on Sep 2, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe next season

we’re already going to have our issues with turnovers, i wouldn’t really like to add another few to the game.

not to mention quan is a good blocker on KO returns. i haven’t seen that from hawkins yet. and for all his steady returns, quan did lead the league in PR avg 2 years ago.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Sep 2, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought the same thing

He looks like he’s lost a step. Hopefully we can get Hawkins on the PS and get him more practice as a returner.

by K312 on Sep 2, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

with you 100% on this lineup josh

6 months back who would have thought it possible a bengals team rebuilding would only carry 2 qbs into the regular season with a rookie starting.

wr and secondary are really the only coin flips here. who makes wr#6, who makes db #9/10

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

by palewook on Sep 2, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

Yea, this was the hardest lineup we’ve ever had to do. Traditionally a good 40 players were always locks. This year not so much. Injuries, rookies, UDFA; there was a lot to consider.

I’m hoping we don’t miss anymore than five.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too... I just predicted basically the same thing

cept i kept Ghee over Murray
And Shirley over Feanene (he showd nothing sense resigning him)
And Evans replaced V Rey

by Bengalsfan024 on Sep 2, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Tough

I like Ghee myself.
Not found of Shirley over Fanene.
I’m undecided on Evans and Rey. I think Evans showed a lot last night.

by C1ncy4Life on Sep 2, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I Agree

With Ghee over Murray
Shirley and Fanene can Both be on the Roster
Evan can replace V Rey but Rey has ST written all over him

by Touhue Cha on Sep 2, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

"And Shirley over Feanene (he showd nothing sense resigning him)"

Plus Fanene only played two games last year. But in fairness to Fanene, he signed really late and didn’t have the time during training camp others did.

I’ll guarantee he makes the team. The coaching staff loves his versatility and when he’s healthy, he’s good.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Him and Rucker aaaaaaalways make the team

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

by jimbasa on Sep 2, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I still think it's possible the Bengals pick up a DT

off the waiver wire. If they think he’s better than Shirely.

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker

by featherman on Sep 2, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Like it, with one change

Collins can play both tackles so I would like to see them drop Roland and keep Shirley on the D-line.

by WOOD98 on Sep 2, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

Wouldn’t mind one damn bit. Lol.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

My thoughts exactly.

Plus Evans for Rey (who can also make the PS, IIRC).

by Boomer Lion on Sep 2, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

DB's

Wade over Ghee? Not sure I like this.

by StillmissinOdell on Sep 2, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

That’s cool. It’s all up for debate really. My reasoning had everything to do with Ghee’s inability to get (and stay) on the field. If he makes it over Wade, I’m all for it.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

i feel like wade lost his roster spot last night

and over the past few weeks. I feel like he’s been eaten alive lately. i’d rather stash ghee for depth and potential.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Sep 2, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree

Though, they did mention that it wasn’t “their favorites” but who they thought the bengals would keep.

I think Ghee has tremendous upside, but at some point he has to get healthy and show he can stay healthy.

by C1ncy4Life on Sep 2, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

RE:

Agreed. I hope it’s Ghee over Wade. I hate Wade. But there’s so many players coming back from injury in the secondary (or dealing with durability concerns presently) that my point was they could go with someone that might not be an injury concern every week.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Ghee over Sands

Mays signing impacts Sands who is a PS project if he clears waivers

Ghee is like Caldwell/Simpson, a high draft pick who gets another chance

by wiseking on Sep 2, 2011 4:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

ghee could actually land on the ps

was shocked to learn he’s still eligible. and i doubt he’s shown enough at this point for another team to part with a permanent slot for him on their 53 man roster.

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

by palewook on Sep 2, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker

by featherman on Sep 2, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Still taking Ghee over Sands

by wiseking on Sep 2, 2011 4:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Then...

though we believe the vital part at this point on the roster is significant special teams contributions

If this were true, Hawkins would make it before Whalen.

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

by jimbasa on Sep 2, 2011 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

like i said above

it’s also who you can keep with the team. hawkins will make it through waivers, whalen probably wouldn’t.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Sep 2, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Quan is the sure thing on Punts

And we will see Peerman get some KR..

So hawkins can wait and add some (just a little) bulk so he can survive the return game

by Bengalsfan024 on Sep 2, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

No need for KRs any more

New NFL rules addressed that

by wiseking on Sep 2, 2011 4:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Whalen won't?

What has he proven in preseason?

Wasn’t he a 6th rounder?

Don’t think so pal.

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

by jimbasa on Sep 2, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

and dez briscoe was a 7th rd.

and got snatched. what’s your point?

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Sep 2, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

The roster is better than the sixth or seventh rounders

Whalen, Lindsey and Sands cut because Hawkins, Jennings/Ghee and Mays offer more on the starting day roster

by wiseking on Sep 2, 2011 4:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

HAHA

Dez Briscoe was a steal, look at him now. You are comparing apple with oranges. Whalen is nobody. Briscoe was as high as a 2nd rounder in the mochs.

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

by jimbasa on Sep 2, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Where's Shirley?

by BamaBengal on Sep 2, 2011 1:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Pushing a mountain

crap sorry he is the mountain.

by Bengalsfan024 on Sep 2, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

RE:

We made the point earlier. If it’s a matter of using a spot that would be for Shirley to help strengthen other positions, I feel the team would do it. Defensive line has strength to it whereas other positions may need help with numbers.

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Gosh So Hard To Pick ATM

Front Office Better Now Screw Up This Team

by Touhue Cha on Sep 2, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Poll

Tell you what guys, I’ll do a poll.

Do you want Ghee over Wade?

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 2, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Both

Drop Sands. Got Mays. Sands makes PS.

by wiseking on Sep 2, 2011 4:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Wade plays Ghee doesn't.

Wade isn’t very good but that beats doesn’t play.

by BENGALS69 on Sep 2, 2011 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

i'd tell you, you're mean and wrong

but then i’d be wrong.

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

by palewook on Sep 2, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

i am even excited about the PS

we could end up with a few good guys on the PS this year. If we are out of the running late in the season i would love to see some call ups. Would like to see guys like Evans, Hawkins, Lindsey, ODonnell and Ruffin get a chance.

Also agree with the wade decission in the sense ghee can’t get on the field. I think to take the next step we can’t hold onto these types of guys for to long. Talent is no good if you can’t use it.

by BigJungle on Sep 2, 2011 1:59 PM EDT reply actions