Four Bengals Defensive Veterans Will Go To The Playoffs For The First Time In 2011
by Jason Garrison on Jan 2, 2012 11:45 AM EST
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PrintWhen Nate Clements decided to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, who needed a new cornerback to replace Johnathan Joseph, he had to take time to look at the roster and the situation the team was in after loosing its franchise quarterback and the franchise's all-time leading receiver. He had been in the league for 10 years with two teams, the Bills and the 49ers. He had been a pro bowler but had never been on a team that made it to the playoffs.
Like us, he had to figure that he was signing a contract with a team that was going into a rebuilding year and that his 11th season was going to finish the same way that his other 10 did. Since he's on the field, he may not be as surprised as we are, but I'm sure he's just as happy as we are, probably more, at the fact that he's making his first trip to the playoffs in his long career.
"I’ve learned as much from these guys as they’ve learned from me," Clements said. "I’m honored to go into battle with these guys week in and week out. We’re going to embrace the joy and cherish the opportunity we have."
He's not the only NFL veteran that is making his first trip to the playoffs as a Bengal in 2011, though.
Adam Jones is heading to the playoffs for the first time. In his four seasons with the Tennessee Titans and the Dallas Cowboys. Jones came to Cincinnati in 2010 but only played five games before injuring his neck. He missed the first half of their 2011 season too, but he has been a key player now that Leon Hall is on Injured Reserve. He may still be more famous for his off-field actions from when he was a Titan and Cowboy but now he has a chance at making a name for himself on the field in the playoffs.
Thomas Howard hasn't been to the playoffs either. Howard came to the Raiders in 2006 and has been in the league for five years before he came to Cincinnati in 2011. He was signed to replace Keith Rivers and has played so well that many wonder if Rivers will be a Bengal in 2012.
Manny Lawson is another linebacker that signed with the Bengals in the offseason. He came to Cincinnati in response to Rey Maualuga's move to middle linebacker. He spent his his first five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who didn't make the playoffs until this season after Lawson left.
These four players have a chance to do something they've never done before on Saturday in Houston. Not only will they make their first playoff appearances of their careers, but they'll also get a chance to win a playoff game as well. Each of these players start for the Bengals defense and have played a large part in the team's No. 7 ranking to finish the season. All four of them will have a large part to play on Saturday as well. Hopefully they're not just satisfied with just going to the playoffs.
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good attitude clements...I wish it would of made you not trip on that TD pass...........
"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"
Our playoff battle blog link
I love to RESPECTFULLY debate the upcoming games with the other teams fans…
"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"
absolutely
it is all in good fun…and after the ravens game.. I went to the site and congratulated them on their victory and gave Suggs some props…(the guy is just a flat out beast)…This is all in good fun guys…Dont take this that seriously….enjoy this time…It may not come again for a while.
"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"
by ticalcaldwell on Jan 2, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
considering how nasty things got over there after they beat us
i’ll pass. used to visit BRB all the time too. they can come here. and josh, please, ban hammer any tard that calls us the bungals.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Gotta feel bad for Takeo Spikes
SD ended up coming really close. The Packers should pick him up just to let him finally get to the playoffs.
San Diego, Buffalo, Cincy, SF...
He goes to the right team at the wrong time. He’s starting to look like a Madden Curse. Pick him up, Pittsburgh.
by KSE on Jan 2, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i dont
his choice. he should have stayed in cincy.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
that's right
he refused the Marvin coolaid.
"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker
Need t re-sign Howard/Lawson, good pick-ups that played solid this year.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 2, 2012 11:57 AM EST reply actions
+1
combined with Rivers and Muck…and Moch(I think)…we should be pretty good next year
"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"
by ticalcaldwell on Jan 2, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
I still sense
that they’ll unload Rivers in a trade next year. Not saying I want that but I’m not sure we’ll see Rivers in a Bengals uniform again.
yup
bye bye rivers. hello lawson and howard.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
why are we so quick to dump Rivers
Lets at least let them compete in camp…and then make the call…
"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"
by ticalcaldwell on Jan 2, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
I think it's mostly
a combination of his contract, being injury prone and a numbers game. Assuming they retain Lawson, they’ll have Rey, Lawson, Howard, Moch, Muck. Rivers could be the victim there. He can probably still net the team a middle round draft pick.
I agree, all about him making bigger money and not even being on the field enough.
And we he has been, he’s just been ok. We’ve got guys right now who are cheaper with at least as good if not better production. He has become expendable in my opinion…..
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 2, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't pencil Muck in quite yet
Achilles injuries can be bad news (ask Antwan Odom). I’m worried about Hall for the same reason.
by Animal_Like_Football on Jan 2, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
cant even recall the lb name
a guy we got from tampa in fa around 2004, had achilles injury in tampa. was supposed to be a great backer. got here, got hurt. rarely healthy in 2 seasons in cincy. cut his third season and went on to play for the broncos (i think) and then got hurt again and ended his career.
nate webster. that was him. took me a minute
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Nate Webster?
CincyJungle Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @CUIBengalsFan
by Anthony Cosenza on Jan 2, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
stupid website ate my post
not doing the whole thing over.
short of it. we run a 4-3 not a 3-4. if lawson comes back, someone is holding the short straw. rivers makes too much to be depth for the bengals. would the bengals consider rivers as trade fodder in the 2nd round of next draft to move up in the hopes of securing a back like montee ball? or rivers stays and lawson is allowed to leave in fa?
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Didn't Howard sign a 2-yr deal?
by California Bengal Fan on Jan 2, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
we have howard in 2012
lawson is a fa. uncertain about brandon johnson, not sure the length of his last contract? (1 yr or 2yr?)
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Lawson should be a priority
He’s exceeded my expectations.
by Animal_Like_Football on Jan 2, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
would agree if i had to choose
lawson or rivers. i want lawson and more than willing to trade rivers for anything we get.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
I would feel better after seeing how
Muckleroy comes back, before I would ship out Rivers. In fact, I would keep Rivers and ship out Vincent Rey…
its possible rivers is brought back as depth in 2012
his contract base is around 2 million (not counting millions in incentives or 15 million + guaranteed money). with 2013 being a contract voidable year for the bengals.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
if brandon johnson is a fa then probably wont be brought back
muck, moch, rey, skuta, evans and any fa or draft picks in 2012
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
practice squad ufa
played his butt off in 2011 preseason
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Then got busted for using performance enhancing drugs
by Animal_Like_Football on Jan 2, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
so did bobbie
a ton of over the counter stuff can get you into testing trouble. seriously doubt evans was doing roids.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Bobbie wasn't taking PED's
His was a banned substance though. It was some kind of diuretic made to help cut weigh mainly by shedding water.
by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 2, 2012 2:00 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
there are some antihistamines that will get you suspended in the nfl too
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Ephedrine
Since that kid fell out in Minn that stuff is a big no no. It’s now ban over the counter by itself but it’s an active ingredient in antihistamine. The meth makers use it. That’s why you have to ask for it at the Pharmacy.
by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 2, 2012 2:39 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Those 2 guys have been just as important as Dalton and Green.
I’m really worried about Rey in the middle. He hasn’t looked that good playing that spot.
by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 2, 2012 1:55 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
keep waiting on rey to lock down the job
don’t blame him for the ravens game, vonta leech is a beast. he makes most mlb look bad.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
I'm not blaming the game on him
But he has struggled all year. He’s played really well at times but horrible in others. It’s his natural position so I didn’t think this years transition would be that bad. I like him and hope he gets better but if we found some one better I wouldn’t cry. With other areas in bigger need I don’t see that happening but I wouldn’t get rid of Rivers just yet either.
by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 2, 2012 2:44 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Play Motivated!
It’s not enough to just be in the playoffs, we need a win! The fans need a win, the franchise needs a win, but most importantly our new rookie led team needs the experience and confidence a playoff win gives! Look at what playoff wins has done recently for teams led by rookie QB’s, Flacco, Sanchez, Roethlisberger. it’s this experience that can maybe knock off the self loathing bungal mentality that so many of our players have had, or learned over the years. Dear sweet baby jesus I want this win!!! So play motivated fellas, coach with motivation, and for the love Mike Brown become motivated to put a great product on the field consistently. I promise it will be more rewarding mentally and yes, financially! Let’s slap these Texans in the mouth in there house! Who Dey!
by MCSubtext on Jan 2, 2012 12:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Some Raiders' fans are pretty ticked off at Palmer today...
Also at Chuck Bresnahan (how does this guy keep on getting D coordinator jobs??)…
Most raider fans...
want everyone GONE. Hue, CHUCK, Palmer, Mark Davis…everyone.
That is great, I remember the "Super Bowl" chants just a few months ago......
where have those all gone now?
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 2, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
their d killed their hopes
bush will probably be kicked to the curb as well for his under 4 yard average. hue will survive one more season, unless palmer looks like the second coming of kenny stabler in 2012.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Yes, Bush to the Bengals
I think he’s from the Cincy area. He played college ball at Louisville and he was a QB in high school. He’s big and versatile.
by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 2, 2012 2:03 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
He's from Louisville
He played QB/WR in high school, RB at UofL, and would have been a 1st rd pick but broke his leg in the UK game. Bush would be an awesome acquisition!
by DonMegga on Jan 2, 2012 2:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I remember that game
Didn’t he flip into the endzone and break his leg?
by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 2, 2012 2:46 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Second run of the game
NO. It was the second play for UL on the day. First run for a 1st down, then second run of 9 yards to the left sideline with a helmet to the leg. Broken leg syndrome gets you every time.
by recedingjungle on Jan 3, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
It was their D that lost them that game
They had just scored a TD to close the gap, and then had SD pinned down at their own 1.
SD had a 1st -and-20 and they gave up a 40-yrd run. Chuck was the problem moreso than Palmer.
by California Bengal Fan on Jan 2, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
Not that it was his fault....
but Palmer’s 16th INT of the year did not help either….
Wow. Didn't realize he had that many.
Don’t miss that at all.
by Animal_Like_Football on Jan 2, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
But I do miss
His leadership, his ability to win big games, his pocket presence, … there’s got to be something about him that I miss…
by Animal_Like_Football on Jan 2, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
I don't miss Palmer in the least
wasn’t happy with what happened that made him want to leave, but am glad he left. He was the “best option” the last couple years… but that’s more of a comment on the lack of other options and the price tag. Him leaving put the Bengals in the position of having to make the move, and boy it was a good one.
If Palmer stayed, either Dalton isn’t drafted at 2 or he wasn’t starting the season.
Fricking Katy Perry just knocked on your door, took out them tittays and a bottle of wine. She got you drunk. She got you high. She rocked your jock and you have it on videotape... and some of you turkeys are complaining about it being skunk weed.
The whole season matters. They didn’t back in.
chuck is fired
matter of days until that hammer drops.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Bengals history
Until yesterday, the Bengals had never won a wild-card tie breaking procedure. (Most notoriously losing out in 1976 with a 10-4 record)
If they win Saturday it will be the first road win in the playoffs in franchise history. They’re 0-4 on the road in “normal” playoff games (and of course two Super Bowl losses).
by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 2, 2012 3:42 PM EST reply actions
Dude
For the love of God, please learn the difference between loose and lose
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