Bengals need sure-handed tacklers against Green Bay

When the Bengals invited cornerback Curtis Marsh on Tuesday for a workout, the cornerback impressed with the team with a blazing 4.34 40-yard sprint.

Speed.

It's one Marsh's Avengers powers.

"I'm extremely confident in my speed. I think my speed is one of my strengths," Marsh said via Bengals. "I prefer to bump and run if I can. I love playing man because it's a challenge. In college, that's what I was known for. The challenge I look forward to is guarding receivers one-on-one in press coverage."

The Bengals signed Marsh with cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and Brandon Ghee sidelined with a hamstring and concussion respectively. Both missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, which suggests that their chances are extremely unlikely against the Green Bay Packers this weekend. Adam Jones was sidelined on Wednesday while being limited on Thursday with an abdomen.

Marsh took part in 62 defensive snaps with the Eagles in 2012, allowing four of five receptions to be completed for an opposing quarterback rating of 115.

But it's not just speed that the Bengals need.

They need sure-handed tacklers.

According to Stats LLC, the Packers generated 295 yards after the catch against the Washington Redskins; the second-most since 1992.

"They break a lot of tackles. They run some things that are not technically legal," Zimmer said via Bengals.com. "They block downfield for guys and make a short throw. Really, they're not supposed to be able to do that, but they seem to get away with it."

According to Pro Football Focus, the Bengals have missed 13 tackles this season but only four have been attributed to the secondary. George Iloka is tied for the team-lead with three missed tackles. Adam Jones added another missed tackle against the Steelers.