For the past few years, we’ve been running a weekly award feature during the season called “Unsung Hero”.
If you’re new around these parts, it’s really an award that honors those whose contributions that have gone overlooked and/or those who have stepped up to play well in the wake of injury.
These gentlemen have exemplified these traits through the first eight games of the year.
Honorable Mentions:
Cordy Glenn: Cincinnati’s big offseason move was to trade for the big tackle from Buffalo. For the first few games, Glenn was outstanding, though his play has slipped a little bit since. Even so, he has provided a much needed presence on the line, helping the offense rank 11th in least amount of sacks allowed this season.
Clint Boling: If you haven’t been fond of Glenn, maybe you’ll be grateful for Boling, who is the tenured veteran on Cincinnati’s line. If you need an example of his worth to the offense, just take a look at the third and fourth quarters against the Buccaneers when he was out with an injury as a sample.
C.J. Uzomah: Going into the season, one could argue that Uzomah was either option 2A or 2B at tight end. Well, with significant injuries to the group, the third-year tight end has had to step up in a big way.
Uzomah has risen to the challenge, grabbing 17 catches and two touchdowns. The team is hoping he’ll continue to stay healthy and contribute in this manner for the remaining eight games.
Shawn Williams: Sometimes it’s hard to nominate a starter as an “unsung hero”, but Williams’ performances have gone a bit unnoticed, thanks to overall defensive issues. He’s been a culprit of some back end miscommunication leading to big plays, but he’s also come up with some huge ones.
He has three interceptions already this season, along with 45 total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Statistically speaking, it’s been a solid year from the veteran, who had to shake off being ejected early on in the first contest of 2018.
Clayton Fejedelem: Speaking of Week 1, Fejedelem was the hero of that game. He stepped in for Williams after he got tossed and had the forced fumble, scoop and score to seal the win at the end of the game.
Fejedelem has still been getting spot time on defense, but he’s known as the team’s special teams captain. He was one of the vocal leaders of the team’s recent “players-only meeting”, which may have sparked last week’s needed win.
Midseason Unsung Hero:
Trey Hopkins: Part of the criteria we use for an “unsung hero” is filling in for someone else who may be injured. Playing a secondary position, Hopkins has been more than serviceable at center as Billy Price has been recovering from a foot injury. He’s been so impressive that some are clamoring for he and Price to man the center/right guard spots upon Price’s return to the lineup.
Poll
Who gets your vote for the 2018 Bengals midseason Unsung Hero?
This poll is closed
-
6%
OT Cordy Glenn
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7%
OG Clint Boling
-
63%
OG/C Trey Hopkins
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6%
TE C.J. Uzomah
-
3%
S Shawn Williams
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7%
S Clayton Fejedelem
-
5%
Other