The Debrief: Bengals sign a DT, injuries, Marvin Lewis’ history at linebacker, Dre Kirkpatrick speaks

1) Bengals sign defensive end.

With Ryan Glasgow heading toward Injured Reserve soon, Cincinnati reportedly signed defensive tackle Adolphus Washington off the Cowboys practice squad. Born in Cincinnati, Washington attended Roger Bacon and Taft high school and was a member the 2015 National Championship team for THE Ohio State Buckeyes.

Drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft, Washington spent two seasons with the Bills before he was waived on Sept. 10, a day after the Bills were destroyed 47-3 by the Baltimore Ravens. Dallas signed him to the team’s practice squad on Sept. 18, a week before Cincinnati signed him to the 53-man roster.

Here’s hoping that the scent of home inspires an NFL rejuvenation.

2) Speaking of sustained injuries. It seems unlikely that Billy Price and Joe Mixon will be ready for Sunday’s game against Atlanta and there’s a good chance A.J. Green sits out. It’s a road game, there’s limited information on their progress, and with it being Week 4, there’s no reason to rush them back. Price and Mixon sustained injuries during Thursday night’s win over Baltimore and Green landed on his hip against Carolina; an injury Cincinnati insists on calling a “groin injury”.

The key is Wednesday — if we see a DNP against anyone’s name (and it’s not “veteran’s rest”), their likelihood of playing significantly reduces.

To have with your chamomile tea (for your reading pleasure).

• I examined the deviating stories between two wide receivers — John Ross is taking a significant hit while Tyler Boyd is breaching as the team’s next breakout player.
• John Sheeran examines four plays that “buried the Bengals” Sunday. The 10-yard sack and interception while targeting John Ross were a devastating sequence of events. John adds his rookie report, including a story on Sam Hubbard, who missed a fumble that could have changed everything.
• ESPN beat reporter Katherine Terrell writes about the dip Cincinnati’s defense took on Sunday.
• Anthony Cosenza released his weekly award nominees after Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Ross gets my vote for GOAT of the week — it’s one thing to be beaten by your opponent; it’s another to not even try.
• Nick Manchester writes about five things we learned after Sunday’s 31-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers — one being how much we’ve missed Vontaze Burfict.
• On the bright side, the Bengals are in the top-half of most major power rankings, as shared by Patrick Judis.

Linebackers in the NFL Draft

One interesting reader on Twitter wondered: How many linebackers has Marvin Lewis drafted and developed over the years in Cincinnati?

The answer is: Not many.

Cincinnati’s history drafting linebackers during the Marvin Lewis era has been dreadful. The Bengals have selected 19 linebackers in 16 NFL drafts, and not a single player has earned a Pro Bowl or a spot on the AP All-Pro squad. No one. Not one.

According to Pro Football Reference’s CarAV rating, Cincinnati’s best linebackers drafted during the Marvin Lewis era are:

1. Rey Maualuga
2. Landon Johnson
3. Keith Rivers
4. Caleb Miller
5. Odell Thurman

A side note: Thurman, a rookie of the year candidate in 2005, might be the most talented linebacker Lewis has ever coached in Cincinnati. Burfict is great (I consider him the best linebacker during the Lewis era), and has the best instincts of anyone, but Thurman had unparalleled talent.

That’s not to say Cincinnati can’t develop linebackers. Vontaze Burfict is a Pro Bowler and Vincent Rey is capable of playing every position, while coaching other players on their assignments. And to be frank, I’d be alright with another player like Landon Johnson dropping by.

That being said, no. Cincinnati, NFL drafts, and linebackers have the attraction of three north pole magnets.

Quote of the Day: Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, recognized the struggle he faced against Carolina on Sunday:

“There are definitely things I can work on. They had a good game plan, they knew it was going to be hard for those guys to compete with us on the outside so that’s why they cut the splits. The whole group I saw a couple of plays where I felt guys were a little hesitant. At the end of the day we’ve got to win those downs. We were in position on a lot of them. They did some things we hadn’t seen on film. It kind of shocked us a little bit … They just knew to get them from the outside and bring them in. They knew it was harder for us to press guys when cut the splits down. I felt like going in I told Coach, ‘They ain’t going to leave them outside, they’re going bring them in and get us in bunches and cluster situations where it can be a lot of misdirections and free releases on the outside.’ Me and Will are pretty good at the press and getting our hands on guys and it would have been hard for those guys to separate.”

For anyone that’s followed me (and thank you with all my heart), I’ve been a detractor of Kirkpatrick for the past five years. That being said, I’d argue he’s having his most mature season (sans Adam Jones) and his production has been impressive. In his first two games, Kirkpatrick held opposing receivers to eight receptions on 19 targets for 103 yards receiving and four passes defensed. His touchdowns allowed — against Detroit’s Eric Ebron and Baltimore’s John Brown — was a combination of miscommunication and stellar offensive play.

However, his performance against Carolina was rough, allowing five receptions for 58 yards, and a Pro Football Focus score (if you buy into such things) below 44. And the seeing-eye test showed him trailing most of Cam Newton’s receivers.

Kirkpatrick may have struggled against Carolina, but he has the disposition to recover. Talent-wise, he’s good. Not great. Good. He’s still progressing as a veteran with leadership qualities. My only complaint: Stop overdramatizing incomplete signs when you had nothing to do with the incomplete pass (overthrow, drop). Cool.

Getting you ready for Week Four against the Atlanta Falcons.