Organizational rankings

[Cincyfan78]

by talent Under 25:

3. Cincinnati Bengals


QB Andy Dalton (25) and WR A.J. Green (24) didn't disappoint in their rookie seasons. The former was the only other player besides Newton to garner votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the latter made the Pro Bowl. Dalton played his best on third downs (38.9 percent DVOA) and in the red zone (28.0 percent DVOA), while Green had a 57 percent catch rate and dropped only two passes all year despite having 39 percent of his targets come 16 or more yards downfield. Cincinnati also has two other young pieces in the pass offense with TE Jermaine Gresham (24) and RT Andre Smith (25).



The Bengals' run defense improved from 25th to 16th in DVOA thanks in large part to the play of middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (25) and DT Geno Atkins (24), the latter of whom also led the team in sacks. DE Carlos Dunlap (23) was a force as a situational pass-rusher, producing a team-leading 13 quarterback hits and 20.5 hurries to go along with his four sacks. Cincinnati's pass defense ranked 18th in DVOA despite the front seven finishing 10th in adjusted sack rate, which spoke to problems on the back end. To help remedy that, the Bengals selected CB Dre Kirkpatrick in the first round of April's draft.


You can get the full list on ESPN, but I think you have to be an insider.

 

[Servo]

I'd be curious to see who #1 and #2 are. For all their organziational shortcomings the Bengals have managed to put together a damn good young roster.

 

[Cincyfan78]

1 was N.E. lead by Gronk and Hernandez along with OL Solder, and the drafting of Hightower and Chandler Jones. While Gronk and Hern are very, very good...I don't think they have a ton of talent under 25 compared with some other teams. I think this is a bit too high for NE, personally.

2 was Detroit. Pretty self explanatory here. Honestly, I think Detroit should be #1 and I think NE should drop a bit.


Top 5: NE/Det/CIN/TB/GB

Bottom 5: ATL/BUF/NYJ/CHI/NO (NO is dead last).

 

[DanBengalfan]

interesting way of looking at things I suppose.

 

[bengaldoug]

I submit that any improvement in the rush defense was accomplished DESPITE the play of Maualuga, rather than because of it.....all he did when he played was overrun plays and get caught in the wrong position frequently....the rush defense was actually better when Dan Skuta played.....

 

[cincygrad]

I submit that any improvement in the rush defense was accomplished DESPITE the play of Maualuga, rather than because of it.....all he did when he played was overrun plays and get caught in the wrong position frequently....the rush defense was actually better when Dan Skuta played.....

His hair looked really cool in his helmet and he does an interesting 'warrior' dance with his cronies on the sideline. I think you underestimate how important these things are for the team.

 

[bengaldoug]

Peko's hair looks much cooler, and he's the real leader in the warrior dance.....

 

[cincygrad]

Peko's hair looks much cooler, and he's the real leader in the warrior dance.....

Sure. But Peko doesn't assault bar managers and take out parked cars with his automobile..... That makes you gangster.

 

[bengaldoug]

Maualuga's presence definitely increases the knucklehead quotient........