John Grieshop - Getty Images
5 months ago: CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 01: Rey Maualuga #58 of the Cincinnati Bengals takes the field for the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on January 1, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga started 13 games this year, missing three due to an ankle sprain suffered during an October 13 practice earlier this year. According to Bengals.com beat writer Geoff Hobson, Maualuga is "believed to be undergoing ankle surgery sometime soon." Maualuga posted a career-high in tackles and a team-leading three forced fumbles during his first year as the team's starting middle linebacker.
Maualuga missed games against the Indianapolis Colts, the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans. Backup linebacker Dan Skuta started in his place, registering 19 tackles including a team-high nine tackles against the Titans. Pro Football Focus rated Skuta as one of the team's better linebackers this year.
Maualuga has faced criticism during his first campaign as the team's middle linebacker, mostly for being over-aggressive, inconsistent while struggling to chip off blocks when he's at the point of attack. Pro Football Focus rated Maualuga as the team's worst linebacker (-6.3) and the third-worst defensive player overall. Though he did register an interception, his pass coverage (-5.7) was often the biggest detriment.
0 recs | 19 comments
Hopefully
This explains his lack of production. I would love to be wrong about the comments I have made about him this season.
Yarin - January 11, 2012
Explained Hopefully a LOT
He was horrible all season getting off blocks. If you watched the Steelers play this year, when Troy P comes up in a blitz, he drives right through blocks. Your middle linebacker can’t get completely sealed off and that happened WAY too many times with Rey. Hopefully he is better by next season or they need to be considering a replacement.
MikePF - January 11, 2012
Really?
Have you ever played football, flag even that’s two different positions Safety should be able to make those plays as the dline and line backers should have picked up most of the blocks. You guys are killing me with this, we don’t play that kind of defense. Zimmer never has and never will, remember Dallas before Wade Philips, good defense not flashy made. Name their MLB DAT NGYEN, he retired from football after a neck injury doing the same thing Rey does taking on blockers so guys can make the play. We don’t play a 3-4 defense get over it!
ashunte23 - January 12, 2012
His ankle wasn't making bad decisions
He was second in tackles behind Howard with 85. Last season Jones has 125 witn 85 solo tackles. I don’t know whats up with Rey but he needs to get it fixed. MLB is to big of a position to be average.
Bigcatdaddy - January 11, 2012 via Android app
the thing about jones
he did make a lot of tackles but that was after a 3 or 5 yard gain. Rey should have the ability to get more tackles for losses or no gains and sacks. But we will see next year.
AMAS85 - January 11, 2012
Yeah
I was just pointing out that Jones wasn’t a pro bowler by any standard and and Rey was suppose to be an upgrade. He just looks stiff to me, he doesn’t turn at the hip much. I hope he gets it together. It’s just a damn shame Thurman couldn’t get it together.
Bigcatdaddy - January 11, 2012 via Android app
Thurman is still out there
fun fact: Thurman played for Jay Gruden in the arena league
joeb69 - January 11, 2012
lol....interesting
ticalcaldwell - January 11, 2012
Bring Back Odell - he has his act together ... maybe.... possibly...
TX Bengal - January 12, 2012
Rey is all Hype!
The only reason why Rey was successful at USC was because the two other stud linebackers (Cushing and Matthews) were getting double teamed leaving Rey to just make a tackle. IMO we should start looking for a “real” MLB. Someone who we can depend on down after down.
Jungleboogie - January 12, 2012
Hopefully he heals up 100% otherwise I'd be itching to pull the trigger on another MLB early on the draft.
jimbasa - January 11, 2012
ITs HEART
Think MLB needs to have a killer heart. Rey dnt seem to have that. Like said above he just get blocked to much. I can understand the ankle in open space but he was bad at plugging up wholes between the tackles. I think is more of confidence, Rey seems to lack that to me.
i am will - January 11, 2012
very disappointed in his play.
I thought he would be a star, but he has been very average.
D-Day77 - January 11, 2012 via iPhone app
Skuta was pretty nice this year
njbengalstat - January 11, 2012
Skuta was pretty good
I got to see the playoff game in person and when they put Skuta in for Rey you could tell the difference in their play. Skuta looked so much better. I’m not for starting Skuta over Rey but it says a lot that he was getting out played by a special team player.
Bigcatdaddy - January 11, 2012 via Android app
I was hoping Rey would be an upgrade but Skuta outperformed him
At some point the name/big school recognition has to be put aside and you have to play the best guy at that position. Unless Rey turns it on and becomes more consistent the Bengals have to consider starting Skuta.
WOOD98 - January 12, 2012
hope I'm wrong but looking back on this season
I see all the reasons (that we missed or ignored) teams passed on him in the 1st.
Bengals NFL Champs - January 11, 2012
Nothing wrong with Rey's play this year.
You guys are confusing good football plays with ESPN highlights!
ashunte23 - January 12, 2012
Maybe Muckelroy can play?
TX Bengal - January 12, 2012
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