Whitney Curtis - Getty Images
5 months ago: ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 18: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams runs the ball ahead of defensive tackle Domata Peko #94 of the Cincinnati Bengals and guard Bryan Mattison #67 of the St. Louis Rams in the first half of the game on December 18, 2011 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Whitney Curtis/Getty Images)
The unsung heroes that characterizes defensive tackles and the offensive line has become expected in today's superstar, fantasy football world. Yet it's the key ingredient in football, the heart and soul of the sport. A poor offensive line translates into a similarly poor offensive unit, with a limited running game and a quarterback more concerned about where the next hit will be delivered from. At the same time a great offensive line can turn average players into superstars. Critically the same applies to defensive tackles, a group of gap-fillers more known as a linebacker's friend than play-makers.
There’s the obvious in regards to Cincinnati’s defensive line. Of the 45 quarterback sacks recorded in 2011 (ranked third in the NFL by the way), 34.5 were registered by the defensive line alone. Geno Atkins led the team with 7.5 quarterback sacks and at least five different defensive lineman registered four quarterback stops this year.
Yet it wasn’t just the impressive pass rush that qualified Cincinnati’s defensive line as arguably the strongest unit on the team. According to the NFL ’s Game Statistics and Information System, when opposing running backs ran up the gut (normally where Domata Peko stoically awaits), they only averaged 3.21 yards/rush. Only three teams posted a lesser average than Cincinnati.
| Left End | Left Tackle | Left Guard | Middle | Right Guard | Right Tackle | Right End | |
| Yrd | 6.31 | 4.64 | 4.50 | 3.21 | 3.32 | 5.11 | 3.20 |
| Rank | 21st | 19th | 24th | 4th | 7th | 23rd | 2nd |
It wasn't just Domata Peko either. Geno Atkins was just as impressive against the run as he was rushing the quarterback. Pat Sims played an integral role as a gap stuffer, much like Domata Peko who took on most of the double teams. Jonathan Fanene slide inside during coverage formations.
It's been some time since fans felt comfortable with Cincinnati's roster of defensive tackles. If the team successfully re-signs Pat Sims, returning to the three-man rotation of Sims, Peko and Atkins, the Cincinnati Bengals defense in 2012 will already be off to a great start.
0 recs | 16 comments
Until
until, pat simms got hurt =(
palewook - January 13, 2012
I love what Sims did this season
but I hope his high motor wasn’t because he had a contract year. He was a good player last year, even better this year so hopefully he doesn’t plan on snoozing once he inks a nice deal. This is why I hope the Bengals will use their 5th or 6th pick on a DT project built similarly as Sims, give the real Sims some competition.
The truth is, if the Bengals play the run in September 2012, the way they played it in December 2011, our season is over. That front 7 has to get better in FA and the draft. Even getting Sims back isn’t enough. We need much better edge pressure too. Fortunately those 2 first round picks could give us stud athletes at OLB or DE.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
yeah we know...we were pretty stout in the middle
see Ravens final game against us….they just used the edge….killed us…
ticalcaldwell - January 13, 2012
that and rey M being erased 2x
once by a pro bowl G
once by a pro bowl FB
sign grubbs
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
I hope all the D linemen return
That line played good as a unit. Geathers, Rucker, Fanene, Simms, Peko, Dunlap, Johnson, and Atkins they all made the other better. If we let a few slip away then I could see our rank slipping a little and I can definitely see their personal production slipping on other teams.
Bigcatdaddy - January 13, 2012 via mobile
We should draft a DT
somewhere in the mid rounds….
Derek Wolfe next to atkins would be scary
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
Re-signing Sims should be our top priority
We have a lot of FAs we should bring back, but he should be the first one we go after. My fear is that we’ll want to keep him as a backup (even though he’s rotated in a lot), while another team will offer him more money as a full-time starter.
Big Sky Bengal - January 13, 2012
Starter may not be the right term
It’s more about snaps. He plays as many snaps as other teams’ interior defensive linemen. They do need to pay him somewhere near starter money though. It kept every guy fresh and Atkins should realize he will have less wear and tear. Which equals a longer career and more money total.
Jcon77 - January 13, 2012 via iPhone app
They need to give him starter money.
If you think about it he was the starter before his injury. He plays in our base 4-3 package and that’s what we start most games in, then they subbed in Atkins on passing downs. Atkins is still under his rookie contract so they have another year before they extend him. Although I’d like to see it done now. If we loose Simms I think Atkins will get extended this off season.
Bigcatdaddy - January 13, 2012 via Android app
Simms injury hurt us more than Hall's
Just got to thin to win. Teams didn’t even pass ball on us because we couldn’t stop run.
pray4gm11 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
The Bengals could live
with Clements, Pacman and a nice FA CB to go with their current roster. But they can’t live with the front 7 they had in December. Out of the front seven, Lawson, Fanene and Rucker are UFA so changes will be made.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
im tired of living im ready to win
Can’t win Clements and Pac-Man as ur starters. Qb had there highest passing % going against Clements. Folks for a #2 corner he played horrible.
pray4gm11 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
when Hall returns and we upgrade our SS
Clements is very servicable and probly better than many #2’s in the league Pacman = nickle at best
Jennings = we should have tried Ghee
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
I have to disagree with that.
Do you really think Leon Hall Stumbles like Jones did covering Andre Johnson? Or do you think Hall gets blocked like Kelly Jennings did on Arian Fosters 42 yard TD run? No way. I love Sims, but this defense couldn’t seal the edges without Hall and JJo this year.
Animal_Like_Football - January 13, 2012
True enough and Clements is a great tackler
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
Jones didn't stumble
He took the fake on the double move and got burnt. I’m a big Hall fan but if you watched him for the last few years, you’d see that he also got burnt a number of times by the double move. You can’t judge Jones solely on that play by Andre Johnson.
JADefense - January 13, 2012
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