Robin Marchant - Getty Images for ESPN
4 months ago: INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 03: Professional football player Rey Maualuga attends ESPN The Magazine's "NEXT" Event on February 3, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for ESPN)
+ Bengals starting middle linebacker Rey Maualuga pled not guilty to misdemeanor assault on Friday after the owner of a downtown bar named Luxe claimed that the linebacker punched him. Already with one strike against him in regards to the Personal Conduct Policy, Maualuga could face a multiple-game suspension. Cincinnati's 2009 NFL Draft pick out of USC is entering the final year under contract and unless he shows significant improvement, we're not exactly sure if this team will make an effort to extend Maualuga beyond his rookie deal.
It would seem that Cincinnati is playing to the tune of old ghosts, with eight off-the-field incidents that's resulted in charges dating back to January 2010, the Tennessee Titans lead the league nine arrests. But eight teams have generated at least six incidents since then, hardly making Cincinnati exclusive to the demeaning caricatures from six years ago.
Sure the number is a little unsettling, but consider that Maualuga and Cedric Benson account for half of the team's off-the-field incidents. Jerome Simpson isn't likely returning (mostly performance-based) and Adam Jones and Benson could face the same destiny. Maurice Purify and Marvin White have long left the team, though their ghosts remain for the simplicity of this trivial discussion.
There's another caveat. It's the stop-gap roll players that are finding themselves in trouble, guys that the Bengals signed off the street to fill a roll. Cedric Benson was signed in 2008 because Chris Perry was an ineffectual feature back with a propensity to fumble (discuss amongst yourselves the irony of that statement today). No one wanted Benson's baggage and the Bengals signed him to replace Perry. Adam Jones was signed to provide the team depth at cornerback, behind Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph, a position with severe depth deficiency.
Some would argue that Maualuga is a foundation component, a core player for this top-ten defense. Various perspectives might argue the truth in that view and who are we to counter. But in reality his age and lack of competition at his positions, played a key roll in expanding him into such discussions -- not his overall performance.
Those foundation guys, core players expected to push Cincinnati into an era of greatness? They have nothing to do with this.
0 recs | 10 comments
Were a draft or two away
From never having to settle,or tolerate these type of player’s
I’m not sure that Marvin or Mike even give a rats ass,about what trouble they get in,just as long
as they are cheap,have some talent,and want to play in Cincy.
keithp - February 18, 2012
Rey better show something this year or he's done anyways.........
really losing patience here. Thought him dropping to the second round would’ve been enough motivation after he got drafted, maybe playing for a new contract will. All I have to say is it better……….
The Van Buren Boys - February 18, 2012
+1
He’ll have a short contract season to prove he’s worth keeping. Maybe this isn’t all that bad. We’ll get to see someone else play that MLB spot for awhile and maybe that’s when we find our D playmaker.
Bigcatdaddy - February 18, 2012 via Android app
Would love T'eo out of Notre Dame next year if Rey doesn't pan out....
he better get his sh*& together this year! We need a true QB of the defense.
The Van Buren Boys - February 18, 2012
+1
We really need more out of the MLB position. Didn’t Jones lead the team in tackles a couple yrs? With our D line playing like it was last season there’s no excuse not to get good production out of all our LB’s. By the way, did anyone see who won the D. Jones signed football?
Bigcatdaddy - February 18, 2012 via Android app
Ya i dont understand
Jones was our leading tackler and then we give him the pink slip. I know they wanted to move Rey but u just dont let ur best player walk esp when he a class act.
njbengalstat - February 19, 2012
someone needs to be a play maker in the linebacking corps.
We have a steady good guy in Howard, and a good run stopper in Lawson, but no big time play maker. Either Rey shows that or he’s gone.
JCompton41 - February 18, 2012 via mobile
With a good D line, there is really no excuse for Rey now. The D line is doing their part...
he should be doing his by disrupting the backfield and making plays at or behind the line of scrimmage.
The Van Buren Boys - February 18, 2012
+1
Another season of Rey won’t change anything. You either have the instincts to be a playmaker at MLB or you don’t and Maualuga does not have it. It’s amazing how rookie Lb’s had no issue becoming playmakers last season for other teams, yet here we are making excuses for our 3rd year bust. Another season won’t change anything, you don’t just become great because it’s a new season.
.MB will sign him long term because people bought tons of his jerseys and when he doesn’t pan out the same guys supporting him now will blame MB for keeping him around.
Yarin - February 19, 2012
Yep...
Mr. Rey is a underachiever! This year we’ll know for sure now that he has a yr under his belt….
Makebelieve - February 19, 2012 via mobile
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