Zimmer Says Maualuga The Eventual MLB (1 Viewer)

[Rushmore]

Kind of what many expected sometime in the future, but it's nice to hear it from the DC. From Bengals.com:

"Eventually (Maualuga) is going to be the Mike linebacker," Zimmer said."But I think right now (SAM) is a good place for him. We're just looking at it to see if we can get him on the field. That's why we've got him at Mike in some nickel packages (and in goal line) and SAM in the base. At least he's getting some exposure. Dhani runs the show really well out there."

 

[Jene Bramel]

At least he's getting some exposure.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

As his players came off the field following the second workout, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer wondered aloud about the pre-draft evaluation of USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga. Maualuga fell to the Bengals in the second round and ostensibly one of the reasons was because he lacked good movement in space. But Zimmer made it clear that Maualuga is going to get on the field for him at any point.

"I think he's a lot better in coverage than people said he was," Zimmer said. "This guy can play three downs. They say all that crap, plus, he can blitz. Why take the guy off the field if he can rush the quarterback?...I think Maualuga will show up even more when we get to training camp because he's a football player and he's physical."

And here's why Maualuga is getting broken in at SAM backer instead of his natural spot in the middle. Zimmer absolutely swears by Dhani Jones in the middle: "He asks me really good questions. They're logical questions," and he says as far as communicating and knowing the defense Jones and Dat Nguyen are the two best middle backers he's been around.

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/mini...dd-66bb8f431748

 

[chook]

This only further enhances my feelings that this kid is going to become a beast for a long time.

 

[Jene Bramel]

(I'll try to make this my last rant on this topic. )

Here's a logical question, Coach Zimmer.

If Rey Maualuga has range, coverage ability and some pass rush skill, it sounds like he's your best all-around linebacker. Why are you then planning to bang him into fullbacks and tight ends and offensive linemen and considering taking him off the field on passing downs?

Oh, here's another one.

Are Dat Nguyen and Dhani Jones really the best MLBs you've had around? What, Barren Wortham wasn't as good? I'm shocked. Dhani Jones a smarter and more dynamic player than an out-of-place 32 year old Keith Brooking in Atlanta? Maybe by a whisker. That's the extent of the MLBs Zimmer has had in the NFL -- unless you include a young Bradie James in the 3-4 in Dallas. Are we to take that as a ringing endorsement of the pride of the Travel Channel?

I like Zimmer, but I think he needs to do a little more "wondering aloud."

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

If Rey Maualuga has range, coverage ability and some pass rush skill, it sounds like he's your best all-around linebacker. Why are you then planning to bang him into fullbacks and tight ends and offensive linemen and considering taking him off the field on passing downs?

I thought the gist of that chatter was that he wasn't planning on taking him out on passing downs.

 

[Jene Bramel]

If Rey Maualuga has range, coverage ability and some pass rush skill, it sounds like he's your best all-around linebacker. Why are you then planning to bang him into fullbacks and tight ends and offensive linemen and considering taking him off the field on passing downs?

I thought the gist of that chatter was that he wasn't planning on taking him out on passing downs.

Keith Rivers "can" play three downs as well. That didn't keep him on the field last year. As a long-suffering (and still waffling) Bengal fan, I'd be very excited to see Rivers and Maualuga as the every-down linebackers immediately. Long term, that will be the case. For now, though, I fully expect Jones and Johnson to be the primary nickel backers on opening weekend if the last 12 months are any indication.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Interesting note from bengals.com last night suggesting that Michael Johnson was seeing time as a WLB on passing downs, in addition to time at both defensive tackle and end. There may finally be a hybrid defense brewing in Cincinnati, with Johnson being used as a Terrell Suggs of sorts.

Here are the quotes:

First, from Carson Palmer:

He's definitely impressed everyone in our quarterback room," Palmer said. "We've all talked about him. You can not block him with a running back.

"Mike Zimmer has made a statement that they're going to use him because from what I see they're playing him at three different positions," he said. "Inside at tackle. WILL (linebacker) on third down and D-End. He's obviously going to be a big part of what we do this year."

And from Hobson after Friday's practice:

Johnson is a 6-7, 266-pound defensive end who is also getting looks as a pass-rushing tackle and, most promising, as a WILL linebacker that can both blitz and drop into coverage. During Thursday afternoon's workout, he dropped and gouged a pass out of the air with a last-instant leap like some sort of bird of prey.

 

[Biabreakable]

The Bengals offer great opportunity for IDP.

While this may seem unsettling now. Be paitent. It wouldn't be right for Zimmer to give Rey the start before TC or pre-season no matter what. Even Stafford hasn't been named the starter yet. He also wants Jones and everyone else to be giving their all in camp, setting a example and teaching the young guys.

Odell Thurman had some good seasons I think Rey has the same potential. Rey already cast a shadow on Rivers at USC.

I was not able to draft him. But Rey has the best potential I think out of all the rookies this year.

The Bengals have a lot of needs for pass rushers. So I think getting Rey some reps at SLB might be a way of getting him ready to play strong side in the nickle and other packages once he is familiar enough with the defense. Johnson would be the primary SLB on early downs then shifted to the weak side on passing downs. Rey could move into Johnsons spot when he does to hopefully generate outside pressure from both sides and containment. Rivers/Jones/Ngyen primarily for coverage.

To be the MLB in a 4-3 you need one guy to make pre-snap calls and adjust the defense. To do that you need to know all of the defenses assignments and responsibilities. It's a learning process and takes time.

Maybe it will be a mix this year. But I like Rey a lot long term. Much less hopefull of Rivers. Who I do own because Rey overshadowed him in college. That should help both of their chemistry since they have played together before.

Really lucky and good pick that Rey fell to the Bengals in my opinion.

 

[Fanatic13]

This only further enhances my feelings that this kid is going to become a beast for a long time.

I sure hope so...I really need LB help and just picked him up in the third RD. Turned down a very solid WR prospect for him....

 

[bcr8f]

If Rey Maualuga has range, coverage ability and some pass rush skill, it sounds like he's your best all-around linebacker. Why are you then planning to bang him into fullbacks and tight ends and offensive linemen and considering taking him off the field on passing downs?

I thought the gist of that chatter was that he wasn't planning on taking him out on passing downs.

Keith Rivers "can" play three downs as well. That didn't keep him on the field last year. As a long-suffering (and still waffling) Bengal fan, I'd be very excited to see Rivers and Maualuga as the every-down linebackers immediately. Long term, that will be the case. For now, though, I fully expect Jones and Johnson to be the primary nickel backers on opening weekend if the last 12 months are any indication.

No kidding. Me too.

 

[Dave Larkin]

I just drafted Maualuga as my fourth LB in my startup IDP redraft league and I hope that Zimmer is right about him eventually moving to MLB. If nothing else, he would be nice trade bait for me. If not, then a good depth player.