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By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
| Monday, December 5, 2011, 04:50 PM
The Philadelphia Eagles today announced they have signed safety Tom Nelson to a two-year deal and placed safety Colt Anderson on the Injured Reserve list (knee).
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Nelson was originally a rookie free agent signing of Cincinnati in 2009. He appeared in 21 games with three starts for the Bengals from 2009-10, notching 34 tackles, two pass deflections and an interception. He spent the 2011 preseason with Cincinnati, but was released prior to the start of the regular season.
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By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
| Sunday, December 4, 2011, 01:15 PM
Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (foot) started against division rival Pittsburgh today.
With Benson near full strength, the Bengals were hoping for the same output and effort he displayed last week against Cleveland. The running back carried the ball 21 times for 106 yards and one touchdown. However, when asked after the game Sunday about the importance of the team establishing the run, Benson had this to say:
“I don’t know how important it was,” he said. “We got it established but then we kind of went away from it.”
That won’t jive today against a 60-minute defense.
If the Bengals are to have any success on offense against Pittsburgh’s defense they can’t give up on the run. Benson was due for a breakout game against the Steelers. He’s rushed the ball 94 times for 315 yards and two touchdowns in seven meetings. Aside from that, Benson hasn’t had consecutive 100-yard rushing games this season. The time is now.
The Steelers are ranked sixth against the run and has allowed two 100-yard rushers this season. Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew hit the defense up for 96 yards on 22 carries.
Benson indeed is being given early carries. This could help take some pressure off rookie quarterback Andy Dalton, who threw two fourth quarter interceptions in the teams’ last meeting in Week 10.
“I’m determined to make big plays and always looking to create opportunities. At this point, it’s whatever I can do,” Benson said during the week.
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By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
| Friday, December 2, 2011, 05:49 AM
Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, a fifth-year pro, has had a rocky start to his NFL career, to say the least. His brushes with the law are documented.
Putting the negative aside, though, Jones is transitioning as a player, and he turned in another solid performance in last Sunday’s 23-20 win over Cleveland.
“I was excited to be back on the field running around with my teammates,” Jones said. “I felt good out there and believe I played well. More important, we got the victory.”
The cornerback blanketed Browns’ receivers, limiting them to minimal gains and/or opportunities. Jones was thrust into the starting lineup after Leon Hall was lost to a season-ending Achilles injury.
After a 12-month layoff due to a neck injury, Jones returned to the field this season against Seattle. His only play of the game was a 63-yard punt return and he subsequently suffered a hamstring injury. He missed the next two games only to return the following week to make two touchdown-saving plays against Baltimore.
The Bengals will need a big-play performance from Jones against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
“This week we face an even bigger challenge in Pittsburgh,” Jones said. “We’re still in the hunt. It’s going to be hard each week, but if we can grind out a victory we’ll take it. We probably have one of the toughest divisions, if not the toughest in football. Our team is up for the challenge.”
Many people have tried to write the troubled cornerback off, but he keeps clawing his way back, proving to be one tough hombre. You never hear much about Jones the player or teammate. It’s always overshadowed by negative events.
According to Clif Marshall, performance director at Ignition, Jones brought a high level of intensity to the players’ organized workout during the lockout. Marshall said Jones was boisterous, yes, but worked hard and raised the performance of his teammates. Marshall added that Jones was likely the best all-around athlete in attendance and was never out-worked.
Jones has earned the respect of the coaching staff and teammates in Cincinnati with his regained focus. You can see that in the locker room. He’s assumed somewhat of a leadership role this season, preaching to others what it will take to get to the next level.
“Believe,” Jones said. “Everybody needs to stay on the same page. Coach (Marvin) Lewis has done a great job with us being on the same page. All we have to do is correct the little things and play hard. You can tell that this team is starting to believe because no one holds their head down when faced with adversity. I’m happy and enjoying every minute of being a part of this team.”
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By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
| Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 09:47 AM
Cincinnati’s Jermaine Gresham is emerging as a top performing tight end this season. That’s saying a lot considering the elite talent at the position league wide. Gresham is coming off a stellar performance in a 23-20 victory over Cleveland. The second-year tight end hauled in five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. His steady improvement could be attributed to his fear of failure.
“I want be relevant,” Gresham said. “More than anything, I don’t want to be a bust. That’s been on my mind and I don’t want to disappoint anyone around here. I just want to do my part and help this team win. I’m going to make certain that I work harder than the next guy. I just don’t want to be a bust or disappointment.”
The Bengals selected Gresham with the 21st overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In his first season with the club, he set a franchise record in receptions for a rookie tight end with 52. He’s the second leading receiver on the team this season with 37 receptions for 370 yards and five touchdowns. The word bust doesn’t appear to be in the player’s foreseeable future.
“I have a much better understanding of the game this season,” Gresham said. “I believe I’m a better overall player understanding what defenses are doing. I have to continue to work hard and put myself in position to make plays. I like to think I’m a little smarter in learning the game.”
Head coach Marvin Lewis said in his Monday news conference that he thought Gresham made a couple of nice, athletic plays being flanked out. Lewis gave the impression that the team would like to do more with talented the tight end in various formations. Gresham’s versatility as well athleticism presents a matchup problem for any defense.
Pittsburgh’s defense could have their hands full this week attempting to corral the Bengals’ 17th-ranked pass offense. If Cincinnati can effectively run a spread on offense and stretch the defense, it could mean curtains for the Steelers. The game plan for the Bengals is to score often on offense and bust’em in the mouth on defense.
“This week’s game is huge,” Gresham said. “The Steelers have a great team and it’s going to be very competitive. This is another must-win game. In order to move forward, we have to get better as a whole by putting up more numbers, yards and points. That’s our goal for this game.”
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By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
| Wednesday, November 23, 2011, 07:13 AM
I’m back again for Week 2 of “Catching” with A.J. Green. I learned some interesting things about the Bengals star receiver, but first an injury update.
Green said he expects to return to practice this week and see how things go with the injured knee. He hopes to be ready for the game against Cleveland on Sunday. He said it was difficult standing on the sideline unable to help his teammates in a disappointing loss to Baltimore.
Big C: I understand you had an interesting hobby growing up. You were a juggler?
A.J.: Laugh… Yes, it was something to do when I was in elementary school. I thought it was something I would like to try. I enjoyed it and dedicated myself to it for five years. I would juggle balls, bowling pins and rings. Just little things like that.
Big C: What would be the craziest thing you ever tried to juggle?
A.J.: I would have to say three bricks (laugh).
Big C: Do you think those juggling skills helped you in any way?
A.J.: Oh yeah, definitely! I feel like it helped me ata young age to establish good eye-hand coordination, timing and looking passes into my hands. I think it has helped me tremendously.
Big C: Who was your nemesis going up against in college?
A.J.: I would have to say Patrick Peterson.
Big C: What made him such a challenge?
A.J.: He’s a big, physical, corner who could run stride for stride with you.
Big C: What is Superman’s kryptonite when it comes to junk food?
A.J.: Man, everyday I have to have me a King Size Reese’s and a Mountain Dew. I don’t know what it is, but it’s something I have to have every day (laugh).
Big C: What food can you do without?
A.J.: Ooooh, I don’t eat mashed potatoes.
Big C: What is your favorite movie?
A.J.: Fast and Furious Five.
Big C: What is your favorite chick flick?
A.J.: Bridesmaids! I love that movie. It was funny (laugh).
Big C: What did you want to be growing up?
A.J.: I always thought it would be cool to work at an amusement park (laugh).
Big C: Now you just make circus catches.
A.J.: Yeah! LOL
Big C: Assuming you play videos are you a Madden fan?
A.J.: No, not a Madden fan. I’m a Call of Duty fan all day. All day! I’m on that game every night for like four hours (laugh).
Big C: Who is going to be the next stud coming out of the University of Georgia?
A.J.: Oooh, that could be a number of guys. We have a really good class coming out this year. I’m going with my college roommate, Bacarri Rambo.
Big C: You told me during an interview before the draft that you wanted to help change the image of the Bengals if drafted by the team. Does that still hold true?
A.J.: Yes! I was so excited when my name was called by the Cincinnati Bengals on draft day. I was like, Oh, yes! With the veteran guys like Jerome (Simpson) and Andre (Caldwell) helping me along, I believe we can turn this thing around on offense along with Andy (Dalton). Overall, what we have on defense speaks volumes to what we have as a team. This city has life now and there’s a different vibe around here with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thanks again, A.J.!
Check back next week for more “Catching” up with A.J.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all! Gooble, Gobble!
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Cincinnati is in a state of flux this week on defense after losing starting cornerback Leon Hall for the season due to injury. The Bengals are weighing their options on whether to start either Adam Jones or Kelly Jennings in place of Hall this week.
According to Jennings on Friday, Nov. 18, the team will make a game-time decision on who will get the nod against Baltimore on Sunday.
“I’ll be ready if my number is called,” Jennings said. “I’ve been playing on third downs and have to prepare myself mentally. Going from 20 plays to possibly 80 plays you have to take on a whole different mindset. I’m prepared to get the job done when called upon.”
Cincinnati acquired Jennings this summer in a trade with Seattle to add depth to the secondary. Head coach Marvin Lewis said in his news conference on Wednesday that more is expected out of Jennings with Hall out.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Jennings may not be the biggest corner around, but he utilizes his speed and quickness to make plays. He does a nice job breaking on the ball and will mix it up with receivers. The former Miami Hurricane filled in admirably when Hall went down in the game against Pittsburgh.
“Baltimore is going to be another fight, but we have to play our game,” Jennings said. “We don’t have any real superstars on defense. Our coaching staff has done an outstanding job preparing us all, so when your number is called it’s time to play. I’m ready to step up.”
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