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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > September > 07 > Entry
Maualuga wins starting role ahead of Jeanty
If the Cincinnati Bengals are going to dump on Rashad Jeanty — and you just knew it was going to happen — they should’ve at least tossed him a roll of toilet paper.
Rookie second-round draft pick Rey Maualuga will start the opener against the visiting Denver Broncos in place of Jeanty, who has been listed as first string since training camp opened.
Maualuga took snaps with the starting unit in practice on Monday and told the media he was extremely excited after being informed by the coaching staff in the morning that he was No. 1.
Maualuga is a punishing tackler with outstanding range. He earned the starting role by proving he could rush the quarterback, play solid in coverage, shed blockers and aggressively pursue the ball carrier.
Jeanty’s experience is a plus, and he’ll be expected to pack a punch in coverage on special teams.
Meanwhile, the high left ankle sprain quarterback Carson Palmer suffered in the preseason opener has healed, and that’s a positive sign because Palmer gives the team the best chance to win.
Palmer hasn’t played in a regular-season game since Oct. 5, 2008, at Dallas, but he’s shown good chemistry with wide receivers Chad Ochocinco, Chris Henry and Laveranues Coles the entire preseason.
BENGALS NAME CAPTAINS
The Bengals players voted five team captains on Monday.
The captains are QB Carson Palmer and LT Andrew Whitworth on offense, LB Dhani Jones and DT Domata Peko on defense, and SS Kyries Hebert on special teams.
“I congratulate these guys on earning the respect of their teammates for this leadership position,” head coach Marvin Lewis. “They will play an important role for us as the season goes on.”
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Stone
September 7, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this
Way to go Marvin, finally a GOOD decision. Jeanty, while a good guy, has done nothing in the past years to prove he is a starter. As a matter of fact, he was always getting burned on coverage, and never really made anyone fear him as a linebacker. He should never have been a starting linebacker in the first place. Letting Rey get in there and knock some heads off is going to put some fear into the opponent this year.By islebfrank
September 7, 2009 11:29 PM | Link to this
If Rey Maualuga beat out Jeanty for the starting Strong Side LB job, why are the Bengals dumping on Jeanty? Shouldn’t the best man play. Chick, why the bitterness?By get real
September 8, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
It was only a matter of time, Rey’s ceiling is far higher than Jeanty’s, no sense delaying the future. Bengals 28- Broncos13By cincyanon
September 8, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this
Chick It seems like your reports on the Bengals are strictly taken from the AP. Your usual insights are missing. I’m sad the DDN is facing such difficulties and has seemingly changed your work situation.By sam
September 9, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
Why the sporadic, generic posts? I would think you owe the loyal readers of your blog an explanation.By MAX
September 9, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
Chick was on Sportstalk Sunday night. He is taking a retirement at the end of this month from DDN and will be reporting on the Bengals for Sporting News. Since the Hal McCoy retirement is general knowledge I am surprised that this isn’t. I don’t know when Chick will start with Sporting News but I am looking forward to his blog there. Also, hopefully more appearances on Sports talk radio.By Brian
September 9, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
And at the end of this month the DDN will abandon it’s long history of excellent local pro sports coverage to focus its resources on covering community pie eating contests and beauty pageants. Don’t pull a muscle in your rush to renew your subscription…