Bengals Pro Bowl players: Green, Dalton, Atkins, Gresham

[Stripes]

The last time the Bengals put up a winning season in 2009, they earned no Pro Bowl players via the initial voting process. How do you think it will shake out this year? Who will get in, and/or who deserves to get in? I honestly expect the same result, and I really wouldn't argue with it. Here are the four guys who are probably most deserving though, in ascending order from least to most deserving (in my opinion).

4. Andrew Whitworth - This hasn't been his best season by any stretch, but he has still clearly been the most consistent contributor to the offensive line and ought to at least draw some consideration. I didn't vote for him, but I would love to see him get the opportunity to play.

3. Mike Nugent - He's been the most accurate kicker in the league. That's a strong case on its own. Still, he hasn't been asked to attempt any kicks of 50+ yards, so I voted for Janikowski.

2. A.J. Green - I think he has the best chance of any player on the team to make it. He has drawn enough attention from the media and fans all over the league to accumulate votes. I don't think he has necessarily been one of the three best WRs in the AFC, but considering he has been catching passes from another rookie (often spectacularly) it's an easy case to make. I voted for him.

1. Geno Atkins - He is one of the league's best pass rushing DTs, and people have started to notice. I do think in recent weeks he has had a little trouble in the running game, but he's been the most consistent impact player on a defense that has often carried this team. I voted for him.

Now, I know nobody really cares about the Pro Bowl itself. I probably won't even watch the game. Unfortunately though it has a real impact upon how players are perceived (and can screw them out of Hall of Fame credentials down the road -- ask Ken Riley).

[BengalszoneBilly]

Your top two picks, Green and Atkins have the best shot IMO.

[combatbengal]

I voted for every Bengal player that was on the list!!!

[Scottishbengal]

Gotta be Atkins and Green.

Wasn't Dalton the 3rd rated QB on passer rating on the voting list or was that an hallucination I was having???

[Stripes]

I was reviewing the AFC QB numbers and found myself rather surprised that after Brady, there is a pretty strong clusterf**k of players with similar numbers who could all warrant consideration. I figure Roethlisberger will be the second pick pretty clearly, despite his somewhat underwhelming TD/INT ratio.

Then there's Rivers (interceptions galore), Flacco (bad completion percentage), and Dalton (fewest passing yards). Among them I might actually give Dalton the nod. I don't think he'll actually play in it, but he does deserve to be in the conversation.

[derekshank]

I was reviewing the AFC QB numbers and found myself rather surprised that after Brady, there is a pretty strong clusterf**k of players with similar numbers who could all warrant consideration. I figure Roethlisberger will be the second pick pretty clearly, despite his somewhat underwhelming TD/INT ratio.

Then there's Rivers (interceptions galore), Flacco (bad completion percentage), and Dalton (fewest passing yards). Among them I might actually give Dalton the nod. I don't think he'll actually play in it, but he does deserve to be in the conversation.

Tebow finished 3rd in fan voting. Yuck. I've seen some predictions having Dalton as the 3rd option at QB in the Pro Bowl.

Aside from that, it's pretty probable that even if he finishes 4th, one of the QBs ahead of him will be in the Super Bowl, so I'd say he has a good shot of going.

[Spor_tees]

Green would have probably been voted a starter had he not missed time due to injury. With that said, at least one of the guys ahead of him should be in the Super Bowl giving him a place on the team.

Whitworth should make it, but this is more a popularity contest than anything else. Now with Long's injury he still might make it, as a backup to Joe Thomas. Son of a...

I know a lot of you guys will grill me on this. I think Dalton has had a pretty damn good year for a rookie, but his QB rating isn't all that great. Take this week for example where it was in the 80's, while a guy like Aaron Rodgers is almost double that with one in the 140's. Do you really think that is Pro Bowl caliber?

If Geno Atkins doesn't make it, it will be a travesty. He is near the top or at the top of all the interior Defensive lineman stats. It should be a slam dunk.

Nugent has the most FGs made in the AFC, but after his 2 FG miss game dropped from most accurate in the AFC to third. Janikowski will probably win it because he has the flashy booming leg.

[derekshank]

I know a lot of you guys will grill me on this. I think Dalton has had a pretty damn good year for a rookie, but his QB rating isn't all that great. Take this week for example where it was in the 80's, while a guy like Aaron Rodgers is almost double that with one in the 140's. Do you really think that is Pro Bowl caliber?

I won't grill you... and no, I don't think he's currently Pro Bowl caliber.

But not all things are equal. The fact that he's a rookie plays into it for one, and for two, the AFC is pretty damn weak at the QB position.

In the NFC, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Bress, Eli Manning, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, and even Cam Newton would be ahead of him. In the AFC, it's Brady, Roethlisberger, and... (voice trails off).

If either Brady or Ben go to the Super Bowl, there will be 2 QBs in the Pro Bowl that ought not be there. So, why not our guy?

[Spor_tees]

Yeah it pretty much is his spot based on the competition. I guess having Dalton make it based on lack of a strong competition makes up for some of the screw jobs that have occurred over the years. Like some of the years Big Willie should have been there.

[Stripes]

Aside from that, it's pretty probable that even if he finishes 4th, one of the QBs ahead of him will be in the Super Bowl, so I'd say he has a good shot of going.

Good call.

I think people have noticed how horrible Flacco has been in various games this year, so I'd be surprised to see him get in over Dalton. That leaves Rivers, and that might be a toss up (though I think Dalton is more deserving than him). So unless Flacco gets surprising support, Dalton probably is 3rd or 4th.

Meanwhile, Palmer is definitely not 3rd or 4th.

[jjakq27]

Your top two picks, Green and Atkins have the best shot IMO.

Agree with those two.

I think Whit has cost this team in several key games but I am probably being too harsh.

Nugent maybe but the two misses yesterday dropped his percentage. I think Janikowski will be the choice there.

[Spor_tees]

IF Roethlesberger gets picked he probably won't go because of injury.

[Earendil]

When are the results announced?

[HoosierCat]

Tomorrow night, 7 eastern, NFL network.

[Arkansas Bengal]

I don't think we'll have anyone in the Pro Bowl because the Bengals will be preparing for the Superbowl!

[TJJackson]

I don't think we'll have anyone in the Pro Bowl because the Bengals will be preparing for the Superbowl!

*laff*

then again, the ball can bounce in mysterious ways.....

I still don't think the Bengals truly deserve to be there even if they finish 10-6 (which is certainly a playoff-type WL record) because they just haven't shown me enough against the better teams of the league. But they made big strides this season towards BECOMING a legitimate playoff-type team.

[Spor_tees]

I don't think we'll have anyone in the Pro Bowl because the Bengals will be preparing for the Superbowl!

*laff*

then again, the ball can bounce in mysterious ways.....

I still don't think the Bengals truly deserve to be there even if they finish 10-6 (which is certainly a playoff-type WL record) because they just haven't shown me enough against the better teams of the league. But they made big strides this season towards BECOMING a legitimate playoff-type team.

Come on man! They lost a game to the Broncos because Marvin didn't let Nugent try a 47 yard FG. They lost by 5 to a Niners team that is the #2 seed in the NFC. They certainly had a legitimate shot to win that game. They lost on basically the last play of the game to the Texans who are a playoff team. The only blow out was to the Steelers. The other Steeler game the Bengals were in it, and they were also in the Ravens game. So don't give me this, "They don't belong because they can't beat the good teams" mantra. Just be happy they are where they are, and have a shot to have an easy path to the AFC Championship game where anything can happen.

These playoffs will be very interesting if they shake out like I think they will. Out of the 6 teams in the AFC picture, the Bengals will have played them all but the Patriots. That means they have footage that the coaches can really delve into. I honestly hope the Broncos can make it in just for that reason.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I don't think we'll have anyone in the Pro Bowl because the Bengals will be preparing for the Superbowl!

I like your attitude.

[TJJackson]

Come on man!

Naw....legitimately good teams find a way to win a few of those games, particularly one of the Steelers games

After all, those same teams they lost to are all in the playoffs, right? Steelers, Ravens, Texans, Broncos, Niners....

As I have said several times this season, I like this team a lot more than any previous Bengals team I have followed, and I started following them during the wonderful 1988 season. They ARE getting there.....the "we're only a player or two away" is finally a factual statement. Find a way to keep Dunlap healthy for a season and they might be even closer than that

[Spor_tees]

Come on man!

Naw....legitimately good teams find a way to win a few of those games, particularly one of the Steelers games

After all, those same teams they lost to are all in the playoffs, right? Steelers, Ravens, Texans, Broncos, Niners....

As I have said several times this season, I like this team a lot more than any previous Bengals team I have followed, and I started following them during the wonderful 1988 season. They ARE getting there.....the "we're only a player or two away" is finally a factual statement. Find a way to keep Dunlap healthy for a season and they might be even closer than that

Out of all the stats I have seen, there is one unbelievable stat that blew my mind. Almost all of us would agree that Dunlap is a game changer, and when he is in the game and healthy, the defense is a much better unit. Do you have any idea who is leading the team in tackles? Do you know how many tackles Dunlap has? Well Thomas Howard leads the team with 94. Number of tackles for Dunlap...17. WTF? How does that happen? Jeromy Miles who just plays special teams...16 tackles!

[HoosierCat]

In the NFC, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Bress, Eli Manning, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, and even Cam Newton would be ahead of him. In the AFC, it's Brady, Roethlisberger, and... (voice trails off).

If either Brady or Ben go to the Super Bowl, there will be 2 QBs in the Pro Bowl that ought not be there. So, why not our guy?

Yeah, why not? I was just looking at the QB rankings on nfl.com, and right now 10 of the top 16 are NFC QBs. The top six AFC QBs are:

Brady

Schaub

Jen

Moore

Rivers

Dalton

Brady & Jen, no problem. Schaub is obviously out. Moore? Not seeing it. Rivers has been better lately but was horrific in the first half of the year.

So why not?

[jjakq27]

Come on man!

Agreed. They are far from perfect but certainly worthy should they qualify. Maybe there is a big drop-off after the top three or four in each conference but they have played all of those teams close. All but one of their games have been decided by 7 points or less which was the second Steelers game. Check the over-hyped Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Jets schedules and there are a lot of stinkers spread throughout their schedules, yet somehow the Bengals aren't good enough. They have survived their share of serious injuries, quirky calls and serious competition. They have the No. 6th ranked defense and a rookie QB/WR record setting combo.

They played the same basic schedule as the Ravens and Steelers with the following results vs. divisional placement games:

Ravens are 1-1 (W vs. Jets, L vs. Chargers)

Steelers are 2-0 (W vs. Pats, W vs. Chiefs)

Bengals are 1-1 (W vs. Bills, L vs. Broncos)

The only one that stands out is the Steelers win over the Patriots as a big win. The Bengals defeated the undefeated Bills when they were everybody's darling. Not their fault that the Bills collapsed after that.

The Bengals defeated the Seahawks, Titans and Jaguars on the road while the Ravens lost to all three on the road. What does that say about both teams?

We're two games behind the Steelers and Ravens. The difference is the Ravens are 3-0 vs. us and Pittsburgh, while we are 0-3. Pittsburgh is 2-2.

So I'm not gonna sit around and wait until the perfect storm occurs in Cincinnati for them to be ready to make the playoffs or win the Super Bowl. I have no expectation that they will win the AFC much less qualify for the second wild card BUT the fact that we're in this position is freaking awesome.

I'm going to a playoff game on Sunday and I am pumped. If they win they will get to play another week. What else can you ask for? If they lose then we have a lot to look forward to next year.

[TJJackson]

Number of tackles for Dunlap...17. WTF? How does that happen? Jeromy Miles who just plays special teams...16 tackles!

That is kinda amazing, but I (and I think most all of us) view him as regular pressure on the passer, not a tackling machine

[HoosierCat]

Re the playoffs, Florio had this to say earlier today.

3. AFC playoff field is flawed.

Not that long ago, all the best teams resided in the AFC. Now, the once top-heavy conference has teams at the top that are littered with warts.

The Patriots, currently the top seed, possess a porous defense and not much of a running game. Last time I checked, those were two key components of any serious playoff run.

The Ravens seem to be the most dangerous team of the bunch, as long as they can put it all together. But they seem only to put it all together when playing good teams. Saturday’s dilly-dallying with the Browns shows that the Ravens could be ripe for an upset if/when a lesser franchise comes to town.

Not long ago, the Texans were the “it” team. Now, many of their fans want to add an “s” and an “h” to that description. With scant playoff experience on the roster, the Texans will need to make a quick adjustment when it’s time to play the big boys in the conference.

The Steelers have the tools to beat anyone, but they’re in danger of having to do it the hard way, with three hurdles to clear — all of which most likely will come on the road — before a earning a return trip to the Super Bowl.

The Broncos can beat anyone on any given day. As we saw in fairly dramatic fashion on Saturday, they can lose to anyone, too. Including a team that was riding a seven-game winning streak. Even if the clock is striking twelve on Tebow Time, it’s hard to see this team winning in Pittsburgh/Baltimore, New England, or even Houston.

Ditto for the Raiders, who have at times looked good enough to barely win and at other times bad enough to be blown off the field.

That means the team poised to pocket the last ticket to the party — the Bengals — could be the most dangerous. With a capable defense, a better-than-expected rookie quarterback, and a better-than-most rookie receiver, the team with the least to lose and the lowest expectations could string together one win after another, thanks to the deeply flawed field of candidates.

Of course, this could mean that the winner of the conference will end up being the sacrificial lambs for the Packers, Saints, or 49ers. Unless, of course, the Ravens avoid playing down to the competition in their own conference long enough to earn a crack at the best teams in the league.

[jjakq27]

Wow, what's next? Peter King dropping $10K on our boys? I'll take any compliment from Florio considering all of he previous venom directed our way.