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Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2010 > August > 19 > Entry
Bengals corners good enough for a nickname
The Cincinnati Bengals were once fueled by a high-powered offense, but nowadays it’s about the defense, which has developed a reputation for aggression and tenacity similar to AFC North foes Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
The Bengals finished the 2009 season ranked fourth overall in total defense. With improvements in the pass rush and run stopping, there is no reason to believe the unit won’t reach the pinnacle of success this season.
The success of the defense hinges on the play of premier cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph.
“Most teams that play Cover 2 are trying to protect their corners. We’re trying to do the opposite,” defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said. “We’re trying to leave them out there by themselves as much as possible. It all starts with those two good corners. I usually tell them after games that if you don’t play good we don’t play good.”
According to Zimmer, the cornerbacks’ impeccable cover skills allow the rest of his defense to wreak holy terror on opposing offenses.
Hall and Joseph shoulder huge responsibilities against both the pass and run.
“I think this team has some players in the secondary,” intern DBs coach Rod Woodson said. “They don’t come much better than Leon and Johnathan. I like what they can do. They have speed, quickness, understand the game and play fast. Coach Zimmer is an aggressive defensive coordinator. If he has to blitz every down he will, which is a good thing because I think the players like that.”
You have to like what you see in Hall in terms of man-to-man cover skills, but Joseph is more well-rounded. Not only has he developed into a solid cover corner, but he’s a thumper finishing off tackles. Joseph is physical and plays with some aggression and attitude. Coaches describe him as a corner with a safety’s mentality. Joseph is a perfect fit for the defense.
All right, Bengal fans …
It’s time to give this dynamic duo a nickname. Hall jokingly suggests Pinky and the Brain, but that’s not sexy. Cleveland had “Top Dawg” Hanford Dixon and Frank “Mighty Minnie” Minnifield, creators of the Dawg Pound.
Also, who will be the most successful duo for the Bengals this season, Joseph and Hall or Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens?
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Comments
By CommanderKat
August 19, 2010 10:34 AM | Link to this
Lets revive the “SWAT TEAM”. I believe that was the name for the 1981 secondary.
By TW
August 19, 2010 10:40 AM | Link to this
La-La and Poe
By Dick Jauron
August 19, 2010 11:06 AM | Link to this
Nicknames are superfluous, though “Swat Team” is pretty good. They had a really good last season. Let’s hope they can keep it up. Hall was beaten badly a couple of times in the Denver game - pick it up, Leon. And Adam Jones should be a big improvement in nickel coverage. That was a weakness last season.
By Big Hoe
August 19, 2010 11:14 AM | Link to this
How about The P***y Cat Claws!
By Joe
August 19, 2010 11:46 AM | Link to this
How about the Hit Parade,with Jonathan “Hitman” Joseph and Leon “Anvil” Hall?
By don't be lame
August 19, 2010 11:53 AM | Link to this
They don’t need nicknames … Just Play Football.
By bob
August 19, 2010 1:00 PM | Link to this
Swat team was from the 88 team. How about call the Hall and Joseph and play some football. Leave the nicknames for ESPN. Win a playoff game then you can talk about how great you are.
By mibengalfan
August 19, 2010 2:27 PM | Link to this
Joseph and the Pussycat.
By bosephus
August 19, 2010 11:58 PM | Link to this
thunderbolt (joseph) and lightfoot (hall)
By victor
August 20, 2010 7:47 AM | Link to this
J-Jo (ROCK) and Leon (Roll) Hall… nuff said.
By Ron
August 20, 2010 8:03 AM | Link to this
DO NOT NEED A NICKNAME, WE NEED TO WIN GAMES AN MAKING THE PLAYOFFS, AN WINING IN THE PLAYOFFS,BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE JUNGEL BACK IN CINCINNATI THIS YEAR,I THINK THE TEAM PLAYS BETTER THE THE FANS GETS INTO THE GAME,THIS TEAM I THINK IS GOING TO A GREAT JOB! LETS WIN OUR DIDVISON AN GET TO THE PLAYOFFS,AN WIN IN THE PLAYOFFS.
By JOEL
August 20, 2010 8:53 AM | Link to this
I HAVE READ ALL THE COMMENTS EVEN T HOUGH I TEND TO AGREE W/ MOST COMMENTS I BELIEVE WE NEED TO PUT HE FEAR OF GOD IN THE TEAMS THAT COME TO TOWN ESP. STEELERS IM THINKING THE “THE SCREAMING D” AN USE OZZY OSBOURNES NEW SONG TO PUMP THE DEFENSE ” I WANT TO HEAR YOU SCREAM” IF THIS WILL BE SELECTED IM SURE SOME FANS WILL AGREE I HOPE LOL
By JOEL
August 20, 2010 9:00 AM | Link to this
I HAVE READ ALL THE COMMENTS EVEN THOUGH I TEND TO AGREE W/ MOST COMMENTS I BELIEVE WE NEED TO PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN THE TEAMS THAT COME TO TOWN ESP. STEELERS IM THINKING OF “THE SCREAMING D” AN USE OZZY OSBOURNES NEW SONG TO PUMP THE DEFENSE ” I WANT TO HEAR YOU SCREAM” IF THIS WILL BE SELECTED IM SURE SOME FANS WILL AGREE I HOPE LOL
By Si Burick
August 20, 2010 3:28 PM | Link to this
HOW ABOUT: “THE DEFENDING UNDEFEATED AFC NORTH DIVISION CHAMPIONS” FOR A NICKNAME?
By me
August 20, 2010 3:29 PM | Link to this
HOW ABOUT: “THE DEFENDING UNDEFEATED AFC NORTH DIVISION CHAMPIONS” FOR A NICKNAME?
By fredtoast
August 20, 2010 5:32 PM | Link to this
2 Pick Crew……’cause they are “as nasty as they want to be”
By fredtoast
August 20, 2010 5:57 PM | Link to this
The 2 Pick Crew…..Leon Skyywalker and Mr. Pixx…nasty as the wanna be
By bfine
August 20, 2010 7:41 PM | Link to this
Pix Cassidy and The Shutdown Kid
By bfine
August 20, 2010 7:42 PM | Link to this
Pix Cassidy and The Shutdown Kid
By Tim
August 21, 2010 4:18 PM | Link to this
Big C, You are on the money regarding Johnathan Joseph. He made a number of plays last night against Philadelphia. The Bengals need to pay the guy.
By Big Hoe
August 23, 2010 11:57 AM | Link to this
From what I’ve seen in the first quarter of their preseason games they should be called Crispy Crisp and Toasty Toast.
By Jungle Juice
August 24, 2010 9:51 AM | Link to this
Pick Posse? Pass Police? No-Fly Zone?
By dude
August 24, 2010 6:48 PM | Link to this
Both of these guy’s played well enough last year to make the Pro Bowl and got snubbed. Don’t need to show boat with names. Just play like they did last year.