Playmaking defense returns for Cincinnati

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, August 14, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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In the Cincinnati Bengals' dominant 19-3 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday night, one thing was evident: the defense, which led the NFL in the interception department last year, has returned to its big-play ways.

By the time the game reached its conclusion, the Bengals' defense came up with three interceptions.

It all began with third-year cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, who intercepted a Mark Brunell pass and galloped down the sideline before being tackled by Washington running back Clinton Portis. In 2005, the ever-improving Ratliff, a former second-round pick, picked off a total of three passes.

The second Bengal to get into the turnover-forcing act was 29-year-old defensive tackle John Thornton. The 297-pounder was charging Redskins backup quarterback Todd Collins and suddenly found the football in his arms as he was lying on the ground. It was certainly a rare moment for the seven-year veteran lineman, who has just one career interception. Oddly enough, it came last season.

Finally, the least well known of Cincinnati defenders to pick off a Redskin pass was No. 44, Herana Daze-Jones. The former undrafted free agent from Indiana University spent the entirety of '05 on the practice squad, but plays like the one he made Sunday evening could earn him time in actual regular season games this year. Daze-Jones, a Louisville native, intercepted a Jason Campbell throw and sped for a 27-yard return.

Out of the above three names, the only one likely to find himself on the receiving end of numerous interceptions in 2006 is Ratliff, an ex-Florida star. Thornton will clog the middle as a tackle, while Daze-Jones will probably wind up on the short end of the stick for playing time, unless he continues performing well for the remaining three games of the Bengals' exhibition schedule.

Last season, the Bengals' defense finished tops in the League with an eye-catching 31 total interceptions. Though it's unfair to believe the unit will approach that number again, it's reasonable to think that if guys like Deltha O'Neal and Tory James continue playing near the same level as last year, 20-25 interceptions could be in the cards.

Most think of a great offense when the Cincinnati Bengals come to mind, but never exclude this playmaking defense from any discussion. It could, after all, hold the ultimate key to a Super Bowl-caliber season.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

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