As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game
being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from
different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that
notion.
Considering that the Cincinnati Bengals were founded in 1944, the task
becomes quite challenging. Today, I have taken on the daunting task of
compiling an All-Time Bengals team. The Bengals would fit the description
of a cursed franchise. From 1970-1990, the Bengals reached the postseason
seven times, including two Super Bowl appearances (1981, 1988). The
problem was the franchise came up short against two dynasties, the 1970s
Pittsburgh Steelers and 1980s San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers won four
Super Bowls while the 49ers defeated the Bengals twice in the Super Bowl,
26-21 in 1981 and 20-16 in 1988. The Bengals reached the playoffs seven
times in the Marvin Lewis Era (2003-2018) but have not won a postseason
game since 1990. The Bengals have also had seasons of being flatout
wretched.
OK, Bengals fans, I’ve tortured you enough and have come up with my
version of the Bengals Dream Team.
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. The player needed to have
played at least four seasons as a Bengal. Since the free agency era began 30
years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make
this list. Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.
This is football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the
first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of
All-Pro seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going
to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
All eras matter. Being on the Bengals from the Golden Age does not get you
a hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers
get considered.
To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,
which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to
make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be
there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to
put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that
position?”
OFFENSE
QB -- First team: Ken Anderson. Honorable mention: Boomer Esiason.
Anderson is one of the best players in NFL history not to be inducted into the
Hall of Fame. At the time of retirement, he held three regular season records
and two Super Bowl records. Anderson remains the Bengals all-time leading
passer in various categories. Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowler, three-time
All Pro (first-team in 1981), He was the NFL Offensive Player and Comeback
Player of the Year in 1981, leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance
that season. While a valid case could be made for Andy Dalton and Carson
Palmer for honorable mention, the nod goes to Esiason. The left-hander
played 14 seasons for three teams but his best football came as a Bengal from
1984-1992. In that span, Esiason led the Bengals to a Super Bowl
appearance (1988), was NFL MVP in 1988, All pro in 1988 and three-time
Pro Bowler. He remains the last Bengal quarterback to lead the franchise to
a playoff victory (1990).
RB -- First team: James Brooks, Corey Dillon. Honorable mention:
Rudi Johnson, Paul Robinson.
Dillon’s career in Cincinnati ended in disgruntled fashion, which led to him
being traded to New England. However, you cannot deny Dillon’s on the
field performance as he remains the franchise’s all-time leading rushing. In
seven years as a Bengal, he was a Pro Bowler three times. Brooks is the best
all-purpose back in franchise history and one of the most underrated in NFL
history. Brooks, who is the second-leading rusher in franchise history, was
dangerous as a runner, receiver and return specialist. As a Bengal, he made
the Pro Bowl four times in eight seasons and was a member of the 1988 team
that reached the Super Bowl. Despite playing in limited fashion his first two
seasons as a backup to Dillon, Johnson is the franchise’s third all-time leading
rusher. Johnson was a Pro Bowler in 2004 and played a pivotal role in 2005,
when the franchise returned to the playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons.
Robinson played four of his seven seasons with the Bengals. In that span,
he was a Pro Bowler twice and All Pro once. Robinson is the only back in
NFL history to gain over 1,000 yards rushing for a first-year expansion team.
FB -- First team: Pete Johnson. Honorable mention: Boobie Clark.
The fullback position has evolved throughout the years but Johnson was
both a superb runner and blocker. Johnson was the Bengals leading rusher
for all seven seasons he played for the franchise. Johnson’s best season was
1981, when he was a Pro Bowler and All Pro in helping the Bengals reach
the Super Bowl. Clark was drafted in the 12th round in 1973 and despite
his inexperience at fullback, he became the AFC Rookie of the Year. In six
years, he rushed for 2,978 yards and 25 touchdowns. Clark also caught 157
passes.
WR -- First team: Chad Johnson, AJ Green. Honorable mention: Isaac
Curtis, Cris Collinsworth.
Johnson, who was also known as Ochocinco, was a butjob but also a
supremely talented player and the franchise’s all-time leading receiver. In ten
seasons with the Bengals, Johnson was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time
first-team All Pro. He was the NFL receiving yardage leader in 2006. Green
recently completed his ninth season. Green is the No. 2 all-time receiving
leader in franchise history behind Johnson. Green needs 1,093 receiving yards
to reach 10,000 for his career. Green is a seven-time Pro Bowler and has
been second-team All Pro three times. Curtis and Collinsworth have numbers
that look modest today but were enormous at the time. Curtis played for 12
years. He was a Pro Bowler for four straight years (1973-1976) and All Pro
three consecutive years (1974-1976). Curtis was a member of the 1981 team
that reached the Super Bowl. Before he became a fixture as a color
commentator, Collinsworth was one of the best possession receivers of his
time. Collinsworth played for both teams that reached the Super Bowl. In
eight seasons, Collinsworth was a Pro Bowler three times and All Pro four
times (once as a first-teamer).
TE -- First team: Bob Trumpy. Honorable mention: Rodney Holman.
Some generations only know Trumpy as a color commentator but before that
career, Trumpy was drafted in the 12th round in 1968. He played ten seasons
and was an AFL All-Star twice and a Pro Bowler on two occasions. His 15.4
yard average per catch is the most by a Bengals tight end. Holman was both a
superb blocker and receiver. Holman played on the 1988 team that reached
the Super Bowl. He was a Pro Bowler and All Pro on three occasions.
OT -- First team: Anthony Munoz, Willie Anderson. Honorable
mention: Andrew Whitworth, Joe Walter.
Munoz is one of the best players ever in NFL history regardless of position.
Munoz was dominant for 11 years, making the Pro Bowl in each of his
seasons. His Pro Bowl selections are tied with Tom Mack for the most by a
lineman. Munoz was also an All Pro in all 11 years he played, nine as a
first-team, and played on both Bengals teams that reached the Super Bowl.
Anderson also enjoyed a dominant career in his 12 seasons in Cincinnati.
He opened many holes for Dillon and gave up just 16 sacks in his entire
career. Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro (three
as a first-teamer). Whitworth, who is now a Los Angeles Ram, played 12
seasons with the Bengals. He moved to tackle in his fourth season after
having played at guard. Whitworth was a Pro Bowler on three occasions
as a Bengal. Walter played 13 seasons with the Bengals. Though he never
earned Pro Bowl recognition, longevity as a starter gets him on this team.
Walter played on the 1988 team that reached the Super Bowl.
OG -- First team: Max Montoya, Dave Lapham. Honorable mention:
Bobbie Williams, Eric Steinbach.
Montoya was a stalwart interior lineman for the Bengals for 11 seasons. He
played on both Bengals teams that reached the Super Bowl. Montoya made
three Pro Bowls. Lapham played all five offensive line positions but did his
best work at guard. Lapham never earned any Pro Bowl recognition but
was a solid start for a decade. Lapham played on the 1981 team that reached
the Super Bowl. Williams played 13 seasons for three teams but his best
football came as a Bengal from 2004-2011. In his first season in Cincinnati,
he was the only offensive player to play every snap. In 2005, Williams was
part of a line that allowed only 21 sacks. Steinbach played nine seasons for
three teams. His first four were as a Bengal. Steinbach was both versatile
and durable.
C -- First team: Bob Johnson. Honorable mention: Brice Kozerski.
Johnson was an original Bengal and second overall pick in the 1968 draft.
He was the highest center drafted since Ki Aldridge in 1939. Johnson was
an AFL All-Star in 1968 and the last original Bengal to retire. Kozerski
was a stalwart pivot man for 12 seasons. Kozerski was a three-time Pro
Bowl alternate and member of the 1988 team that reached the Super Bowl.
DEFENSE
DE -- First team: Carlos Dunlap, Eddie Edwards. Honorable mention:
Justin Smith, Ross Browner.
Dunlap recently completed his 11th season, all with the Bengals. Dunlap is
a two-time Pro Bowler and leads the franchise with 81.5 career sacks. Dunlap
also has 58 career deflections, 20 forced fumbles and three defensive
touchdowns. Edwards played 12 seasons (1977-1988) and was a member
of both Super Bowl appearance teams. Edwards’ 47.5 official sacks are
third in franchise history. Sacks were not an official stat until 1982.
Including unofficial sacks, he tallied 83.5 Edwards recovered 17 career
fumbles and was All Pro in 1981. Though Smith is mostly known for his
years with the San Francisco 49ers, his first seven seasons were with the
Bengals. He recorded 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2001 and is fourth in franchise
history with 43.5 sacks. Browner was a Bengal for nine seasons from
1978-1986 and recorded 29.5 official sacks. He was on the All Rookie
team in 1978.
DT -- First team: Tim Krumrie, Geno Atkins. Honorable mention:
Mike Reid, Domota Peko.
Atkins recently completed his 11th season and in that span has been a
dominant interior force. Despite playing a position that is not stat friendly,
Atkins ranks No. 2 in franchise history with 75.5 quarterback sacks. Atkins
has been a Pro Bowler eight times and All Pro three times (two as a
first-teamer). Krumrie is most remembered for his gruesome leg injury in
Super Bowl XXIII but he was a stalwart interior presence for 12 years.
Despite the injury, Krumrie had a solid career as he was a Pro Bowler and
All Pro twice. He recorded 34.5 career sacks, 13 fumble recoveries and 11
forced fumbles. Reid was a Bengal for five seasons (1970-1974) but
made a significant impact in that span. He was a Pro Bowler and All Pro
twice. Peko was known for the mop of hair hanging out of his helmet but
was a stalwart interior lineman for 11 years. Though he never earned Pro
Bowl recognition, that was mainly because he spent many seasons playing
alongside Atkins.
OLB -- First team: Reggie Williams, James Francis. Honorable mention:
Dhani Jones, Rey Maualuga.
Williams played 14 seasons with the Bengals, including two teams that
appeared in the Super Bowl. He was the epitome of an underrated player.
Though he never made the Pro Bowl, he was deserving on more than a
few occasions. Counting official and unofficial totals, Williams tallied 62.5
sacks. Francis played nine seasons with the Bengals with his first four
(1990-1993) being his best. In that span, he recorded seven interceptions,
19 quarterback sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and
two touchdowns). Francis finished his career in Cincinnati with 11 picks,
33 quarterback sacks and 11 forced fumbles. Jones played for three teams
in a ten year span with his last four coming as a Bengal. That span was the
most productive in his career. In three of four years as a Bengal, he surpassed
the 100 tackle mark. Maualuga played eight seasons with the Bengals and
while he did not earn any Pro Bowl recognition, he was a tough weapon
against the run.
ILB -- First team: Takeo Spikes, Jim LeClair. Honorable mention:
Vontaze Burfict, Bill Bergey.
Spikes played 13 seasons for five teams with his first five coming as a
Bengal. Though the Bengals were mostly terrible in that span from
1998-2001, Spikes was a bright spot as a tenacious run defender. LeClair
was a Bengal for 12 years (1972-1983). He became a starter in his fourth
season and never looked back. LeClair’s best season came in 1976 when
he made the Pro Bowl. LeClair was a member of the 1981 team that reached
the Super Bowl. Burfict is labeled as a dirty player but making this team is
about performance and Burfict produced. In his seven seasons, he topped
the 100 tackle mark three times. Bergey is better known for his time as a
Philadelphia Eagle. Bergey played five years as a Bengal and was a Pro
Bowler in 1969.
CB -- First team: Ken Riley, Lemar Parrish. Honorable mention: Louis
Breeden, Eric Thomas
Riley was a lifetime Bengal having played for the franchise for 15 years
(1969-1983), including the 1981 team that reached the Super Bowl. Riley
was one of the best defensive backs regardless of position in his era. Riley
was a four-time All Pro and remains the franchise leader with 65
interceptions. Parrish played his first eight seasons (1970-1977) as a Bengal
and made an immediate impact. Parrish was a Pro Bowler in six of his eight
seasons in Cincinnati. In that span, he was All Pro three times (once as a first
teamer). Parrish’s 25 interceptions are No. 5 in franchise history. Breeden
spent all 11 of his seasons (1977-1987) with the Bengals. Though he never
earned Pro Bowl recognition, he was a solid starter throughout his career.
Breeden is No. 2 in franchise history with 33 interceptions. Breeden played
on the 1981 team that reached the Super Bowl. Thomas played nine years
for three different teams. His first five were with the Bengals. Thomas’ best
season was 1988 in which he was an All Pro, helping the Bengals reach
the Super Bowl.
S -- First team: Reggie Nelson, Tommy Casanova. Honorable mention:
Solomon Wilcots, David Fulcher.
Nelson played 12 years for three different teams. He spent six of those years
as a Bengal (2010-2015). Nelson’s best season in Cincinnati was 2015, when
he reached the Pro Bowl and was second-team All Pro. Casanova spent six
seasons with the Bengals (1972-1977) but was quite impactful in that time.
His best season was 1976, when he was first-team All Pro. Casanova was a
Pro Bowler three times. Wilcots was a Bengal for four seasons, including
the 1988 team that reached the Super Bowl. Fulcher played seven years as a
Bengal (1986-1992) and was a ferocious hitter. His best seasons came from
1988-1990, making the Pro Bowl all three seasons. Fulcher recorded 31
career interceptions.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- First team: Shayne Graham. Honorable mention: Jim Breech.
Graham was the Bengals kicker for seven years (2003-2009). His best season
was 2005, when earning both Pro Bowl and All Pro honors. As a Bengal,
Graham connected on 86.7% of his field goal attempts. Breech was a Bengal
for 13 years (1980-1992) and played on both teams that reached the Super
Bowl (1981, 1988). Breech remains the franchise’s all-time leading scorer
with 1,151 points.
P -- First team: Lee Johnson. Honorable mention: Pat McInally.
Johnson played 18 seasons with six teams but his longest life span with a
team came with the Bengals (1988-1998). Johnson played on the 1988 team
that reached the Super Bowl. He averaged 43.2 yards per punt as a Bengal.
McInaly spent all ten of his seasons (1976-1985) in a Bengals uniform. His
best season was 1981, one of the Bengals’ Super Bowl appearance teams.
That season, McInaly was an All Pro.
RETURN -- First team: Tremain Mack. Honorable mention: Mike
Martin.
Mack was the Bengals primary returner from 1997-2000. He recorded a
combined 3.583 return yards and two touchdowns. Martin played seven
seasons as a Bengal (1983-1989), including the 1988 team that reached
the Super Bowl. Martin compiled a combined 3,024 return yards.
HEAD COACH -- First team: Paul Brown. Honorable mention: Forest
Gregg.
Brown was a star-crossed character as a coach. On one hand, he had an
autocratic approach that could cause strained relationships with players.
However, he played a big role in modernizing the game. He invented the
draw play, which is still used today. Brown also popularized the organization
of football teams such as hiring assistant coaches and implementing film
study. Brown coached the Bengals first eight seasons, leading them to a
55-56-1 record. The Bengals reached the postseason on three occasions and
won two AFC Central titles. Brown was NFL Coach of the Year twice.
Gregg was the Bengals head coach for four seasons (1980-1983). He led
the Bengals to two playoff appearances including a Super Bowl appearance
in 1981. He was NFL Coach of the Year that season in which the Bengals
also won the AFC Central.
TEAM -- 1988. This version of the Bengals is one of the best in NFL history
not to win a Super Bowl. Coming off a disappointing 4-11 season in 1987,
the Bengals rebounded with a stellar 1988 campaign in which they went
12-4. The Bengals had a potent and well-balanced offense with Esiason’s
passing and the two-pronged rushing attack of Brooks and Ickey Woods.
The Bengals started the season 6-0 on the way to winning the AFC Central.
The Bengals defeated Seattle (21-13) and Buffalo (21-10) in the AFC
playoffs before losing to San Francisco (20-16) in the Super Bowl.
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