Cincinnati Bengals' Secondary Key to Success

The days of Deltha O'Neal and Tory James leading the Bengals secondary are gone.  After back to back cornerbacks taken in the first round, Cincinnati's secondary takes on a whole new look.

It looks mighty young, too.

Jonathan Joseph, a first round selection out of South Carolina ('06) and Leon Hall, another first round pick from Michigan ('07) have a lot expected of them. 

If Cincinnati's defense is to match the production of its offense, these two guys will play vital roles. 

Throw in Chinedum Ndukwe and Marvin White, both safeties who were drafted by the Bengals a year ago, and Cincinnati's secondary could be the youngest in the league. 

Now, don't completely throw out veteran leadership, as the Bengals still have O'Neal (nine seasons) and Dexter Jackson (10 seasons) on the roster, and both could still have major roles in the upcoming season. 

But the future for the Bengals secondary is clear — young, talented, and athletic. 

The departure of FS Madeiu Williams to Minnesota in free agency opened the door for second-year safety Chinedum Ndukwe, who played in all but two games (missed weeks three and four due to injury.

Ndukwe totaled 35 tackles, two sacks, three INTs, and a fumble recovery for a TD. 

This seventh-round selection, also a native of Powell, Ohio, seems primed to slide into the starting free safety job.

Joseph and Hall are a lock to the be the starting corners, with Joseph becoming more of a leader on this young defense, and Hall still struggling to find a high level of consistency. 

Both played well at times last year, but there is plenty of room for improvement.

Joseph battled through a foot injury that limited him in the offseason and hampered him through October.

He still managed to compile four interceptions, tied for the team led in passes defended and had 69 tackles, good for seventh on the team.

Look for Marvin White and Ethan Kilmer to be key components who not only contribute on special teams, but in the secondary as well. 

White, a fourth-round selection a year ago out of TCU, was a top special teams’ performer, who also logged three starts a year ago.  His physical presence was a welcome addition to a secondary that seemed to lack physical playmakers.

Second-year safety Ethan Kilmer still needs to get healthy before he can build on a productive rookie season.  Kilmer finished the year on IR, after a surgically repaired knee wiped out his entire season. 

Kilmer was all-everything in high school. A track and basketball standout in high school, and a guy the Bengals may move around in the secondary due to his versatility.

The Bengals lack depth at the corner position, but with Joseph, Hall, and an aging O'Neal, combined with young talent bursting at the seams at the safety positions, they could be the catalyst that could bring the defensive unit some much needed respect.

Don't be surprised if White makes a run at Jackson's strong safety position.

Either way, this season Hall, Joseph, and the rest of these young guns in the secondary will be the primary reason the defensive side of the ball flourishes or flounders. 

With so much talent,  it's tough to imagine these guys not improving day-by-day and game-by-game. 

The defense is counting on it.