NFL Year in Review: Top 11 Cincinnati Bengals of 2011

After a season in which four Cincinnati Bengals were selected to the Pro Bowl, it's hard to not look to the future with a bright and shining grin.

As a die-hard and lifelong Bengals fan, I've seen the ups and downs of the Bengals organization over the past two decades. I've seen the greats come and go, the wins go up and down and the playoff appearances far too scarce.

Nevertheless, as 2012 approaches, I will do what all true Bengals fans are far too familiar with: hold my breath, cross my fingers and cautiously predict a Divisional Championship.

Before all of that comes around, however, it's important to look at this past season and who helped make it so great.

Despite a heartbreaking loss to the Houston Texans, in which our youth and inexperience was on full display, this was a season to celebrate. In the first season since trading both Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer, the Cincinnati Bengals made the playoffs.

With so many contributions by so many players, there's just one important question remaining...

Who Dey?

Honorable Mention: Marvin Lewis, Head Coach

Come on, he has to get some love!

Before we get into the players, it's worth noting how tall of a task Marvin Lewis took on.

After Lewis' most consistent mainstays—quarterback Carson Palmer and controversial wide receiver Chad Ochocinco—were traded away, Lewis was left with one of the youngest teams in the NFL.

Instead of shying away from the challenge, Lewis approached it with confidence, bringing in key veterans to properly develop his youth.

After a 9-7 season that resulted in a playoff berth, it's safe to say Marvin Lewis did quite a phenomenal coaching job.

Honorable Mention: Leon Hall, Cornerback

It pains me to exclude him, but considering he missed seven games, it'd be wrong for me to downplay those who were more consistently available.

Who Dey Nation misses you, Leon Hall. Get better soon.

11. Nate Clements, Cornerback

This might be a surprising and slightly disappointing name to see, but think about it for a second.

When Leon Hall went down for the season against the Steelers, Clements was tasked with being the first-string corner.

After letting up a 35-yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin his first stint in that role, Clements held Boldin to a grand total of zero receptions over the remaining two quarters. He also had an interception.

Two weeks later, Clements played a major role in the Bengals' key victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals were winners of six out of seven, including a four-game winning streak that saw victories over the 49ers and Cowboys. In the second quarter of that game, Clements intercepted John Skelton at the Cincinnati 44.

The Bengals used the short field to their advantage and scored a touchdown that put them up 17-0. The Bengals ended up winning 23-20 in a game where every play counted.

10. Domata Peko, Defensive Tackle

Lost in Geno Atkins' Pro Bowl season is how brilliant Domata Peko played alongside him.

Peko didn't register the same amount of sacks as Atkins, but he was constantly a presence in the backfield, disrupting runs and forcing errant throws.

While he may not have garnered a Pro Bowl selection, Peko was one of the most important players on the seventh-ranked defense in the NFL.

Peko registered multiple tackles in all but two games this year, and after disappointing campaigns in 2009 and '10, seemed to have finally found his niche in the Cincy D. As we head forward to a 2012 campaign with high expectations all around, those for Domata Peko should be as high as any.

9. Cedric Benson, Running Back

It wasn't pretty, but there's no way to deny him of a spot when Benson just ran for his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.

Despite topping 100 yards rushing in just three games all season, Benson remained a player that defensive coordinators planned for.

His ability to run between the tackles and pick up first-down yards in the trenches were valuable assets to an offense led by two rookies and a second-year tight end.

Benson was Mr. Reliable, as he fumbled the ball and lost it just two times all season. Both of those fumbles came in a 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. If that doesn't define his importance, the Bengals were 4-1 in games in which Benson scored a touchdown.

8. Reggie Nelson, Free Safety

Quietly but surely, Reggie Nelson had one of the best seasons in the AFC.

Nelson was a turnover terror, picking off four passes and forcing two fumbles.

The former Gator also ranked third on the Bengals with 85 total tackles, including 59 solo.

Add in his 12 pass deflections, one defensive touchdown and two sacks, and it's hard to imagine why Nelson was not the fifth Bengal selected to the Pro Bowl.

His career year was about more than statistics, though.

Nelson had a lot of doubters heading into the 2011 regular season, as both fans and analysts often referred to him as a weak link. His performance went a long way toward disproving such notions, and it seems as if he's solidified himself as the starter, for now.

While some still have their doubts, a subjective view on his season can do nothing but inspire confidence in Nelson's future.

7. Rey Maualuga, Middle Linebacker

Before you bring up the assault charges for an alleged bar fight, think about how important Maualuga was to the NFL's seventh-ranked total defense.

The former USC Trojan posted career highs of 88 tackles, with 53 solo and 27 stuff yards.

Most impressive of all is that he did all of this while missing three games.

In Maualuga's 13 appearances, he showed a natural ability of finding his way into the backfield. The third-year linebacker shed blocks with both finesse and power moves, keeping his eyes on the ball in his relentless pursuit of the ball carrier.

A promising fact is that he did this without fellow USC alum, Keith Rivers. The duo are certain to build a nice chemistry in 2012, and with Maualuga's emergence as the leader of the Bengals' linebacker corps, the Bengals D finally has an identity.

As long as he can avoid suspension in 2012, he should continue to contribute in a major way.

6. Thomas Howard, Outside Linebacker

Thomas Howard has every reason to celebrate.

When the 2011 season began, Howard was a name that many of the Bengals' fans were unfamiliar with.

After posting a team-best 99 tackles, as well as 64 solo and six for a loss, Who Dey Nation knows exactly who Thomas Howard is.

The former UTEP Miner broke out in Oakland, posting three consecutive seasons with at least 90 tackles.

His six-interception campaign in 2007—he returned two of those picks for touchdowns—made him a star out in California. Two years later, he posted fewer than 80 tackles for the first time in his career. The following season, he registered just nine tackles in 12 games.

Thankfully, Marvin Lewis did what he does best: grants second chances to players he believes in.

5. Jermaine Gresham, Tight End

Everything Jermaine Gresham did well in 2010, he did better in 2011.

As a rookie, Gresham showed unlimited potential while posting a solid line of 52 receptions for 471 yards and four touchdowns.

In 2011, the second-year tight end out of Oklahoma improved it all by posting 56 receptions for 596 yards and six touchdowns.

Gresham was a reliable check-down option for Andy Dalton, but he also excelled in the open field.

The former Sooner utilized his speed to outrun linebackers and size to haul in passes over safeties. What may be his most impressive improvement, however, is his work on the line.

Gresham isn't an elite blocker at the tight end position, but there is no denying that he made major improvements in his second year. Although his footwork could still improve, his effort is never second-guessed.

He works hard at throwing his shoulder into players on delayed routes, and when kept inside, he has shown an improvement in the use of his hands against attacking linebackers and ends. All of this combined to send Jermaine Gresham to his first career Pro Bowl appearance.

An interesting note to send you off: in games in which Gresham caught a touchdown, the Bengals went 5-1. All of those games were decided by 10 points or less.

4. Geno Atkins, Defensive Tackle

In a year when the outside contributors on the Bengals defensive line switched in and out on a play-by-play basis, Geno Atkins was the one certainty the Bengals could depend on.

As five different players shared time at the end positions, Atkins combined with Domata Peko to bring consistent domination to the defensive line.

If you need a summary, I'll give it to you like this: Geno Atkins was a beast.

The former Georgia Bulldog contributed 47 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries en route to his first career Pro Bowl appearance.

His five stuffs and three pass deflections were just further evidence of the well-rounded nature of the second-year defensive tackle.

As we head into a highly anticipated 2012 campaign, it's time for Geno Atkins to place his name in the "elite" category with Ndamukong Suh.

3. Andy Dalton, Quarterback

While Cam Newton put up a monster year en route to his Rookie of the Year enshrinement, Andy Dalton quietly led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first playoff berth since 2009.

Dalton took over for a team that had stripped itself of any identity it previously owned and responded magnificently.

Dalton threw for 3,398 yards, tallying 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 80.4.

The man whose hair matches his helmet wasn't supposed to be this good, with four quarterbacks chosen before him in the 2011 NFL draft.

As fate would have it, Dalton made the playoffs while the other four sat at home watching.

Who Dey Nation sure has a reason to celebrate, now...

2. A.J. Green, Wide Receiver

When you post a stat line of 65 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns, you're considered a great receiver.

When you throw in the fact that you're a rookie, you're considered a star in the making.

When you were able to do all of this with a rookie quarterback throwing you the ball, you're considered a superstar.

When you include the fact that you're a 6'4" wideout with elite leaping ability, giant hands and premier route-running, you're A.J. Green.

Green's first career reception was a 41-yard, game-deciding touchdown against the in-state rival Cleveland Browns. The next week, he posted 10 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown against the eventual AFC West winning Denver Broncos. From there on out, he never looked back.

The fans rewarded Green for his hard work as he garnered the third-most Pro Bowl votes among AFC players. While the Pro Bowl selection is a great honor that will forever engrave his name in football history, don't expect the first to be anything close to the last.

1. Andrew Whitworth, Offensive Tackle

In six years with the Cincinnati Bengals, Andrew Whitworth has missed a grand total of six games.

He has been the model of consistency on an inconsistent Bengals line, and finally in 2011, he led a unit that put it all together.

The Bengals' line allowed just 25 sacks, fourth-best in the NFL.

Whitworth's leadership and consistent play on the outside protected rookie Andy Dalton's blindside all year long.

Whitworth made one of the toughest transitions in all of professional football after the 2009 season, switching from guard to tackle. He took on the new role with confidence, and in year two, earned himself a reputation as one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

While any Bengals fan would be thrilled to have four Pro Bowlers on our roster, it's heartbreaking to know that Whitworth failed to make it after such an invaluable season.