NFL Preview: Cincinnati Bengals Defense Ready to Make a 'Statement' at Cleveland

While Andy Dalton and the Bengals offense continue to be the focal point of media criticism, being called a reason for fans and pundits to write the 2011 Bengals off, the defense is beginning to catch the attention of the media, and for all the right reasons.

Despite the loss of Johnathan Joseph in what proved to be one of the most highly criticised decisions of this offseason, the Bengals defense remains confident.

The offense may be starting over with a new face at the helm, in the form of Jay Gruden, but Mike Zimmer's defense, lead by Rey Maualuga, will be approaching 2011 as a rebound year.

In what will be his first start at middle linebacker, spiritual leader of the defense Maualuga is calling Sunday's match-up against Cleveland "a statement game."

Before Wednesday mornings practice, Zimmer got the defense together and passed them out new orange shorts emblazoned with the words 'The Brotherhood' on the right leg, and below that the players' number, and under that, the word 'Finish.'

"

[Maualuga statement on Bengals.com] “Coach Zimmer got about eight of us together and it’s something we decided on,” Maualuga said of the meeting of defensive leaders. “It’s about being a part of a family and relying on each other and believing in each other.”

"

It's a promising sentiment from a defense that knows that if they want to win games in 2011, they are going to have to pay support to their rookie QB.

As is the enduring nature of the Cincinnati Bengals, the defense is made up of a number of players who were considered under-performers or bad-eggs on their previous teams, and with that comes a desire to show that prior team exactly what they let walk out the door.

Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard are the embodiment of this theory, and their resurgence either side of Rey Maualuga is something Marvin Lewis is excited about:  

“I think Thomas and Manny bring experience and a I can’t wait to prove it attitude along with Rey,” said Lewis, “I think for Rey it has been a good three years and he’s matured, he’s ready to be a leader and he’s had a great apprenticeship. He’s benefited from learning from a great pro in Dhani Jones. He’s had a mentor better than anything money can buy which is great.”

Another addition that continues to interest me, is Taylor Mays. He has all of the athletic ability to start at strong safety, but whether he fulfills that potential is up to him.

The hope is, that a change of scenery, coupled with watching from the bench as his former USC teammate Maualuga leads the defense, will jump start the desire in Mays. Criticisms levied at him tend to focus on his inability to play laterally, something which he showed to have improved on during the preseason, giving faith to those hoping of big things out of him.

With so many faces looking to make a statement on defense, and a strong balance of ages made up of players both old and new, the Bengals could be in for a strong season.

Stand-outs for me so far have been Michael Johnson and Reggie Nelson, who have given 100 percent on every down, and have continuously played until the whistle, the most fundamental and yet the most ignored aspect of being a solid professional football player.  

And while it's too early to tell whether the positive attitude permeating from Bengals camp will transfer into on the field success, the confidence shown by both Zimmer and his players is certainly inspiring.

As far as Peyton Hillis and the Cleveland Browns go, Maualuga spoke with steely confidence in the locker room today saying: "We'll be ready come one o'clock on Sunday."

The real test for this defense however, will be maintaining this 'all-in' attitude if we find ourselves staring down the mouth of 0-6.