25. Rey Maualuga
Rey is 29 years old and has been on the Bengals since 2009. He's a lil cray and gets in fights a lot (more off the field than on) but you can't help but love him. Rey isn't one of my favorite guys but he's a pretty solid player which is what got him a spot on the list. Sure, it's the last spot. But a spot nonetheless.
24. Rex Burkhead
Rex is 25 and has been on the Bengals since 2013. He's a gem. He doesn't play that much, or else that is what I thought, but looking at his stats right now, it says he played every game of this past season. Interesting. I guess he does play every game, but he usually only comes in for a play or two. Once, I was at an event he was at and he was just so happy and was playing cornhole with other Bengals players and then he went to the bar and got drinks for all of them and it was just so nice and he seems like a very genuine guy. Unlike Rey, Rex is on here for his personality rather than his skill level. But he has plenty of time. He'll get better and hopefully play more than a couple plays per game.
23. Leon Hall
Leon is 50 years old and has been on the Bengals for 30 years. I'm kidding, but really doesn't it seem like that's true? I feel like 5 years ago we were all thinking this is probably his last year but like no. He has torn his Achilles like 6 times but Leon won't quit. Actually I think it was 2 times but still. That's 2 times more than me and I would have quit by now. Okay so he's 31. Not as old as I thought but still. He's been on the Bengals since 2007. I love Leon because he never quits. Like oh you have a broken back and a torn Achilles and six broken bones and yet he's still making tackles. He also seems like a good guy in general. God bless you, Leon.
22. Tyler Kroft
Tyler Kroft is 23 and this last season was his Rookie Year. I don't know if that should be capitalized but it seems important enough that I will keep it. Tyler is a tight end and got a lil playing time this year when Tyler Eifert got a concussion. I loved him as soon as he came on because I am always rooting for the guys people don't really know. And like his first game he came in and he got the ball and started running and was completely open and then he tripped and it was sad but also a lil funny. And all of the other players were making fun of him and he was laughing so then I decided it was okay to laugh. But seriously, he has some potential and it's a shame that Tyler Eifert is so dang good because Kroft doesn't get a ton of playing time, but again, this was just his first year so he has plenty of time. He's looking at a great career ahead of him.
21. AJ Green
Okay, I know. If you are a Bengals fan (or even if you're not) you're probably thinking how is AJ Green 21st? Isn't he like the best player? Yes, yes, he is good. Really good. But this isn't a ranking of how good these players are, it's who I like the best. And while I do appreciate the skill and dedication of AJ, I don't love him. Don't get me wrong. He's a great weapon and lots of times gives me hope when the Bengals are trying to make a fourth quarter comeback. And there's not really anything that he did that makes me not like him. And I do like him. I mean, he's on my list, isn't he? I just don't love him. But he is a great player and seems like a decent guy. So. Keep doing you, AJ. Oh and just to keep it consistent, AJ is 27 and has been on the Bengals since 2011.
20. Clark Harris
I know what everyone is thinking. Who? Yeah. I know. But Clark. He's wonderful. He is the long snapper. And why don't long snappers ever get credit? They have to snap it perfectly. You can't have just anyone snapping that ball. And Clark is always on point. I will admit, I didn't really know who Clark was until last year when he was at a Bengals event I attended. I saw him and knew he had to be a player, (based on stature and cuteness) but I had no idea who he was. So I went home and did my research and now I love him. We are also Facebook friends, so you could say we are pretty close. And he has a precious little son so he gets extra points for that. And he is 31 and has been on the Bengals since 2009.
19. Kevin Huber
Kevin is 30 and has been on the Bengals since 2009. Plus he went to the University of Cincinnati so he's repping the Nati all around. He's like one of the greatest punters in the world and gets us out of bad field position a lot. Also let's not forget the time he had his jaw broken by the Steelers. And I've always loved him but recently he posted a picture of how someone asked him to take a picture of her and Tyler Eifert and didn't even recognize him and he used the hashtag #puntersarepeopletoo and who knew Kev was so funny? That made me love him even more.
18. Mohamed Sanu
Mohamed is 26 and has been on the Bengals since 2012. He's a good player and a funny guy. He has a perfect little son, Mohamed Jr. and for Halloween they dressed up as people from Dragon Ball Z (along with his girlfriend) and it was wonderful. Definitely gained some points in my book from that. Also he likes to play quarterback sometimes and like it's a good idea sometimes but people are catching on and it doesn't quite work as well as it used to. So. Maybe stop.
17. Geno Atkins
Geno is 27 and has been on the Bengals since 2010. We are bonded because we both tore our ACLs. We are also bonded because one time I met him at a Kroger in the middle of nowhere Kentucky and I was the only person there to see him and it was very awkward and uncomfortable but it happened and I don't regret it. He's a stud on defense and had 11 sacks this year. Geno is a force to be reckoned with. Watch out.
16. Jeremy Hill
Jer bear. Hm. He is an enigma. Because I really never used to like him. I always thought he was kinda cocky and only in it for the glory. But ever since he fumbled in the playoffs (I always yell at people who bring it up but I swear I only have his best interest in mind) I felt compassion for him like more than I've ever felt. Literally my heart was broken because of poor little Jeremy and I guess that is when I started to like him a lot more. Good job Jeremy. Oh and he is 23 and has been on the Bengals since 2014.
15. Jake Fisher
Jake is 22 and this was his Rookie Season. I really don't have an explanation for Jake. Like I don't know why I love him so much. I just do. It might be, again, how I like to root for players who a lot of people aren't rooting for. And like all the time the Bengals are like let's throw it to Jake and so they have to announce him as eligible but like every time they announce him as eligible, they throw it to him. So it's not very sneaky and is usually unsuccessful. But I still love Jake. And I am rooting for him to get a touchdown one of these days.
14. Ryan Hewitt
Ryan is 25 and has been on the Bengals since 2014. His hair is luscious and he is a gem. Every once in a while he breaks free and gets a good amount of yards in a play, but a lot of times he kinda just doesn't. I just love him though. There really isn't much else to say about Huey. I am not sure if that is a nickname of his or not, but if it isn't already, it should be.
13. Andrew Whitworth
Andrew is 34 and has been on the Bengals since 2006. Wow. He used to be my favorite player, but when you bring all these younger, cuter players in, it's hard to keep your spot, ya know? Whit is such a good guy and really is a team player. I believe (not 100%) that he is the oldest offensive lineman in the league right now, which is awesome. Especially because he is still so good. (Although those false starts are becoming more common.) He is very genuine, and like for example, after the playoff game against the Steelers, only four or five Bengals stayed out on the field to congratulate the Steelers and shake hands, and he was one of them. He's just great.
12. Reggie Nelson
Reginald is 32 and has been on the Bengals since 2010. I don't actually think Reginald is his real name but that is what I prefer to call him. Especially when he makes 3000 interceptions. He deserves a higher title and Reginald sounds royalish. Ya know. He had 8 interceptions this year which was the most interceptions this season? Possibly. I'm pretty sure he was at least tied for the most. I don't know much about him off the field, so I can't really comment on that, but on the field, he's perfect. Love you, Reg.
11. Emmanuel Lamur
Manny is 26 and has been on the Bengals since 2012. Again, I don't think Manny is his actual nickname but I think maybe we should all start calling him that. He got hurt in the playoffs this year and I am not sure what happened but I think it was significant? Like if we were in the middle of the season he probably would have been out for the season? Am I right in that? Maybe not. I don't know. But anyway. Once I went to meet Carlos Dunlap and Manny was there in line to get a photo with Carlos. Like he was in line with the fans and it was great. Except that I didn't know who he was at the time so I missed out on meeting him. A shame, really.
10. George Iloka
George is one of those that I don't really have an explanation for. I just love him. He is a great player, makes a lot of tackles, but I just don't think that is why I love him. He's just a lil gem. George is 25 and has been on the Bengals since 2012. My love for him just blossomed since like last year. Love you, George.
9. Marvin Jones
Marv is another one where it's like I didn't really used to like him and then one day it was just like no wait I do. Actually I know when it was that I realized I liked him. He broke his foot and was out for the majority of the 2014 season. And then literally for the entire off season this boy was working. He was working out every single day and getting back to where he needed to be, and I just really loved that hard work and dedication. Plus he has 3 sons that all look dead on him and it's just like little Marvins running around and it's the best thing in the world. Marv is 25 and has been on the Bengals since 2012.
8. Dre Kirkpatrick
Dre is 26 and has been on the Bengals since 2012. I love Drebae. He literally is one of the hardest workers ever. Like he gets injured all the time but it's fine. He's fine. He'll make the play anyway. And in the playoffs he got hurt but he kept playing and still did significantly well and then after the game he posted a picture of him on crutches and was like "I gave it everything, sorry it wasn't enough" or something like that and I was like Dre you can't walk I think it was enough. Love his work ethic. And just love him in general.
7. Tyler Eifert
Tyler is 25 and has been on the Bengals since 2013. At first I didn't like him because I felt that he was overrated, and that everyone only liked him because he was cute (kinda like a Zach Cozart situation). And then he got hurt last year and was out for the whole season and I was like okay great glad we are paying him all this money. And then this year he showed up and came through and I was like OKAY GREAT GLAD WE ARE PAYING HIM ALL THIS MONEY. I do love him a lot. He's exceptional.
6. Andy Dalton
Dalt. Literally a blessing. Andy is 28 and has been on the Bengals since 2011. His hair has changed dramatically since. I didn't even realize it until I was looking up pictures for this blog and like wow. He was struggling with the hair. But anyway. He's great. I know he gets a lot of flack but come on. This boy took us to the playoffs 4 years in a row. Now, everyone's response to that is "yeah but he's never won a playoff game, he always ruins it." Okay but would you rather us lose every game and not go to the playoffs at all? Cause that can be arranged. And maybe if he had more support he would do better, ya know? Like at the allstar game this year in Cincinnati, this poor boy was booed. Booed by his own city. And at the Houston game this year, a HOME game, he was booed. Like he's trying, ya know? But the greatest thing is that he doesn't care about the haters. I probably care more than he does and they probably bother me more than they bother him. Like he's so above it all and that is something you gotta respect. You go, Andy.
5. Adam Jones
Adam is 32 and has been on the Bengals since 2010. It's weird for me to call him Adam because he doesn't look like an Adam, right? Pacman. Packy. I love him. And I really don't care that everyone else seems to hate him. Hate him all you want, but he makes the plays. He is a great player. And yes, he sometimes gets a little cray and gets penalized but it's called PASSION, people. Makes the tackles and gets the penalties both with passion and you gotta take the good with the bad. He is also an incredibly hard worker and is working out every day, during the season and during the off season. Say what you want but you cannot say he doesn't give 110% to his team.
4. Michael Johnson
Michael is 29 and has been on the Bengals since 2009. Another one where I don't know why I love him but I do. A lot. Since, ya know, he is ranked 4th. He is a good player, but he also gives back to the community and does a lot of charity work. And he used to have cornrows. That, in itself, is enough to get him in the top ten. He was at a Bengals event but I didn't recognize him because I had never seen him without his helmet, and he was just standing by himself for about an hour and I really lost out on that deal.
3. Vontaze Burfict
Vontaze is 25 and has been on the Bengals since 2012. Kinda like Pacman, Burf is hated by a lot of Bengals fans. But not this one. Clearly. I love him. Again, he plays with passion. And again, he makes the big plays. Literally after every play, the pile gets up and Burf is usually involved somehow. He is all over the field. Yes, some of his tackles are a little violent, but, you win some you lose some. It's fine. Also, I met him once and he was as nice as could be. We got a picture and the first one had bad lighting so we had to change directions and he just swung me around with one arm and it was great. Love you, Burf.
2. Giovani Bernard
Gio is 24 and has been on the Bengals since 2013. Gio is like so little and cute and how can someone not love him? Sometimes he struggles on the field, but when he breaks away, he is hard to catch. Plus his snapchats are hilarious. I think one of the biggest reasons I love Gio is because he is cute. But that's enough to be number 2 right?
1. Carlos Dunlap
Carlos is 26 and has been on the Bengals since 2010. The love didn't really grow until last year, but when it grew, it grew fast and substantially. I LOVE CAR. I've gotten to meet him twice and he's just so genuine and down to earth and nice. Plus he's killing it on the field with a new Bengals franchise record for sacks this year, with 13.5. (I believe). And he was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this year and although he didn't win, he got some good publicity for his foundation. Car is always giving back to the community in some way. I'm telling y'all. He's just such a good guy. He also tweets me semi - frequently and I will take that as a sign we are dating. Just kidding. Kinda. Love you Car.
