Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals corners are sharp again
By Scott Priestle, CNATI.com Posted November 15, 2009 7:02 PM ET
PITTSBURGH -- Bengals cornerback Leon Hall sat out three plays Sunday because of an elbow injury, and Johnathan Joseph sat out two because of a back injury. On four of those five plays, the Steelers threw toward the backup cornerback, be it David Jones or rookie Morgan Trent.
"You've got to expect that," Trent said with a smile. "I'd throw at me, too."
The Steelers had no luck against the starters. Hall and Joseph again neutralized a talented group of receivers, and Trent held his own as the nickel back and occasional fill-in, leading the Bengals to an 18-12 win over the Steelers at Heinz Field.
One week after limiting Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton to four catches and 46 yards, the Bengals cornerbacks held the Steelers to 174 passing yards on 44 attempts. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a pass-efficiency rating of 51.5, less than half the 104.1 rating he carried into the game.
Six of Roethlisberger's 20 completions came on passes at or behind the line of scrimmage. He rarely was able to set his feet and find an open receiver down field.
"This is what we expect," Hall said. "Even in practice, if me or J-Joe is five yards off the route and the guy catches it, we hear about it -- from each other and from the coaches."
The high expectations are understandable considering Hall and Joseph were first-round draft picks. Trent was drafted in the sixth round this season, and he has emerged as the team's No.3 cornerback. He generally guards the slot receiver in three-receiver formations.
Morgan Trent
"We see it every day on film. He's playing a lot smarter than he did at the beginning of the year, and he's in position to make a lot more plays," Hall said. "He's just getting better week by week."
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Trent deflected a pass away from receiver Hines Ward and into the arms of defensive end Frostee Rucker, who returned it 26 yards. The Bengals converted the favorable field position into three points.
"That series was big," coach Marvin Lewis said.
Trent said he saw the ball as soon as he turned toward Roethlisberger. "If I'd turned sooner, I could have caught it," he said.
The rookie benefits from working alongside Hall and Joseph, two gifted athletes who are entering their peak. In particular, he said, he has learned the importance of preparation.
"I'm not surprised the way they play on game day," Trent said. "That's the same way they practice during the week."
Hall suffered a right elbow injury in the second quarter after making a tackle near the sideline. It was wrapped in ice after the game. Joseph was hit in the back by a helmet while covering a kickoff in the fourth quarter. He also required an IV at halftime.
"We knew it was going to be a defensive game," Joseph said, "and we wanted to make our presence known."
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, News
Tags: Bengals, Johnathan Joseph, Leon Hall, Morgan Trent
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