Thursday, November 3, 2011

Top 5 Player Jerseys from the Cincinnati Bengals

What Cincinnati Bengal jerseys should fans be wearing this season? If you live outside of greater Cincinnati, there aren't many common, household names on the Bengal roster this fall—but, for fans ready to sport Bengal gear, there are a few player names that should be gracing the backs of those fan jerseys.

These past Bengal draft picks all have the potential to bring the glory days back to Paul Brown Stadium:

Andy Dalton(notes), #14. Stepping in as Carson Palmer's(notes) replacement in 2011, rookie Andy Dalton has settled into the role of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback. The fiery redhead is leading the offensive youth movement for the Bengals. While Dalton's potential was doubted by critics early on, he managed to post some early wins and may be a second-round draft pick gem. Dalton is earning fan respect and reviving life in "The Jungle." Fans should have no difficulty finding an Andy Dalton #14 jersey or Dalton scrimmage T-shirt.

[For more NFL gear, check out the Yahoo! Sports shop.]

A.J. Green(notes), #18. Another rookie making a name for himself in Cincinnati is wide receiver A.J. Green. Size, speed and acrobatic catches make Green a fan favorite. Green gives fans a lot to be hopeful for—he leads rookies in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards through the early 2011 season and is expected to be one of Dalton's primary competitors for Rookie of the Year honors. Both A.J. Green #18, jerseys and A.J. Green scrimmage T-shirts are available in sporting goods shops and online.

Leon Hall(notes), #29. Is Hall one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL? He led the Bengals in interceptions from 2007-2010. Bengal fans have come to expect Hall to make things happen for the defense-and since the durable Hall has played in every game through his first four seasons, fans are becoming familiar with Bengal jersey #29. A replica Leon Hall jersey is a bit harder to find than Dalton's or Green's—but, is available online.

Andrew Whitworth(notes), #77. Andrew Whitworth has not only served the Bengals at left tackle, but as team captain as well. Since Whitworth joined the Bengals in 2006, he has positioned himself as a team leader and asset to the Bengal offense. Having trouble tracking down a Whitworth jersey? Customize an Andrew Whitworth, #77, jersey online.

Jermaine Gresham(notes), #84. Cincinnati Bengal tight end Gresham offers young Andy Dalton a promising target on offense. The 6-foot-5-inch 260-pound Gresham has the potential to be the Bengal's best pass receiving tight end since Bob Trumpy. An authentic replica Jermaine Gresham jersey or scrimmage shirt are readily available online and in sports shops.

Big news:Houshmandzadeh joins Raiders now!

Nearly 10 months after his dropped pass ended Baltimore’s playoff chances, Houshmandzadeh is back in the NFL with Oakland, hoping a reunion with his old quarterback and his former position coach will help lead the Raiders to the playoffs.

“That was the biggest reason (for) me going to Baltimore last year and, again, when it mattered, I dropped the ball,” he said yesterday. “That’s something I really don’t do, so I’m eager to get that behind me also.”

Houshmandzadeh practiced for the first time with the discount jerseys Raiders a day after signing. But he needed no introductions to quarterback Carson Palmer, his teammate for six seasons in Cincinnati and longtime offseason workout partner, or coach Hue Jackson, his receivers coach for three years with the Bengals.

“(Familiarity) plays a part in it. That wasn’t a total part,” Jackson said. “I got a group of young guys who are very, very talented, and having somebody that you can really look to, that can show you a little bit of the rope of what it’s like of being a pro in this league, week in and week out, day in and day out, will make a difference with this football team.”

Houshmandzadeh averaged 89 catches over a five-year span in Cincinnati. His best season came in 2007, when he caught a career-high 112 passes for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns.

“He’s really another quarterback on the field,” Palmer said. “He knows more about offensive and defensive football than any non-quarterback I’ve ever been around. He understands concepts, he understands schemes, alignments, all the little things a lot of receivers overlook. He’s a student of the game and it’s going to be a really big help, especially for these young guys to have him around.”
Benson rejoins Bengals

Bengals running back Cedric Benson was activated to the 53-man roster after serving a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy.

The suspension, which was reduced from its original three games, was a result of two assault charges Benson has faced the past two years that have since been settled.

The Bengals waived cornerback Morgan Trent to make room for Benson on the roster.