Tag: Leon Hall

      Leon Hall chats with The Scores Report

      December 15, 2009 /

      The Bengals have been one of the best surprises of 2009, partly because quarterback Carson Palmer is healthy again and Cedric Benson has rejuvenated the team’s running game. But some would argue that the key reason the Bengals are on the verge of winning the AFC North has been the outstanding play of their young defense. Cornerback Leon Hall has emerged as the team’s most consistent defensive back over the years and is turning in a solid 2009 season. Through 13 games, Hall has racked up 53 total tackles, five interceptions and one defensive touchdown. He recently sat down with The Scores Report to talk about the key to the Bengals’ defensive success, what it’s like being in the same locker room as Chad Ochocinco and more.

      The Scores Report: Your defense has been maturing as a group for the past couple of seasons now. What has been the biggest difference in the Bengals’ defense going from an improving unit to one of the best in the league?

      Leon Hall: Mike Zimmer. He really came to Cincinnati with an attitude that if a team gets any yards on us, they’re going to have to earn it. Every week we work hard to do that on Sundays.

      TSR: You have become Cincinnati’s most reliable defensive back the past two seasons. How vital is it for players to gain playing experience in their rookie season like you did?

      LH: It’s real important. I think it helps you get used to the speed that things come at you, real early in your career.

      TSR: Besides winning of course, what’s the one thing the Bengals have to do in order to reach the Super Bowl?

      LH: Prepare well each week, playing great defense and giving the ball back to our offense so they can score.

      TSR: Do you feel as though you’re playing at a Pro Bowl level at this point in your career or do you feel as though you’re still growing as a player?

      LH: I think I am always going to grow as a player. With every year of experience you gain more knowledge and ultimately keep getting better with hard work. As far as Pro Bowl, I’m not really concerned. I just try to perform great week in and week out.

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      Interviews, NFL

      2009 AFC North Champion…Bengals?

      November 8, 2009 /

      With their impressive 17-7 win over the Ravens on Sunday, the Bengals have set themselves up to win the AFC North.

      Yeah, yeah I know – the Steelers have yet to play this week and they could have an identical record as Cincinnati if they win Monday night in Denver. They also host the Bengals next week.

      But don’t forget that Cincy has already beaten Pittsburgh once this year and the Steelers will be coming off a short week of rest after playing what should be a very physical game against the Broncos. Plus, after playing in Pittsburgh next week, the Bengals take on well-known powerhouses in the Raiders, Browns and Lions, and also have the Chiefs in Week 16. If they can beat the Steelers next week, they’re set up for an 11 or 12-win season.

      The Bengals owe most of their success to Cedric Benson and an underrated defense. Benson rushed 34 times for 117 yards and a touchdown in the win over Baltimore and is now on pace for 1,674 yards and 12 scores. He has really found himself in Cincinnati after stealing paychecks in Chicago.

      The defense has been exceptional as well. To hold a potent Baltimore offense to only seven points is quite an accomplishment and the job Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall did on the Ravens’ receivers was outstanding. Joe Flacco had no one to throw to because his receivers couldn’t get open and he wound up throwing two interceptions. All in all, it was an impressive performance by a Bengals team that has its sights on a division title.

      On the other side, this was a punch to the gut for the Ravens, who thought they had ironed out some issues with their win over the Broncos last Sunday. But they ran into a well-rested, well-prepared Cincinnati team that clearly has their number this season.

      NFL

      Bengals’ Hall arrested and charged with DUI

      April 9, 2009 /

      Fearing that his team’s bad reputation would be questioned if they didn’t have another legal issue again soon, Bengals’ cornerback Leon Hall was arrested and charged with driving under the influence while traveling in Ohio on Sunday.

      Leon HallThe Ohio State Patrol said Hall’s blood-alcohol level was .149, nearly twice the legal limit. Hall was charged with driving under the influence and driving left of center.

      “You would think they would get someone to drive them with the cash they got. Why not?” witness Brian Rogers said.

      Neither the team nor Hall have commented about the issue, but fans are already chiming in.

      “It’s unbelievable how people can keep getting in trouble there — it really, it blows my mind,” Brett Mentzel said.

      This news comes just one day after the Bengals signed defensive tackle Tank Johnson, so it’s clear that the team is committed to having plenty of off field incidents in 2009.

      NFL

      Bengals’ secondary improving, but safety is still an issue

      August 24, 2008 /

      In the weeks leading up to the kickoff the 2008 NFL Season, I’ll take a look at position groups that could potentially lift teams to new heights, or bury them and their postseason hopes. Today I take a look at how the Cincinnati Bengals have re-built their secondary through the draft, although the safety position still looks like a potential weakness.

      It’s no secret the strength of the Cincinnati Bengals resides on offense. With Carson Palmer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson running the show offensively, the Bengals haven’t had an issue lighting up the scoreboard over the past three seasons. It’s keeping opponents from light up the scoreboard that’s been the problem in Cincinnati.

      The Bengals have made a collective effort to improve their defense in the past three drafts, using their last three first round picks on that side of the ball. In 2006, Cincy selected South Carolina corner Jonathan Joseph with their first round pick and in 2007 the Bengals took another defensive back with their first pick in Michigan’s Leon Hall. This past draft, the team tabbed USC outside linebacker Keith Rivers in the first round.

      But back to the secondary.

      Outside of being suspended one game for violating the league’s substance abuse policy in October, Joseph took considerable steps in his development in only his second year. After recording 58 tackles and no interceptions as a rookie in 2006, Joseph totaled 62 stops and four picks last year.

      Hall proved many draft pundits wrong after snagging five interceptions, a forced fumble and 69 tackles as a rookie last season. Several so-called experts made claims that Hall was overrated and would get exposed by NFL receivers, but he more than held his own and was one of the best first round picks in 2007.

      While Joseph and Hall are developing into a nice tandem at corerback, the Bengals’ safety position is a weakness. The team lost veteran safety Madieu Williams to free agency in the offseason and while he under performed last year, he was still a productive player and a solid starter. Set to replace Williams is Marvin White, a 2007 fourth round pick who lacks experience and top end speed. But he made plenty of plays collegially at TCU and the team hopes that playmaking ability will transfer to the NFL.

      Youngster Chinedum Ndukwe was giving veteran Dexter Jackson all he could handle for the Bengals’ starter at strong safety, but a knee injury has sidelined Ndukwe and it appears Jackson’s job is safe for now. While Jackson has starting experience, he’s limited in coverage, which could spell trouble with White still trying to learn the free safety position.

      Depending on how the safeties perform this year, the Bengals could have one of the better young defensive backfields in the league. But another potential issue is that the front seven isn’t expected to produce much of a pass rush. And it won’t matter how good this young secondary is if the quarterback has all day to throw.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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