Tag: Geno Atkins

Sheldon Rankins cites Geno Atkins, shares funny Zac Taylor story

Sheldon Rankins had some interesting words for Zac Taylor.

New Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins arrived with a bang at Paycor Stadium this week after a brief trip to free agency that resulted in him signing with the team.

In fact, Rankins says his first encounter with Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was a hilarious-sounding one.

As Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com tells it, Rankins brought up that whole three-sack game he had against the Bengals last season as his Texans picked up the win:

Rankins says he greeted Bengals head coach Zac Taylor not with, “hello” but with “why the hell (sort of) didn’t you slide to me?”

For some Bengals fans, the performance might’ve been a bit of deja vu in a different jersey. Rankins, after all, went on to reveal that one Geno Atkins inspired the way he plays.

“Geno was part of the inspiration for a lot of my power rushes,” Rankins said, per Hobson. “The way he was able to shock guys and come out clean and then cause a lot of destruction. With him being a shorter guy, I was trying to watch guys with similar body types and movement. Geno, Aaron Donald, Jurrell Casey. I watched those guys always looking to grow my game.”

The Bengals brought on Rankins for this very reason, hoping he can revive the entire line’s pass-rush by wreaking havoc from the middle with and alongside B.J. Hill.

So far, so good for the Rankins era in Cincinnati, it seems.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals-Geno Atkins playoff reunion derailed by injury

The Bengals — like fans — thought about a Geno Atkins reunion.

[mm-video type=video id=01fth2cke2cntx69576f playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fth2cke2cntx69576f/01fth2cke2cntx69576f-72d49600a96b79e1b7978b40d59444b3.jpg]

Right in the middle of the Cincinnati Bengals playoff run, an injury suffered by Larry Ogunjobi had safety Jessie Bates texting defensive tackle Geno Atkins about a reunion. 

And it turns out the team was thinking about reaching out to the modern franchise legend, too.

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com talked about it in a recent column:

“The Bengals love Geno, a first ballot Hall of Famer, and did think about that when Ogunjobi got hurt last month, but Geno has continued to have shoulder issues and doesn’t think he can play until the spring. That is why they pursued and got two veteran defensive tackles who were actively playing in the playoffs in Zach Kerr and Damion Square. The personnel department never sleeps.”

That would explain why Atkins didn’t pop up with a team like the Cowboys despite rumored interest during the regular season.

A reunion would’ve been amazing for fans who watched Atkins’ Cincinnati career, to say the least. His pass-rushing ability from the interior, if fully healthy, would’ve made a difference and if nothing else, it would’ve been sweet to see a beloved member of the team possibly get a ring.

Interestingly, who’s to say the two don’t try again during the offseason when Atkins gets fully healthy?

[listicle id=141733]

Jessie Bates texted Geno Atkins about re-joining Bengals for playoff run

Jessie Bates wants Geno Atkins back on the Bengals for the playoffs.

[mm-video type=video id=01fsj3snrvrhb2qp9av1 playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fsj3snrvrhb2qp9av1/01fsj3snrvrhb2qp9av1-00a06db9d1679b1849a98b8f35394df7.jpg]

The Cincinnati Bengals have a serious problem with injuries at defensive tackle right now ahead of the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

And safety Jessie Bates has the solution — call up modern Bengals great Geno Atkins.

It’s a fan theory that started making the rounds on Saturday night after the team’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Turns out it is not just fans — Bates says he shot Atkins a text about re-joining the team on Saturday night.

So far? No text back from the man known as Geno Sacks.

Here’s ESPN’s Ben Baby capturing the moment on Sunday:

Atkins, a modern franchise great, spent 2010-2020 with the Bengals, appearing in eight games last year. He spent the offseason getting healthy and was declared ready to sign with a new team last July, but never surfaced anywhere.

With Larry Ogunjobi, Renell Wren, Mike Daniels and Josh Tupou dealing with injuries, Atkins returning to provide some depth and pass-rush would not just be a great moment for him and fans — it’d be a big help.

[listicle id=51196]

Seahawks, Geno Atkins have ‘mutual interest’ following free agent visit

Apparently, the visit went well and there is “real mutual interest” on both sides.

It’s been a busy day for the Seahawks front office. So far, they have brought back tight end Luke Willson, released Pierre Desire to make room and pulled off a trade for Texans cornerback John Reid. Fans should not expect signing defensive tackle Geno Atkins to be added to the list. Not yet, anyway.

A few days ago, the former Bengals All-Pro and current free agent visited Seattle. Apparently, the visit went well and there is “real mutual interest” on both sides, according to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network. However, it sounds like Atkins isn’t about to sign right away.

Atkins is 33 years old and has already appeared in 161 regular season games in his career. However, he’s played at a relatively high level for most of that time. He’s been effective rushing the passer and stopping the run, having posted 75.5 sacks, 172 quarterback hits and 100 tackles for a loss.

Along the way, Atkins has earned eight Pro Bowl nods, two All-Pros and was named to the All-2010s team.

Of course Atkins is now past his prime, but he’d still be a welcome addition to a Seahawks defensive line that has interior depth issues. Aside from Poona Ford, there’s not much to like inside. Having Atkins’ former Bengals teammate Carlos Dunlap may be an effective recruiting tool.

[lawrence-related id=74454]

[listicle id=74478]

Geno Atkins has free-agent visit with Seattle Seahawks

Geno Atkins has free-agent visit with #Seahawks:

The Seattle Seahawks will have a free-agent visit with defensive tackle Geno Atkins on Monday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported the scheduled discussions:

Atkins, 33, is fresh off surgery in June. He had a procedure done on his rotator cuff, but Rap Sheet later said that Atkins has since been cleared to return to football activities.

Having spent his entire 11-year career with the Cincinnati Bengals, the former 2010 fourth-round pick had a bit of a down year in 2020. Some point to Atkins’ shoulder injury being the reason why he struggled last season, as he initially was hurt in training camp and played eight games with the injury.

The Bengals placed Atkins on injured reserve in December 2020.

Cincy went on to cut Atkins in March in a move which saved the Bengals $9.5 million against their salary cap.

If Atkins does sign in Seattle, that would reunite him with Carlos Dunlap. The edge defender was also a 2010 draft pick of the Bengals where he played up until last year when he was traded to the Seahawks in October.

[lawrence-related id=74423,74403,74400]

Former Bengals DT Geno Atkins ready to find new team

A Geno Atkins update.

[mm-video type=video id=01f60v7f5de31h3n41fq playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f60v7f5de31h3n41fq/01f60v7f5de31h3n41fq-165c918732918ecdd2b07545b4385657.jpg]

Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins continues to work his way back from the injury that derailed his final season with the team.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Atkins was cleared for football activity in the middle of last month. Now, he’s ready to start taking visits and weighing his next pro destination.

Atkins got his clearance from Dallas Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper, though it’s unclear if he will actually end up signing there to help the defensive rebuild.

Either way, Atkins was never 100 percent last year before suffering an injury just before the season started. If he’s all the way back to his usual self, he can surely provide a boon to some team’s pass-rush from the middle of a line.

That said, the Bengals moved on after cutting him and going after free agents like Larry Ogunjobi.

[listicle id=43685]

5 free agent DT’s that can help fill in for David Onyemata

5 free agent DT’s that can help fill in for David Onyemata

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata shared Friday on Instagram that he has been suspended to start the 2021 NFL season after testing positive for a banned substance. With two of the top three Saints defensive tackles (Malcolm Brown and Sheldon Rankins) leaving the team this offseason, depth along the line was already worryingly thin.

The Saints will likely need to add a tackle to the roster in order to help fill the void Onyemata’s loss will create. Of the seven defensive tackles left on the roster, only one of them was drafted to enter the NFL, and he (practice squad holdover Ryan Glasgow) is also the only one with more than three years’ experience in the league.

An experienced option to hold it all together would be nice, but it’s worth noting everyone still available is either older, returning from injury, or both. Here are five free agent options New Orleans could pursue:

Expert predicts Geno Atkins will sign with Mike Zimmer, Vikings

Could a former Cincinnati Bengals star head to the Minnesota Vikings?

[mm-video type=video id=01f4n3jzm8wds958fmaj playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f4n3jzm8wds958fmaj/01f4n3jzm8wds958fmaj-578ab3025e9ba1f54aa4279e4d338b86.jpg]

At least for now, former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins has had a soft market in free agency.

The Bengals cut the modern franchise legend loose earlier this offseason, though it always seemed like a reunion could be possible at a later date — albeit at a cheaper cost.

But some experts see things playing out differently.

One of those is ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, who predicts Atkins is more likely to go re-up with Mike Zimmer on the Minnesota Vikings via a one-year deal:

“You may see a theme of players reuniting with their former coaches in this piece. Atkins’ breakout years came when Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, and the Vikings head coach could use some pass-rushing help in Minnesota. Atkins was anonymous last year as the Bengals reduced his role in the lineup, but the 33-year-old is only two seasons removed from a 10-sack campaign. Atkins would slot in as an interior rusher on passing downs as part of a rotation with run-stuffer Michael Pierce.”

It’s a safe, understandable projection for Atkins at this stage of his career. No matter where he lands, the interior pass-rusher will need to take a prove-it deal to show last year’s injury-riddled season was an anomaly.

While the Bengals did add to the interior of the defensive line multiple times this offseason, looping Atkins back into the rotation wouldn’t be the worst idea. It would probably be a pretty popular move with fans, too. Atkins’ market figures to heat up around training camp, if not right before the season starts.

[listicle id=42949]

ESPN predicts Geno Atkins lands with Minnesota Vikings in free agency

Do you want the Minnesota Vikings to sign DT Geno Atkins in 2021 free agency?

Part of the reason Mike Zimmer got the head coaching job with the Vikings was because of his prowess as defensive coordinator for the Bengals.

Zimmer had some stout defenses in Cincinnati and defensive tackle Geno Atkins was part of the reason why. Atkins earned his first All-Pro nod under Zimmer.

Now, the defensive lineman is a free agent. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell tabbed Atkins to sign with the Vikings in free agency. Here’s what Barnwell wrote:

“You may see a theme of players reuniting with their former coaches in this piece. Atkins’ breakout years came when Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, and the Vikings head coach could use some pass-rushing help in Minnesota. Atkins was anonymous last year as the Bengals reduced his role in the lineup, but the 33-year-old is only two seasons removed from a 10-sack campaign. Atkins would slot in as an interior rusher on passing downs as part of a rotation with run-stuffer Michael Pierce.”

Comparing Atkins to Dalvin Tomlinson, Atkins might be a better stylistic fit to go with Pierce, but I think the Vikings should be more inclined to look for a defensive end to pair opposite Danielle Hunter at this point. With Melvin Ingram III still a free agent, I think he’d actually be a better fit for the Minnesota defense in 2021.

Bengals are open to a reunion with Geno Atkins

The Cincinnati Bengals say they could re-sign Geno Atkins this offseason.

[mm-video type=video id=01f1jh5wgcnqgaxnpk playlist_id=01eqbw0bft20de1r4d player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f1jh5wgcnqgaxnpk/01f1jh5wgcnqgaxnpk-04f4d3cf7f0a4168b43ea421b7b766c8.jpg]

The door might not be shut on the Geno Atkins era for the Cincinnati Bengals just yet.

Cincinnati cut the modern franchise legend earlier this offseason in a cost-cutting measure after big spending in free agency.

But director of player personnel Duke Tobin told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com that a reunion could always happen:

“Geno is one of the greatest players in franchise history and one of the best defensive tackle of the last decade. He gave us what he had last year … We’ll see if there are things that can be worked out. If it is, great. If not, I think we’ve got other guys that can fill the role.”

Publicly, the Bengals have always sounded like a team that believes Atkins has plenty of good football left but suffered an injury last year before the season even started.

Presumably, the Bengals suggested a reworked deal so that Atkins wasn’t the team’s highest cap hit and nothing worked out for the two sides. Either way, if Atkins has a soft market after the draft and in to training camps next year, he could always end up back where he’s familiar, playing with a revamped unit on a rotational basis.

[listicle id=41799]