Tag: Germaine Pratt

Lou Anarumo says Germaine Pratt-Joseph Ossai mishap proof of Bengals culture

Lou Anarumo speaks on that infamous viral moment when Germaine Pratt yelled at Joseph Ossai after the AFC title game.

Last postseason after the AFC championship, Cincinnati Bengals Germaine Pratt went viral in about as bad of a way possible as cameras caught him questioning the now-infamous roughing-the-passer penalty by Joseph Ossai on Patrick Mahomes.

That now-infamous mishap from Pratt quickly became an afterthought though, as most could understand it was a heat-of-the-moment outburst and Pratt quickly made that clear the next day during interviews.

Fast forward to now, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo says he actually used that moment as a good example of the culture he can build while interviewing for head coaching jobs elsewhere.

“The next day in the locker room,” Anarumo told Peter Schrager. “Germaine is basically crying, saying you know, it’s my fault, I was, you know, I shouldn’t have said what I said. Joe is one of the reasons we got to this point. Just squashed it immediately. I didn’t have to say nothing to him. Zac didn’t have to say anything to him.”

More importantly, Anarumo says the whole saga is a good example of how far the Bengals have come together over the last five or so years.

The whole clip is worth a watch, given how impressive it is that the unfortunate moment caught on camera managed to bring the Bengals closer together.

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Bengals feel Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt combine for one of NFL’s best

The Bengals think they have one of the best LB tandems in the NFL.

The Cincinnati Bengals have the heart of the linebacker unit locked up for the long-term in the wake of Logan Wilson’s extension.

After signing Wilson to that extension and re-upping with Germaine Pratt in free agency, the Bengals feel the two make up what is one of the league’s best units.

Just ask defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

“I feel like we have one of the best tandems at linebacker in the league and now to be able to keep Logan for an extended amount of time,” Anarumo said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Leadership to start, they know the system inside and out, both Germaine and Logan are forward thinkers when it comes to game day problem solving all that stuff. So you have great football conversations with them. They’re literally you know, the old cliche of coaches on the field, there’s two of them there. So they can really affect the game in so many ways.”

Pratt came into his own in coverage and otherwise over the last two seasons and it spoke volumes when most outsiders thought he might leave, only for him to be back while names like Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell departed.

Wilson always seemed like an extension candidate, but not necessarily before the likes of Tee Higgins or Joe Burrow. Just goes to show how the team feels about the guy who might’ve won a Super Bowl MVP had that game against the Rams gone differently.

For now, Pratt is under contract through 2025 and Wilson 2027. That’s the sturdy foundation from which the Bengals will re-mold the rest of the unit over the next few years.

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Bengals’ Germaine Pratt hailed as one of NFL’s best LBs

Bengals’ Germaine Pratt gets some serious love in a new ranking.

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The Cincinnati Bengals managing to re-sign Germaine Pratt in free agency was one of the more pleasant surprises about the team’s offseason approach.

It was also one of the most important.

Pratt has continued to blossom as a pro and develop his all-around game. So much so, he’s now been named one of the 11 best linebackers in the NFL, courtesy of rankings from Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar:

In tandem with Logan Wilson, Pratt makes up the league’s best linebacker tandem you’re not talking about enough. 2022 was Pratt’s best professional season to date, as he totaled a sack, eight quarterback pressures, 77 solo tackles, 41 stops, and 43 catches on 60 targets for 408 yards, 277 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 76.2.

Pratt technically comes in ninth, but it’s a boon for the Bengals regardless considering the rankings take into account consistency against the run, blitzing from multiple gaps and pass coverage.

As fans know all too well from that drought-ending interception against the Raiders two postseasons ago, Pratt continues to evolve as a pass defender, to the point that on a list like this, it’s Logan Wilson settling as an honorable mention.

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The NFL’s 11 best linebackers

From Fred Warner to Frankie Luvu, it’s time to talk linebackers with Doug Farrar’s list of the 11 best in the NFL today.

The days of the base defense with three linebackers on the field are most definitely over. Last season, defenses played nickel (five defensive backs) on 12,630 opponent passing attempts. Defenses played dime (six defensive backs) on 2,715 opponent dropbacks. With just 3,206 opponent dropbacks against four defensive backs last season, base defense is no longer base defense — nickel is the new base, and has been for some time.

With that in mind, it’s also clear that the requirements for NFL linebackers have changed. Running backs motioning out of the backfield, and the advent of the 3×1 formation, have altered team needs at the position. The old-school forward-motion run-stopper is of limited use at best, unless he can also cover from the flat to the seam, and blitz everywhere from the second level to various gaps at the line of scrimmage.

It’s a new day for linebackers, and as such, we’re seeing different types of players define the position. Now, you need to be built like a safety while still hitting like a 250-pound middle linebacker from the 1970s. It’s not an easy gig, and that’s one reason for the supposed “devaluation” of the position. Linebackers are rarely thought to be the personifications of their defenses as they were in previous eras. Now, it’s mostly about cornerbacks and edge-rushers. If you want to stand out in the public eye like Dick Butkus or Jack Lambert… well, good luck with that.

Still, it’s an important position, and as the goalposts have moved, players have redefined themselves to bend with the times. Thus, the 11 players you’ll see on this list.

The criteria to make the list of the 11 best linebackers in the game today represented a focus on a multi-faceted approach to the game.

  • Beating blocks and getting through run fits on a consistent basis is crucial. If you can’t stop the run well, it’s going to be tough to get anywhere near this listicle.
  • Pass coverage is also crucial. Can you be a true half-field defender at linebacker depth and beyond? Can you work responsibilities from the flat to the middle of the field?
  • Finally, the ability to blitz effectively from multiple gaps is a must.

And now, here are the 11 best linebackers in the NFL today. You can also read our previous position lists; they’re all headed in the same direction: To our list of the 101 best players overall heading into the 2023 NFL season.

The NFL’s top 11 slot defenders
The NFL’s top 11 cornerbacks
The NFL’s top 11 safeties

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated). 

Germaine Pratt named Bengals’ Secret Superstar

More love for Bengals LB Germaine Pratt.

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Linebacker Germaine Pratt continues to stand as one of the most underrated players on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pratt has received some love in this regard already this offseason after his re-signing with the team.

And now there’s a little more love for Pratt, with Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire naming him the team’s “secret superstar” this offseason:

The Bengals took Pratt in the third round of the 2019 draft out of North Carolina State, and since then, he’s earned a bit of a (though not enough of a) name as one of the NFL’s best linebackers. Certainly in tandem with Logan Wilson, Pratt makes up the league’s best linebacker tandem you’re not talking about enough. 2022 was Pratt’s best professional season to date, as he totaled a sack, eight quarterback pressures, 77 solo tackles, 41 stops, and 43 catches on 60 targets for 408 yards, 277 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 76.2.

Pratt’s quick ascension as a capable player in coverage is part of the reason the team made him a priority in free agency. And his return was certainly a surprise given most onlookers thought the team would try to prioritize names such as Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell, if possible.

Instead, Pratt returns and, alongside the similarly underrated Logan Wilson, will help head up one of the more slept-on linebacker units in the NFL.

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The NFL’s All-Underrated Team: One Secret Superstar for all 32 teams

From Matt Milano to Denico Autry to Tyler Lockett to Tony Pollard, here are the NFL’s most underrated players by team.

Why are great players underrated in any sport?

There are all kinds of reasons. In football, it could be that the guy playing your position is even better than you are, and he’s been doing it longer. Maybe we only have the attention span for one great player at your position Maybe you’re on a team that doesn’t get much national praise, or you’re part of a unit that… well, stinks… and you’re one of the few bright spots. Or, you’re just getting started on the ascent, and the world hasn’t quite caught up yet.

No matter the reason, there are many NFL players who ply their trade at an exceedingly high level, and they’re not given their proper due. Here, we look to rectify this in 32 individual instances with the most underrated player for every NFL team. Some of these guys have been doing it the right way in the shade for a long time for their teams; a few are new in their uniforms.

No matter why, all 32 of these NFL players deserve more love than they get, and here’s why. Here is every NFL team’s most underrated player.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated). 

Bengals LBs Germaine Pratt, Logan Wilson land in PFF’s Tier 5 ranking

Bengals LBs Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson with some interesting spots in new rankings.

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The Cincinnati Bengals have big plans for the core pieces of the linebacker unit in the coming years.

Cincinnati already extended Germaine Pratt this offseason after his brief stint to free agency, bringing back a player who dramatically improved in coverage and continues to progress across the board.

The Bengals aren’t forgetting about the need to get Logan Wilson extended either, given his own development and importance to the defense.

Even so, the Bengals duo didn’t fair too hot in leaguewide linebacker rankings from Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema. Both slot in “Tier 5” at 20th or worse in a tier described as talented but inconsistent.

The writeup said the following about Pratt:

Pratt graded out well on the surface level but actually finished the season with more negatively graded plays than positive ones. Still, it was a step in the right direction for him, going from a 46.1 coverage grade in 2021 to an 89.5 grade this past season.

The Bengals can’t complain too much about the slotting though, with Lou Anarumo’s defense really known for its stellar play along the defensive line and at spots in the secondary lately.

For Pratt and Wilson especially, it’s just another mark in the underdog-vibe column. Provided they keep fitting what Anarumo’s defense needs so well, all involved won’t mind what any sort of rankings say.

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Bengals LB Germaine Pratt tabbed as team’s most underrated player

Bengals LB Germaine Pratt gets some love.

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It was a mild surprise when the Cincinnati Bengals were able to re-sign linebacker Germaine Pratt in free agency.

After all, Pratt seemed like one of the least-likely names to re-up with the team compared to some of the other free agents. Funnily enough, it was Pratt and not Vonn Bell, Hayden Hurst and Samaje Perine who stuck with the team.

Pratt’s years of service while steadily improving speak well enough to why the Bengals wanted him back. But some outside analysis provides a fun perspective too.

Pro Football Focus’ William Moy, for example, listed the most underrated player on each team in the NFL and Pratt was the pick:

“Out of 54 linebackers who saw at least 600 snaps last season, Pratt ranked 11th in terms of overall grade. Pratt especially excelled in coverage, where his 87.3 grade ranked third among linebackers and the 71.7 percent completion percentage he allowed into his coverage ranked sixth-best.”

That uptick in coverage ability is a big part of Pratt’s progression as a player, making him a complete package who can stay in on most downs.

For the Bengals, it’s a good problem to have, as they have now paid Pratt and will likely want to do the same with Logan Wilson as soon as this summer, too.

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Germaine Pratt says Joe Burrow played big role in Bengals return

Germaine Pratt said “why leave?” after looking at the QB situation.

One day after Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt agreed to return to the team in free agency and dropped some epic reasoning for his decision, he arrived for the contract signing and offered one more critical reason.

Joe Burrow.

Pratt wants loyalty and to win games. He’s got the former with the team that drafted him and gave him a nice extension and the latter with a top-five passer.

“I’ve got a top five quarterback in the league. Why leave?” Pratt said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “It’s huge for you to be around a quarterback that can lead us. (Burrow) led me from dark days. The first two years was terrible without Joe. He gave that bright light in the tunnel, so I want to ride this wave as long as I can.”

Pratt said he’s not worried about Burrow’s inevitable extension and offered other examples: “The guys are always talking about how they want to be around a quarterback, they want to win. You see Davante Adams wanting his A-Rod to come to Las Vegas for him to win.”

It’s noteworthy to hear Pratt mention he’s been through it all in Cincinnati. The pre-Burrow days weren’t so hot. He’s seen firsthand how things can change. While another team might have offered him more cash, his new team could have been a dramatic step back in the quarterback area.

Just look at Vonn Bell, headed to Carolina, where the Panthers have the first overall pick. Or Jessie Bates, who goes to an Atlanta Falcons team with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.

Pratt said no thanks to all that and fans can indeed call it the Burrow effect at work.

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Germaine Pratt’s Bengals contract details revealed and what it means

Here’s the new deal for Germaine Pratt and the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals and linebacker Germaine Pratt shocked most onlookers on Monday as free agency technically got started by agreeing to a three-year deal.

Pratt seemed like an obvious departure from the Bengals on the chance he could make more money elsewhere while potentially seeing more snaps, too.

And yet when the dust settled on Day 1, Pratt agreed to come back and gave an amazing reason for doing so. 

Initially reported as a three-year deal worth $21 million, Over The Cap has the full official breakdown and it’s pretty interesting.

Pratt gets roughly $10 million in Year 1 with $7 million fully guaranteed. In a shift from how the Bengals usually do business, Pratt’s 2023 cap hit ($5.4 million) is cheaper than his final year (2025, $7.9 million).

Meaning, the Bengals pushed the bigger cap hits to the back of the contract. They usually go the other direction, but this might be a sign they want to fit absolutely as much as possible onto the roster this year while pushing for another Super Bowl.

These aren’t substantial numbers, but it’s a small sign the team is willing to do things differently to compete. Plus, it’s a nice contract for Pratt and a great value for a team as the linebacker position turned out a bunch of bargains on this year’s market.

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