Former Cincinnati Bengals players keep throwing out what could’ve been reminders to fans while shining with other teams this season.
During the Bengals’ Week 10 bye, the reminder was especially potent when the NFL Berlin game unfolded during the early morning on the East Coast.
While the 3-6 Bengals sat out, Jessie Bates’ Atlanta Falcons clashed with Germaine Pratt’s Indianapolis Colts, with the Colts winning, 31-25.
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There, Bates forced an early fumble and Pratt later recovered one for his Colts. Bates finished with nine total tackles, second on the Falcons, plus two passes defended. Pratt had seven total tackles, tied for second on the Colts, with a pass defended, too.
Bates has quickly turned out to be one of the biggest what ifs? in Bengals history. He went on to All-Pro status in Atlanta after Cincinnati didn’t pay up to keep him. Meanwhile, Lou Anarumo’s scheme tanked and he eventually got fired.
Pratt was cut last offseason and initially landed in Las Vegas before getting cut there and signing on with Anarumo and the Colts. He’s consistently led the team in tackles and made plays there since, pointing a serious question mark at Al Golden and the Bengals for undergoing a youth movement that also resulted in Logan Wilson leaving town.
Maybe it was just time for the Bengals to blow up the defense. But the current rebuilding unit is on pace to be one of the worst of all time, while the big names of the past are still very much presently making impactful plays.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Former Bengals keep shining, this time in primetime during CIN bye
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
