Nov 10, 2012; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights players huddle before the game against the Army Black Knights at High Point Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

A team can have the greatest talent in the world. You can have the most efficient power hitter in your lineup. You can have the best quarterback in the league. You can have an MVP scorer, or even a world-class forward.

But Joey Votto, Peyton Manning, Carmelo Anthony, and Lionel Messi don’t do it by themselves.  Sure, they improve their team by leaps and bounds, making those around them better in their everyday play. However, without men to get on base, or the guy with six assists, a team isn’t going to succeed on the back of player.

Good chemistry in any sport is perhaps the most underrated aspect of a team.

Many of us have played sports in our lifetime. Speaking from experience, as a second baseman, your job becomes a lot easier when you know you have a shortstop that’s going to cover you on a steal attempt.

As a cornerback, I can tell you it’s quite reassuring to have faith in your coverage over the top from your safety.

And as a goalie, having solid defenders constantly makes my job far more manageable on game day.

A team’s faith in each other resides in every members’ abilities and dedication to win every time they enter the field. Or the court, for that matter.

Nov 25, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) gives a football to a young fan after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE

“Why do I love football?”

Someone asked me this the other day. I started to answer, but closed my mouth. I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I’m using this article to answer that question.

When I think of our country, I think of the American Flag. I think of the National Anthem. And I think of football. I guess that’s a good start.

Football means the chance to come together with fans who support something you do. It means you get to spend Sunday, at times the only free day of the week, doing something you love with friends and family. It means the potato chips and drinks come out of their respective niches in the kitchen, and that the television is turned on all day.

Football means I have a reason to go all-out uniform in support of the team that I root for each game-day. It is the chance to yell without getting in trouble with your neighbors. Mainly because they’re doing the same thing. It’s the excuse for a barbeque on the front lawn, or to tailgate out back.

Football gives the competitive personality something to feast on. It is a sport of hard-hitting, speed, and two teams battling it out for a shot at the postseason. It is the one sport that gives a shot of adrenaline whether you’re watching or playing it.

I don’t know if any of those reasons match up with anyone else, but I think that pretty much sums up my feelings on my favorite sport. All I know is that after the first week of February, something feels a little empty.

We’ve heard it all season long, and we’ve bragged about it, the fact that the Bengals have 6 first round drafted defensive backs.

Our secondary has had its ups and downs (Up: Chiefs, Giants, Down: Ravens, Steelers), but for the most part they have been productive.

But we all know what’s going to happen in the Off season, many of our corners’ contracts are up after this year: Terrence Newman, Adam Jones, and Nate Clements. So my question to you is, If you could only keep one, who would it be?

I may be wrong and Mike Brown may re-sign all of them, but we all know that is highly unlikely. Here’s what they all bring to the Table:

1. Terence Newman: Leads the team in Interceptions, has made some big plays other than that, probably grades out as the teams best corner, still has pretty good speed considering his age. Speaking of age, he’ll be 36 next year, is it possible to stay successful? Only time will tell.

2. Adam Jones: Youngest of the group, huge playmaker on defense and as a returner, vocal and passionate leader, starting to become technically sound which makes him a better player. hasn’t made an interception yet but that comes with the Territory in a Mike Zimmer defense.

3. Nate Clements: Started games at both Corner and Safety, made some plays at both positions, but has also struggled more than any other in my opinion. He hasn’t made the same plays he made last year (forced fumbles, clutch p.b.u’s) He does have one interception however and he is a vocal leader.

There are certainly other factors to put into perspective, they all bring different things to the table, but like I mentioned, Mike Brown certainly won’t keep all 3 of them, possibly 2, but not all 3.

If I had to choose, I would pick Adam Jones, he can return and is a solid cornerback, I think he still has a few good years left.

Newman was a close second, I figure if he’s still this good at 35, he’ll be similar at 36, and maybe he could have a role similar to Charles Woodson or Ronde Barber at their respected ages. No offense to Clements but I think this may be his last year.

So Bengals fans, now it’s up to you! Who would you choose?

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