DiManche and Flowers Suggest They’re Bengals

Linebackers Jayson DiManche and Marquis Flowers have suggested via social media that they’ve made the Bengals final 53-man roster.

DiManche spent the the 2013 season with the Bengals after being signed as yet another UDFA linebacker; a trend for the Bengals in recent years. DiManche made some nice plays on defense but was an important piece on the Bengals special teams unit; he finished with the second most special teams tackles on the team. It is this ability that probably earned DiManche his roster spot yet again this year. He continues to develop as a linebacker, but possesses great pass rushing ability. If he can earn some time playing defense, he could offer the Bengals a pass-rushing ability they’ve lacked in recent years from their linebacking position. It’s good to see DiManche back with the team after earning his spot in 2013 as a long shot.

Marquis Flowers was selected by the Bengals in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Like fellow linebacker Emmanuel Lamur, he’s a former college safety who transitioned to linebacker. Flowers offers great speed and coverage ability while possessing a tenacity that resembles that of Vontaze Burfict. The team will look for Flowers to bulk up while keeping his speed; the way Lamur did in his first year. With Rey Maualuga in a contract year, it’s conceivable that one (if not both) of these players could become a quality cog in the defense either this year or next.

If these two decisions prove to be true, it spells the end for linebacker Sean Porter. After being picked in the fourth round of last year’s draft, Porter has struggled to get healthy. Porter could be resigned to the practice squad (a likely possibility) if he clears waivers.