The Cincinnati Bengals signed former Buffalo Bills linebacker Preston Brown in free agency this offseason. He’s enjoying working with veteran linebackers.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed former Buffalo Bills linebacker Preston Brown during this offseason free agency period. Brown, a Cincinnati native, has expressed his excitement this offseason playing for the team he grew up cheering for. He will also help fill the vacant spot that Cincinnati has been trying to fill in the middle of the defense in 2018.
The Buffalo Bills drafted Brown in 2014 and since has played in multiple positions and multiple different schemes. Buffalo has had a revolving door of coaches since Brown was drafted giving him the chance to prove himself at various places along the defense. The Bengals are in need of some versatility as they have displayed that in players they’ve brought in this offseason, and Brown looks to contribute in a big way.
With Cincinnati’s inability to slow down the run game the last few years, Brown will be a massive help to fixing that issue. In each of his four seasons with the Bills, Brown combined for 109 or more tackles. His best abilities are chasing down ball carriers and keeping everything in front of him. He displayed some ability to drop into coverage as well which is another area Cincinnati’s defense has struggled for the last few seasons.
Coming to Cincinnati, Brown will be working with new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as the Bengals change up their scheme on defense. Brown’s sought for veterans like Vontaze Burfict and Vincent Rey to help him learn the new system as quickly as possible and take his game to the next level to prove he belongs on more than just a one-year deal in Cincinnati.
“I definitely get a lot of help from Vinny and Vontaze and Nick, a lot of guys have been in this system multiple years, helping me each and every day,” Brown told the media. “They got great players here already so I’m just learning from them as much as I can.”
Next: Bleacher Report grades Bengals offseason moves
With Burfict facing another four-game suspension to start the season, the Bengals are hoping that the addition of Brown and others like third-round draft pick Malik Jefferson will help fill that void till Burfict is back week five. Cincinnati wants to become more aggressive on defense this season and Brown fits that style in my opinion. I expect a good year for Brown and the Bengals defense.