As for who else the Bengals are overrating, Sports Illustrated believes nose tackle Domata Peko is also one of the league's most overrated players by their teams. Peko has been the Bengals' full-time starter while annually being paid like he's an upper-echelon lineman.

 

If you follow Pro Football Focus, they really don't like Peko, to be blunt. He was their 80th ranked DT in 2014 (out of 81 eligible NTs), their 66th ranked DT in 2013 (out of 69), their 70th ranked DT in 2012 (out of 85), and their 72nd ranked DT in 2011 (out of 88).

 

Simply put, Peko hasn't been someone who should be playing 700+ snaps on an annual basis, while also making upward of $5 million every year. That's why he too made SI's All-Overrated Team:

 

Peko was one of the NFL's most underrated defensive tackles for a long time, but the tide has sadly turned for the veteran. He had just one sack in 2014, and his run defense has been declining pretty steadily over the last few seasons. Perhaps the addition of a healthier Geno Atkins to that line can take some of the pressure away.

 

SI NFL All-Overrated Team: Bengals overrating Andy Dalton, Domata Peko, Michael Johnson - Cincy Jungle

Peko is one of my favorite Bengals but I absolutely agree he is being paid way way way more than what he is worth. I know he is a great presence in the locker room and all but Peko is a Vet minimum guy now or he should be cut. No way the Bengals should even be paying half of 5 Million for his services.

The guy gets more mileage out of his hairdo than Troy P ever did.

Peko is one of my favorite Bengals but I absolutely agree he is being paid way way way more than what he is worth. I know he is a great presence in the locker room and all but Peko is a Vet minimum guy now or he should be cut. No way the Bengals should even be paying half of 5 Million for his services.

 

I agree with you all the way around. I actually could see Peko being a surprise cut at the end of training camp.

I agree with you all the way around. I actually could see Peko being a surprise cut at the end of training camp.

 

I hate to say it because Peko is a great person. However I do hope he gets cut, because I feel like they have some young talent at DT and I don't want to see a talented player get cut to keep someone who is over paid.

I agree with you all the way around. I actually could see Peko being a surprise cut at the end of training camp.

 

I hate to say it because Peko is a great person. However I do hope he gets cut, because I feel like they have some young talent at DT and I don't want to see a talented player get cut to keep someone who is over paid.

 

I wonder if how Mike Brown does business could play into Peko staying or leaving. In other words, Mike Brown agreed to a contract so will he honor the entire contract unless Peko gets cut? However, if Peko was willing to take Vet Minimum and stay on as the #4 DT would there be a conflict because then Brown isn't honoring the contract so to speak?

I've said this about Peko for 3 years now. He is way overrated.

 

He's a great locker room guy, he's a locker room leader. That doesn't equate to him being a great player. He gets pushed off the line 90% of the time and on pass plays he gets close to zero penetration. I still say they should have kept Simms when they chose to let him go and should have let Simms start in front of Peko.

I wonder if how Mike Brown does business could play into Peko staying or leaving. In other words, Mike Brown agreed to a contract so will he honor the entire contract unless Peko gets cut? However, if Peko was willing to take Vet Minimum and stay on as the #4 DT would there be a conflict because then Brown isn't honoring the contract so to speak?

What would Brown's history reflect?

 

He is under no obligation to keep Peko.

Peko is better as a FB than a DT.

when I think of Peko, I think of the play from Michigan State more so than I do of anything he has ever done for the Bengals.

 

70+ yard fumble recovery for a TD vs. Michigan, I believe.

Peko is one of my favorite Bengals but I absolutely agree he is being paid way way way more than what he is worth. I know he is a great presence in the locker room and all but Peko is a Vet minimum guy now or he should be cut. No way the Bengals should even be paying half of 5 Million for his services.

 

And there you have it. He's a crowd favorite.

I'd like to see more of big Pat Sims in the middle. Peko seemed like a finesse guy. Sims is all power. Defensive lineman should be nasty.

What would Brown's history reflect?

 

He is under no obligation to keep Peko.

 

I don't know which is why I am asking. In short the only way I believe the Bengals should be keeping Peko is as a #4 DT at the Vet Minimum. Anything else is a poor business decision which doesn't make sense to me but making this kind of business decision runs contrary to what I believe is Mike Brown's way of doing business by honoring a contract.

 

I don't know, anyone?

I don't know which is why I am asking. In short the only way I believe the Bengals should be keeping Peko is as a #4 DT at the Vet Minimum. Anything else is a poor business decision which doesn't make sense to me but making this kind of business decision runs contrary to what I believe is Mike Brown's way of doing business by honoring a contract.

 

I don't know, anyone?

 

Peko should be cut, however he probably wont be because of the reasons you stated. Mike Brown will honor the contract. Just like Mike Brown should have probably either cut or get Leon hall to restructure his contract because he is being paid close to 10 million to be the teams 3rd corner and or possibly 4th corner by the end of the year while also backing up safety. It made no sense paying Leon this much still. However Mike Brown does honor the contracts, and if Leon Hall is any example. Then that shows Peko probably isn't going anywhere.

I've said this about Peko for 3 years now. He is way overrated.

 

He's a great locker room guy, he's a locker room leader. That doesn't equate to him being a great player. He gets pushed off the line 90% of the time and on pass plays he gets close to zero penetration. I still say they should have kept Simms when they chose to let him go and should have let Simms start in front of Peko.

 

The good news there is Pat Sims is back on the team so the Bengals get another shot at keeping him instead of Peko.