Geno Atkins, the Bengals' former three-technique who led all NFL defensive tackles with 75.5 sacks in the decade of the 2010s, appeared on his first Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot Wednesday.
That's when he also received his first official endorsement for Canton, and it came from his first defensive coordinator and 30-year NFL coaching veteran Mike Zimmer after a career Atkins opened the way for smaller, quicker defensive tackles to terrorize the modern passing game.
"Talk about guys who not only changed the game, but changed the way the game is played," Zimmer said. "I think he was like a pioneer as far as allowing these undersized defensive tackles to be able to (impact the game). But besides that, he was a great player."
The Hall announced its preliminary list of 128 modern era candidates, and Atkins is in a field of first-time eligibles that includes wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Drew Brees.
He's also on a list of former Bengals that includes four-time finalist Willie Anderson, the NFL's best turn-of-the-century right tackle. Anderson, in the second year of retirement when Atkins was a rookie in 2010, is guaranteed a fifth spot in the finals because he was a top-seven finisher last year.
Other Bengals on the list are Chad Johnson, the first 21st century wide receiver to lead his conference in yards four straight seasons; running back Corey Dillon, author of two of the NFL's 14 biggest rushing games; and Takeo Spikes, one of only three linebackers to have at least 1,400 tackles, 29 sacks and 19 interceptions during the span of his career from 1998-2012.
The 50-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee, of which Bengals.com is a member, reduces the list to 25 semifinalists later this fall. Another vote creates the list of 15 finalists discussed at the annual selection meeting ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Three, four or five modern-era players can make it. But they must get 80% of the vote, or at least be in the top three, and they'll join the other winners in the seniors and contributors categories to form the class of 2026.
Anderson came agonizingly close last year with his top-seven finish, and this year's shot comes with another ex-Bengal in the fray. Atkins offers a first-year resume as glittering in places as those offered by first-time eligibles and overwhelming favorites Fitzgerald and Brees.
Every defensive tackle but one who has gone to eight Pro Bowls like Atkins is in the Hall. The only one who isn't is Aaron Donald, and he'll go in when he's eligible in 2029.
Donald, who should have been the MVP of the Rams' Super Bowl win over the Bengals, is a big part of Atkins' legacy. Zimmer agrees with the notion that Atkins' dominance despite his size helped influence the Rams in taking the 6-1, 280-pound Donald with the 13th pick in the 2014 draft.
"I think he probably was, honestly," Zimmer said. "He was a great player, too. But Geno proved a guy with his stature can be a great player in the NFL.
"He reminded me a lot of Aaron Donald. Because of their stature, and he had great strength, great quickness, and speed. We were real fortunate to have him when I was there…. There weren't that many (short) guys back then. La'Roi Glover was a really good player. But Geno had a lot more power than those guys. We took Geno in the fourth round, and Donald's measurables wouldn't have taking him in the fourth round."
Zimmer's scouting report: "Geno had all the tools. Strength, speed, and quickness. He was smart. The only thing he didn't have was height. Terrific pass rusher. He'd get guys moving side-to-side, then power up and power rush, and then get them off to the side. Great team guy as well. He was always a good person in the locker room. Always ready on the field. One of the best."
Zimmer has to laugh about a moment from what he believes came from one of Atkins' early spring camps. Probably 2012, when first-round pick Kevin Zeitler, who has since become an estimable long-time vet guard, first met him in drills.
"Zeitler didn't touch him. Couldn't touch him," Zimmer said.
Atkins already has his hands on the Hall with a spot on its 2010s All-Decade team. The selection committee chose 55 players from a group who received at least one selection to a Pro Bowl, Associated Press All-Pro team, or Pro Football Writers Association all-conference team during those 10 seasons.
