Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart's monster debut hints at breakout

Cincinnati Bengals rookie edge Shemar Stewart showed flashes in his first official NFL game. Stewart played about half of the defensive snaps, 37 in total. He recorded three quarterback pressures, according to NFL Pro and Pro Football Focus.

Stewart didn't record any tackles or sacks, but did have moments of affecting the backfield and showcasing his power. The highlight there came early in the second quarter. The Browns had fist-and-goal from the four. Stewart is lined up in a 4i-technique (inside shade of the tackle) as the Bengals showed a tite front near the goal line. Stewart is able to get his hands inside of Browns left tackle Dawand Jones, grab control and completely toss him aside. He didn't make the tackle, but he helped open a hole for linebacker Logan Wilson to fly through and make the tackle.

Of note, Shewart is 6'6, 290 pounds. Jones is 6'8, 375 pounds. Talk about strength.

Strength and power is how Stewart made his pressures Sunday. He almost becomes an offensive lineman with how he was able to drive right tackle Cornelius Lucas towards quarterback Joe Flacco, particularly on his first pressure early in the third quarter.

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On a 2nd-and-15 from the Bengals 35, Stewart gets upfield after the snap, then turns and starts powering Lucas back, getting explosion from his hips to generate movement. Stewart couldn't get the sack before Flacco got rid of the football, but he did help force a checkdown for Flacco.

Stewart also held his own against the run but needs to continue working on getting off blocks against NFL linemen. There were times he got knocked around and turned around by double teams.

A positive play came just two plays after he tossed Jones aside. The Browns brought in backup center Luke Wypler as an extra lineman and lined up right as a tight end to the right. Stewart was head up on him (6 technique). Stewart didn't allow Wypler to gain any ground, which gave the rest of the defense enough time to crash where running back Raheim Sanders was heading on the right side of the formation.

However, on the next play, which was 4th-and-goal from the one, the Browns went back to Sanders and ran right at Stewart. Unable to get off his block from Teven Jenkins, Stewart wasn't able to make the stop and Sanders scored. The extra point tied the game, 7-7.

Overall, Stewart had a fine debut. Nothing spectacular. A good foundation to build on but certainly stuff to clean up. He gets a B for his debut. Some good moments, including the highlight toss. As long as he continues to develop against the run and starts finishing more sacks, he'll be just fine.

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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart's monster debut hints at breakout