Bengals definitely using Franchise Tag

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 14, 2008 2:13 PM EST in Contracts

Well, the Bengals are going to use their franchise tag. Not sure who. They just want to use it so they're going to use it. Front runners are Justin Smith, Madieu Williams and Stacy Andrews. Andrews has started 17 games. In his career. Start 17 games and you're instantly promoted as franchise player? I don't see it. So let's eliminate him now. And with the stability in the secondary, what need is there to tag Madieu Williams. That's just more money added to a unit that's developing a good foundation.

That, once again, leaves Justin Smith.

Lewis nearly confirms it by saying the team needs pass rushers. "(Pass) rushers on defense, that has to be a priority," Lewis said. "You have to be able to affect the football game by knocking the quarterback around."

Though I think it's a bit ironic the team would tag Smith because they need pass rushers. Could it be an attempt to prevent the Steelers from going after Smith? Could the same logic be for Madieu Williams?

All we know is that the Bengals are definitely going to use their franchise tag.

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Madieu

Following up on the comment that I posted a couple days ago, I actually think it makes some sense to franchise Madieu Williams. Maybe it's because I can't accept that we'd be stupid to franchise Justin Smith again and am rooting for this alternative rather than J. Smith. If we did franchise Madieu Williams, it would only cost $4.4 million/year...not the $7.5 for Stacy or over $8.8 that it would cost for Justin. It would also enable the following:

(1) For Chinedum and Marvin to develop another year. While they did look good last year, they are still very young and we should have a veteran safety.

(2) To cut Dexter Jackson and save $1.25 million.

by mp45242 on Feb 14, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions

Williams

I agree that tagging Williams makes the most sense, for the above reasons. Additionally, Bengals.com constantly touts his nickel cover skills, and if this is true, the we can cut Detha in addition to Dexter.

Tagging Smith would be most idiotic move the Bengals have made in a while. That would be $18 guaranteed for 2 years. That's more than Omenyiora got (15 mil guaranteed)

by Smigelskas on Feb 14, 2008 7:30 PM EST up reply actions

RE: Williams

Yea, but I can't see the team going after Williams if they're forced to tag him because of monetary differences.

I suppose I question why use the tag at all. We're going to use it, but we're just not sure who. Just seems weird. Or pressed.

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 14, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions

smith tag

And it would cost more than 10 mil to tag Justin, so I just don't see that happening. I think it will be Madieu. Andrews is definitely worth something to the team, but given his number of starts and the fact that he would play behind Anderson, I don't see them using the tag on him either.

by Jengal on Feb 14, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions