Monday links and notes; Benson's stock rising?

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 23, 2009 2:19 PM EST in Analysis

Today is a short one.

Cedric Benson is listed as the third best running back in the market on this site. However, notice that the comment says "Character issues will always be a concern." We touched on this yesterday, with character concerns being a reason that other teams will lower him on their "target" list, giving the Bengals a better shot at re-signing him. I know it sounds goofy, but without those concerns, the Bengals are all but out of the running.

In truth, there's really no reason to believe that anyone knows what exactly will keep T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Cincinnati. Is it really money? Is it the team's culture, or tendency to losing? Perhaps it's money because the team isn't a well-run franchise, and thus are perennial losers, opening the door for an exit.

Daydreaming about Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson being Bears wide receivers.

John Thornton talks defensive tackles.

Carlos Holmes is impressed with Marvin Lewis at the Combine.

Quote of the day goes to James Walker: "If 51 sacks last season and an elbow injury to Carson Palmer doesn't tell Cincinnati to get protection, nothing will."

However, Scott Priestle makes a good point that the Bengals need to find a good balance between the draft and free agency, which could address a majority of our needs.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Tired of Lewis

Im so tired of hearing about TJ and how he doesnt want to be here. Half the people that play for the Bengals don’t want to be here so why is this any different. I worked my ass off to make it to the NFL and then got stuck with the Bengals I would be so mad I wasted my career.

by Diesel2405 on Feb 23, 2009 8:20 PM EST reply actions

If I worked my ass off * I meant

by Diesel2405 on Feb 23, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

I’m sure Marvin Lewis, removed from the sideline and without his record hanging albatross-like around his neck, is quite impressive. So what?

If you don’t want to be here, don’t let the doorknob hit you where the good lord split you. Nothing more, nothing less. Sayonara, you swell-headed, girlie-haired journeyman.

Near as I can tell, outside of maybe Derrick Ward, Bertrand Berry, Angelo Crowell, or Channing Crowder, there aren’t many free agents I’d be interested in. And I’d probably stick with what we’ve already got. Yes, there are OL free agents- centers even, but I don’t think the good ones are likely to actually hit the market.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Feb 23, 2009 11:33 PM EST reply actions

I’d also like to put my vote in for 6’-5", 290lb. DE, Jaron Gilbert out of San Jose State. He can do this:

by IgnatiusJReilly on Feb 24, 2009 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

Free Agency Thoughts

I think that the NFL free agents are overesimating the money they will make this year. You can tell from Baseball’s free agency that in this economy that free agents didn’t get the money they wanted, and the same will go for the NFL. That is why we have seen so many franchise tags this year, the players want more than they are worth but teams refuse to lose them. TJ will get paid, but not as much as he wants.

Benson wil be back because noone else will pay him what the Bengals will. There are too many other guys out there in free agency and 5 potential franchise backs in the draft, plus whatever steals can be found later.

Mark my words, Free agency will be slower this year once TJ and Haynesworth are off the board than previous years have been.

by jim0ijk on Feb 24, 2009 11:41 AM EST reply actions

Free Agency

I think there is the general misconception that players have, an inflated self-worth. This is a problem that plagues free agency and leads to ridiculous contracts. Why do payers and their agents demand so much money? Why are owners willing to pay so much. I think that it comes down to rookie contracts. Owners continue to pay for unproven rookies that fail to make the transition to the NFL. Of course those players might eventually make that change but that is a costly and risky chance. It is time for structured rookie contracts. This would relieve pressure off the owners during draft time plus give them insight into how much money they are going to have for free agents. Which comes back to free agent contracts. If the rookies aren’t getting ridiculous contracts, free agents, in theory, won’t demand such outrageous deals.

by ToledoRocket on Feb 24, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions