Bengals sign fourth-round draft pick Jonathan Luigs; seven down and only four to go

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 21, 2009 1:50 PM EDT in Analysis

Meticulously, the Bengals are getting their draft picks signed. Less than a week ago, the Bengals fifth-round punter Kevin Huber. On Tuesday, the Bengals reached an agreement with center Jonathan Luigs, writes Geoff Hobson. "Luigs, a former Rimington Trophy winner out of Arkansas, is expected to stick with the club as a backup center and guard."

The deal is likely a four-year deal, which we presume is the minimum base pay ($1.75 million) but a higher signing bonus than what punter Kevin Huber signed. Both Luigs and Huber's deals are still undisclosed.

(UPDATE: Joe Reedy writes that Luigs' deal is around $2.259 million "with a signing bonus of approximately $509,000")

Luigs brings the count of drafted players signed to NFL contracts to seven, with Chase Coffman, Michael Johnson, Rey Maualuga and Andre Smith unsigned -- all players drafted in the first, second and third rounds of the NFL Draft.

You can keep up to date on the draft pick signings here.

As a result of the signing, the Bengals had to cut Simeon Castille. Hobson actually questioned the move, saying that the "move is a slight surprise given that cornerback depth is seen as one of the more pressing problems on defense." After Castille, the Bengals have six cornerbacks on roster -- Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, David Jones, Rico Murray, Morgan Trent and Geoffrey Pope.

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Does this mean four more pre-training camp cuts must happen?

and if so who do you think they will be?

"There's no substitute for guts."
-- Paul "Bear" Bryant

by cincyboy on Jul 21, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Good question

Dan Skula
JD Runnels
Rico Murray
Abdul Hodge
Chris Harrington

I know,that’s 5, but one’s a mulligan.

by UpStateMike on Jul 21, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Skuta

is not getting cut. He was on a lot of teams lists for the CFA which can only mean the kid’s got talent. We need him for special teams.

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on Jul 21, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe it'll roll like this

Dan Coats TE for Chase Coffman TE
Jonathan Fanene DE for Michael Johnson DE
Abdul Hodge LB / Jim Maxwell LB for Rey Mauluga
Evan mathis G for Andre Smith T

"There's no substitute for guts."
-- Paul "Bear" Bryant

by cincyboy on Jul 21, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Rucker will go instead of Fanene

by smoormandiddy on Jul 22, 2009 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought that to but...

Rucker had great strides last year and appears the better DL.

"There's no substitute for guts."
-- Paul "Bear" Bryant

by cincyboy on Jul 22, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions

76

I believe Castille is the last necessary cut prior to camp. I think that the beginning roster limit for camp is 80. The Bengals have 76 currently on their roster with 4 left to sign.

I also think that Coats makes the final roster as a teams and Goalline blocker. I think he is the eventual replacement for Reggie Kelly. That said in my initial projection, I had also expected Castille to make the final roster.

by jim0ijk on Jul 22, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

with Trent being drafted i expected a CB to go

but i predicted Geoffrey Pope

"There's no substitute for guts."
-- Paul "Bear" Bryant

by cincyboy on Jul 22, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

CB

It sounds like they are probably gonna pick a vet up once cuts start coming at camp.

by smoormandiddy on Jul 23, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Smith contract?

Maybe Smith will just eat four players and save the Bengals the hassle of cutting anyone! Is the Smith camp organized enough to even negotiate a contract? Is anyone else questioning the whole Andre Smith process? After all, he screwed up Alabama’s Sugar Bowl & National Championship hopes by contacting an agent, then he is firing & hiring agents. Makes you wonder if Alabama is even an accredited university. Oh well, next week is the start of camp, can’t wait to see how many short buses show up.

by Vman in Germany on Jul 22, 2009 7:23 AM EDT reply actions

Won't miss Castile

I expect that there will be a lot of good talent coming out of TC cuts this year. A few teams are CB and OL rich and will have to cut guys that are pretty good in order to improve other positions. Castile has not shown he is anything more than run of the mill. Coats, Hodge and Mathis are only a few of several guys hat could be shown the door to make room for them.

" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jul 22, 2009 8:08 AM EDT reply actions