Two Former Bengals Sign With Seattle

by Ryan Harper on Oct 17, 2011 7:56 PM EDT

Once the Bengals bye week has passed they will travel to Seattle to battle the Seahawks. During this match-up the Bengals might see two familiar faces suiting up for Seattle.

Former Bengals defensive tackle Jason Shirley and rookie linebacker Stephen Franklin signed with Seattle today as the Seahawks placed veteran cornerback Marcus Trufant on IR with a neck injury that will end his season.

Shirley was originally drafted by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2008 draft out of Fresno State. During his tenure with Cincinnati, Shirley played in only three games and compiled four tackles. Shirley was retained for the Bengals practice squad to start off the 2011 season, only to be waived from the practice squad on Sept. 3. Shirley never got much of an opportunity to prove his value to the Bengals. For the most part he was just another body on the depth-chart who was waiting for his chance.

Franklin has been added to the active roster for Seattle. So unless he is cut from the roster within the next two weeks there is a decent chance that he could see some action against the Bengals.

In two weeks the Bengals will travel to Seattle. Through the first five games Seattle has had one of the worst offenses in the league averaging only 288 yards of offense per game. They don't have many threats on offense, outside of Marshawn Lynch and Sidney Rice and their lack of offensive product has cost them so far this season. With the Bengals in town it probably won't get any easier, assuming the Bengals are still ranked in the top-five for defense.

It will be interesting to see if Seattle places Shirley on the active roster in time for their battle against Cincinnati. And if he is on the roster, it will be intriguing to see if he gets any playing time against his former team.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

How about Doug Baldwin?

The Seahawks took the Saints to the edge and beat the Giants. This game is in Quest and it’s a very real chance the Bengals lose.

by Cry on Oct 17, 2011 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

Are the Seahawks this year's Bucs?

by DTFCPDX on Oct 17, 2011 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

Not Scared

Shirley was (is) a complete bust. Never heard of the other guy. We’re going to roll the Seahawks.

by redrifle14 on Oct 17, 2011 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

I suspect Shirley will prove to be a decent defensive tackle for the Seahawks. He just wasn't better than our current tackles.

The Seahawks previously traded the Bengals Kelly Jennings for another one of our preseason tackles, Clinton McDonald. I thought McDonald looked okay in the preseason, but that Shirley looked better. Since McDonald has seen some playing time for Seattle, then I expect Shirley will too. Shirley has the making to be a competent run stuffer.

by no kidding on Oct 17, 2011 11:50 PM EDT reply actions

Why can't he play tight end?

similar position.

</Mike Brown Impersonation>

by occams_tiger_teeth on Oct 18, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I get the Shirley signing

He had gotten some looks over the last few weeks and is still a physically impressive guy. Seattle doesn’t have much depth at DT so I can see him getting some playing time late in the season (assuming he lasts that long on the roster).

I don’t get the Stephen Franklin signing at all. The guy was signed as an UDFA without even a Bart Johnson-like $500 signing bonus and was let go in the first round of cuts. Seattle could have simply added him to the PS and groomed him. Plus he could have joined another ex-Bengal in John Nalbone.

This could all be an attempt to learn more about our defensive schemes, but neither guy seems likely to offer much insight. Curious move IMO…

by bengaljohnboy on Oct 18, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

seahawks really love ex bengals

wonder how many TJ jerseys are in stands on game day.

get the shirley move for seattle, they are thin, he’s depth. will he stick there or start there? probably not. good fodder move for this this season though.

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Oct 18, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

That didn't last long...

Seahawks Activate TE Cameron Morrah From PUP; Sign S Chris Maragos. To make room for Morrah and Maragos, the Seahawks have waived defensive tackle Jason Shirley and linebacker Stephen Franklin, who had joined the club earlier this week.

Mac’s Football Blog

Well, at least they got paid for a week…

by bengaljohnboy on Oct 23, 2011 3:51 PM EDT reply actions