Clayton: Bengals Are Targeting Quarterbacks Bruce Gradkowski And Jim Sorgi

by Anthony Cosenza on Jul 25, 2011 11:34 PM EDT

[Editor's Note: Anthony is one of newest hires to the CincyJungle family. If not for the crazy kickoff to Monday's news and transactions, a more formal announcement would have come first; which is still coming. So be nice.]

We've all heard rumblings about the Bengals going after a veteran Quarterback in free agency and a few names have been thrown around. Now that football is back, it's time to get serious and sign players. People are starting to weigh in on the issue and are no longer guessing - they're expecting. ESPN Insider, John Clayton, stopped in on "The Mason and Ireland Show" on 710 ESPN in Los Angeles this afternoon and spoke candidly about where he thinks the Bengals will be looking in free agency Tuesday:

"I expect the Bengals to come to some sort of agreement, verbal or otherwise, with either Jim Sorgi or Bruce Gradkowski. They've targeted these two veterans and even though they can't officially sign them until later in the week, I think they'll make an initial agreement for one of them to sign when they can."

Don't know if we can take this as scripture per se, but it makes sense - especially Gradkowski. It was Gradkowski that started games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Jon Gruden was the Head Coach with brother Jay as an offensive assistant. It makes even more sense with Gradkowski, as he's had more starting experience at the position over Sorgi.

Coaches have been praising how they've felt rookie Andy Dalton was the only rookie who could come in and win games as a starting NFL quarterback right away. So this simply could be an effort to get a veteran in camp to mentor Dalton and have some experience behind him in case of injury and/or ineffectiveness. I guess we'll have to wait for those answers if/when one of these veterans are signed.

Poll

Would you be happy if the Bengals signed either Jim Sorgi or Bruce Gradkowski?

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Comments

Not too excited about Sorgi but Gradkowski would be great!

But knowing Mike Brown he’ll get Sorgi on the cheap

by WhoDey14 on Jul 25, 2011 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

I think Sorgi would be much better from a mentoring standpoint but Gradkowski would be a better stop gap. I say sign them both.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jul 26, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Hm.

Why not Bill VOlek?

sigs are important

by broski on Jul 25, 2011 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

I'd honestly rather have Dalton or JP5 withstand the trial by fire

by Throw the ball on Jul 25, 2011 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

I dont think they completely intend on starting either of those 2 guys

It might just be for insurance incase they feel Dalton isnt ready

by WhoDey14 on Jul 26, 2011 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Gradkowski would be great

sorgi i guess would be a better backup then we have atleast

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

I'm OK with Gradkowski for three reasons

He knows the system.

He is mobile, which is also a good quality to have for the system.

Despite never being a full-time starter, he has shown he can win games.

2011 and beyond. Only one thing came true on the last wishlist.
This year's wishlist
1. Bengals win Super Bowl (Something I hope for every year)
2. Reds win the World Series(or at least a playoff game)
3. Ohio State Wins a Big 10 title
4. Cavaliers actually finish with a winning record
5. Wings win the Cup

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jul 26, 2011 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, I like Gradkowski

He can mentor Dalton for a year or two.

Follow me on Twitter @BonnieBengal

by BonnieBengal on Jul 26, 2011 6:48 AM EDT up reply actions

When did Gradkowski show he could win games?

He wins less than 1 of every 3 games he starts.

It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain

by jim0ijk on Jul 26, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Gradkowski sure

Sorgi, is a number 3. Gradkowski would start if he came in and thats fine.
Stil I’d like to see the Bengals swing a trade for Orton. They can afford him and he could be had for cheap. Contract is big though.
Tavaris Jackson is another possibility.
McNabb is another possibility.

Mike Brown just agreed to pay out 99% of the salary cap or close to it. Pigs do fly. He might relent on CP9 and trade him. He might make a splash in FA with a Orton trade.

by BENGALS69 on Jul 26, 2011 12:39 AM EDT reply actions

No to Orton

Orton wants to be a starter and Cicny already has that in Dalton next year at the worst

by WhoDey14 on Jul 26, 2011 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions

We don't know what Dalton is going to be yet.

The guy hasn’t taken a snap. We can’t just pencil him in as our future. He could be a complete bust. I hope that that doesn’t happen, but you have to take precautions.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I understand

but when you draft a QB that high you go about business as if he is your franchise player…atleast until he shows otherwise and that wouldnt be shown until after a couple seasons under center. Then they can get some gap filling QB to step in

by WhoDey14 on Jul 26, 2011 2:36 AM EDT up reply actions

He was a 2nd rounder, not a top 5 pick.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

I agree, there’s a big difference between top 5 and 2nd rounder

"You gotta look good. Look good, you play good. Play good, pay good. Pay good, live good. Live good, y'know, eat good. Die good." - Deion Sanders

by BeWarned on Jul 26, 2011 4:02 AM EDT up reply actions

You still conduct your business as if he'll work out.

Make sure you have a quality backup, but basically assume he can play (since you drafted him) unless and until he proves he can’t.

by Boomer Lion on Jul 26, 2011 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

While you can’t assume he is a frnchise player, you also should not assume he is a bust before he plays, bringing in McNabb or Orton says that Dalton is not the fututre.

It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain

by jim0ijk on Jul 26, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

It would be setting him up to succeed by giving him a chance to learn.

There is no reason to throw away a season so he can learn on the job, not with the money we have to spend. Again, I really like the kid and I hope he works out. It is just smart business to make sure that your investment has every chance to succeed and grow.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

If we start him we probably will not win this year.

We have the possibility (without Carson and Chad) to have 50 million in cap money that we have to spend. Mike Brown usually sits 35 million under and now he has to spend that money. We can build a nice team. We don’t have to put all of the pressure to win on a rookie. There is no reason to put him in that situation.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I sure hope we can do better than these 2 guys

especially with all of the cap-room that we have. Sorgi is a career bench warmer and Gradkowski is nothing special unless he plays against us. I don’t see any benefit to having either of these guys on the team. I don’t care if Gradkowski has experience in the WCO or not.

Sorgi: 8 yrs. exp. 63.5 completion% 6 TD 1 INT

Gradkowski: 6 yrs. exp. 53.2 completion% 20 TD 23 INT

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 12:49 AM EDT reply actions

Sorgi also has the advantage of working everyday with Peyton Manning. Not a bad guy to have teaching you football. He could be ok, which is all I can ask… And think he could teach Dalton more because of being in a better culture with a hof qb (see Brunell, hasselbeck, Rodgers, etc)

by ddbumpus on Jul 26, 2011 1:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, your right.

He would be a nice guy to have on the depth chart. My whole point was that we are going under the pretense that Dalton is not ready and we need a starter.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Dalton is supposed to be the future

We have more important things to spend money on than a fill-in QB.

by emeybee on Jul 26, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Word homeslice. Still nice to be able to speculate on something besides lockouts though :)

by ddbumpus on Jul 26, 2011 1:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i think.a.fill in qb is a huge need

Dalton should not start right away.

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 1:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Why are we not looking at McNab or Orton?

Why couldn’t we make a play for Kevin Kolb? We have the money. We shouldn’t put all of our eggs in one basket and give up on the season. If we play it smart we couls actually put together a pretty good team.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions

McNab would be PERFECT

West-Coast style QB who only has a year or 2 left in the Tank starter wise. Bring in McNab to start the season and teach Dalton and if things go wrong then start Dalton after the bye week

by WhoDey14 on Jul 26, 2011 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I know man!

I don’t know why he is not even in the conversation… He would be a perfect fit to mentor a young quarterback for a couple of years and we could probably make the playoffs with him.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly

Gradkowski could be a good enough qb to make us competitive, and save Dalton from getting killed his rookie year. People seem to think Dalton will come in and be the next Sam bradford, he’s not even close.

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 1:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

There is no reason why we can't win.

With all of the offensive weapons we have a good quarterback could win with this team. Gradkowski would only make us competitive. That is a losers mentality. If we are just going to be competitive then we might as well start Dalton. If you are going to concede to defeat then it doesn’t matter who your quarterback is. It is a shame that we don’t have someone running the show with some sense, because we have plenty of money to put together a nice team. Thanks Mike Brown!

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions

dalton should sit and learn

Not be thrown into the fires of the afc north.

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 2:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Thats my point.

Go out and get a proven veteran instead of some never has been backup. Their is no reason to concede to defeat this year. If we start Dalton we are writing this year off.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 2:19 AM EDT up reply actions

i like gradkowski

Hasselbeck would be my first choice. Orton is expensive and not likely to be the mentor type qb. Cincy would be Mcnabbs last choice out of the teams expected to go after him. So in my opinion hasselbeck and gradkowski are the best 2 options that are realistic.

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 2:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Hasselbeck is a good thought

I think he would be a great band-aid for a year or so.

I don’t know why we couldn’t give McNab a descent 2 year deal. I think he knows where he stands in his career after the Redskins disaster.

All of this is probably futile. Starting Dalton will serve as another excuse from Mike Brown for why we lose for yet another year.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions

mcnabb will still have offers.

Depending on where kolb goes. Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota, and even Tennessee or miami. I think any of them places would entice mcnabb more than the bengals.

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 2:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah...

None of those places are really that attractive besides Minnesota. Seattle is alright, but Tennessee and Arizona are a mess. We have about as good of a shot as they do.

The more I think about Hasselbeck, I like it. McNabb and Hasselbeck are playoff experienced and they would have a lot to offer a young quarterback. Plus they are at the end of their career’s so they probably only have a year or two left anyway, which fits our bill perfectly. It also gives us options if we think Dalton is not making any progress.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Tennessee has Chris Johnson and kenny britt with a decent line. Arizona is a qb away from playoffs in the nfc west. Cincy has a rookie receiver, who knows who at rb, and mike brown.

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 3:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I currently live near Nashville.

Britt is not in good graces with the team right now after his trouble with the law. Chris Johnson is a great player, but he is arguing over money. They are in rebuilding mode also.

Arizona has a lot more problems than just a quarterback. They were horrible last year in a weak division. At least we were horrible in a good one.

OH NO!!! WE SUCK AGAIN!!!

by D-Day77 on Jul 26, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Yikes

Yikes. With all of this cap space, who ever the QB is they need to go out and get some GOOD veteran o-linemen….If our left guard is livings and our right tackle is that tall guy who can’t block (can’t think of his name) then our o-line coach needs to be fired. He actually evaluated them last year and thought they could play. PATHETIC.

by Tim8194 on Jul 26, 2011 2:17 AM EDT reply actions

a starting lg is needed.

If Andre gets his stuff together we could have a pro bowl rt, and if not Collins is a good tackle, the bengals just refuse to start him.

by JCompton41 on Jul 26, 2011 2:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Don't think either have taken enough snaps to be considered experienced...

…I’d still prefer Bulger. He’s played at NFL level for longer and been more consistent. If you’re looking to mentor Dalton, you need someone with the miles on the clock.

by wiseking on Jul 26, 2011 5:20 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not in love with Gradkowski but

I think he is the best option. He knows the new Gruden system and he has some experience as starter. Hasselbeck is an injure prone (even more than Gradkowski) and I can’t imagine McDivabb teaching anything. Sorgi is a joke, I suppose.

by Antoniomagon on Jul 26, 2011 6:06 AM EDT reply actions

I don't get Sorgi

Sorgi is a career backup behind a great QB that has limited live snaps. Sounds a lot like Jordan Palmer.

Can someone explain why he is even on the radar?

by JHarmann on Jul 26, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

Peyton Manning would be the biggest reason why. I’m on board with Sorgi as the backup.

by ddbumpus on Jul 26, 2011 12:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Spend Money on O-line

I would be okay with Sorgi or Gradkowski as QB to start the season. I would rather see the Bengals spend money on shoring up the offensive line. I would also like to see them go out and sign a big time safety and a linebacker to compete for the starting job at strong side linebacker.

If the Bengals truly believe that Dalton is their future starter, then you don’t go out and sign an expensive free agent QB. You just need a guy to be a bridge between C Palmer and Dalton.

by AWC71 on Jul 26, 2011 8:55 AM EDT reply actions