2012 Free Agency: Who Should The Bengals Re-Sign And Who Should They Let Walk?
by Jason Garrison on Feb 7, 2012 11:30 AM EST
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It's no surprise that draft talk has already heated up. After all, the NFL draft is becoming almost as big of an event as any playoff game. However, before we get too engrossed in different mock drafts and who the Bengals are going to take, we have to focus on free agency. The Bengals have a lot of needs coming into the 2012 season and they can fill some of those needs with veteran players and by re-signing their own players.
Speaking of their own players, here's my list of Bengals free agents in order of most important to re-sign to least important.
Mike Nugent: Nugent has been a very consistent kicker in 2012. His field goal percentage was 87.5 and he only missed on extra point out of 34 throughout the season. With all the holes that the Bengals need to fill in 2012, the last one they should be worried about is finding a new kicker. Re-signing Nugent should be a no-brainer and they should do it early to get it out of the way.
Definitely Re-Sign
Reggie Nelson: The Bengals already need to find a new safety to take over for a very underwhelming Chris Crocker and the last thing they should do is put themselves in a position in which they need to find two new safeties. Nelson played well enough that I am comfortable with him as a starting free safety in the future. The Bengals should re-sign him immediately.
Definitely Re-Sign
Frostee Rucker: Rucker had a good season in 2011. It was good enough that he wrestled a starting job away from Michael Johnson and was good at both rushing the passer and defending against the run. Rucker is likely looking to start at defensive end for a team and as far as I'm concerned, the Bengals starting defensive end job is his to lose, if they re-sign him of course.
Definitely Re-Sign
Bobbie Williams: The fact that Williams is so high on the list may come as a surprise to some Bengals fans, but hear me out. Williams was by far the team's best guard in 2011 and when he went on IR with a broken ankle, you could see how his absence impacted the offense. The Bengals will likely address the guard position in the draft but they won't be able to find two new starters. If they draft a new guard in the first round, that guard could play opposite of Williams. If they don't re-sign Williams, they need to go out and find a different guard from another team
Should Re-Sign
Manny Lawson: Lawson, along with Thomas Howard, played well in 2011 and earned himself another contract as far as I'm concerned. Like the kicker position, there are enough holes on the roster that they don't need to worry about who their starting linebacker will be. If they re-sing Lawson, they won't have to.
Should Re-Sign
Pat Sims: Sims is a run-stopping machine. Unfortunately, in his four seasons in the NFL, he has only finished one of them injury free, which is a concern, but there is definitely an upside. Mike Zimmer could use a guy like Sims to help stop AFC North running backs from jamming the ball down their throats and he will help keep that deep defensive line as one of the major strengths of the team.
Should Re-Sign
Brandon Johnson: Johnson is a specialist linebacker excelling in coverage. He isn't a starter in Mike Zimmer's defense but he adds a lot of depth and can play either outside linebacker spot if he needs to. He may not be a starter but he's definitely worth keeping around.
Should Re-Sign
Jonathan Fanene: Like Rucker and Sims, Fanene is important to re-sign in my opinion to keep that defensive line unit deep and talented so they can be fresh throughout the game. He also has value because he can play defensive tackle or defensive end.
Should Re-Sign
Adam Jones: Jones showed that he may not be a starting cornerback anymore but what he also showed us is he's better than Kelly Jennings and he can be a backup and a third cornerback playing in nickel formations. Leon Hall will hopefully be back to start the season and the Bengals will likely grab a new corner in the draft, possibly in the first round. Jones will be important to be back on the field to play in passing situations and just in case Hall isn't quite ready yet.
Think About Re-Signing
Anthony Collins: Collins showed he's an effective right tackle when he's given a chance to play. Unfortunately for him, the team has too much invested in Andre Smith to give Collins a fair shot but if something happens to Smith during the season, it would be nice to have Collins around. Unfortunately, I doubt the Bengals will be able to re-sign him because I'm thinking he wants a starting job.
Think About Re-Signing
Dennis Roland: Roland is at least 300 feet tall and probably weighs as much as a fully loaded city bus and there has to be some sort of intimidation factor when he's on the field. He comes in on goal line situations and, since he's probably a troll of some sort, he helps the Bengals in those third- and fourth-and-short situations. If the Bengals lose Collins, they'll probably want to make sure they keep Roland.
Think About Re-Signing
Donald Lee: The tight end job belongs to Jermaine Gresham and nobody is going to take it away from him. Lee could help add some depth to the tight end position and has some value as a pass catcher as well. The Bengals will likely find somebody to help Gresham and they might as well keep the guy that did in 2011.
Maybe If There's Money/Room
Jerome Simpson: Simpson is terribly unreliable and inconsistent but you can't deny his incredible athleticism. The Bengals are hopefully looking to find a more suitable No. 2 receiver to play opposite of A.J. Green, but Simpson still has some value as a deep threat and a backup receiver. His drug issue should make him cheap.
Maybe If There's Money/Room
Cedric Benson: Benson's time in Cincinnati is more than likely over but he is coming off his third straight 1,000-yard season. Part of Benson's troubles in 2011 was the line's inability to open up holes for him but Benson lacks the ability to make plays on his own as well. If the Bengals are unable to grab the running back they want in the draft, they may bring Benson back.
Should Not Re-Sign
Nate Livings: Livings was bad in 2011 as the team's starting left guard and the Bengals will probably be looking for a new guard either in free agency and probably in the draft. However, Livings could be re-signed as a backup. That would be a good role for him.
Should Not Re-Sign
Kelly Jennings: Jennings struggled in coverage in 2011. With the Bengals expected to address the cornerback positon in the upcoming draft, I dont' see a spot on the roster for Jennings in 2012.
Should Not Re-Sign
Andre Caldwell: If Simpson is inconsistent, then what is Caldwell. A.J. Green is the future of the Bengals and with Jordan Shipley coming back from injury in 2012 and with the team expecting to draft or sign a new wide receiver in free agency, Caldwell's time in Cincinnati is likely over.
Should Not Re-Sign
Bo Scaife: Scaife got hurt before the season started and was place on IR. There's no real reason the Bengals would re-sign him in 2012.
Should Not Re-Sign
Mike McGlynn: McGlynn started at right guard once Bobbie Williams went on IR but he struggled at pass and run blocking. With the Bengals expecting to find a new guard in the draft and with Clint Boling on the roster with a year under his belt, there's no need to bring McGlynn back.
Should Not Re-Sign
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I don't think Jerome Simpson will be back
Even if we want him back, or he want’s to be back. He has his legal case up in court in the next month, and even if he doesn’t get any jail time I would not be surprised to see a 3-5 game suspension from the NFL for the arrest. Remember, Ben got 4 games without ever being convicted*.
Assume a 4 game suspension
Sign him for the veteran minimum, and he is insurance 4 games into the season.
It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain
I think that is probably why he'll be back........
we’ve invested a lot in him and now he’ll be dirt cheap.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Feb 7, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
Priority is defense--
I agree on Sims, Rucker, and Nelson. I would bump Sims into the “definitely” category and A. Jones into the “should.” I like Fanene and B. Johnson, but have a feeling that both might be desirous of finding a starting position for starter money somewhere else.
I love me some Bobbie Williams but a lot of it hinges on his health. We should re-sign a healthy/in-shape Bobbie, but anything less than that, probably not. I would also add Collins into the mix. A lot of it depends on his demands. I still maintain that we could move him to guard, but what do I know? I like Donald Lee as well, but I could see the Bengals drafting a TE on the back end that would replace him since Cochart seems to be working out.
Agree on Benson—not gonna be worth it. Simpson and Caldwell? Possibly—a lot of question marks around both—so probably depends on their demands.
Sims is similar to Collins
Resign him if we can, but if someone offers him starter money, let him go.
Agree on Williams.
It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain
agree
Sims just can’t seem to stay healthy. A healthy Sims is worth starter pay, but just too many “if’s” to make me want him back at anything close to that.
I say Collins is a " must resign". You just can’t depend on Smith to stay healthy either. Collins actually looked better than Smith most of the time anyway.
"Next season will be better" circa 1990
I dfisagree completely
Our 2nd best o-lineman and our best run-stuffing DT? Those are two of my top priorities.
I think keeping the cohesion we have...
on our D-line is essential otherwise getting a high-caliber SS won’t matter if our D-line starts sucking again because we chose to let talented players in the mold of a Justin Smith leave. Plus I’m not convince Clements couldn’t play SS although I agree SS needs to be addressed through the draft or FA. But that’s just my opinion. Our D-line was fantastic this year, the best I’ve seen in Cincy in a while. I don’t want to see that go away so suddenly because some fans and probably Mike Brown as well want to trim the fat when it comes to paying these guys.
as long as we keep Geno, Peko, and Dunlap our line will be fine
i get the importance Simms brought to the Dline but Simms is replaceable. I don’t think Geno, Peko and Dunlap are.
So we can draft a player similar to Simms and get the same use out of him if we decide to go that route.
SS on the other hand was a liability and we can get better by subtraction on that one. I don’t think it really can get that much worse than crocker. But If we get that playmaker for SS, I think that will have a greater impact on D than address the back DT position. IMO
AMAS
I would say keeping Geathers around...
is a good idea too although he’s still under contract anyways. I just have a sinking feeling that if we let Geathers walk he’ll turn into another Justin Smith and immediately blossom into a Pro Bowler wherever he ends up landing. Also don’t undermine what Fanene and Rucker bring to our defense either they both have been written off in the past and have constantly defied the odds and made plays. I absolutely wouldn’t want to lose either one of them because I have a feeling they would be very difficult to replace.
i think the play of johnson, atkins, peko and dunlap
has made it easier for those other DTs to be productive. I think if you were to get rid of them and try to keep the other D linemen, our D line wouldn’t have the near the sucess we had this year. Basically, we would have to get role players to replace simms, fanene, and rucker.
Not to say simms, fanene, and rucker aren’t good, they are just replaceable. But we should have enough to resign most of our own FA.
AMAS
Rucker, Fanene, and Sims...
have been fairly productive players for us since 2009 back before we even had Atkins and Dunlap so I wouldn’t say their play is contingent on Johnson, Atkins, Peko, and Dunlap. In fact Fanene’s most productive season was in 2009 when he became the starter when Odom went down and Odom was our best pass rusher that year. Fanene ended finishing second on the team in sacks and also had a pick six that year so he’s a good player in his own right who brings multiple dimensions to our D-line. It would be very difficult to find someone who could do what he and Rucker do trust me. Sims I just don’t want to see go because if we ever decide to run any 3-4 looks with a NT in the middle Sims is our best option as he’s the biggest D-lineman we have at the moment.
thats the point im trying to make. Rucker, Fanene, and Simms are role players
they don’t start, so they come in during certain passing and running downs. We can get other players to come in and do the same thing.
Out those three, Fanene would be the one I would keep out of all 3 because he is more athletic and versitile compared to the other two.
AMAS
the question they are asking as are their agents
could they be starters in another town. which will determine how much cash they ask brown for in order to stay in cincy as role players.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
true
i really don’t know which teams they would be able to start on, so its hard for me to say. But im sure they will have an opporunity to get some where else for more money and playing time.
AMAS
dl isnt easy to predict which teams will need help
i know the raiders and steelers will because they are both way over the cap and need to cut 20-25 million each in salaries for next season.
the panthers could use some starters as well on the d-line. beside those 3 teams, i can’t think of any teams that will be rebuilding their d-lines from semi-scratch in the off season.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
I agree but
I think Fanene and Collins are as good as gone. I think there will be teams offering starter money and jobs to them and they are back ups here. I wouldnt break the bank on Sims either. I would like him back but you can find a run stuffer in the draft.
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 12:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You can find a run stuffer in the draft?
How has that worked out for the Bengals?
Vince Wilfork is the exception to the norm. Most of the really big DTs either wash out fast or play for 15 years. Many of those that had long careers were drafted very late or not at all, and there are very few that are effective early in their career. Going back to the last time Marvin had guys like that it was Siragusa and Adams in Baltimore. Siragusa was a UFA. Adams was a first round pick by Seattle that ended up playing for 6 different teams over 13 years. The idea that you can reliably draft a big, run stuffing, multiple-o-linemen-occupying DT easily is simply false.
Why wast a draft pick on one when we have one right here
I agree drafting a run stuffer is easier said than done. It can be said about all positions. My thing is this, we know what our players can do so,just resign the ones we can and try to draft bpa. If the bpa just happens to big a big run stuffing DT then so be it. Let him come in and if he’s not a bust and better than what we have then let some lesser talent go. We need to keep what we know works until we can get better. Everyone is all about drafting this player and that player but we only have a certain # of picks. There’s no sense in just letting good players walk and trying to sign a FA or rookie that you don’t know if he’ll work in our system or just be a bust. Lets add to this team not create a new one.
by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 7, 2012 6:36 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Its easy to replace
A one dimensional dt that only gives the team 20 snaps a game. He offers very little as a pass rusher so yea you can find a cheaper replacement in the draft. He is a back for a reason for god sakes!
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 7:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Also
Simms isnt reliable. He hasnt played a full 16 games since he has been here. We drafted Simms so we can draft a replacement for him. I see what you guys are saying but Sims isnt Wilfork or any you guys are saying.
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 8:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No one said he was Wilfork
And if you draft a guy he’s going to be a backup also unless your thinking of drafting Pekos replacement. All I’m saying is that you know what you have in Simms so if ypu can get better fine but there’s no reason just to let a guy walk if unless your sure you can get better and in the draft there’s no such thing as a sure thing. We could use the draft for more pressing needs this season than using them on the D line, for gods sakes. ;-)
by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 7, 2012 8:15 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
All I said I wouldnt mind keeping him but I wouldnt overpay for him
We can agree to disagree. We all want this team to improve. I just think its easier to find a replacement for a run stuffer that plays a certain amount of snaps. Thats what makes these blogs so great! It gives us fans a great place to debate or agree.
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 10:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
they need to re-sign A Collins and make him the RT
slide Sir Moobs over to RG
keep Cook at C for now
find somebody via the draft (or worst case Blowing by Boling) at LG
and Whit at LT
I hate it when Ephram uses data & facts to refute my unfounded opinions....No chocolate chip cookies for him!!!
Sir Moobs! Lol
That would be the most logical solution but we all know Brown is too stubborn for logical thinking.
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 12:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
im just not sure if Bobbie can last a whole year any longer
he is a big dude and it would seem like if he gets another lower body injury its just going to take longer for him to get healthy again
AMAS
Resign these guys
MIke Nugent
Reggie Nelson
Frostee Rucker
Manny Lawson
Brandon Johnson
Jonathan Fanene
Adam PacMan Jones
Anthony Collins
Donald Lee
btw
when does FA officailly start? im sure its going to be a circus around the NFL here shortly. I can’t wait to see who pick up to get a better idea of who we are going after in the draft.
AMAS
Yes it does...
However, the combine starts on the 22nd… :)
well we will get a hint at the free agency field a couple of weeks before that
March 5, 2012 is the deadline for NFL teams to use their franchise tag for the upcoming season.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
i wonder if we use the franchise tag on Nelson to make sure he doesn't leave
i think we can restructure the tag into a long term contract if need be.
AMAS
doubt brown would use the franchise tag on nelson
as of last season think the franchise tag for a safety cost $6,342,000
not sure what it will be in 2012.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
no doubt i would rather keep our quality player
than sign someone else’s cast off. think how much help wilson has been as a starter since we signed him..
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
The only danger with using the franchise tag is that it affects future negotiations with the player for a long term contract.
If the Bengals franchise Reggie, he’ll be asking for around $7 million per year for future contracts. I think it’ll take around 3-5 million per year to keep Reggie.
Paul Brown Stadium, where everyone's hopes go to die.
not necessarly, i think most long term deals have bigger signing bonuses
so that way they don’t have to pay higher year to year salaries
AMAS
You are correct
I was thinking the 5th or something but thats the day we find out if Manning will be a free agent or not. Free agency starts at 4pm on the 13th
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 12:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
even if manning is a FA in 2012. won't matter much
that nerve isnt regrown yet. he’s getting older and wont be 90-100% until at least 2013. Matt Flynn will be the bigger FA qb to help teams desperate for a qb in 2012. peyton will either ride the pine in 2012 or look like palmer out there (going back too soon and trying to play through a busted wing).
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
Between Manning and Flynn...
there’s no question who the better starting QB is regardless of how old Manning is or whether or not his injury has done him in. There will be a team out there that takes a chance on him as their starter because he’s simply too good to pass up. Flynn has had one fantastic game in his entire career of mostly riding the pine but that doesn’t mean he would be a good starter in the NFL. Personally I think Flynn is a system-QB. He plays in an offensive system that is built around Aaron Rodgers and his tremendous talent and is designed to play to his strengths and that positively affected Flynn as well when he was put in the starting role against the Lions who were also depleted in their secondary in that game as they were without their best safety Delmas, who is essentially the QB of that defense. But you put Flynn in a more conservative offense than Green Bay’s with fewer weapons and I guarantee he would struggle. It’s essentially Matt Cassel all over again except Flynn has yet to start a full season at QB which is an even scarier scenario for teams looking to sign him as a starter. Manning is definitely the better option of the two. Hell Matt Moore would be a much better starting option than Flynn if he gets the axe in Miami next year in favor of a younger starting QB taken out of the draft.
manning is a hof'r. flynn is a neverwas.
question still remains, if you need a qb to start in 2012, will manning be able to help at all in 2012, how much it will cost, and how long you’ll have to wait for that nerve to regrow. will be a gamble.
going to feel sorry for sanchez (for a minute) if the jets sign peyton.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
In all honesty...
if the reports and rumors about Sanchez that are being spread by his teammates are true then he deserves to be benched and I wouldn’t feel the least bit sorry for him if Peyton ended up in New York and snatched the starting job away from him. It would make for an interesting practice scenario if Peyton goes to the Jets considering his brother plays for the Giants lol
I think March 6,7 or 8th
Could be wrong but its around then. You would think the Bengals would be active from the start. I at least hope so or that will be bad news!
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 12:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
thanks to google found a list of the important dates
February 22-28, 2012 – NFL Scouting Combine (some workouts to air live on NFLN)
March 5, 2012 – Deadline for NFL teams to use either the franchise tag or the transition tag on one of its players
March 13, 2012 – Official start of free agency at 4 p.m. EDT
April 26-28, 2012 – NFL Draft, airing on ESPN and NFLN
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
Patience will not be a virtue during this FA period
We have needs and we need to aggressively address whatever we can. No way can we draft starters to fill up all the holes we will have. Perfectly fine with this list as written. With the exception of Sims, he is a definite keeper.
Lee
I thought he played great when he was in, and I’d love to see more two-TE formations with him and Gresham.
Wondering what might be coming our way in the form of compensitory picks.
Do we get anything for loosing J. Joe?
We got something alright
We got Nate Clements, Kelly Jennings and a hole that we have to fill.
My List
Sign: Nugent, Nelson, Rucker, Lawson, Howard, Sims, Fanene, Collins, Lee, and Simpson. Let the rest walk.
They’ve invested too much in Simpson. As long as he is clear with the Law we should re-sign him, possibly to a one-year, prove-it contract.
I have a hunch there will be a few teams interested in Collins so the Bengals may have to let him go because he will become too expensive for a back-up. Evan Mathis has probably already told the Eagles about him – a team that needs many upgrades in the OL.
Brandon Johnson needs a chance to sign with a team that will trust him to stay on the field – not just when someone gets hurt or when the D is in dime package.
Just got off the phone with a cousin of mine from Miami
And Leon Halls injury got brought up. He said a promising player on the Dolphins, Phillip Merling had the same injury 2 years ago at about the same time. Came back mid way through this year and he said he wasnt close to the player he was.
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 2:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I know people heal differently from injuries than others and Merling may have not had the proper rehab due to the lockout, heavier players have more problems coming back from that injury but it makes cb the number 1 priority this offseason.
by EPK1979 on Feb 7, 2012 2:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm surprised Adam Jones was so far down the list
He was easily our 2nd best corner after Hall went down, and the depth at CB would be gone if they don’t lock him up. Even if they draft a corner early, there’s no guarantee he can come in and play at a high level day one. I think he’s a must re-sign.
Other than that, I agree with pretty much everything.
by Animal_Like_Football on Feb 7, 2012 2:15 PM EST reply actions
I think we're in a spot where we almost have to sign him back.......
we are so thin at CB, I don’t see much of an alternative. Even if we draft two CB’s, we still need someone who can start for us on day 1 if necessary. There is no guarantee Leon will be ready either, as much as it pains me to say it……I think we have to sign him.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Feb 7, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
+1
I also don’t think Pac Man was ever really healthy the entire time he played. He was forced into action before he ever got a chance to let that hamstring fully heal.
I think he needs to be a priority, like you said we don’t have much choice really.
"Next season will be better" circa 1990
Worst case scenario he becomes........
a #3 corner (perfect spot for him) and possible KR/PR. Would love to have him back there full time returning kicks if a couple of our draft picks/FA’s pan out.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Feb 7, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
worst case scenario for adam jones equals suspended for all of 2012 or his career.
goodell has his name on that short list of players the union gave up to get the cba signed. have to consider roger’s history with jones. really hard to know what level of suspension, jones will get from the nfl for his guilty plea last month. a misdemeanor disorderly conduct guilty plea?
for most guys in the nfl, they might only have to appear before good goodell for a talking to about that. jones on the other hand with his history and roger’s disdain for it. could get suspended.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
Interesting note on Jones from Jamison Hensley at ESPN
On defense, the Bengals will also not bring back Adam Jones, who was erratic in pass coverage and made a critical error in the playoffs.
I’m not sure if he has inside info or not, but that would be a huge mistake. If he hadn’t come back after Leon Hall went down (and remember, he played the first few weeks at less than 100%) I think the secondary would have completely fallen apart.
by Animal_Like_Football on Feb 7, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure
But I would guess this is just speculation on his part
I agree we should bring him back
And I think if he gets a suspension it will be max 4 games
So it ends up being the same........
as every other year. When have we ever had Pacman for a full year? If 4 games is what happens, then assuming he plays the rest of the season, that’s longer than we typically have him due to suspension or injury.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Feb 8, 2012 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
If it comes to down to choosing who to pay between Collins and Roland...
they’d better not make the same mistake they made with Livings and Evan Mathis and pay Collins as he is much more reliable as an emergency starter than Roland although I wouldn’t mind keeping both of them as Roland is useful in extra lineman situations on the goal line. As for G I hope Boling has a fantastic training camp and improves heavily because I really don’t wanna see Livings starting anymore and McGlynn has the same problem Livings has, he false starts too much, although I do thing he’s a better pass blocker than Livings. Bobbie I wouldn’t mind keeping around for one more year if he can stay healthy but G definitely needs to be addressed at some point in the draft. C not so much. I’m perfectly fine with Cook where he is as he and Whit are probably the two most consistent players on our O-line.
In the secondary, I could see Clements moving to safety next year, hopefully replacing Crocker which makes re-signing Jones more of a priority while also picking up a corner and a safety in the draft. Jennings got better as the season went on I thought and he did have good pass breakup in the playoff game against Andre Johnson of all people but I don’t think what he gives us is worth re-signing and between him and Jones we know which one is the better corner. Nelson is a no-brainer. He needs to re-signed without question although his aggressive style of hitting has gotten us a few too many 15-yd penalties as of late but next to Hall he might be the most reliable player we have in our secondary.
WR is tough. Simpson I’m not sold on getting rid of him yet but this legal baggage he’s carrying around now is really pissing me off and I don’t want that kind of stuff hovering around this team constantly when we’re trying to focus on winning and what angers me about this is the fact that it had to be exposed this year when he finally started becoming a key player in our offense. I’m just glad he hasn’t gotten anybody else on the team involved so that the NFL has an excuse to suspend all of them. Caldwell I think has become a liability and should be let go with Shipley coming back and Whalen and Hawkins stepping to become somewhat reliable pass catchers. Receiver also should be addressed either through FA or the draft. As for TE, Gresham is the guy but Lee I definitely think might be the more explosive of the two given the defenses we’re playing and whether they’re keying on Gresham. As for third TE, I know we got nothing out of Scaife this year but if it comes to choosing between him and Cochart I would choose Scaife hands down as Cochart brings us next to nothing in our offense while Scaife at least has pass-catching ability.
Isn't Robert Geathers a FA as well
My get out of here list
1 Dennis roland
2 Kelly jennings
3 Nate Livings ( as long as we don’t replace him with Cordy Glenn)
4 Andre Caldwell
5 Cedric Benson
I don't know if Geathers is a FA or not...
but if he is he should be re-signed as should all of our other FA D-lineman as our D-line was probably the strongest unit on our team this year with that rotation and to let a bunch of them leave would be a foolish mistake that could set our defense back a few more years. Plus Geathers really stepped up his game this year I thought with Dunlap struggling with injuries and Geathers being pushed into a pass-rushing role more often. Also what’s wrong with Cordy Glenn? I think he would certainly be an upgrade from Livings.
nope, geathers is under contract
via: rotoworld
1/10/2007: Signed a six-year, $33.75 million contract. The deal includes $12.5 million guaranteed and $1.25 million in incentives linked to sacks and Pro Bowl berths.
2012: $4.2 million,
2013: Free Agent
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
I agree with all, mostly..
I’d keep Jennings as the 4th CB. He got better as the season went along. If he wants money or a starting spot then just show him the door. As soon as you stop laughing, that is.
Jennings is interesting...
he did look better than Pacman in the playoff game as he had that nice pass breakup against Andre Johnson in the end zone but if he asks for too much than there’s no point in keeping him. I would be intrigued to see Zim give him a whole offseason of conditioning and understanding the coverages better and see if he develops the way Nelson did but it appears to be taking longer with Jennings. If he asks for too much then goodbye.
I like Jenning more than most here
But he isn’t worth more than what we paid last year.
It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain
I think Jennings if Terrible
And I do not think he is even close to Adam Jones. All year there were articles and comments about how important and how well Adam Jones played and them he had a bad game against Houston and that’s all anyone remembers. If you really look at the body of work as well as the skill sets its not even close
I think the question you need to ask about Jones's performance in the playoff game...
is why the hell did Zimmer have him covering Andre Johnson rather than Clements when it was clear that Jones wasn’t 100% in parts of that game. It was no wonder he got burned multiple times by Johnson with the considerable height disadvantage, they should have had Clements marking Andre for the majority of the game and kept Jones on Walter on the underneath routes where his speed when it comes to breaking on the football would have been more useful. Don’t get me wrong, I like Zimmer and what he’s done for this defense but his gameplan against Andre Johnson and the Texans offense in general in that game was a stupid one to say the least considering he had Jones and Jennings both on one on ones against Johnson for much of the game which is asking for trouble although Jennings did a decent job of holding his own against Andre surprisingly. But you can’t do that against a receiver like Andre Johnson, no matter how inexperienced the QB throwing to him is. It’s no wonder Yates picked our secondary apart so easily, especially once Foster started going off.
He did NOT have a pass breakup against Andre
He ran step for step with Andre, but he did nothing to break up the pass, Andre just dropped it. Maybe the fact that a guy was running step for step with him had some effect, but Jennings didn’t touch the ball or do anything to prevent Andre from catching it.
Jennings seemed to do that a lot in the last few games. He’d be right there, he just wouldn’t do anything about the ball.
Admittedly, that’s better than a lot of CBs that can’t even stay with the receiver, but you’d like some ball skills in a DB. I think he’s a 4th CB, an emergency guy, someone who will stay with a target and make him look covered.
Would Bal And Pitt ever Game Plan for the above List?
Bengals have big time personal probs! All of the above can be replaced! Non are a factor?
Really
We had arguably the best defensive line in the NFL last year and you think 3 of those players being FA isn’t s factor?!?!? Pitt and Balt would be trying to resign them. So we have a Suggs or Polomatu on that list no, but good teams ate built around multiple role players not one or two playmakers
by Engelj06 on Feb 7, 2012 4:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
My picks
I wouldn’t overspend to keep them but my first resign priorities are Fanene, Rucker, and Sims. CB is a weak area of the team so we need to keep our DL and pash rush the same or better to hide that deficiency.
I’d make sure to keep Nelson as well to shore up our DB’s.
Next id look into keeping Jones, a full offseason and he could be our # 2 but his injury history scares me.
I’m partial to johnson but think he’ll leave this year since he’ll only be a backup
The OL is the tough call I love Williams leadership but his age concerns me. Honestly not sure if I’d resign or move on from our FA
Benson, caldwell, and Simpson should all go. Caldwell is the only one I’d consider but I think Hawkins and Shipley are better options and we need a true #2 and it’s not him. Simpson besides his legal issues was too inconsistent and according to Gruden having trouble running routes. That bridge should have sailed with Ocho and TO.
by Engelj06 on Feb 7, 2012 4:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I would consider Simpson before Caldwell...
based on his playmaking ability alone but I agree the legal issues are an unnecessary distraction that I hope will go away soon with no major repercussions. But if you ask me to choose which one of them has more talent and is more suited as a number 2 I would say Simpson fits the bill better than Caldwell.
simpson will be back
im almost sure of it. unless another team offers he a riduclus contract compared to the one we will offer him. Which will be fair market. Simpson is due to make around 2-4 million a year at least.
AMAS
only 3 teams desperate enough for wrs in the nfl to throw silly money at simpson
rams, vikes, and seahawks.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
true about the skins
they have 2 fa wrs of their own and always looking to overpay anyone that has potential.
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
TRADE KEITH RIVERS
to philly for any one of the three CBs. They have Asante Samuels, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Asomugha. Samuels most likely to go because of salary and age. DRC is young and Nandi aint going anywhere.
Resign Brandon Johnson and Manny Lawson.
If we could get Rodgers-Cromartie...
for Rivers I’d do it but I know it’s a long shot to pull that off without having to give up draft picks as well. Samuel is aging and probably has durability issues and we need to steer clear of that in our secondary. We need to go with the youth movement at corner more than anything by building through the draft which is how we ended up with the dynamic duo of Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph for all those years to begin with. Plus I haven’t given up on Rivers being able to help our defense next year just yet. I’d give him one more season to prove himself.
Samuel
There’s no chance we’d get him for Rivers, but if somehow it could happen I’d be ecstatic. The one thing Zimmer wants out of the defense next year is more turnovers. Asante Samuel isn’t much of a cover corner, but he’s one of the best ever at lurking back, jumping the route, and intercepting the ball.
trade?
Does Rivers have any trade value whatsoever? He was a moderately productive LB, certainly not a first round talent, who missed the entire season due to injury. What could we get out of him? A 5th rounder, maybe?
No chance in hell they’d give up a top notch CB. Not for a mediocre LB with a bad injury history.
Re-sign Collins
Good riddance to Dennis Roland, see ya in the pen to Jerome Simpson. Pretty much agree otherwise, although Bobbie Williams has to make the team next year. He is about over the hill.
As for trading Rivers, you might get a used long snapper for him, not much more.
Collins is the key to finally fixing this line.......
rather than having to fill 2 spots, re-sign him, kick Moobs inside and sign/draft someone for LG to compete with Boling.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Feb 8, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
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