There has been some complaining & frustration that Tampa signed Nicks to a contract worth about $9.5 million a season (instead of the Bengals). But I think we need to remember...

One...

We have approx $49 million in cap space, but a lot of holes to fill.

The free agents we need to re-sign or replace include:

2 Offensive Tackles (Collins, Roland)

3 Guards (Williams, Livings, McGlynn)

1 Running Back (Benson)

2 Wide receivers (Simpson, Caldwell)

3 D-Linemen (Rucker, Fanene, Sims)

2 Linebackers (Lawson, Johnson)

2 Cornerbacks (Jennings, Jones)

1 Safety (Nelson)

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That’s 16 players. If we get replacements at the league minimum, that’s over $10 million spent (1/4).

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There are a LOT of starters & quality backups in that list of free agents above.

We obviously don’t want to replace them with ‘league minimum’ guys unless we want to go 0-16.

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So if we replace them with guys making ‘NFL average’ at their positions that eats up about $20~$30 million (1/2).

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But who wants ‘NFL average’ replacements? We want some good, quality replacements. We want a starting WR, starting safety, starting corner, starting D-Lineman, starting RB, 2 starting guards, etc...

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If we replace each of these guys leaving with players who are “good” but not “elite”, and spend $3 million per, that eats up $48 million out of the $49 million. No way the Bengals do that, because they always try to set some $ aside for injuries. And if you add a $9.5 million guard into the mix, then we certainly aren’t getting any better than NFL average or NFL minimum guys at the other positions.

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TWO...

Whitworth is the best O-Lineman on this team. He makes $3,690,000.

No way they pay a Guard 250% more than our Left Tackle.

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THREE...

Also, keep in mind that the following players are unrestricted free agents next year...

A Smith (starting RT)

B Leonard / B Scott (both backup RB’s)

B Gradkowski (backup QB)

R Geathers / M Johnson (starting DE’s)

T Howard / R Maualuga (starting LB’s)

N Clements / C Crocker (starting DB’s)

M Nugent / K Huber (starting K & P)

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We have a lot of starters hitting free agency next season – 6 on defense, 1 on offense, both kickers. So if we blow through all of our $ in 2012, we’ll be hard pressed to replace or retain all the guys who hit free agency in 2013.

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I’m all for us getting some good players, but I just don’t see the Bengals overspending in the first few days of free agency, when the big $ signings happen.