Bengals Bacon. Nearly 33 percent of you choose that over Daily Stripes, Jungle Beat and the late anonymous entry of Bits O' Bacon. We'd go with Daily Bengals Bacon Beat to make everyone happy, but again the whole character limitations on our promos (what you see on the front page) is significantly restricted -- as is our common sense. So we move forward with Bengals Bacon... for now.
+ Based on Pro Football Talk's report that offensive tackle Andre Smith is seeking money in the $9 million per season neighborhood, Joe Reedy with the Cincinnati Enquirer opines that the Bengals should pay it.
My personal opinion is divided. He played well in 2012 and there's nothing but a beautiful up-arrow attached to his name; supporting Cincinnati paying Smith's demands wouldn't bother me. On the other hand it would be above market value for what right tackles are being paid today, making Smith one of, if not the, highest paid right tackle in the NFL.
Worth it?
Sure. Why not?
Necessary for the Bengals to "take that next step"?
Nah. There are tackles available in the NFL draft this year, at least through the first two rounds and though rookies offer uncertainty, don't forget that every player on this team was once an uncertain rookie. But we've driven that point deep into the ground.
At this point you either trust the Bengals to wisely manage their finances to include Smith, as well as Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and A.J. Green in the coming years, along with a Michael Johnson extension, or trust them to select the proper replacement through the draft. They have options and that's all one can ask for.
Because no matter what happens with Smith, Geno Atkins (and maybe A.J. Green at wide receiver) will be the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL and if you're shrugging that off because of an obsession with Smith, then you'll endure far greater disappointment if the team can't come to terms.
+ Rick Smith, the agent for defensive end Michael Johnson, told Joe Reedy with the Cincinnati Enquirer that he expected the franchise tag, but talks will continue.
"Michael and I both understand what they did and we will continue to talk with the Bengals," said Rick Smith. "We have talked a number of times, there just wasn’t enough time to zero in on a deal and get something done. We will keep working at it. It is not going to be acrimonious."
+ From an old video during Vontaze Burfict during his Arizona State days.
The beautiful component is that leading up to the game, Matt Barkley called Burfict out, saying "he's a dirty player. His switch is always on. And it's not a good switch."
Whatever, said Burfict, who helps Matt Barkley off the ground after the interception while holding onto the intercepted pass.
+ As of Sunday night, five players in the NFL have been tagged: Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, Bills safety Jairus Byrd, Broncos offensive tackle Ryan Clady, Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton and Colts punter Pat McAfee.
The Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs are expected to use the tag on tight end Jared Cook and (maybe) Dwayne Bowe by Monday's deadline.
+ Think the Cincinnati Bengals have a shot at cornerback Darrelle Revis?
Injury, age, a history of mo' money, compensation to the Jets suggests no, writes Pat Kirwan at NFL.com. Though seriously, we weren't thinking it. Just a good read.
+ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff has reached 24 members, writes Rick Stroud with the Tampa Bay Times. For comparison, the Bengals.com coaching list only totals 18. The Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings each have 23.
+ Cincinnati Reds outfield Jay Bruce pranked the Fan Cave finalists. You have to love the fan who tried to high-tail it out of there.
+ Mike Mayock with the NFL Network re-visits his top-five position rankings after the NFL Combine.
+ Lauren Silberman, a 28-year old soccer player, made history on Sunday, being the first woman to take part in an NFL regional combine at the New York Jets training facility. Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons said of teams looking at field goal kickers.
"When rating field goals, the deepest we test at the combine is a 50-yard field goal. There's not many attempts over 55 yards. We don't practice kicks much deeper than that -- rarely do we do them," Simmons said. "You can tell after watching a 50-yard field goal how far the ball goes over the crossbar if they can hit from 55. They've got to be able to hit from 55. On kickoffs, they've got to be able to get the ball out of the back of the end zone."
Unfortunately Silberman's tryout was cut short after suffering an injury on her first kickoff, which traveled 16 yards, according to Mike Garafolo with USA Today sports.