So, at the safety position we're back to square one (DAMN YOU DONTE WHITNER..... shaking my fist). Right now, the Bengals have Chris Crocker and Reggie Nelson, the two likely starters, and Jeromy Miles, Gibril Wilson, Tom Nelson, rookie Robert Sands and undrafted free agent Brian Lainhart. The Bengals have had trouble keeping their safeties healthy over the past couple seasons and the position has proven to be a weakness for the defense.
When we heard about the Donte Whitner signing, we rejoiced, but that quickly got thrown back in our faces. Marvin Lewis gives us this explanation for the Whitner mishap:
Lewis on Whitner flip flop: "You don't know that you have a player until he passes the physical and signs."
The fact remains that the team is still in need of a safety. One idea could be to make a trade for 49ers safety Taylor Mays, who was recently put on the trading block now that they signed Whitner. Adam Schefter Tweets:
49ers sent out a mass email this afternoon to teams around the league to try and trade safety Taylor Mays.
If the Bengals made a move for Mays, it would be like some sort of weird safety love triangle thing. Of course we would have to think about what the Bengals have that the 49ers could possibly want...... hmmm. I can't think of anything off the top of my head. OH WAIT, I KNOW.... a mother f-ing quarterback.
Of course I wouldn't even begin to think that the Bengals should trade Palmer for Mays straight up, that would be complete insanity (would anything this team did really surprise you anymore?). Bengals fans liked the idea of acquiring Mays in the 2010 draft. Instead, we went with Jermaine Gresham in the first round and Carlos Dunlap in the second. Those picks have worked out so far.
Last year Mays had 38 tackles (31 solo), one forced fumble, two passes defensed and returned one kickoff for a touchdown.
So, Bengals fans, should the Bengals pursue a trade with the 49ers to get Taylor Mays?