Bengals free agency roundup: Updates from the weekend

JERMAINE GRESHAM GENERATING INTEREST IN OAKLAND AND CLEVELAND

There was some movement with pending free agents this weekend -- just not the favorable movement that fans, who are starving for new talent, were hoping for. Fortunately, we're not occupying your space in an effort to spin your brain into team-friendly dizziness -- injured players returning equates to top-flight free agents and draft picks -- or how free agency doesn't relate to postseason success (not that it's worked the other way either).

As we've noted and updated in the free agency rumor tracker (located in the cover), there are two teams expressing interest in Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham. The Oakland Raiders appear to be the most serious while the Cleveland Browns, apparently uninterested in retaining Cameron Jordan, have reached the "curiosity" stages. In the most recent update, the Raiders are attempting to get a deal done by Tuesday.

The probability that Cincinnati retains Gresham is extremely unlikely. In addition to the migraine-inducing mental mistakes and the lack of maturity that gets him into trouble (read the Enigma of Jermaine Gresham), the team had prepared for this moment when they drafted tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. We won't say there's zero chance -- everyone is saying the right things. We're also not comfortable saying one percent...

TAYLOR MAYS AND MIKE ZIMMER REUNION

Cincinnati Bengals safety Taylor Mays opened a note in class that read "I like you. If you like me, check yes." Apparently Mays checked yes on Mike Zimmer's note, with reports circulating that Mays and the Minnesota Vikings have mutual interest in each other. Minnesota beat writers and bloggers are somewhat unsure of the role that Mays would fill, offering a generic "special teams" perspective but also applying the less likely defensive contributor -- largely because the draft is starving for top-rate safety talent.

Additional reports have surfaced that the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins are interested. Cincinnati wants him back, but at this stage, that decision is on Mays.

BENGALS RE-SIGN THEIR OWN

A brief update on two Bengals free agents. The team re-signed linebacker Rey Maualuga on Friday and then inked Mike Nugent to a two-year deal on Sunday evening -- it's worth $4 million with $250,000 in incentives for each of those two years ($500,000 total).

QUICK THOUGHTS ON CLINT BOLING -- IS TODAY THE DAY?

Bengals offensive guard Clint Boling would be wise to enter free agency this Tuesday -- at the very least to see how the market values him. That being said... the Bengals will hopefully make movement on signing Boling to an extension, retaining their starting left guard. Would a five-year deal worth $20 million and $5 million guaranteed be too much?

A.J. HAWK IS IN CINCINNATI

The Bengals are hosting former Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk on Monday.