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Though the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rarely face-off against each other on the field, they have been in the running for the services of the same few players. Offensive tackle Anthony Collins and defensive end Michael Johnson, two high-profile Bengals free agents, left for the South a couple of weeks ago.
After they bailed for Lovie Smith's crew, Cincinnati rebounded with a visit with veteran wide receiver Louis Murphy. He had some of his best seasons under new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson when both were in Oakland, so the conversation was an expected one. Murphy left The Queen City without a contract and then apparently headed to Tampa. On Wednesday, he signed a contract to join a beleaguered Buccaneers receiving corps.
#Buccaneers announced: Signed WR Louis Murphy.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 26, 2014
The Bengals have been slow and deliberate with their moves this offseason, only re-signing a few of their own and another small handful of backups. They could be gearing up for a set of extensions though with many conversations circling around Andy Dalton and the news that the team and Domata Peko have come to an agreement.