Cincy Jungle - Contract Extensions for Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson and Carlos DunlapWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2013-09-02T12:36:53-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/42208752013-09-02T12:36:53-04:002013-09-02T12:36:53-04:00It's Official: Bengals announce Atkins extension
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals confirmed Geno Atkins' five-year extension on Monday.</p> <p>Waking up Labor Day morning to enjoy the third day of a three-day weekend, we didn't expect much to happen on Monday. Instead, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Geno Atkins to a five-year extension worth $55 million. Courtesy of the Bengals.com twitter account:</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/303153/BTK38GwIgAAm78Y.jpg"></p>
<p>The team announced Monday afternoon that the day is official.</p>
<p>"Geno has been a wonderful player for us, and we are excited to be able to reward his high level of play and to secure his future here in Cincinnati," said Katie Blackburn, Bengals executive vice-president. "Geno is a special asset – a great person as well as an exceptional player – and we want to continue investing in players that play at a high level and help us win."</p>
<p>"Geno’s extension is exciting news," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "It puts the issue of his future behind him and the club and allows his focus to be on football and on a great start to our season."</p>
<p>Per the team's press release, Atkins' signing puts the Bengals among the top five NFL clubs in cash player spending for 2013. The Bengals have committed more than $180 million in 12 new veteran contracts thus far during the year with deals that included Carlos Dunlap, Robert Geathers, Michael Johnson, Wallace Gilberry, Rey Maualuga, James Harrison, Andre Smith, Adam Jones, Terence Newman, Mike Nugent, Kevin Huber, and Clark Harris.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/9/2/4686408/its-official-bengals-confirm-geno-atkins-extensionJosh Kirkendall2013-09-02T11:39:26-04:002013-09-02T11:39:26-04:00Geno Atkins responds to contract extension
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<figcaption>Thomas B. Shea</figcaption>
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<p>Two-time Pro Bowler and one-time First-team All Pro Geno Atkins responds to reports that he signed a five-year deal.</p> <p>Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins signed the second-most lucrative contract for a defensive tackle when reports surfaced that he has signed a five-year extension worth $55 million. There's a lot of details in there, but the main point that really matters for fans is that he'll be in a Bengals uniform for several more years.</p>
<p>Atkins tweeted Monday morning.</p>
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<p>Can't thank The Lord enough for blessing me to sign a contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals on this Labor Day. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23whodey&src=hash">#whodey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%235moreyears&src=hash">#5moreyears</a></p>
— Geno Atkins (@GenoSacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/GenoSacks/statuses/374554364079116288">September 2, 2013</a>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Now as they say, let's celebrate labor day by laboring. The Bengals had a team photo Monday morning and will practice from 2-3:30 p.m.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/9/2/4686188/geno-atkins-responds-to-contract-extensionJosh Kirkendall2013-09-02T09:47:12-04:002013-09-02T09:47:12-04:00BREAKING: Atkins and Bengals agree to an extension
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<figcaption>John Grieshop</figcaption>
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<p>Traditional to the Bengals usual methods, they will sign players to extensions just prior to the start of the regular season. This tradition continues with superstar defensive tackle Geno Atkins.</p> <p>The Cincinnati Bengals and defensive tackle Geno Atkins have <a href="https://twitter.com/joereedy/status/374529601101246464">agreed to an extension</a>, originally reported by Joe Reedy with the <i>Cincinnati Enquirer</i>. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/374531372725334016">five-year extension is worth $55 million</a>. Atkins will <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/374532015745269760">earn $22 million of that money in the first six months</a>, and $<a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/374537065175982081">36 million in new money during the first </a>three years of the extension. It's also the <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/374536815157710848">second-most lucrative contract for a defensive tackle</a> behind Haloti Ngata, who signed a five-year deal worth $61 million with $37.1 million guaranteed.</p>
<p>According to Joe Reedy with the Cincinnati Enquirer, <a href="https://twitter.com/joereedy/status/374552436402577408">Atkins cap number in '13 is $7 million</a>. It jumps to $9.3 million in '14.</p>
<p>Atkins was originally entering the final year of his rookie contract and many view him as one of (if not the) best three-technique defensive tackles in the NFL. Dating back to 2010, Atkins has generated 23 quarterback sacks, including a team-leading 12.5 sacks in 2012 -- that ranks third for a single-season in franchise history. Atkins has also generated 135 quarterback pressures, 81 quarterback hurries, and an additional 29 quarterback hits since entering the NFL.</p>
<p>Over two months ago, Jason La Canfora with CBSSports.com wrote that significant differences remained between Atkins' representatives and the organization, suggesting that the "<a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/6/17/4439036/jason-la-canfora-appear-to-be-significant-difference-in-figures">numbers exchanged by the sides thus far are miles apart from what I've heard</a>." When the team traveled to Atlanta for joint practices and the preseason opener against the Falcons, Atkins reportedly spent significant time with his agents Pat Dye and Bill Johnson. The sides have been speaking about an extension dating back to January during the Senior Bowl and have continued with infrequent dialogue since.</p>
<p>The Bengals entered the offseason wanting to secure their core defensive players to long-term extensions. After applying the franchise tag on Michael Johnson, they tried signing the fifth-year defensive end to a five-year extension worth $40 million prior to the July 15 deadline. He refused. Cincinnati quickly announced a five-year extension for Carlos Dunlap instead, totaling $95 million worth of extensions to Atkins and Dunlap in the past month and $<a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffHobsonCin/status/374536867229601792">180 million in total money in free agency and re-signing their own</a>.</p>
<p>Cincinnati has a tradition of finalizing extensions prior to the team's regular season opener. In 2011, they announced extensions with Andrew Whitworth, Leon Hall, and Kyle Cook.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/9/2/4685688/report-atkins-and-bengals-close-to-a-mega-extensionJosh Kirkendall2013-08-11T10:23:09-04:002013-08-11T10:23:09-04:00Looking at discussions with Bengals and Atkins
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<figcaption>Thomas B. Shea</figcaption>
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<p>A series of updates regarding contract discussions with Geno Atkins surfaced this week.</p> <p>It wasn't so much a contractual update, as it was a series of reminders that the Bengals want to get a deal done with defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Maybe there's a greater push to get a deal done. Preferably before the team kicks off their regular season opener in Chicago; which is a consistent timeline with deals that the Bengals have extended in the past.</p>
<p>During Cincinnati's preseason opener in Atlanta, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter wrote that the Bengals are "<a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4603864/bengals-making-a-major-push-to-sign-geno-atkins-to-a-long-term-deal">making a major push</a>" to sign Atkins to a long-term extension. This "update" surfaced after reports that Atkins was meeting with agents Pat Dye Jr. and Bill Johnson for an <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/7/4597414/geno-atkins-talked-for-a-while-with-agents-after-practice">extended period of time following Tuesday's practice in Atlanta</a>.</p>
<p>Len Pasquarelli with the <em>National Football Post</em> writes that the <a href="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Sunday-Blitz-7081.html">meet was mostly to touch base</a>.</p>
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<p>...the confab was mostly just touching base, not a detailed rehashing of the team’s desire to reach a contract extension with the two-time Pro Bowl tackle. Perhaps a deal gets done – the agents have a good relationship with the Bengals, cut an extension for offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth not that long ago, and the two sides have had cursory discussions – but there is still a ways to go before ink meets paper...</p>
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<p>Following Schefter's report on Thursday, Pro Football Talk updated the story that <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4604150/pft-deal-between-the-bengals-and-atkins-is-not-imminent">no agreement is actually imminent</a>.</p>
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<p>Per a source with knowledge of the situation, nothing is imminent between the Bengals and Atkins. The talks, which we’re told have been occurring for months, have no clear timeline.</p>
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<p>Atkins is projected to become one of, if not the highest, earner for a defensive tackle in league history. Currently Ndamukong Suh ($13.1 million) and Gerald McCoy ($12.7 million) have the highest average salaries at the position, mostly due to their rookie contract as second and third overall selections during the 2010 NFL draft. Haloti Ngata ($9.7 million) and Darnell Docket ($9.3 million) round out the top-four.</p>
<p>The question is if the Bengals will help him get there.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/11/4610986/looking-at-where-the-bengals-are-with-geno-atkins-contract-discussionsJosh Kirkendall2013-08-08T21:45:58-04:002013-08-08T21:45:58-04:00Deal between Bengals and Atkins not imminent
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Despite reports that the Bengals are making a major push to sign Geno Atkins to a long-term deal, nothing is imminent.</p> <p>Despite the encouraging news that the Cincinnati Bengals were <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4603864/bengals-making-a-major-push-to-sign-geno-atkins-to-a-long-term-deal">making a major push to sign defensive tackle Geno Atkins</a> to a long-term deal, <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/08/nothing-imminent-for-bengals-atkins/related/">nothing is actually imminent</a>, writes Mike Florio with <em>Pro Football Talk</em>.</p>
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<p>Yes, the Bengals and defensive tackle Geno Atkins have been talking about extending a rookie deal that expires after the coming season.</p>
<p>No, a deal isn’t on the brink of happening.</p>
<p>Per a source with knowledge of the situation, nothing is imminent between the Bengals and Atkins. The talks, which we’re told have been occurring for months, have no clear timeline.</p>
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<p>Atkins is entering the final year on his four-year rookie deal. However, don't expect the Bengals to let Atkins leave easily. If a deal isn't signed by then, Atkins will be playing for the Bengals through 2014.</p>
<h4>More from Cincy Jungle:</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4603864/bengals-making-a-major-push-to-sign-geno-atkins-to-a-long-term-deal">Bengals making a "major push" to sign Geno Atkins to a long-term deal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4603812/preseason-game-no-1-bengals-at-falcons">Preseason Game No. 1: Bengals at Falcons</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4602716/bengals-hard-knocks-the-struggles-making-reality-a-story">Bengals Hard Knocks: The Struggles of Making Reality a Story</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4603604/bengals-announce-player-inactive-against-the-falcons">Players not expected to play against the Falcons</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4601894/espns-john-clayton-gives-his-take-on-the-bengals">ESPN's John Clayton Gives His Take on The Bengals After Visiting Monday's Practice</a></li>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4604150/pft-deal-between-the-bengals-and-atkins-is-not-imminentJosh Kirkendall2013-08-08T20:05:01-04:002013-08-08T20:05:01-04:00Bengals with "major push" to sign Atkins long-term
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<figcaption>John Grieshop</figcaption>
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<p>One of the few remaining offseason storylines currently for the front office is signing defensive tackle Geno Atkins to a long-term deal.</p> <p>Signing Geno Atkins to a long-term deal for the front office is the equivalent of Marvin Lewis winning a playoff game. The Bengals want to get something done, securing an extension that will keep Atkins in a Bengals uniform long after 2014 (when the team is expected to franchise Atkins if there's no long-term deal in place).</p>
<p>According to Adam Shefter, talks starting to heat up.</p>
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<p>After locking up defensive end Carlos Dunlap with a long-term extension earlier this summer, the Cincinnati Bengals are now making a major push to sign Pro Bowl defensive tackle Geno Atkins to a long-term deal, a source familiar with the situation said Thursday.</p>
<p>Talent evaluators said this week they regard Atkins as the best defensive tackle in the NFL, and the Bengals recognize that.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Atkins' agents <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/7/4597414/geno-atkins-talked-for-a-while-with-agents-after-practice">spoke for "a while" with their client following Tuesday's practice</a>, allowing one to conclude that they were there to speak with the team. Jason La Canfora wrote nearly two months ago that the <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/6/17/4439036/jason-la-canfora-appear-to-be-significant-difference-in-figures">financial discrepancies were significant</a>. But we have a feeling that both sides want to get this deal done sooner rather than later.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/8/4603864/bengals-making-a-major-push-to-sign-geno-atkins-to-a-long-term-dealJosh Kirkendall2013-08-07T09:25:49-04:002013-08-07T09:25:49-04:00Atkins talked for "a while" with agents Tuesday
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins is entering the final year of his contract.</p> <p>Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, with rising superstar status with ESPYs attendance and throwing out the first pitch at a Reds game prior to training camp (and was made fun of by Mike Zimmer for being a celebrity), is entering the final year of his contract. Considering he's one of the best defensive tackles, one has to assume he will earn enough bling to buy the Cincinnati Bengals from the Brown family.</p>
<p>The last we've heard was that there was optimism that a deal would eventually get done, maybe prior to the start of the regular season. However, we've routinely heard that if a deal is struck, there is a significant dollar amount that must be bridged.</p>
<p>Following Tuesday's practice, Atkins spoke "<a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/jason-la-canfora/23043115/falconsbengals-notes-injury-makes-rt-trouble-spot-for-atlanta">for quite a while after practice</a>" with his agents in Atlanta according to Jason La Canfora, who writes:</p>
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<p>League sources say there has been ongoing dialogue about a new deal, but they are nowhere close on a deal with the Bengals at this point. I'd still bet strongly that he ends up with the franchise tag in 2014.</p>
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<p>At the very least, it's a safe bet. Whether or not Geno Atkins signs an extension from now until next March, he <em>will</em> be with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/8/7/4597414/geno-atkins-talked-for-a-while-with-agents-after-practiceJosh Kirkendall2013-07-25T15:12:13-04:002013-07-25T15:12:13-04:00Johnson happy for Carlos Dunlap's extension
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It's reasonable to conclude that Carlos Dunlap received the money that they were offering Michael Johnson. No problem, says Johnson.</p> <p>When Michael Johnson and the Bengals were unable to reach a long-term agreement earlier this month, Cincinnati swung around and signed Carlos Dunlap to roughly the same contract offer that they had given to Johnson. One could imagine a slight disgruntledness or awkward situation between Johnson and Carlos Dunlap.</p>
<p>Not these fellows.</p>
<p>"I was excited for him. He’s done a lot of good things for us since he’s been here," <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Quick-hits-Green-Dalton-take-the-lead/2a8dea41-bc47-43d2-9668-a50bc86e12e6">said Johnson</a> to <a href="http://sulia.com/channel/cincinnati-bengals/f/c2e1a4cd-9cf4-426f-9f1f-c6a9f6bce452/?source=twitter">reporters on Tuesday</a>.. "He works hard. He deserves it," he said. "First thing I did was hit him up and congratulate him."</p>
<p>As for Johnson, Geoff Hobson described <a href="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Quick-hits-Green-Dalton-take-the-lead/2a8dea41-bc47-43d2-9668-a50bc86e12e6">Johnson's mood as being very comfortable</a>.</p>
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<p>"I signed (the franchise tender) back in March. If I didn’t like it I wouldn’t have signed it. That’s the way it played out. I’m here to give everything I’ve got and have fun and help them make a Super Bowl run," Johnson said. "Because that’s the goal. At the end of the day, to be great you’ve got to put the team goals ahead of everything else. That’s what we’re all doing here, and that’s why I think we’ve got a good shot at doing something special. I’m happy to be a part of it. Everything else will follow. If the team does well, the defense does well, you do well, everybody wins. It’s going to all be all right."</p>
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<p>As for Johnson, he's not worried about it. They'll just <a href="http://sulia.com/channel/cincinnati-bengals/f/c2e1a4cd-9cf4-426f-9f1f-c6a9f6bce452/?source=twitter">try again next year</a>.</p>
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<p>"I knew they wanted to get something done with me, him and Geno. It just didn’t work out with me," Johnson said. "It is what it is. It’s not going to be a distraction or anything. We’re still going to go out and ball, and when it’s time to take another look at that next year, then we’ll do it."</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/7/25/4557118/michael-johnson-happy-for-carlos-dunlaps-extensionJosh Kirkendall