Cincy Jungle - Michael Johnson in Free Agency '14Who Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2014-03-11T09:51:34-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/51097472014-03-11T09:51:34-04:002014-03-11T09:51:34-04:00Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign Michael Johnson
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<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Michael Johnson isn't coming back to the Bengals. </p> <p><b>UPDATE</b></p>
<p>It's official: Michael Johnson is a Buccaneer now:</p>
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<p>More specifics: Sources: DE Michael Johnson has agreed to a 5-year, $43.75M deal with 24M guaranteed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p>
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/statuses/443399142401138688">March 11, 2014</a>
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<p>This is a great move by Johnson, who will now play to one of the league's best defensive tackles in Gerald McCoy. He finished the 2013 season with a +57.3 grade from PFF, and he should help keep double-teams off MJ. That's what allowed him to thrive in Cincinnati, where he played next to Geno Atkins, the best DT in the NFL.</p>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> remain the favorites to eventually sign <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> defensive end Michael Johnson once the NFL free agency signing period opens.</p>
<p>The latest report from Adam Schefter suggests a deal may already be in place at 4 pm ET:</p>
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<p>Buccaneers and Bengals free-agent DE Michael Johnson in "serious discussions."</p>
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/statuses/443382321018716160">March 11, 2014</a>
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<p>If Johnson does leaver as expected, that means either <span>Wallace Gilberry</span> or <span>Robert Geathers</span> will likely step into a starting role next year, but don't rule out <span>Margus Hunt</span> either.</p>
<p>A third-round draft pick in 2009, Johnson has played at a Pro Bowl level over the past two seasons, and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer had made it no secret he loves MJ and wants him back. Now the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, Zimmer wanted to reunite with Johnson there, but after the team signed Everson Griffin to a long-term extension, it ended any hope Johnson would sign there.</p>
<p>The Chicago bears have also showed interest in Johnson, but they appear to be more focused on Oakland Raiders DE Lamarr Houston. If somehow the Bucs fail to sign Johnson, look for the Raiders to begin showing interest in him.</p>
<p>Regardless, he's not coming back to Cincinnati.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/11/5495774/tampa-bay-buccaneers-and-michael-johnson-in-serious-discussionsJason Marcum2014-03-10T21:20:08-04:002014-03-10T21:20:08-04:00Bucs lead for Michael Johnson; Making push for AC
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bucs are now favorites for Michael Johnson.</p> <p><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/9/5489300/report-anthony-collins-expected-to-sign-with-buccaneers" target="_blank">It was reported this weekend that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the biggest threat to sign offensive tackle Anthony Collins away from the Cincinnati Bengals.</a></p>
<p>With NFL free agency set to kickoff Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, they remain the frontrunners for a Bengals free agent.</p>
<p>It's not Collins though, as defensive end Michael Johnson is now their primary target:</p>
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<p>Bucs will be active in free agency, and are frontrunners for DL Michael Johnson (over $8M/year). Also strong push for T Anthony Collins</p>
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/statuses/443187755938742272">March 11, 2014</a>
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<p>As LaCanfora stated, they are still going to make a strong push for Collins, but paying Johnson that kind of contract could lower their offer for Collins.</p>
<p>As of now, the Bengals' willingness to match whatever the Bucs offer Collins is unknown, but this could end up lower the Bucs offer, thus giving the Bengals a better chance to match their offer. <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/10/5492752/redskins-may-sign-aqib-talib-how-that-affects-bengals" target="_blank">The Redskins are also showing interest in Collins</a>, but they too may not have enough cap space to outbid the Bengals.</p>
<p>The Bucs wouldn't normally have enough cap room to sign both players, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/10/5494190/report-tampa-bay-buccaneers-set-to-cut-darrelle-revis">but if they cut Darrelle Revis as they're expected to</a>, they'll have more than enough money to outbid Cincy for both players.</p>
<p>How ironic would it be if Johnson signing with another team is what ultimately helps the Bengals keep Collins? The start of free agency looks like it's going to kick-off with quite a bang.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/10/5494082/buccaneers-lead-for-michael-johnson-making-push-for-anthony-collinsJason Marcum2014-03-10T19:18:12-04:002014-03-10T19:18:12-04:00Vikings are "definitely" out of the running for Michael Johnson<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/5109747">Vikings are "definitely" out of the running for Michael&nbsp;Johnson</a></h3>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/10/5493380/vikings-are-definitely-out-of-the-running-for-michael-johnsonJosh Kirkendall2014-03-10T18:23:35-04:002014-03-10T18:23:35-04:00MJ "unlikely" to return; Bears clearing space?
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<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>On Saturday, Ben Goessling with ESPN was told that Johnson wasn't going back to Cincinnati. On Monday, Josina Anderson (with the same organization) reiterated the obvious conclusion that most of us had already realized..</p> <p>In case you were living under a rock -- and if you bumped your head on that rock, instantly sliding to stage four in your sleeping pattern just after Carlos Dunlap was extended -- the likelihood that the Cincinnati Bengals will retain Michael Johnson is smaller than microscopic.</p>
<p>On Saturday, Ben Goessling with ESPN was told that <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/nfl-free-agency-2014/2014/3/8/5485932/2014-bengals-free-agent-michael-johnson-not-coming-back-to-cincinnati/in/5109747">Johnson wasn't going back to Cincinnati</a>. On Monday, Josina Anderson (with the same organization) reiterated the obvious conclusion that most of us had already realized.</p>
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<p>Sources: "It is unlikely" that the Cincinnati Bengals will re-sign DE Michael Johnson.</p>
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/statuses/443124333498859520">March 10, 2014</a>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will reportedly make a big push, but the Chicago Bears might have the inside track.</p>
<p>Reports surfaced on Saturday night that Chicago was interested in Johnson, but <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/nfl-free-agency-2014/2014/3/9/5488386/free-agency-2014-bears-top-target-is-michael-bennett-not-michael-johnson">Michael Bennett was referenced as their top choice</a>. Bennett reached an agreement on a <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/10/5492288/seattle-seahawks-re-sign-free-agent-defensive-end-michael-bennett">four-year deal on Monday</a> to stay with Seattle. Theoretically, that places Johnson in first position with the Bears -- if weekend reports were to believed.</p>
<p>Roughly two hours after that the Seahawks announced that Bennett was returning, the Chicago Bears decided that they were <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/443138414679195648">releasing running back Michael Bush</a> and reports have already surfaced that the team is <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/443135539244711936">looking for a trade partner to deal defensive end Julius Peppers</a>.</p>
<p>While consequence is always a possibility, one could assume that Chicago is freeing up room to sign Johnson.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/10/5493162/bengals-free-agent-michael-johnson-unlikely-to-return-bears-clearingJosh Kirkendall2014-03-10T15:58:20-04:002014-03-10T15:58:20-04:00Seahawks re-sign DE Michael Bennett
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Bennett's deal may have also provided a forecast for Johnson's ceiling -- in that he'll receive something in the neighborhood of $34 million and $16 million guaranteed. Maybe he'll receive more, or less, but figure that the contract will be similar. </p> <p>The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms on a <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/443108116427988992">four-year deal with defensive end Michael Bennett</a>, according to Pro Football Talk. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweets that <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/443109170032562176">Bennett will receive $34 million</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/443109648787599360">Ian Rapoport (NFL Network)</a> and Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/443109570941288448">confirming the annual $8 million/year price tag</a>. ESPN Insider John Clayton tweets that the deal has <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaytonESPN/status/443110207179091968">$16 million worth of guarantees</a>.</p>
<p><i>NOTE: Another number out there is a <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/10/bennett-turned-down-more-money-from-two-other-teams/">four-year deal worth $28.5 million</a>.</i></p>
<p>Bennett had been the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/nfl-free-agency-2014/2014/3/9/5488386/free-agency-2014-bears-top-target-is-michael-bennett-not-michael-johnson">Chicago Bears top choice</a> with Bengals free agent Michael Johnson on their radar. Let's go ahead and assume that Johnson is much higher on the Bears radar, placing themselves in the middle of a bidding war with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who reportedly are making a big push for Johnson.</p>
<p>Bennett's deal may have also provided a forecast for Johnson's ceiling -- in that he'll receive something in the neighborhood of $34 million and $16 million guaranteed. Maybe he'll receive more, or less, but figure that the contract will be similar.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE: </i><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/10/bennett-turned-down-more-money-from-two-other-teams/">According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk</a>, Bennett's deal is actually worth $28.5 million in total. He apparently turned down more money from other teams, but will be making $10 million in 2014 alone. The yearly salary average for the four years is $7.13 million.</p>
<p>(Anthony Cosenza contributed to this report.)</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/10/5492288/seattle-seahawks-re-sign-free-agent-defensive-end-michael-bennettJosh Kirkendall2014-03-09T16:02:18-04:002014-03-09T16:02:18-04:00Bears first choice is Michael Bennett, not Johnson
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<figcaption>Ronald Martinez</figcaption>
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<p>Bengals free agent Michael Johnson still interests the Chicago Bears but Michael Bennett is their first choice.</p> <p>On Saturday, when teams were allowed to start talking with agents of soon-to-be unrestricted free agents, four teams were linked to Michael Johnson: The Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/8/5486756/chicago-bears-inquired-about-bengals-free-agent-michael-johnson">and the Chicago Bears</a>.</p>
<p>In the 24 hours since, the Eagles <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/8/5485636/2014-free-agency-bengals-michael-johnson-not-going-to-the-philadelphia-eagles/in/5109747">decided not to pursue</a> Johnson. The <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/9/5488014/vikings-de-everson-griffen-re-signs-with-minnesota-on-huge-five-year">Vikings re-signed Everson to a five-year deal</a>, which will average out to $8.5 million per year, which may have dropped Johnson for consideration in Minnesota.</p>
<p>Now the level of interest from the Chicago Bears could have been nothing more than exploratory. Brad Briggs with the Chicago Tribune writes that "<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-michael-bennett-free-agency-20140308,0,2625988.story">Johnson is drawing considerable interest but the Bears’ focus is said to be on (Michael) Bennett</a>."</p>
<p>Many reports surfacing about "interest" and "inquiries" are often suspicious for rumor-mongering from within the legal tampering window. One report suggests that at least seven teams are interested in Johnson, however only four teams have been mentioned and three of those teams might be not pursue Johnson beyond exploratory phone calls -- go ahead and call the Bengals a fifth if you want.</p>
<p>That leaves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have a history of winning the Free Agency Bowl recently, as the front runners.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/nfl-free-agency-2014/2014/3/9/5488386/free-agency-2014-bears-top-target-is-michael-bennett-not-michael-johnsonJosh Kirkendall2014-03-09T13:38:30-04:002014-03-09T13:38:30-04:00Everson Griffen re-signs with the Vikings
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<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>But the question drawing greater interest is the impact this haves with Bengals free agent Michael Johnson.</p> <p>With Vikings free agent Jared Allen moving on from the Vikings, <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/442711075008827392">dwindling his possible list to less than five teams</a>, Minnesota decided to re-sign another defensive end before free agency kicks off on Tuesday. Defensive end Everson Griffen is signing a five-year deal to return with the Minnesota Vikings, according to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network.</p>
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<p>DE Everson Griffen is re-signing with the Vikings on a huge 5-year deal, per source</p>
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/statuses/442711809099702272">March 9, 2014</a>
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<p>According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the deal is <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/442716714724098048">worth $42.5 million with $20 million guaranteed</a>.</p>
<p>Pro Football Focus rated Griffen as <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fblog%2F2014%2F02%2F17%2Franking-the-2014-free-agents-edge-rushers%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2014%2F3%2F9%2F5488014%2Fvikings-de-everson-griffen-re-signs-with-minnesota-on-huge-five-year" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">eighth-best defensive end headed into free agency</a>.</p>
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<p>Everson Griffen, a fourth-round draft pick out of USC in 2010, was not a starter, but was one of only four Vikings defenders to finish the season with a ‘green’ overall grade. It did take him four weeks into the season to record more than two pressures, and he only had one spectacular pass rushing performance (registering nine pressures against an underrated Washington offensive line in Week 10 on Thursday Night Football). But it’s worth noting he was never blanked in the 2013 season and his only overall-negatively graded season in his four-year career came in 2012 and was mostly due to penalties (he had eight). Any team looking for depth should take a look.</p>
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<p>Griffen has 17.5 quarterback sacks in his career, reaching a career-high 8.0 in 2012 -- followed that up with 5.5 in 2013.</p>
<p>The more interesting question is how this affects a possible Michael Johnson deal. Minnesota is considered one of, if not the, top suitors for Johnson, and one of three teams named as having inquired about him on Saturday. That possibility may have been removed Sunday afternoon.</p>
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<p>Sounds as if the Vikings will be keeping DE Everson Griffen around. Which would seem to take them out of Michael Johnson picture.</p>
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) <a href="https://twitter.com/danwiederer/statuses/442713906029408256">March 9, 2014</a>
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<p>Everson Griffen heading back to MIN also means one less suitor for Michael Johnson, for whatever that's worth.</p>
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePewterPlank/statuses/442712835198816256">March 9, 2014</a>
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<p>On the other hand, the Vikings have <a href="http://overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=Vikings&Year=2014">over $40 million available in cap space</a> (before the Griffen deal), so one could assume that Johnson is very much alive.</p>
<p>However, the $8.5 million/year average that Griffen is receiving on his new deal is well below the projected $10 million/year that Johnson could be asking for. Griffen's deal also sets a benchmark for Johnson's guaranteed numbers, which figure go well north of $20 million -- maybe $25 million on a five-year deal with a total value of $50 million?</p>
<p>If that's the range that Johnson is looking for, it's sandwiches between the contracts signed by Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap -- which to us would seem fair. Whether or not the Bengals want to have $142.697 million tied up with the defensive line requires a greater inquiry.</p>
<p>If the Vikings are out, that would likely put the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in first position for Johnson, who are reportedly making a <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/8/5486686/report-buccaneers-making-push-to-sign-bengals-de-michael-johnson">significant push to sign him</a>. Cincinnati is still talking with Johnson, but don't expect much movement prior to free agency on Tuesday. And there's always a dark horse to consider -- upwards to seven teams have reportedly inquired about him (we knew of three when that was originally reported).</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/9/5488014/vikings-de-everson-griffen-re-signs-with-minnesota-on-huge-five-yearJosh Kirkendall2014-03-08T23:44:12-05:002014-03-08T23:44:12-05:00Now add the Chicago Bears
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<figcaption>Jamie Sabau</figcaption>
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<p>There are upwards to seven teams that have inquired about Bengals free agent Michael Johnson. The Bears become the third known team</p> <p>The Chicago Bears are interested in Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4690861/source-bears-interested-in-de-michael-johnson">according to Jeff Dickerson with ESPN's NFL Nation</a>.</p>
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<p>The Bears were one of the teams to inquire about Johnson on Saturday on the opening day of the NFL's legal tampering period leading up the official start of free agency on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT, according to a source familiar with the situation.</p>
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<p>The Bears joined the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as known teams vying for Johnson, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday, March 11. Upwards to seven teams reportedly have expressed interest in Johnson during the three-day window known as the legal tampering period.</p>
<p>As we pointed out earlier on Saturday, the <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/8/5486686/report-buccaneers-making-push-to-sign-bengals-de-michael-johnson">Buccaneers are making a "hard push" for Johnson</a> while the Vikings hold an extremely strong position as the favorites to eventually sign the soon-to-be former Bengals defensive end.</p>
<p>Also on Saturday, one ESPN report said <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/nfl-free-agency-2014/2014/3/8/5485932/2014-bengals-free-agent-michael-johnson-not-coming-back-to-cincinnati/in/5214097">Johnson will not be returning to the Cincinnati Bengals</a>.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2014/3/8/5486756/chicago-bears-inquired-about-bengals-free-agent-michael-johnsonJosh Kirkendall