What to expect from the Bengals Going Forward

 

Mike Brown does not believe in getting into the crazy spending in the first few days of free agency, and I agree with him. The first few days is overpaying for players who will marginally help your team and you cannot build a successful franchise that way. However, once the dust settles and the big money has been spent, teams can go in and fill holes and improve their rosters with solid players at cap friendly prices…which is the way you build success in the NFL (the Dolphins and Browns will learn this one day).

Here is what to expect of the Bengals going forward:

·      Signing Andre Smith

     The Andre Smith front has been quiet in regards to all teams and that is good news for the Bengals. Smith wanted $9 million – he has problems with weight, injuries, and work ethic - he ain’t getting $9 million. However, when healthy, he is a solid RT and is a good sign for the Bengals. Expect the Bengals to sign him soon in the $6-7 million range.

·       Signing Adam Jones 

      Also haven’t heard much on Jones from other teams. Expect him back in Cincy. Zimmer seems to like him and he seems to like Cincinnati for giving him a chance to save his career. Since signing, he has been a good nickel CB and an excellent punt returner. In today’s passing NFL, you need 3 good CBs and good punt returners are tough to find. I would guess 2-3 years in the $2-3 million range.

·       Signing Terrance Newman

      This is a possibility, and not a bad one at that. Newman had a good year and would provide depth at CB and possibly even help at safety. If they sign Newman, look for just another 1 year deal.

·       Signing Thomas Howard

      I still believe they will re-sign Howard. It is not sexy, but he was there best LB in 2011 and would be available at a low market price. 1 year deal for $1 + incentives.

·       Extending Geno Atkins

      Atkins (along with Dunlap and MJ) are FAs next year. Atkins is the best DT in the league right now and you do not want him to hit the market. If he does, the Bengals will not re-sign him. They would be wise to use their cap space this year and extend Atkins. 

·       Don’t rule out extensions for Dunlap, MJ, or Green

     These players are all better than what was and is on the market, and with the cap space the Bengals have, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start working on extensions.

If simply re-signing and extending the guys above is the extent of the Bengals offseason, that is a good offseason. Look, the Bengals are a good and young team. There was not many (if any) players on the market that were a significant upgrade from  what the Bengals have….and that is a good thing. The Bengals philosophy is why overspend to get marginal improvement? Draft well and keep your own, and that is what they are doing. It has been proven time and time again that many free agents are bust because they either were good system fits in their old system (see departing Baltimore defensive players) or they just don’t perform once getting the big money. Keep in mind, the Bengals have young internal options coming up at LB and CB.

LB

• Aaron Maybin – Perfect Zimmer reclamation project. High 1^st round pick just 4 years ago who has not found success in the league. Zimmer has a track record of reviving guys careers. Maybin, at 24 years old, may just be that guy at strongside linebacker. 
• Dontay Moch – Who you ask? A 2011 pick from Nevada who has yet to be able to stay healthy. However, when healthy, he can rush the passer. Avergage 8+ sacks a year his last 3 years at Nevada and lead the Bengals in the 2012 preseason with 3.5 sacks (second most was 1.5). However, a PED suspension and injuries stopped his year before it began.
• Brandon Joiner – Who you ask again? A 2012 Bengals undrafted FA from Arkansas State who missed 2012 because he was in jail (insert Bengals joke here). All indications are that Joiner seems to be different (and here). His crime occurred 5 years ago when he was 18 and all accounts are that he has conducted himself in exemplary fashion since. The Bengals will use Joiner (a DE in college) at LB. Joiner was the 2011 Sun Belt Co-Defensive player of the Year and ranked 4^th nationally with 13 sacks. He compiled a total of 17 sacks and 24 ½ tackles for loss in 2 seasons at Arkansas State. He is no lock to make the roster, but could be a steal like Burfict was last year. 
• Emmanuel Lamur – Another who? Didn’t play much last year, but played when Maualuga went down and played fairly well. Looked good against the run and in coverage. He is a 2^nd year player out of Kansas State.

CB

• Dre Kirkpatrick – A top 20 pick in 2012 that essentially missed all year with injuries. Having him back in 2013 will be like having two 1^st round picks again.
• Shaun Prater – Another 2012 pick (5^th Rd from Iowa) the Bengals were high on that missed all of 2012 with an injury.
• Brandon Ghee – Speaking of guys that can’t stay healthy, but whom the Bengals are high on. A 3^rd round pick in 2010, was a 3 year starter at Wake Forest and one of the fastest CBs in the 2010 draft (4.39).
• Jason Allen – Young? No (30). But a good CB and former 1^st round pick that missed most of last season with injuries. His return should help and he can play CB and S.

WR

• Mohamed Sanu – How short our memories are. Not a speed guy, but a guy with good size, hands, and route running whose presence had the Bengals offense clicking last year prior to his injury.
• Marvin Jones – Not a great rookie year, but has speed and the Bengals are very high on his ability to be a #2 WR.

If the Bengals do look to go outside the organization to sign some players, here are some good players left that could improve the Bengals depth or provide a slight improvement at a reasonable cost and may be worth a look: 

Saftey

Ed Reed – Regardless of what the Bengals do, they should draft a safety high this year, and for the right price (under $4 M), Reed would be a good sign to bridge a gap to a young safety.

Charles Woodson – See analysis of Ed Reed and insert ‘Woodson’ for ‘Reed.’

Quintin Mikell – The Bengals need help at Safety. Mikell is a safety. He is also a veteran (11 years) with decent success.

Bernard Pollard – I would not sign Pollard, but if they want veteran Safety help, he may be worth a look.

Kerry Rhodes – Another veteran that could provide help to a weak safety group. 23 INTs and 13.0 sacks over a 9 year career

Michael Huff – Another Zimmer type reclamation project. #7 overall pick in 2006 was cut by the Raiders. He can also play CB and would be my top S target. In 7 seasons, he has 11 INTs, 5.5 sacks, and 438 tackles. A possible Charles or Rod Woodson revival is possible with Zimmer.

Cornerback

Antoine Winfield – If the Bengals want veteran depth at CB and possibly even safety, Winfield may be worth a look. Not the player he once was, but a Zimmer type who could provide depth and leadership.

Aqib Talib – I would stay away from him. Has a long history of conduct issues (most involving punching others in the face or firing of guns) and has not shown any remorse. But, then again, neither did Adam Jones and that has turned out pretty well. I would not sign him, but he is talented (#20 overall in 2008).

Linebacker

Karlos Dansby – I prefer Burfict in the middle. But, if they leave him on the outside, Dansby could be a good sign (I don’t think he would be up for a backup role).

Takeo Spikes – Would be a good sign for depth and leadership. Would not sign him as a starter, but would be an excellent mentor for Burfict and I would love to see Spikes back in stripes.

DJ Williams – Again, could be a very undervalued signing at LB for depth or starter.

Nick Barnett – See above.

Wide Receiver

Laurent Robinson – A potential #2 that could be brought in to compete with Sanu and Jones.

Darrius Heyward-Bey – See above.