Big Spenders?

[Tubbs1518]

WalterFootball.com: NFL Draft Rumor Mill

Bengals Plan Big Spending Blitz
Published Jan. 10, 2013
By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell

Sources with the Cincinnati Bengals have told WalterFootball.com that the team plans on being a big spender in free agency this year. Currently, Cincinnati leads the NFL in cap space ($55.1 million). Sources with the Bengals indicate that they intend to spend to the cap limit, which would mean they are going on a massive shopping spree this offseason. If the team follows through on that, it will be one of the most active franchises in free agency this spring.

Even though Cincinnati is going to sign a lot of players, it may not acquire all that many from other teams. The Bengals have 20 players whose contracts are expiring, and sources with the team say the front office wants to re-sign a lot of its own free agents.

Cincinnati will probably use a big chunk of money on an extension for star defensive tackle Geno Atkins. He is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2013 season, so signing him this offseason would be ideal. Atkins was a fourth-round pick in 2010 out of Georgia, so his rookie deal has him grossly underpaid compared to his counterparts around the league, given his production. Atkins is a franchise player whom the club must retain.

One of the highest priorities has to be to re-signing defensive end Michael Johnson, who is set to hit the open market. The fourth-year player turned into a force rushing off the edge this season with 11.5 sacks. Johnson was a nice complement to Atkins.

Johnson will be a hot commodity on the free agent market. The 6-foot-7, 270-pound defensive end is only 25 and has plenty of good years ahead of him. Cincinnati selected Johnson in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Ends like him rarely hit unrestricted free agency.

Given that retaining Johnson is a priority, the Bengals may use the franchise tag if they can't sign him to a multi-year extension before he hits free agency. The franchise tag for defensive ends is projected to be around $11 million. Atkins and Johnson are players the team would like to reward with big contracts after drafting them in the middle rounds and developing them into high-impact players.

Cincinnati is also expected to try to come to an extension with free agent offensive tackle Andre Smith. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap could also be signed to an extension, as he is a year away from free agency.

Aside from those re-signings and extensions, the Bengals would like to fill some other needs; one is a speed running back. Miami Dolphins' running back Reggie Bush is hitting free agency and would fit the offensive scheme run by Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

The Bengals could also use a safety to pair with Reggie Nelson. Potential targets include the Giants' Kenny Philips, the Jets' LaRon Landry, the 49ers' Dashon Goldson and the Patriots' Patrick Chung.

Cincinnati has made the playoffs three times in the past four years, and with the right moves that streak should continue. The team currently has a huge amount of free agency dollars as well as three draft picks in the top 53 selections of next April's draft. The Bengals could have a big offseason to fortify their roster for a fourth playoff appearance in 2013, especially if they spend that $55 million to the cap limit like sources say they plan to.

 

[kramer1]

I guarantee you we won't do a damn thing.

 

[cincygrad]

I don't doubt that we'll be 'big spenders.' We basically have to be..... But I can't see us adding much high price talent from other places. As the article mentions, we'll probably dump a lot of money into our own guys. I think we'll get a new deal for Geno, overpay for Michael Johnson and Tits McGee, one-year deals for Terrence Newman and Adam Jones, and probably three or four mid-range 'depth' players that will mostly be back-ups. One place I can see us adding a new player will be safety..... Maybe we'll finely wise-up and realize it has been a problem since Marvin has been coaching here.

 

[Tubbs1518]

I could see them adding a flashy guy like Reggie Bush. He seems like a guy Mikey boy would sign. I would actually like that signing too. I'd also like to see them add a Safety.

 

[kramer1]

I could see them adding a flashy guy like Reggie Bush. He seems like a guy Mikey boy would sign. I would actually like that signing too. I'd also like to see them add a Safety.

There is no chance of Reggie Bush being a Bengal? Why? because it would make sense.

Just stop. Why torture yourself?

This team could sign all of their own guys, Reggie Bush, and Dwayne Bowe and still be well under the cap.

It's not happening. Just stop.

 

[Tubbs1518]

There is no chance of Reggie Bush being a Bengal? Why? because it would make sense.

Just stop. Why torture yourself?

This team could sign all of their own guys, Reggie Bush, and Dwayne Bowe and still be well under the cap.

It's not happening. Just stop.

Just like we weren't beating the Steelers? Or the Giants? Or the Ravens? There was no way we were making the playoffs either right?

 

[Tubbs1518]

AJ Green was also a bum at one point wasn't he?

 

[kramer1]

You're a disgusting homer.

 

[Tubbs1518]

You are a moronic pessimist. I'm no homer, but I'm also not stupid enough to realize nothing good ever happens.

 

[DanBengalfan]

lol, everyone has to spend the practically same damned thing this year.

their idiots.

we'll have to break the bank just to hold onto our own players, don't worry about it.

 

[NCBengal]

Who writes this shit? Not going to happen.

 

[flamingrey]

Just like we weren't beating the Steelers? Or the Giants? Or the Ravens? There was no way we were making the playoffs either right?

I'm not sure someone's record of predictions of players or wins is relevant in this case. You just have to ask yourself, when is the last time the Bengals signed one of the bigger named FA's at any position? We spent all of last offseason trying to pick up 2nd and 3rd tier level players.

 

[Gypsumstack]

Maybe that's why Mike Brown is considering bringing in a GM. Now that he has to spend to the cap, he can't bring himself to sign all those big contracts personally.

 

[flamingrey]

I hate the article because it screams that the Bengals and Hobson are going to try to sell that they're going to be big spenders this offseason, not because they have to, but because they want to or because they actually care. And it'll fly for your everyday fan.

Other than that I thought the article was mostly on the money. We're going to be big spenders because we have to be, and we're going to spend the vast majority of it on our own FA.

 

[Tubbs1518]

I think we will have to get at least 1 big FA to spend the 55 mil we have too.

 

[flamingrey]

Maybe that's why Mike Brown is considering bringing in a GM. Now that he has to spend to the cap, he can't bring himself to sign all those big contracts personally.

I don't think they'll actually sign a GM, rather just give Marvin an expanded title/power, kind of like Cleveland has done in the past and Reid has in KC.

 

[Tubbs1518]

I don't think they'll actually sign a GM, rather just give Marvin an expanded title/power, kind of like Cleveland has done in the past and Reid has in KC.

I hope not. Hopefully they will just fully promote Marv to GM and promote Zimmer. In my perfect world that is what happens.

 

[kramer1]

I hope not. Hopefully they will just fully promote Marv to GM and promote Zimmer. In my perfect world that is what happens.

Come back to planet Earth, please.

 

[flamingrey]

I hope not. Hopefully they will just fully promote Marv to GM and promote Zimmer. In my perfect world that is what happens.

Why would Marvin give up coaching to become a GM? Especially since he already has a lot of the player personnel power that a GM typically does.

 

[kramer1]

I hear we're the favorites to land Warren Sapp!