I'm satisfied with our free agency

[cincygrad]

The other thing to remember is that we are playing the comp. pick game..... If you want to compare Fairley to MJ, you have to factor in the comp pick that will be there for Gresh (assuming someone signs him). Ultimately, we sign a multi-year deal for MJ and secure a 4th rounder (at least) in 2016 rather than signing a year for Fairley.

I used to hate that strategy, but it does make some sense.... When the Ravens do it, everyone writes about Ozzie being a genius.

 

[alf8478]

I'm ok with the Johnson signing, I would have rather had an impact DT but I can live with Johnson. At worst, he'll help against the run.

I'm interested in seeing if Johnson is/was a product of Zimmer and his scheme.

Singing Fairley would've shown us that this team wants to over the hump and meant what it said about changing its ways. And we all pretty much knew that was all bs

 

[Cincyfan78]

We don't know what Fairley was asking for. Knighton signed his 1 year deal after he left Cincy setting that kind of a deal in place. Once that was done, maybe STL or Fairley suggested that option. Wouldn't have mattered because he was already out of Cincy.

You also have to admit if they signed both MJ and Fairley isntead of Rey, Hawk, Nuge, they weren't signign another decent F/A. That means you go into next year with just Lemur as your starting LB, and a bunch of crap at LB. At least this way they spread out the impact and players through the defense, which honestly, makes much more sense.

As Cincygrad has said, let's see how it plays out. Besides, as others have pointed out, we should all know by know what to expect in F/A with the Bengals no matter what they say.

 

[cincygrad]

I'm ok with the Johnson signing, I would have rather had an impact DT but I can live with Johnson. At worst, he'll help against the run.

I'm interested in seeing if Johnson is/was a product of Zimmer and his scheme.

Singing Fairley would've shown us that this team wants to over the hump and meant what it said about changing its ways. And we all pretty much knew that was all bs

You'd figure if he was a product of Zimmer, he should still do okay..... We can't be much different (in terms of basic approach) than we were when he was around. And I don't think motivation was ever a concern.

I like MJ. I was pissed we lost him last year. And let's be honest, the situation in Tampa last year was a train wreck. Probably didn't help that the guy was hurt.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

MJ was a very good player for us. The defense was severely lacking without him in 2014. He does way more for our front than just rush the passer. His run defense and pass deflection ability are valuable too. With him back, the defense, if healthy, should be at least as good as 2013. Which was pretty damn good.

As I've said before, we were never going to sign Greg Hardy. So might as well just let that one be.

I would've liked Fairley too. But I feel like most people are outraged over not signing him because he is a big name. He hasn't been very productive outside of about 15 games or so, and is always hurt. Do we really need more Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert medical marvels?

I've been bitching on here for a solid week. This front office pissed me off as much, if not more, than most everyone on this board. However, we all know what we signed up for as Bengals fans. This is how they operate. We will never be big players in FA. Nor will we do was is necessary to improve the team. I think we all know why that is.

I'm excited to have Michael Johnson back. As I said before, he's better than nothing. If we didn't resign him, we were getting no one. So there's that.

 

[Tubbs1518]

He had 11.5 sacks in 2 years. That is pretty good, especially when he was only a starter for 22 of the 32 games. Sure he was hurt last year, but he played in 13 games in his 2nd year and 15 in his 3rd. I'll take that every day beside Geno.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Add in Dunlap on the other side, and allowing Gilberry to work at DT and rotate in like they did 2 years ago to keep guys fresh...could be a good thing.

Considering the amount of angst last year over losing MJ, I'm really surprised that there's been so 'ho-hum' attitudes towards his re-signing. I find that interesting.

 

[alf8478]

Considering the amount of angst last year over losing MJ, I'm really surprised that there's been so 'ho-hum' attitudes towards his re-signing. I find that interesting.

I didn't think losing him last season was a huge deal at the time, I'm not sure how much of a difference he would have made had he been here. But in the end, it really worked out well for everyone, Johnson got paid, the Bengals got their precious comp pick, AND got Johnson back at a lower price.

Let's be honest, the fate of the 2015 defense depends on Burfict's knee.

 

[cincygrad]

Add in Dunlap on the other side, and allowing Gilberry to work at DT and rotate in like they did 2 years ago to keep guys fresh...could be a good thing.

Considering the amount of angst last year over losing MJ, I'm really surprised that there's been so 'ho-hum' attitudes towards his re-signing. I find that interesting.

To be fair, I was probably the one that bitched the most (or at least continuously brought it up) and I'm thrilled with the move.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I am not backing management, but here are a couple sayings that wrap things up pretty well for those bitching about Fairley and Hardy and what not.......

"Damned if they do, and damned if they don't."

"The grass is not always greener on the other side."

 

[bengaldoug]

I wouldn't have messed with Hardy. He's a powder keg that could go off at any moment imo. And while I was interested in Fairley's potential upside, he also would have been a risky signing. Maybe a one year "prove it" contract like the Rams gave him, nothing long term. He'll be available again next year if we still need a DT, though I'm hoping we can solve that problem in the draft.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Michael Johnson returns to Bengals on four-year deal - NFL.com

glad he's back. now just stay healthy!!!

 

[flamingrey]

Bringing Johnson back was a very good pickup.

I would hardly say I'm "satisfied". I look at what other teams have done, and there is little to be "satisfied" about.

Another typical Bengals offseason. Ho-hum.

As far as Hardy goes, until AP's situation is resolved, Hardy is likely going nowhere. Can't really complain (yet) that we haven't tried to snag him.

 

[JBUCK66]

Let's be honest, the fate of the 2015 defense depends on Burfict's knee.

I agree. We didn't add anyone of consequence. Marvin lied and it's my fault for believing him. Rainbows all around.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Let's be honest, the fate of the 2015 defense depends on Burfict's knee.

I agree. We didn't add anyone of consequence. Marvin lied and it's my fault for believing him. Rainbows all around.

I'll disagree a bit here.

The fate of the season is on Dalton. Has been for the last several years, and is again next year. If he can't improve and lead this offense consistently, it won't matter. Unless the defense plans on returning 1-2 scores a game, this season rests on Dalton's arm more than anything.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Personally, I think the fate of the 2015 Bengals comes down to health and the ability of players to rebound from those injures. Then of course Dalton. Dalton just can't be playoff Dalton come playoffs. He has to be the good to average Dalton.

I look at the Bengals of 2013 versus the 2014 Bengals and it just shocks the crap out of me. Dalton was pretty dang good in 2013 number wise by breaking t he TD and yards mark for the organization in a season, while the defense was ranked top 5 and we go 11-5.

Fast forward to 2014, Dalton is TERRIBLE, injuries galore on the team, defense is ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league and we still manage 9.5 wins. I know schedule plays a part in that, but everyone before 2013 said we had a brutal schedule would be lucky to win 8 games. We win 11. Then 2014 comes around, it is brutal, we will be lucky to win 8 games. We win 9.5.

If Dalton can just start being a 4000 yard guy, throw about 25-30 TD's, but start limiting the mistakes INT wise, he can be a capable QB. I just don't see him getting better is the problem.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

I'll disagree a bit here.

The fate of the season is on Dalton. Has been for the last several years, and is again next year. If he can't improve and lead this offense consistently, it won't matter. Unless the defense plans on returning 1-2 scores a game, this season rests on Dalton's arm more than anything.

This^^

We could sign Greg Hardy, JJ Watt and Lawrence Taylor. I wouldn't matter if Dalton can't play like a starting NFL QB when we need him. Has our offseason been superb? No. Did the front office lie to the fanbase for the millionth time? Yes. But there's not a move we could've made that would've changed this fact.

We need Andy Dalton to step up. This team will never win unless he does.

 

[alf8478]

I said the fate of the defense.

Obviously the fate of the team rides on Dalton

 

[bengaldoug]

I'll disagree a bit here.

The fate of the season is on Dalton. Has been for the last several years, and is again next year. If he can't improve and lead this offense consistently, it won't matter. Unless the defense plans on returning 1-2 scores a game, this season rests on Dalton's arm more than anything.

So in other words, we are fucked.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Here's how I feel about Dalton getting better....

I know a guy who just learned how to throw a perfect spiral. and he can run like Jerome Bettis. One year is all I ask, and then we can draft our next QB.

pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaase.