Well Michael Johnson is as good as gone!

[augustisback003]

The Minnesota Vikings just signed Everson Griffen to a 5 yr deal worth $42.5 million. If he got a deal averaging more than $8 mil a Season then I can only imagine what kind of deal Johnson will receive.

excerpt~

The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed defensive end Everson Griffen to a five-year contract worth $42.5 million, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money, according to the source.

The 26-year-old Griffen hasn't turned his considerable potential into a breakout season yet, but he's shown hints of being an impressive pass rusher.

Everson Griffen of Minnesota Vikings signs five-year, $42.5 million deal - ESPN

 

[DanBengalfan]

you're prob right :/

 

[bengaldoug]

That appears to be a huge gamble, but Zim must have seen something......and yes, MJ's price just went through the roof.

 

[flamingrey]

"Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Anthony Collins is expected to sign with the Buccaneers for between $6.5 million to $7 million provided that he doesn't re-sign with the Bengals." - Aaron Wilson, Baltimore Sun

 

[flamingrey]

I cannot find the tweet now, but someone with I believe ESPN tweeted that MJ would not be returning to Cincinnati.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I can't see us paying Anthony Collins 7 million a year.

 

[bengaldoug]

Me neither. But I have no problem seeing him get it elsewhere, so he's most likely gone too.

 

[futballiscool]

The Bengals can't afford a huge third contact on the DL. I'm fine with MJ leaving even though he's been a productive player.

Collins on the other-hand should be a priority re-signing. He played flawlessly at the 2nd most important position on the field. As I stated in another thread, I'd sign Collins and release Whitworth if needed to free up the cash

 

[augustisback003]

Bucs making a push for MJ too.

excerpt~

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making a "hard push" to sign Johnson. Sportrac.com lists the Bucs with having around $23 million available under the cap.

Report: Buccaneers making push to sign Bengals DE Michael Johnson - Cincy Jungle

 

[kramer1]

I love this time of year!

Can we get Warren Sapp?

 

[DanBengalfan]

I love this time of year!

Can we get Warren Sapp?

A LOT of people would prefer him to Dave Lapham, but I think I can get Lapham to use the nickname "Cayenne Peppa" a lot easier, so I'm going to stick with Lapham.

 

[Cincyfan78]

It's not like the Bengals haven't had plans in place to replace guys.

They knew going into last year that MJ was a goner this year. They drafted Hunt, re-signed Dunlap and re-signed Gilberry (Kramer's MVP of the defense).

Losing him will hurt a bit, but again, it's not like the Bengals have already had a plan in place for this.

Collins is going to get paid, and without restructuring Whitworth (and the recent signing of the guard points to this not happening) you are returning Whitworth to LT, and the line will be just fine. They drafted depth last year in Hawkinson and will probably do so again this year.

The money they have isn't going to be the money they have when you consider of their 25mil cap space that 10-15 of it will go towards draft, F/A re-singings, etc...and then when you figure that big time pay-days are coming for AJ and Burfict. The Bengals have never been one to throw big money in F/A, but at least over the past few years, they've had a pretty decent plan in place to replace guys, and re-sign our biggest free-agents.

 

[ckhokie]

WE SIGN OUR OWN

 

[Cincyfan78]

MJ reported to sign with Buc's at 8.5Mper and 24 guaranteed.

 

[alf8478]

Bengals re-signed Brandon Tate.

If i can steal a line from Kramer...."order the rings"

 

[kramer1]

Tate is in the fold! Phew!

 

[bengaldoug]

MJ reported to sign with Buc's at 8.5Mper and 24 guaranteed.

Sure we knew it was coming, but a huge loss nonetheless............imo Margus Hunt is nowhere near ready to replace him.....

 

[Cincyfan78]

Gilberry tied for the team in sacks, if I remember correctly.

Gilberry, Dunlap, Geathers, Hunt...while, yes, losing MJ hurts, the DL is still in good shape. Better off than most teams that would lose a player of MJ's qualities.

 

[bengaldoug]

Gilberry tied for the team in sacks, if I remember correctly.

Gilberry, Dunlap, Geathers, Hunt...while, yes, losing MJ hurts, the DL is still in good shape. Better off than most teams that would lose a player of MJ's qualities.

MJ was our best and most consistent end. His presence made Gilberry better. Hunt is two years away, at least. He's a project. Geathers was washed up two years ago. The line will not be better without MJ, and could be worse.

 

[Cincyfan78]

MJ was our best and most consistent end. His presence made Gilberry better. Hunt is two years away, at least. He's a project. Geathers was washed up two years ago. The line will not be better without MJ, and could be worse.

Never said it would be better.

I said there would be a dropoff.

I just don't think it's going to be a HUGE dropoff. We'll see. Gunther likes to utilize the blitz more, which could help replace some of the pressure lost, as some LB pressure can help mitigate some loss of pressure to the DL.