Meet the New Guys

First, I’d like to vent: What’s with the Colts? Why make everyone wait to see if they would match the Bengals’ offer to tight end Ben Utecht? Gamesmanship? Ridiculous. Why not just inform both Ben and the Bengals of your intentions when you finally decide what to do with him? Surely it wasn’t a decision which required an 11th hour meeting.

Ben Utecht is a waste of money; $9 million for three years. While I do think he’s a serviceable receiving tight end, the Bengals can draft a variety of tight ends from this year’s crop, and quickly develop that player to match the capabilities Utecht has shown us with the Colts.

In Marvin’s defense, there is something to be said about knowing what you’re getting in today’s NFL. We know Utecht is fast enough, has decent hands and isn’t an awful blocker. Peyton Manning used him well, particularly when Dallas Clark was out with an injury. In each of Utecht’s last two seasons playing as a backup, he caught over 30 passes and had over 300 yards receiving. Reggie Kelly’s best season was ‘06 when he caught 21 passes for 254 yards, as a starter. We need another threat on first and second down. A reliable pass-catching tight end would take pressure off of the running game and be effective in the red zone. He’s still pretty young, 26, and he’s been healthy. Utecht isn’t an outrageous purchase but there are plenty of Utechts in every draft.

As for Antwan Odom, I’m very pleased with his signing. Odom’s arrival scratches the promise of a 3-4 scheme next season, which is fine with our current personnel. He’s eerily similar to Robert Geathers, in that they both are speed rushers, both have long arms and were both drafted the same year out of the SEC. Nothing wrong with having two of those guys on either end.

It pleases me most that we went out and acquired a player that we think can give us sacks. Marv has correctly identified that pressure on the quarterback was lacking, promptly dismissed Justin Smith and brought in a different kind of pass rusher in Odom. We pursued defensive tackles that could have also paid immediate dividends, and could still end up with Robertson. Dare I say that Marv has cast out his stubbornness and is addressing our many needs with enthusiasm? I think it looks that way.

Blackstock is another quality addition. He’s an outside linebacker with pass-rushing ability as well. He should be featured on passing downs and in nickel formations. He’ll compete for a starting job with Jeanty and Dahani Jones. I think competition is the main reason he was brought in at all. His presence alerts the others that starting jobs are to be earned and not handed out.

We may still end up with Ethan Kelly (DT, Browns ), but don’t expect much else from the free agent pool this year.

It’s almost time we get serious about the draft. Sedrick Ellis is still the dream pick, but could realistically drop to No. 9. More on that later.

Mojokong - YYYYeeeeeeeeeesss!!!

Gigantic Bygones

Guest Blog by Hugo:

When I got a text from a friend telling me we traded for Shaun Rogers, I got happy. Like, shaking at my office desk happy. He's the 6'5" 340 lb guy we've all wanted. He would have something to prove after his work ethic and commitment to the game were questioned in Detroit. We would see less, or maybe none, of John Thornton, which we can all agree is a good thing. I have been a big supporter of Thornton up until this year, but his salary (~3.5 mil) could definitely be better used elsewhere.

Anyway, Rogers must have been popular enough with the Lions to get Jon Kitna's seal of approval, because you KNOW Carson got the scoop on Rogers from Kitna. Needless to say, I thought it was a good move.

As pleased as I was with the Rogers deal, I was left shaking my head in disbelief that Antwan Odom and Marlon McCree were already lined up for visits, and that there is interest in Calvin Pace. Finally, the Bengals stale philosophy of avoiding big time free agents (and their big time contracts) was being discarded in favor of "The Overhaul".

So, when news broke that the Rogers deal was off, I was naturally feeling pretty salty. I thought the Bengals got played like they did in the Warren Sapp sweepstakes in 2004. I was confused by it, concerned that maybe our "Bungles" residue hadn't completely washed off, deterring Rogers from committing. Maybe it was the off-field stuff that scared the Bengals off. Whatever the reason, I didn't like it. But as everything has become known about the situation, it essentially boils down to the fact that we got outbid. Props to Cleveland for coming strong.

Shaun Rogers was due a $1 million roster bonus on March 1, but the Bengals were already at the cap for last year. So they weren't able to pay the bonus. Detroit obviously didn't want to pay it either, which is why they were definitely trading him by 11:59 on the 29th. That technicality caused the league to reject the deal, and before anyone knew it, the Browns dangled Leigh Bodden, their best corner, and a 3rd rounder. I'm glad we didn't try to match it. I wanted him, but didn't want to sacrifice too much, which the Browns definitely did.

As talented as Rogers is, he's got 'big' issues keeping his weight down to 340. With our training staff, that's a concern if he gets hurt at all. Also, while Kitna did vouch for him, the Lions definitely wanted to move him, so he certainly has the potential to be disruptive chemistry-wise. That's not something we can absorb. I don't know, maybe I've been conditioned by the Bengals to rationalize a missed opportunity. Or maybe I'm just jaded. But I've moved on.

By next week, I want to welcome in DeWayne Robertson and Antwan Odom, and welcoming back the 4-3.

Hugo

Ready or Not, Greenhorns Will Be Tested

The free-agent frenzy started today, and already Madieu Williams is a Viking and Justin Smith appears headed for a gold rush in San Francisco.

The Bengals also decided not to resign Tab Perry, a clear sign his hip isn’t getting any better soon. So long, Tab.

With Madieu gone to Minnesota and Dexter Jackson old and useless, the pair of rookie safeties - Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe - are now thrown into the primordial soup of this new defense as starters, at least for now. Like Fanene and Rucker at defenive end, these young bucks are going to see a lot of action next year.

Expect to hear a lot of second-tier names lining up to visit the Bengals this free agency. Out of all the names being tossed around, I like Calvin Pace the most. He’s got good size (270) for an outside backer, he’s 28, he had six sacks and 98 tackles last year in 16 games. Arizona had problems against the pass last year, but they were solid in run defense.

Sure, Lance Briggs would be nice, but he’ll command a lot more money than Pace, and we don’t have the history to cough up dough on top guys like him. In a perfect world, Dallas would be forced to release Roy Williams due to salary cap constraints and the Bengals could use their Mike Zimmer connection to lure him here. Or, Miami decides to shed Jason Taylor’s contract and start over without their old guys. Neither are all that likely, but it’s fun to think about.

Landon Johnson will be the next to fly the coup. He’s an undersized, tough guy, who plays a lot of snaps and makes tackles. Mike Zimmer has no need for guys like that, but he’ll find a home somewhere in the next week or so. If Bryan Robinson doesn’t find a place on our team, that would likely be the end of his playing days. So long, Bryan.

Also, look for the Bengals to consider acquiring defensive tackle Langston Moore from Detroit. He’s a former Marv draft pick and wasn’t too bad when he got his chances. He’d come cheap too.

This wide-ranging change of course we’re seeing, actually began last off-season. After so many older players were either cut or weren’t offered to resign, and then few free agents visited, it became clear that Marv was just making space for changes ahead. That time has come, and the further exodus of veteran players along with an invested future to the youth of this team, demonstrates Marvin’s last ditch effort to get this jalopy moving forward, once and for all. He get’s some time to try to fix it, but if this doesn’t work either...So long, Marv.

Mojokong - Madieu, $33 million?

Fanene's Pay Day

In a move that adds to the speculation of a defensive scheme change, the Bengals re-signed seldom used Jonathan Fanene to a three-year contract last week.

This move makes a lot of sense. At 295 pounds and strong like bull, Fanene, 26, can play end in a 3-4 or be added to the rotation of defensive tackles. Fanene is light on his feet for a big man, and has demonstrated an ability to push lineman backwards within the trenches. He’s a high-motor player, and was injury-free for the second half of last season.

The signing attracted little attention from the local media, but a player like this could end up a starter if the off-season doesn’t go as exactly as planned.

Maybe the Bengals don’t draft a defensive end. Maybe they don’t land a free-agent lineman. What then? If Justin Smith walks, as expected, the projected starters at end are likely Fanene and Frostee Rucker. Weird, huh?

Retaining a player, can sometimes be more meaningful than bringing in a new one. Free-agents are more of a gamble every year, and Marv doesn’t like surprises.

If he does end up starting, there’s no reason to think Fanene can’t do what Justin Smith has done for the past five seasons. The difference being that Fanene is younger and stronger than Smith, and comes at a significantly lower price.

Mostly, a move like this is for depth chart reasons. I still think the Bengals will make a push for a free-agent on defense, likely along the line. But after last season’s injury plague, we’ve all seen the importance of a strong depth chart.

The team also resigned wide receiver Antonio Chatman to two more years. Chatman is good in the slot and works well in tight spaces. He doesn’t drop many passes and can return punts if needed. He has the most tattoos on the team and is a former Bearcat. Receiver was another area that was effected by injuries last year, so it again makes sense to keep an inexpensive reserve who knows the system.

Mojokong - all snowed out.

Andrews' Tag Indicates Changes Ahead

The franchise-tagging of Stacy Andrews points to lots of possibilities.

Of those, the most likely is the departure of Mr. Anheuser-Busch himself, Justin Smith. He is finally a free man and can visit the St. Louis Rams where they know all about that tattoo of his.

Also, the move puts pressure on the offensive line, especially the two aged whooly mammoths we dress as offensive tackles every Sunday in the fall. Big Willie and Levi, have seen this coming since last training camp. They know that Marv and Co. are keeping a close eye on the future of such a valuable position, and now with Andrews and Whitworth in the fold, that future is grazing right beside them.

It seems the Bengals would make a move like this, to ensure that Andrews doesn’t slip away while they hammer out the details of a long-term deal. He isn’t worth $7 million as a versatile backup, but it’s worth the risk in paying him that much in order to buy time to lock him up in a multi-year contract

Allowing Smith to walk, in addition to the numerous other veteran defensive players also circling the drain, would lead the breadcrumbs to point to the beginning of a long-awaited defensive overhaul to the 3-4.

If said veterans are released or unsigned, money would then be available to make a run at a decent free agent or two. We know Marv is a shrewd customer and isn’t going to spend money unless he’s really sold on the value he’s getting, but this season, his words indicate he’ll be more active in the defensive free-agent market.

It doesn’t appear the Bengals are eager to get contracts done with Landon Johnson or Madieu Williams before free-agency begins on Feb. 28 at 11p.m.. While I rely on local media sources for this stuff, as do you, there have been no encouraging reports to suggest otherwise.

I like the durability of Landon, but it wouldn’t anger me to see him play elsewhere. Madieu is only functional as a third corner at this point, and how much do you really want to spend on that?

Stacy Andrews has a lot of value on this team and we need fresh, tree-trunk-like legs protecting our Golden Boy. Andrews would have commanded starters money on another team, and Marv would rather tag him and work out a contract, rather than that be another off-season hole to fill.

Mojokong - Where does the NFL apply the franchise tag on the player? The ear?

Impulse Buys

Feb. 16, 2008


Free agency in the NFL is like doing business at a swap meet, it’s risky. Teams have to control their impulses, but they also have to make quick decisions on who is worth taking a risk on.

Take Alge Crumpler as an example. Alge, 30, is a five-time pro-bowler and a pass-catching tight end. He’s a great character guy and he’s exactly the kind of guy Marvin likes; smart, professional and well behaved. Crumpler would be a key passing option on early downs, and double tight end sets with Reggie Kelly would be a welcomed wall for backs to run behind. The two played in Atlanta together, and Alge played for Hue Jackson, former Bengals coach and last season’s Falcons offensive coordinator.

As much sense as acquiring Crumpler seems to make - which sounds more convincing by the second - the Bengals have to pause a moment and consider all the angles before pouncing on him.

First off, the Bengals have never been the free agent kind of team. Bobby Williams, Antonio Chatman and Dexter Jackson aren’t the big names fans daydream over. There’s a lot of money sunk into the offensive line and wide receivers, and we’re trying to build talent on the defensive line, so bringing in a 30-year-old tight end who won’t come cheap might not make sense. The Bengals are in position to pick up a decent tight end in the second round this year, and we all know Marv would rather develop a player of his own rather than apply expensive band-aids onto problem areas.

Still, it would be nice to land just one big-name free-agent. To show the world that players do want to play here and do believe we can win. The world doesn’t respect the Bengals, free-agents included. I think we need to win consistently before we can attract high-caliber names. We’ll have to crawl before we can walk.

In the era of franchise tags and salary caps, roster moves are sudden and often surprising. The draft is the best way to maintain success over long periods of time. The shelf-life of the NFL starter shrinks more every year, and there becomes less room on teams for damaged goods. Veterans with hefty contracts, get sore necks from looking over their shoulder all day. Had a knee injury? Over 30? And you’re a free-agent? I would recommend practicing with a hairbrush, to simulate your future sideline reporting career.

There will be moments this off-season where a player will get cut that we’ve all heard of, and in unison, we’ll beg Mike Brown to pay the man. We’ll present a compelling and well-thought-out reason why this player will finally win us a Super Bowl. That player will be rumored by local media, maybe even visit PBS. But then that player will likely sign with the “other” team in the hunt and the Bengals will be pawns in the game once again.

But I respect Marvin, and, as painful as it is to say, even Mike Brown for not coughing up too much dough on has-been big names like Warren Sapp. Ask Daniel Snyder how signing old legends to big contracts is working out in Washington. Old players fall apart fast, especially on new teams. To ask a veteran to start over in a new system, is like asking a senior-citizen to learn a new language. Many times, veteran players with one or two years on their contract become cheaper to cut.

Alge might not come here, but if he did, the league might raise an eyebrow.

* Also released by the Falcons was former Bengals special-team ace Marcus Wilkins. I was sad to see him leave, and I expect him to return.

Mojokong - See? We can write Bengals pieces that don’t include you-know-who

Marv's Kind Of A Buzz Kill

Feb. 15, 2008

Marvin Lewis sits alone in his workshop, and stares at his chalkboard. It’s filled with messy lines of scribbles and notations. His hands and shirt sleeves are covered in chalk, and on his worktable sits a half-eaten sandwich and a cold cup of coffee.

He taps a pencil against his forehead while he contemplates the mess on the board. Softly in the background, Marvin hears a buzzing sound, like that of a fly. He squints and concentrates his attention on the chalkboard. As the buzz grows louder, Marvin sees something important in the calculations he’s made. He stands and circles two sections of the chalkboard: pass rush and the running game.

He steps back and considers what he’s circled. He again notices the buzzing sound, still getting louder off in the distance.

“We need to improve here and here,” he thinks aloud, and taps the circles.
An idea of monumental significance begins to take shape in his brain, when, at last, the buzz becomes intolerable.

Marvin shatters his chalk stick onto the ground, and stomps out of his workshop. He climbs down from his tower, huffing and puffing along the way. Finally, he reaches the ground-level, throws open the door and screams to the world, “Chad goes nowhere!”.

The buzzing stops.

Here is what Marvin really said. "There is no such thing as behind-the-door dealings in the NFL. That does not occur because the team in question (the Bengals) is not willing to trade their player, nor have they thought about trading their player or discussed trading their player, nor will they discuss trading their player.”

He had to react to the recent nonsense of Chad being traded to Washington. While I would certainly give up #85 for the right price (first-rounder; defensive starter plus a later-rounder), it seems naive to think any team will give up such goodies. Chad’s potential $8 million cap hit has been exhaustively detailed in recent reports, and the other fact is, he’s still a great player.

It was important Marv remind the world that Chad has little say in this arrangement. Rosenhaus is the Karl Rove in this situation. He’s the sneaky, greedy scoundrel who convinces Chad to act out his plans for him. That said, I would never insult Chad to the point of comparing him to George Bush, but you get the idea.

I predict seeing Chad in Bengals training camp, laughing and carrying on with fans and teammates. Maybe he’s battling SAD right now, and hopefully the sunshine will thaw him out. Who knows? But Marvin certainly doesn’t want to allow a disgruntled player to have their way when you have a locker room full of guys who don’t mind airing out their frustrations. He also doesn’t want to lose Chad’s 1,400 yards every season.

Since he climbed all the way down to ground-level to quiet the buzz, Marvin thought he might as well elaborate a bit of his recent findings to the listless Bengals reporters.

He made mention of his two off-season priorities; pass-rush and the running game. He threatened to use the franchise tag if he had to, without naming any specific player. He finally sees value in a pass-catching tight end, and he’s optimistic about the return of Odell Thurman.

It was good to hear from the mad scientist, and I liked what he said. While it scares me to think Justin Smith could earn over $ 10 million if he’s tagged, listening to Marv talk about pursuing defensive lineman in the draft and free-agency indicates to me that Smith’s days here are numbered - hopefully.

Before he ascends the stairs and returns to his workshop, Marvin turns around and asks the world to stop worrying and to just leave everything up to him.

“We’re moving forward.” he says, opening his door. “And Chad goes nowhere. See ya, next month.”

Slam!

Mojokong - Wish in one hand, ...