You are the GM

[Spain]

Ok so your in charge of the offseason. Whats your plan. Who goes who stays? Who do you want to be a bengal? What stat is this team in?

Ok here goes. I think the O is in great shape. So I would get all my O line extended. I would also extend Justin. I would go after the best DT out there. Hovan the guy is a beast against the run. Robinson didnt work out so he gets the axe. I would then sign the best Safety I could. Herring gets the axe.(made of glass). I would also look to get Clemmons replaced.

In the late rounds of the draft I look for a safety and a corner for depth. Ohalete and Mitchel go. I would keep Washington as insurance but not over pay. In the ealry rounds I would look at these positions. RG Gillis I would jump on. TE and FB. To have the best Power O in the game.

If Kitna walks I bring in a vet maybe Testaverde. Then draft in the low rounds a raw project.

So what do you do?

[indybengalsfan72]

Ok so your in charge of the offseason. Whats your plan. Who goes who stays? Who do you want to be a bengal? What stat is this team in?

Ok here goes. I think the O is in great shape. So I would get all my O line extended. I would also extend Justin. I would go after the best DT out there. Hovan the guy is a beast against the run. Robinson didnt work out so he gets the axe. I would then sign the best Safety I could. Herring gets the axe.(made of glass). I would also look to get Clemmons replaced.

In the late rounds of the draft I look for a safety and a corner for depth. Ohalete and Mitchel go. I would keep Washington as insurance but not over pay. In the ealry rounds I would look at these positions. RG Gillis I would jump on. TE and FB. To have the best Power O in the game.

If Kitna walks I bring in a vet maybe Testaverde. Then draft in the low rounds a raw project.

So what do you do?

I would take Warner over Testaverde any day..He has the experience with high octane offenses, and he would have a better chance to shine here than he did in New York or Arizona..

[Spain]

Warner would be better, he would be sweet in our O, but does he want to be a backup?

[Stripes]

I would first pursue a free agent defensive tackle. I'd go for a big name like Hovan first, but if that didn't work out I'd still pursue the likes of a Larry Tripplett. I'd draft a safety in the first round assuming a good one is available. In the second and third rounds I'd look for defensive ends and corners, and then pursue tight ends and offensive line depth on the second draft day.

[AGrizzlyBaer]

i would tender washington, that way if anyone signs him we would get another third round pick

[Tasher]

Testaverde? What?!!

FAs:

Bauman, Rashad - resign for cheap or upgrade if price for FA signee is better

Johnson, Jeremi - resign

Kitna, Jon - probably will not be able to resign but would for right price

Kooistra, Scott - resign

Larson, Kyle - resign but will compete in camp

Luchey, Nick - gone

Mitchell, Anthony - resign for right price to contribute on ST

Navies, Hannibal - gone

Ohalete, Ifeanyi - gone

Powell, Carl - resign for right price

Schobel, Matt - resign

Stewart, Tony - gone

Walter, Kevin - resign

Washington, Kelley - offer sheet/resign hopefully get 3rd round comp

Watson, Kenny - resign

Webster, Nate - resign for right price in backup/insurance role

Wilkins, Marcus - resign

CBs in FA to go after only if price is right/cheap:

Nate Clemments

Jerry Azumah

Charles Woodson

S in FA:

Tank Williams or Dexter Jackson

DE in FA:

John Abrahm if good price then release/not resign Powell

DT in FA:

Hovan or Kemoeatu for cheap

I think that FA will be tough because there are so few decent FAs this year that the top ones will get excesively large FA contracts which will preclude us from being very active. Unless there is a player that simply wants to play for Marv and win a SB next year, and the year after and the year after that...

Besides, Marv still knows a thing or two about how Mathias and Shaun are developing and may setup a rotation around Askew/Smith and Thornton/BRob that could be pretty productive. Remember that our run-D was pretty stout late in the year. Our weakness was our safeties which exposed our corners (one corner, James) and the middle of the field to TEs.

Draft either S (Bing/Huff) or DT (Wright/Wroten) 1st round depending on how draft board sorts out and what happens in FA. Keep Herring as mentor/role player for depth. Depending on 1st round seletion, select DT/S in 2nd, possibly Pollard/Watkins. Rest of draft to focus on CB, DE, TE, OL best avail. I would probably try to trade down 1st and possibly 2nd if FA does not work out, if we get good FAs then trade up 1st / 2nd to get fewer picks in a crappy draft for depth/need.

Resign the OL before camp.

Work their rearends off in offseason workouts/minicamps etc.

Training camp from Hell in August, cause they obviously didn't get the message last year!

We are good to go!

[jjakq27]

For all the folks wanting to get rid of Kelly Wahington, don't forget Mr. Henry still has some issues to resolve.

[derekshank]

I would not worry about getting a huge name in FA. If I do, I'm looking for someone to help the pass rush... not a run stopper like Hovan. As the GM I would be looking more long term future than a one year run like so many teams seem to try... so I would look at extending the O-line, and building through the draft.

This is clearly how Marvin wants to do it. He said free agency is not the way to fix this team... so let him keep doing his thing. It's been going very well, and we are in a very good cap situation. HIs way is the only way to start and maintain consistent success like the Pats.

[Spain]

True derek, I expect we do build through the darft however we have tried in FAs players just didnt buy into us till now. the FAs will be wanting to play here. So we might just make a run at Hovan and then not do much else.

[Stripes]

so I would look at extending the O-line

Best point I've seen made so far in this thread. In my opinion this needs to be a top two priority in the offseason. It is rare that a team opens a new season with entirely the same line as the previous year, especially a third straight year as it would be with the Bengals, but it seems we will have the resources to make it happen. That is all assuming Braham doesn't suprise us with retirement.

[schroomytunes]

OK here's my take on the upcoming season. I agree that we do need help on the defensive side of the ball, but we need to above all else stockpile young talent. So here is my offseason plan.

CUT or REPLACE:

DE-Duane Clemmons

DT-Bryan Robinson

OLB-Brian Simmons

--all these guys are too old and too slow to be a starter in this league

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS:

DT-Ma'ake Kemoeatu-6'5" 350lb interior DT, plugs middle of d'line(had 40+tackles last year)

DE-Aaron Kampmen-6'3 280lb DE, had 90+tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2005 with GB.

---Both these guys are under 27, and would help defend against the run and relieve pressure off our LB"s

CONTRACT EXTENTIONS:(IN Order of PRIORITY)

1)LEVI JONES

2)ERIC STEINBACH

3)BIG WILLY

---I sign a few free agents, and the reward is getting these guys signed long term

DRAFT:

1st Round:SS (HUFF-TEX, SIMPSON-USCAROLINA, BING-USC)- these guys fill an immediate need for us on the defensive side of the ball

2nd Round:TE (LEONARD POPE-GEORGIA)-big,fast TE that can stretch the defense and block in the running game

3rd Round:OLB (KAI PARHAM-VIRGINIA)-fast outside edge rusher that can play the weakside position

4th Round:WR (JEREMY BLOOM-COLORADO)-becomes our punt returner, and allows us to trade KWashington for an additional 4th rounder

4th Round:DT (JOHN McCARGO-NCSTATE)- plays very physical at the line, in the mode of KELLY GREGG(BAL)

5th Round and Beyond-I would draft for depth on the OL/DL

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

So, I'm the GM? What do I do?

I ask Marvin who needs to be cut, and then give them their walking papers.

I ask my scouts if Bing, Huff, etc. are as good as all the fans are hyping them up to be. I find out they aren't, and draft who they say is as good as the hype on the guys who are being hyped. In other words, I find the Chris Perry/Madieu Williams/Odell Thurman instead of the Stephen Jackson/Chris Gamble.

I look at my cap, and go pray with Jon about it. We come back and sign a low number deal so he can continue to keep the pine warm for Carson. Then I redo contracts for Steiny and Levi this year. I pray with Jon over what to do with Big Willie. Maybe Jon will go even lower if he thinks I'm going to give Willie some of the money he's not taking!

I look at free agents who may not have started for other teams, but could start here, and move forward with those kinds of guys. I don't go for the Hovans and other guys who get extra money because people recognize their names. I see if anyone wants to give me a draft pick for guys like Simmons and Smith.

I ask Marvin how much more he wants in his paycheck each week, and toss an Easter Bonus into my scouting departments envelopes too.

[Whur CHad At?]

Don't forget Carson's injury is still questionable. We will draft a QB on the first day, or the begining of the second day.

Our biggest priority this off-season is to give extensions to our O-line, that is key.

Secondly, go after John Abraham to help the pass rush out. I think that Hovan will stay in TB, as well as Tripplett in Indy so we can't really do anything there. And go after Tank Williams to fill that big void at SS.

That is what I would do...but then again what I want to do might be expensive, and the Bengal's are prob. the cheapest team in the NFL so I don't see any of this happening except for the O-line extensions.

[Spain]

Brian simons had a great year, why would he need to go? Also we dont need pass rush as bad as a DT. Water boy has showed us he will be platooning on his side. We moght be able to get off cheap there because all we really need is for the guy to stop the run. I was wondering if J Smith wants to break our balls.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Backup QB - Jamie Martin (if Zampese lures him as the Bengals' are reportedly trying to do)

Must address these position areas without question:

S

DT

DE

TE

C

Areas needing impact player types:

C

TE

DE

DT

Areas where a mid-round draft pick could work or a 2nd tier FA:

G or backup Tackle

TE

CB

WR

1st over-all draft pick:

Best on the board at any of the must-have position areas above:

S

DT

DE

C

TE

Easy enough! Go get 'em Marv, and tell Mike to let go of the wallet.

[cincy9275]

free agents i would like to see come here

lecharles bentley c -this guy is real good would love to see him here

Ryan Pickett dt- good size steadily improving each year better than any we have and is young

Grady Jackson- will probably take some heat for this one he is at the end of his career still better than any we have and his size is great will help plug up the middle he and Ryan would be a nice tandem

Adam archuleta / tank williams . these two are the better of the bunch

if we can land any one or two of these guys i will be happy but i would really like to have lecharles bentley

[Whur CHad At?]

We could lure Bentley here...

But I don't want to see Braham go, he is just a good player and a nice guy. Possibly move Bentley to play guard next to Big Willie? Wouldn't mind seeing that.

Ryan Pickett is good, but not a good run stuffer, which is all that we need right now, a good run stuffer.

[NJ29]

3rd Round:OLB (KAI PARHAM-VIRGINIA)-fast outside edge rusher that can play the weakside position

First time I've heard his name mentioned... and it's long overdue. Guys a player. Good call schroomytunes.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

1st over-all draft pick:

Best on the board at any of the must-have position areas above:

S

DT

DE

C

TE

Put down the beer bong and pay attention:

WE WILL NOT DRAFT A TIGHT END IN THE FIRST ROUND EVER EVER EVER, NOT EVEN IF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO SAY DRAFT ELVIS PRESLEY! So long as Brat's offense is here, THE TIGHT END DOES NOT FREAKING MATTER. ALL HE HAS TO DO IS BLOCK!

WE JUST DRAFTED A CENTER LAST DRAFT, AND PICKED UP ANOTHER IN FREE AGENCY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS SEASON. WE WILL NOT USE A #1 PICK ON A THIRD CENTER.

[Spain]

Well I seem to remeber Kelly being used in the no huddle, till he got a case of the dropsies. As far as we dont use the TE thats a falacy. We dont use them because we dont have one. Brat tried to get the H back going but it didnt work out. As far as a Center that money has been spent in last years draft. I still think the best thing we will have where we pick is Gillis.

[NJ29]

Drafting a receiving tight end just gives Brat another reason to be pass happy. I agree with TNBT, We aren't going to draft a tight end.

[schweinhart]

3rd Round:OLB (KAI PARHAM-VIRGINIA)-fast outside edge rusher that can play the weakside position

First time I've heard his name mentioned... and it's long overdue. Guys a player. Good call schroomytunes.

Definitely. Parham can play all 3 LB positions and even though he's proly more ideally suited outside in a 3-4, he'd give excellent depth for the Bengals LB corps, which would free up a roster spot.

I like John McCargo a lot too. He benefitted from the ends at NC State to give him more room to manuever inside but he should be a fine RDT backup right out the chute.

Free agent wise Kemoeatu would solve a rotation problem at LDT but if it came down to 1 speed rushing DE (J-Abe) or 3 role players of the Kemoeatu variety, it'd be hard to pass on the speed off the edge because the Bengals pass rush blows.

The Ratbird WSLB Bart Scott still stands out as a potential bargain, especially if B-Simmons and the Bengals part ways.

As for TE, the Bengals should draft at least 1 TE this year. There's no point in re-signing Schobel or Stewart when there should be TEs in the draft from Rounds 3 through 5 who are a wash at a third or fourth of the salary. Ronnie Ghent looks like he'll get a shot to take one of the spots but the depth of the TE class this year is too strong to pass on.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Drafting a receiving tight end just gives Brat another reason to be pass happy. I agree with TNBT, We aren't going to draft a tight end.

Not only that, but whose catches would this new TE get? Chad's? TJs? Henry's? As you say, they already throw about as much as they could.

TE, QB, and RB are the only positions I don't want to see first round. A good OL would work, DL or S would be fantastic. I wouldn't spit at a LB who can actually read a screen either. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, Simmons!

[Jet23]

Drafting a receiving tight end just gives Brat another reason to be pass happy. I agree with TNBT, We aren't going to draft a tight end.

Not only that, but whose catches would this new TE get? Chad's? TJs? Henry's? As you say, they already throw about as much as they could.

TE, QB, and RB are the only positions I don't want to see first round. A good OL would work, DL or S would be fantastic. I wouldn't spit at a LB who can actually read a screen either. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, Simmons!

I see our biggest need is landing some type of vocal leader on defense. It seems that everyone on D seems to be soft spoken, except for maybe Odell.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Well I seem to remeber Kelly being used in the no huddle, till he got a case of the dropsies. As far as we dont use the TE thats a falacy. We dont use them because we dont have one. Brat tried to get the H back going but it didnt work out. As far as a Center that money has been spent in last years draft. I still think the best thing we will have where we pick is Gillis.

EVEN IF WE HAD A Tight end, there still aren't enough balls to go around to all our receivers, Rudi, Jeremi, AND to pass to a tight end. We have enough weapons.

We need D&D! Defense and Depth.