Bengals Signing Tommy Gun?

[Ox]

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5110

Monday, Monday

By GEOFF HOBSON

While much of the NFL lurched in uncertainty Friday, the Bengals perched calmly in the eye of the storm waiting to make their first move of free agency.

All they know is that it will come Monday. They don’t know how much ammunition they’ll have, but they do know it’s going to involve a backup veteran quarterback and that’s more than a lot of teams know.

On Friday, yet another name surfaced on a long list when the Steelers told Tommy Maddox he can expect to be released. Maybe that Bengals-Steelers opener isn’t dead yet. huh.gif laugh.gif 29.gif blink.gif

Maddox, who turns 35 the week before that opener, fits the Bengals’ need for a big arm that has played in big games who now knows his role. He was first on the Bengals’ radar when the Broncos shopped him in the mid-1990s and could be now if the Bengals can’t re-sign Jon Kitna.

No one knows when quarterback Carson Palmer is going to be able to play after his rehab from reconstructive knee surgery. But unless he has an unexpected relapse, he doesn’t figure to go on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and be inactive for the first six games.

That means he wouldn’t be allowed to take one snap of practice in training camp and couldn’t practice as well as play for six weeks into the season. It’s doubtful they would ice him that long, although he could start camp on active PUP and be activated once he passed his physical. And he could move up the ladder from No. 3 the healthier he gets.

The Bengals are preparing like Palmer is going to miss some early games and have said they’d like to have Kitna back but will sign a veteran in the first week of free agency whether it’s him or someone else.

Maddox might be someone else to scout. Although he looked shaky in his one start last season (a 30 passer rating against Jacksonville), Maddox has put up numbers recently.

In the two seasons before Maddox got hurt and was replaced by Ben Roethlisberger early in 2004, Maddox threw 38 touchdown passes and 33 interceptions. He averaged seven yards per throw and was comfortable throwing out of the multiple spread sets that the Bengals often use.

The possible suitors for Maddox, Kitna’s predecessor as NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2002, could be a road map for Kitna’s journey to find a team that is willing to give him a chance to compete for a starting job: New Orleans, Oakland, St. Louis.

But their lists are going to be different. Kitna, who wants to find a starting job, might be on the Rams’ list because new offensive coordinator Greg Olson coached him at Central Washington and there could be a chance to play if oft-injured Marc Bulger goes down with only Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Smoker behind him.

Maddox, who is comfortable as a backup, might be on the Texans’ Dolphins’ and Bengals’ list because he knows what it’s like to sit behind a young quarterback.

Maybe a Maddox signing would get the Bengals back on Opening Night. Word is the NFL is cooling to the idea of pitting the Bengals against the Super Bowl champion Steelers nationally for the Thursday night opener because they don’t know if Palmer is going to be ready.

It sounds like Kitna could be gone if there is hope he has a shot of playing. But, like everything else in the league, that will play out starting Monday.

Friday’s talks to extend the CBA before Monday were reportedly constant. If they finish it off, the NFL goes back to life as we know it with a cap of about $102 million.

If they don’t get it, the cap is about $94.5 million, bonuses can’t be prorated for more than four years, ’07 is uncapped, and players and teams are nervous because there would be less money and even fewer spots.

So teams and agents can’t do anything until they know what is what. For instance, Jeff Nalley, the agent for Bengals tight end Matt Schobel, has been told the club could re-sign him back if the cap goes to $102 million but not if it sticks at $94.5 million.

“He loves it in Cincinnati. He’d like to come back because he loves playing for Marvin,” Nalley said. “But they’ve told him they probably couldn’t afford to pay him if the cap stays because they’re looking for a quarterback and defense. But if it moves up, we’ll see.”

Schobel is in the same category as backup linebacker Marcus Wilkins, one of the Bengals’ top special teamers. Schobel is going to get more play, but both are unrestricted fourth-year free agents who won’t be able to sample the uncapped year because they would become restricted free agents if a CBA can’t get done and they agree to one-year contracts.

“Obviously, restricted is better than none,” said Mark Mersel, Wilkins’ agent. “How much money would you be leaving on the table if you signed a multi-year deal before an uncapped year? It might benefit the stars, and maybe not the working man type. But you have to wait and see.”

Nobody knows. It’s like when Bengals vice president Paul Brown called on Thursday and told Mersel they want Wilkins back. One small problem. They don’t know yet how much they can offer.

“I don’t think anyone is upset by the delay,” said Jerrold Colton, the agent for Bengals free agents Carl Powell and Tony Stewart. “The best thing for everybody is this thing gets done in time for Monday.”

[bengalboomer7]

When I saw this all I could think of is "Come on, Pug, touch me and I'll sue"

Inside Joke, I guess

I guess, I'll explain. I'm a huge boxing fan, and Tommy Gunn was the name of Tommy Morrison in Rocky V, the worst Rocky movie ever, until Rocky VI comes out of course. That's just a good line from the Don King wannabe in the movie

[HoosierCat]

Oh, WTF. It isn't like XFL boy is any worse than any other scrub whose name has been bandied about (Sage Rosenfels, etc.).

[Whur CHad At?]

The Thought of getting Tommy Maddoxx makes me diareaha

[LB51]

First the Squeelers win SB XL, and now we may get Tommy Maddox? I GIVE UP!!!!

[jjakq27]

I hope he is not the second coming of Neil O'Donnell.

[Ox]

Marvin has to know this signing would not be beneficial in any way for the team. For the fans OR the success of the team. I have the feeling of watching a car wreck if they were to sign ol rubber arm.

[CBin2k7]

I know Tommy Maddox sucks, but think of this, they could pick his brain about the ins and outs of the Pittsburgh offense, especially their trick plays. I am not saying sign him up.

[HairOnFire]

Oh, WTF. It isn't like XFL boy is any worse than any other scrub whose name has been bandied about (Sage Rosenfels, etc.).

Including Kitna.

[ArmyBengal]

Holy hell, not Maddox !!! I think I'm going to be sick if this happens...

WHODEY !!!

[jjakq27]

...they could pick his brain about the ins and outs of the Pittsburgh offense, especially their trick plays.

That should be the only reason.

[F.Cleveland]

I hope he is not the second coming of Neil O'Donnell.

Try Scott Mitchell... EEEEEE GAD

[Kazkal]

Any 2nd string is gonna suck but maddox has inside info

[derekshank]

Hey... it could be worse. We could go out and sign... um... no I guess it couldn't get any worse.

[semiotter]

Hell just get Drew Brees!!!

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I hope he is not the second coming of Neil O'Donnell.

Try Scott Mitchell... EEEEEE GAD

Could be worse, we could draft another Akilli's Myth!

[walzav29]

As crappy as Maddox is, he is still better than baby hands. I say try to get Kerry Collins 1st, then Maddox.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

As crappy as Maddox is, he is still better than baby hands. I say try to get Kerry Collins 1st, then Maddox.

Sorry, but you are wrong in so many ways, again. Collins is now likely to stay in Oakland. It looks like he is going to sign one of those I'll play for you cheap this year, but next year, if it's uncapped, you're gonna owe me contracts. Secondly, at least Kitna knows the system. Maddox has been in Pissburg's system how long now? And he still doesn't know THEIR system.

[Spain]

Mcown or Brooks please.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Mcown or Brooks please.

McCown, maybe.

Brooks? Sorry, no way. Dude is a worse version of Jeff Blake. He doesn't fit our system at all.

[walzav29]

Everyone talks about how well Kitna knows the system, but he makes a million dumb decisions. A veteran QB, can learn the system good enough. The question isn't knowing the system it is executing the system.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Everyone talks about how well Kitna knows the system, but he makes a million dumb decisions. A veteran QB, can learn the system good enough. The question isn't knowing the system it is executing the system.

And Maddox can't execute the system he's been in for several years, yet alone a new one.

[jbengals1]

if the price is right give him a shot !!!!

[HoosierCat]

If the Bengals had wanted Maddox they likely would have already signed him. He's been cut so there's no need to wait. That tells me they're eyeing someone else.

[ArmyBengal]

If the Bengals had wanted Maddox they likely would have already signed him. He's been cut so there's no need to wait. That tells me they're eyeing someone else.

And God smiled on us all !!!

F*CK Maddox !!!

WHODEY !!!