No Joey; Sam's Ship on Horizon?

[HoosierCat]

Hobson...

Lions quarterback Joey Harrington finished his visit with the Bengals Thursday, but with Dallas and Denver emerging into the mix a deal doesn’t look to be imminent.

If the Bengals are negotiating with anyone, it is the agent for defensive tackles Sam Adams and Grady Jackson. Angelo Wright couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday, but he said earlier this week that the Bengals have stepped up their interest and the one constant appears to be Adams’ conversations with Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. There were indications at this week’s NFL annual meeting that Adams continues to talk to Lewis in an effort to consummate a reunion that helped lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2000.

The 6-4, 340-pound Adams, who has made three of the last six Pro Bowls, is the prototypical run stuffer the Bengals have sought for years and who some believe could be one of the missing pieces to bring Lewis a championship of his own.

David Dunn, Harrington’s agent, couldn’t be reached Thursday. His client is believed to have met with offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese in Cincinnati after meeting with the Dolphins Tuesday and Wednesday.

It’s unclear where Harrington is headed next, but it’s more than likely the Bengals wouldn’t give up a first-day draft pick to get him in a trade from the Lions. With his reported asking price in the $3 million range, they probably wouldn’t go that far in simply seeking insurance for the early part of the 2006 season.

Not that I have much interest in Sam at this point in his career, I'll take him over Joey any day.

[ArmyBengal]

Over Joey in a heartbeat !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Stripes]

Oh well. I wasn't too pumped about this possibility either. I'll take Martin. Adams? Meh whatever.

[HoosierCat]

Adams? Meh whatever.

Yeah, I know. But like I said a while back at least he'd be a modest upgrade over B-rob and the Bengals could stick Robinson in the spot vacated by Clemons/Powell. And if the add in a big round 1-2 DT like Watson who can play the Siragusa/Williams role next to him he might even have a few big plays left in that big ol' butt of his.

[Stripes]

Yeah, I know. But like I said a while back at least he'd be a modest upgrade over B-rob and the Bengals could stick Robinson in the spot vacated by Clemons/Powell. And if the add in a big round 1-2 DT like Watson who can play the Siragusa/Williams role next to him he might even have a few big plays left in that big ol' butt of his.

I agree. After these three months of inactivity, it is hard to get excited about much in Bengals land, but I wouldn't object to grabbing Adams. He could be effective for the reasons you mentioned and Lord knows we can afford him. I just hope he do end up going after Watson in draft if we do pull off this signing.

[Kazkal]

Oh well. I wasn't too pumped about this possibility either. I'll take Martin. Adams? Meh whatever.

I decided I want to draft QB in 3nd round if we can get comp pick for kdub or 4th or 5th round if we can't

[KiLBurn]

I found this on Bengals.com and think it pretty much sums up how Marvin has/is/and will continue to approach free agency... In a nutshell.

This is the very difficult line the Bengals and all other teams have to walk. Balancing fiscal responsibility with the short windows teams have available for Super Bowl runs.

But that is Marvin’s point in all this free agency stuff. Spend young and smart, develop kids like Shaun Smith, and that window is going to be there most seasons, instead of shutting down in cap hell like the 49ers, Titans, and Jets.

To be fair, they used that plan to build a division winner, so it must have some credibility. But until they become perennial winners, people will scream for the big-buck deals.

[HairOnFire]

Let it play out. The odds the signed Harrington were never good, as Curnutte described the Bengals level of interest as casual in the very first Bengal/Harrington article I read. That said, Harrington hasn't signed anywhere else yet, I'm completely unconvinced that anyone will offer a 1st day pick for his services, and a statement that "a deal doesn’t look to be imminent" doesn't slam the door shut. In addition, Matt Millen was just quoted about how he'll wait until the last moment before accepting peanuts in trade....so I can't see anything getting done quickly anywhere.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Not that I have much interest in Sam at this point in his career, I'll take him over Joey any day.

I agree, Sam has a better arm and might hit an open receiver. And on the plus side, he plays DT too.

[NJ29]

I actually would like to see Joey signed.

The guys was the number 3 overall pick for some reason, I'm guessing. I think he can be a tough, gritty guy to step in and back up Carson, which what I think we need. Plus, now he will have more than 1 legit weapon and an offensive line around him. I'm all for it.

[lando griffin]

I'm not sure why not many people here are excited about Adams. Obviously he isn't in his prime, but he's more than a modest ugrade over our current tackles. Just get him in here until we can develop the DT we draft, and let him eat space with Shaun Smith. Smith and Adams (for a good amount of the snaps) compared to JT and BRob. Hmmmmm??? I'll take the former and be really happy about it.

[Whur CHad At?]

I'm not sure why not many people here are excited about Adams. Obviously he isn't in his prime, but he's more than a modest ugrade over our current tackles. Just get him in here until we can develop the DT we draft, and let him eat space with Shaun Smith. Smith and Adams (for a good amount of the snaps) compared to JT and BRob. Hmmmmm??? I'll take the former and be really happy about it.

Hey I am pumped. THis is HUGE. Sam Adams is a great football player, and with Shaun Smith and him in the middle, our run D is sure to improve. Now it is time for us to get rid of Thorton and free up some money! That will really make me happy

Good Signing Mike and Marvin

[ArmyBengal]

Joey was the #3 pick based on what he did in college, but has done nothing since then. I can't say as I would mind him, but no sooner than thinking that, I'll change my mind and be convinced it would be the worst deal ever made (Akili disaster aside)...

WHODEY !!!

[membengal]

yeah, I am a little puzzled with the "meh" attitudes on this one.

Adams, even at 33, is an enormous upgrade in the middle over what we have had, it's not even close.

If this comes to pass, this team has addressed its biggest weaknesses on D (up the middle at DT and S) in free agency with actual players who can play. That's a BIG change from past years, and answers the crying from me and others like me (joisey) who say the team doesn't ever make a big splash in free agency. Well, Dexter Jackson and Sam Adams (and even Chapman) is a big splash, a departure from normal operations for the Bengals.

Good.

[Stripes]

yeah, I am a little puzzled with the "meh" attitudes on this one.

Adams, even at 33, is an enormous upgrade in the middle over what we have had, it's not even close.

If this comes to pass, this team has addressed its biggest weaknesses on D (up the middle at DT and S) in free agency with actual players who can play. That's a BIG change from past years, and answers the crying from me and others like me (joisey) who say the team doesn't ever make a big splash in free agency. Well, Dexter Jackson and Sam Adams (and even Chapman) is a big splash, a departure from normal operations for the Bengals.

Good.

Yes, "meh, whatever" was a poor choice of words on my part. I have my questions about whether or not Sam Adams will really be as big an upgrade as many peope think, but this in the least shows that the Bengals are making an effort to improve in their areas of weakness. I'm pleased.