QB search over??

[Kazkal]

Sorry, folks, but I thought Wright sucked when he was a Raven and I'm not going to go into homer mode and declare him a great pickup now. He sucks. Waste of any money at all. Worthless piece of crap who is on team 4 in 7 years and is the latest in a long line of QB bums signed by this organization (c.f. Neil O'Donnel, Gus Frerotte, Scott "water buffalo" Mitchell, etc, etc., etc.). The only positive thing I can get out of this is that if the bengals are willing to settle for junk like this, then Carson's rehab must really be going well.

who ever we start is gonna suck how many backups comeout from FA and win games?theres a reason their backups the only successful backups seem to be homegrown like billy volek or matt schaub and we sent ou project packing for krenzel

[KiLBurn]

Put me in the camp that thinks this is a decent pickup. He will most likely be making less than Kitna would have been. We all know Kitna had a knack for throwing away games with stupid mistakes, at least we will be paying someone less money to do it.

[Ox]

Sorry, folks, but I thought Wright sucked when he was a Raven and I'm not going to go into homer mode and declare him a great pickup now. He sucks. Waste of any money at all. Worthless piece of crap who is on team 4 in 7 years and is the latest in a long line of QB bums signed by this organization (c.f. Neil O'Donnel, Gus Frerotte, Scott "water buffalo" Mitchell, etc, etc., etc.). The only positive thing I can get out of this is that if the bengals are willing to settle for junk like this, then Carson's rehab must really be going well.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Totally agree.

[HoosierCat]

who ever we start is gonna suck how many backups comeout from FA and win games?theres a reason their backups the only successful backups seem to be homegrown like billy volek or matt schaub and we sent ou project packing for krenzel

Down, kaz, down! Let me be clear, I didn't expect us to get anyone good, and I've been saying for weeks that they should just forget about the whole QB thing, stick with Johnson and Krenzel, and put their energies elsewhere. If the guy behind center opening day isn't named Carson Palmer we're up sheot creek anyhow, IMHO. I would just they rather took the million bucks they're paying him and thrown it at Levi or Steinbach or LaVar or someone like that, not another junkpile QB with a snowball's chance in hell of making a difference.

[Kazkal]

I felt the same way I wish we would have stock with casey and just tryed to build us a backup also one of reasons i want travis jackson in the later rounds now

[derekshank]

Is the signing great? No. I'd rather have Martin... absolutely. Is he better than Krenzel or Doug Johnson... absolutley. He's at least got a little experience, and should have enough weapons to keep his mistakes to a minimum.

Bottom line... if he has to start more than 4 games, we're not making the playoffs. If he has to start only the first 3 or 4, I think we can still manage to break even in those games.

Nothing to write home about here. He's not good, but there are certainly worse back-ups out there (even if you have to spend some time looking for them).

[KiLBurn]

An additional bonus to us nabbing the Ravens backup QB is that they are more likely to burn a pick on a QB that maybe they might not have if they still had Wright.

[derekshank]

do we know the contract terms yet? I'd rather have Wright than Doug Johnson. If they are both scheduled to make around the same amount, then it shouldn't negatively effect the O-line extensions.

[HoosierCat]

I felt the same way I wish we would have stock with casey and just tryed to build us a backup

Amen. Maybe Bramlet wasn't the one, but I remember Hair advocating the idea of always keeping an eye out early day 2 of the draft for a prospect (I think if was Ron Wolf's theory from GB or something like that) and I'm a big fan of the idea. Now, this year, it probably doesn't make sense, but in '07 it's a thought.

[kentjett]

Give the guy a break, he was in a Ravens system that had horrible pass blocking. He has a strong arm and he is extremely athletic. I'd be willing to bet $20 that if or when he plays, he puts up a passer rating of 80 or better w/ our offensive scheme. First person to agree has a legit bet.

[Kazkal]

An additional bonus to us nabbing the Ravens backup QB is that they are more likely to burn a pick on a QB that maybe they might not have if they still had Wright.

thats bad they might get a good qb now

[andybren]

I don't like the 2:1 interception-to-TD ratio, but this isn't a horrible signing. No matter who the back-up was going to be, it was always going to mean not being able to rely on the QB to win games. The first month of the season is going to be all about running it down their throats and hoping our defense doesn't give up big plays in the limited time they're on the field. I think even Anthony Wright can handle that.

Fact is, all back-up QB's suck.

[Kazkal]

I don't like the 2:1 interception-to-TD ratio, but this isn't a horrible signing. No matter who the back-up was going to be, it was always going to mean not being able to rely on the QB to win games. The first month of the season is going to be all about running it down their throats and hoping our defense doesn't give up big plays in the limited time they're on the field. I think even Anthony Wright can handle that.

Fact is, all back-up QB's suck.

inless their last name is schaub or volek

[marylandbengal]

Totally agree with joisy cat, but I also see the point that we weren't going to get anybody close to as good as CP or even Kitna, considering he would only be starting probably 4 games max. I haven't seen the point in picking up a quarterback for this short a duration anyway. I don't see that the drop off from Wright to Krenzel/Johnson is big enough to make much of a difference; Krenzel knows our system; and anyone willing to come in here to back up after starting for a few games at best, for pocket change, - which is what we would have to settle for - rather than challenge to start, is going to be mediocre at best. On the other hand, i have to give Wright some credit for having experience.

I'm missing Kitna now. You can make the legitimate argument that he made bad decisions at time, and lacked Carsons firepower. But you cant deny 1) his competitiveness, 2) his knowledge of our system, and 3) he was our only decent qb between Boomer and Carson. Bottom line is, we just have to pray that, regardless who starts, the rest of the team mans up.

TDB, I make it a point to check out your signature whenever I sign on.

[bengalindian]

Seriously, stop overreacting to this. What did you expect the Bengals to do? Break the bank and get a top notch backup like Griese or Collins or even Joey Harrington?? Hell no...the same people that hate this move now would be bitching in the fall when the back up plays 4 or less games and the salary that they made eats up cap room that could have been used on the O-line. Anthony Wright isn't the best option for a back-up, but NO ONE knows the future, and I think Marvin is willing to bet that Wright will be better with a stellar O-line, awesome WR corps and good, bruising RB.

And for those of you who wanted Jamie Martin, think about it. Maybe he's older. But he has NO experience. Something like 5 NFL starts? For the erratic Martz Rams? You can say that he may have better decision-making skills, but not by much. AND on top of that, he can't move. So he'll end up throwing it under pressure where Wright could move out of the pocket and run upfield.

Sure, no one that could have been signed will fill Carson's shoes. But who expected that? Be realistic and realize that for the available options and considering all aspects of the situation, Wright may have been the best bet.

[schweinhart]

Give the guy a break, he was in a Ravens system that had horrible pass blocking. He has a strong arm and he is extremely athletic. I'd be willing to bet $20 that if or when he plays, he puts up a passer rating of 80 or better w/ our offensive scheme. First person to agree has a legit bet.

Might find some fans from other North teams willing to take that bet.

I hope he breaks 80 every time out and he might, like you say, if he's got more time plus he'll have better wideouts and a better receiving back. But I'm not sure he'll beat out Krenzel. It will definitely be an interesting pre-season at the QB spot.

[Stripes]

But I'm not sure he'll beat out Krenzel. It will definitely be an interesting pre-season at the QB spot.

That's a good point. Marvin must be pretty high on Krenzel to have chosen him over an obviously more talented player in Casey Bramlet. Too early to chalk Wright in as the backup, though I'd be willing to wager he's getting backup caliber cash.

[Kazkal]

But I'm not sure he'll beat out Krenzel. It will definitely be an interesting pre-season at the QB spot.

That's a good point. Marvin must be pretty high on Krenzel to have chosen him over an obviously more talented player in Casey Bramlet. Too early to chalk Wright in as the backup, though I'd be willing to wager he's getting backup caliber cash.

or the fact that craig won out because of mikeys homerness

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Sorry, folks, but I thought Wright sucked when he was a Raven and I'm not going to go into homer mode and declare him a great pickup now. He sucks. Waste of any money at all. Worthless piece of crap who is on team 4 in 7 years and is the latest in a long line of QB bums signed by this organization (c.f. Neil O'Donnel, Gus Frerotte, Scott "water buffalo" Mitchell, etc, etc., etc.). The only positive thing I can get out of this is that if the bengals are willing to settle for junk like this, then Carson's rehab must really be going well.

Yeah, but those guys were signed to *start*. Whaddya want out of a backup? I'd rather have a Frank Reich style guy who has experience, can do some things, but isn't going to piss and moan about a starting job. Wright's close enough.

If anything, he reminds me of Kitna. Former starter? Check. Erratic? Check. Got a crapload better when handed the keys to a top-5 offense? We'll see.

[TJJackson]

Let's also note that this is an essentially free try out

No signing bonus. He can be cut at any time

If we don't see enough from him through preseason, or if the lower priced guys do just as well, we can cut him loose without it costing us a dime

I like this signing a LOT. High potential due to the strong arm and mobility, low risk because there is no guarenteed money in the contract.

Clearly, this guy came here to see if he couldn't rehab his career behind our excellent O line and great receivers. He's wanting to put up big numbers while he keeps Palmer's seat warm so he can sign a high dollar contract next year. His motivation to excel as a temporary starter could not be higher......

I think all this bodes well for us, and makes this an excellent signing

[TecmoFever]

Well said, TJ. My big question, though, is still "why did we ever sign Doug Johnson in the first place?". He's the one to bitch and moan about. I can handle Wright and/or Krenzel. Let's just hope Carson makes miraculous progress and we don't have to see either of them too much.

[Who Dey Time]

I agree w/ TJ. Plus, keep in mind, CP will be back in 2006. In reality, we are asking Wright to play at most 4 games and keep the team in the 2-2 range. Personally, I think the latest Carson is back is the Pittsburgh game, so we are really asking Wright to beat Cleveland on 9/17.

If the D has improved, this should be very attainable when the chosen one returns.

WHO-DEY

[ArmyBengal]

I'm by NO MEANS a Wright fan and agree for the most part that he's always been less than average. It is a plus if he gets little to NO signing bonus so we can cut him if need be. I'm still in the camp of letting Krentzel take his shot at it and also feel like Craig could beat him out in camp.

I DON'T believe for a minute this kills our search for a QB in the late rounds of the draft and also don't believe it affects the Ravens at all either as all their QBs suck balls.

This reminds me of Marvin claiming the D-line was his "priority" two off seasons ago and then having it ignored for the most part. This is not an exciting signing at all...

WHODEY !!!

[TJJackson]

And indeed,Krenzel might beat out Wright in Camp, and would therefore in my mind be deserving of starting at that point if Carson remains out

The cap implications of cutting any of the three QBs is virtually nil....little or no guarenteed money in any of them.

I think we'll see the Bengals draft a QB late (like a Betts) and probably cut one of the three veterans. Probably Johnson.

At least that's my guess.

[HairOnFire]

I think I've got fewer problems with the bandaid they finally picked as I do with the timing of the move. Perhaps they really were waiting on Harrington, but the draft is only 10 days away. Why not wait and see if a prospect who fits your longterm needs is available at a point when you wouldn't mind pulling the trigger?

As for Wright, he's got the arm strength needed to keep Cincy's deep passing attack on the table, and his running ability will come in handy on the broken plays were sure to see during the opening weeks he'd have to play. He also knows the other teams in the AFC North.

Last, to make the point that he sucks is fair, but pointless, since everyone they were likely to sign was going to suck in their own ways. Even if a player with the untapped upside of Harrington was signed he was going to be savaged with cries and shouts about how much he sucks.