QB search over??

[kingwilly]

Wright will do, I guess. Between Johnson, Wright, and Krenzel, we've got 3 guys who've started in the league and have some skills. Maybe not as much skills as a Greise or Brooks would have offered but certainly more than Martin or Harrington.

All in all, it could be worse....we could have grabbed Kerry Collins!!!

In ending, may God in heaven provide safe healing and recovery for Carson palmer....

[Indycat]

Wright, Krenzel, Johnson, regardles of who starts the first half of the season our success will be determined by the running game and the improvement of the Defense

[HoosierCat]

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.

Exactly -- which is why I've been saying for weeks they ought to just bag the whole search and put the money to better use.

I agree with you about the timing. They had already dilly-dallied for a month, what was another week and half going to hurt? May as well have waited.

[kingwilly]

joisey nails it...why do it now before the draft, when you never know who may fall a bit and be grabbed late??? some QB's could fall in our laps but now we have Wright....

I'm finding this harder and harder to believe this is all marvin's call...it reaks of "Brown"-stuff.

So, now we have wasted cash on JJ (think what you want but remember Marvin's quote about the cap going up but the players not getting any better) and now cash tied up in Johnson and Wright....and thi money is not going into the D.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

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?

Because a draft pick wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of being even as good as Anthony Wright by opening day. If Palmer weren't hurt, we wouldn't be having this discussion (Wright wouldn't be coming here), and they may very well have been thinking of spending a mid-round pick on grooming a legitimate backup. But Palmer did get hurt, and now we need a guy ready to start Week 1.

As such, the draft had no bearing on their QB decision. If anything, they probably wanted to get it solidified before the draft so they didn't feel as if they had to do something stupid in the draft - like drafting a guy to start Week 1. I'm glad they have it wrapped up, if a bit late.

This really wasn't a hard choice. The question was, do you shell out big cash for a guy like Griese or Brooks, who may only start 0-4 games for you, or do you go the cheap-o route and take a Wright, Maddox, or Martin? Add to the fact that Griese and Brooks wouldn't want to come here, as we have a Pro Bowl QB they have no chance of unseating, unlike lesser teams who were also in the market.

I can't stand Mike Brown, and I still think this was the least dumb move available. Just get a guy who at least has enough of an arm to get it downfield. Wright fits the bill well enough.

[BengalByTheBay]

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?

Because a draft pick wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of being even as good as Anthony Wright by opening day. If Palmer weren't hurt, we wouldn't be having this discussion (Wright wouldn't be coming here), and they may very well have been thinking of spending a mid-round pick on grooming a legitimate backup. But Palmer did get hurt, and now we need a guy ready to start Week 1.

As such, the draft had no bearing on their QB decision. If anything, they probably wanted to get it solidified before the draft so they didn't feel as if they had to do something stupid in the draft - like drafting a guy to start Week 1. I'm glad they have it wrapped up, if a bit late.

This really wasn't a hard choice. The question was, do you shell out big cash for a guy like Griese or Brooks, who may only start 0-4 games for you, or do you go the cheap-o route and take a Wright, Maddox, or Martin? Add to the fact that Griese and Brooks wouldn't want to come here, as we have a Pro Bowl QB they have no chance of unseating, unlike lesser teams who were also in the market.

I can't stand Mike Brown, and I still think this was the least dumb move available. Just get a guy who at least has enough of an arm to get it downfield. Wright fits the bill well enough.

Well, I guess this just ends up being a bump of DC's post because I agree with his point wholeheartedly. You cannot draft a week 1-4 starter -- especially in later rounds. That doesn't mean we shouldn't draft a QB this year, just that this pick would be a long term decision. There are basically 2 different positions at-issue. First, a backup QB who can start week 1 if necessary. Second, eventually we need a long term backup QB -- maybe that's Krenzel although I doubt it. I wouldn't be pissed if they drafted for that this season as long as it's not on day 1.

I grant those that are simply afraid that Wright sucks their due. I agree that he sucks. I also think he'll perform well enough with our offense (if he can even beat out Johnson/Krenzel) to at least be average. The fact remains that when you're looking to sign a veteran FA QB who basically can't start for any other team (which is why he's available at this point and willing to sign a close-to minimum contract based on the understanding that he will most likely start for one month before being permanently, we hope, benched) the pickings are going to be slim. Yeah, Harrington may have been the best of the bunch, but he definitely wanted more money and probably would have posed additional problems as the year wore on. That said -- I think a compelling argument can be made that Harrington sucks almost as much as Wright. Whatever, I have no problem with this and will simply go back to hoping that CP is back as soon as possible -- which is what I was planning on doing no matter which scrub was brought in.

[ArmyBengal]

Why is it when something goes right, it's because Marvin is a genius and when something goes wrong or it's something we disagree with, it's because Mike Brown "f*cked it up again" ?? I understand all the years of futility, but there comes a time to give credit where credit is due.

On that note, I'm still not thrilled about Wright, but like I've said, if the organization feels it's the best fit, then I'll live with it...

WHODEY !!!

[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?

Because a draft pick wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of being even as good as Anthony Wright by opening day.

IMHO the comparison between Wright and a draft pick isn't valid, because Wright wouldn't be competing against the draft pick. The draft pick would immediately be slotted 3rd and groomed to fill the backup position long-term.

[TJJackson]

That's right - no one we would draft this year would be taking snaps on game day unless the veterans were both injured

The rookie (if any, and I suspect we will indeed have one, albeit possible an undrafted FA or two) will be QB 3

[HoosierCat]

IMHO the comparison between Wright and a draft pick isn't valid, because Wright wouldn't be competing against the draft pick. The draft pick would immediately be slotted 3rd and groomed to fill the backup position long-term.

Yup. For me, the bottom line is that I simply don't find the lineup of Wright-Johnson-Krenzel to be significantly more appealing than Johnson-Krenzel-insert draft pick here. Now, maybe the draft comes and goes and the guys you were looking at don't fall your way...but as you suggested, what was the hurt in looking? As far as I know Wright wasn't exactly highly sought-after.

[KiLBurn]

Miami, Denver and Chicago were supposedly interested in Wright as well.

Link

[HairOnFire]

As far as I know Wright wasn't exactly highly sought-after.

And neither was Jamie Martin. That's why I can't shake the feeling that the Bengals finally made their move when it became clear that waiting for Harrington was no longer an option. Let's face it, no team was going to trade for Harrington without negotiating a new contract, Miami finally managed to get that agreement, and all that's left to be decided now is when Harrington gains his release. Almost at the same moment the news of Harrington agreeing to terms with Miami breaks...the Bengals announce their long search for a backup QB was over.

Coincidence? I think not.

[HoosierCat]

Miami, Denver and Chicago were supposedly interested in Wright as well.

Link

But obviously not very much; the Bengals didn't exactly fork over top dollar. But even so, there's still Maddox and Martin if you must sign someone, and Johnson and Krenzel already here. I simply fail to see the urgency.

Hair may be right that they moved to Wright after Harrington removed himself as an option...but I can't shake the feeling that Harrington was never a serious option -- or rather that Cincy was never a serious option for Harrington's camp. If the two moves were connected, I think it was only in Marvin's/Mikey's mind.

[BengalByTheBay]

For me, the bottom line is that I simply don't find the lineup of Wright-Johnson-Krenzel to be significantly more appealing than Johnson-Krenzel-insert draft pick here.

Fair enough. I think the concept was no more complicated than adding another "guy" to complete for what will end up being one of two spots. Having more starts that the other two combined, Wright probably gives a moderately higher degree of confidence in what you will get (call it the "devil you know" theory). None of the three can really be considered (outside of Balt.) as starter quality at this point. If they decide to draft a QB, I think that Johnson, Wright, or both can be shed fairly easily either pre-season, or shortly after Carson's return without any significant impact on any other position. I personally believe they intend to let these guys go at each other for a few weeks once camp starts and then they will drop one and carry the others into the season. If a QB is drafted, they'll probably just add him to the mix -- let them all compete -- and drop #'s 3 and 4.

All in all, I'm reminded of Allen Iverson's tone when discussing "practice...we're talking about practice." Just substitute the work "backups".

[wookie]

I think Wright was a good choice. I like the comments by the players that they are surrounding him with more talent than he's had elsewhere. I also like his mobility, it'll give the offense just 1 more option if for some reason all the recievers are covered, or the blitz sneaks through.

I was never sold on Harrington, I was hoping for Martin or Wright and we got Wright.

I was dreaming of getting McNair when he gets released from the Titans...looks like that can stay a dream. He'd have been too expensive and all the "experts" are saying Baltimore is going to jump all over that.

[HairOnFire]

Hair may be right that they moved to Wright after Harrington removed himself as an option...but I can't shake the feeling that Harrington was never a serious option -- or rather that Cincy was never a serious option for Harrington's camp. If the two moves were connected, I think it was only in Marvin's/Mikey's mind.

The only thing needed for a wait-and-see stance is the mindset of the side doing the waiting. As for Harrington's camp, I just heard Mort opine that Harrington's agreement with Miami effectively eliminated all other teams, gave Harrington almost total control of where he'll play, and very likely works in favor of gaining his release prior to the draft...as Detroit now has to settle for accepting less from Miami now or risk getting nothing at all later. But ignoring most of that, for Cincy the Harrington option died yesterday...the same day they moved on Wright.

[HoosierCat]

The only thing needed for a wait-and-see stance is the mindset of the side doing the waiting.

That is, of course, the rub. I thought it became fairly obvious early on in the Great QB Search that anyone of any quality -- like, say a Griese -- or who harbored hopes of becoming a starter (Harrington) was pretty much on the ABC (Anywhere But Cincinnati) program. Between the prior example of benching the "Comeback Player of the Year" for the untested rook, and Carson's nifty new giant contract, the No. 2 job for the Bengals had little to recommend it. Maybe the Harrington comments were a trigger, but if so I think they were more of an "oh, screw it, let's just sign that bozo from Baltimore and move on" trigger than anything else.

[Larry]

ahhh, the only thing I like about this signing is marylandbengal's picture..NICE!

[BengalszoneBilly]

I think this news is great on two fronts. First of all, he does have experience, and he's better than Krenzel, Harrington, and I dare say even Kitna! Second, we just took Baltimores best QB from them!

[kayaker0678]

dont quote me but it might be for league minimum .

[marylandbengal]

I still don't like Wright, but after further consideration I have to admit he's probably better than any of the other FA QBs available. There seems to be a debate whether he was better than Martin, but the bottom line is, we have a suitable back-up. i was never a fan of drafting a quarterback for that role, who is going to be better than even Krenzel in the fourth or fifth round? And that would be a player who wouldnt ever see the field in the next ten years unless the unthinkable happened (again). yeah, I withdraw my previous misgivings (hey, I'm man enough to admit I was wrong).

And there was a good article on him today (Saturday) on Bengals.com, he seems to have the right attitude. At least hes saying all the right things. Example:

“You look at the year he had last year,” said Wright of Palmer, “and this guy is clearly one of the best in the league. The guy has so much talent. There aren’t too many quarterbacks I’d be happy sitting behind, but he’s one of them.”

And so on.

OK, I'm a total homer, I can't help it.

Did I mention already that I miss Cincinnati?

[cincy9275]

he is not near as bad as everyone is saying he is . what people are forgetting is he will have a pro bowl offense surrounding him. i think he will be OK

[AMC]

Perfect situation...league minimum and he says sitting behind Carson is not a slap in the face....compared it to sitting behind Aikman...

Rather have Wright than Kitna...at least Wright brings a "change of pace" with his running ability....

[ArmyBengal]

I'm warming up to this signing, but like many have said, anything we did in FA, in regards to the QB position, would have been labeled as crappy by more than most !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Whur CHad At?]

I wanna know if he can magicaly fumble the ball while he is running out of the pocket?