Your 2007 FA Wish List

[HairOnFire]

I know he's getting a little old, but Adalius Thomas is still one of the best playmakers in the NFL. Personally, I'd take him over Lance Briggs. I'd love for the Bengals to sign him if they could. He would provide instant upgrade/leadership at LB and our gain would be the Ravens' loss. That said, I haven't read anything about his attitude on staying with the Ravens. Does anyone know whether he is looking to leave or not? If we could sign him to a 4-5 year deal, that would be phenomenal.

From what little I've read Thomas loves playing for Baltimore but realizes that his level of play may price himself out of town as the Ravens have pressing financial demands that will scream for attention. In addition, his age means he's very likely looking for his last NFL contract....so team loyalty isn't likely to be a strong factor. This is his last chance to earn so expect him to position himself as a mercenary who'll sign with the highest bidder.

Again, all things considered, Thomas fits the profile of what the Bengals typically look to do in free agency. It's always been their habit to let the bidding wars for the premier talent play out while they remain on the sidelines. Only after they've learned if they can keep their own priority free agents, and after the new FA market price is established, do they attempt getting involved, and only then in pursuit of 2nd and 3rd tier free agents who have a wart or two. In this case, Thomas is older than ideal, but he can still play at a high level and it's unlikely the wheels will fall off of his wagon overnight.

[jjakq27]

I know he's getting a little old, but Adalius Thomas is still one of the best playmakers in the NFL. Personally, I'd take him over Lance Briggs. I'd love for the Bengals to sign him if they could. He would provide instant upgrade/leadership at LB and our gain would be the Ravens' loss. That said, I haven't read anything about his attitude on staying with the Ravens. Does anyone know whether he is looking to leave or not? If we could sign him to a 4-5 year deal, that would be phenomenal.

From what little I've read Thomas loves playing for Baltimore but realizes that his level of play may price himself out of town as the Ravens have pressing financial demands that will scream for attention. In addition, his age means he's very likely looking for his last NFL contract....so team loyalty isn't likely to be a strong factor. This is his last chance to earn so expect him to position himself as a mercenary who'll sign with the highest bidder.

Again, all things considered, Thomas fits the profile of what the Bengals typically look to do in free agency. It's always been their habit to let the bidding wars for the premier talent play out while they remain on the sidelines. Only after they've learned if they can keep their own priority free agents, and after the new FA market price is established, do they attempt getting involved, and only then in pursuit of 2nd and 3rd tier free agents who have a wart or two. In this case, Thomas is older than ideal, but he can still play at a high level and it's unlikely the wheels will fall off of his wagon overnight.

I like AT. I think Lewis was still with the Ravens when he was drafted. He still has great skills and is very active. However, I wouldn't sign him to a long deal in case he turns out to be another Kevin Hardly, I mean Hardy. Somehow there has to be an escape clause or something tied to performance.

[Bengalbob]

While it's nice to dream about getting this guy or that guy, I think this will be a very dry free agent year for everyone. With the new CBA and rapidly expanding cap space, almost every team will have room to sign their own (the number I heard is that the average cap space after this season is complete will be about $20 million per team). So, the few guys that actually make it to free agency will either be way too expensive due to the restricted supply of good available FAs, or they will be the cast offs that their home teams didn't care to resign. So, in the end I bet we take a good shot at our own FAs and do very little in the open market. IMHO building with the draft is the best method for long term stability anyway.