Kazkal Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 8. SIGN OF THE TIMES: For salary cap reasons, this is the last week the Bengals can shove big money into the 2006 salary cap, like they did with Palmer’s $97 million extension a year ago this week. But for one thing, thanks to that deal, they don’t have a lot left under it, and for another, they don’t appear to be close with anyone.It appears the guy they’ve had the most serious talks with is defensive end Robert Geathers, a restricted free agent heading into the season. But those are talks complicated by his 10.5 sacks, which have put him in a different stratosphere than a month ago. If the Bengals don’t get a deal with him they’ll have to tender him at least $2 million for next season.The ’07 salary cap figures to rise between $8-9 million to about $110 million, so that should help. And, like Geathers, they may have to decide to tender at a higher number at least one of their two third-year linebackers who become restricted free agents in Landon Johnson and Caleb Miller. The first option would be Johnson, but they also like what Miller has done this season.They’ve also had some discussions with defensive end Justin Smith, but that is going to be a tough nut. He’s one of the team's finest players, but he’ll be worth a ton on the open market and it’s a number they probably don’t feel like they can give a guy who has never had a double-digit sack season. Nothing major but just having talks with justin and geathers makes me happy...More so on justin part because we knew geathers would be here for 1 more year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjakq27 Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 I hope with the new cap number that they are able to sign all four. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 They should be able to get Geathers and Smith both back in the fold, but Hobson is likely to magically shrink our apparent cap space before that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Justin Smith doesn't have much incentive to listen to offers this late in the season as he's just one game away from free agency and a pretty big payday. In my opinion the time to approach him with a serious offer was earlier in the season...immediately after Willie Anderson signed, an act that almost certainly ended the Bengals pursuit of Eric Steinbach. I'd love for Smith to remain a Bengal, but if he's as smart as I think he is he'll listen politely before leaving. And for those of you who keep insisting that he's worthless....just wait. You're about to find out how wrong you are. None of the above is true in regards to Robert Geathers. He's a RFA who is almost certainly a year away from a new deal, and the threat to his financial security that an injury would bring, so an extension is something he'd be very wise to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted December 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 Actually if they tagged him then hes 1 tackle away from career ending injury without his 2nd big pay day ,But it's ok hair we know you just want the spot open for frostee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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