If no CBA is reached?

[cincyhokie]

whether they use a 1st round pick on a new TE or simply pick up one off the street they PROBABLY won't lose their top three players at that position again.

That makes me wonder what happens with Roy Williams next year. That dude had a star-crossed year in 2009. First he bashes Utecht's head in during a pre-season practice, putting our free-agent tight end on the IR, then on the street. Then he follows that up with rebreaking his arm that apparently never healed right and getting IR'd himself. We might need a tight end and a safety. Or two.

Roy looked solid the first 3 games and was playing special teams,Marvin & Zimmer have both said they want Roy back so if he's healthy at start next season I look for them to sign him...Not like hes gonna cost anything.

Roy, the Ironman, needs to fix that plate in his forearm...for good.

[derekshank]

If it were up to me I'd move on by commiting to a new healthy player, rookie or veteran, but I openly wonder if the Bengals can bring themselves to ignore their insatiable lust for offensive skill position players with Williams waiting in the wing.

You've been reading my mind, haven't you? Remember to stay out at around 11pm on weeknights. That's me time.

Anyway... I have a hard time seeing the Bengals targeting a playmaking safety either in FA or the draft when you consider the solid-if-not-spectacular play from Crocker and Ndukwe, and having a cheap option in Roy just sitting there. I'd love to see this defense take the next step from good-to-great... and while O.J. Atogwe would be a huge step in that direction, I tend to think that Mike Brown's insatiable lust for a downfield passing game will be a primary goal this offseason.