GET MARSHALL NOW!

[cincy9275]

would love to have brandon. he would instantly improve our passing game. there would be no way another team could double up him and chad. that would make the game that much easier for the rest of our wr/te's. chad, chase, caldwell, marshell in the redzone wow!

i know this is not going to happen, we can dream right?

[Ickey44]

I think Walter would be a good pick up. They should've never let him go. He's a great possession receiver in the TJ mold.

[HairOnFire]

Not only do I NOT want Walter in stripes...I'm sorta jacked to hear Baltimore does. Because unless you've also got Andre Johnson to line up on the other side Kevin Walter isn't the answer to any question worth asking.

At the risk of sounding like Chick Ludwig coming off a bender, if these are my choices....I'll take Jerome.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Yeah no reason to bring Walter in here. You've already got Caldwell who could probably give you the same production.

Marshall's "ability" is perfect, but no way in hell the Bengals go for him.

I really don't know what they do. I would prefer Bryant, but he looks like he will be a Dolphin unless the Bengals' out-bid, and even after losing Coles big $, not sure they do that.

[HAPPYJAQ]

Walter is a solid #3 WR, and nothing more. He proved that in Houston. The last thing we need is another possession receiver and 11.5 ypc screams that he is just that.

As far as Marshall goes, it looks like Seattle is pretty interested in him, especially since Burleson was signed by Detroit. Nate was one player that could have helped this team, and it's surprising that the Bengals didn't go after him.

With a thin and old UFA market for WRs, I'm hoping the Bengals try to get a player or two through the RFA market. They've been active in this area the last few seasons, but the downside is that teams have more flexibility to keep their own players in an uncapped year.

Here's a thought...

How about offering Brad Smith of the Jets?

He only received a second-round tender and is a guy on the verge of a breakout at WR. With his versatility and explosiveness, I think he would be better than any WR that we could possibly select in Round 2. Smith has great size at 6'2'', 218, and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash coming out of Missouri, although I believe he plays much faster than that. Offer him something like 3 years and about 15 million and get the best all-purpose WR in the league outside of Cleveland, and a player with better WR skills than Cribbs. With the New York Jets already having a 1st and 3rd round tender for Braylon, and Cotchery in the fold, I don't think they'd match for a player that is their 3rd or 4th WR in a ball-control offense.

Plus, you gotta like a guy who's nickname is "Ninja Fists".

[kingwilly]

brad smith might be interesting. he can also return kicks...

with Boldin going to the Ravens, and Big ben still playing azz-grab, time is now to get Marshall.

F u SoP. Do it, I dare you. I dare you to go for it.

[BengalPimp]

They must be expecting 75 Rec 1,200yds and 10 TD's from Jerome Simpson this season....What other reason can there possibly be for not going after anybody? Oh Yeah, Mikey's a Cheap B*stard.

[BengalPimp]

Here's a thought...

How about offering Brad Smith of the Jets?

He only received a second-round tender and is a guy on the verge of a breakout at WR. With his versatility and explosiveness, I think he would be better than any WR that we could possibly select in Round 2. Smith has great size at 6'2'', 218, and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash coming out of Missouri, although I believe he plays much faster than that. Offer him something like 3 years and about 15 million and get the best all-purpose WR in the league outside of Cleveland, and a player with better WR skills than Cribbs. With the New York Jets already having a 1st and 3rd round tender for Braylon, and Cotchery in the fold, I don't think they'd match for a player that is their 3rd or 4th WR in a ball-control offense.

Plus, you gotta like a guy who's nickname is "Ninja Fists".

I really don't know what to say to that....but let me try....

"A guy on the verge of a breakoput at WR" HUH? What do you base that assumption on ? Do you base it on the fact that he has played 4 seasons, and a total of 60 games, but his career numbers are 60 Receptions for 513 yards and 2 TD's....IN 60 GAMES?

Or maybe your basing that off last seasons eye-popping stats of 7 count 'em 7 receptions for 63 yards and ZERO TD's in 13 games....Yep, sure sounds like he's on the verge off a breakout to me...Why not give up a 2nd Rd pick and $15 million to him? ARE YOU SERIOUS??????

I'll give you the cool nickname....but....c'mon now....

[Stripes]

They must be expecting 75 Rec 1,200yds and 10 TD's from Jerome Simpson this season....What other reason can there possibly be for not going after anybody? Oh Yeah, Mikey's a Cheap B*stard.

That's the only possible reason? Freaking ridiculous.

[ArmyBengal]

They must be expecting 75 Rec 1,200yds and 10 TD's from Jerome Simpson this season....What other reason can there possibly be for not going after anybody? Oh Yeah, Mikey's a Cheap B*stard.

That's the only possible reason? Freaking ridiculous.

Agree.

Here's a question... Anyone give thought to how much it's going to cost to extend what many believe is the top CB tandom in the league ??

Here's another... Anyone willing to see either Hall or JJoe not in our secondary and needing to start over there ??

[HAPPYJAQ]

Here's a thought...

How about offering Brad Smith of the Jets?

He only received a second-round tender and is a guy on the verge of a breakout at WR. With his versatility and explosiveness, I think he would be better than any WR that we could possibly select in Round 2. Smith has great size at 6'2'', 218, and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash coming out of Missouri, although I believe he plays much faster than that. Offer him something like 3 years and about 15 million and get the best all-purpose WR in the league outside of Cleveland, and a player with better WR skills than Cribbs. With the New York Jets already having a 1st and 3rd round tender for Braylon, and Cotchery in the fold, I don't think they'd match for a player that is their 3rd or 4th WR in a ball-control offense.

Plus, you gotta like a guy who's nickname is "Ninja Fists".

I really don't know what to say to that....but let me try....

"A guy on the verge of a breakoput at WR" HUH? What do you base that assumption on ? Do you base it on the fact that he has played 4 seasons, and a total of 60 games, but his career numbers are 60 Receptions for 513 yards and 2 TD's....IN 60 GAMES?

Or maybe your basing that off last seasons eye-popping stats of 7 count 'em 7 receptions for 63 yards and ZERO TD's in 13 games....Yep, sure sounds like he's on the verge off a breakout to me...Why not give up a 2nd Rd pick and $15 million to him? ARE YOU SERIOUS??????

I'll give you the cool nickname....but....c'mon now....

Not based on statistics at all, just the natural progression of his development. Keep in mind that he was a QUARTERBACK his first few seasons in New York, and wasn't even listed on the WR depth chart until AFTER they traded for Braylon Edwards. The guy is still learning to play WR, but has extremely rare ability with the football in his hands, and you can ask the Bengals defense about that.

I'm not saying that he'll be Anquan Boldin in '10, but I think he has the natural talent to be an impact player at WR, and the Jets value him enough in that capacity to offer a high tender even though he's a backup. By all accounts, he's one of the brightest and hardest working players on their football team, so there's no reason to think that he will only improve with more experience.

I'm no NFL salary guru, but I think a contract similar to what Nate Burleson got from Detroit would be in order, for a younger player with the same skillset and more versatility. Devin Hester got 4 years and 40.9 million as a part-time receiver with the Bears in '08, while Cribbs was given 3 more years and nearly 19 milliom to stay with Cleveland just yesterday, so 3 years and 15 million sounds about right to me, all things considered.

The Bengals have to make a bold move, and I was just throwing this idea out there as something to think about. We absolutely need more talent and playmakers at the WR position. Certainly, you don't believe that Matt Jones or even an aging and over-rated WR like Antonio Bryant will be factors on the Bengals in two seasons, do you???

[volcom69]

Here's a thought...

How about offering Brad Smith of the Jets?

He only received a second-round tender and is a guy on the verge of a breakout at WR. With his versatility and explosiveness, I think he would be better than any WR that we could possibly select in Round 2. Smith has great size at 6'2'', 218, and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash coming out of Missouri, although I believe he plays much faster than that. Offer him something like 3 years and about 15 million and get the best all-purpose WR in the league outside of Cleveland, and a player with better WR skills than Cribbs. With the New York Jets already having a 1st and 3rd round tender for Braylon, and Cotchery in the fold, I don't think they'd match for a player that is their 3rd or 4th WR in a ball-control offense.

Plus, you gotta like a guy who's nickname is "Ninja Fists".

I really don't know what to say to that....but let me try....

"A guy on the verge of a breakoput at WR" HUH? What do you base that assumption on ? Do you base it on the fact that he has played 4 seasons, and a total of 60 games, but his career numbers are 60 Receptions for 513 yards and 2 TD's....IN 60 GAMES?

Or maybe your basing that off last seasons eye-popping stats of 7 count 'em 7 receptions for 63 yards and ZERO TD's in 13 games....Yep, sure sounds like he's on the verge off a breakout to me...Why not give up a 2nd Rd pick and $15 million to him? ARE YOU SERIOUS??????

I'll give you the cool nickname....but....c'mon now....

Not based on statistics at all, just the natural progression of his development. Keep in mind that he was a QUARTERBACK his first few seasons in New York, and wasn't even listed on the WR depth chart until AFTER they traded for Braylon Edwards. The guy is still learning to play WR, but has extremely rare ability with the football in his hands, and you can ask the Bengals defense about that.

I'm not saying that he'll be Anquan Boldin in '10, but I think he has the natural talent to be an impact player at WR, and the Jets value him enough in that capacity to offer a high tender even though he's a backup. By all accounts, he's one of the brightest and hardest working players on their football team, so there's no reason to think that he will only improve with more experience.

I'm no NFL salary guru, but I think a contract similar to what Nate Burleson got from Detroit would be in order, for a younger player with the same skillset and more versatility. Devin Hester got 4 years and 40.9 million as a part-time receiver with the Bears in '08, while Cribbs was given 3 more years and nearly 19 milliom to stay with Cleveland just yesterday, so 3 years and 15 million sounds about right to me, all things considered.

The Bengals have to make a bold move, and I was just throwing this idea out there as something to think about. We absolutely need more talent and playmakers at the WR position. Certainly, you don't believe that Matt Jones or even an aging and over-rated WR like Antonio Bryant will be factors on the Bengals in two seasons, do you???

Bryant could be as disappointing as Coles was last year, so i really hope they dont sign him. They will probably sit back and wait while all these guys go off the board and pick up who is left like they always do. They have to figure there are other concerning needs also like how about somebody else to rush the QB they need to get better at the DE postion.

[kingwilly]

I now understand their tactic of getting Jones and also releasing Coles.

Getting Jones:

"We felt he had considerable upside, and while we are aware of his off-the-field problems, he deserves a fresh start to be the player his potential tells us he can be."

File under: "Redeemer" and "Cheap Players with Baggage"

Cutting Coles:

"We thank Lavernaeus for the great job he did for us, coming in a starting and raising the level of professionalism in our locker room."

File under: "Example of Paying Big Money to Washed out FA's" and "Attempt to look like you are improving the team with a well-timed cut of a useless player who we've overpaid for."

Since they got Jones, they can argue that they have been proactive in "addressing the WR position", and in cutting Coles they can claim that going into the FA market and spending healthy coin is not the way to improve your team.

Fudge.

[HairOnFire]

I"ll take a stab at it by offering a few of the things they MIGHT be thinking.

Reason #1 - THE CIRCUS IS COMING TO TOWN

I'm almost resigned to it. Terrell Owens will almost certainly be a Bengal this season. And if true it will be due to many factors, not the least of which relate to his aging skill set still being a better fit for the Bengals than the mostly slot receivers now available. AND yeah....there's the lower price tag Owens is likely to bring....fitting neatly into every cheap rant.

Reason #2 - THE CIRCUS IS STAYING IN TOWN

This one could very easily be written about Chad, but I'll ignore what's happening under the spotlight at center ring by pointing instead to the midway attractions and dog-faced boy Jerome. Because if he's staying and playing, as I expect, he'll fill yet another roster spot....dictating the Bengals target their search for new wideouts with a rifle, as opposed to a shotgun.

Reason #3 - THEY'RE SAVING A SEAT IN THE CLOWN CAR

I could write a million words about the things I'd like to see the Bengals do in the coming draft, but if I were asked to write what I think they'll actually do it can easily be summed up with just two letters. WR

And that's another roster spot, right? So even without the likes of Boldin, Marshall, Bryant, or Kevin "Freakin" Walter....the Bengals are very likely looking at a WR corp of Chad, Owens, Caldwell, Simpson, Cosby, and Project X.....if not Y and Z as well. So, cue the caliope music because despite the empty seats we see today....the clown car is almost filled.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I"ll take a stab at it by offering a few of the things they MIGHT be thinking.

Reason #1 - THE CIRCUS IS COMING TO TOWN

I'm almost resigned to it. Terrell Owens will almost certainly be a Bengal this season. And if true it will be due to many factors, not the least of which relate to his aging skill set still being a better fit for the Bengals than the mostly slot receivers now available. AND yeah....there's the lower price tag Owens is likely to bring....fitting neatly into every cheap rant.

Reason #2 - THE CIRCUS IS STAYING IN TOWN

This one could very easily be written about Chad, but I'll ignore what's happening under the spotlight at center ring by pointing instead to the midway attractions and dog-faced boy Jerome. Because if he's staying and playing, as I expect, he'll fill yet another roster spot....dictating the Bengals target their search for new wideouts with a rifle, as opposed to a shotgun.

Reason #3 - THEY'RE SAVING A SEAT IN THE CLOWN CAR

I could write a million words about the things I'd like to see the Bengals do in the coming draft, but if I were asked to write what I think they'll actually do it can easily be summed up with just two letters. WR

And that's another roster spot, right? So even without the likes of Boldin, Marshall, Bryant, or Kevin "Freakin" Walter....the Bengals are very likely looking at a WR corp of Chad, Owens, Caldwell, Simpson, Cosby, and Project X.....if not Y and Z as well. So, cue the caliope music because despite the empty seats we see today....the clown car is almost filled.

I'm firmly behind reason #1. Palmer throwing to Ocho and T.O. would be a sight to see!

[derekshank]

Over the last few years I've noticed the Bengals are usually quite willing to go into the draft with serious question marks at particular positions, and if those questions aren't answered with a rookie class, they look for what is left in free agency as a short term band-aid.

See the signings of Roy Williams and Jeremi Johnson last year for evidence.

Sure, one could argue that the WR situation is far more important than either the SS or FB situation was last year... and they may do something about it. However, I can easily see the Bengals attempting to fix the WR situation more long term. Signing T.O. this year will put us fans in the same situation again next year, wondering if the Bengals are going to sign a FA. But drafting a 1st round WR could solve the need for a high quality starting WR for years. And if there isn't a WR worth taking in the 1st round by the time they pick, there will still be a handful of WR's (possibly even T.O.) who didn't like the offers they had received up to that point... just like Roy Williams did.

I'm not saying whether I agree or disagree with this strategy - I'm just predicting the way I see these things unfolding.

[cHaD711Johnson]

Adam Schefter just reported on Sportscenter that the Bengals are having talks about reaching out to Brandon Marshall.

[Mforcerulesall]

Saw that from Schefter as well.

[HoosierCat]

Reedy says the Marshall rumors are crap, just an attempt to drive up the price in Seattle.

[walzav29]

Reedy says the Marshall rumors are crap, just an attempt to drive up the price in Seattle.

Yeah. I think it's working both ways. To drive down the price for T.O. or vice-versa. Seattle has 2 #1's which I'd imagine gives them an edge because it's the 14th pick, but 2 years in a row going after big FA WR would be odd. We have to get either T.O. or Marshall. The Bengals have that extra 3rd, so maybe a 1st and 3rd for Marshall? Getting something huge down for Palmer would be nice.

[Whur CHad At?]

One thing I know about Adam Schefter is that he knows what the hell he is talking about. That dude is all over the place. I think since he left NFL network that networks so called experts suck. He is pretty good. So if I hear this coming from him, I believe it to be true.

I honestly see Marshall as someone Mike Brown would love.

I hope this happens, I really do, but, I would settle for T.O. as well.

[cincyhokie]

Reedy says the Marshall rumors are crap, just an attempt to drive up the price in Seattle.

Does this mean that the Bengals are in fact talking to Marshall and that Marshall's agent is using it to drive the price up for him? That I could believe. I'd have a hard time believing that his agent would just make this up and lie about the contact, but who knows?

If the Bengals are involved in bluffing about Marshall it has everything to do with the contract talks with TO.

Reedy kind of comes across like a prick. Dude hasn't had one positive thing to say about the state of the Bengals since he got to the Enquier. Just look at his picture on webpage.

Either way, I would doubt that we would make a serious move to get him.

[Kazkal]

I dunno I'd be surprised if Cosby makes roster since Carson doesn't like Short WR's says coles and simply can't work with them.

[Trevor]

Just sounds too fishy... So we've talked about it... I'm sure every team in the nfl has at least talked about it.... I dont think were gonna get brandon marshall... I dont really like him that much anyways but he is a guaranteed 1st down i guess...

[GoBengals!]

Though I don't think it will likely, it will be awesome to sign Marshall. Mikey will have to do something uncharacteristic and grow a pair.

The guy caught over 20+ passes in a game last year. Marshall is a stud. Sign him and give a #1... Everyone knows the best picks are in the 2nd round and later.. See Ocho, Chad, Whitworth, etc.