Antonio Bryant signs with Bengals

[ct_bengal]

this is a good signing, im surprised alot of people are down on this. i have a strange feeling we sign TO as well...

I don't think we can sign TO now. There's some weird language in the uncapped year. You can only make one signing for a specific position, that's to say that we couldn't have signed Bryant without cutting Coles. I think the only way we can bring in more WR's is through the draft. Someone with more knowledge back me up on this.

i think those rules apply only to teams that made it into the divisional round in the playoffs but not entirely sure

[Wraith]

Nope, missed that. Been a bit hectic at work and home over the last few months. So we take Coles off that list and say Cosby AND a rookie.

My bad.

[HairOnFire]

There's some weird language in the uncapped year. You can only make one signing for a specific position, that's to say that we couldn't have signed Bryant without cutting Coles. I think the only way we can bring in more WR's is through the draft. Someone with more knowledge back me up on this.

The Ravens have signed Stallworth, Boldin, and by some accounts are still in the market for more.

[Kazkal]

Nope, missed that. Been a bit hectic at work and home over the last few months. So we take Coles off that list and say Cosby AND a rookie.

My bad.

Honest Mistake

[JoePong]

Bryant is exactly what we need. He is fast, physical, and has grat hands. Very competitive.

The person who said he is not a vertical threat obviously is clueless.

As for Brandon Marshll, everyone keeps saying is is a deep threat and is grat at picking up yards after the catch, but he averages like 10 or 11 yards per reception. That kind of sucks.

Not sure why people don't realize how good of a player Bryant is. I actually think he and chad are pretty comparable at this point. Florio isn't that off base. Chad is still #1, but it's pretty close.

[volcom69]

If he plays like he did in 2008 this team got a nice deep threat, but if he plays like last year i guess they got another Coles. So lets hope they got the 2008 Bryant.

[blueridge]

It's underwhelming, but it's done.

I find myself in agreement with that statement.

Just nothing special that leaves me with the feeling that we kept up with the other teams in the division with this move, as I was hoping for.

What do you mean "kept up with the other teams in the division"? As bad as the Bengals' WR position was at the end of the season,the Ravens were worse.Their acquisition of Anquan Boldin-who is not the player Chad is-hardly puts them ahead of the Bengals. What would have "whelmed" you? Brandon Marshall? The guy who got Darrent Williams killed?

[Kazkal]

If he plays like he did in 2008 this team got a nice deep threat, but if he plays like last year i guess they got another Coles. So lets hope they got the 2008 Bryant.

I dunno last year he was dinged up had rookie QB's and still had solid production...(yes only 600 yards but 15.4 avg)

What do you mean "kept up with the other teams in the division"? As bad as the Bengals' WR position was at the end of the season,the Ravens were worse. What would have "whelmed" you? Brandon Marshall? The guy who got Darrent Williams killed?

Well sucks what he did off the field but he's still a stud on it...With that being said offseason isn't over still plenty room to improve in the draft...Plus The Ravens are losing few key Depth guys on their Dline on top of a defense that only gets older.

[blueridge]

Problem is Bryant is not the vertical threat we need. I wonder what their plans are for Jerome Simpson. If he isn't cut before the draft I'll have to assume they think he can play. Dare I suggest management thinks we have an in house solution like they did last year when we were all clamoring for them to acquire a center?

You're wrong. Bryant is exactly the kind of deep threat this team needs.As for Simpson,I think he's a longshot just to make this team. Unless the light suddenly turns on for the guy. Anybody feel confident that will happen?

[blueridge]

this is a good signing, im surprised alot of people are down on this. i have a strange feeling we sign TO as well...

I don't think we can sign TO now. There's some weird language in the uncapped year. You can only make one signing for a specific position, that's to say that we couldn't have signed Bryant without cutting Coles. I think the only way we can bring in more WR's is through the draft. Someone with more knowledge back me up on this.

i think those rules apply only to teams that made it into the divisional round in the playoffs but not entirely sure

You're right. The final 8 teams are limited in signing UFAs,and the limit is predicated on dollars,not position.

[PhunkE1]

There's some weird language in the uncapped year. You can only make one signing for a specific position, that's to say that we couldn't have signed Bryant without cutting Coles. I think the only way we can bring in more WR's is through the draft. Someone with more knowledge back me up on this.

The Ravens have signed Stallworth, Boldin, and by some accounts are still in the market for more.

True, but they also have lost DMason, KWashington and one other WR I believe. I'm trying to get more details about the rules on another board. I will return once I have the facts. The person who said something about it only being the teams that made it past the wild card round might be right. Fact checking as I type.

[Kazkal]

Chad asked Adam S on twitter

[blueridge]

There's some weird language in the uncapped year. You can only make one signing for a specific position, that's to say that we couldn't have signed Bryant without cutting Coles. I think the only way we can bring in more WR's is through the draft. Someone with more knowledge back me up on this.

The Ravens have signed Stallworth, Boldin, and by some accounts are still in the market for more.

Stallworth was a street FA and Boldin was acquired by trade-the uncapped year limitation on UFAs for the final 8 teams doesn't apply to those deals.

[PhunkE1]

There's some weird language in the uncapped year. You can only make one signing for a specific position, that's to say that we couldn't have signed Bryant without cutting Coles. I think the only way we can bring in more WR's is through the draft. Someone with more knowledge back me up on this.

The Ravens have signed Stallworth, Boldin, and by some accounts are still in the market for more.

Stallworth was a street FA and Boldin was acquired by trade-the uncapped year limitation on UFAs for the final 8 teams doesn't apply to those deals.

Ah, thanks for the clarification, Blueridge.

[Whur CHad At?]

Never been on a team for more than two years, and I believe this is his 5th team. Not a good signing. Doesn't make us better. Oh bengals

[HoosierCat]

Bryant is exactly what we need. He is fast, physical, and has grat hands. Very competitive.

That's actually the big question mark. Book on Bryant is that he is indeed competitive -- when he's playing for a contract. Once he gets paid, not so much. So we'll see.

But that said, I don't have a problem with the signing. Probably about the best we could hope for, given the Bengals' typical M.O.

[volcom69]

Only thing that bothers me is he really only had 1 great year, but that is with not so great QBS. Also i hope his knees are ok and nothing bad happens. I still would have loved to seen Marshall here, or even sign T.O. yet. Im just not sure Bryant is the guy to replace Chad when he is done, and i hope the Bengals didnt make a mistake. After Coles last year im worried what is going to happen, and i hope they made the right choice.

[membengal]

Oh good lord.

He was the BEST free agent wide receiver available. Period. And the Bengals got him. For all the cries of CHEAP and NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY HERE the Bengals got the best FA wide receiver available. Didn't lowball. Got it done.

And instead of happiness, generally more bitching from this board. Unreal.

Owens was a freakin' loose cannon. Marshall would have cost a one and is a frickin' loose cannon. Boldin cost the Ravens a 3 and a 4. The Bengals have all their picks and addressed their need at wide receiver proactively. With a guy who is a legit deep threat.

I give up.

[HoosierCat]

He was the BEST free agent wide receiver available.

Which, given the historic lack of depth of the FA pool in this uncapped year, isn't saying much.

For all the cries of CHEAP and NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY HERE the Bengals got the best FA wide receiver available. Didn't lowball. Got it done.

Just like Seattle last year. How'd that work out for them?

I give up.

Given the quality of your argument, I would too.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Bryant was the best option available and if he is healthy he will be a good upgrade opposite Chad.

I dont understand why any Bengal fan would be upset about this signing, a WR was needed and the best FA vet WR was signed.

Owens is 37 and Marshall would have cost a draft pick, Bryant was the best, cheapest option.

[membengal]

He was the BEST free agent wide receiver available.

Which, given the historic lack of depth of the FA pool in this uncapped year, isn't saying much.

For all the cries of CHEAP and NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY HERE the Bengals got the best FA wide receiver available. Didn't lowball. Got it done.

Just like Seattle last year. How'd that work out for them?

I give up.

Given the quality of your argument, I would too.

Weak, hoosier. Very weak. Seattle's signing Housh is a bizarre non sequitor.

What were the Bengals to do, sit out FA because it was not a strong class? Wring their hands and woe-is-me and reach for a WR in the draft? What the f**k exactly were they to do? I get so effin' tired of the bitching on this board. I really do. They were proactive. They saw a need, they moved to try and fill it. They left their draft intact.

It just gets old, the schizophrenia on this site.

[membengal]

Bryant was the best option available and if he is healthy he will be a good upgrade opposite Chad.

I dont understand why any Bengal fan would be upset about this signing, a WR was needed and the best FA vet WR was signed.

Owens is 37 and Marshall would have cost a draft pick, Bryant was the best, cheapest option.

Because of some pathological need to bitch has infected this damned fanbase, as near as I can tell.

[HoosierCat]

Weak, hoosier. Very weak. Seattle's signing Housh is a bizarre non sequitor.

No, it isn't. You want me to be all excited because the Bengals signed "the BEST free agent wide receiver available." TJ was last year's consensus BEST free agent available. It's not a non sequitur, it's a case in point.

What were the Bengals to do, sit out FA because it was not a strong class?

Where did anyone say they should have sat out FA? Wasn't I pimping T.O. elsewhere? Weren't others calling for a Marshall trade, or for the Bengals to go after Boldin or [insert name here]? People may differ on who should have been signed, but signing no one was not seen as an option.

They saw a need, they moved to try and fill it. They left their draft intact.

Yes, exactly. Beyond that...shrug.

[membengal]

Yes indeed, hoosier. Shrug.

Sure does suck not having something to bitch about. Every option was fraught with downside. They picked one that minimizes the downside with considerable upside. They didn't pinch pennies (the favorite straw complaint of the panty bunchers on this board). They kept the draft together. They didn't take a crazy chance on Marshall staying clear of trouble. And make no mistake, it would have been a huge leap of faith to go after Marshall. They didn't sign up for what was likely a massive T.O. trainwreck.

It just seems like it is bitching for bitchings sake. Eternally.

[HoosierCat]

Yes indeed, hoosier. Shrug.

Sure does suck not having something to bitch about.

Yes, it sucks almost as bad as bitching about everything.

There is, you know, a wide space between Pollyanna and Oscar the Grouch. It is possible to occupy a middle ground.

The Bryant signing falls somewhere in that range. A vertical threat? Certainly -- but somehow I doubt the Bengals just paid $7 million a year in order to replace Chris Henry, don't you? Which means Bryant is more than likely to get shoved into the TJ role they tried, unsuccessfully, to cram Coles into. Whether that works is anyone's guess. And that still leaves us with that much-derided "decoy" role to fill. I cant assign that to Jerome Simpson, because in order to be even a decoy, you have to show that there's at least a snowball's chance in hell you could actually score. Matt Jones? Well, give him some lines and I'm sure he'll be good for a couple plays. Caldwell? Perhaps. People were talking up his speed and how he never really got to use it last season. Or a draft pick? Very unlikely first now, I would say, but after that, anything's possible.

It's a shrug signing. They swapped Bryant for Coles, and now we all cross our fingers that (one) he's any better and (two) the Bengals use him correctly. So far, at least in the Marvin era, when it comes to FA WRs, their track record isn't very remarkable. But as I said, we'll see.