Crazy Talk: Should the Bengals Tag Nelson?

[cHaD711Johnson]

I hope we go with Nelson and Mays back there. Definitely good news to sign him I'd like to see the terms of the contract too.

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah maybe this means the end of Crocker.

I don't want him back either.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Well jets fans are pissed they wanted Nelson

F**k 'em.

[ArmyBengal]

Well jets fans are pissed they wanted Nelson

F**k 'em.

My name is ArmyBengal and I approve of the above posting...

[HoosierCat]

No word on $$$ yet. Reedy says things will be finalized tomorrow. But he is hearing it's a 4-year deal, which would make Reggie one of just 4 guys under contract through 2015 (Cook, Whit and Hall are the others). Sounds like they were either way more interested in keeping Nelson than they let on...or Zimmer threatened to go nuclear on Mike Brown if he didn't bring some of his players back!

[COB]

We had depth at d line, so fanene and Rucker are allowed to walk. Super thin at safety, signing Nelson certainly should have been a priority. At least they had their priorities straight.

[Stripes]

At least they kept someone they're high on. I like a more open draft. I don't like Nelson much as a starter, but I'll cheer the bastard on just the same.

[ArmyBengal]

Well, I see Nelson also being aided by having OTA's and camp with the coaches and seeing what adding some help at the CB will do for him. Again, I don't think he's the greatest safety in the world, but I think he does well with what Zimmer wants from him and think he will do better this year. If nothing else, he will give the youngsters some more time to develop.

[membengal]

We're not far apart on that view, Army, in fact, I think we view him similarly. We differed on how to handle his pending free agency. Regardless, I am glad he is back and pleased with the continuity and the fact that I think he can still improve.

[ArmyBengal]

To be honest Mem, the only reason I was in favor of tagging him was due to the lower cost for the safety tag in comparison to other positions and the fact we had the money to take care of that spot for at least another season, while waiting to upgrade. Had they not had that kind of money, I would not have been of the same thought process. Either way, i'm happy there is at least some continuity as well.

[HoosierCat]

Quoting a league source, Reedy says Nelson got a 4-year, $18 million deal, with $6.5 million payable this year.

[Stripes]

Quoting a league source, Reedy says Nelson got a 4-year, $18 million deal, with $6.5 million payable this year.

Not too bad at all.

[volcom69]

Good deal

[wpeldios]

Good price for him. Ill take that any day.

[ArmyBengal]

I think that actually speaks volumes as to what the FO really thinks of him.

They could have tagged him at that price and found his replacement heading into next season.

Now they paid him that price AND kept him around for a while longer.

Less than 4 mil per seasons from there on isn't bad.

[HoosierCat]

It's a very good deal -- for Reggie. It isn't bad for the Bengals, either; the $4.5 million average is completely manageable, but I think it can be argued that they paid a premium (read: overpaid) for him.

Consider: barring a better long-term deal with one of the 3 franchised safeties, Reggie will be the highest-paid safety of this FA period. His $6.5 million this season puts him ahead of those franchised guys, and means that he'll be making top-5 safety money in 2012.

The more I think about it, the more impressed I am with the Bengals for doing this deal.

I am also enjoying the groans Brown must have caused in SF, Oakland and Tennessee, where 3 franchise safeties now have a base from which to negotiate from. For once, Mike has actually topped the FA market at a position. Props.