Stanford Routt

[volcom69]

I wouldnt mind this move at all, but still hoping they take a CB high in the draft. However its still not a done deal, so will see if it happens.

[Spor_tees]

PFT basically says it is a three team race and he will make his decision in the next couple of days.

[kingwilly]

I would like to see Brandon Carr get a look. Until Hall can show he is back, I have written him off. Jennings, Clements and Carr would be a solid tandem.

Bigger concern if at safety.

Crocker is simply used up. Reggie Nelson is an asset, especially with a good FS and solid corner play.

I don't know what the ceiling is on Taylor Mays but they better decide what to do, considering the vacuum at safety right now on this team.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't get the love for Jennings. I basically thought he sucked every time he was on the field.

[Spor_tees]

I don't get the love for Jennings. I basically thought he sucked every time he was on the field.

Jennings problem is he is just so damn small. He did play decent late in the year and made a few good plays in the playoff game against the Texans. I just don't see him as serious fix for a long term problem in the secondary.

[derekshank]

I don't get the love for Jennings. I basically thought he sucked every time he was on the field.

He's incredibly fast and very talented. He just doesn't do well against bigger physical WRs.

I'm not advocating him being a starter... just a 4th CB. And you can do far worse for a CB that you are asking to come in only in dime packages and be depth in case of injury.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't get the love for Jennings. I basically thought he sucked every time he was on the field.

He just doesn't do well against bigger physical WRs.

So hope against hope no one goes down ahead of him, because they all seem to be big physical WR's these days.

4th CB ?? Sure, why not ?? Can't be any worse than freakin' Pac-Man and his sorry ass attitude.

[jjakq27]

I don't get the love for Jennings. I basically thought he sucked every time he was on the field.

He's just another recycled "somebody else's former number one pick that the Bengals liked before the draft guy" that we are fond of these days. I guess the "potential" tag must still get him some mileage. He wasn't the second coming of Rod "Toast" Jones but he didn't seem to be on the positive end of much last year either.

I expect a little more from him this year but with a new coach who knows if that will help or hurt him.

[Spor_tees]

I don't get the love for Jennings. I basically thought he sucked every time he was on the field.

He's just another recycled "somebody else's former number one pick that the Bengals liked before the draft guy" that we are fond of these days. I guess the "potential" tag must still get him some mileage. He wasn't the second coming of Rod "Toast" Jones but he didn't seem to be on the positive end of much last year either.

I expect a little more from him this year but with a new coach who knows if that will help or hurt him.

David Jones is a free agent....is that close enough for you?

[ArmyBengal]

Good God...

[volcom69]

He will probably sign with the chiefs they have a lot money spend as well and over pay for him

[UK Bengal]

I would say its between us and chiefs and the chiefs like u say will stupidly overpay so it's 70-30 in chiefs fav I'd say

[derekshank]

Routt is reportedly a Chief.

3 years, $20 million. That is a bit steep. I was thinking more like 3 years, $15-16 million.

[HoosierCat]

3 years, $20 million. That is a bit steep. I was thinking more like 3 years, $15-16 million.

Such is the nature of free agency.

Oh well. Next!

[bwillycuse]

Wow - DBs make a lot of money. Didn't he get cut by the Raiders due to not living up to the contract he signed with them?

This is going to be a very expensive free agency.

I am getting a little worried that we aren't going to be really in the FA market.

[HoosierCat]

Wow - DBs make a lot of money.

Yup. Cortland Finnegan reportedly wants $10 million/year. And he'll probably get it, but I don't think it will be from the Bengals.

I am getting a little worried that we aren't going to be really in the FA market.

I expect the Bengals will do what they usually do. Which is sit out the opening round while all the crazy money flies out (and all the guys we want sign elsewhere) then pick over what's left. I actually expect there will be some decent players available. But they could be carrying over another $20 million in cap space next year.

[derekshank]

Wow - DBs make a lot of money. Didn't he get cut by the Raiders due to not living up to the contract he signed

Not precisely. He got cut because they are way over the cap, and had to make cuts.

He may not have been worth the 3 year $31+ million contract he had with Oakland... but that doesn't mean he is a bad player.

Joseph signed a 5 year $48 million deal... and the Bengals were close to that. If they're willing to spend that on Joseph, perhaps they'd be willing to spend it on Finnegan or Carr.

[UK Bengal]

Overpaid they did its clearly money motivation as the chiefs ain't a playoff team whereas the bengals are and have a good chance at going straight back. Then again he will play the raiders twice so a revenge motivation also

[Sea Ray]

That's a lot more than I thought he'd get. That's just a tad under J Joe money

[derekshank]

That's a lot more than I thought he'd get. That's just a tad under J Joe money

Joseph signed a 5 year $48+ million contract. Nearly $10 million/year for 5 years is a lot different than a 3 year deal at around $6.6 million/year.

[blueridge]

If the Chiefs chose Routt over Brandon Carr, they chose wrong.

[HoosierCat]

If the Chiefs chose Routt over Brandon Carr, they chose wrong.

Maybe, but the Chiefs just gave Brandon Flowers a 5-year, $50 million deal. I can see how they wouldn't be anxious to spend another $50 million on Carr.

[volcom69]

Bengals would be dumb not to look at Carr or Finnigan! They need cb and they need one bad they will have to pay

[Arkansas Bengal]

ESPN

CB Stanford Routt joins Chiefs

In an effort to improve their man-to-man coverage ability, the Kansas City Chiefs reached agreement with former Oakland Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt, the team announced Monday.

Stanford Routt

#26 CB

Kansas City Chiefs

2011 STATS

Tot49

Solo42

Ast7

FF0

Sack0.0

Int4

Routt will receive $6.5 million in guarantees and will make $11 million this season as part of a three-year deal, a source said. The Raiders released him from a three-year, $31.5 million deal after the season that paid him $10 million in 2011.

"Stanford has a proven record of success in the NFL," said Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel, who will serve as his own defensive coordinator next season. "He's a talented player that has spent seven seasons in the AFC West, so he is familiar with us and our division opponents."

The Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings were among the other teams considering Routt, whose specialty is press, man-to-man defense.

He was scheduled to make $5 million had he stayed with the Raiders.

With Routt and Brandon Flowers, the Chiefs have two of the better man-to-man press corners in the AFC. Flowers signed a five-year, $52.5 million contract extension last year. With more than $71 million tied up in contracts for two cornerbacks, the Chiefs may not be able to keep Brandon Carr, who is an unrestricted free agent.

The Chiefs have paid handsomely the past couple of years in the defensive backfield. Safety Eric Berry is also signed to a $60 million, five-year deal that includes $34 million guaranteed.

Carr, 25, had a career-high four interceptions in 2011. He has started all 64 games in four seasons with the Chiefs, making 237 tackles and eight picks.

AFC West blog

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.

• Blog network: NFL Nation

The 6-1, 195-pound Routt started 30 games for the Raiders over the past two seasons. The 28-year-old cornerback is entering his eighth NFL season.

Routt's seven-year tenure in Oakland ended as the team heads in a new direction under general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen.

Routt was paid like a No. 1 cornerback but didn't deliver as such last season. He was credited with allowing eight touchdown passes last season -- tied for the second-most in the NFL -- and led the league with 17 penalties committed. He did set career highs with four interceptions and 15 passes defensed, however.

NFL free agency begins March 13 but because Routt was released he was able to sign with a team before the open period for transactions begins.

[derekshank]

Bengals would be dumb not to look at Carr or Finnigan! They need cb and they need one bad they will have to pay

Well... as Hoosier pointed out, teams aren't ecstatic about paying $20 million/year for two cornerbacks. It won't surprise me if the Bengals feel similarly, since they just gave Hall a huge contract.

I'm guessing the Bengals will go after a mid-tier CB in FA, as well as go after a CB in the 1st or 2nd round of the draft.