Bengals looking at a OLT early

[Kazkal]

I don't get the hand wringing with paying Smith 9 million per year.

In 2011 his cap hit was almost 9.7 million.

In 2012 his cap hit was over 7.5 million.

That's an 8.6 million average over the past two seasons.

Is this really a price the Bengals absolutely can't pay for one of the top RT's in the league ??

I mean they've been doing it the past two seasons.

Just get it done already. Assuming he wants to be here of course.

If not, that's another story, but stop talking about 9 million a year.

Not only that but whitworth our 2nd highest player at 6.75million? isn't going to be getting more $$$ and being when he does get replaced be by cheaper young guy which should make it easier justify paying Andre 9million a year.

[HoosierCat]

Joe Goodberry ‏@JoeGoodberry

Andre holds firm at $45M and $25M guaranteed. RT @IanKenyonNFL: Jermon Bushrod gets $36 million over 5 years. $17.7 mil. guaranteed.

Yup. Chicago blows the curve.

[TJJackson]

Further thinning the FA ORT herd, King Dunlap (former Eagle) signed with the Chargers

[TJJackson]

Bushrod is a left tackle, and left tackles earn more than right tackles, so I don't think this directly impacts the Flesh Zeppelin situation

(aside from the fact that OL-desperate Chicago has less to spend on O Linemen now)

[Kazkal]

Jake Long lookin for 11 million,He's going flacco.

[HoosierCat]

Cherilus got just short of $7 million/year from Indy. Still 4-5 teams looking for tackles.

[skyline]

We haven't heard of Smith visiting any other teams have we? That's got to be a good sign.

[HoosierCat]

We haven't heard of Smith visiting any other teams have we? That's got to be a good sign.

Just in from Graziano at espn, the Eagles are looking at Moobs and Vollmer after apparently striking out on Jake Long.

[ArmyBengal]

The Eagles have some space to sign him, so it should be interesting to see where this goes.

[HoosierCat]

The Eagles have some space to sign him, so it should be interesting to see where this goes.

Especially since Vollmer and Smith (and for that matter Jake Long) have the same agent, Ben Dogra.

[ArmyBengal]

The Eagles have some space to sign him, so it should be interesting to see where this goes.

Especially since Vollmer and Smith (and for that matter Jake Long) have the same agent, Ben Dogra.

Good God, talk about the perfect situation for an agent !!!

[kingwilly]

Getting the feeling Moobs is a goner. Someone will pay him a chunk. Teams like KC, Miami, Philly, SD, Oakland, all need RT's...

[ArmyBengal]

And if he is, it's just because he doesn't want to be here.

I'm thinking that's really where this is going with him.

[kingwilly]

And if he is, it's just because he doesn't want to be here.

I'm thinking that's really where this is going with him.

I don't know. His agent knows what the market will bear for the top tier RT's. If Bengals don't "want" to pay, I'd imagine Moobs won't "want" to take less than market price that other teams will definately pay. I won't begrudge the guy for wanting fair market rate for his services. And I won't expect him to take less to stay. My hope is the Bengals will recognize it would be better to maintain continuity, a la Big Willie, and pay the man.

I was a big critic of Moobs, but he has turned it around.

[ArmyBengal]

I keep saying it though. The Bengals have been paying him that way for the past two seasons.

It really won't take them anything more than they've already done to keep him.

That's why I feel it would have more to do with "where" he wants to be.

I won't begrudge him for wanting more, but I will begrudge the Bengals for letting him go.

[kingwilly]

I keep saying it though. The Bengals have been paying him that way for the past two seasons.

It really won't take them anything more than they've already done to keep him.

That's why I feel it would have more to do with "where" he wants to be.

I won't begrudge him for wanting more, but I will begrudge the Bengals for letting him go.

I agree with you. He has been highly paid, and the market price is a slight increase. If his agent wants a bidding war to get record money, I've got to believe the Bengals are out of the running. So, I agree that much of it comes down to him. How much is enough? Let's say he gets a good offer from the Bengals, and forgoes something higher elsewhere just to stay. That would be what we hope for. I just get a sense the market will push the price up out of Bengals comfort zone. With Loadholt and Winston also on market, I hope he feels more comfortable taking the local pay raise and staying in town. That would be the class move.

[HoosierCat]

I can't recall hearing/reading anything about Smith's desires one way or the other. If he does want out, then he's being quiet about it, which would actually count as a mark in his favor in my book. Heaven knows Bengals history is littered with players who made absolutely no secret of wanting to get the hell out of Dodge. I tend to agree with willy, it's all about the Benjamins.

[kingwilly]

just saw this from yesterday. Loadholt is back with Minny. Indicates what $ Moobs may command.

Details: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Phil_Loadholts_deal_makes_him_one_of_NFLs_highestpaid_right_tackles031213

"Phil Loadholt is one of the highest-paid right tackles in the NFL.

The contract extension he signed with the Vikings is worth $25 million over four years, including a $7 million signing bonus, an NFL source said late Tuesday.

That $6.25 million average would have exceeded the pay of any right tackle in the NFL last season except Dallas' Doug Free, a former left tackle whose deal averages $8 million."

[HoosierCat]

Anthony did a breakdown of tackle signings so far this morning at CJ.

/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/3/13/4097766/2013-nfl-free-agency-first-day-offensive-linemen-signings-set-bar-for

Basically the range is from Loadholt on the low end to Bushrod on the high end, roughly about $6.2 million to $7.2 million a year.

[kingwilly]

Anthony did a breakdown of tackle signings so far this morning at CJ.

/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/3/13/4097766/2013-nfl-free-agency-first-day-offensive-linemen-signings-set-bar-for

Basically the range is from Loadholt on the low end to Bushrod on the high end, roughly about $6.2 million to $7.2 million a year.

If consensus from publicly known numbers were Moobs was making about $8M/yr, its safe to assume he will want a raise to near $9-10/yr. Considering a back loaded/incentivised deal, they could give him the equivalent with some bonuses. I hope that would satisfy him.

[Wraith]

Gawk I don't want to have to spend a first rounder replacing the young player we already have!

[ArmyBengal]

Smith reportedly wants 9 million per year. I say, what's the big deal when looking at what he has gotten the past 2 seasons?

Letting him walk, only to have to draft another at that position is silly and trending backward.

While I think Anthony Collins could be looked at as the next man up, I can't say that would be optimal.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Smith reportedly wants 9 million per year. I say, what's the big deal when looking at what he has gotten the past 2 seasons?

Letting him walk, only to have to draft another at that position is silly and trending backward.

While I think Anthony Collins could be looked at as the next man up, I can't say that would be optimal.

from what is being paid the rest of the RT's, it looks like 9 MIL is well above the going rate. He might be back in stripes for less if he gets no legit interest at that pay grade.

[ArmyBengal]

That's what i'm saying. There hasn't been much offered and Smith knows what he wants.

The Bengals are in a position to take care of themselves and the player. It's a win win.

I hope other teams view him the same way some fans do, in that they can't get that 40 yard dash out of their heads.

Keeping thinking that way.

[Kazkal]

Smith reportedly wants 9 million per year. I say, what's the big deal when looking at what he has gotten the past 2 seasons?

Letting him walk, only to have to draft another at that position is silly and trending backward.

While I think Anthony Collins could be looked at as the next man up, I can't say that would be optimal.

Not only that but we go in to Jjoseph mode where we have to burn a high round pick to replace him and then hope it works other wise we have find a older used bandaid to fix it until said young player is ready to go...Where we could just spend the money on our "homegrown" player and then use that 1st round pick on a position where we don't already have a talented player like Safety or OLB.