File this under "things that suck"

[membengal]

For a different take, or at least one not initially set to OMGTHISISTHEWORSTTHHINGEVERIAMNOWGOINGTOHANGMYSELFf**kEVERYONE , this was a good read on cincyjungle:

/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/3/1/4041470/cincinnati-bengals-flattened-salary-cap-catches-nfl-teams-off-guard

And Josh K at the same site with a more measured take on the Smith dealie:

/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/3/2/4056516/bengals-can-focus-on-andre-smith-and-other-free-agents

[TJJackson]

While I agree that my take on franchising MJ is entirely negative, I believe I have backed up my position reasonably well

A reasoned negative position is not to my thinking just "being negative just for the sake of being negative"

It is my hope FZ is re-signed, but for no more than 5.5M per year average with lots of performance escalators. He seems to push himself harder when money is on the line. The more money that is guarenteed, the more he will coast.

[Stripes]

Based on what I think I know about this scenario, I'd have preferred Smith get the tag -- but it's hardly a point of major concern. The team's biggest strength and defining characteristic is its pass rush, so to maintain that is splendid. Losing Andre would be a very significant setback though so they'd better get him back in the fold however they must. The cap space they've left open is there for exactly this purpose, even considering the other players needing extended soon.

I don't think Andre's play can be reduced to "plays well during contract years and poorly otherwise", because 2011 was very good for him too. He has established a manner of consistency and I definitely don't want the Bengals to be forced to replace him in the first or second round.

[Scottishbengal]

well now that it has been 24 hours (ish) since I posted, and my knee is done jerking, I still don't like it

1) Flesh Zeppelin is harder to replace than MJohnson

We really dont have another proven ORT, but we do have a pretty decent backup DE in Gilberry, and Still is all but begging for play time

If some team ponies up the $$ that the Bengals don't want to match and MJ walks, is there a compensatory pick in the draft? Could that've had an effect on him being tagged - either he's a Bengal or he's not a Bengals and we get another pick in April ?????? Either way the Bengals sit pretty

[TJJackson]

well now that it has been 24 hours (ish) since I posted, and my knee is done jerking, I still don't like it

1) Flesh Zeppelin is harder to replace than MJohnson

We really dont have another proven ORT, but we do have a pretty decent backup DE in Gilberry, and Still is all but begging for play time

If some team ponies up the $$ that the Bengals don't want to match and MJ walks, is there a compensatory pick in the draft? Could that've had an effect on him being tagged - either he's a Bengal or he's not a Bengals and we get another pick in April ?????? Either way the Bengals sit pretty

from wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_tag

A "non-exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the previous year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is less. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

[HoosierCat]

I don't see any team crazy enough to give up 2 first round picks for MJ, but if one is, please, be my guest. (And note I would say that about Moobs if he'd been franchised too.)

[ArmyBengal]

OH HELL YEAH.

If there is a team dumb enough to give up 2 first round picks for MJ, I would gladly wish MJ well on his way out the door.

The only players I wouldn't take 2 first round picks for would be AJ and Atkins.

Anyone else can be replaced at this point.

[HoosierCat]

The only players I wouldn't take 2 first round picks for would be AJ and Atkins.

Anyone else can be replaced at this point.

I would put Andy on the list, too, if only because it's not a very strong year for QB in the draft and the FA options are blah.

[ArmyBengal]

The only players I wouldn't take 2 first round picks for would be AJ and Atkins.

Anyone else can be replaced at this point.

I would put Andy on the list, too, if only because it's not a very strong year for QB in the draft and the FA options are blah.

I'll buy that.