HoosierCat Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 As everyone knows, the Bengals have a metric crap ton of free agents next year and the thinking is they will try to get some extension done this year. The big one of course is Green. Josh has a good summary of lay of the land so far here:/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/the-chronicle/2015/6/3/8725485/dallas-cowboys-dez-bryant-aj-green-julio-jones-demaryius-thomasBasically Green, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones are all being wooed by their respective teams and all have comparable numbers. Right now the Cowpokes are pushing to get Bryant signed. Not sure it's a wise idea to let Jerrah set the market, but we all know how Mikey rolls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wraith Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 I think getting Whit, one of the other WRs (Sanu would be my preference), and Iloka signed is more important than Green. If it comes to it Green will be franchised he is not going anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 I think getting Whit, one of the other WRs (Sanu would be my preference), and Iloka signed is more important than Green. If it comes to it Green will be franchised he is not going anywhere.I'd rather keep Smith over Whit and if I read the tea leaves correctly the Bengals appear to be leaning in that direction.Really not that worried about Sanu. He's a good player but far from a great one and disappears for long stretches. I wouldn't object to re-signing him at all, I just don't think he'll get all that much interest if he hits the market, so he's lower on my priority list.Agree completely on Iloka. I'd also like to see them extend Pacman. He was arguably our best CB last year.Agree that franchising Green is a viable option. It may even be the smart option if WR money gets crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapControl Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 I'd take Whit moving to LG and Boling being cut. Is Boling dead money next year? I agree with Sanu signed cheaply and Iloka deserves a contract. Love pacman. Is Jones a FA next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapControl Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Good SI article here on the offseason />http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/06/03/cincinnati-bengals-offseason-report-card Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Boling just got a 5 year, $26 million deal this year. He's not going anywhere.Yup, Marvin Jones is a FA too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 There are 23 unrestricted FA's heading into next year, another 3 restricted FA's, and 1 exclusive rights FA.In focusing on the 23 UFA's, there are probably about 9 or 10 that are viewed as larger players.I'm going to take a guess at those 9 or 10, so bear with me.AJ Green- Agree with the thought that the tag will come into play depending on what the market looks like. (The market will be big)Leon Hall- I would be ok with him coming back at a greatly reduced rate, but would have little issue with him moving on.Andre Smith- Not sure how I feel about him. It's a contract year, so he will probably look all pro this season.Andrew Whitworth- It would be strange not seeing him in stripes and would like to see him back, but they have put themselves in a good spot to move on.Reggie Nelson- Another guy I would like to see back on a short deal, but again, they are in a good position to move on from him.Adam Jones- I think he's definitely earned a new contract and want to see him back.Mohamed Sanu- When he shows up, he's a real asset. When he disappears, it's freakin' painful.George Iloka- Give him a new deal now. More than earned it from a 5th round pick.Marvin Jones- Depending on how he comes back this season, I could certainly see him back.Then you have fringe guys like, Lamur, Gilberry, Winston, LastNameRey, and Thompson.I think they could move on from most of them without much thought. Thompson the bigger of the group ??I see them trying to do like one or two of the top guys I listed, but don't think AJ is a thought right now.Small extensions for guys like Pacman and Nelson, with a larger deal for Iloka.The rest will probably see how the season goes.Like I said, guessing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Just for reference here are the Bengals FAs per spotrac:A.J. GreenLeon HallAndre SmithAndrew WhitworthReggie NelsonVincent ReyAdam-Pacman JonesEmmanuel LamurWallace GilberryMohamed SanuGeorge IlokaEric WinstonBrandon ThompsonChris CarterDevon StillMarvin JonesJosh JohnsonPat SimsBrandon TateDenarius MooreJayson DimancheNico JohnsonShiloh KeoChris Lewis-HarrisBrandon GheeTerrelle PryorI pretty much agree with Army's take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walrus Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Just for reference here are the Bengals FAs per spotrac:A.J. GreenLeon HallAndre SmithAndrew WhitworthReggie NelsonVincent ReyAdam-Pacman JonesEmmanuel LamurWallace GilberryMohamed SanuGeorge IlokaEric WinstonBrandon ThompsonChris CarterDevon StillMarvin JonesJosh JohnsonPat SimsBrandon TateDenarius MooreJayson DimancheNico JohnsonShiloh KeoChris Lewis-HarrisBrandon GheeTerrelle PryorI pretty much agree with Army's take.If I'm honest, there are only 3-4 guys on here that seem like real priority signings - guys who would be really difficult to replace. There are a lot of good players on this list, but some won't even make the team this year, most are not starters and those who are starters have solid depth already with the team.That being said, it's a long list and the Bengals will have to either sign up a lot of these guys or go to Free Agency or 7 rounds of the 2016 draft. Given those options we all know they'd rather sign a bunch of the guys from this list and supplement with the 2-4 good players you can expect from a given draft. So we're left with the old "jar to be filled with various-sized rocks" problem: it looks like it will be difficult to fit all the rocks in, so drop the big ones in first and then sprinkle in the smaller pebbles and sand. Sign AJ, Andre and Iloka first. Then, fill in with Nelson, AJones, Gilberry, MJones or Sanu, VRey or Lamur, Thompson or Sims, etc. roughly in that order.This many FA's might seem like a big problem, but maybe it's a great opportunity to develop a big picture strategy behind a roster built around sustainable contracts that will enable the team to retain talent and avoid the rebuild cycle that is common around the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Josh takes a look at the roster if they don't re-sign anyone (except for tagging Green):/>http://www.cincyjungle.com/the-chronicle/2015/6/5/8734723/futurecasting-bengals-starting-lineup-in-2016-without-extensionsIt's...surprisingly not scary. The main changes:Sanu & Marvin Jones replaced by James Wright and Mario Alford. Not something I would want to see this year, but depending on how things go in 2015 we could be calling for it next year.Whit & Moobs replaced by Ogbuehi and Fisher. I'd rather not see both tackles replaced at the same time but it seems likely that one of the two 2015 starters won't be back,so this isn't as big a change as it looks.Lamur replaced by Dawson. Can we just do this now?Hall & Jones out at CB, Dennard & Shaw in. Hall out, Dennard in probably happens anyhow.Nelson & Iloka out, Derron Smith & Shawn Williams in. This is the one piece that looks like a massive downgrade. It only underlines the need to extend Iloka. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 This many FA's might seem like a big problem, but maybe it's a great opportunity to develop a big picture strategy behind a roster built around sustainable contracts that will enable the team to retain talent and avoid the rebuild cycle that is common around the league.Yup, this. The Bengals have a habit of holding onto guys past their expiration date out of loyalty, which is commendable but usually returns to haunt them on the field. They don't have to go full Belicheck, but I'd rather part with a guy who still has 1-2 years left versus what happened with Willie and Levi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsbengalsbucks Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 I think they should be offering mid range deals to Jones or Sanu, Nelson, and Whit right now. See if any of these guys will take a team friendly deal. The WO's have talent ,but also have warts right now. If both stay healthy this season, those warts may not show as much and the price for each could skyrocket. We need one of the two back for next year, I see pros and cons for both, so either one will do. Nelson and Whit are hitting the age limit,but still have a few years left, as long they don't try to break the bank re-sign them. Green can wait and be tagged if need be. Hall needs to re-structure or go and Pacman would be nice depth to keep around, but not needed.Illoka is a must sign and he needs to be paid to do that.The rest can be replaced with what is already here, or FA/draft players.I don't see the major issue with getting any of this done, other than management likes to drag their feet until others around the league set price ranges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Josh takes a look at the roster if they don't re-sign anyone (except for tagging Green):Sanu & Marvin Jones replaced by James Wright and Mario Alford. Not something I would want to see this year, but depending on how things go in 2015 we could be calling for it next year.Whit & Moobs replaced by Ogbuehi and Fisher. I'd rather not see both tackles replaced at the same time but it seems likely that one of the two 2015 starters won't be back,so this isn't as big a change as it looks.Lamur replaced by Dawson. Can we just do this now?Hall & Jones out at CB, Dennard & Shaw in. Hall out, Dennard in probably happens anyhow.Nelson & Iloka out, Derron Smith & Shawn Williams in. This is the one piece that looks like a massive downgrade. It only underlines the need to extend Iloka.When looking at my last post, I boiled it down to 2 guys (Pacman and Iloka) that I think they should absolutely do.Yeah, they have Dennard and Kirkpatrick, but with Hall also heading out, where's the depth ??Not to mention Pacman's contribution to both the CB and special teams aspects last season. That's not likely to change.While I would like to see Nelson brought back on a short term, it's not an absolute.Iloka is an absolute and Shaw could compliment if Williams continues to be nothing more than a ST guy.I didn't even bring up Lamur in my last post and I won't here either. Buh bye.I agree with not wanting to see both our current OT's being replaced by the two we just drafted. One should be kept for continuity.I'm also not sure you let both Sanu and Jones go with the thought being two 7th round guys you "hope" make it happen.I will readily admit the upcoming free agency doesn't worry me as much as it first did, but I don't see a complete dump either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Re Lamur, his return may depend on Burfict. If Vontaze comes back at his old level, Dawson is freed up to take over at SAM. But if not they may still need Lamur.I'm not holding out a lot of hope for Burfict, but we'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregcook68 Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 ......I'm not holding out a lot of hope for Burfict, but we'll see.Expecting the worse with Burfict, but hoping for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted July 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Word as I'm here grilling burgers for the 4th is that Dez Bryant is set to sign a 7 year $100 million deal maybe as soon as Monday.https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/617349488240410624Happy 4th mike brown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted July 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 Broncos reportedly offer Thomas $12 million+/year.http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/13/report-broncos-offer-demaryius-thomas-more-than-12-million-per-year/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted July 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Jeebus Chrismas...According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Chiefs have beaten the deadline with a deal for linebacker Justin Houston, a reported six-year, $101 million deal with $52.5 million guaranteed.This is where we put in our standard proviso that the details will show what is actual money and actually guaranteed, but if as billed, it would be the biggest linebacker deal in NFL history, trailing onlyNdamukong Suh’s haul this offseason. That's fukking crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COB Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 In Houston's defense, that guy is an absolute player. He's listed in that article as a linebacker but he's really a pass rusher who can play linebacker and is a stud in coverage. He's probably the closest thing to JJ Watt, though no one is really all that close to Watt, who was created in a PED lab somewhere and unleashed on an unsuspecting public for as of yet undetermined purposes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted July 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Oh, I agree, Houston is a rare talent. Still, with the possible exception of Watt (and yup, he's a once-in-a-generation talent) I have to question whether any defensive player is worth a nine-figure deal. Hell, I have a hard enough time swallowing the idea of a $100 million-ish deal for Green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted July 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Pokes have bumped their offer to Bryant to something over $13 million/year. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/15/report-cowboys-move-offer-to-dez-bryant-over-13-million-a-year/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Welp, here we go. Both Thomas and Bryant got nearly identical deals yesterday. 5 years, $70 million ($14 million per) with about $45 million guaranteed. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/15/report-five-years-70-million-for-demaryius-thomas-too/If Cincy is serious about keeping AJ, they put the same deal in front of him today. He won't be any cheaper in 2016. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Really not as bad as I was expecting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Agreed. It's probably about as close to best-case scenario as we could hope. Have to see what the details look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volcom69 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Hopefully Greens deal gets done, I wonder though if it will happen this season yet, or if they will make it wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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