potential free agents

[AGrizzlyBaer]

3/2005 -

Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier knows Corey Simon (above) from Frazier's days as Eagles secondary coach. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The conventional wisdom is the Bengals need a run-stuffing defensive tackle to team with John Thornton, and maybe a safety that can wrap up against the run in the box against such division running backs as Jamal Lewis, Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley and William Green.

But after signing running back Rudi Johnson and wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh, will the Bengals have enough to sign anybody in free agency? Plus, Lewis said Monday that the secondary is the deepest part of the team.

Here’s a quick look at some potential free agents come March at those spots around the NFL:

Jets DT Jason Ferguson, 6-3, 305, heading into ninth season, turns 31 on Nov. 28: With the Lions re-signing Shaun Rogers, he could be the best one out there and the most expensive.

Eagles DT Corey Simon, 6-2, 293, sixth season, turns 28 on Mar. 2: A Pro Bowl pedigree, he has a Leslie Frazier connection. The Eagles may be trying to free up money at a spot that has emerging guys like Sam Rayburn as well as the big veteran in Hollis Thomas.

Vikings DT Chris Hovan, 6-2, 294, sixth season, turns 27 on May 12: An Ohio kid (Rocky River) who has played a lot of snaps for playoff defenses.

Texans NT Seth Payne, 6-4, 303, ninth season, turns 30 on Feb. 12: A true nose tackle that would have to adjust to a 4-3.

Bills DT Pat Williams, 6-3, 320, ninth season, turns 33 on Oct. 24: After the Bengals rushed for 149 yards against Williams and Sam Adams a few weeks ago, head coach Marvin Lewis made it pretty clear he’s not looking for tackles just because they take up space. That said, Williams is a difference-maker, which just shows you how well the Bengals offensive line played against Buffalo.

Jags S Donovin Darius, 6-1, 225, eighth season, turns 30 on Aug. 12: He’s a big ticket guy at a spot the Bengals don’t need to drop a big number.

Broncos S Kenoy Kennedy, 6-1, 215, sixth season, turns 28 on Nov. 15: He’s a good hitter the Broncos drafted in the second round after taking Bengals cornerback Deltha O’Neal in the first round in 2000.

Cardinals S Ifeany Ohalete, 6-1, 221, fifth season, turns 26 on May 22: A big guy who started 10 games for Lewis in Washington.

some names just to discuss

[schweinhart]

Ratbird 3-4 DE Marques Douglas is also UFA. He's had 2 excellent seasons in a row.

With Ratbird UFAs Hartwell and Baxter no doubt up for big time dollars, Douglas might not get the money he's looking for from Ratbirds, which will proly be less than the other UFA DTs on the list.

Douglas is listed between 280 and 290 but looks bigger. What he might lack in weight he makes up for in effort and succeeds on the field.

[JPW]

The two guys who were at the top of my list have both already been re-signed.

Shaun Rogers DT

Adrian Wilson SS

There are three Good LBs, but they will get Big $$$ and it is not a position of need.

Edgerton Hartwell ILB

Kendrell Bell OLB

Julian Peterson OLB

We don't need a high priced FA WR, but I hope that somebody signs this guy away from the Steelers.

Plaxico Burrass WR

IMO the Bengals Need to get upgrades at DT, C, SS and TE durn this off-season.

It would sure help if we could fill at least one of those Needs with a Quality Free-Agent.

One guy that I have an eye on at the moment is:

Dominic Raiola C (Detroit)

He is a Very Solid Center.

He has started every game for the last 3 years and he just turned 26 on Dec 30th.

But I have no idea what kind of $$$ he is going to command as a free-agent.

And we have our own people that we need to re-sign first.