Rudi talks

[bengalboomer7]

Hey guys, I knew Rudi's agent and paulie were meeting at the east west game. Just wondering if anyone has got any info on the meeting. I can't find anything anywhere yet.

[HoosierCat]

Hobson had this to report a couple days back...

The Bengals continue to talk with running back Rudi Johnson and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh before they become free agents March 2. Johnson agent Peter Schaffer indicated that he met with Bengals vice president player of personnel Paul Brown earlier this week at the East-West Shrine Game in northern California. Schaffer said he and Brown have agreed to keep talking, but he wouldn't characterize the talks.

Andy Simms, Houshmandzadeh’s agent, said the sides have discussed real numbers and indicated Wednesday that they have some ground to make up.

“We’re not on the same page and we have some room to go,” Simms said. “But that’s not to say we can’t get it done. I think we have to remind everybody that he doesn’t become a free agent until midnight (March 2), and that there is time. We think with the kind of year he had, he’s proven he’s a starting receiver in the league and we think the Bengals see him the same way. I think both sides are working at it.”

As far as Rudi's concerned, I fully expect that the Bengals will not reach an agreement before FA starts, and will franchise him. Rudi will get no takers, and will either agree to a long-term deal in the $5 million a year range, or sign a 1-year tender and wait until next year.

[bengalboomer7]

I was just wondering. So far the only figures I've seen are 3 years 17 mil. That's not bad, but I'd like to see 3 years at about 15.5

[HoosierCat]

I was just wondering. So far the only figures I've seen are 3 years 17 mil. That's not bad, but I'd like to see 3 years at about 15.5

The way I figure it is that, at this point, Rudi has every reason to ask for the sky, the moon, a few small planets and a star or two while he's at it. He's young, he just set a franchise record in his first year as starter, and he is at worst the No. 3 FA RB come March.

The Bengals, of course, have the franchise tag, and thus no reason to meet any extravagant demands. Their worst-case scenario is to tag him, pay $5.2 million (a bit painful capwise but a net hike of "just" $3.4 million versus his $1.8 million cap hit in 2004) and see how Perry looks. (In other words, 2004 all over again, at least where RB is concerned.)

I don't see anyone chasing a franchised Rudi (or, for that matter, a franchised Edge or Alexander) in FA; too many good RB prospects in the draft, and there might be a few intriguing veteran backs (Ron Dayne, Lamont Jordan) out as well.

[bengalboomer7]

Here's what I don't understand. The franchise tage sits at 5.2 according to Joisey. Multiply that by three and you get 15.6 mill. I guess that why I'm not an agent!

[HoosierCat]

Here's what I don't understand. The franchise tage sits at 5.2 according to Joisey. Multiply that by three and you get 15.6 mill. I guess that why I'm not an agent!

Think of it this way: $5.2 million is the floor for Rudi. The "minimum wage." As soon as the Bengals tag him, and they will, he's guaranteed that money. So...why sign a long-term deal for the same amount? Why not go ahead and ask for $7-8-9 million a year and a $10-12-15 million signing bonus? If the Bengals fold and give it to you, you sign with a big grin. If not, you accept the tag with good grace and go see if anyone else will make you a rich man. If not you come back to the Bengals and sign the one-year franchise tender for that $5.2 million. Or maybe you "get serious" and compromise around, say, $6 million a year.