According to Fox 19, TJ has changed his agent

[turningpoint]

I'd place mine on heath Miller is Reggie is cut and TJ leaves....and tony stewart won't be back.

[membengal]

The other thing that hasn't been mentioned is the draft. I think most people around here want to see the Bengals spend their top pick on defense. But if TJ walks, with Warrick being an injury question and K-wash having shown little in his time as a Bengal, WR is arguably a bigger hole than any spot on the defense.

Ummm Joisey, Are you Crazy ??

No. Are you blind? If TJ leaves, we have one, count 'em, one wideout we can count on, Chad Johnson. Warrick's knee may be permanantly screwed, and whatever Peter may say the Bengals' emphatic and public comments about keeping a close eye on his rehab belie their concern over him. After that, we have what? K-wash, an alleged playmaker who hasn't gotten running routes down after two years? Cliff Russell? Walter? Broussard?

I am reliably informed by many around these here parts that, first, there is no quick fix for our run defense in free agency (so we should go ahead and back up the Brinks truck to Rudi's house) and second, that there will be no stud rookie answer at 17, either. That means that the offense, and specifically Carson Palmer, are going to be the key to making the playoffs -- and I keep asking myself, who's he going to throw to?

If Warrick can come back at his 2003 level, the Bengals might be OK, but that remains a big if. And even if he does, as I said before, all that means is that we have to pay him more next year than we'd have to pay TJ this year. Otherwise we go into 2006 with Chad, K-wash and [insert name here].

There's already been a great deal of talk about the Bengals being interested in a wideout in the first, from both the team and observers. If TJ leaves, that's where I'd place my bet.

Joisey---standing O from me. Agreed in all respects. If TJ leaves, a WR in the first would be my preference too.

I note that a couple of rogue mocks have the Bengals doing just that.

[HoosierCat]

I'd place mine on heath Miller is Reggie is cut and TJ leaves....and tony stewart won't be back.

TE is an option, and I've long been a Miller advocate. But if TJ goes that might actually be a slightly less attractive option (at least with respect to shoring up the passing game) since the Bengals would then have to make an effort to keep Warrick (assuming he's healthy) and Warrick's slot role is already very TE-esque. In fact Peter has complained in the past about being used as a glorified TE.

To replace TJ, I'd expect them to look for a big target who can stretch the field (and indeed that's been the type of player the Bengals are allegedly interested in at wideout).

On the other hand, if we lock TJ up, that almost certainly means Warrick is gone after 2005, which would open up more of a role for a TE in the passing game.