The Super Bowl is over...

[derekshank]

Who are guys we might legitimately go after and/or get?

I've mentioned I really like Marlon McCree as a SS. He's someone we can probably get in a deep safety FA market.

However... if we decided to go with a FA DT, how about the Baltimore boy Ma'ake Kemoeatu? He's 335 lbs! and apparently does a good job of taking on double teams. This sounds like exactly what we need to free up our DE's, not to mention be a legitimate NT if we want to switch back and forth from the 4-3 and 3-4 like NE always does (The only problem is that his nickname is Kemo... and that's a bad omen)

The DT market is pretty shallow, so he might be expensive... and that is the only thing holding me back from making him my #1 FA desire over McCree.

Think about the freedom this would give us in the draft if we managed to get a SS and a DT through FA?

(You can do your research before you post with this pretty nice FA site http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=71&p=9&c=12&y...83&rc=16&pid=10

[TJJackson]

Number 1 on my FA list is S Chris Hope

Not only would this hurt the Steelers, but also improve our team at the same time.

There are several DTs and DEs worth considering as well. Not sure about TEs in the FA market.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Hope is the wrong kind of safety for our team. We need an in your face, strong safety, not a rangey free safety type. Hope would be a backup to Madieu, not the answer at strong safety.

That being said, maybe it could work, since Marvin swears he doesn't have strong and free safeties on his team, but safeties who can play both. Can Hope play both? Ask Marvin.

As for my #1 target, it will never happen, but I'd love to see the TN DE Van Wilder, uh I mean Vanden Bosch in stripes. I seriously doubt Tennessee will let him get away though.

#2 target, once again, unlikely but hey, I can dream right? The man himself, Steve Hutchinson, OG out of Seattle. Bobby Williams would be a great backup to this guy for a year, and then we would have options next year when the line goes FA.

#3 target? Rocky Bernard at DT. Dude goes inside and out, and gets it done on the field.

#4? Ryan Pickett out of St. Louis at DT. Dude was a monster at THE Ohio State University. He hasn't shown that much in St. Louis, however, I remember him killing people in college. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery, and he'd come cheap I think.

#5 Will Demps from the Ravens. He was pretty darned good a few years ago, and for some reason I don't know, has dropped off the Ravens depth chart. Was he injured? I don't recall. But he might be a guy worth looking at as a backup to Madieu at free safety.

[bengalindian]

Yeah, I don't know that Hope would necessarily fit into the Bengals system, because I don't remember him crowding the box often, like Polamalu does on a regular basis. And I think, and hope, that the safety we need is like Polamalu.

[turningpoint]

hmm I think hope woul be a perfect fit in our scheme.

problems is getting him to come here.

btw ricky manning jr is a fa in carolina, I don't see him stickign around with, Gamble and the other cb( forget his name, old SEA player) starting there.

I could see us tryingto real him in with an offer like we gave james 3 years ago, which wasn't to expensive, and thus us not overpaying for a DB like Marvin said he wouldn't do.

We al know marvin will go after a CB I think,but he won;t budge on his price( I.E. Vincent)

[derekshank]

As for my #1 target, it will never happen, but I'd love to see the TN DE Van Wilder, uh I mean Vanden Bosch in stripes. I seriously doubt Tennessee will let him get away though.

Why wouldn't we be able to get Vanden Bosch? he's an unrestricted FA so Tennessee has to rights to him, and even if they did, they are $10 mil over the cap. They have a lot of work to do to get under the cap before they can start re-signing their free agents. I see no reason why we couldn't get him... but I doubt that DE is as high a priority as DT or S right now... although I wouldn't complain if we did get him.

We certainly need a better pass rush... I just think a guy who can take up blockers like Ma'ake Kemoeatu will help Justin Smith and Geathers reach their potential better.

[derekshank]

#2 target, once again, unlikely but hey, I can dream right? The man himself, Steve Hutchinson, OG out of Seattle. Bobby Williams would be a great backup to this guy for a year, and then we would have options next year when the line goes FA.

I think Bobbie is fine... and the best OG in the league is going to carry a huge price tag. I don't think this is the smart way to go. We have pretty good young guys like Wilkerson who can mature to take over for Williams if need be.

#5 Will Demps from the Ravens. He was pretty darned good a few years ago, and for some reason I don't know, has dropped off the Ravens depth chart. Was he injured? I don't recall. But he might be a guy worth looking at as a backup to Madieu at free safety.

Tore his ACL against the Bengals in the 2nd game... which was fairly late in the season. A knee injury is a lot more important at S than our QB. I don't like the risk.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

#2 target, once again, unlikely but hey, I can dream right? The man himself, Steve Hutchinson, OG out of Seattle. Bobby Williams would be a great backup to this guy for a year, and then we would have options next year when the line goes FA.

I think Bobbie is fine... and the best OG in the league is going to carry a huge price tag. I don't think this is the smart way to go. We have pretty good young guys like Wilkerson who can mature to take over for Williams if need be.

#5 Will Demps from the Ravens. He was pretty darned good a few years ago, and for some reason I don't know, has dropped off the Ravens depth chart. Was he injured? I don't recall. But he might be a guy worth looking at as a backup to Madieu at free safety.

Tore his ACL against the Bengals in the 2nd game... which was fairly late in the season. A knee injury is a lot more important at S than our QB. I don't like the risk.

Ahhh. I wondered what happened to Demps. I guess I should have done more research. Yeah, he's not a good candidate with a torn ACL.

As for Bobbie, he is indeed "fine". I don't WANT fine. I want the best. Hutchinson will cost a lot, but he's well worth it. He's younger than you'd think, and far more skilled than Williams.

[derekshank]

Not sure about TEs in the FA market.

The TE market is pretty slim... The really good ones never get away. However, given our need for one, and the fact that our biggest needs are on defense, we might see a FA so we can focus fully on the D in the draft.

A guy like Brandon Manumaleuna from St Louis would be my first choice. He is an excellent blocker... and far more versatile than either Stewart of Schobel were, because he can play FB too... and he's somewhat decent in the passing game. Nothing to write home about, but his receiving stats were pretty good, given the fact that he was used almost excusively as a blocker in the St. Louis scheme... a lot like the Bengals scheme (13 receptions, 129 yards and a TD. Very similar to Schobel's numbers, but a good blocker!). He really sounds like a Brat kind of TE.

Besides... it would be fun when we played the Steelers for announcers to talk about Polamalu covering Manumaleuna

There are also several receiving TE's out there that would be big upgrades from what we had this year as far as a receiving threat, but they aren't great blockers... Aaron Shea, Chris Baker, and Chad Lewis are among the most notable.

Like I said... none of these guys are going to dramatically change our offense, but they could be upgrades from what we've had, and we wouldn't need 3 of them taking up roster space... not to mention eliminating the need to use a 1st day pick on a TE.

[TJJackson]

I'd rather have a guy who is equaly good at both aspects of TE play, but would lean toward a blocker who can catch, particularly in the red zone, rather than a pure pass catcher whose blocking is suspect.

I would be thrilled if they picked up the Maryland TE at 24.

[derekshank]

I'd rather have a guy who is equaly good at both aspects of TE play, but would lean toward a blocker who can catch, particularly in the red zone, rather than a pure pass catcher whose blocking is suspect.

I would be thrilled if they picked up the Maryland TE at 24.

I understand you want a guy who is equally skilled at both... but TE is not our biggest need. If we can get a blocking TE who has the pass catching skills of this years best receiving threat (Schobel), that gives us more freedom to pick a greater need with the 1st pick.

I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever Marvin decides to pick in round 1... but if we go TE I'll be questioning the direction Marvin is taking this team.

[Whur CHad At?]

1st of all I hate seeing you guys want Marlon McCree. He is an excat mold of Ohlate, trust me. The guy might have had like 70 something tackles but does that make him a stud. No. Ohalate had 101 tackles with Washington or something, and look what he is. This guy is a waste of money, and is going to suck.

2nd of all, it depends on what the NFL can get done with CBA before March. If a new deal is done, look for the Bengals to do some major spending this offseason, as reported in the Enquirer. IF a new deal isn't done, the Bengals could take their normal aprroach and go for cheap ass players who suck.

My Predictions of who we could sign:

DT Rocky Bernard

G Steve Hutchinson

C/G LeCharles Bentley

S Tank Willams

CB Chris McCalister

S Chris Hope

CB Charles Woodson

DE Darren Howard

DE Kyle Vanden Bosch

and my last suprise

....

Peter Warrick

Now we can't sign all of these guys, but we will get 1,2, or 3 of them.

Miami 07 baby

[turningpoint]

I'd be absolutely thrilled with us taking Pope or Davis with the 1st pick.

Either one will open up the middle of the field so much, Chad will probably be wide open 50% of the time.

If carson can hit 69+% of his passes with the crap shoot we got at TE imagine what he could do with one that is skilled at all facits of the game?

[BengalsFan77]

While a TE who can both catch and block would b real nice, that is not what this team needs to take on day 1, let alone rnd 1. what good would it do us to draft a TE early, when we cant even stop the other team from scoring? we cant stop the run, and cant stop the pass. the D is where we need help! our lack of depth at safety is a major concern, and tory has lost a step with age. i believe our secondary is more of a concern than the DL. while i agree we need a better pass rush, i think it will get better with the continuing maturation of guys like shawn smith (and the rookie whose name i forget at the moment) on the DL, and our young linebacking core. Im all for picking up a TE in FA, and maybe in the draft, but id b extremely disappointed if we drafted one any earlier than rnd 3.

[andybren]

Charles Woodson is over-priced and under-talented. He's not the same player he used to be.

But speaking of DB's....in addition to Chris Hope, Deshea Townsend and Ike Taylor are available from the Steelers. I don't know that either guy would be worth big money, but it'd be fun to poach a rival's starter, add another potential replacement for Tory James.

[turningpoint]

townsend can stay there for all I care,but Ike taylor has shown some signs of being able to cover.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

What the hell is wrong with all you idiots who want to replace Tory? The man had an off year with only one half capable safety on the field at any given time, if that. He was a PRO BOWL CORNER last season. HE WILL BE A PRO BOWL CORNER next season if we get him safety help. He's 10 times better than Ike Taylor. The only reason Ike Taylor looked good was because he had Polamalu and Hope backing him up and helping him double people.

[belmontbengal]

What the hell is wrong with all you idiots who want to replace Tory? The man had an off year with only one half capable safety on the field at any given time, if that. He was a PRO BOWL CORNER last season. HE WILL BE A PRO BOWL CORNER next season if we get him safety help. He's 10 times better than Ike Taylor. The only reason Ike Taylor looked good was because he had Polamalu and Hope backing him up and helping him double people.

I have to say, you sure do enjoy insulting people. Why don't you get off your high horse and come back down here with us simpletons for a bit and talk some football? If you can't see that Tory has lost a step or 2 over the past season then I guess you are in the minority. I think people just like to have depth at the corner position? Not a bad thing to have in my opinion.

[derekshank]

1st of all I hate seeing you guys want Marlon McCree. He is an excat mold of Ohlate, trust me. The guy might have had like 70 something tackles but does that make him a stud. No. Ohalate had 101 tackles with Washington or something, and look what he is. This guy is a waste of money, and is going to suck.

You couldn't be more wrong on this one. Firstly he wouldn't be a waste of money... because he wouldn't cost much. It is always a plus to fill a need with talent at a cheap cost, rather than paying gobs of money for slightly more production out of a big name guy like Archuletta. It's the law of diminishing returns. At some point, you'd be better off filling the need with a cheaper guy... and at his cost, he'd be a bargain.

Secondly... he is much better than Ohalete. Carolina attributes a lot of their success in the secondary to him stepping up when Thomas Davis wasn't getting the job done. He won the job over Davis in week 2, and never relinquished it. When you have a 1st rounder who loses his job early, and then can't win it back for the entire season... it usually means that guy who has the job is decidedly better. He is a good player, and not an in-the-box style safety like Ohalete, and is very good in coverage, unlike Ohalete.

The problem is that I just read an article that says he is very likely to re-sign with Carolina, since they are the team that gave him a shot last season, so we might have to fill our need elsewhere, despite my desire for him to be in stripes.

[Spain]

Tory has lost a step but ehy would we want to get rid of him? He still is a good corner and you need to go four deep. We go three. all this talk is the Bengals not wanting his present contract. He is overpaid as simple as that. The real ? is will he give in to the demands. Marvin also said that Corners are to pricey so we wont go after one.

[kingwilly]

What the hell is wrong with all you idiots who want to replace Tory? The man had an off year with only one half capable safety on the field at any given time, if that. He was a PRO BOWL CORNER last season. HE WILL BE A PRO BOWL CORNER next season if we get him safety help. He's 10 times better than Ike Taylor. The only reason Ike Taylor looked good was because he had Polamalu and Hope backing him up and helping him double people.

Tory James is not 10 times better than Ike Taylor. Ike is faster, more physical and is better in man coverage, which is to say, needs less Safety help. Tory has the stats that says he is more opportunistic (INT's) but Ike gives up far fewer plays of 20+/40+ than Tory.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

What the hell is wrong with all you idiots who want to replace Tory? The man had an off year with only one half capable safety on the field at any given time, if that. He was a PRO BOWL CORNER last season. HE WILL BE A PRO BOWL CORNER next season if we get him safety help. He's 10 times better than Ike Taylor. The only reason Ike Taylor looked good was because he had Polamalu and Hope backing him up and helping him double people.

Tory James is not 10 times better than Ike Taylor. Ike is faster, more physical and is better in man coverage, which is to say, needs less Safety help. Tory has the stats that says he is more opportunistic (INT's) but Ike gives up far fewer plays of 20+/40+ than Tory.

The ONLY reason he gives up far fewer plays of 20+/40+ than Tory is because HE HAS TWO TOP SAFETIES GIVING HIM HELP. How often did he NOT doubleteam Chad? He has help nearly every play AND a front 7 that is pressuring the QB into making mistakes.

[kingwilly]

I agree Chad is the most dangerous WR in the NFL and Ike did only a marginal job of covering him in 3 games (13 cathes, 200+ yrds, 4 for +20, 1 for +40, 8 FD) but Tory James would be destroyed by Chad even with Safety help. To say other wise is ingorant.

Ike has a better jam at the line than Tory. He is better in man than Tory. He is a better tackler than Tory. All things a Safety has nothing to do with.

[turningpoint]

IMO Ike would be a great Nickel Corner....that's it.

my starters are easily tory james and Deltha O'neal..

( yes I know we got kiewan ratliff, and he;s a great nickel,but we need to get depth and start grooming him further into a starting roll)

Anyways IKE is a RFA, so we wont be getting him anyways no way Pitt lets him go to us.

[derekshank]

When it's all said and done... the answer is probably a happy medium between you guys. Tory is aging, and is not the athlete he used to be... but he also didn't have the advantage of having 2 of the best safeties in the league. I think Ike and Tory are pretty even when it comes to quality at the CB position.

For this reason, I don't see a need to make a change at starter as much as a need to improve at safety. Ike looked like a better CB than Tory because of the safety help. If we get decent play from safeties, most people will will no longer see a need to upgrade at CB.

That said... Tory only has so many years left. We should probably draft a CB on the first day... but I would prefer it be round 3 with our other needs that are more immediate. We should probably be looking to have a new starter in '07... but we need a SS and DT much more than a CB over Tory.