A look ahead at Bengals free agency
If they don’t repeat as a playoff team, the Bengals are less than two months from the offseason.
My question to readers: Which players would you like to see retained or let go and why?
Here are their free agents:
The potential unrestricted free agents are cornerback Rashad Bauman, Braham, cornerback Tory James, quarterback Doug Johnson, safety Kevin Kaesviharn, tight Reggie Kelly, guard Scott Kooistra, safety Anthony Mitchell, defensive end Justin Smith, offensive lineman Eric Steinbach, tight end Tony Stewart, wide receiver Kelley Washington, running back Kenny Watson, linebacker Marcus Wilkins and quarterback Anthony Wright.
Unrestricted free agents are free to sign with any team without restriction, unless the Bengals use one of two pricey designations on them that might limit their ability to move.
The potential restricted free agents are offensive tackle Stacy Andrews, cornerback Greg Brooks, defensive end Robert Geathers, linebacker Landon Johnson, punter Kyle Larson, linebacker Caleb Miller and defensive tackle Shaun Smith.
Restricted free agents, as the name implies, have less mobility as three-year veterans. The team will place tenders on them, the higher amounts that can require draft choice compensation from another team that wants to sign them.
posted by Mark at 2:16 PM
11 Comments:
at 11/10/2006 2:48 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/10/2006 3:43 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/10/2006 4:21 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/10/2006 4:21 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/10/2006 4:44 PM 
Bengal43 said...
-
-
at 11/10/2006 5:09 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/10/2006 8:40 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/11/2006 1:54 AM 
OrangeD00d said...
-
-
at 11/11/2006 9:43 AM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/11/2006 9:29 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11/12/2006 11:04 AM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
Post a Comment*15 unrestricted. Figure 7-8 draft pics, and a few that should return from IR. So probably need to keep some of these guys.
cornerback Rashad Bauman - not sure
Braham - maybe, but probably just go young.
cornerback Tory James - no
quarterback Doug Johnson - keep one of 2 QBs
safety Kevin Kaesviharn - not sure
tight Reggie Kelly - yes, if not too pricey. Need to keep one of the two TEs, and draft another
guard Scott Kooistra - maybe (don't want too many lineman)
safety Anthony Mitchell - not sure
defensive end Justin Smith - keep, but depends on $ and if switch to 3-4
offensive lineman Eric Steinbach - probably too expensive
tight end Tony Stewart - yes, if not too pricey. Need to keep one of the two TEs
wide receiver Kelley Washington - no
running back Kenny Watson - not sure
linebacker Marcus Wilkins - not sure
quarterback Anthony Wright - keep one of two QBs
Unrestricted free agents:
offensive tackle Stacy Andrews - keep
cornerback Greg Brooks - not sure
defensive end Robert Geathers - keep
linebacker Landon Johnson - highest tender. Sign to long term before he gets any more expensive.
punter Kyle Larson - sign to long term
linebacker Caleb Miller - not sure. Depends on Pollack and if keeping Odell
defensive tackle Shaun Smith - keep
Restricted:
Bauman - If healthy, been a problem, provides good depth and 'Teams player.
Braham - Also if healthy, deserves to go out on own terms and youngsters haven't proven suitable replacements.
Tory - if he can step up the 2nd half...keep him at the right price for depth.
Johnson/Wright - whichever is better priced...I prefer Wright.
Kaes - yes...GREAT versatile backup.
Kelly - Yes...shouldn't be too pricey due to lack of flash.
Kooistra - hasn't cracked the lineup yet can be replaced by new depth.
Mitchell - No. Can't crack defensive lineup and can be replaced with youth on 'Teams.
Smith - Would like to keep him but may not be able to afford him.
Steiny - Same as Smith.
Stewart - for right price
Washington - No, too pricey and should get a better deal elsewhere. We should have more depth next season.
Watson - for the right price...dependable and versitile.
Wilkins - for the right price...good leadership and production on 'Teams.
Unrestricted:
Andrews - Yes, could be cracking the lineup if Steiny is let go.
Brooks - low tender...good depth but can't stay healthy.
Geathers - Yes, turning into stud, still only ?23?
Landon - Yes, sound and versatile. Looks to be Simmons replacement in more ways than one.
Larson - Yes, really coming into his own this year.
Caleb - mid-tender, versatility, effort and 'teams contributions. 1st healthy year.
Shaun - low/mid tender. Good, young depth.
You keep Anthony Wright. He is a better backup than given credit for. You let Justin Smith walk, its funny how he learned how to tackle during his contract year. Keep Reggie Kelly, he seems to be a good blocking tight end. Use the franchise tag on Steinbach if you have too, he is that important. I also think you need to keep Geathers, Landon Johnson and Kyle Larson. The others are marginal role players.
Truth is I think there is an opportunity here to continue to see this team grow through change.
I believe the team should keep Bauman, and only keep James if he is willing to nickel and drop his asking price - he cannot get the same money he is getting now.
Johnson, Kaesviharn, Kelly, Kooistra, Mitchell, Stewart, Washington, Watson, Wilkins and Smith all have to go. The only one who might be a keeper out of that group is Smith, but if the team indeeds switches to 3-4 Smith isn't the guy to use.
Eric Steinbach and Anthony Wright fit in the maybe column and only because of the money. Both are excellent for what they are wanted for. They probably even deserve the money they want. However with all the money already invested at that position, I'm just not sure it is best spent here.
In the restricted free agent market the Bengals have a few more they should keep. Here the keepers are Stacy Andrews, Robert Geathers, Kyle Larson, and Shaun Smith. These guys fit. Larson is finally proving worth the time put in after frustrating fans and the coaches. Andrews is coming into form after quite an investment from the team - why let him go now? And both Geathers and Smith are young and able bodies who have been productive.
As far as Johnson and Miller go, even with all their speed and effort, they have proven to be just to small to go up against RB's. They have been plowed over and drug. It is time to get bigger.
While this is what is ideal the reality is it isn't what will happen because that would mean a turnover of at least 12 players. THat is a big turnover. However with 8 draft picks the number reduces to 4 and the team can pick up what they need in free agency and improve the team.
The only question if that happens is continuity. Losing 3 starters on defense - James, Smith, and Johnson appears to be a problem. But it could well be that this change would improve the team dramatically.
Whatever happens, go Bengals!
Hopefully keep all the restricted.
Keep Kaesviharn,one TE, Wilkins, Watson, one QB. Justin Smith if still in the 4-3.
What happened to Kooistra? One or two years ago he was well thought of. Why hasn't he been mentioned to play guard and Steinbach at Center?
Keep Braham, Steiny, and Washington. Smith if the price is right. All others are expendable.
I can't believe anyone is suggesting letting Braham walk after what's happened to the O-line this year without him.
Braham - definitely , look how many sacks we've given up this year . hes the anchor on the line .
Steinbach - yes if theres money .
Kelly ... yes he's cheap .
J.Smith ... yes , he's having a pro bowl year .
Kaesviharn ... maybe , good backup who can start if needed .
Washington .... yes , Henry is a thug and he wont be in the league next year .
the rest are expendable , but L.Johnson & Geathers should be kept if we can .
The team's Number One priority is finding some way to keep Eric Steinbach. They've just got to get this done somehow.
Tory James can be kept if he'll play nickle (for nickle money).
Justin Smith will want too much money. Unlike Steinbach, he's not worth premium money.
Anthony Wright is a very solid backup QB, especially here. Don't make the same mistake they made with Kitna, sign this guy NOW.
The rest of the UFAs are easily replaced with cheaper talent.
RFAs:
Stacy Andrews, hey, fish or cut bait with this project. Maybe move him to the other side of the ball, oh wait that's right, they don't have a decent D-line coach to teach the guy what to do.
Shaun Smith. Shaun rhymes with Yawn. Next. He might be good if they had a decent D-line coach. But, I digress.
Greg Brooks, Robert Geathers, Landon Johnson, Kyle Larson, Caleb Miller. Sign them all. Somebody tell Brooks and Miller to stop getting injured.
Brahm-must sign he is the anchor for the line and we have no replacement.
Washington- I say keep. Hes earned his spot on this team with his attitude and play on the field. Henry won't last.
Torey James-only if he takes a cut and plays behind Joseph.
Kelley-keep and draft another TE
Stewart- cut I saw some of the worst blocking from him last week.
Smith-too pricey and has lacked in pass rush.
Geathers- keeper..young and just starting to show talent.
Larson-keep as good a punter you'll find and thats one position we shouldn't have to spend alot of time worrying about.
Andrews- keep good OG especially if Steinbach goes.
Kooistra-cut but only if they draft another.
Mitchell- cut only if they plan to draft a safety.
Brooks-cut injury proned
Kevin Kaes-Keep as backup and draft another.
Doug Johnson-cut. keep Wright
Watson-I think we should cut and take a chance this year and draft a good young fullback.
Justin Smith-Way to slow for a DE. An obivous problem of our D is losing containment (Smith) and NO pressure on QB's. Smith overpurses almost every play and only makes sacks at the end of the half or game when it doesn't matter. There are very few times he makes a play when we NEED it. In the NFL, speed kills. Smith only kills Big Macs. Former Bearcat Trent Cole is tearing it up in Philly as Jevon Kearse's replacement...they won't sit Kearse though...we should trade for Cole.
TE- Keep one, preferrably Kelly. It seems every other team can find a TE that can block and run and catch...heck some of those TE studs are college BBall players! How hard can it be to find one...let's give former Bearcat Eric Hicks a call (kidding). But Tony Stewart is about as bad as they come. Bearcat TE Brent Celek could fit the mold, maybe as a later round draft pick.
Steinbach-We must resign or name franchise player. Braham is about done. Willie is getting old. Bobbie Williams is well...Bobbie Williams. Steinbach and Levi are the studs. You don't let Pro Bowl lineman walk away, especially after how we've seen Carson get pressured so far this season.
LB-Resign Landon, he's the only reliable guy this year, and will likely be affordable. Caleb Miller is soft, slow and only playing because every other LB is hurt, paralyzed or suspended. Unless he plays for free, anyone is better than him. Wilkins is solid team leader and S-teams; keep him if he's cheap.
Watson-keep him if we can. He's solid as hell, and unlike Perry...knows the playbook.
Kelly Washington-Let's see how Chris Henry does through the second half of the season (Not on the field, but with the law).
Tory James-I'm sorry, but if you watch Mr. James this year...he's terrible. He has been solid, but didn't anyone else notice Joseph playing the majority of the snaps last week? Nickel man at best.
Geathers-Keep.
QB-Keep one, preferrably Wright.
Stacey Andrews-Keep if possible.
Larson-Keep. I love punters!
Everyone else, I don't really care that much.
But for good sakes, let Justin Smith go ruin someone else's defense.
Thank you for picking the Bengals to lose; this means that we'll win now! I am pumped!
WHO DEY!
* Our online blogs currently are hosted and operated by a third party, namely, Blogger.com. You are now leaving the Cincinnati.Com website and will be linked to Blogger.com's registration page. The Blogger.com site and its associated services are not controlled by Cincinnati.Com and different terms of use and privacy policy will apply to your use of the Blogger.com site and services.
By proceeding and/or registering with Blogger.com you agree and understand that Cincinnati.Com is not responsible for the Blogger.com site you are about to access or for any service you may use while on the Blogger.com site.
<< Home