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Bengals
Mark Curnutte offers the latest on the Cincinnati Bengals


Mark Curnutte started covering the Bengals and the NFL for The Enquirer in 2000. He previously wrote about urban affairs and other social issues for the Enquirer. He won the prestigious 1994 Unity Award from Lincoln University (Missouri) for "A Polite Silence," a seven-day series about race relations in Greater Cincinnati. He also has worked as an assistant features editor and features writer at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. Curnutte is second vice president and a three-year board member of the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA). He is a 1984 Miami University graduate.

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Thursday, March 06, 2008

S Eugene Wilson on Bengals' radar

The Bengals have expressed interested in meeting with Patriots free agent safety Eugene Wilson. He is a five-year veteran from Illinois who has 55 starts and 62 games of experience with the Patriots. He has 10 career interceptions, including one in 2007 he returned for a touchdown. He played in 11 games with six starts for New England last year and had 31 total tackles.

James Sims, Wilson's agent, said nothing has been set up yet with the Bengals, though.

The Bengals might be in the market for another veteran safety after losing starting free safety Madieu Williams to the Vikings as a free agent last week.

Wilson has visited Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and the Jets and is wrapping up a visit with Tennessee. The Bengals and Jaguars also have expressed interest. Wilson has no intention of returning to the Patriots. It appears his recent injury history is not limiting his popularity as a free agent.

He ended the 2006 on the injured reserve list with a groin/hamstring problem. A high ankle sprain cost him some time in 2007, though he had said he was ready to return to the lineup sooner than the Patriots put him back in. He was the seventh of seven defensive backs on the Patriots' depth chart for Super Bowl XLII against the Giants.

"I thought the year started off pretty good," Wilson told The Boston Globe in late February. "I was playing consistent, but then I had the high ankle sprain. I was ready to come back but I was still on the inactive list for a couple games. I'm not sure the reason why."

The Bengals this afternoon confirmed the visit by Colts restricted free agent tight end Ben Utecht. He was extended a one-year qualifying offer of $927,000 by the Colts as a restricted free agent. Indianapolis retains the right to match any offer sheet Utecht would sign as a restricted free agent, but he was an undrafted college free agent in 2004 and would not require draft-pick compensation. He spent the 2004 season on the physically unable to perform list.


12 Comments:

at 3/06/2008 3:28 PM Blogger Unknown said...

im guessing they blew off McCree

 
at 3/06/2008 3:28 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mark,
That would be great if we can get Utecht, and Wilson. Then we can use the #9 pick along with some other picks in a trade up for Ellis, or maybe Mcfadden. What are your thoughts?

 
at 3/06/2008 4:32 PM Blogger ewad said...

The Philadelphia Eagles released two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes on Thursday.

Could we consider getting him back? Or was the rift too deep when he left?

 
at 3/06/2008 4:32 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would definately love to see Utecht in black and orange. That would give them the opportunity to have a TE to throw down the field to as well as a great blocking tight end in reggie kelley. THis would do a lot for us even as far as the draft, instead of a TE in the early second rounds trade up a few picks, get ellis or gholston or even McFadden. I think we really need to concentrate on solidifying our Safety situation though, I dont trust Dexter Jackson to be there for us all season, he has a tendency to get worn down throughout the season. Its sad we were not able to keek Williams, but hey, we never have committed to our safties.

 
at 3/06/2008 4:48 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why trade up? Every pick is a gamble. You don't know if the guy you want is going to pan out, get injured, etc. So the more picks you have (and use wisely), the better off you should be in September.

Anyway, McFadden could fall to them, if they even want him. Stewart might be a better fit, since we have Perry, Dorsey, Watson, and Irons providing speed.

 
at 3/06/2008 4:59 PM Blogger jfrizn said...

Mark,

I see Takeo got cut. Does he have anything left in the tank? Perhaps we could let Pollack go and fill im in with Mr. Spikes.....

 
at 3/06/2008 5:08 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Re: Jason.

I'm thinking the other way. We have so many needs, I don't think they can justify trading up.

Signing a FA safety would be great -- starting one/two sophomore safeties would be scary. Signing a TE with hands would, at the very least, shut everyone up.

But, if they do that, kiss any 2009 comp picks goodbye. That means they need to use this draft to get their core subs for the next few years. We will need more meat on both lines, a nickel CB, a WR, a KR/PR, and LB/DT starters. That is a lot to accomplish with only late-round picks (we'd have to give up the high third to move up).

If we are realistic, and assume Ellis and Dorsey are gone, and we aren't going to spend several more millions on an OT, there is nothing left.

We could get an LB, but there will be several later in the 1st. We could reach for a DT, but why? Trade down 5 spots, get an extra 3rd. If there are still several possibilities, trade down again and get another 3rd.

We can get a good DT/LB at much less risk, and have one or two extra mid-round picks to shore up the team.

Scott in raleigh

 
at 3/06/2008 5:25 PM Blogger wiseinsrq said...

the bengals need to be on the phone right now to Takeo's agent...while phisically he may have lost a step his intensity, drive and vocal leadership are exactly what this defense needs...cut thornton to make the cap space...also, he can play all 3 LB positions and guys like that are valuable, as last year's injuries proved

 
at 3/06/2008 5:26 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't mind them being conservative regarding big money free agents, but it is idiotic if they pass up bringing in warm, reasonably-talented bodies to compete at weak positions. If they cannot bring in a pass-catching TE, a huge DT, and a decent safety to help with depth and create competition they will lose some of my respect and money--not much of a threat I guess...but there, I said it.

 
at 3/06/2008 5:33 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nobody would disagree with trading down but who in their right mind would want to trade up with the consensus top 7 players (C Long, J. Long, Dorsey, Ellis, McFadden, Goulston and Ryan) gone. That leaves us stuck at that spot. Then what? Reach on a DE/DT? WR?

 
at 3/06/2008 6:28 PM Blogger russ said...

What about Will Demps? He was a Pro-Bowl alternate in 2007 and I don't think he will be expensive. He always killed the Bengals.

 
at 3/07/2008 9:01 AM Blogger SportsMania said...

Wilson would be a bad signing. Injury prone players just take up roster space. And we aren't talking about a guy who is going to really improve the safety position that much, at best he provides depth if he can stay healthy.

 
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