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*UPDATED THREAD TITLE* Free Agency thread


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[quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1331659045' post='1104872']
By Jamison Hensley
Free agency kicks off at 4 p.m. today. Here are my predictions for who is staying and leaving as unrestricted free agents in the division:

[b]CINCINNATI BENGALS[/b]

[b]Staying[/b]: TE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4614/donald-lee"]Donald Lee[/url], OT [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11346/anthony-collins"]Anthony Collins[/url], DE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8647/jonathan-fanene"]Jonathan Fanene[/url], LB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9608/manny-lawson"]Manny Lawson[/url], OL [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10207/nate-livings"]Nate Livings[/url], DE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9677/frostee-rucker"]Frostee Rucker[/url], LB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9728/brandon-johnson"]Brandon Johnson[/url] and S [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/1894/reggie-nelson"]Reggie Nelson[/url].

[b]Leaving[/b]: RB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8419/cedric-benson"]Cedric Benson[/url], WR [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11331/andre-caldwell"]Andre Caldwell[/url], WR [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11280/jerome-simpson"]Jerome Simpson[/url], TE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8593/bo-scaife"]Bo Scaife[/url], OL [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11343/mike-mcglynn"]Mike McGlynn[/url], OT [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10377/dennis-roland"]Dennis Roland[/url], OG [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2192/bobbie-williams"]Bobbie Williams[/url], DT [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11311/pat-sims"]Pat Sims[/url], CB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9617/kelly-jennings"]Kelly Jennings[/url], CB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8421/adam-jones"]Adam Jones[/url] and S [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/5661/gibril-wilson"]Gibril Wilson[/url].



[url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/43751/afc-north-who-stays-who-goes"]http://espn.go.com/b...-stays-who-goes[/url]
[/quote]
[quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1331659045' post='1104872']
By Jamison Hensley
Free agency kicks off at 4 p.m. today. Here are my predictions for who is staying and leaving as unrestricted free agents in the division:

[b]CINCINNATI BENGALS[/b]

[b]Staying[/b]: TE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4614/donald-lee"]Donald Lee[/url], OT [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11346/anthony-collins"]Anthony Collins[/url], DE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8647/jonathan-fanene"]Jonathan Fanene[/url], LB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9608/manny-lawson"]Manny Lawson[/url], OL [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10207/nate-livings"]Nate Livings[/url], DE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9677/frostee-rucker"]Frostee Rucker[/url], LB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9728/brandon-johnson"]Brandon Johnson[/url] and S [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/1894/reggie-nelson"]Reggie Nelson[/url].

[b]Leaving[/b]: RB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8419/cedric-benson"]Cedric Benson[/url], WR [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11331/andre-caldwell"]Andre Caldwell[/url], WR [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11280/jerome-simpson"]Jerome Simpson[/url], TE [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8593/bo-scaife"]Bo Scaife[/url], OL [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11343/mike-mcglynn"]Mike McGlynn[/url], OT [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10377/dennis-roland"]Dennis Roland[/url], OG [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2192/bobbie-williams"]Bobbie Williams[/url], DT [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11311/pat-sims"]Pat Sims[/url], CB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9617/kelly-jennings"]Kelly Jennings[/url], CB [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8421/adam-jones"]Adam Jones[/url] and S [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/5661/gibril-wilson"]Gibril Wilson[/url].



[url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/43751/afc-north-who-stays-who-goes"]http://espn.go.com/b...-stays-who-goes[/url]
[/quote]


Nate Livings makes me want to punch a nun in the throat.
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[quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1331659920' post='1104875']
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/JasonColeYahoo"]JasonColeYahoo[/url]Jason Cole




Colston deal is just over $35mill/5 yr, $19-20 mill guar
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/JasonColeYahoo/status/179617464437587968"]39 seconds ago[/url]
[/quote]


I like that. Now, there's no way Meachem can justify being more than a $5 million/yr guy.
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[url="https://twitter.com/#!/caplannfl"]caplannfl[/url]Adam Caplan




Some personnel sources say that the Cowboys have Saints G Carl Nicks high on their list if he makes it free in less than 3 hours. We'll see.
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/caplannfl/status/179618942023770112"]37 seconds ago[/url]
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[quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1331660282' post='1104879']
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/caplannfl"]caplannfl[/url]Adam Caplan




Some personnel sources say that the Cowboys have Saints G Carl Nicks high on their list if he makes it free in less than 3 hours. We'll see.
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/caplannfl/status/179618942023770112"]37 seconds ago[/url]
[/quote]


can't see that. If I'm not mistaken, the Cowboys still have to dump $5 million just to get under the cap by 4pm.
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[b]This week could mark the end of an era, at least to some degree.[/b] Remember, a year from now teams have to start spending 90 percent of the cap number in actual dollars, and the cap is also set to rise big time when the new TV money starts kicking in. Teams will have to spend that money somewhere, and with franchise tags so affordable, the best talent won't ever hit the market. There will be more incentive than ever before for teams to extend their players, and clubs that otherwise used to sit on their hands will be forced to eat into that cap space. The best players in the mid-20s, already a dying breed in terms of unrestricted free agency, are likely to become even rarer in years to come. The guys who do hit the market before their third contract increasingly will have issues with injury, attitude, off-field problems, etc.


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8279010b/article/ten-quick-thoughts-as-league-year-kicks-off-with-free-agency
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[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1331660202' post='1104878']


I like that. Now, there's no way Meachem can justify being more than a $5 million/yr guy.
[/quote]
Him or Laurent Robinson are both very realistic options that would be awesome to have opposite A.J.
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[quote name='akiliMVP' timestamp='1331660845' post='1104882']
Him or Laurent Robinson are both very realistic options that would be awesome to have opposite A.J.
[/quote]


I'm sure it will also have garcon running back to indy and thinking about that similar 5yr $35 million contract he just rejected.
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[quote name='akiliMVP' timestamp='1331660845' post='1104882']
Him or Laurent Robinson are both very realistic options that would be awesome to have opposite A.J.
[/quote]





[url="https://twitter.com/#!/caplannfl"]caplannfl[/url]Adam Caplan

Expecting WR Laurent Robinson to get a lot of interest right off the bat. Runs well for his size, good hands, and showed he can play inside.
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/caplannfl/status/179622281889320961"]1 minute ago[/url]
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[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1331660959' post='1104885']


I'm sure it will also have garcon running back to indy and thinking about that similar 5yr $35 million contract he just rejected.
[/quote]


I doubt it. I don't think Garcon wants to be part of the rebuilding.
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[b] [size=6][url="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2012/03/13/armchair-general-manager-time/"]Free Agency Frenzy: A Bengals Primer[/url][/size][/b][list]
[*]03/13/12 at 1:42pm
[*]Written by [email="jreedy@enquirer.com"]jreedy[/email]
[/list]

Happy opening day of free agency where things could be quiet from the Bengals end as they try to re-sign some of their 20 unrestricted free agents that will hit the market while trying to upgrade in a couple areas. So what do things look like as we approach the start of the new league year?

[b][u]CAP ROOM[/u][/b]

With players under contract that we have the figures for (Chris Pressley’s figures have not become official yet) and players who we know have been tendered, the Bengals are roughly $48.563 million under the cap. Now, if you figure in the money for this year’s draft class and what is usually set aside for injuries along with estimations of Pressley’s contract and a couple other free agents being tendered, the figure is more around $34-35 million. That is still a lot of room.

Most fans though are asking why the Bengals would not go wild in free agency and try to sign Mario Williams and Carl Nicks? While that would be nice and would make fans possibly run to the ticket windows, those contracts usually have higher cap figures in future years. The Bengals have had three solid draft classes and one of the effects of that is if you want to retain your own players and keep the core guys together, you are going to pay more down the line. Williams would be a nice addition but Geno Atkins has only two years remaining on his contract and is in range for a hefty deal. To keep Andy Dalton happy, you are going to want to discuss an extension with him late this season and early next year. You can also make that argument for TE Jermaine Gresham while good seasons from RB Bernard Scott, DE Michael Johnson and LB Rey Maualuga, who will be entering the final year of their contract, would merit extensions too but not until after the season depending on what happens.

In other words, that $15 million the team carried over from last year is going to go toward some big extensions. So that leaves $19-20 million for this year.

[b][u]POSITION ROUNDUP[/u][/b]

[b]Quarterback:[/b] All set.

[b]Running back: [/b]Barring a major change of heart on both sides, Cedric Benson will not return and Scott is entering the final year of his contract. Michael Bush should be in play while Mike Tolbert would also be an intriguing option. They could also still address it in the draft.

[b]Tight end:[/b] Mostly set but the team would like to have back a veteran like Donald Lee or Bo Scaife.

[b]Wide receiver: [/b]The Bengals have made high-priced blunders in the past with Laveranues Coles and Antonio Bryant. Robert Meachem and Pierre Garcon would be nice fits lining up opposite A.J. Green but head coach Marvin Lewis has kept disussing the draft as another way to get another receiver. The coaching staff also remains high on former UC standout Armon Binns.

[b]Offensive line: [/b]Both guards are free agents and the team’s line of thinking in the past has been not to go after a top-flight veteran, instead trying to develop their own guys. Former Bengal Evan Mathis, who had a solid season in Philadelphia last year, would be a great option to return but from the sounds of things during the lockout last year, he wasn’t happy with how things ended here.

[b]Defensive line: [/b]The priority is to re-sign Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene but one early name to keep an eye out for is Jeremy Mincey if they were going to look for an upgrade with a consistent pass rusher.

[b]Linebacker:[/b] This is the one that will probably take awhile to sort out because there are so many questions — will Rey Maualuga be suspended once his legal case is mediated and was the surgery to repair Keith Rivers’ wrist a success? Not a great free agent class of linebackers.

[b]Secondary:[/b] The biggest need position of all due to uncertainty with three key free agents — cornerbacks Kelly Jennings and Adam Jones and safety Reggie Nelson. They need some experienced backups at both spots. One darkhorse to keep an eye on — former UC standout Haruki Nakamura who brings value at safety and on special teams. New Bengals secondary coach Mark Carrier knows him well from Nakamura’s first two seasons in Baltimore.




(Click the link for the entire article)


[url="http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2012/03/13/armchair-general-manager-time/"]http://cincinnati.co...l-manager-time/[/url]
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If the Bengals tendered Skuta and Harris at 1.26 mil, they overpaid. Base minimum salary for their tenure is 615K. Backup linebackers and long snappers are extremely replaceable. Harris is the safer bet to make the roster and should have been signable for 3 years/3mil total. Skuta is more of a year to year guy but should have been signable below 1 mil.
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[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1331662375' post='1104901']
If the Bengals tendered Skuta and Harris at 1.26 mil, they overpaid. Base minimum salary for their tenure is 615K. Backup linebackers and long snappers are extremely replaceable. Harris is the safer bet to make the roster and should have been signable for 3 years/3mil total. Skuta is more of a year to year guy but should have been signable below 1 mil.
[/quote]


so after the ohalete years we're willing to overpay $1-2 million for an average safety but after the brad st. louis years we aren't ok with overpaying $600K for a good long snapper?

Skuta, I hope gets a 2-3yr contract. good special teamer and spot starter.
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[url="https://twitter.com/#!/ProFootballWkly"]ProFootballWkly[/url]Pro Football Weekly




ESPN Dallas reports that the [url="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23Cowboys"][s]#[/s][b]Cowboys[/b][/url] have released CB Terence Newman.
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/ProFootballWkly/status/179636399409082368"]8 minutes ago[/url]
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[b]Will the Bengals make a splash with all of that salary-cap space?[/b]

I think it will be more like a ripple than a splash. A team like the [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-buccaneers"]Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/url], who have about the same amount of cap room, will be far more active than the Bengals because they are undergoing a makeover with a new coach. The Bengals will concentrate on their own free agents (like safety [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/1894/reggie-nelson"]Reggie Nelson[/url] and defensive end [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9677/frostee-rucker"]Frostee Rucker[/url]) and fill some holes at running back, guard and cornerback. Like I've said for a month, I see Oakland's [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10544/michael-bush"]Michael Bush[/url], Baltimore's [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10473/ben-grubbs"]Ben Grubbs[/url] and New Orleans' [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10471/robert-meachem"]Robert Meachem[/url] as good fits for Cincinnati. This isn't like signing [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9587/mario-williams"]Mario Williams[/url] or [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11398/carl-nicks"]Carl Nicks[/url], but these are moves that will improve a young, developing team.



http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/43762/afc-north-free-agency-questions
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[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1331663147' post='1104907']


so after the ohalete years we're willing to overpay $1-2 million for an average safety but after the brad st. louis years we aren't ok with overpaying $600K for a good long snapper?

Skuta, I hope gets a 2-3yr contract. good special teamer and spot starter.
[/quote]

Who would pay Skuta or Harris 1.26 mil to go elsewhere? There are only 32 long snapper jobs in the NFL and dozens of snappers coming out of college each year. I think Harris is worth keeping but let's not act like he's a difference maker. Skuta is a decent backup LB and special teams player but hardly irreplaceable. He's not even a sure thing to make the roster this year, let alone in the future.
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[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1331666372' post='1104934']

Who would pay Skuta or Harris 1.26 mil to go elsewhere? There are only 32 long snapper jobs in the NFL and dozens of snappers coming out of college each year. I think Harris is worth keeping but let's not act like he's a difference maker. Skuta is a decent backup LB and special teams player but hardly irreplaceable. He's not even a sure thing to make the roster this year, let alone in the future.
[/quote]

Of course he's a difference maker. Brad St Louis' meltdown was hell.

And why dither about "overpaying" at these price points. It lets us forget about an important slot.
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[quote name='Oldcat' timestamp='1331666563' post='1104938']

Of course he's a difference maker. Brad St Louis' meltdown was hell.

And why dither about "overpaying" at these price points. It lets us forget about an important slot.
[/quote]

No, BSL became a difference maker, in the negative sense when he got the yips. There's not much difference between Clark Harris and Mike Windt. Bengals kept Harris since he was doing an ok job and Windt caught on in San Diego. There are decent snappers coming out of college every year. The NFL players who get paid are guys who can do something their peers can't or who are expected to make a difference for their team. The long snapper and a backup LB are among the most replaceable guys on any team's roster so they don't make much and the team's money goes elsewhere.
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