[size=6][b] Is Adam Jones expendable for Cincinnati Bengals?[/b][/size]



[*]By Brian McIntyre
[*]Around the League writer
[*]Published: July 10, 2012 at 02:00 p.m.
[*]Updated: July 10, 2012 at 08:57 p.m


[i]"Around the League" is taking a look at each team's salary-cap situation heading into training camp. Next up: The [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/cincinnatibengals/profile?team=CIN"]Cincinnati Bengals[/url].[/i]

[b]Adjusted Cap Number[/b]: $131.198 million

[b]Cap Room Remaining[/b]: $16.309 million

[b]Best bargain:[/b] [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/andydalton/profile?id=DAL659900"]Andy Dalton[/url] is easily the biggest bargain on the Bengals. The No. 35 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft has a base salary of $612,009 and a cap number of $1,185,045 this season, which is less than the cost of the lowest restricted free agent tender.

[b]Potential camp casualty[/b]: How many current and former first-round cornerbacks can one team have at the same time? With 2007 first-round pick [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/leonhall/profile?id=HAL432931"]Leon Hall[/url] coming off a torn Achilles, the Bengals beefed up their cornerback position in free agency with former first-round cornerbacks [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/terencenewman/profile?id=NEW475575"]Terence Newman[/url] (2003) and [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/jasonallen/profile?id=ALL464310"]Jason Allen[/url] (2006). Then Cincinnati used the first of its two first-round picks, the one obtained from the [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/oaklandraiders/profile?team=OAK"]Oakland Raiders[/url] in the [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/carsonpalmer/profile?id=PAL249055"]Carson Palmer[/url] trade, on Dre Kirkpatrick.

With 2001 first-round pick [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/nateclements/profile?id=CLE298153"]Nate Clements[/url] coming off a fairly strong season, 2005 first-round pick [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/adamjones/profile?id=JON026865"]Adam Jones[/url] could have a hard time staying on the Bengals. Jones was re-signed to a one-year deal in March, but only his $75,000 signing bonus is guaranteed.

[b]Contract issue looming in 2013[/b]: The Cincinnati Bengals used the franchise tag on kicker [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/mikenugent/profile?id=NUG461506"]Mike Nugent[/url] this offseason, a rather luxurious use of the tender that they will not be afforded in 2013 when all three starters in a very thin linebacker corps are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. The versatile Michael Johnson, who has played both defensive end and linebacker in his four seasons with the Bengals, and had six sacks and five passes defensed, is also headed toward unrestricted free agency next offseason.
Another 2013 unrestricted free agent is right tackle Andre Smith, who was a disappointment during his first two seasons in the NFL. The Bengals declined to pick up a second option bonus in his contract, a decision that voided the final two years (2013-14) of the deal. In 2011, the light bulb (above his head, not in his refrigerator) came on for Smith, who had a pretty good season opposite [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/andrewwhitworth/profile?id=WHI825900"]Andrew Whitworth[/url].






[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a739ba/article/is-adam-jones-expendable-for-cincinnati-bengals"]http://www.nfl.com/n...cinnati-bengals[/url]

I really hope not. The guy is a play maker.

I hope not picking up the last two years of Smith's deal doesn't come back to bite.

I think Jones is going to have to win a special teams job (full time KR or PR) to stay on the roster. Zim has loaded up on physical CBs and Jones is the least physical with the most health questions (hasn't played 16 games in what 5 years?). With Tate, Ship, Hawkins, Scott already and a host of other guys whose only shot to make the team is by kicking ass in special teams, Jones is going to have to light it up or he's the odd man out in the secondary.

Here's rooting for him because he can be electric back there.

For sure. Pacman makes Tate look like shit.

I know my opinion on Jones is an unpopular one, but I see him as the weakest of the corners on the roster. But PR and KR is another story. If Tate has truly become a viable option @ WR, then put Jones back there.

The kick return is basically your first offensive play and Adam Jones is BY FAR our best returner. He should be a roster lock IMO

[quote name='Abu-Zayd' timestamp='1342111387' post='1138625']
I hope not picking up the last two years of Smith's deal doesn't come back to bite.
[/quote]

It won't. If he sucks or gets hurt again this year we can let him go or re-sign him cheap. If he plays great and demands a monster second contract, the new slotting of rookie salaries will let us pick up a tackle and a guard with money left over.

Still a good move voiding.

[quote name='eva4ben-gal' timestamp='1342121829' post='1138652']
The kick return is basically your first offensive play and Adam Jones is BY FAR our best returner. He should be a roster lock IMO
[/quote]

Punt return yes, but not sure on KRs. B Scott is very good. Adam's Injury prone, though.

Should be a good battle in TC.

[quote name='Rumble In the Jungle' timestamp='1342105244' post='1138620']
I really hope not. The guy is a play maker.
[/quote]


I also hope he makes it... I think he's one of those guys who needs football. Otherwise, he could go from play maker to "plate maker."

[quote name='texbengal' timestamp='1342134772' post='1138667']
I also hope he makes it... I think he's one of those guys who needs football. Otherwise, he could go from play maker to "plate maker."
[/quote]

[img]http://www.sectalk.com/board/public/imported_images/sectalk.com/t219721_fry20i20see20what20you20did20the-1.jpg[/img]

[quote name='texbengal' timestamp='1342134595' post='1138665']
Punt return yes, but not sure on KRs. B Scott is very good. Adam's Injury prone, though.

Should be a good battle in TC.
[/quote]

I agree about Scott being a pretty damn good KR. I want Jones to be the PR. Secretly I want Shipley to be the PR, but I fear him getting hurt. I'd rather lose Jones than Ship to injury...as much of an ass as that might make me seem.

Jones can't run in a straight line at full speed without hurting himself. He gets injured in NON-CONTACT off season workouts. The guy is made of glass. He'll get injured in pre-season and cut.

In all fairness, the dude has been out getting drunk instead of working his ass off to earn a starting job. Maybe he doesn't deserve the position.

[quote name='Tigris' timestamp='1342142933' post='1138681']
In all fairness, the dude has been out getting drunk instead of working his ass off to earn a starting job. Maybe he doesn't deserve the position.
[/quote]

Six-Pacman?

OK, I'm done. But I'm doing 2 shows daily through the weekend.

[quote name='Harley' timestamp='1342127268' post='1138659']
It won't. If he sucks or gets hurt again this year we can let him go or re-sign him cheap. If he plays great and demands a monster second contract, the new slotting of rookie salaries will let us pick up a tackle and a guard with money left over.

Still a good move voiding.
[/quote]

if he sucks? that's helluva suggestion. he's evolved into one of the better RTs in the league. after once being considered the top player out of that draft, why in the world would you expect his play to regress? how would a lower drafted and lesser talented draft pick plus a guard help, not to mention that's two draft picks we could use otherwise to upgrade the roster? do you plan to line them both up at the same time in andre's stead? resigning andre smith should be the first order of business.

Well, it seems like being in shape has a lot to do with his play. If he comes to camp looking good, if a pretty sure bet he's going to play good. The guy is probably concerned about his health habits... which we all know are easy to lapse on.

[quote name='bengaled' timestamp='1342209456' post='1138753']


if he sucks? that's helluva suggestion. he's evolved into one of the better RTs in the league. after once being considered the top player out of that draft, why in the world would you expect his play to regress? how would a lower drafted and lesser talented draft pick plus a guard help, not to mention that's two draft picks we could use otherwise to upgrade the roster? do you plan to line them both up at the same time in andre's stead? resigning andre smith should be the first order of business.
[/quote]

[quote name='Harley' timestamp='1342127268' post='1138659']
It won't. If he sucks or gets hurt again this year we can let him go or re-sign him cheap. If he plays great and demands a monster second contract, the new slotting of rookie salaries will let us pick up a tackle and a guard with money left over.

Still a good move voiding.
[/quote]

He won't 'suck' and we both know that. As for getting hurt, yes, we can sign him cheaper. His ceiling is sooo high we have not seen what he can do yet and this is after a year he outplayed Whitworth in both run and pass. He could be the best RT in the league after this year as he is still maturing and getting more fit. He played ok as a fat and injured distracted baby voiced kid. What will he do when he grows up as he seems to be as we speak?

I think he should be signed sooner rather than later and believe it was a mistake to void the last two years.

[quote name='Abu-Zayd' timestamp='1342211676' post='1138756']
He won't 'suck' and we both know that. As for getting hurt, yes, we can sign him cheaper. His ceiling is sooo high we have not seen what he can do yet and this is after a year he outplayed Whitworth in both run and pass. He could be the best RT in the league after this year as he is still maturing and getting more fit. He played ok as a fat and injured distracted baby voiced kid. What will he do when he grows up as he seems to be as we speak?

I think he should be signed sooner rather than later and believe it was a mistake to void the last two years.
[/quote]

I don't think any olineman the Bengals have outplays Whitworth.

[quote name='Abu-Zayd' timestamp='1342211676' post='1138756']


He won't 'suck' and we both know that. As for getting hurt, yes, we can sign him cheaper. His ceiling is sooo high we have not seen what he can do yet and this is after a year he outplayed Whitworth in both run and pass. He could be the best RT in the league after this year as he is still maturing and getting more fit. He played ok as a fat and injured distracted baby voiced kid. What will he do when he grows up as he seems to be as we speak?

I think he should be signed sooner rather than later and believe it was a mistake to void the last two years.
[/quote]

He didn't outplay Whit. There would be quote after quote from Paul pimping his should be pro bowl tackles.

He hasnt surpassed Andrews in my estimation. To outplay Whit, he'd look like Willie Anderson and he's not even close so far.

[quote name='Abu-Zayd' timestamp='1342211676' post='1138756']
He won't 'suck' and we both know that. As for getting hurt, yes, we can sign him cheaper. His ceiling is sooo high we have not seen what he can do yet and this is after a year he outplayed Whitworth in both run and pass. He could be the best RT in the league after this year as he is still maturing and getting more fit. He played ok as a fat and injured distracted baby voiced kid. What will he do when he grows up as he seems to be as we speak?

I think he should be signed sooner rather than later and believe it was a mistake to void the last two years.
[/quote]

Smith isn't a safe bet for a great year. His performance could suck due to being overweight and out of shape again, being injured again or a lacklaster/poor attitude. So it's not out of the realm of possibilities that he could have a down year. Comparing him to Whit is an insult.

So yes, the Bengals smartly have the option to cut him, re-sign him cheap, offer a new deal mid year or replace him with cheaper and possibly better rookies or FAs. They have all options open which is why they opted out in the first place.

Personally, he aint all that.

Sorry, Harley. That approach supposes a rookie will surpass him in production the first year in. Not real good odds.

Better to pay for the still-developing high ceiling product you already have.

[quote name='Harley' timestamp='1342219087' post='1138766']
Smith isn't a safe bet for a great year. His performance could suck due to being overweight and out of shape again, being injured again or a lacklaster/poor attitude. So it's not out of the realm of possibilities that he could have a down year. Comparing him to Whit is an insult.

So yes, the Bengals smartly have to option to cut him, re-sign him cheap, offer a new deal mid year or replace him with cheaper and possibly better rookies or FAs. They have all options open which is why they opted out in the first place.

Personally, he aint all that.
[/quote]


while I agree with not picking up the option, it seems you have some other bias against Smith guiding your decision.

[quote name='Le Tigre' timestamp='1342224128' post='1138769']
Sorry, Harley. That approach supposes a rookie will surpass him in production the first year in. Not real good odds.

Better to pay for the still-developing high ceiling product you already have.
[/quote]

Sure, if he shows he's worth what he wants in a second contract you have that option to sign him. If things go south, you're not locked into anything. My point on a rookie is that the new wage scale provides efficiencies in picking up a potential starter (see Zietler) without breaking the bank with savings to be put towards bettering the team elsewhere.

My point is that the Bengals have good options here.

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1342225475' post='1138773']
while I agree with not picking up the option, it seems you have some other bias against Smith guiding your decision.
[/quote]

I don't think any of us were thrilled with how this 1st rounder started off. I suppose I'm guilty of being skeptical that he has the potential to regress; there is history. Hey, if he kicks butt, they can make him an offer mid season and wrap him up before he gets away. It's good to have options.