Bengals1181 Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Welcome to free agency where everyone covets the new shiny toy. The toy is exciting and never failed before. Until it does. And suddenly the toy isn't new anymore and it's killing the salary cap. Free agents and draft picks are beloved because fans haven't seen their weaknesses -- unlike their own players, who they only point out what they can't do. I've spent time in this space before documenting the the failures of signing the top free agents in the class. Outside of the rare top QB on the market, it's relatively ugly. People who want the Bengals to go out and grab top unrestricted outside free agents should be reminded of stories of Nnamdi Asomghua, Cullen Jenkins, Ray Edwards, Cortland Finnegan, Brandon Carr. Don't expect Cincinnati to target free agents with their available cash, even if Anthony Collins and Michael Johnson leave. They only have two starting positions available, very few players off last year's roster leaving and contracts they would love to extend to A.J. Green, Vontaze Burfict and a crop of other 2015 free agents. The Bengals have almost always been cautious on the free agent market, but even with their mid-range signings fans got all giddy at the thought of the new free agent making a season-changing impact. More often than not, they didn't. Some due to injury, others lack of production, others for unspeakable, ugly reasons. Here's a look at the history under Marvin Lewis of the Bengals signing unrestricted free agents from other teams (Keep in mind they might have signed other free agents as they do every year, but these were the only official UFAs taken from other teams). 2013 G Mike Pollak: Nice piece, helped to provide depth. TE Alex Smith: Third tight end that didn't catch a pass all year. 2012 G Travelle Wharton: Never made a regular season snap after an injury in the first preseason game. RB BenJarvus Green Ellis: He's been a grinding, big body running back the Bengals signed up for. Of course, fans are tired of him now and want Darren McFadden instead. DE Jamaal Anderson: Role player who helped out before suffering a major injury. 2011 QB Bruce Gradkowski: The standard backup QB signing that litters this list. LB Thomas Howard: Was one of the most effective UFAs G Max Jean-Giles: Cut in camp. LB Manny Lawson: Started, but was discarded due to often liability in coverage and Bills dropping big money on him. TE Bo Scaife: Suffered a career-ending neck injury in the preseason. 2010 WR Antonio Bryant: Yikes. 2009 DT Tank Johnson: Anchor of 2009 defense in the middle, but eventually replaced with emergence of young line. QB J.T. O'Sullivan: Backup QB, et al. WR Laveranues Coles: A beloved player in Bengals history. 2008 DE Antwan Odom: A lot of money with the one five-sack game in Green Bay being one of his few shining moments. 2007 DT Michael Myers: Hey, he had a sack. DT Kenderick Allen: Didn't make the team. 2006 S Dexter Jackson: Played in 29 games on his contract with 3 picks. DT Sam Adams: Everyone loved Sam Adams, then he was cut a year later. QB Anthony Wright: Backup QB train. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/blogs/2014/03/11/walkthrough-ghost-free-agency-past/6286327/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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