Mike Brown is leading charge vs. Status quo as they eye free agency

B.A.B. · January 22, 2015

as for free agents..

i never really felt it was lack of trying... but lack of results...

what type of palyer would the bengals be willing to pay top dollar more than any other team? almost none..

and to what player, is cincinnati, a destination of choice for? any players from ohio, or went to school there on the market? warm weather, beaches, domes, marketability... cincinnati is a bottom 3rd of the league destination for any free agent coveted enough to be able to pick their destination..

and i dont think there is a coach on staff that will bring guys in himself.. like zimmer did...

worse destinations than cincinnati for weather, marketability, real superbowl chances, etc:

Cleveland
Buffalo
Tennessee(weather is better though)
Kansas city
st louis

every other city is either a bigger market, dome, better weather, true winner team... etc..

uphill battle..

hoping for the best...

Gotta bank on there still being guys out there who just want a chance to win. Cincy isn't a bad place to have your kids grow up. Plenty of....uhh....learning experiences to be had.

Big Alice · January 22, 2015

I think if you wanna have a good FA period... you add at least one FA to both sides of the ball. DT and WR/TE would be a great start. LB/S would be an option! I would love to be in a position to draft BPA in the first three rounds. Of course this is most likely a dream.

I agree with everything you just said.

If Mike Wallace is released, he'd be great add at WR. The Bengals don't have a true burner to take the top off a defense. He's not a complete receiver, but as a 2 or 3, running mainly go's and quick slants is OK.

On the other side of the ball, I hope the first call the Bengals make is to Jason Pierre-Paul.

JBandJoeyV · January 22, 2015

He would be an upgrade from Rey Maualuga in the middle, but he's getting up there in age. I think it's more likely they bring back Maualuga and target free agents at positions that are more glaring needs.

If I had to rate our 3 biggest needs (some might say QB, but obviously marvin doesnt think that) Id say DE, LB and then DT. Future LT is up there, but I think that is a first or second round pick, not a FA type fill.

Harris had 5.5 sacks last year so he can rush the passer. Also a tackling machine. Hes only 30 too. Seems like a smart guy that could handle the play calling should taze get banged up again. Id take Rey back and move him to SLB. He'd only play like 30 pecent of the snaps anyways but could help to stop the run from that position better than Lamur.

Imagine signing a guy like JPP and David Harris.

JPP-Atkins-Thompson (and a first round pick?)- Dunlap

Burfict- Harris-Mauluaga

Dre/Hall- Iloka- Nelson- Jones

Seems pretty good on paper.

scharm · January 22, 2015

If I had to rate our 3 biggest needs (some might say QB, but obviously marvin doesnt think that) Id say DE, LB and then DT. Future LT is up there, but I think that is a first or second round pick, not a FA type fill.

Harris had 5.5 sacks last year so he can rush the passer. Also a tackling machine. Hes only 30 too. Seems like a smart guy that could handle the play calling should taze get banged up again. Id take Rey back and move him to SLB. He'd only play like 30 pecent of the snaps anyways but could help to stop the run from that position better than Lamur.

Imagine signing a guy like JPP and David Harris.

JPP-Atkins-Thompson (and a first round pick?)- Dunlap

Burfict- Harris-Mauluaga

Dre/Hall- Iloka- Nelson- Jones

Seems pretty good on paper.

Agreed. Rey would/could fit at SLB on run downs. He would be a beast taking on blocks and it woul limit his biggest weakness pursuit and space.

I would also look at Worlids and McPhee. There's some players at LB in Free agency if your willing to spend because there are some 3-4 backers that have decent sack numbers to drive their price up.

SnickyCat · January 22, 2015

If I had to rate our 3 biggest needs (some might say QB, but obviously marvin doesnt think that) Id say DE, LB and then DT. Future LT is up there, but I think that is a first or second round pick, not a FA type fill.

Harris had 5.5 sacks last year so he can rush the passer. Also a tackling machine. Hes only 30 too. Seems like a smart guy that could handle the play calling should taze get banged up again. Id take Rey back and move him to SLB. He'd only play like 30 pecent of the snaps anyways but could help to stop the run from that position better than Lamur.

Imagine signing a guy like JPP and David Harris.

JPP-Atkins-Thompson (and a first round pick?)- Dunlap

Burfict- Harris-Mauluaga

Dre/Hall- Iloka- Nelson- Jones

Seems pretty good on paper.

Give me JPP, Harris & Cecil Shorts. Then draft an OL, DT & WR Tyler Lockett within the first 3 picks. Add a TE & LB later in the draft and we would be set.

JBandJoeyV · January 22, 2015

Give me JPP, Harris & Cecil Shorts. Then draft an OL, DT & WR Tyler Lockett within the first 3 picks. Add a TE & LB later in the draft and we would be set.

My thoughts exactly.

**MichaelWeston** · January 22, 2015

This changes things for the better.

So who are the Free Agents we could get on either
1. Teams that are not contenders
2. Teams with cap trouble (Saints, Dolphins, 49ers, Chiefs, Cardinals, Patriots, Rams, Steelers)

Jamie_B · January 22, 2015

I hope it means we will go after guys and not wait a week (or two)

But I will hold judgment on it until I see what they have in mind.

JC · January 22, 2015

JPP would be a better MJ93. Although, I would love to see MJ back. Worldis would be an interesting name for SAM.

I think its encouraging, but I wouldn't expect to be hearing news about guys flying in day one of FA. I think they will let the market settle a little bit.

big_dish · January 22, 2015

I hope it means we will go after guys and not wait a week (or two)

But I will hold judgment on it until I see what they have in mind.

Yeah no reason to get too excited. That quote could easily mean that Mike Brown is the one looking at FA rather than just returning the same team. It doesnt say he is leading the charge for impact free agents. It just says he is "leading the charge". He coul be leading the charge towards more C level free agents, per usual. Status quo in this quote means vs the team as built now, not status quo as in bringing in the FAs left after several weeks like they usually do.

**|SF2|** · January 22, 2015

When was the last time we took an FA in week 1? JPP and Harris won't be around by week 2.

big_dish · January 22, 2015

When was the last time we took an FA in week 1? JPP and Harris won't be around by week 2.

Maybe that WR that had a bad knee they lost $7m on that never played a snap? Cant remember his name but I think he played for Tampa prior.. Otherwise, I cant think of anyone close.

**MichaelWeston** · January 22, 2015

This changes things for the better.

So who are the Free Agents we could get on either
1. Teams that are not contenders
2. Teams with cap trouble (Saints, Dolphins, 49ers, Chiefs, Cardinals, Patriots, Rams, Stealers)

**oldschooler** · January 22, 2015

ON FREE AGENCY: 'There has not been a 'status quo' conversation'

Over recent years the tornado of free agency took place while the Bengals primarily buried themselves in the storm cellar, then emerged from the basement after to assess the wreckage.

Lewis painted a different picture of how the team plans on approaching the open market this year. Don't expect a run at the high-priced, high-profile free agents piling up mega-millions in guaranteed cash, but do expect a much more aggressive bunch when it comes to acquiring talent. And the push is coming from his boss.

"Oh yeah, (Mike Brown) is the one leading the charge," Lewis said. "He doesn't want to hear, 'We will be better when we get these guys back.' No, we need to get better. He knows we need to get better. He's pushing people to identify players that will make us a better football team in free agency."

Lewis views the team through a different prism than in recent years where the talent seemed to be overrunning at many positions. Now, he sees holes in the team where players need to come in and serve as upgrades in a starting role, not just rotational depth.

That doesn't mean finding a talented player for the sake of bringing in talent, Lewis specified depth ideally fitting the Bengals construction. But sitting back and watching won't be a part of the attack come March.

"It's a different feel than where we have been," Lewis said. "It's not a status quo. There has not been a status quo conversation or 'Oh, we'll be OK, we'll just get these guys back.' No, no, no, that's bull. We got to be better."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2015/01/21/marvin-lewis-opens-up-in-mobile/22127325/

big_dish · January 22, 2015

Brown and Lewis are of the same mind when it comes to free agency. They aren’t looking to go on a wild spree in those first few days of the league year, especially with four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green next in line to get paid.

(Also this: those big unrestricted free agent deals take you out of the running for compensatory draft picks, which are rewarded on a formula based on size of the contract and number of snaps and the Bengals are poised to have a big haul this year.

Losing defensive end Michael Johnson and left tackle Anthony Collins to the Bucs should net them at least an extra third-rounder and fifth-rounder. Signing a similar, upper tier UFA would knock them out of a draft pick, but free agents who have been cut don’t count, and they’ve have had success with middle tier guys lately, like cornerback Terence Newman and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis a few years ago.

So they may be looking for those same kinds of reliable, solid, unspectacular veterans.

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Lewis-no-status-quo/c0489069-b754-4835-8f54-05be5f80b0c5

Temper yourselves... Current Bengals need raises, draft picks need to be paid, a late 3rd round comp pick is more important than a proven impact FA, and future 2025 picks need bonuses.

While I would love it- the Bengals actually signing an A level free agent would be more shocking than the Stealers or Patriots not cheating their way to wins.

Big Alice · January 22, 2015

If I had to rate our 3 biggest needs (some might say QB, but obviously marvin doesnt think that) Id say DE, LB and then DT. Future LT is up there, but I think that is a first or second round pick, not a FA type fill.

Harris had 5.5 sacks last year so he can rush the passer. Also a tackling machine. Hes only 30 too. Seems like a smart guy that could handle the play calling should taze get banged up again. Id take Rey back and move him to SLB. He'd only play like 30 pecent of the snaps anyways but could help to stop the run from that position better than Lamur.

Imagine signing a guy like JPP and David Harris.

JPP-Atkins-Thompson (and a first round pick?)- Dunlap

Burfict- Harris-Mauluaga

Dre/Hall- Iloka- Nelson- Jones

Seems pretty good on paper.

Not to nitpick, but Maualuga can't play the strong side. No way. No how.

Big Alice · January 22, 2015

When was the last time we took an FA in week 1? JPP and Harris won't be around by week 2.

JPP is going to shop a little. I agree that if you want him, you've got to get involved quick.

David Harris? Different story. Middle linebackers don't fly off the board. If the Jets don't blow him away with an offer, there's a reasonable chance he could be out there for a while.

Big Alice · January 22, 2015

Maybe that WR that had a bad knee they lost $7m on that never played a snap? Cant remember his name but I think he played for Tampa prior.. Otherwise, I cant think of anyone close.

Antonio Bryant.

In the last couple years, the Bengals have sat back and watched the dust settle.

We forget that guys like Antwon Odom and John Thornton were "head of the class" free agents when they were signed, though.

big_dish · January 22, 2015

Antonio Bryant.

In the last couple years, the Bengals have sat back and watched the dust settle.

We forget that guys like Antwon Odom and John Thornton were "head of the class" free agents when they were signed, though.

Thats right.

Antwan Odom was good when we picked him up and was a good pick up, but if you recall he also was a bit of a recent "breakout" player when he hit FA.

Thornton wasnt. He was what he was.

**MichaelWeston** · January 22, 2015

Not to nitpick, but Maualuga can't play the strong side. No way. No how.

He has already done it successfully in a limited time.

**|High School Harry|** · January 22, 2015

So why this year?

Is Mike Brown still doing everything he can to pound square peg Marvin

into the round hole of being a head coach?

Let's simply get on with it and get someone in here who can coach a professional

football team.

Big Alice · January 22, 2015

He has already done it successfully in a limited time.

He can do it on run downs. The idea of Maualuga chasing tight ends turns my stomach. I'd just as soon leave him in the middle.

If, for the sake of argument, the Bengals signed David Harris and moved Maualuga to the strong side, that lineup could only be on the field about 10 or 15 percent of the time. Teams would go after Maualuga relentlessly.

**MichaelWeston** · January 22, 2015

He can do it on run downs. The idea of Maualuga chasing tight ends turns my stomach. I'd just as soon leave him in the middle.
If, for the sake of argument, the Bengals signed David Harris and moved Maualuga to the strong side, that lineup could only be on the field about 10 or 15 percent of the time. Teams would go after Maualuga relentlessly.

In the past our slb wasn't on the field much anyway. The numbers this year might be different due to injury.

Bleeds Orange · January 22, 2015

I'm hesitant to sound morbid, but Mike Brown will be 80 years old when the 2015 season kicks off. His father was one month shy of 83 when he passed away. I think Mike knows he's in the winter of his life and he's getting tired of waiting. I'm taking him seriously about this. I think he sincerely wants a Lombardi trophy on display at PBS before his life ends, or a Super Bowl appearance at the very least. Love him or hate him, the man has dedicated his entire life to the franchise we love, and he deserves it. And then there's those of us who have stuck by them for the past 40 or 50 years...

Rumble In the Jungle · January 22, 2015

I'm hesitant to sound morbid, but Mike Brown will be 80 years old when the 2015 season kicks off. His father was one month shy of 83 when he passed away. I think Mike knows he's in the winter of his life and he's getting tired of waiting. I'm taking him seriously about this. I think he sincerely wants a Lombardi trophy on display at PBS before his life ends, or a Super Bowl appearance at the very least. Love him or hate him, the man has dedicated his entire life to the franchise we love, and he deserves it. And then there's those of us who have stuck by them for the past 40 or 50 years...

I love and agree with everything you just said. Bravo sir.

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