Peter Aiken - Getty Images
5 months ago: KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 24: Running back Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders rushes up field against the Kansas City Chiefs during overtime on December 24, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Oakland defeated Kansas City 16-13 in overtime. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
The best way to fill holes in your roster is with the draft, there's no question about that, but it's not the only way. There is always free agency and even though many free agents aren't worth a second glance, there are some that could help the Bengals become a better team. There are always a few players that show up on free agency lists that have no chance of being picked up by any team other than the one they just played for and there are players that can be had for the right price.
Here is a list of players that the Bengals have a shot at obtaining, and players that they have no chance at signing, at the positions they need.
The Bengals have a shot at signing:
Michael Bush: The Raiders may not have the money for both Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, especially if Bush asks for more money. It's likely that Bush will look to sign someplace where he will be the feature back.
Ryan Grant: Every running back wants the ball and in Green Bay Grant has to split carries with James Starks. Starks is beginning to emerge as the No. 1 back even though Grant is on top of the depth chart. I would be surprised if the Packers tried really hard to re-sign him.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis: The Patriots have like 40 running backs and they're all good at different things. If they draft another running back this year, the law firm may be looking for work elsewhere.
Peyton Hillis: The Browns and Hillis seem to be on two completely different pages when it comes to about everything. The Browns still have Montario Hardesty and they're in position to draft Trent Richardson.
Hell will freeze over before the Bengals sign:
Matt Forte: There's not way that the Bears let Forte walk away, especially since Jay Cutler is good sometimes and sometimes he's not so good. Forte is their most consistent player on offense.
Arian Foster: He has the ability to run for 100 yards and have 100 yards receiving in any game. With both Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart out for much of 2011, Foster was the offense. The Texans won't let him walk.
Ray Rice: He's tiny but effective, and like Foster, he's great at running the ball and catching it out of the backfield. Often times he's the most consistent player on offense as Joe Flacco can be a roller coaster.
Marshawn Lynch: Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Lynch, but he loves Seattle and Seahawks fans love him. If they let Lynch walk away, the fans would never forgive them.
The Bengals have a shot at signing:
DeSean Jackson: Sounds stupid, right? Well, not that stupid. Jackson was benched this season and his attitude seems to be hurting his career in Philadelphia (a city that's seen its fair share of diva wide receivers). The question is, would you want him?
Mario Manningham: The No. 1 guy on the Giants is Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz' emergence probably makes Manningham expendable. He could be available at the right price.
Jerricho Cotchery: The Steelers used Cotchery as their third wide receiver, especially after Antonio Brown stepped up. With Emmanuel Sanders on the roster, they don't need Cotchery.
Pierre Garcon/Reggie Wayne: Both of these guys are free agents and they're both capable of being a No. 1 receiver. Will the Colts be able to re-sign both of them? Maybe not.
Hell will freeze over before the Bengals sign:
Dwayne Bowe: He's the only thing that the Chiefs offense has going for it. There's no way that they let Bowe get away from KC.
Marques Colston: Drew Brees has 100 receivers to throw the ball to but Colston still seems to be his No. 1 receiver (other than Jimmy Graham). They'll probably re-sign him.
Vincent Jackson: Philip Rivers struggled in 2011 and it's not likely that they'll take away his best receiver heading into 2012 in an attempt to fix him.
Jordy Nelson: Nope. After Nelson's year, he's stuck in Green Bay.
The Bengals have a shot at signing:
Deuce Lutui: Remember him? The Bengals signed him but he failed his physical and went back to Arizona. Honestly, the Bengals are probably better off looking for a guard in the draft.
Chad Rinehart: Rinehard could be a good backup or an eh starter. He wouldn't be a huge upgrade from what the Bengals have now. Only the guards that they wouldn't be able to sign would be big upgrades. Speaking of them...
Hell will freeze over before the Bengals sign:
Carl Nicks: The Saints won't let one of their best guards walk away. They have to protect one of the NFL's best quarterbacks.
Ben Grubbs: Baltimore will re-sign their best offensive lineman. There's no way they'd let him walk away, especially to a division rival.
The Bengals have a shot at signing:
Terrell Thomas (CB): He's coming off a season-ending injury in the preseason but he can be a good No. 2 corner for a team. The Giants may not throw a ton of cash at him to keep him in New York.
Marcus Trufant (CB): He's old but he's just as good if not better than Nate Clements. I don't know if the Bengals would want him but he could be a stopgap cornerback.
Bob Sanders (S): Sanders is a free agent. You probably know him best from his days in Indianapolis when he couldn't finish a season if his life depended on it.
Madieu Williams (S): He played for the Bengals once. I don't know if they'd want him back but they could likely get him.
Hell will freeze over before the Bengals sign:
Cortland Finnegan (CB): The Titans won't let their best cornerback walk away. Would you really want this guy anyways?
Brent Grimes (CB): Atlanta can't afford to lose him and the Bengals won't be able to afford his paycheck.
Michael Griffin (S): Griffin is becoming one of the most consistent safeties in the NFL and there's really not a great chance that the Bengals will be able to pull him away from the Titans.
LaRon Landry (S): He didn't finish the last two seasons but the Redskins are better when he's on the field. They'll probably attempt to keep Landry in Washington and the Redskins have enough money to make it happen.
0 recs | 100 comments
Really? Jerricho Cotchery?
DiddyGotGrillz - January 13, 2012
Agreed. I wouldn’t want the guy. Too many drops.
wdrGrover - January 13, 2012
Thing with the Saints G's
is if they pay him and the rest of the line they will have to cut players elsewhere
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
They have too many FAs..
they will pay historical money to Brees, they just gave the other guard a huge contract, they need to bring back Colston or Meachum. They can’t keep Nicks. Also the Raisins have a better guard than Grubbs on the roster in Yanda. Also VJax is far from a sure thing in SD.
Cry - January 13, 2012
VJax wants out of SD
lol @ Raisins
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
My 3yo niece coined that one for me.
Bless her tiger striped heart.
Cry - January 13, 2012
what about players like
Runningback- Kevin smith, Jackie battle.
Wide reciever- Steve smith (philly), laurent Robinson, Roy Williams
Oline- Vernon Carey
Corners- Tracy porter
Safties- Thomas decoud, haruki nakamura, Paul Oliver.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
DeCoud and Nakamura sounds good to me
Touhue Cha - January 13, 2012
Steve Smith is a slot WR
Joe Goodberry - January 13, 2012 via Android app
i thought he played outside in NY
During his pro bowl season.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
No. The Ginats run the same offense as the Bratkowski Bengals. The slot WR can catch 100 balls. Thats why Victor Cruz is doing his thing also.
Joe Goodberry - January 13, 2012
Paranoia
I don’t know why, but I have this feeling that Bengals-esque karma will kick in, when it comes to the draft and FA. If we go out and get Bush, I half-expect Richardson to fall to us…and if we sign a good guard, I half-expect DeCastro to fall to us. Would we double up at the position, or would we just be annoyed, since that means we could’ve focused elsewhere in free agency?
I think we have a decent chance of landing some big FAs. We’ve been increasingly active in free agency, the last few years, and if Marvin really is going into a lame-duck year, he could be in “win now” mode. That means immediate veteran help.
Big Sky Bengal - January 13, 2012
Marvins last lame duck year was 2010...
so im guessing 2012 no matter what we do in draft of FA..
if marvin is on his last year of his deal. It will be bad
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
We'd double up
Especially with the new CBA in place
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
Wide Recievers
I’ve been saying that Reggie Wayne seems like our kinda FA. He’s established, a bargain, and almost at the end of his career. So good for Browns wallet, and mutually beneficial for Reggie’s gold money clip. Also AJ will benefit big time from that veteran presence, and Wayne will benefit from AJ being double covered.
Desean Jackson, isn’t our WR coach the old Philly assistant? So, either that guy believes in Desean and we get him or he doesn’t and we don’t. Look at the Taylor Mays pick up, our coaches tend to go after guys they missed out on in the draft, surprised McNabb didn’t show up on our roster. The last thing we need is another character issue, but the eagles players usually speak highly of his work ethic. Although I don’t really know if he fits our scheme, but his return skills would be awesome!
Overall I would prefer if the WR core is set thru FA or our current roster, rather than the draft. Just no Caldwell please.
MCSubtext - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Do you want stop gap players
or younger guys dalton can grow with?
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
depends on the position
Wouldn’t mind a stop gap vet like Wayne. Teach aj a few things, and be a steady saftey net.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
+1
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
If he's healthy, go for Wayne
Remember Gruden mentioned Green wasn’t a polished route runner. Wayne icould teach Green in one season more about the WR position than he’d learn in 5 years of learning on his own.
I like Finnegan too. He doesn’t back down, plays with a mean streak. We need more players like that.
Mike Bush I like. Oakland is in turmoil now and he might want a big role that is available in Cincy.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
Bush would be good.
But i want a WCO RB…. who can share carries and be effective. and not whine about it.
And i want the coach to be able to figure out that rotating RB’s doesnt mean for WHOLE series at a time espeically when you have great situational backs at your disposal
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
Jordy Nelson is NOT a Free Agent
He re-signed with the Packers in early August for 3-years/$13.4M. I believe he signed too early, too, and cost him some money, especially after the year he had. To put Jordy Nelson’s extension into context, consider that Nate Burleson signed as a Free Agent WE for the Lions for 5-years/$25M and with more guaranteed money (and Burleson was signed TWO offseasons ago.
The point is, if I’m the Bengals, I target Robert Meacham and offer him a similar deal that Nelson signed and then just point to Jordy Nelson’s contract.
Also, with regard to Carl Nicks – it would actually be surprising if the Saints keep him. Sure, they obviously want him back, but they simply may not be able to afford him under the salary cap. Brees is a UFA and will re-sign with the Saints and earn between $17.5M – $20M per season. Colston is also an unrestricted FA, as is Meacham. Additonally, the Saints other Pro Bowl guard – Jahri Evans – is the highest paid OG in the NFL and makes over $8M per season. Moreover, Their Pro Bowl left tackle – Jamon Bushrod – is entering the final year of his contract and will be a UFA after next year, and the Saints will almost assuredly want to protect the blind side of their newly minted $20M / year QB (i.e. Brees’ new contract).
You see, one cannot simply assert that a team will retain a player simply because of that player’s skillset. The salary cap plays a role, and this will likely be the case with Carl Nicks and the Saints. I’m not saying Nicks will be a Bengal, but it will be extremely difficult for the Saints to re-sign him.
The_Black_Stripes - January 13, 2012 via mobile
I want Manningham
Sign him right away. Dear god that would be awesome
Diesel2405 - January 13, 2012
He is slow
we have plenty of slow WR.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
i though he was pretty fast
I remember he averaged around 15 ypc at Michigan and I thought ran decent at the combine.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
If I remember correctly, always a gamble,
he ran something like a 4.7 40.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
4.59 combine
But ran better at his proday, 4.43. But at Michigan he averaged 16.3 ypc.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Interesting difference, unless he was hurt at the combine,
Somebody couldn’t use a stop watch.
Here’s something else I saw,
Jordy Nelson was clocked at 4.51 at the combine and Andre Caldwell was 4.37.
Imagine what Nelson could do with Caldwell’s speed and Caldwell could do with Nelson’s speed.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
combine speed doesnt make a big difference in wide reciecers.
I think manninghams most telling stat is his 16.3 yards per catch.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Here you go. Not a burner.
Mario Manningham Michigan 6~0 181 4.6 40 time
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
still seemed to play faster and make big plays.
Not the top of my list but if meechum and Garcon don’t come here wouldn’t hate having manningham.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Does it really matter? If he's "slow" then he's an awfully productive "slow" player.
DiddyGotGrillz - January 13, 2012
It does matter.
We have Shipley coming back. Gresham is here too. Those guys have about the same speed as Manningham type WR’s. We need a complement to Green that can stretch the opposite side. Smokey Jerome was very good at that when he was focused on playing. Fast guys that can catch create mismatches.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
Additionally
Rome’s problem were when he runs those short routes. He seems to have trouble coming back to the ball. Shipley, Whalen and Gresham will provide good safety valves next year, so SImpson can stretch the field opposite Green.
jim0ijk - January 13, 2012
drops balls also
Joe Goodberry - January 13, 2012 via Android app
Evan Mathis.
DTFCPDX - January 13, 2012
must fire PA and his homo love for Nasty Nate first
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
Not just for that.
What about Collins? Did we really need to draft Andre Smith when Collins was right there and has turned into just as good a player as Smith.
Could have drafted BJ Raji instead.
Brian Orakpo instead.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
yeah collins is great and should be at least starting at LG or RT
i understand their thought process hes to valuable a backup to start cause he lets you keep 1 less lineman as a backup.
But the goal is to put the best 5 linemen on the field at once and PA fails at that
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
Is Brandon Carr a FA?
Corner from KC… he would be a good signing
txbengal29 - January 13, 2012
Yes he is an UFA
Would be an excellent target imo.
The_Black_Stripes - January 13, 2012 via mobile
I agree, he would be, but I don't see the Chiefs letting him go
indesignkat - January 13, 2012
Like Carrr
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
if Mike Brown would not pay Joseph why do you think he would pay for Carr.
lightskin350 - January 13, 2012
Mike Brown was going to pay Joseph
Joseph WANTED to leave
Oregonbengalsfan - January 13, 2012
+1000000000000000000000
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
they didnt want to shell out the guaranteed money
Which you can’t blame him for not wanting to guarantee the contract of a guy who never played a full season.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
I would love Robert Meachem
He has great hands and is a rare deep threat. Put him next to Green and Gresham/Shipley in the middle and you have a very potent downfield passing game.
Mexal - January 13, 2012
Yah, I was wondering why Meachum was not on the list
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
RE:
Check this out for the whole list: http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/1/13/2705143/a-critical-offseason-for-the-bengals-complete-list-of-2012-nfl-free
Anthony Cosenza - January 13, 2012
I wouldn’t say Great hands
Joe Goodberry - January 13, 2012 via Android app
FAs NOT on this list that are solid, team players and won't cost a fortune
SS Tyvon Branch – Oakland
OG – Dan Connolly – New England
WR Robert Meacham – New Orleans
WR – Deion Branch – New England
LB Stephen Tulloch – Detroit
DE – Calais Campbell – Arizona (Fanene and Rucker are UFAs)
The_Black_Stripes - January 13, 2012 via mobile
campbell and tullach will cost a lot
If they hit the open market.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Branch
Branch is a good WR but as was seen when he played for Seattle his best numbers are with Brady and isn’t as good without him. I’d love some of the other WR thrown out above especially Meachem
Engelj06 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
DeSean Jackson
I live near Philly and listen to a lot of sports radio. I have learned a lot about DeSean since I’ve lived here. Here’s the thing, with Desean you get a tremendous deep threat and an amazing kick returner. Everytime this dude touches the ball he has a chance to go. But as most people know, he is a diva, a diva that refuses to work the middle of the field. That is due in part to some massive hits that he has absorbed while going across the middle. He is disgruntled when the teams not winning or throwing the ball his way, and he admitted this season his mind was on his money. We have spent enough time trying to cleanse this locker room…To sum up, great talent when properly motivated, but too much of a wildcard.
Ochocinco - January 13, 2012
Yeah, don't need another guy like him.
Like you said, great talent, but I think Ced will be the last of this type of guy to go, so no need to add another.
Ben-GAL - January 13, 2012
Dang TO already
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
Meachem or Bowe
They are the only ones I would take. I would rather bring Binns from PS and give him a shot instead of the rest. We need guys who will be in the system long term and not just in the short term. Good teams build and grow together. WR’s dont typically make an instant impact, even FA’s
Yarin - January 13, 2012
Like Meachum and Bowe
I would add Wayne and Colston to the list.
Also agree that Binns maybe able to contribute as well. I look at him as just a sightly less athletic version of Simpson, with much bettter hands and consistency
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
I want to see Binns and Hazelton get their shots
could replace Caldwell./simpson right there and spend our money/attention elsewhere
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
no
Joe Goodberry - January 13, 2012 via Android app
+100
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
who?
and why?
indesignkat - January 14, 2012
What about Garcon?
Cry - January 13, 2012
Like Garcon
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
I'd love Peyton Hillis
not only is the dude a bruiser but he can catch the ball out of the backfield. A great back for this division.
Throw the ball - January 13, 2012
him paired with leonard would be exciting
then draft a pead in round 4
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
+1
njbengalstat - January 13, 2012
Mike Bush
Do it.
Shomer Shabbos - January 13, 2012
Reggie Wayne could take this offense to another level.
The Colts will choose Garcon over Wayne because he will be younger and probably cheaper. Wayne is a pro’s pro who has a super bowl ring not to mention still has gas in the tank. But everything depends on what they do with Peyton.
lightskin350 - January 13, 2012
That's what they said about Boldin in Baltimore...
He even spoke out against Flacco this season. I just don’t buy all the FA WR hype. We need a #2 WR and we can find plenty of those guys in the draft.
Most of these big time FA’s are used to being a #1 and I don’t think it’s worth the money to find out if being #2 suits them. No Matter what they might say in interviews.
Yarin - January 13, 2012
That that money and upgrade the O-Line or secondary.
Yarin - January 13, 2012
Take*
Yarin - January 13, 2012
Disagree about FA WR
WR not named AJ Green generaly take a year or two to transition and develop in the NFL. Neither Meachum or Garcon have ever been #1’s so I do not think they would have a problem continuing to be a #2. As for, Wayne he was a #2 for most of his career when Marvin Harrison was the #1 WR in Indy, so I do not think he would have problem being a #2 either, plus he may be a good mentor for AJ
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
Name the last big time FA WR that put a team over the top?
Most sign the big contract and disappear. Give me a young player who still has something to prove any day of the week.
Yarin - January 13, 2012
Terrell Owens
Oh wait…
Oregonbengalsfan - January 13, 2012
Randy Moss
Even though they didn’t win the Superbowl he had a big part in the Pats undefeated regular season
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
You don't win the SB
Who gives a damn. That is what it is all about. No one cares about second place.
Yarin - January 13, 2012
Agreed
But I was just pointing out a quality WR or any FA can really can help improve a team to give them a better opportunity to win the Super Bowl
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
I agre with you Biggie
For my money I would take the cash that would be spent on a big name WR and couple that with money you might pay a mid lvl FA guard and go after the big fish at the G spot. If at the end of the day we are stuck with Simpson then we are still not in horrible shape.
Yarin - January 13, 2012
Now your talking:)
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
Speaking out against Flacco
Every problem Baltimore ever has is blamed on there QB,thats why they will never have one
keithp - January 13, 2012
He's still better than Mark Sanchez or any other QB out of USC
DTFCPDX - January 13, 2012
I wouldnt go that far
but flacco is a good starting QB
I’d still put him behind Palmer,even though he has achieved more success
keithp - January 13, 2012
they both suck
and I thought Flacco was from Delaware?
indesignkat - January 14, 2012
McClain, D. Jackson, Nicks, Shockey
pray4gm11 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
what bout red bryant?
pray4gm11 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Meecham and Hillis!
If we had those 2, it would be so great for the Bengals cost wise, and both would be significant upgrades on what we currently have. Also means we can concentrate of filling the holes we have in other areas in the draft. Offensively we would have all the weapons for Dalton to succeed.
Please make it happen.
OzBengalsFan - January 13, 2012
not a fan of hillis
His attitude steered me away.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
right enviroment...
Is what I think he needs. Helps if the team is winning as well. It’s not like Bensons attitude is any better, and somehow we manage that.
Would prefer Hillis than using a high draft pick on a RB, too many other needs which could help us build a base for years to come, RB’s just don’t have the shelf life to do that these days.
OzBengalsFan - January 13, 2012
and bengals are the right environment?
And I want Benson gone then no more attitudes.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
With the clean out that occurred last season
I think things are changing at the Bengals. Hillis on a 2yr contract would be perfect, going to a new team can really change a persons attitude, a new environment, and one without all those ego’s can really make some a lot more modest. He definitely has the talent, and I think it’s worth the risk considering he won’t be getting top dollar.
OzBengalsFan - January 13, 2012
things are changing for the better
And I want to keep it that way by not signing hillis. Would much rather go for a guy like Jackie battle who is young and looking for a chance, and a rookie later round pick.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Hillis as fb,Bush for rb,Possibly Sander's at S
Desean to the Raider’s,another reason for Palmer to walk away!
keithp - January 13, 2012
Or Bengals sign DeSean and trade him to the Raiders for another draft pick...
DTFCPDX - January 13, 2012
Now your talking
Why didnt i think of that
keithp - January 13, 2012
Underrated Candidate
Brandon Carr
He’s always been very solid and while not a gamebreaker, he can hold down his side of the field. He wouldn’t cost a lot of money which is great for Mikey.
Also, Tracy Porter. Patrick Robinson has stepped up and Greer is great on the other side, so NO may not be able to afford him
I’d also love The Law Firm in a committee. He’s a hard runner who can give a good 10 touches a game
David_Hamilton - January 13, 2012
carr and porter probably get pretty big money
Carr maybe a little below jjoe money, and porter probably a little below that.
JCompton41 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Yah I think they are going to get paid
biggie22 - January 13, 2012
It's not that these teams will necessarily keep their top guys
it’s just hell will freeze over before anybody uses the words “Cincinnati Bengals” and “best free agent signing this year” unless it’s in a sentence that also has “signed away from the Cincinnati Bengals”
occams_tiger_teeth - January 14, 2012
There's a difference between best and most expensive with the biggest name
For example JJO was cheaper with less publicity but acually a better FA signing than asmaya..
We are not the Redskins where we are just going ot throw money at the biggest name but that doesn’t mean we won’t have any descent FA signings just this past year, Thomas Howard, Manny Lawson and Nate Clements all were able to produce to a top 10 defense
biggie22 - January 14, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Cincy Jungle to post a comment.