Andy Lyons - Getty Images
over 1 year ago: CINCINNATI OH - DECEMBER 05: Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5 2010 in Cincinnati Ohio. The Saints won 34-30. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The recent release of highly paid Oakland Raider cornerback Stanford Routt has helped accelerate interest in the free agent market for all cornerbacks. Corner is likely to be one of the positions with the most depth once free agency hits this March. This is a good thing for our Bengals, who will be needing some help at the position.
CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco recently put together a lost of the top 50 free agents, he included six corners on his list. The players that he included are Kansas City's Brandon Carr, Atlanta's Brent Grimes, Tennessee's Cortland Finnegan, San Francisco's Carlos Rogers, New Orleans' Tracy Porter, and New York's Aaron Ross. Will the Bengals be looking to spend big money on a cornerback this off-season? It seems more likely that they would draft a corner highly in the draft and possibly pick up a number two receiver in free agency. With that being said, any of the corners just mentioned would certainly give the team a well established veteran.
It is currently unknown what the Bengals will do with free agents Adam Jones and Kelly Jennings. Leon Hall will spend the off-season rehabbing a torn Achilles, and veteran Nate Clements may be better suited in nickel situations. It has been well documented that the Bengals are around 44 million under the cap and will have money to spend this March. The Bengals will need to lock up their own guys like Reggie Nelson and Mike Nugent but that should not stop them from making a splash in free agency. Could the Bengals look to spend money on a cornerback in March and then draft a receiver to team up with A.J. Green in April? This is just one of the many questions that Bengals fans will be spending the next few long weeks debating.
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0 recs | 57 comments
Nate played very well last year
his ability to cover the run caused most of the action on the ground to go the other way, ESPECIALLY after Hall went down, not to mention how solid he was in coverage throughout. I hope that Zim sees what we fans see. Converting Nate to safety is not the worst idea ever. Draft a CB AND get one FA and we can dump Adam Jones and have Hall be used in nickel, if he doesn’t make it back to form.
keithster - February 11, 2012
I totally agree...
I’m a huge Ohio St Buckeye football fan and I was extremely surprised how well Nate played this season. He was mainly a run-stopper in San Fran. The only good WR he really had to cover twice a year was Larry Fitz and Nate had a lot of success against him in division play. Hence, Larry was over Pacman all game in week 16 against the Cards. They knew Nate knew Larry like the back of his hand. With that said, I would love to see Nate move to Safety this upcoming season. He’s a wiley vet that does whatever is best for the squad. I’m with you guys, sign a Corner in FA and draft one, as well. How funny would it be to have Cortland Finnegan here? Boy-oh-boy, he’d be in some reeiver’s heads. That’s for sure. Anybody hear him this season mic’d up against the Colts? Hilarious.
whodeycommish14 - February 11, 2012 via mobile
I say break the bank for Carr
He’d be a perfect compliment to Leon Hall. He’s a good cover corner, had 4 INTs, and is still only 25 years old. Let’s lock up a set of corners for the future, and sign one in the draft somewhere.
johnson_cody_18 - February 11, 2012
Carr is a hell of a football player
Stepped up against some badass receivers.
whodeycommish14 - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Finnegan or Carr would be great
always have to pay a little extra for a CB though… but if they play well they are totally worth it… how about an OG, CB, WR, and maybe even a S or DT, all in free agency…
txbengal29 - February 11, 2012
then draft RB, another OG, another WR, TE for double TE package, and LB
txbengal29 - February 11, 2012
Go get this dude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vASC891qLAs
whodeycommish14 - February 11, 2012
Cortland Finnegan plays hard
talks a wee bit too much smack on the field.
palewook - February 11, 2012
Everybody does
whodeycommish14 - February 11, 2012 via mobile
not quite to his level
palewook - February 12, 2012
Like this
He reminds me of a tough disciplined Pacman,not sure of his age,he might start getting beat up the next few years
keithp - February 11, 2012
Yeah the way he plays
He takes a beating, but I don’t think he’s lost much time injury-wise. I could be wrong though.
whodeycommish14 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
That is awesome
Would love to have that energy here
steve henderson - February 12, 2012
think about what mike brown would do
Mike does not traditionally spend big money on free agents. Therefore, I think he would rather draft ond early in the draft and maybe get a second tier corner for depth from free agency
eddieket - February 11, 2012 via iPhone app
Your right
Mike Brown is not at the head of the class in signing big money free agents – last year the
they did very well in a weird year with the lockout.
Past big contracts were losers – WR – Coles and Bryant DE – Odom (had about 5 good games in 2009)
This FA period with all the cap money will really be the test to see if the front office has turned the corner
TX Bengal - February 11, 2012
that vid is hilarious
But I would love to have finnegan. He’s an animal!
GO GREEN - February 11, 2012 via iPhone app
That's exactly why.
Do you remember what Hines Ward said about him? “He’s a bulldog.”
whodeycommish14 - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Pick up Cortland Finnegan
Bengal4ever - February 11, 2012
Leon Hall = 4 years 39 mil
Who among these guys can we get for that money. We all saw Mike Brown isn’t going to pay 9-10 mil a year for a cb or we would have Joseph.
NYBengalsfan1 - February 11, 2012
Leon Hall = 4 years 39 mil
i do realize halls contract is for 9-10 mil but i meant he wouldn’t pay that for a second cb. i think the only reason he gave hall that much is he almost had to after losing joseph.
NYBengalsfan1 - February 11, 2012
and his achilles is shot
who knows if he’ll even play again, let alone be decent…
occams_tiger_teeth - February 11, 2012
Why do people continue to say this?
whodeycommish14 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
because 1/3rd of players with Achilles injuries never play again
And CB is a position that relies on quick cuts which puts a lot of pressure on where the Achilles is.
Most people who rupture their Achilles aren’t the same player after the injury.
Mexal - February 12, 2012
type of the injury that forces CBs to slid 1 spot down the depth chart
or become safeties. hopefully hall is young enough, he’s almost 100% of the player he was before the injury. we’ll have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.
palewook - February 12, 2012
Bengals have to be active in FA given a much harder schedule next season.
Two CBs, one real good like Porter, one staring WR like Garçon, one starting LG then Sims, Nugent and Rucker.
That’s a wrap.
Do this then the draft will be a killer for the Bengals and they will have a chance at having the best offense in the AFC North.
BENGALS69 - February 11, 2012
FA Wish list
Finnegan – CB – like the posts – he would be bring attitude
Grubbs – G – weaken the Ratbirds and fill a gaping hole
Meachum – WR
Resign most of own FA – Sims Rucker Nelson, Nugent and a few other guys
Maybe at FA RB or Safety instead of one of the above
Draft for need for what’s left over – a CB for sure then RB/G/or best player not filled w/FA
TX Bengal - February 11, 2012
No way Mike Brown spends big money on the CB position even though he must admit the mistake of not signing Joseph.
At pick 17 I believe Jenkins or Kirkpatrick will be there. I also believe that Adam Jones will be back, he can play the nickel very well but struggles against starting WR.
lightskin350 - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Bring
TX Bengal - February 11, 2012
Bring A Jones back if
Coaches can deal with him and he’s not a locker room problem
3rd Corner and punt returner
And, oh yeah, he
TX Bengal - February 11, 2012
i'd rather have jennings over jones (can't believe i'm typing this)
jennings played better the last 4-6 weeks of the season. jones could end up suspended by the nfl for his misdemeanor guilty plea.
palewook - February 12, 2012
No Way The Bengals Are Going To Get Another Veteran DB
I Mean you build through the draft,
look why are we going to bring more vet players even though we already have a vet DB so are we going to get 2-3 vet DB to play behind Clements??
I mean we can get a Rookie DB in the 1st round and have him learn and play some base defense and play nickel until Clements time is up
Touhue Cha - February 11, 2012
we only have so many scout(s)
with the bengals secondary draft picks over the past few years being as many hits as misses.
palewook - February 12, 2012
Whos a late round hit??
Touhue Cha - February 12, 2012
looking at the DBs the bengals have taken in the 2nd round or later
2010 3rd round – ghee – grade: incomplete.
2009 6th round – trent – grade: d. started some, couldn’t win a job in cincy.
2008 6th round – lynch – grade: f. released without any impact.
2007 4th round – white. grade: c-. started a few games. bit of a reach for a depth player.
2007 7th round – ndukwe. grade b: started for a couple of seasons when needed. late round pick, not a reach for depth.
2006 7th round – kilmer. grade: f. 7th round pick. contributions, not much.
2005 N/A
2004 2nd round – ratliff. grade b-. bit of a reach for a player that was a marginal starter.
2004 2nd round – williams. grade b. coverage skills were just enough to keep him out of lewis’ doghouse, mostly.
2003 4th round – weathersby. grade: incomplete. injuries ended career before it got started.
palewook - February 12, 2012
gosh this is just sad to look at this list
Touhue Cha - February 12, 2012
+1
AMAS85 - February 12, 2012
A FA Cb
Would be amazing. Changes your whole draft philosophy. We can all agree that we HAVE to make a splash in FA, whether it be at RB, CB, WR, OG… or all.. haha
DT1418 - February 11, 2012
A good free agent *anything* changes your whole draft philosophy
they need OL, S, LB, WR, CB, RB. Get one of the top free agents at any of those positions and the whole draft day changes!
occams_tiger_teeth - February 12, 2012
bengals really need to fill some of those holes in fa, no way do we score 8 starters in the draft.
at the minimum, bengals need to resign 2/3 rds of their own FAs to help limit what they need in the draft.
palewook - February 12, 2012
+1
FA dictates next season – they have a ton of room and ton of FA’s. None of their own are real pricey
Draft will only get 1-2 starters and 4-5 total contributors
TX Bengal - February 12, 2012
Brandon Carr is the best option for Free agent CBs. He’s young and is the best man-to-man guy. He’ll cost about the same as they gave Leon Hall a few months ago. Might be too pricey but could be worth it.
Joe Goodberry - February 12, 2012 via Android app
i'd love to have carr in stripes
there is only way i see mike brown willing to give up that type of premiere money for another CB. if mike brown shows up to the press conference looking accosted, a black eye and some facial bruising – looking like he’s been mugged. with katy, marvin, and zimmer standing closely behind mike at the press conference..
palewook - February 12, 2012
Positive
Is they were willing to pay know even more so maybe they pull the trigger. I doubt it but it would be great
biggie22 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Pay jjoe even more
biggie22 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Pay jjoe even more
biggie22 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
What's about Grimes?
He’s a pretty good CB and I don’t see him going back to Atl. He pulled some BS and wouldn’t play the last game because he didn’t want to get hurt and mess up his chance at FA. I’m thinking that’s what happened either way I heard his ass is out of atlanta.
Bigcatdaddy - February 12, 2012 via Android app
why would you that non- team attitude here?
keithster - February 12, 2012
^want
keithster - February 12, 2012
grimes is seeking a long term deal that will pay him around 10 million per season.
going to be a question of which team will offer him the longest deal, he wanted the falcons to offer him a 6 year deal, they wanted a 4 year deal.
palewook - February 12, 2012
Grimes is seeking an expensive at least 6 year deal, and he's already 29.
DTFCPDX - February 12, 2012
exactly
he is looking for what the falcons gave robinson. 6 years 57 mil. he is solid at corner but 29 is getting up there for a 6 year deal at 10 mil a year,
NYBengalsfan1 - February 12, 2012
We'll need 2 CBs:
a veteran (because Hall’s injury) and a rookie (because Clements’ age). The rookie must be a CB1 (1st round), but the veteran could be a CB3 and save this money to sign Grubbs.
Antoniomagon - February 12, 2012
keep in mind jones and jennings are FAs
palewook - February 12, 2012
No corner is going to get 8mil in free agency this year. We should be able to spend grab two decent cbs in free agency for around 7 mil total. Only Carr would come close to getting paid like a top 5 cb in league.
pray4gm11 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
There been rumblings
Of Terrell Thomas resigning with the Giants but I would love him. He had over 200 tackles, 32 pass defensed,10 ints the 2 years prior to his injury. He is also considered one of the best cb against the run. He would be perfect imo.
EPK1979 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
cormerback
Get Finnegan and Carr. Pick up DeCastro at 17 or Richardson if he is still there. Now we have a lot of options .Get another guard at 21 to fix our line for the next 10 – 12 years. One of the top WR’s would be nice with our second round pick We need to be very active in FA so the draft will ne more productive. Let’s go Mr Brown ,I can see us finally becoming a dominate franchise that other teams will fear !
BengalDude - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Just so tired of having a lame line.Can't run the ball,QB always seems to be running for his life.
BengalDude - February 18, 2012 via mobile
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