The Cincinnati Bengals will have 20 unrestricted free agents hitting free agency on March 13, with notable defensive names like Reggie Nelson, Jonathan Fanene, Frostee Rucker, Pat Sims, Brandon Johnson and Adam Jones, among others. Now one could easily argue that the team could work the NFL Draft to rebuild the defense, sprinkling offensive genius in the process. But the reality is Cincinnati's defense is approaching a cross-roads that can't be resolved with just the draft.
Though Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was unable to secure a head coaching job during the offseason, he's entering the final year of a three-year contract in 2012. Should Cincinnati fail to bring him back after this season, for one reason or another, the team will be faced with finding his replacement by this time next year -- head coach Marvin Lewis is also entering the final year of a two-year contract. Defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle has already departed for the Miami Dolphins as the team's newest defensive coordinator. Published reports hint that linebackers coach Jeff Fitzgerald's contract won't be renewed, leaving two defensive coaching positions unfilled. Jay Hayes, Paul Guenther and David Lippincott could be the only defensive-minded coaches remaining from the 2011 squad by this time next year.
Then you have players with expiring contracts. Three key members on the defensive line will be free agents this year (Pat Sims, Frostee Rucker, Jonathan Fanene), along with two highly productive linebackers in Manny Lawson and Brandon Johnson. Two starters in the secondary, Adam Jones and Reggie Nelson, will also be entering free agency next month. All of whom were contributors on a seventh-ranked defense that qualified for the 2011 NFL playoffs.
Looking further down the road and this potential exodus could threaten Cincinnati's proud defense -- a defense that could be argued as the main reason Cincinnati made the postseason in 2011. Rey Maualuga, Thomas Howard, Michael Johnson, Robert Geathers and possibly Keith Rivers will enter free agency in 2013. The one trend with those players? All are starters, or at the very least significant contributors.
Though many will shrug their shoulders with names like Robert Geathers and Keith Rivers, someone like Rey Maualuga presents a quandary. Along with two incidents against the law during his time in Cincinnati, Maualuga's three-seasons could be categorized as average. We can assume that Chris Crocker, Nate Clements and Robert Geathers will be playing their final seasons in a Bengals uniform, but is Cincinnati's front office developing enough foresight to address those positions today?
Players entering their final season under contract (per Spotrac).
| Player | Base Salary | Cap Hit |
| Robert Geathers | $4,200,000 | $4,200,000 |
| Nate Clements | $2,500,000 | $5,500,000 |
| Bruce Gradkowski **** | $1,800,000 | |
| Chris Crocker | $1,750,000 | $2,125,000 |
| Keith Rivers * | $1,660,000 | $2,197,499 |
| Rey Maualuga | $565,000 | $1,092,500 |
| Michael Johnson | $565,000 | $995,000 |
| Brandon Tate | $565,000 | $761,870 |
| Kevin Huber | $565,000 | $613,750 |
| Bernard Scott | $565,000 | $584,375 |
| Thomas Howard ** | ||
| Brian Leonard *** |
* Club Option: If the Bengals exercise the option for 2013, Rivers will be due $2 million in base salary.
** Thomas Howard signed a two-year deal worth $6.5 million.
*** Brian Leonard signed a two-year deal worth $2 million with another $500,000 through incentives.
**** Bruce Gradkowski is scheduled to make $1.8 million in 2013
0 recs | 43 comments
would like to see Reggie Nelson, Jonathan Fanene, Frostee Rucker, Pat Sims
all resigned to 2-4 year deals.
palewook - February 12, 2012
+1
AMAS85 - February 13, 2012
I really think they need to resign Rucker and at least either Fanene or Sims
keep the D-Line a priority… but going to have to be active in free agency, draft will not be enough….
txbengal29 - February 12, 2012
Turnover is the norm in the NFL
Hopefully they can resign a lot of these players. It’ll speak to the turnaround of the organization if they can hang on to guys like Manny Lawson.
Animal_Like_Football - February 12, 2012
FA
Reggie Nelson FS 4 year-13-16million
Jon Fanene DL 3 year-6-9million
Frostee Rucker DL 3 year-5-8million
Pat Sims DT 3 year-6-8million
Manny Lawson LB 2 year-3-7million
Touhue Cha - February 12, 2012
Bring him back. Let Pacman go.
Cry - February 12, 2012
kelly jennings
still can’t believe i’m singing this guys praises. he should be brought back. he actually played solid enough for a spot starter role the last 4-6 weeks of the season. he started out horrible. he got more comfortable in cincy and started to play better.
palewook - February 12, 2012
I agree he got better as the season went on...
however, I would not trust him in a starter role just yet by any means. CB absolutely still needs to be addressed but I will agree that Jennings did do a much better job as the season wore on, particularly on deep balls as he actually figured out how to find the football and disrupt the receivers’ vision somewhat.
dstacify - February 12, 2012
not as a #1 or #2
jennings could yet be a capable #3 cb in the nfl. he outplayed jones the last 6 weeks of the season. i wouldn’t offer him a long term deal or even a rich deal. more of 1-2 year deal with incentives. as the #4 cb, jennings isn’t worth 2 million a year to me. if he can manage to earn and keep the #3 job, he’s worth 2 million.
palewook - February 12, 2012
I thought Jennings played way better than Pac-man
While I dont think he is great but would be perfect as a 4th db.
EPK1979 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
All you have to do is watch the game
Kelly Jennings is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do NOT nessecarily want to bring Pacman back but he is WAAAAAY BETTER then Kelly Jennings and I don’t even think it’s derbatable. Yes, I know he played better later but it would be almost impssible to play any worse!!!
biggie22 - February 12, 2012
I seen him get man handled and shy away from tackling too much. No thanks he can’t tackle or cover too me. Everybody talk about Crocker bad tackling on that last Foster td, that Jennings getting roughed up by receiver 20+ yds down feild got overlooked.
pray4gm11 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
+10000
biggie22 - February 12, 2012
I dont know where he got it from
But Cry list above tends to disagree. I went to every home game this year and while Jennings started off horrible, he actually improved towards the end. Im just saying if it came down to him and Pac-man, give me Jennings. Pac-man is horrible imo.
EPK1979 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Pacman might be the more talented of the two corners...
but his injury appears to have made him more complacent and shifty, not to mention hesitant to finish tackles and break on the ball. A little over a year ago in his first season with us before he got hurt he looked like a much different player, a much more aggressive player. I’d even say he had Pro Bowl starter talent the way he was playing at the time, particularly in the Baltimore and Atlanta games in the 2010 season. But this year he looked like a much different player after recovering from his injury and whether or not he reverts back to the playmaker he was for our defense in the 2010 season is up to him and whether or not the coaches can whip him back into shape as he didn’t look like he was in the best of football shape this year either.
dstacify - February 12, 2012
Just gotta get 100% healthy. If nothing else he’s our best return man.
pray4gm11 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
He was a part time cb
He was not in a lot on running down and had less tackling opportunities. The biggest problem is he can’t cover his shadow. Even later this year when he was “playing better” there were numerous times he was beat and than god we were playing back up or 2nd rate qb’s because they missed the throws
biggie22 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
idk about that.
the fact that he is a good tackler probably means he allows to many catches to begin with. I think we go to the draft anyways to fill his spot and they will most likely sign pacman to another low-risk two year deal.
AMAS85 - February 13, 2012
he has that many tackles because he cant stop a ball before it gets to the WR
or cover the WR so he cant make a catch
Bengalsfan024 - February 13, 2012
Defense
D line— Had an 8 man rotation last year, 3 free agents, can resign 2 hopefully including Rucker, and maybe fill the other tackle spot in draft or FA
Linebackers- hard to predict with Rey situation, maybe a suspension… of the 3 guys who didn’t play last year, Moch, Muckleroy, and Rivers, hopefully at least 2 of those guys can play next year effectively, along with Howard and hopefully resign Lawson.
Secondary— need depth after last year and considering Hall being an unknown, should try to resign Pacman to add depth and return punts.. should seriously make a push for a top free agent corner and safety, and resign Nelson.
txbengal29 - February 12, 2012
If we keep Crocker...
and let Nelson walk then that will probably be the stupidest FA move our front office could make this offseason. That is most certainly not the kind of facelift this defense needs. What this defense needs is more depth and talent in the secondary, better play from the LBs, and continued dominance by the DL. I’d say a few changes need to be made but not a complete overhaul by any means as our defense was ranked in the top ten for most of last season so that’s why most of these guys need to be brought back, especially Nelson and all of the D-linemen. Every free agent D-lineman we have needs to be re-signed no question as I don’t want to lose the cohesion we have there in our rotation. Pacman I’m still iffy about re-signing but he would be good for depth especially if we move Clements to safety. I also think Lawson and Brandon Johnson should be heavily considered as well as both of them are very solid and Lawson was a beast against the run last year.
dstacify - February 12, 2012
PS Players
I also think we have a couple PS players that may be able to contribute next season. DeQuin Evans was a pleasant surprise last pre season. We also got the other KU guy Micah Johnson, that was rated fairly high. I haven’t heard much of either of those guys.
bigcrock - February 12, 2012
I am not to concerned about this yet
I want to get nelson rucker sims and lawson signed this year. If we can keep this core together this year it will show the team has turned a corner. after the draft and FA the team will have a shape and these contracts will work themselves out. The jury is still out on these guys to. Eventhough they are starters, rey and johnson have been hit and miss. Rivers even though I like because he is consistent, maybe expendable if howard is resigned. That list is by no means as scary as this years
BigJungle - February 12, 2012
i want lawson back too
comes down to this, as much as we all want a big free agent this or that signing, if the only thing the bengals do this off season is resign the majority of their free agents, its been a solid off season we can build on in the draft.
palewook - February 12, 2012
I like Lawson also
Him and Howard could be very valuable to the team for the next 3 possibly 4 yrs. Rey just made himself the odd man out IMO. It was Rivers and not saying I’m giving up on Rey but the NFL is in the here and now. If he misses game for being an immature f up than you can’t count on those guys. With us having so many unknowns at the LB position with players like Muck & Moch it could get very interesting next season. We could see Howard or Lawson take the middle with the other or Rivers working the weak side and Mock on the strong. It’s a great time to be a Bengals fan instead of us clamoring over a dire need at LB we have good enough talent to move around with hopefully depth.
Bigcatdaddy - February 12, 2012 via Android app
Before Rey got into trouble I would have said Rivers is expendable...
but now that Rey has screwed us with these assault charges our depth at LB has taken a hit somewhat. Muckelroy coming back from injury will help us in the middle next year and Skuta was serviceable coming off the bench this year but I think Rivers could be useful if we decide to move someone like Howard or Lawson into the middle next year assuming Lawson is re-signed.
dstacify - February 12, 2012
before rey's latest off the field incident
i was willing to let the rey thing play out on the field. now, i want us to trade, cut, or demote him. sign Stephen Tulloch for our MLB position and plan to win in 2012. not some year in the future when rey figures out how to be the linchpin of a great nfl defense. not seeing rey as being that guy any longer. he might have a career as being a starter in the nfl, he might even be ok, he’s never going to be the guy a defense is built around.
palewook - February 12, 2012
As much as I'd love to have Tulloch...
I don’t see them forcing Rey out to make room for Tulloch simply because Rey is likely to face at least a 3-game suspension. Plus we still have two relative unknowns at LB with Muckelroy and Moch who both have yet to really see signficant time on the field (the fact that they wouldn’t give Moch any playing time this season once he was healthy frustrated me btw). We’ll see how it plays out in training camp but this could be an opportunity for those guys to step up and do some damage. But I wouldn’t mind bringing in Tulloch for insurance by any means. Cut Vincent Rey or Skuta to make room for him and use him to push Rey to start getting his act together although to be honest I wouldn’t mind keeping Skuta around for depth considering he was a good tackler and fairly solid against the run this season and Muck is still a relative unknown at the moment as we’ve barely seen him contribute at all in his two seasons here. The thing that irks me the most about this situation with Rey is the fact that we forced the former linchpin of our defense, Dhani Jones, out so that Rey could take over the signal calling for the defense and now this happens. I’m starting to think Rey will never be as good as Dhani was for years in our defense and he certainly lacks what Dhani had in class. Plus Dhani was actually able to stay in shape partially because of the sports he was playing on Dhani Tackles the Globe. Maybe Tulloch can come in and be the veteran presence on our defense that Dhani was and that Rey never could be, who knows.
dstacify - February 12, 2012
I think it will Work out for the best
We keep guys we need to contribute until we get guys to take their place hopefully though the draft. Rivers and Geathers if we chose to keep them will be cheaper than their last contract. Same could be said for Rey. It’s just turnover as usual. I have faith they’ll keep the right guys and let the right ones walk. Yeah I know what about JJ. I don’t see anyone of our FA this yr or next wanting that kind of money. We shall see!
Bigcatdaddy - February 12, 2012 via Android app
Our BET still on?
pray4gm11 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
That there will be 20 new names on the opening day 53 man roster?
Yeah I’ll still take that. And remember Shipley & Hall don’t count so it takes away 2 spots leaving 51 man roster.
Bigcatdaddy - February 12, 2012 via Android app
Correct. Remember I get Moch and who else?
pray4gm11 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
I don't know but you started by saying 25 new starters
I’m giving you 5 right off the top.
Bigcatdaddy - February 12, 2012 via Android app
Thats an interesting bet
I dont know if 20 new players would be a good thing or bad thing.
EPK1979 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Just read something interesting on profootballtalk
Appartenty you can transfer over your cap room from the preveous year to the coming year just by submitting a written report to the league. I am not sure how much room we had this year but weren’t we like 15 million under the cap. This would mean we could spend that extra money next year on FA.
BigJungle - February 12, 2012
Crocker or Geathers won’t return next year
pray4gm11 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Geathers is still under contract.
On top of that his play did nothing to displease the fans this year, in fact I’d say he actually was fairly productive this year when called upon to fill in for the oft-injured Dunlap so I’d say he’s likely to play out the rest of his contract. Crocker on the other hand had better be on his way out.
dstacify - February 12, 2012
Im willing to bet my house
That not only will Crocker be back but may even be the starter next year. He is a Zimmer guy. It makes me sick to my stomach but I dont see them cutting his washed up ass.
EPK1979 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
I like Zimmer.
And I’m sure he’s smart enough to know Crocker is not our best option at safety, especially not at SS, regardless of his personal opinions of him. Anybody watching the Texans game, including Zim himself, would know Crocker should not be on the field, period. Trust me, if we can find a starter in the draft who surpasses Crocker in talent by a longshot Zim would be more than happy to have him. Personally I’m sure Zimmer would be more upset if we chose to let Nelson walk.
dstacify - February 12, 2012
I wouldn't take that bet
I see him being back next season. As I starter I hope not. He’s under contract and we aren’t hurting for money so why cut him? As bad as I hate to say it he’s the best guy we have right now at that position. If we draft at that position I see him being a backup, if we sign a FA then show him the door.
Bigcatdaddy - February 12, 2012 via Android app
No way Marvin even let him come back. And just think with a new cb coach coming in why not start with young blood. Mays, Sands or Miles couldn’t possibly play any worse than Crocker.
pray4gm11 - February 12, 2012 via mobile
I dont think re-signing our FA will be too difficult
All any of the players talked about was that something special was going on with the new look Bengals. These guys want to stay. Of course MB always has a way of low balling offers and players leave as a result, but for whatever reason i think this time will be different.
M Shop - February 12, 2012
I've been saying the Bengals defense
I think FA will focus on defense as that is where the greatest available talent is and the Bengals have pressing needs everywhere on defense. WR is also deep in FA so I expect they will make runs at a couple of the top guys.
I’m hoping FA restocks the D to the point rounds 1&2 can be devoted to the offense.
BENGALS69 - February 12, 2012
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