+ There have been multiple reports with projected salary cap numbers this year. ESPN's John Clayton initially reported that the Cincinnati Bengals have a projected $60 million under the cap, including the $15 million set aside from last year, preparing for a possible Carson Palmer return which would caused havoc on Cincinnati's salary cap if they decided to close the gap on the league-mandated ceiling. This was after ESPN's AFC North blog and the Sun-Sentinel claimed that Cincinnati had only (yea, only) $44 million under the cap. Though we're sure he's using Clayton's number, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter also used the same $60 million number.
This gives the Bengals options for free agency, which is set to launch on March 13. They could steal a free agent or two out of New Orleans, offering players at positions that the Cincinnati Bengals must address.
Possible Salary Cap Casualties For Cincinnati | Bengals offered deals for Fanene and Rucker
Cincinnati invited cornerback Stanford Routt to Cincinnati, as part of the cornerback's free agency tour which included stops in Kansas City and Buffalo. That visit took place on Friday. There are other options that the Bengals could examine in regards to free agent cornerbacks, such as Kansas City's Brandon Carr, Atlanta's Brent Grimes, Tennessee's Cortland Finnegan or perhaps one of the more impressive free agent cornerbacks in San Francisco's Carlos Rogers -- which makes sense because we love exchanging players with San Francisco.
Other teams will eventually release some of their veterans due to their respective salary cap issues. Most of these guys are still good, though the money they were paid with their respective team wasn't a worthy investment from their perspective. Generally speaking this adds to the overall free agency pool, usually a week before the start of the regular season, but they're there for the team to plunder. But there are many instances in which teams refuse to pay huge roster bonuses, thus adding that playing into the free agency poll a week before the new league year (March 13).
Yes. We still expect the team to continuously rebuild through the NFL Draft. But with so much money available against the cap, the Bengals have these options to vastly improve the talent across the board while continuing to establish core foundation pieces through the draft.
For more from Cincy Jungle, make sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
0 recs | 14 comments
Just hopped over to my Twitter and the first thing I see is this
Oregonbengalsfan - February 18, 2012
Anywhere but Cincinnati.
Samuel is a tad overrated in my book, and we don’t need to trade. We can afford free agents, so if Samuel got traded somewhere else, it would only make the FA CBs cheaper for us.
Pardon_My_French - February 18, 2012
I'd pull the trigger for a 4th
joeb69 - February 18, 2012
on another note
any news on how the Routt visit went???
joeb69 - February 18, 2012
No news,but did see where HUE and Routt may not have seen eye to eye on a few occasions
That could just be passion,or could be detriment depending on what the whole story is.
I’d say they both have the one thing in common that we all have,sticking it to the Raider’s
keithp - February 18, 2012
before we get too excited…. the Bengals had a lot of cap room last year and didn’t do anything with it.
ephram - February 18, 2012
They tried to get a couple guys last yr only to have them slip away last minute. They also had to hang onto Palmers to make sure he didn’t come back an force his release. They’ll have more time to get guys in here this offseason if they want.
Bigcatdaddy - February 18, 2012 via Android app
Palmers money
Bigcatdaddy - February 18, 2012 via Android app
zup ephram
While you’re correct, they still need to spend a significant amount on free agents this year. They don’t wanna be scrambling to meet the 90% floor in one offseason. I think a couple monster deals are in the foreseeable future
Gold Star Chili Cheese Fries - February 18, 2012 via mobile
i think we are in line to snag a top OG FA
and we defiantly need to resign some of our own
AMAS85 - February 18, 2012
i HOPE they get something good w/the money, but Mike Brown’s idea of a big signing in free agency is Antwan Odom, or overpaying for L Coles & A Bryant.
ephram - February 19, 2012
I like Schefter’s idea of trading for Mike Wallace… the Gruden would be an OG, RB and healthy Jordan Shipley from having his way with opposing defenses… for the love of god Mikey DO IT
Gold Star Chili Cheese Fries - February 18, 2012 via mobile
As to Ephram, who says the bengals had a lot of cap room and didn't do anything with it
You kiddin’ me? They had about 2 million bucks, plus the Carson Palmer fund. Had they spent the Carson Palmer fund, rather than getting a 1st and 2nd from OAK we would have no draft picks and had to cut Palmer when he came back and forced the Bengals over the cap.
1st and 2nd round picks > Cutting Palmer and spending an extra 12 or so million last year
Grizzlyfox - February 18, 2012
They gotta know this is Their chance... And Our mental health
Contrary to perception… Brown has made attempts the last few years to invest and shore up the team. Obviously some of it didn’t work out. Namely Coles and Antonio whatshisname. It seems like you should be able to sue the hell outta him and the agent. They had to have known his outlook. Old stuff tho.
We all have are opinions on possibilities. Not sure any of us have all the inside details or the expertise (hold the Brown jokes) to evaluate pro talent.. Then getting the bang for the buck to right spots with the assets available. I think we got a big education in chemistry or possibly lack of can do last year. Mix and matching the right ability with these ego’s is a big damn deal. Its fun as hell to guess and act like we know just the fix.
I like to emphisize the word opinion and maybe “guess” when throwing my two cents in this stuff. It does appear that we… The Bengals are in a great position. And after being in nothing short of NFL Hell this time a year ago. Its hard not to expect another blindside suckerpunch
They definitely are in position to contend now considering the finances and draft position. And assuming that AndyD continues to grow and thrive. It looks like it and I sure hope so. Seems like they’re all in and why not.
I’m not sure about givin up a 1st rd draft choice to pursue Wallace from Pburg. He could help big time but to pay him a fortune and forfeit a now much cheaper first rounder. He’s proven player but there are safe choices in the draft at certain positions. Anyone could have a Pollock tragedy but…
The point is those ones are much more coveted now that you don’t pay a ransom anymore. And if you bingo on your draft player. Getting good production value for so much less has to be weighed against blowing half your wad on one guy,, Sometimes that works to I guess. I really like Meachum if available for quite a bit cheaper you’d think. The 1st rounder is due for Wallace cause he’s a restricted player I assume.?? Not sure on Meach. I’d like to see a deep guy but one with some tough possession skills to on that side
They have to secure a few players up yet from that 60 mil don’t they. I agree with Howard when he said they need to secure Lawson. Depending on whats owed to Rivers.. I’d cut my losses there now. Again thats where we don’t really know these players and their resolve. Maybe I’m dead wrong on Rivers.
The more I’ve thought about it. I fix that secondary now… With both those picks if neeccesary. Hopefully the values there. Maybe a one and a two? How long has it been since we had a stud safety. Fill that hole if one’s there now. And another CB if the talent warrants the pick.
Jones is decent but he’s a nickle at this point. When he can get on the Field. Now if Richardson slides you gotta take him. Or maybe some other horse falls to us we can’t pass… Get a safety… somehow someway!
Just like last year where it appears you have shored up a chunk of offense with two picks. The defense needs the same thing… DB/dentists. Guys that will loosen some teeth when you come their way. The FA card presents a lot a options. Can’t see going in on maybes tho. Not DB’s anyway, get the best available Rodgers, Finnigan… Seems to me like Nelson’s a high priority to.
Even considering who’s drivin the bus.. And MikeBone being FA repellent. How can they mess this up.
olbuzz - February 19, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Cincy Jungle to post a comment.