Jamie Squire - Getty Images
5 months ago: KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 18: Brandon Carr #39 of the Kansas City Chiefs leaps over a sliding quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 18, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
For whatever reason, cornerback Stanford Routt did not sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. That $20 million honor went to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, that signing consequently opened the door to another cornerback: Brandon Carr. After the Routt signing, ESPN's John Clayton tweeted the following:
@ClaytonESPN
John ClaytonWith more than $52 million of contracts tied up in CBs Brandon Flowers and Stanford Routt, expect KC to let Brandon Carr walk
1 hour ago via yoono · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
Brandon Carr is regarded as a top cornerback in the league, so the decision to go with Routt must be based on financial concerns. Now with Carr all but out of Kansas City, could he possibly fit into the Bengal's plan?
Cornerback has been the primary concern all offseason, and it will remain a concern until it is addressed by free agency or a draft pick. The options at this point are pretty straight forward. If Cincinnati waits until the draft, then they're looking at Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick, North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins, South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore or Nebraska's Alonzo Dennard. Kirkpatrick has emerged as the top prospect (other than LSU's Morris Claiborne who will be a top 5 pick) but may not be available at No. 17. Jenkins' availability is more assured, and his talent could possibly provide the immediate fix the Bengals need at cornerback. However, the questions on Jenkins do not concern his talent but rather his legal history. Drug charges and personal misconduct led to his dismissal from the University of Florida's football team and raise many concerns amongst NFL front offices as to his focus and ability to become a consistent cornerback in the league. Gilmore and Dennard will likely be second round picks needing a year or two of development.
Free agency, as of this moment, offers two big names at the cornerback position: Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan. The 29 year old Grimes is a top cornerback in the league and has played exceptionally the past three seasons. He only had one interception in 2011, but allowed a miniscule 44.6% completion on passes targeted at him: 3rd best in the NFL. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the best available free agent cornerback and the second best free agent overall. The Atlanta Journal Constitution Falcons beat writer Orlando Ledbetter reports that Grimes may ask for a six year deal worth close to $60 million--similar to the contract Atlanta cornerback Dunta Robinson received in 2010--however, the Falcons would consider no more than a four year deal. Unless the Falcons use their franchise tag, which would cost them over $10 million, it's highly probable Grimes' services will be available this offseason. Grimes will be a highly sought after player, but at 29, he may not be worth the cost.
Cortland Finnegan offers a slighly younger alternative (28 years old), but may not come much cheaper. NBC Sports reports than Finnegan is looking for a deal greater than the five year, $48.75 million deal Johnathan Joseph signed last offseason with the Houston Texans--a deal Tennessee appears unwilling to offer. Barring the $10 million franchise tag, Finnegan will also be an unrestricted free agent. Pro Football Focus ranks Finnegan as the second best free agent cornerback, fifth best free agent overall.
Big money will be thrown at the top free agent cornerbacks and Brandon Carr would be no different. But the distinction to draw between Grimes, Finnegan and Carr is age. Grimes: 29. Finnegan: 28. Carr: 26. For the Bengals, a team desperate for young cornerback talent, Carr perfectly fits the bill. In early January Pro Football Weekly reported the following regarding Carr's contract situation:
Because he doesn't play to CB Brandon Flowers' level, we hear it is unrealistic to expect Chiefs CB Brandon Carr to receive a contract similar to Flowers'. Flowers signed a five-year, $50 million contract last September.
What are the pros and cons of signing Carr?
Pros
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0 recs | 88 comments
I would love it
Signing Carr and a Tyvon Branch type would solidify our secondary for years.
If we get those guys though we probably wouldnt get a good OG but maybe we could get a guy like Chilo Rachal who was starting in San Fran and had a good year in 2010 but got benched in 2011, he would be cheap and seems like a Mike Brown signing. Bring in another OG in DeCastro or Glenn and in one off season we would solidify the secondary and Oline.
Just a thought but would be nice.
BobJones4980 - February 20, 2012
I would absolutely love it but because of the money he'll command I don't see it happening.
RHSNEYES - February 20, 2012
Yes, he would be a great fit.
I think we really need to find someone who has #1 corner potential on day 1. Leon Hall is not a lock to perform well next year an we should prepare to be without him.
Jason Blanton - February 20, 2012 via iPhone app
Carr is going to get better than Routt money
Plus he’s 26. He would be the biggest FA spend ever for MB. Doubtful he’d do it. Wish he would. If they could get a 1 and a 3 CB in FA, they can do BPA in the first round.
BENGALS69 - February 20, 2012
still annoyed we have to spend more than jojo money for a cb of lesser ability than jojo
continues to be one of the dumbest things the bengals did last season. not franchising jojo.
palewook - February 20, 2012
This
Joe Goodberry - February 20, 2012 via Android app
Remember JJoe didn't move for money he moved because he wanted to be on a team with winning potential. Read the old previous posts on this subject. JJoe wanted OUT !
sofakingood - February 20, 2012
+1
biggie22 - February 20, 2012
Yup
whodeycommish14 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
yea right
it just happened he got more money…
The Dealio - February 21, 2012
and if he had been franchised. he couldnt have left.
which i mentioned above^
palewook - February 21, 2012
Franchising him only delays his desire for a need to leave one year later. The dude had had enough and just wanted to leave. Holding him hostage would not have worked. What should we have done chain him to his locker?
sofakingood - February 21, 2012
hyperbole aside
we should have used the established system in the nfl like every team does when faced with a similar situation. watch how many critical players are allowed to leave their teams in 2 weeks vs how many are franchised. will nicks hit the free agency market? only if the saints can’t afford to franchise him or the brees situation hasn’t been resolved. will forte be a fa? nope. will ray rice who is miles from working out a contract with the ravens be a fa? nope. this is standard business in the nfl.
allowing your critical player to leave without the use of a franchise tag is the abnormality in the nfl. not the norm.
palewook - February 21, 2012
Your point well taken
sofakingood - February 21, 2012
Did JJoe leave as an UFA or a RFA?
I don’t recall. And does FA status matter with the franchise tag?
But yeah, they could have ensured his staying in Cincinnati and didn’t handle it correctly. Should have locked him up the year before… but we’ve all been over this before.
Oregonbengalsfan - February 21, 2012
I would love it !
i think Carr and Grimes are the top 2 corners in this free agency. They are both young and both have showed that they can shut down wide receivers. So either one would be a good signing.
thegrassisGREENer18 - February 20, 2012
I would break the bank on Carr
He’s proven to be a good cornerback, and if we could sign him for 7-8 million a year, I’d be all for it.
A dream offseason would be Carr, Grubbs, and Branch, then sign DeCastro at 17, and Kendall Wright at 21, and either Doug Martin/David Wilson in the second.
johnson_cody_18 - February 20, 2012
Yep
That would be perfection. Slim chance though.
BobJones4980 - February 20, 2012
Amen brotha
M Shop - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Would be sweet.
Picking up a couple needs in FA would help our draft exponentially being that we would not have to reach for a need. We can simply draft BPA!
TCfromDubVee - February 20, 2012
Nah ga na hap pen
Brown just spent $40 million Hall. He’s not going to dump $50 million on another CB.
BeerRun - February 20, 2012
KC just spent $50 on Flower, what's the difference?
They signed another CB to a 3 year/20 million contract.
johnson_cody_18 - February 20, 2012
Nobody is going to pay carr 50 million...
Jason Blanton - February 20, 2012
Stanford Routt contract details:
2/20/2012: Signed a three-year, $19.6 million contract. The deal contains $6.5 million guaranteed, including a $4 million signing bonus.
2012: $2 million,
2013-2014: Under Contract,
2015: Free Agent
palewook - February 20, 2012
Not a big deal at all.
Carr should come in around 25-30 mill. Similar to Antonio Bryant money…. Remember him?
Ok so maybe he is MB affordable.
BENGALS69 - February 20, 2012
Think 38-44 million for Carr
Joe Goodberry - February 20, 2012 via Android app
still would save that money for a FA OG
Carr would be nice, but we can get a CB in the draft that would give us the same amount of production for 1/10 of the cost.
AMAS85 - February 20, 2012
Who would that be?
Dre, Claiborne and Jenkins may all be gone and after those guys there is a pretty big drop off.
OG on the other hand we could probably get some one who will give us quality starts such as DeCastro and Glenn.
BobJones4980 - February 20, 2012
Gilmore
I think he’s just as good as the rest and will be around at 21.
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Kind of a Reach
Gilmore is a second round prospect and there will probably be better value at 21 and Im really not convinced either of these guys would be better than Carr.
BobJones4980 - February 21, 2012
i dont think hes a reach.
I think he can be every bit as good as kirkpatrick. The more I see him the more I like him.
JCompton41 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
He's not a reach because we won't be getting him at 53
messjunk - February 21, 2012
i expect the vikes to take gilmore early in the 2nd round
provided they get their tackle in the 1st
palewook - February 21, 2012
or even the patriots in the first.
JCompton41 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
and i think josh robinson in the second could be a steal
I think he will end up being a star.
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Disagree BIG TIME
Gilmore could be fighting for the #2 CB in the draft for me, and others.
Joe Goodberry - February 21, 2012 via Android app
I thought he was looking for Flowers kind of money.
50 million. 6 years.
Animal_Like_Football - February 20, 2012
No way we pay another corner
I recall seeing a better corner leave cincinnati last year wo mike brown payin him. I think the focus should be gaurd and safety becuz the talent at guard in fa is by far better than in the draft.
Kyleecb1 - February 20, 2012
had to keep a ton of extra cap space
in case carson unretired
Jason Blanton - February 20, 2012
im getting so tired of this arguement!
The bengals offered a comparable contract! They just weren’t going to offer the up front money for a guy who was injured most the time. And the fact that jjoe wanted to leave, because the team looked like it was going into the crapper at this time last year.
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
+1
biggie22 - February 20, 2012
+ a billion
I just quit responding to people who write stupid crap like that. Houston had just signed one of the best defensive minds in the game as their DC and they had an up and coming defense and their offense was already proven. J-Joe left because he wanted to go to a better situation. Can’t hate on him for that. Mikey showed him the money. Instead, he took his talents to H-Town. Whatever… Peace bra. Move on…
whodeycommish14 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
and really it wouldnt make sense to sign here at that point
Your qb was retiring rather than play, you were losing your top 2 recievers from last year, the team looked like it had 3 years before it was even a contender. Luckily for us, dalton turned out to be ahead if schedule, and green more than made up for the loss of chad and to. Crazy how it could look that bad last year, and now most of is, even me who was really negative last year, can rightfully be so optimisti
JCompton41 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
not sure my point was something that had been beaten to death
mentioned that it appears for the bengals to sign a top 10 corner in free agency in 2012, they are probably going to have to top 5 corner money. which they could have avoided in 2011 by using the franchise tag. paying top 5 money to get a top 5 corner. not the current scenario of top 5 money for a lesser cb.
palewook - February 21, 2012
i can see why they didnt franchise him
Pay 10 mil up front for a guy who hasent played 16 games a season? I was all for signing or franchising jjoe, but I can understand the argument against it.
JCompton41 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
which we'll be paying for this year if they give a top 10 corner like carr top 5 corner money
i’m really against signing free agent secondary help. would sooner we fixed that in the draft with numerous picks, 2 cbs, 1 safety (or 1 corner back who will be moved to safety).
palewook - February 21, 2012
i think a solid vet is needed for depth
But the long term answer needs to be drafted
JCompton41 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Fit? Yes
Will it happen? Hell no. They wont pay 2 CBs $15m a year total. Wont happen.
Joe Goodberry - February 20, 2012 via Android app
Yep, we've already proven that we won't put up that kind of money for a pair of CB's.
I doubt we’ve learned our lesson………unfortunately.
The Van Buren Boys - February 21, 2012
Though it'd be a nice pick up
Nah… I don’t see it happening. The Bengals will more than likely pursue a fa guard, and gp after Janorios Jenkins in the draft.
Makebelieve - February 20, 2012 via mobile
He's good
Flowers makes him look better than he is. For the money, probably not worth it. But I won’t complain if we do sign him. We need CBs.
Mexal - February 20, 2012
it's simple
You want to be a champion Mr Brown ?
Then spend the d*** money and get Knix (OG) and Carr (CB).
Now the draft is wide open for us.
We have a real chance here to be a team on it’s way up ,or be cheap and be a team people mock and make jokes about. Time to finally get some respect and kick some a** !!
BengalDude - February 20, 2012 via mobile
You lost him at
“you want to be a champion”?
occams_tiger_teeth - February 20, 2012
+1
TX Bengal - February 21, 2012
on a tag and trade would it be worth your 2nd 1st round pick this year?
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Brandon Carr
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
id probably give up the 21st
I think Jenkins has a higher ceiling than Carr, but is a way bigger risk, so if its down to that I would take Carr.
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
and 9-10 million per year is doable?
I ask cause I want RGIII
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
Brandon Carr is an ascending player
The Chiefs fanbase would love to keep him
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
this year on a tag
I’m sure they wouldn’t sign him for 9 mil a year on a long term deal, but they have the money they can afford to pay almost anything.
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Thanks Jcompton
I hope we can work out a deal, I would rather work with yall than Belichick
Steve_Chiefs - February 20, 2012
i think you guys should just let him go
That way we can sign him and keep the 1st!
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
and for the record
I doubt mike brown trades the 21st for him. He’d probably just go for a lesser corner that’s on the market. He’s not one for trading away picks, and if he would, it would be for mike Wallace I would think, he likes flashy toys.
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
thats a no
for that we’ll take our chances in the draft. Why would we give up a first rounder for a 1 year tag? dumb.
The Dealio - February 21, 2012
You guys getting Carr and Branch will screw with soooooooo many mock drafts.
SoCalTexan - February 20, 2012
i still think they draft a corner regardless
Halls injury makes it almost a need still to get a corner in the top.3 rounds.
JCompton41 - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Agreed
Mexal - February 20, 2012
Would like Carr a lot.
Flexibility in the draft is priceless.
Boomer Lion - February 20, 2012
If MB doesn't hold back at all in FA...
for once then we maybe could pull this off. We just need to jump on him before any other teams do. If we land him in FA then that means we can focus on other needs like G, RB, and S in the draft with the extra picks.
dstacify - February 20, 2012
I'd rather focus on G in FA
And CB in the draft.
emeybee - February 21, 2012
I'm not saying we shouldn't address guard in FA...
but if we realistically have a shot at landing Carr then we absolutely should take it unless we have a shot at landing Kirkpatrick in the draft. Right now the corner that we have the best shot at landing in the draft is Jenkins and I’m not too high on him after watching some of his video highlights, he plays way too tentatively which is exactly what we don’t need in our secondary. I’d much rather make on effort to land a proven veteran like Carr who would be an instant upgrade to our secondary.
dstacify - February 21, 2012
I hate mike brown
He always makes retarded decisions, barring the past two years, he’s made retarded “big name” signings, utect (wasn’t his fault) but still?. coles sucked, bryant, we have the chance to get a top 6 corner in his prime. for 7-8 mil a year… Why wont he? Because no matter how much he looks different, he’s still mikey…
Trevor 85 - February 21, 2012
and don't get me wrong...
He’s helped us out big time… BUT that doesn’t make up for the fact that he’s cheap, and doesn’t believe that he has to go with the flow of spending,.. Maybe get our needed guys back and get two good FAs, maybe 3. And the healing process may start because we’re goin back to the friggin playoffs!
Trevor 85 - February 21, 2012
THE ABILITY TO BE FLEXIBLE IN THE DRAFT
IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF BUILDING A TEAM YOU WANT POTENTIAL FRANCHISE PLAYERS NOT BANDAIDS OR SLIGHT UPGRADES FROM WHAT YU ALREADY HAVE THATS HOW YOU BUILD AN ELITE FOOTBALL TEAM WITH ELITE PROSPECTS THE MORE OPTIONS YOU HAVE THE BETTER OF A DECISION YOU CAN MAKE AND BTW TR IS STARTING TO LOOK LIK A REAL POSSIBILITY Cant wait till the draft who dey
ROBTHEBENGAL - February 21, 2012
Stay flexible.
Eric Bieniemy - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Stay flexible.
I hate being handcuffed to the idea of looking for a opening day starter in the first round at corner. That being said, MB isn’t spending $8-10m on a corner this offseason. Signing a flamed out ‘once was’ for $4-6m is more in line with Mikey’s recent style. And if decastro and TR are gone but Kirkpatrick is there at 17, you still take him, then all the sudden cb is looking like a deep position.
Eric Bieniemy - February 21, 2012 via mobile
That’s assuming we bring Pac or Jennings back, otherwise there’d still be work to do.
Eric Bieniemy - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Yes.
Case in point:
supergrover - February 21, 2012
Hahaha
I was going to post the same thing. Glad I wasn’t the only one that thought of this.
steve henderson - February 21, 2012
We tried to sign JJoe
So quit saying MB don’t spend money. He spends money we just don’t never get the right ones in free agency. Our problem is we don’t have real GM or enough scouts. Is Cooper still working for us? It seems our drafts got 10x better when he arrived. Would be nice to see him replace THE FAT 75 YEAR OLD VIRGIN!!!
pray4gm11 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Sign Carr and..............
Draft OL w # 17 (unless Richardson is avail).
Draft RB w#21( OL).
Draft WR in 2nd rd.
Draft OL or CB again in 3rd rd. (depth).
LaMichael James (oregon) in 4th rd.
2 pks in 5th = (fill needs).
1 pk in 6th = (fill needs).
1 pk in 7th = (fill needs).
gratefulmax - February 21, 2012
I'm on board Max.
How great would it be to get TRich and LaMichael, plus a guy like DeCastro, Glenn or Osemele?
RHSNEYES - February 21, 2012
If we get TR...
I’m on board with picking James if he’s available in later rounds. However, I absolutely don’t wanna reach for James if we don’t need him and he absolutely should not be drafted as a feature back as he would get eaten alive in the AFC North.
dstacify - February 22, 2012
If the Bengals went after Carr
it would indicate to the fan base they are serious and would be a way to attract more season ticket holders. If they expect to increase tickets sales, they are going to have to get creative, which is something they have always lacked. On a different subject, TE Martellus Bennett is a FA. A couple of years ago, rumor had it that the Bengals were offering the Cowboys a second round pick for him. I would make a run for him. He’s still young with alot of upside.
redberkey - February 21, 2012
bennett would be a huge addition to the line up, we would have TWO legitimate TE's that teams would have to prepare for
AMAS85 - February 21, 2012
We've already got two legitimate TEs...
in Gresham and Lee. Honestly I don’t know how much of an upgrade Bennett would be over Lee other than the fact that he’s younger and he’s never really managed to catch on all that well in Dallas due to injury problems and the fact that he appears to have a lazy work ethic. I suppose we could turn him into a project player though.
dstacify - February 22, 2012
My Take On Carr
Carr is a great DB, he locked up the Steelers in that one sunday night game, and i think that we need more better DB since this is a passing league and we will need at least 4 DB’s who is capable of starting and 2 back-ups who can also play as well, but
as of now, I think we will have to wait see what Oakland do if they are going to cut ties with Huff and Branch, I think Huff will be there another year and then he’ll get release, and as of Branch, they might let him stay on the tag or either let him walk
Touhue Cha - February 21, 2012
No he would not be a good fit
He’s a pompous bastard
Hoke Hogan - February 21, 2012 via mobile
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