Everyone makes some form of a stereotype at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, that's the type of society we live in and a lot of those stereotypes we make can be labeled as "unfair" or simply "not true". The particular stereotype that surrounds the Cincinnati Bengals and their Owner/General Manager, Mike Brown, is that they are a cheap franchise not willing to spend the necessary money to make them a perennial AFC powerhouse. Given the team's history under Brown, it's hard to label that particular stereotype as "unfair" or "not true".
While the Bengals have made some pricey splashes in free agency lately, they still don't traditionally spend the type of money that many other NFL franchises do. They very rarely land a big fish that's on the open market and prefer to spend the lump of their cap figure on the incoming rookie contracts, as well as retaining and extending the current players on their roster.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel released a list of projected salary cap figures for every NFL team going into the 2012 offseason.
According to their figures, the Sun-Sentinel predicts that the 2012 NFL salary cap will be around $124 million. The publication puts teams into three categories, in terms of their statuses going into 2012: "Possible Big Spenders", "Working on a Budget", and ""Tightening the Belt". The first designation refers to teams that have plenty of cap space going into next season and could be big players in free agency. The second is reserved for teams that are right around the salary cap and have a little room to work with. The last is teams that need to shave some money off of the books to get under the cap. You'll need to note that every team will need around a $5 million cushion for their draft picks.
So where do the Bengals fall on this list? They have the lowest salary cap number at $80,640,237--placing them atop the "Possible Big Spenders" group by a very wide margin. The next lowest cap figure is the Tennessee Titans at nearly $14 million higher than the Bengals. A big reason for this low cap number is that the team shed the big-money contracts of Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco.
With the Bengals having two first round picks this season, they'll likely need to reserve about $6-$7 million for the draft. For those of you doing the math, that would leave the Bengals with about $36 million to hit the free agent market in 2012. Basically, there's no excuse for the team to be aggressive in signing their own coveted free agents, extending the contracts of some key current players, and/or going after a couple of big name free agents. Will they do this? That remains to be seen, but history tells us that they won't. Throw in the fact that a "salary cap floor" doesn't go into effect until the 2013 season, and Brown may opt to just save as much money as he can this season.
Aside from the financial state of the Bengals, it's interesting to note that the well-oiled machine that is the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise is facing major cap issues. They are projected to be at about $25 million over the 2012 salary cap, and there are rumblings that they may have to get rid of aging veterans like Casey Hampton, Larry Foote and/or James Farrior. We'll see what they do to right their own ship. The Cleveland Browns are lumped in the "Possible Big Spenders" category, though they have $23 million more on the books than the Bengals do.
Only time will tell if this figure will force Brown's hand into spending more money than he's traditionally used to. Given the strong foundation that the team built last season and the current roster holes that exist, he would be wise to make some major moves outside of the draft to fill these holes.
0 recs | 108 comments
In other Bengals news..
Mike Brown is still not “keen” on building a practice bubble.
DrainBamage - February 6, 2012
We go through this every year
The Bengals have LOTS of cap room. They re-sign several guys, add a couple of mediocre free agents, and then Hobson wheels out a story that the team is spent out because the remainder goes to the “injury fund” to sign some schlep off the street should a guy get hurt.
Mike, the roster is getting so close! Go get it! Make a splash with a WR like Meachem! Impress us by signing a really good guard and a safety! You could own this town if you’ll spend that money!
DrainBamage - February 6, 2012
so true but this is Mike Brown........he does not make any splash pickups.
This off season will either make or break this team. Money to spend and two 1st round picks. Cincinnati can take this division if Mike Brown listens to his coaches who knows what this team needs. If Brown had his way Ryan Mallet would be our starting QB………YIKES!!!
lightskin350 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
It may happen every year
but we are inching closer to a hard salary floor. Brown will have to spend at some point. He would be foolish not to make some kind of splash and spend some of the cash now in order to avoid dropping buckets to get up to the floor like several teams may be forced to do next season. Overpay for quality talent now or overpay for whatever fills the books next year, and that may be regardless of talent level. In the meantime, he’ll probably sell a few more seats should they do something that gets people excited.
I’m not holding my breath, but I don’t view this one quite the same as every other year. Of course Mike Brown will probably keep a lid on it until he scratches out a check even if he does go that route. Looks like a solid 4 weeks of pure speculation.
einman77 - February 7, 2012
this is the first year we have the palmer money to spend
held onto it last year so he couldnt report and stick us over the cap..
so theres you big FA G right there… we could probly get 2 for palmers contract.
Bengalsfan024 - February 7, 2012
A splash wouldn’t be going after Meachem! A splash would be going after Colston, D. Jackson, V. Jackson, Bowe…etc. those type of receivers to draw coverage away from Green and Greaham as much as possible!
Bengalsredsvictim - February 7, 2012 via mobile
+1
Meachem is crap
Diesel2405 - February 7, 2012
No thanks to D. Jackson
He has the ability, but he also seems to have the diva mentality
Oregonbengalsfan - February 7, 2012
And
Concussion issues!
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
Good.
Let’s use it.
Doc Scratch - February 6, 2012
soon we'll have to
best part of the new collective bargaining agreement
The Dealio - February 6, 2012
Yup
Is there any excuse for them not to go out and spend on one of the big name guards? Hell, they could go after Matt Forte and Vincent Jackson if they wanted too.
Animal_Like_Football - February 6, 2012
We can call that "The Mike Brown rule." They probably do amongst the owners......
as they have a big laugh.
The Van Buren Boys - February 7, 2012
As long as the people they use it on are healthy.
UIsteve - February 6, 2012
I'm hoping that's a given.
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
those doctors have all been fired lol
Bengalsfan024 - February 7, 2012
There is so much room
Mike could have the biggest free agent pick ups of the off-season,sign our draft picks and still be lower than any other team.Then next year when the floor starts,use the money to keep our guys.
With the Steeler’s losing there real coach’s,and there salary cap issue’s there done for awhile,the Ravens are getting so old,this may be there last year as a “great defensive team” and the Browns,well are just the Browns anytime they get
anything good going on,the run it out of town.
Now’s the time,we can be dominate for several years
keithp - February 6, 2012
Not to make an argument and I'm def not a browns fan....
But wasn’t it the bengals who lost (ran out of town) Boomer Dillion Andrews Mathis Ocho Palmer and that was In the last few years.
Toasted_Orange_Monster - February 7, 2012 via mobile
At least the Bengals have cultivated talent in the past few years.
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
Boomer,yes but he returned,fans wanted him to stay,Monday night football worked out better for him
Dillion wanted out of a losing team after a great career,he got his well deserved
Andrews i believe was a late bloomer,Mathis was the wrong color he really got the shaft here for some reason
OCHO wanted out for years,the lack of discipline from the top down created that whole bunch of Drama
Carson was fed up with the lack of discipline,that allowed the drama queens to run this team
The Bengals have stuck with Marvin,good times and bad,the Browns keep changing things when it appears they are on the verge.I’d say your right that player’s have left Cincy,on there own,My point about the Browns was really aimed at HC’s and QB’s they never seem to be happy with.
keithp - February 7, 2012
The Bengals are only a couple of players away from winning the North.
Offense: RB, WR and a stud OG that should be drafted and spend money elsewhere.
Defense: SS and a DL because when Dunlap went down so did the pressure on opp QB. Finally is a CB, when Leon went down the secondary suffered big time. Not resigning J Jo really crippled this defense. The front office gave the money to Hall while I felt that Joseph was the better player. At pick 17 and 21 Cincy should be able to get Janoris Jenkins or Dre Kirkpatrick who are both as good as Claiborne who will be a top 10 player. Off the field things could help them slide right into the Queen City.
lightskin350 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
I realize this was stated in article
But the main reason we are that far under is becuse we were able take both Chad and Carson off the books in the same year and that huge. They were probally are two highest players, therefore maybe we will be a little more aggressive than ussual in FA this year.
biggie22 - February 6, 2012
Should be no excuse not to go after Grubbs or Nicks!
They are 2 biggest free agents at a position of need. Also, they should be able to sign some of their own players,rookies and go out and get a few positions of need like safety,rb,dt,corner or wr. They have no excuses. They either want to win or not.
EPK1979 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
Lock up some guys for the future
Give Atkins a long-term deal! My campaign starts now.
Animal_Like_Football - February 6, 2012
Word
and we have a lot of other guys that will need some contract extensions in a few years. Dunlap, A.Smith, Reggie Nelson, and the list goes on
The Dealio - February 6, 2012
i think the new CBA makes us wait till after year 3 for rookies
before any extenstions are allowed.
Bengalsfan024 - February 7, 2012
lol, then my campaign starts next year!
Animal_Like_Football - February 7, 2012
How crazy does it seem that we didn't keep Jonathon Joseph!?
In light of our current cap situation. Seriously, how could we not keep that guy?
The Dealio - February 6, 2012
It's a JOKE!
Joe Goodberry - February 6, 2012 via Android app
he chose to go elsewhere for the same money a little more guarenteed.
and it worked for JJoe didnt work for Housh…
its a gamble for the player and with his injurey record i could understand a little less guarenteed money. but it was sad to see him go… that being said with our D scheme he probly doesnt have a probowl year here
Bengalsfan024 - February 7, 2012
Disagree completely
He’s the same guy he was when he was here. He should’ve made Pro Bowl last 2 years.
Joe Goodberry - February 7, 2012 via Android app
+1
He stated several times he wanted to stay here, but Mike Brown and Co. wouldnt give him the guaranteed money Houston did. We lost him because we were once again being cheap.
Diesel2405 - February 7, 2012
Yes
But he always had some sort of injury when he was here. Hell he was hurt for Houston this year. It wouldnt surprise me if he misses a lot of time over the course of his contract.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
Happens
When your as tough as JJO,not afraid to tackle guys 50-60 pounds heavier with full steam ahead,your
going to get some injuries,i’d rather him attempt to make the tackle,and chance missing a game or 2 a year
rather than sidestep the running back,like most of our secondary did this year
Hall is the same way,he will attempt to tackle
keithp - February 7, 2012
Gimme The Money And I'll Spend It Wisely!!
lol jk
Touhue Cha - February 6, 2012
pretty soon he'll have to spend
Mike Brown is the best owner in sports. His stubborn/cheap ways have been working for the last 30 years. They made the playoffs last year. They didn’t beat a team with a winning record but they made the playoffs. Thats like winning the superbowl to Mike Brown.
Why would we expect him to invest in any good free agents that compliment the team. Unless of course they have been arrested in the last year or he can get a good deal because they blew a knee out in the last season? Why would we logically expect Browny to spend an extra $30 million to bring in some real talent to protect his second year QB and compliment his ProBowl Receiver? Why would we expect him to bring in key defensive players? That might mean they would actually compete and might be a contender. That would be crazy. You clearly make more money when you team doesn’t win a super bowl. Clearly you fill the stands, sell more merchandise. Players get better endorsement deals and want to play for your team. Why would we want those things.
Go get them Mike Brown. You’re the best owner. I just wish i hadn’t been born in Cincinnati. I might actually be able to enjoy an NFL season.
iknowurider72 - February 6, 2012
spend some money on creating an O-Line and D-Line
preferably before the draft so the picks can be used on the running game, secondary and 2nd WR positions, and draft some back ups for the O-Line and D-Line in the later rounds. Oh yeah and get rid of Pressley & draft a real fullback! (it’ll only cost a 6th round pick)
ARoo - February 6, 2012
Best part about all of this?
As the Bengals have the pockets to actually improve their roster, the Steelers are going to have to cut key contributors. Beautiful.
Animal_Like_Football - February 6, 2012
Remember how they were complaining about how their defense was getting old and such?
And that everything was okay because they could just draft replacements?
Hahahahaha. And they just hired Haley as their OC. Not a bad signing but Mendy ain’t no Jamaal Charles.
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
I expect the Bengals to stay well under the cap next season.
By January 2013, they might be looking to lock up Dalton, Green and others while they have cap room to do so. I know Brown doesn’t recognize players outplaying their contracts, but with the new CBA, it might be wise to get ahead of the obvious spendathon by putting money on quality Bengal players.
Besides so many big ticket FAs bust.
BENGALS69 - February 6, 2012
That'd be dumb.
The Bengals should sign Carl Nicks AND Ben Grubbs for 9-10m year/each. Easy way to improve the team a lot with extremely high quality players. No excuse not to.
jsl413 - February 6, 2012
id rather resign Andy AJ and Atkins to long term deals bud
thats not going to be cheap
AMAS85 - February 6, 2012
I'd wait on Andy and AJ for at least a year or two.
Reggie, Andre, and Dunlap, however…
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
They're going to be nearly 1/3 of the cap under the cap.
Almost 40 mill. They can afford extensions and elite FA guards. I think they should pay Brandon Carr for a 5 year deal too. Completely eliminate PRESSING needs at OG and CB to enable them to go after elite BPA talent.
jsl413 - February 7, 2012
I'm with you
Make a serious run at the Super Bowl,make some cash to lock up the young guys
Ive never been a fan of guys whining there way out of contracts,just as i believe the franchise deserves to
benefit from rookie contracts.I would like to see them lock up these young player’s,but its still to early
injuries,and unforeseen character issues can still be determined in the next couple of years
keithp - February 6, 2012
+ 1
i should have read your post before I posted my comment. I get where your coming from. As much as we want to sign a bunch of “big” free agents this summer, we can’t. For ever mult-million contract we sign, its just another contract we cant sign a few years from now.
We need to save it for Andy AJ and Atkins. Each of them will have at least a 50 million dollar contracts. I think AJ and Andy will be around the 80 million range each.
AMAS85 - February 6, 2012
There's no way A.J. gets an $80 million deal.
Considering corners are still hovering around $40-$50 million, I can’t see a receiver, even of A.J.’s caliber, almost doubling that figure.
Andy did good, but now he needs to take the next step. If he does, then we lock him up longterm. Till then, let him prove his worth.
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
lol lets see?
you don’t think AJ isn’t going to get a Randy moss type deal? if he puts the best numbers in the league the next couple of years, I gaurentee they sign him to a long term deal. Like they did carson. AJ is the best player on our team, hands down. We will never let him go
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
Of course we will never let him go.
But $80 million for a receiver is a tad bit ridiculous. I’d expect something like that for Dalton but not nearly that much for Green. Even if he puts up the best numbers in the league (while Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, and Larry Fitzgerald are still active, mind), he’s still not getting paid as highly as some quarterbacks. There’s retaining, there’s overpaying, and then there’s just crippling yourself. :v
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
lock up our players first
I would like nicks or grubbs as well but we can’t afford to see players like carlos and geno leave. of course brown isn’t stupid enough to let aj and andy ever hit FA. I think we should make two big FA signings outside our team. hopefully nicks or grubbs and maybe a big WR free agent. usually WR are terrible signings though.
cincybengals - February 6, 2012
Ben-Jarvus Green Ellis
Does anyone else think he would be a good signing? Could we do better in FA? Sure. But I think the RBs in this draft are risky. Richardson will likely be off the board before us and I really don’t have that much knowledge on any other of the backs with the exception of Doug Martin(who I think would be a great 2nd round pick and can develop into a number one back). We BJGE we would have a power back(11 tds this year) and would have Bernard Scott’s speed to compliment him on runs off tackle, tosses, etc… Plus Brian Leonard catching passes out of the backfield.
DT1418 - February 6, 2012
I think he'd be great
The guy seems to have it all abd he doesn’t have that many miles on him because the Pats have running back by committee. They brought in a rookie that looked good so I don’t see them trying to pay him a ton to stay. He isn’t a Benson type back either so the guy has size, speed, hands, and can pass block. He hasn’t fumbled since college. I would love this guy in stripes and been saying it for months. BJGE & Martin would be head and shoulders better than Benson and Scott. I would hate it but with these 2 Leonard could even go.
Bigcatdaddy - February 6, 2012 via Android app
lawfirm
I like him but lets just draft one.. I really like martin too, hopefully we can grab him. We can sign martin to a ham sandwich compared to the lawfirm.
cincybengals - February 6, 2012
A head of lettuce
for the “Muscle Hamster”
He’s gotta hate that nickname…
Oregonbengalsfan - February 6, 2012
muscle hamster
he’s a beast
cincybengals - February 6, 2012
These rookies would be risky but there's a good chance they'll pan out.
If that happens, we get a quality player for at least 4 years, if not longer. Do you think BJGE can give us that quality for that long without getting injured or being mediocre?
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
He'd be better than Scott
I was thinking, sign BJGE, draft a RB in the 2nd (hopefully Martin) and we got our selves a backfield. Scott and Benson can take their average play elsewhere. BJGE isn’t average or injury prone playing for a SB caliber team why do you think he’d be that for us?
Bigcatdaddy - February 7, 2012 via Android app
Do you really want to see what Bernard can do...
for another team? Look, our O-Line was ABSOLUTE GARBAGE this season, and our coaching staff could never seem to use Bernard correctly as a result. This dude is coming into his 4th season…and you want to talk about BJGE being a guy not having a lot of miles on him?! It would be silly for us to let him walk to another team and then become the BEAST we have seen flashes of here.
I think Scott can be a feature back if he splits time with another feature back. A Michael Bush type guy who is used to playing half the snaps, and not a Benson type guy who pouts when he gets pulled after fumbling 5 times in 2 games.
WhoDeyEveryDay - February 7, 2012
Scotts not a feature back
Our line was garbage but Scott isn’t going to tear it up her or anywhere else. Your saying Scott splitting carries with Bush then why couldn’t he split carries with BJGE? You like Bush I like G-E.
Bigcatdaddy - February 7, 2012 via Android app
BUSH IS GARBAGE
Diesel2405 - February 7, 2012
even though we are around 40 million under the cap
minus the 7 million for the draft picks. That puts us around 33 million. If you consider we will have to resign, Andy, AJ, and Atkins to big long term deals sooner than later. We don’t have that much money to splurge. Id rather save to keep the players we have now, Trust me when I say AJ, Andy, and Atkins wont come cheap.
Not to mention, gresham, M. johnson, shipley, and dunlap will get nice contracts as well but i think these players will be more expendible if push come to shove
Id say we sign one semi big free agent. And will have to shell out some dough to Nelson for him to stay.
So basically there will be a lot of two year deals for the FAs the bengals sign lol
AMAS85 - February 6, 2012
i agree
Those first group of guys you mentioned have to stay. but we can’t afford to see carlos and gresham go. they will be perennial pro-bowlers. I’m with you we dont have that much money to spend. I definetly don’t want to be in a situation where the steelers are where they have to cut some big names. lets keep the boys we have and get one or two big names
cincybengals - February 6, 2012
The cap will grow a bunch bye the time AJ and Andy need to be resigned
keithp - February 6, 2012
how much could it posibly grow in two years?
remember, they only sign four contracts and if you wanna get a deal on a contract, you have to sign them way before they can get to free agency.
AMAS85 - February 6, 2012
four year contracts**
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
Your still talking 2 whole years of football,before that question should ever enter inot the equation
i Agree with locking them up,but are you saying offer them 6,7,8 year deals now!
There both great rookies,but this is football,long term con tracts like that can bite you in your ass
There is so much cap room,The Bengals should be able to lead the free agent market,sign this years
draft picks,win the Super Bowl,and still have the cash,and cap space to keep our guys going forward.
keithp - February 7, 2012
two years isn't a long time
if we got out and sign three 6 year deals with big free agents, those contracts will over lap the contract extensions for Aktins, Gree, Dalton, Carlos, and Gresham. I doubt we can keep all five of those players, but its possible if don’t over spend this summer.
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
I dont ever see
This franchise ever signing 3 6 year free agents the same year,for that matter has that ever happened in the\
history of football?
I’m thinking maybe one big splash,and then a solid player to fill a hole is about all we will need,saying
we have a draft that compliments the FA signings,and continued growth of our already extremely talented
core player’s
keithp - February 7, 2012
See Eagles lol
I guess thats true most teams don’t over spend and if they do its just on one contract. I was just speaking in generall to everyone who things we can just go out and get everybody that sounds good to have on our team. Its just not going to happen, espcially with this team.
I think we are pretty much on the same page. Im basically saying, lets go out and get a few solid players on a year or two deals. Maybe sign a big name OL at the right place, but save that money for Andy, AJ and Geno because those our core and they can be fore a very long time! They wont come cheap
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
Agree
I just hope,they enjoy playing here and want to stay
Those guys will command money,I hope The Bengals have turned the corner,as far as
Keeping there own,and i’m hopeful with success that all of our star’s will not
continue to leave
keithp - February 7, 2012
If we have so much..
Since we have much cap space available I’m going to be like WTF if they don’t spend any cap space on bringing in a WR and CB in free agency this offseason. We can use a productive guy to replace if we let Simpson and Caldwell go. I wouldn’t even think about a Desuan Jackson though..But you wouldn’t have to break the bank to upgrade over those two disappointments..
Davey Boi Sully - February 6, 2012
A lot of people on here
Think we cant go out and get free agents because of Dunlap,Atkins,Green and Dalton. these players have 2-3 years left or more on their contracts. They all are promising but 1 good year doesnt mean you get a new contract.
EPK1979 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
Their time will come
We have to be at around 108 million by next year so they need to go out and get players to help this team rise to the top this year. Its way to early to worry about those players. Besides, we will pick up 10 mil in cap space after 12 season.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
Because
The contracts of Geathers and Clements come off the books and both make around 5 mil a year. So we are in a great position to add and draft some players to make up a pretty damn good team.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
your right one year doesn't get a big contract but
the fact that Andy AJ and Atkins continue the treand, they wont be cheap in two years. Bengals will most likely re-sign these players before the last year of thier current contract.
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
I agree
But even if they wanted to extend them next year, the Bengals will have plenty of room to do it, sign rookies this year and next year and fill holes in free agency. Im not saying go sign all the best free agents but get some affordable upgrades here.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
not if they sign a bunch of big contracts this off season
i dont think they will, they will go for one simi big contract and not tie up all their money into free agency. The best teams build through the draft. But don’t get me wrong, i think they will sign a bunch of players but for like a year or two deals so they can have that money for our core players.
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
True
But they could sign a Nicks or Grubbs. Get a reciever like a Wayne,Manningham or Meachem. Sign some good players for the secondary, keep some players and still be in great shape for years to come. I dont want them to break the bank. Just fill some holes.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
i think we are pretty much on the same page
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
I will also say
Dunlap and Green will be the only ones that will command a big pay day. Atkins and Dalton should be way cheaper deals.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
you don't think andy isn't worth 8 million a year at least?
atkins is around the 6 or 7 range a year.
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
I think Ngata and Seymour are the highest paid DT
Seymour is over paid at 14 mil and Ngata gets 11, I think. So 6 mil for Atkins would be right. 9 mil for Dalton would be really good.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
This guy.
Atkins has proved his mettle. The rest are either coming off good rookie seasons or had a decent one but were held back by injuries. Dunlap and Atkins seem like the real deal. Everything else? Questionable.
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
Yes we can go out and spend big......just like Philly did.
This ain’t baseball, the NFL is different. besides, Daltion or Green could outplay their contracts next season. If they do, why let them close to FA? JJoe should always be remembered.
BENGALS69 - February 7, 2012
Philly actually did make some intelligent moves.
They just screwed everything over by having an OLine coach become a defensive coordinator. Had they hired even a remotely competent person that could use Rodgers-Cromartie, Samuel, and Asomugha correctly, they probably would’ve won the NFC East this year at least.
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
+1
Diesel2405 - February 7, 2012
I don't see why having a number of good, young players to resign a year or two down the road should prevent us from picking up one or two players in FA
We don’t have a lot of holes. There should be enough to get a top flight guard and a decent WR2, and that should fill all of our non-drafting needs.
Doc Scratch - February 7, 2012
Thats all I was getting at
We have to spend a certain amount. I want them to sign players so we can go into the draft to take bpa. Dalton,Green,Atkins and Dunlap will still be able to get taken care of too. The stars have aligned for the Bengals, they just need to capitalize on it.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
I agree, we need to be active in FA.
I’d like to see them be very active at CB, WR, OG. Signing starters not talking about backups. But I don’t expect Brown will get very close to the cap.
Guards arent all that expensive for good ones. Given the major holes in the secondary they have no choice butto sign a starting CB.
Dont forget Sims and Rucker.
BENGALS69 - February 7, 2012
I dont even think they have to get the best of the best
They could go out and get a Terrel Thomas for about 4 mil a year, since he is coming off injury. At worst he becomes a very good 2nd corner.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
We could make a huge splash in FA
and still have the money to extend our guys. We have guys right now that probably won’t be here in a couple of years with big cap hits (Geathers, Clements) Mike usually stays in the $110 million range, so I expect one or two big signings, and then resigning our own guys. AJ and Andy have been great, but there’s no way they’re getting extended at the start of their second season. Green and Dalton will be extended in the offseason next season is my bet.
johnson_cody_18 - February 7, 2012
As much as im big on building through the draft
I thought it was really interesting that I saw yesterday that the Patriots and Giants both had more players signed through free agency on their rosters than drafted players.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
That is because players WANT TO PLAY IN NE AND NY
Huge markets with established, competitive teams and sound front offices. The Bengals could never in a million years do what those two teams do.
WhoDeyEveryDay - February 7, 2012
I hope we stay far, far away from investing big money in ANY free agent
Look at Antwan Odom and Antonio Bryant to name just two recent free agents. Oh, and what about Chris Crocker…we all love him right? How about Mike McGlynn?
This is the Bengals MO: sign a big name free agent for a boatload of cash and watch him under-preform or never see the field because of some injury that should have been detected. Part of the problem is our checkered past and negative perception around the league (which is beginning to change finally, thank god) has prevented the big name free agents from sticking around.
Despite our skeleton scout team (compared with 31 other teams in the league) the Bengals have hit some home runs in the draft that last couple years. I say continue that philosophy and use our FA money on those guys.
WhoDeyEveryDay - February 7, 2012
Your talking about mid to lower tier free agents
Bengals have never been able to go get the better ones. They have always had to over pay for bums that had one good year. With the team that they have and with the cap space , the better players in FA will take the Bengals more serious than prior years.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
2013 is when the 89% hard floor kicks in
palewook - February 7, 2012
Behind the numbers...
Here are the Top 10 cap figures for 2012:
OT Smith, Andre $9,524,000 (1)
CB Hall, Leon $8,500,000
OT Whitworth, Andrew $6,750,000
DE Geathers, Robert $6,233,333
CB Clements, Nate $5,500,000
DT Peko, Domata $4,575,000
WR Green, A.J. $4,474,568
LB Rivers, Keith $3,855,001
C Cook, Kyle $3,340,000
LB Howard, Thomas $2,500,000
Notes:
(1) Andre Smith is high because of bonus proration. His base salary is “only” $4.5M
(2) Chris Crocker just missed the list at $2.455M. I don’t expect him on the team at that salary especially if we can resign Reggie Nelson.
The team salary figure is missing the RFA tenders but there aren’t any “must keeps” in this group so I don’t expect this to impact the cap much.
In the category “under contract only for 2012 and worth of an extension” I’d put Thomas Howard, Michael Johnson and Rey Maualuga. There’s no way we extend Atkins with two years left on his deal.
bengaljohnboy - February 7, 2012
I was wondering what the break down was
Depending on if they cut Rivers, if they happen to let Rivers,Geathers,Clements and Smith go. That will free up 24 million in cap space for 2013 season. Even if they sign Smith, his cap number wont be close to this years. Unless he has a pro bowl season.
EPK1979 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
makes sense for the bengals to hold onto rivers unless they find a trading partner
contract
-——————————-8/5/2008: Signed a six-year, $20.1 million contract. The deal includes $15.6 million guaranteed. Another $2.9 million is available through incentives.
2011: $1.735 million
2012: $1.66 million
2013: $2 million (Voidable Year)
2014: Free Agent
-———————————his base salary is cheap enough for a backup. even in 2013. unlikely rivers will ever hit another incentive bonus in cincy unless he regains a starting job.
palewook - February 7, 2012
eagles... for sammuels striaght up
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
my hesitation to making that deal
would be the pause i took to ensure the eagles didn’t think they could have gotten more out of me by the speed i said yes with.
palewook - February 7, 2012
lol right
that trade would just make too much sense
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
yup
with hall a question mark. nate another year older. jennings a fa and iffy. jones a fa and possibly suspended.
i’d make that trade in a minute if the eagles would take it.
palewook - February 7, 2012
the only thing that would suck, if we made the trade
is the money owed to sammuels. Im pretty sure he makes a lot more than rivers lol
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
nice job!
but I bet they do resign during next year or the in the off season next year…atkins that is, if continues to play the way he has this year. We will resigning easily before he goes into his last year of his contract.
Albert haynes worth recorded 10 sacks the year before he signed his big deal. We wont Atkins get even close to making that much money if we resign him early.
And they do extend contracts to players they want to keep even before their last year of their current contract. I believe we did it to Whitworth and Peko
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
and will have to do it Atkins, Green and Dalton if we wanna save money
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
Andre hasnt played up to that contract
keithp - February 7, 2012
not at all
AMAS85 - February 7, 2012
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