NFL Free Agency: Cincinnati Bengals Make Moves, Reggie Nelson Mulls Jets

With almost a week of free agency in the books, the Cincinnati Bengals remained characteristically quiet during the opening flurry of moves.

The recurring theme of failing to retain their own players has continued, but after lengthy deliberation Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown have begun to make some moves.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer has reported that Reggie Nelson is expected to make a decision on Sunday about where he wants to play in 2012. Nelson has been offered deals by the New York Jets and another mystery team, while the Bengals have upped their offer in the hopes of re-signing him.

Lessons seem to have been learned from Johnathan Joseph in 2011, and if Nelson walks away from a deal with the Bengals the likelihood is that he will have been overpaid by his chosen suitor.

Meanwhile, the Bengals have begun to make moves elsewhere, picking up LG Travelle Wharton formerly of the Carolina Panthers on a three-year deal.

At 31 years old and with a hefty paycheck due, Wharton fell victim to the constant push for younger players and long-term deals. He is an attractive pick-up for the Bengals having had eight years of experience at left guard and his fair share of snaps at left tackle too.

A surefire upgrade on Nate Livings, Wharton's considerable size will give the offensive line an immediate boost, and will shore up for the weak spot that Nate Livings and Kyle Cook presided over. There is also the hope that he can aid the Bengals' anemic running game in the same way that he did in Carolina.

The other news of the day came in the form of former Houston Texan CB Jason Allen, who has signed a two-year, $8.2 million deal as reported by Bengals.com.

The former first-round pick played a backup role in Houston last year that saw him take 50 percent of snaps during the Texans' playoff run. His signing could mean the end of Adam Jones and Kelly Jennings who are both free agents.

The Bengals are expected to look to the draft for their cornerback of the future, making Allen's position that of backup behind veterans Leon Hall and Nate Clements, but after the struggles the secondary underwent in 2011 following injuries, he will likely see a lot of snaps in practice.

The stat that catches the eye is in 23 starts Allen has 15 interceptions, and led the Texans with four in 2011. If he can build on that in Cincinnati, he could well get an opportunity to compete for a starting gig somewhere down the line.

Other notes of interest this weekend come in the form of wide receivers. It was believed that the Bengals would try to add a veteran during free agency, but with Mario Manningham joining the San Francisco 49ers, there are few remaining prospects for the Bengals' No. 2 spot.