Tank Johnson Signs with Bengals

Who Dey?

Instead of hashing out that tired, decreasingly intimidating slogan, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis should look into a mirror in his office and ask himself: Who are we?

In a move that makes sense statistically, but dumbfounds politically, the Bengals whipped out one of their seemingly infinite get-out-of-fail free cards and signed defensive tackle Tank Johnson to a one-year deal. 

The off-field issues dealt with in Cincinnati are well known. Since 2006, the Bengals have had nine players arrested while under contract with the team. One of these nine, wide receiver Chris Henry, has been arrested five times. 

Since then, Lewis has said he wants desperately to change the face of the franchise. But actions speak volumes over words. 

Of the infamous nine players, three of them still remain on the team, with the most notable being Henry. 

Last season, the Bengals signed two-time jailbird running back Cedric Benson, and then resigned him this offseason. With the latest signing of Johnson, the total of players who have fought the law unsuccessfully is increased to five—half of what they started with. 

The obvious argument for signing such players is that their talent outweighs their problems. 

Last season, Benson accumulated 747 yards with a 3.5 average and two touchdowns in 12 games. Respectable numbers, but ones that can be made by half of the running backs in the league. 

Johnson had an equally unimpressive season last year with the Cowboys. In 16 games, Johnson had 22 tackles, 13 of which were solo, and one sack. 

Knowing this, and having the No. 6 overall selection in the NFL Draft to collect talent, why would Lewis decide these players are good for his team?

The need for a defensive tackle is obvious for the Bengals, as they finished 27th in the league in run defense.

But the signing of Johnson does not, by any means, change the perception of the team as the league's garbage pail.