NFL Free Agency: 10 Offseason Moves the Cincinnati Bengals Should Consider
The Cincinnati Bengals, like every other team in the NFL, are waiting on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement to be reached so that they can put the finishing touches on their 2011 roster and get their players into camp.
Loaded with youth and with several key veterans on the way out—many of whom have been mainstays—this is a Bengals team with some holes to fill, and free agency could go on a long way in what Cincinnati is able to do this year.
The Bengals will first look to retain some of their own, such as cornerback Johnathan Joseph and running back Cedric Benson, and will also explore the open market to search for depth and promote competition heading into training camp.
Let's take a look at a few players from within who are entering free agency that the Bengals should keep around, and some other players from around the league that the team should pursue to provide a solid foundation for both the upcoming season and future of the franchise.
Re-Sign Cornerback Johnathan Joseph to Keep the Tandem Together.
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Other than running back Cedric Benson, re-signing cornerback Johnathan Joseph should be at the top of Cincinnati's priority list this offseason.
Arguably the most talented player on the defensive side of the ball for the Bengals, Joseph and Leon Hall form one of the better cornerback tandems in the league. Their abilities to lock down receivers with little to no help is key to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's system and paramount to what Cincinnati is able to do defensively.
The Bengals opted not to place their franchise tag on Joseph—which he would have welcomed—in hopes of signing the 2006 first-round pick to a long-term deal.
Once a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached and free agency begins, Joseph will hit the open market. Elite corners such Joseph are quite the luxury in this league, and his services will come with a hefty price tag.
The Bengals, historically frugal, would love to have Joseph back, but may choose not to shell out a monster deal for him. Instead, they may hand over starting duties to Adam Jones, who shined as a nickel corner last year before suffering a herniated disc that landed him on injured reserve.
If the Bengals are unable to retain Joseph, they should channel all of their efforts into signing Leon Hall to a multi-year deal this season. Cincinnati cannot afford to lose them both, and Hall has proven to be durable and reliable since the Bengals selected him in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Re-Sign Running Back Cedric Benson.
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It is simply paramount for the Bengals to re-sign running back Cedric Benson this season.
One could make a strong argument that Benson's stellar 2009 season is the biggest reason for Cincinnati's sweep of the AFC North and playoff berth that year.
But Benson may have shot himself in the foot when he declined a multi-year extension from the Bengals in the 2010 offseason. Coming off the best statistical season of his career in 2009, many were beginning to view Benson as an elite running back, and he wanted to be paid like it.
However, he didn’t expect his role on the team to diminish in 2010.
With the addition of wide receiver Terrell Owens, the Bengals trashed their run-heavy 2009 playbook and opted for more of an air assault. Also, Cincinnati often faced a deficit in most games, forcing them to air it out. They were unable to dictate the pace of the game with their running attack as they did in 2009.
Now Benson has no deal and becomes an unrestricted free agent. Despite posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time in his career, he will not be able to land an offer as lucrative as the extension the Bengals previously offered him.
Other than Carson Palmer, no Bengal had more of a roller-coaster season than Benson. A week after an abysmal performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers (eight rushes for 19 yards) in Week 14, he rushed for 150 yards on a season-high 31 carries against the Cleveland Browns the next week.
With Benson set to turn 29 in December and entering his seventh season in the NFL, a huge market for his services this offseason doesn't appear to be imminent.
Therefore, the Bengals should remain the overwhelming favorites to re-sign him.
The Bengals will likely count on Benson and the running attack to guide rookie quarterback Andy Dalton through his first season in the competitive AFC North, host to vicious defenses in Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Benson would certainly welcome the challenge, but wishes to be paid accordingly. The Bengals will seemingly have no choice but to oblige.
Pick Up Running Back Michael Bush for Insurance.
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Before the firing of former offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, it was well-documented that Bengals running back Cedric Benson would not re-sign with the team if Bratkowski was retained.
We may never know if the team parting ways with Bratkowski after 10 seasons had anything to do with the Bengals' hopes of re-signing Benson or not, but nonetheless, the Bengals will be in quite a bind next season if they are unable to do so.
If the Bengals feel Benson is demanding more money than he is worth though, the team may look to sign a veteran running back such as Michael Bush.
As a Louisville native who played his college ball at the University of Louisville, Bush may welcome the opportunity to play close to home. He also possesses the same powerful, bruising running style Benson does, making for an easy transition.
Taking a backseat to Darren McFadden and his 2010 breakout season, Bush is a talented back who could slip under the radar and start for multiple teams in this league next season.
In all likelihood, it won't have to come to this. Benson has made it clear he would like to return to the Bengals. Remember—Cincinnati was the only team willing to take a chance on him after he was released by the Chicago Bears in 2008 following his second alcohol-related arrest in five weeks.
If the two parties are unable to agree to terms though, look for Bush to make a visit to the Queen City.
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Enhance the Running Game with a Fullback.
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Though I believe the chances of Cincinnati pursuing a fullback in free agency are slim because the team has so many needs, fullback Lawrence Vickers has become one of the more intriguing possibilities for the Bengals' offense due to recent events.
Vickers' contract with the Browns was up at the end of the 2010 season, and with the team's decision to draft Stanford fullback Owen Marecic, all indications are they are ready to move on without Vickers.
The move seems to have bothered Vickers, as he went on a rant last week claiming Cleveland simply doesn't know what he is capable of.
So perhaps Vickers and the Bengals could be a perfect fit.
Based on his comments, it's obvious Vickers would like the opportunity to play in a West Coast offense, which new Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden plans to install in Cincinnati.
Also, fullback is a position which the Bengals need to address in a long-term sense.
Fui Vakapuna was set to become the starter at the position before suffering a serious shoulder injury in training camp. Consequently, the Bengals went much of the season without using a fullback, and Cedric Benson's numbers—and the team's running attack as a whole—were evidence of that.
The move angered Cincinnati's fanbase and may have ultimately been one of the deciding factors in former offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski's firing.
The team's running game improved toward the end of the season when Chris Pressley, who the team signed as a free agent the year before, was brought back on board, but is he the long-term solution at the position?
It seems Vickers would relish the opportunity to play against the Browns twice a year and finally show them what he is able to do on the football field if used properly.
If Benson is re-signed, he would surely welcome the move. Vickers is the type of fullback who could produce big holes for him to run through as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Bring Back Tight End Reggie Kelly.
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It would be in the Bengals' best interest to re-sign one of their own—tight end Reggie Kelly.
This may come as a shock to some, considering the Bengals are heaping with youth at the position. In last year's draft, the Bengals selected Oklahoma's Jermaine Gresham in the first round, who will likely become one of the top tight ends in the league. Also, the team drafted Chase Coffman in 2009, who is still a bit raw, but left Missouri as the most prolific pass-catching tight end in college football history. Once he develops, he could be quite an asset in offensive coordinator Jay Gruden's West Coast attack.
So why re-sign Kelly?
First of all, Gresham and Coffman both have a history of injury concerns; Kelly would be nice insurance policy for the team at the position. Cincinnati was extremely thin at tight end before drafting Gresham, and the lack of depth severely limited the team's offense in 2009. The Bengals saw the results of a shallow tight end corps and do not want to stroll down that road again.
Secondly, Kelly is as good a blocker as anyone in the league at the tight end position.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan—formerly the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens—often recalls drawing up elaborate blitz packages specifically designed for the Bengals because of Kelly's superb blocking ability. Kelly essentially operated as an extra tackle on the field for the Bengals' offense, and he could go a long way in protecting rookie quarterback Andy Dalton from AFC North sack aces such as Jerome Harrison and Terrell Suggs, thus easing his transition to the NFL.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Kelly is the glue that holds the Bengals' locker room together. With no Carson Palmer this season, the team will need Kelly more than ever to act as a mentor and an example to an extremely young team.
That in and of itself would be worth the price tag to re-sign Kelly.
Add Offensive Tackle/Guard Marshal Yanda.
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Offensive tackle/guard Marshal Yanda could be an intriguing addition for the Bengals this season.
The Bengals lack quality depth all across their offensive line, and Yanda's versatility would check off two major needs for them: guard and tackle.
The Bengals found great value for Georgia offensive lineman Clint Boling in the fourth round of this year's draft. Though he will be groomed to eventually assume a starting position,—most likely left guard—Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander sounds adamant that he will refrain from starting Boling right away.
With center Kyle Cook entering this offseason as a restricted free agent, the only proven mainstay on the offensive line for the Bengals is left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Left guard has been a revolving door for this team for quite a few years now with Evan Mathis and Nate Livings splitting time at the position. Neither is the long-term answer. Right guard Bobbie Williams has been an anchor for the line for several years, but he will turn 35 in September and is entering the final year of his deal.
I believe Yanda could be an asset for the Bengals at right tackle. He surrendered just four sacks last year for the Baltimore Ravens, and the Bengals are hurting at right tackle.
2009 sixth-overall pick Andre Smith has been an utter disappointment so far; he is rarely healthy and is flirting with the dreaded "bust" label. When he was healthy last year, he wasn't in football shape and was often beaten like a drum by opposing defensive linemen. Dennis Roland is massive, but struggled as well and is entering free agency. Anthony Collins, who is entering the final year of his deal, has been hampered by injuries, but has shown flashes of ability.
It's unlikely the Bengals will invest much money into the offensive line this offseason with a prospect like Boling in the mix and other holes to fill. However, this group has been filled with question marks for several years now, and it would be refreshing for the team to add some insurance.
Retain Center Kyle Cook.
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Center Kyle Cook has become a great feel-good story for the Bengals.
A former undrafted free agent out of Michigan State, Cook started at center for the Bengals in 2009 and has been a force ever since.
Originally thought to be a liability when he assumed starting duties, Cook has been smart and effective, all while holding his own against monster AFC North tackles such as Casey Hampton and Haloti Ngata. Centers such as Cook do not land in your lap very often, and the Bengals would be wise take care of him.
Cook will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent. It will pay dividends for the Bengals to keep him around, and it would make life much easier for incoming rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.
Look at Undrafted Cornerback Kendric Burney for the Nickel Spot.
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I find it absolutely stunning that North Carolina cornerback Kendrick Burney went undrafted.
Should Johnathan Joseph end up elsewhere via free agency, the Bengals will likely hand the starting duties over to Adam Jones, making Burney an ideal fit as a nickel corner in Cincinnati.
At just 5'9", Burney lacks ideal size and top-end speed for an NFL corner, but I believe he possesses all the tools to be an outstanding nickel corner and eventually a solid starting corner in this league.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has quite an affection for cornerbacks, and you can never have enough of them. Joseph, Jones, Morgan Trent and Brandon Ghee all missed time or were placed on injured reserve last season, forcing the team to sign journeymen such as Jonathan Wade to fill starting positions.
It would be wise for Zimmer to continue adding bodies to this group, and the addition of Burney would give them the best rookie corner on the open market.
Address the Safety Issue, Possibly with Michael Huff...
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I have been calling for the Bengals to address the safety position with either a high draft pick or notable free agency pickup for quite some time now.
Cincinnati took a huge step in the right direction when they selected Robert Sands out of West Virginia in the fifth round of this year's draft, and I believe he has a bright future ahead of him with a style that fits the AFC North well.
But if head coach Marvin Lewis maintains that Reggie Nelson and Chris Crocker are going to be his starting safeties on opening day, it would be wise of him to bring in a veteran to promote competition at the position and provide some depth.
I have my doubts as to whether Crocker or Roy Williams can finish a season injury-free. Although I praise Cincinnati's front office for sending cornerback David Jones to Jacksonville for former first-rounder Nelson, I do not believe he is a long-term solution.
The Bengals are old and injury-prone at safety, and a player like Michael Huff would be an instant upgrade at a very thin position.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer could plug Huff in as a starter immediately. He had a very impressive 2010 season, finishing with 94 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions—a lot more production than the Bengals have gotten from the safety position for quite a number of years.
...or Donte Whitner.
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Donte Whitner could be another intriguing option at safety for the Bengals.
Should a more prolific safety such as Michael Huff sign elsewhere, or if the Bengals believe he is too expensive, Whitner's style fits the smash-mouth AFC North well.
In many ways, Whitner is a younger version of the Bengals' Roy Williams—he is great against the run, but tends to struggle in coverage. He did improve as the 2010 season progressed though.
Still, it would be in the Bengals' best interest to sign a veteran safety to promote competition at the position and provide quality depth.
Adding Whitner would bring both of these to Cincinnati and instantly upgrade an aging Bengals safety corps.
Keep Outside Linebacker Brandon Johnson for Depth.
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Outside linebacker Brandon Johnson has been a solid player for the Bengals for a few seasons now.
Johnson is one of the better reserve linebackers in the league and could start for many teams. In many cases, he has even outplayed 2008 first-round pick Keith Rivers.
Cincinnati seems to be fine with letting middle linebacker Dhani Jones walk away in free agency and moving Rey Maualuga inside at his natural position to replace him. The Bengals also picked up Dontay Moch, a speedy linebacker out of Nevada in the third round of this year's draft to improve their pass-rush.
Still, Johnson has always gotten the job done when called upon. He's been durable, dependable and comfortable with his backup role. The Bengals should reward him and keep him on board to provide quality depth at the position, and with his versatility, they can plug him in multiple positions in the result of an injury.
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