When will this domino fall?
By John Thornton- For most NFL players, this is a bad time to be a free agent. The young and talented players were hit with the Restricted Free Agent tag, meaning that if another team signed them, the original team can match the deal or be owed compensation in the form of high draft picks. That sucks for the player, great for the team. The players that are Unrestricted Free Agents are older, and NFL teams hate paying older players large sums of money. But despite all of that, there is a need to win from majority of NFL franchises. Talented players will always find homes. Guys that come to mind are WR Terrell Owens and WR Antonio Bryant. These players are top players at their positions. Both are No 1 WR types and both have a few issues. But both are talented and there are plenty of teams that need WRs. The problem is that NFL teams feel like they are in control of free agency for the first time in a long time. There haven’t been many huge deals this year like there have been in the past. And when that happens, players start to panic and accept the best deal on the table. Some guys have to cave and take the deal, guys like Bryant and T.O. shouldn’t. Both have made plenty of money and both men are smart enough to stay in shape while they are not signed with a team. The best WR that is available right now is Broncos WR Brandon Marshall. He should be the first domino to fall. The problem with that is that Brandon could be dealt the week before the draft, a long time to wait. Then the next best WR will start to get the attention. In that case it will be T.O. or Bryant, whoever you like the best. I know the Bengals will approach these guys with a take it or leave it kind of deal, but if the guys are smart, they would wait. If a teams top WR gets injured in OTA’s, you don’t think they will panic and overpay for a T.O., especially in this uncapped year? DT Sam Adams did this a few years ago. He would wait for the right deal to come along. He knew there was a need for his skills, and he got to skip off season workouts and some training camp. He always got his money. And remember guys like Chargers WR Vincent Jackson is a RFA as well. But he has a 1st and a 3rd tag on him. I believe the Chargers would deal him for less than that. I worked out with him this morning and dude is huge! Didn’t know he was that big. He should be getting some attention from WR needy teams as well.
13 Responses to Players should wait for right situation
JG
March 10th, 2010 at 9:05 am
I agree w the players waiting for the right team/deal. However, I’m scared if TO/Bryant/Marshall/Jackson don’t arrive in Cincy the passing game will fail miserably again b/c rookie WRs generally don’t produce great numbers.
Saw you said you can see them going Taylor Mays or Spikes at #21. What is your opinion on Brandon Graham from Michigan? 6’1″ 260 lbs DE, always making disruptive plays in the backfield. The knock is short arms, not sure he could hold up in a 4-3 base either. Fun player to watch over the last two years at Michigan.
JohnB
March 10th, 2010 at 9:55 am
With Dez Bryant’s stock falling off a bit it is possible that he could be there at #21. It would be nice to see the Bengals grab TO and then if they could sign Bryant they would have the veteran presence they need now and a couple of good teachers for DEZ to groom him for the future. Bryant is the only WR I would consider in the 1st round and taking TO or A. Bryant would take the pressure off of him to be an impact player this year.
JT
March 10th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Graham is good. Needs to play in system like Indy/Titans
John
March 10th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
JT, from what I see, the Bengals don’t like guys like Brandon Graham. They like bigger DE’s who can rotate inside during passing downs. Do you think that’s accurate?
Giving Zim a Playa
March 10th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Now that Antonio Bryant is signed, I think Zimmer will get a chance to take the best defensive player on the board at #21. I don’t see TE as worthy of this pick and unless Dez Bryant slips to us at 21, I don’t think the Bengals go offense. There will be some O-candy there like CJ Spiller, etc. but I see us going defense.
Would love a stud DE (Worilds, Dunlap, Hughs, etc.) or one of the two top ILBs (McClain or Spikes).
Josh
March 11th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I’d much rather have McClain than Spikes. If Spikes really does run a 4.90 forty then not sure he can be a 3 down player and the LB’s other than Brandon Johnson were weak in coverage. McClain seems like he may go mid-teens to the Giants now that Antonio Pearce is gone. Definitely agree to give Zim BPA on defense then hit WR/TE and either safety/DL between rd 2, rd 3, and rd 3 comp picks.
Dunlap is a physical specimen, at 6’8″ would be really tough for QB’s to find a lane w he and MJ’s wing span. The DUI weekend prior to ‘Bama game really makes me question him.
Jason
March 12th, 2010 at 9:50 am
JT,
Are we really done in Free Agency? Can you tell me why we are not going after a TE, whether its Scheffler or Olsen, it makes no sense. And Baker was not worth bringing in for a visit.
I dont understand why everyone says the Bryant signing takes us out of the market. Isnt this the exact same deal Coles got? If so, why dont we have money to spend, plus there is NO CAP. Isnt this year probably our best shot at something special? At least our best shot in a long time (notwithstanding 05′).
John
March 12th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Yes there is “No Cap” but it seems like a lot of teams have placed themselves on a “self imposed cap” there isn’t mass spending going on if you look closely. I wonder if they are looking into making a trade around the draft for a TE. I would like to see them make a trade with their 2nd or 3rd for either Olsen or Bennett to fill the TE spot.
JT
March 12th, 2010 at 10:14 am
I think they will try to get a TE before the draft. Maybe Chris Baker. Or via trade with Denver or Dallas. But working out a contract with those guys could be the tough part.
Ron E
March 12th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
At this point, are the Bengals hoping Kelly can come back and be the starter, and they are more or less looking for insurance in case he can’t play or play well? I guess Baker would be insurance, but not really an upgrade over a healthy Kelly, right?
I also wonder how confidant they are in Coffman, and if they think he can be thier pass catching TE next year.
It’s tough to throw big money at a guy for depth, but both Kelly and Coffman are such unknowns right now, I would go out an get a starter using Coffman and Kelly as depth.
Why not go after Saints RFA David Thomas who would only take an offer sheet and a 3rd round pick? Not sure how much it would take to sign Thomas. Or if you like Bennett, maybe use interest in Thomas to drive down the asking price from the Cowboys. I would think Jerry Jones would take a 3rd round pick for Bennett this year.
John Land
March 12th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
J T
What is your take on signing Chris Davis?It kind of seems like we have a lot of these kind of guys.
JT
March 12th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
He’s a good player. Brought in for depth. I had lunch with some titans personnel people at the combine and his name came up. I think he has good return skills too
Jason
March 12th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
JT,
profootballtalk is reporting Chris Baker looks to be signing with the Seahawks, they are keeping him in town another night.
What did we do to their organization that they go after the same people we do?
If he signs with them, does this help our chances to get someone better or will we simply pick Foschi back up and roll with what we got, then draft one. I hope we dont spend another high pick on a TE, would rather get a proven vet who can come in right away and make plays.