Philadelphia wasted no time shoring up their beleagured defensive backfield, signing Asante Samuel to a reported 6 yr, 57 Million dollar contract, with 20 million guaranteed.  This signing takes a top DB off the market, so it looks like the Bengals are going to focus on DL, LB and retaining their own DB’s. There isn’t as much need in the backfield, especially if they can sign a veteran like McCree, scheduled to visit Cincinnati this coming Sunday. Their young players from the last two drafts at CB and safety appear to have progressed during the last season, and should be [...]

Today, the Bengals made their first deal of free agency. Oddly, they made a trade, not signing a free agent. Detroit DT Shaun Rogers was worth a third and fifth round draft pick. This trade seems to signal the Bengals are moving towards a 3-4 defense, although Coach Lewis has not made any public comments.
The Bengals did sign one of their own today, rewarding LB Dhani Jones with a new three year contract for his solid play this past season. Another sign the Bengals are moving towards the 3-4 defense is the scheduled visit by DE Antwan Odom, a free [...]

Well, as of this morning, it’s official. Madieu Williams is a Viking, having signed what is believed to be a 4-year, $33M contract. DE Justin Smith is headed to SF, where it is expected he’ll sign a big free agent contract. Looks like the new look defense is a given, whether it was wanted or not.

So far, OSU’s Vernon Gholston is looking good, as is teammate LeTroy Guion in the 40 yd dash. Early results are just coming in, watching the action live you can hear the coaches screaming “Look alive” to the players. Right now the DL are going through 40’s , cone drills and bench presses. The LB’s come out a little bit later.

Check here today between 11a-2 pm for up to the minute combine info on DL and LB’s who are participating in the combine. Live blogging of the 40 yard dash, shuttle and other events that may have direct implications on who the Bengals select with the ninth pick. Get your info here first!
Also, Sunday, LSU’s Glenn Dorsey revealed in 2006 he had a hairline tibia fracture that he played through, and that NFL teams should not be worried about his health, as he never missed a game in his 4 years at LSU. The question is, why was it hidden [...]

Well, Trufant and Asomugha are off the books, having been franchise tagged by Seattle and Oakland, respectively. That cuts down the list of FA corners the Bengals could go after.
At the combine in Indianapolis, Commissioner Goodell is said to have commented that his decision on suspended MLB Thurman would come this year before the start of training camp. Can’t imagine a 3 year suspension. I’m betting he’d be reinstated. I’m betting he’d earn his way back as a starter too.

Asante Samuel is the top free agent on the market. Could the Bengals sign him? Sure, with the right contract offer. Would the Bengals sign him? No way. Why you say? Well, mainly I say that because the track record is that top FA’s don’t want to come to Cincinnati. The second reason is that I still don’t believe Mike Brown will be creative in contract negotiation to get a player like Samuel or the following mentioned players. So, who else is left? Asomugha from Oakland is on the market, and is looking to leave the of-late perennial losing Raiders. Marcus [...]

I guess our scouts and coaching staff didn’t think Zach still had it in him. Despite seven Pro Bowls and year-in year-out consistency, Cincinnati’s braintrust didn’t think he was worth a visit. Six other teams thought so, and those dogs of the NFL, the Patriots, decided Thomas still had something to give. This is a clear example of why our current makeup of coaching, ownership and scouting will not put together a winning football team for more than maybe one year in a row.
Of course, we’ll hear about the issue of salary cap, signing our own, etc. Oddly, Cincinnati is [...]

It is official, the Bengals have tagged 17 start OT Stacy Andrews for a $7.5 Million dollar 2008 season (if they don’t work out a deal with him). This move looks to forebode the ending of the Justin Smith and Madieu Williams era in Cincinnati. Williams already has suitors lining up for him, reportedly the Ravens, Steelers, Packers and Falcons. I hope we don’t see him stay in the division, as he is a solid hitter/tackler. Justin Smith should be easy enough to defend if he stays in our division, as our OT’s should know his every (one) move, the [...]

Has the Bengals kept up with the rest of the league in scouting? Some say yes, many say no. Many fans point to the lack of equality in the Bengals scounting department as a direct correlation to the lack of equality on the field. My take on the whole deal is this: If the Bengals did have a bigger scouting department, would they do better anyway? Would Mike Brown put out the dollars to sign the players they scout and determine to be top level players anyway? Seems like the two go hand in hand. No sense in scouting the [...]