Report: Bengals Have $28 Million in Cap Room

sign TJ- trade him to Chargers for the 16th pick & M. Floyd. Draft Moreno w/ the 16th pick. all problems solved, you get your explosive back of the future and an avg. possesion receiver in return. I'm sure the superchargers would have a hard time turning that down.

And if they Bengals thought that they were going to pay and keep TJ wouldn't they have done it during the year, so they could have absorbed some of the cap hit with that $10 million capspace?

Actually, TJ sat out all offseason activities last year except the mandatory ones (which Chad attended as well) and then missed all of camp with an alleged hammy injury. In short, he has his own attitude issues.

It's absolutely true that they have more needs and could use the $9 million elsewhere. That, however, assumes that the Bengals actually spend the $9 million. They left $10 million unspent last season...

I agree with your assessment that if the Bengals had an idea that they would not be able to reach an agreement with T.J. that they should have tried to move him, via trade, and get something in return last season. However, if you will recall last off season TJ was the only receiver that had some substantial amount of time with the club. Ocho was, like TJ is now, on the radio airways stating that he was not coming back to play; and being that this played out all the way thru the mandatory camps how could they have moved him and be left with Chatman (often injured), Henry (often suspended) and Holt and the other rookies without playing time.

Additionally, you say that they have enough cap space to franchise him this year. The problem with this is that the have more needs that to keep TJ. Remember not only would it cost 9.88 mill. but it’s reported that this is the type of contract that he expecting $9 per. Why not let TJ go now and let him get the contract he wants elsewhere. Nine per for a possession receiver??? Everybody is saying including TJ that’s all he brings to the table. If this is true why would you franchise a possession receiver. Not to mention he’ll be 32 this coming season. If he’s a Randy Moss or Anquan Boldin, I can see the logic. Also, if you look at it, their biggest problem on offense is converting third downs even in the ’07 season with Palmer.

I would take my lumps with Caldwell and maybe pick up a veteran playing for a contract. Look Brees has Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Lance Moore, and David Patten and they lead the league in passing and they too didn’t have a running game.