3 Positions on Defense the Bengals Should Address in Free Agency

Two Years Ago: Chad Ochocinco is tackled by Michael Huff #24 of the Oakland Raiders. Huff is a free agent this year and is a top target for teams looking for a safety (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)

The Bengals are poised to make some big splashes in Free Agency. With Mike Brown announcing that Palmer “has retired”, that means that the Bengals should have around $50 million to spend on free agents, contract extensions, and drafted rookies.

On the defensive side of the field, the Bengals need to return to their top-4 form of 2009. In all fairness, injuries plagued the team last year, especially in the secondary. But, there’s certainly room for improvement at certain key positions. With some shiny new parts added in free agency this year, the defense may return to elite-form.

Cornerback:

Current Situation: The Bengals had a great, young Cornerback tandem going with Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall. But, the Bengals may lose fan-favorite and incumbent Jonathan Joseph to free agency. If he leaves, it’s a big problem. Adam Jones had been that back up plan, but he got arrested again and had a second neck surgery this summer – meaning that Jones won’t be ready at the start of training camp and may be suspended several games. The other options are the young and unproven Morgan Trent and Brandon Ghee. If the Bengals choose to start either one of them this year, teams will choose to throw mostly to the side of Ghee/Trent to exploit their inexperience. That’s not good. If we don’t re-sign Joseph, we need a plan B from somewhere.

Names to Remember:

Jonathan Joesph (CIN) – 27 – the man himself. He’s young, he’s physical and works very well while starting opposite Leon Hall. There are injury concerns, but almost all Bengal fans want him back. He needs to be retained.
Antonio Cromartie (NYJ) – 27 – in 2010, he started opposite true-shutdown-corner Darelle Revis and played very well, even with more balls thrown his way. Very good corner, but likes to take chances. Probably more expensive than Joseph, once tweeted that he didn’t want a “hometown discount” by staying with the Jets.
Carlos Rogers (WAS) – 30 – plays well in coverage and will get a nice offer from somebody. Probably worth slightly less than Joseph. A good player, but is known by Redskins fans as having butterfinger hands for catching interceptions.
Richard Marshall (CAR) – 27 – body size, age, and 2010 stats almost identical to Joseph. Is better in run support, but isn’t as good in coverage. Slightly less expensive than Joseph. My personal favorite Plan B at corner.

Safety:

Current Situation: The safety position was the Achilles heal of the Bengals last season. Starters Chinedum Ndukwe and Roy Williams are now free agents. It’s not expected that the Bengals will re-sign either of them, and the only four safeties left on the team would be Chris Crocker, Reggie Nelson, Tom Nelson (an exclusive-rights FA), and Robert Sands, drafted in the 5th round of this year’s draft out of West Virginia. The problem with these players is that none of them stand out. Bengal fans expected a safety taken quickly in this year’s draft, but the organization waited until the 5th round to do so. What’s left – as it always seems with the Bengals – is a bunch of guys with potential, but no elite talent. The Bengals have to cash to spend.

Names to Remember:

Eric Weddle (SD) – 26 – a slightly undersized player, but his value has been climbing over the past few years, and all the sudden he is viewed as a player on the verge of elite talent. He wraps up his tackles well and is solid in both running situations and pass coverage. Everybody wants Weddle right now, he will receive a big-time contract.

*UPDATE: Weddle has reportedly been resigned by the Chargers. ugh… Also reported to now be the highest-paid safety in NFL history. There was some huge competition for Weddle.

Dawan Landry (BAL) – 28 – has been in the shadows his whole life. LaRon Landry of the Washington Redskins is his older brother, and Dawan is the counterpart to Ed Reed in Baltimore’s secondary. Dawan has held his own as a starter, he’s a solid veteran with not a lot of weaknesses. But, not a lot of strengths either.

Donte Whitner (BUF) – 25 – a young Buckeye who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in Buffalo, as the 8th overall pick in 2006. Posts a lot of tackles but doesn’t make huge plays. Mike Brown likes his Buckeyes though.

Roman Harper (NO) – 28 – a Pro-Bowler the past two years. A playmaker, but he had probably a career worst game against the Seahawks in the playoffs last year. That game exposed his pass coverage limitations, but teams will certainly still want Harper and sign him at a high price.

Michael Huff (OAK) – 28 – taken one pick before Donte Whitner is 2006. Similar to Whitner, he hadn’t lived up to expectations, but he had a spectacular 2010. Very athletic. Other than Weddle, Huff is my personal favorite.

Defensive End:

Current Situation: We’ve got Carlos Dunlap. We’ve got Michael Johnson. Young stars emerging as true pass-rushing threats. There’s also the veterans Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom, and Frostee Rucker. So, what’s the problem at Defensive End? Well, Odom and Geathers might be cut. Odom’s injury history, lack of production, and large contract mean he might be a salary cap casualty. Possibly even Geathers too, who has been rated by Pro Football Focus as one of the least productive pass-rushers in the league. There should be some empty roster spots at DE.

Ray Edwards (MIN) – 26 – has been a part of Minnesota’s fearsome D-line for 5 years. Has been very consistent in racking up sacks. Now, he’s a Free Agent and many teams want him. The Panthers re-signed Charles Johnson, and Edwards is the next best thing. And, he was born in Cincy (you learn something new every day).
Jason Babin (TEN) – 31 – Babin was considered a first-round bust in Houston. After bouncing around different teams, he revived his career and had a breakout year in 2010, posting 12.5 sacks last year. Is he a one-year-wonder? I don’t know, but he has some sweet arm tattoos.
Mathias Kiwanuka (NYG) – 28 – A first round pick who has been part of the Giants D-line for 5 years. Similar statistics to Ray Edwards, but he’s been flying slightly under the radar because he had a neck injury for most of 2010.
Stylez G. White (TB) – 32 – He already sounds like he belongs on the Bengals, doesn’t he? Stylez is a veteran from Tampa Bay. He has put up more than 4.5 sacks for 4 years in a row. Would definitely be cheaper than the other options I’ve listed.

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