For all those four months ago who were in a panic about the Bengals being conservative in the free agent market, a look at their 2012 acquisitions is one of the reasons why the philosophy of “betting on their own†may prove to be more sound over the next couple years. While the Bengals have done a great job with the draft the past couple years, free agency remains a work in progress.
With Monday’s release of offensive guard Travelle Wharton, only cornerback Terrence Newman and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis remain. Newman started 15 games after being reunited with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Green-Ellis ran for a career-best 1,094 yards.
When the Bengals signed Wharton last March, he was supposed to be the starter at left guard. Three snaps into the preseason opener against the Jets, he tore an ACL and was lost for the season. Clint Boling took over and saw the most snaps of everyone on the offensive line. Defensive end Jamaal Anderson tore a quad in a Week 2 win over Cleveland. Wallace Gilberry was signed after Anderson went on IR and had 5.5 sacks, which led to a three-year extension. With Gilberry’s extension and the selection of Margus Hunt in the second round, there also wasn’t any room for Anderson.
As for the others, cornerback Jason Allen saw only five defensive snaps during the regular season. Defensive end Derrick Harvey didn’t even make it to the first preseason game. He was released the day after a scrimmage due to work ethic. Offensive tackle Jacob Bell didn’t even make it halfway through offseason drills, electing to retire.
With the releases of Allen, Anderson and Wharton, the Bengals have $1.4 million in dead money against the cap this year but also have net cap savings of $8.5 million for this year. Of those savings, $5,418,200 went toward Carlos Dunlap’s extension.
Football Outsiders had this on the Bengals offseason:
Tellingly, the team did not panic after a second straight Wild Card loss. There were no major overhauls or “one player away histrionics.†Remember that the Bengals became the T. Ocho show after a 10-6 season just four years ago. This time, they stayed the course and drafted judiciously. Having conquered front office professionalism, the Bengals are taking a whack at careful player development.
SPEAKING OF ATKINS …
He is ninth on the Pro Football Talk rankings [1] of the Top 100 players. On the NFL Network list a couple months ago he came in at 36th, which a consensus of people found to be too low.
Among defensive players, Atkins is third, behind Houston’s J.J. Watt (third) and Dener’s Von Miller (eighth). A.J. Green is 15th after being 16th on the NFL Network list.
For those who are curious, here is the PFT Top 10:
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB
- Tom Brady, Patriots QB
- J.J. Watt, Texans DE
- Adrian Peterson, Vikings RB
- Calvin Johnson, Lions WR
- Peyton Manning, Broncos QB
- Drew Brees, Saints QB
- Von Miller, Broncos <B
- Geno Atkins, Bengals DT
- Darrelle Revis, Buccaneers CB
ON TAP TODAY
It’s the Training Camp luncheon at Paul Brown Stadium. It is one of the few times of the year where Mike Brown is accessible. There will also be comments from Marvin Lewis, Jay Gruden, Mike Zimmer and Darrin Simmons.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
What should we expect from Year 2 of Training Camp [2] at Paul Brown Stadium?
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AROUND THE DIVISION
Browns: WR Josh Gordon insists failed codeine test [3] , which will mean a four-game suspension, was not from ‘recreational use’
Ravens: What to watch [4] during the first week of Baltimore’s Training Camp.
Steelers: Tight end could be the position facing the most uncertainty [5] heading into camp.
AND FINALLY …
What happens when you get Justin Bieber fangirls and the questions are about hockey and who will win the Eagles starting quarterback job? An entertaining video courtesy of Philly’s The 700 Level and CSN Philly Flyers reporter Sarah Baicker:
Posted in: Updates
Links
- ^ Pro Football Talk rankings (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
- ^ Year 2 of Training Camp (news.cincinnati.com)
- ^ WR Josh Gordon insists failed codeine test (www.cleveland.com)
- ^ What to watch (www.baltimoresun.com)
- ^ facing the most uncertainty (triblive.com)
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