Veteran defensive tackle Tank Johnson signed with the Bengals late Tuesday, joining a rotation that includes Pat Sims, Jason Shirley, Domata Peko, and Orien Harris.
At this point, assuming the Bengals got him on the cheap, what the hell could it hurt? The Bengals are already a joke around the league. They desperately needed to address their anemic defensive line, and at least this is something. The guy is only 27, and he has kept his nose clean since going over to Dallas in 2007. Plus, he will be much more effective in a 4-3 defense vs. the 3-4 he played in Dallas.
Now for the bad (or as Mike Brown would put it, his 'redeeming' qualities). The guy was arrested for illegal gun possession on more than one occasion. One time, they found enough guns in his home to successfully invade Afghanistan. He was suspended in 2007 for repeatedly violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
The final straw for the Bears was his arrest for suspected DUI in Arizona.
However, Mike Zimmer seemed satisfied that Johnson's troubled days are behind him:
"I talked
to a lot of football people down there, especially players," said
Zimmer, who coordinated the Dallas defense for seven years before
moving to Atlanta in 2007. "I asked if he was a good guy and if he was
a guy they wanted as a teammate and they said they would and that he
was a hard worker. And he wasn't in trouble for his two seasons down
there."
I'll let Johnson's agent, Jerroid Colton, have the last word:
"I know the Bengals are being very careful with the players they're
bringing in because of some of the things that have happened."
I don't even have a joke here.
Well, at least its something. They are starting to address the D line. Maybre we can generate a bit of a pass rush this season. I dont think Tank will be an issue, who cares if he can arm a 3rd world country, hell, I love going out and popping of a few rounds when I get the chance. If I had NFL money, I'd have a small arsenal too. This is America, right, 2nd amendment and all? Hell, I'm kind of happy we now have one of those half crazed DT's that make opposing QB's nervous.
But we really need to address the O line and protect Carson and create holes for Cedric.
But more important... WE NEED A REAL GM AND A REAL SCOUTING DEPARTMENT!!!
¡Viva La Revolution!
Posted by: GregC78&69 | April 08, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Why was this guy available? Either no one wanted him or the Mikey "The Redeemer" overpaid for him or more likely both. The clown on the radio (1530) substituting for Moe Egger this morning LOVES the signing. What's the down side he asks? The downside is if we are now accepting this bullshit from Brown he'll keep doing this using this technique as a substitute for a legitimate scouting department. The 1530 guy, (I think that it was Mark Amazon(sp?)the same guy who slammed Carson Palmer last year saying that Palmer has been in the league long enough and needs to step it up, the same Carson Palmer who returned earlier than expected after having his knee obliterated. Macho guy, that Mark Amazon)... Anyways, he out claims that these signings havn't come back to bite us recently. Oh yeah, who has really done that well to risk these signings, Benson? The jury(sorry) is still out on him. Chris Henry was great. Made the organization a bigger national joke than it already was. He thinks that by employing these questionable humans he will get into Heaven. The rest of the NFL laughs at us and we keep allowing Mikey to "Groundhog Day" us. Same thing day after day, year after year with the same disgusting result. Go out and buy your Tank Johnson jerseys. I'm sure that it will be a big seller. That's what Mikey wants. New tires this year for Mikey's Lumina.
Posted by: PAl | April 08, 2009 at 12:52 PM
"I know the Bengals are being very careful with the players they're bringing in because of some of the things that have happened."
Colton's client has been here for one day and the agent already sounds like a MB associate. Apparently, some "things...have happened." WHY have these "things" happened? Couldn't have anything to do with poor management, scouting, or coaching. No, it's just back luck. The NFL gods decided that MB must be punished for making the playoffs by arresting 10+ Bengals starting that offseason.
PS: Yes, I know the agent is just saying what he has to. But how different is it than any justification you'd here from MB or anyone else in charge? Just fitting.
Posted by: whymikeywhy | April 08, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Can anyone answer why Peko always lines up at an angle to the line? Drives me nuts.
Posted by: Ray | April 08, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Anybody who thinks the Bengals #12 ranking (yards per game) means anything is delusional. This team has no pass rush and will be pushed around until they get some legit players up front. They have not had a pass rush for 20 years since Alfred Williams and James Francis! Raji has to be the pick at #6.
Posted by: bengalssocal | April 10, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Just a quick question... unless he was dealing in weapons (illegally), how does the number of weapons he had have ANY form in this matter? He was in possession of a firearm within Chicago City limits and according to their law, that is illegal. That's all that there is to it. How many guns he had isn't germane to the situation unless a charge can be brought specifically requiring a certain amount of firearms.
Oh well yet another example of someone not knowing what they are talking about.
Posted by: WCH | April 12, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Make a new game to play inside,it sounds nice.
Posted by: air jordan | February 10, 2011 at 03:18 AM