One thing I foolishly did not factor into my free agent thinking was the fact that Baltimore needs receivers more desperately than we do. They were probably one receiver away last year from being a much more complete team. In fact, they always have had bad receivers inexplicably. Just like the Eagles. Must be a mid-atlantic thing.
When a team in your division snags a guy at a position of need from you, it's not just a +1 for them, it's also a -1 for you. Boldin to the Ravens is bad news. I rely on Football Outsiders to do a lot of my thinking for me, since they are better at it (and they watch every game and chart every damn play). They repeatedly note that a) Flacco is better than people realize and b) they have one of if not the worst receiving core in the league. They particularly liked to joke that Mark Clayton is literally the worst starting receiver in the entire NFL.
Let's just hope their defense is getting old at a such a rapid pace the rise of their offense won't matter.
So Boldin is out. Walter is too. At $4 million a year, maybe it's a little high. But without guaranteed contracts, certainly affordable to any franchise.
That leaves Marshall, Owens, Bryant, Mason & Breaston as the realistic options. Apparently Marshall and Seattle are getting hot and heavy. And, wouldn't you know it, the TO to the Bengals rumors just keep on going.
Even Carson spoke about it, and in a positive way. Saying:
If any qb can deal with extravagant wrs, it's me.
Fair enough but I'd prefer that not to be his lasting legacy.
The only thing I like about TO is that he's a 1 year type of guy and the 2011 season looks to be in jeopardy anyway. Otherwise, I think his risk/reward no longer favors him, even in a 1 year hired gun role, which is best for him.
What actually encouraged me was this quote:
He also said he had reached out to another free agent wide receiver, Antonio Bryant, and hopes the Bengals will make him an offer.
I just hate it that our franchise guy has to hope the Bengals do something when it should be an obvious priority to talk to Bryant.
I haven't talked TEs much even though they can contribute as much to a passing game. I ignore it mostly because a)there aren't as many big names out there and b)the Bengals historically don't know how to incorporate a pass catching TE anyway. We've had the same coordinator for 10 years now (job security's good when the boss likes you) so I don't anticipate that to change. But it appears we are looking at Chris Baker. That's fine. Especially if it means we won't spend a valuable first or second rounder on another TE that ends up being Chase Coffman 2.0.
I repeat, you should hope we sign a TE just so it lessens the chance Mikey impulsively grabs one with a high pick.
Last, we brought in Chester Pitts for a workout or something. The interwebs inform me that he appears to have started virtually his entire career for the Texans. I hear he is okay. But I remember the Texans notoriously having one of the worst lines basically their entire existence. And he's been there for all of it. So just cause Chester started there doesn't make him good.
Regardless, Bobby won't be at RG forever and our best LG is our LT. So adding a guard to the mix shouldn't create a problem. Also, there's depth. A suspiciously absent ingredient for most of Mikey's tenure.
So that's as current a state of free agency as you'll get here at WDR. Normally we don't do stuff like this as much. Again, I'm about as far away as you can get from a talent evaluator, but I think I can talk basic strategy. And the off season is the front office's time to pursue their strategy for building a better team. Think of the Bengals moves in the off season is a barometer for exactly what goes on in the front office. It matters. And more often than not, it's embarrassing.
Ask Lavernoues Coles why he came here, MONEY. There is no receiver worth a damn that will come here unless it's to collect a check. Everybody in football knows the bengals have no idea how to use half or more of the players they bring in.
Case in point, they paid a hefty amount to Coles and he hardly touched the ball as well as all the players they draft that never see the field during a game. Now, as of 09 this team (lack of a better word) has decided to be a run team only passing when deemed necessary so why would any receiver other than toxic t.o. come here.
Marvin is soooooo lucky to have Zimmer here because he actually does utilize players strengths and make them better.
Posted by: kotw65 | March 06, 2010 at 07:17 PM
Let me preface this by saying that I travel a lot on Sundays and don't watch as much NFL as I did even two or three years ago, but I've read his name a bunch of times on here over the past few days, and it's not ringing any bells, so I'll ask: who's Antonio Bryant? I feel like I should know the name, but I'm completely drawing a blank. I'm off to NFL.com to research because if Carson says he wants him, then maybe he's better than I (don't) remember him to be.
Posted by: Wyatt | March 06, 2010 at 09:42 PM
I think we should cough up the cheddar, so that we can have at least two years, with Charvernius Coals
Posted by: Hofbraunow | March 07, 2010 at 12:53 AM
Darren Sproles, we should sign Darren Sproles
Posted by: Hofbraunow | March 07, 2010 at 01:59 AM
NFL.COM is reporting the Bengals are talking to T.O.'s agent about signing him.
I guess picking up T.O. is not as bad as not picking up anyone during the offseason.
So if T.O. gets signed hopefully it helps out the Bengals with WR problems. We need to keep the heat on Baltimore after they just signed Boldin.
Posted by: Michael | March 07, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Antonio Bryant reminds me of a Joey Galloway....He could have a stellar year or could be a bust.
Wasn't Vincent Jackson up for grabs this year? He is a beast.
What do I care Mike Brown will not spend...Greedy SOB.
Posted by: Michael | March 07, 2010 at 05:08 AM
News Flash....
Cincinnati Bengals will get to be seen on prime time T.V. this year. How you ask?
Mikey Brown signing Hank Baskett (husband to Kendra from the T.V. Show "Girls next door.")
Mike Brown plans on going to the Playboy Mansion this weekend.
Posted by: Michael | March 07, 2010 at 05:44 AM
Why is Greg Olsen not in tiger stripes yet. The Bears want to unload him and we are talking about taking another potential Chase Coffamn in Aaron Hernandez. Olsen is proven and exactly the tight end we need trade a second rounder for him and take another defensice player in round 1. keep building this defense.
Posted by: JR Johnson | March 07, 2010 at 09:52 AM
Marlin Jackson visiting the Ravens this week. We're "kicking the tires" on backup TE's while Baltimore is loading up for a Super Bowl run. What a joke we are.
Posted by: TY | March 07, 2010 at 12:24 PM
TY so you're upset that we're not going after a restricted free agent CB whose barely touched the field in two years?
I think Bryant is the person the bengals should be aiming for
Posted by: The truth | March 07, 2010 at 07:57 PM
I'm upset because the Ravens are being incredibly proactive in signing FA's that fill team needs, while we stand pat as usual, waiting to sign guys on the cheap. Would I personally want Marlin Jackson? Maybe...he would likly be an upgrade at nickel, but that wasn't exactly my point.
Posted by: TY | March 07, 2010 at 08:43 PM
Who else did the Ravens sign?? Yes the Boldin move was good and I wish the bengals would have pursued it more but Arizona dumped him for a reason. I'm annoyed they've been quiet but it's not like the Bengals are the only team waiting for the market to die down. I read somewhere most of the steelers brass was out of town this weekend on a retreat
Posted by: The truth | March 07, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Carson's quote:
"If any qb can deal with *extravagant* wrs, it's me."
Is it possible he meant
"flamboyant [i.e. showboat-ey]"
instead of "extravagant [i.e. costly]"?
I mean, how does
"costly" translate to on-field issues?
Maybe he means "overpaid" WRs.
Posted by: Hofbraunow | March 07, 2010 at 10:32 PM
@ truth - exactly.
@ the post - it looks more and more like T.O. will be joining The Queen City Tigers. And as I have been from the inception of this idea, I'm strangely comfortable with it. Has anyone seen Ochocinco's tweet with him and T.O. from this weekend... its classic.
Let's say we get T.O. for the sake of the argument. We have Coke Zero (Matt Jones... whoever posted that one was a genius; I still giggle over it). So what's next?
If we can get ooooonnnee more WR worth a damn (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a high-flying second rounder) and score a TE like Greg Olsen (F***ing awesome call JR), I say that we are getting more and more set up. We draft Taylor Mays in round one, a WR in round two, and after that turn the rest of the draft over to Mike Zimmer and Paul Alexander and get our lines looking like The Battle of the Somme.
The whole things is not only do-able, but it's cheap, which makes it really likely! Heck, it's so darned simple, it just might work.... or at least it's simple enough for the Bengals' front office to figure it out... maybe... I hope...
Posted by: guttersnake | March 07, 2010 at 10:50 PM
@ Hofbraunow
Maybe our QB just means what he said... in the whole quote. Just sayin...
Posted by: guttersnake | March 07, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Speaking of Carson, I wonder if he has any say in who they sign for WRs? I hope so...
Posted by: Hofbraunow | March 07, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Yeah... I do too....
...what the Christ am I doing on this site at this hour?! Is it the GD Draft yet?! I need some sleep!!
Posted by: guttersnake | March 07, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Saw this on ESPN.COM
The Cincinnati Bengals, badly in need of a wide receiver, are discussing a run at restricted free agent Brandon Marshall, as well as other options.
Marshall spent Sunday in Seattle, where the Seahawks have been the front-runner for his services. But NFL sources said the Bengals have contemplated, and will continue contemplating, pursuing Marshall. Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant are among the other players being considered.
How serious the Bengals will be still is a matter of discussion within the organization.
I love the last paragraph....Who Knows....
Posted by: Michael | March 08, 2010 at 03:52 AM
Also did we release Ginger Kid Graham? Looked on NFL.COM and he is listed as a UFA.
I am so caught up in WR's and TE's did I miss something?
Posted by: Michael | March 08, 2010 at 04:05 AM
posted by michael:
"Also did we release Ginger Kid Graham? Looked on NFL.COM and he is listed as a UFA.
I am so caught up in WR's and TE's did I miss something?"
Yes, I thought I'd heard we did release
Das KinderGinge...basically chose not to renew his contract.
Posted by: Hofbraunow | March 08, 2010 at 08:44 AM
This is the deal: if the Bengals want to win now they have to make that deal for Marshall. He's in his prime and well worth a first round pick that otherwise in Bengals hands could turn into Chris Perry or someone of that ilk. Period.
Posted by: feedmikebrowntoaquabengal | March 08, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Instead of butchering it by paraphrasing i'll put a link to Peter King's MMQB. He makes some good points about why we shouldn't panic that the Bengals didn't sign someone this weekend. Don't get me wrong though i think not trading for Boldin was a bad move.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/03/07/freeagency/index.html
Posted by: the truth | March 08, 2010 at 01:24 PM
@ Hofbraunow, Carson pimped for Coles last year. Do you want him to pimp for a WR they want again? I think Carson should just learn how to not overthrow WRs.
Posted by: TigerJ@w | March 08, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Meanwhile the Bengals made the playoffs and are obviously going to have either bryant or TO or maybe both and take a top wr or te in the draft.
Coles sucks not even a #3 anywhere besides that move Mike Brown is stepping up.
Bengals just by dropping Coles (like he did most 3rd down conversions) the Bengals are a better team. Having Cosby developing in the slot is a great thing also. He may show some surprising numbers this season. Considering there will be no football in 2011 and then the 2012 things this is the year Mikey makes his haters eat a lot of crow.
Posted by: Cynthio Tadesco | March 08, 2010 at 08:52 PM
I was disappointed to see Walter slip thru their hands, but I am expecting a Bryant signing last this week. This guy seemed to make sense for the team since the start: he is a deep threat; has hands; can bust one; still has some good years left; and doesn't cost draft picks. However with the routes that Brat has in the playbook don't expect lots of big gains after the catch from him.
The Boldin deal may end up biting the Ravens in the ass in the long run since he gets hurt quite often. He will only get more abused in the AFC North; plus he is 30+.
It looks like the sign a FA WR & TE plan is going to happen- so they are headed in the proper direction so far. This should free them up to get a Safety and Guard high in the draft. If they sign TO, they have to draft another WR high.
Posted by: blester01 | March 09, 2010 at 09:37 AM
Feed,
I would give up my first round pick for Marshall, but the 2011 one not the 2010 pick. If they can pull something like that off it would be a steal.
Posted by: blester01 | March 09, 2010 at 09:50 AM
"@ Hofbraunow, Carson pimped for Coles last year. Do you want him to pimp for a WR they want again? I think Carson should just learn how to not overthrow WRs."
Tiger J@w
And I'm surprised that hasn't been easier for him, with that wretched thumb and all
Posted by: Hofbraunow | March 09, 2010 at 11:11 PM