Bengals First to Play Tag

[PatsCrowEater]

The Cincinnati Bengals franchised DE Justin Smith. The tag will cost Cincy 8.6 million if he signs the franchise deal and doesn't sign an extension by July.

Justin Smith is a decent DE but definitly not worth that kind of money so I'd assume they will try everything to sign him long-term.

With only 18 million of cap space, franchising Smith probably means UFA guard Eric Steinbach will not be re-signed.

Cincy had until Feb. 22 to place the franchise tag but decided to pull the trigger now. IMO, we're going to see more teams than normal franchise players this offseason because a lot of teams have mucho buckos.

I look for NE to franchise Asante.

[The Executioner]

There a lot of teams with bunch of cap spaces with 40 million dollars such as Cardinals. I look for Asante to want more money and sign with the no good Cardinals defense.

[WhoDeyBengals]

Hmmm.. I've got mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand, you're right. Justin Smith is going to need to sign a long term deal to make this move worthwhile, and if he doesn't, we're not going to be able to do anything else in FA - which is disappointing to me, because I'd like to get at least one defensive player in free agency, be it Lance Briggs, Adalius Thomas, Nate Clemens, or Asante Samuel (who I don't believe, by the way, will be franchised. The Patriots are notoriously cheap).

On the other hand, if the Bengals give Smith help by getting someone better ready to play left DT, Smith can be a force. He's a pretty good pass-rusher, and run stopping isn't an issue for him, either.

All in all, I'm cautiously optimistic.

[shanniefly]

Hmmm.. I've got mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand, you're right. Justin Smith is going to need to sign a long term deal to make this move worthwhile, and if he doesn't, we're not going to be able to do anything else in FA - which is disappointing to me, because I'd like to get at least one defensive player in free agency, be it Lance Briggs, Adalius Thomas, Nate Clemens, or Asante Samuel (who I don't believe, by the way, will be franchised. The Patriots are notoriously cheap).

On the other hand, if the Bengals give Smith help by getting someone better ready to play left DT, Smith can be a force. He's a pretty good pass-rusher, and run stopping isn't an issue for him, either.

All in all, I'm cautiously optimistic.

I am more "who the heck drank my beer this time"...I am not a big fan of Smith..."can" be a force...just depends on the situation and that situation has to be just right...I am worried, but I will just sit back and remember what it was like before...

Oh how many years did this sort of thing not even matter in our season...I kinda like being all worked up about something like this for a change...

[PatsCrowEater]

I'd like to get at least one defensive player in free agency, be it Lance Briggs, Adalius Thomas, Nate Clemens, or Asante Samuel (who I don't believe, by the way, will be franchised. The Patriots are notoriously cheap).

I wouldn't call the Patriots cheap. They were among the league leaders in total payroll in '04 & '05 and had to be careful w/ the payroll last year to avoid penalties associated with the new CBA. I also don't think the Patriots will let Asante walk and get nothing in return. There are few other options out there at CB. Nate Clements might get franchised by Buffalo or will command big money in FA.

I think Nick Harper will be the barometer for CB free agents. Indy can't afford him and he'll hit free agency. NE would be wise to franchise Asante and see what Harper gets to determine if they are willing to sign him long-term or trade him.

[bengaaaaals1688]

I think Eric Steinbach is much more important to this team than Justin Smith, and if we are going to re-sign one person and not get anyone in free agency I want it to be him rather than Smith.

[WABronco]

I think Eric Steinbach is much more important to this team than Justin Smith, and if we are going to re-sign one person and not get anyone in free agency I want it to be him rather than Smith.

Yea that's what I was thinking.

[WhoDeyBengals]

Yea that's what I was thinking.

I would have tagged Steinbach and immediately traded him. But that may well be what happens with Smith.

While valuable, Steinbach's more replaceable. Whitworth should be ready to assume the guard responsibilities, while there's not really anyone ready to take over at left end. I don't know who would be, at any rate.

There's still plenty of time for all of this to unfold.

[Ohio Broncos]

I would have tagged Steinbach and immediately traded him. But that may well be what happens with Smith.

While valuable, Steinbach's more replaceable. Whitworth should be ready to assume the guard responsibilities, while there's not really anyone ready to take over at left end. I don't know who would be, at any rate.

There's still plenty of time for all of this to unfold.

I agree with 1688 that Steinbach's more valuable than Smith. Steinbach can play multiple positions on the offensive line. I probably would've franchised him rather than Smith.

I won't pretend that I know your team inside out, but I think it would be easier to replace a defensive end with a great work ethic and a high motor than an offensive lineman who can play multiple positions.:2cents:

[PatsCrowEater]

I look for NE to franchise Asante.

I look for Asante to want more money and sign with the no good Cardinals defense.

I'd like to get at least one defensive player in free agency, be it Lance Briggs, Adalius Thomas, Nate Clemens, or Asante Samuel (who I don't believe, by the way, will be franchised. The Patriots are notoriously cheap)

Told you so. Samuel has been franchised along with Briggs. Two out of four on your wish list are now pretty much off the market WhoDey.

Oh well, you always have Thurman coming back.

[WhoDeyBengals]

Told you so. Samuel has been franchised along with Briggs. Two out of four on your wish list are now pretty much off the market WhoDey.

Oh well, you always have Thurman coming back.

:brick:

Ah well. You called it. Good job.

I'm still a bit surprised, but things are still developing on all fronts. We'll see where these moves go.

[bengaaaaals1688]

Told you so. Samuel has been franchised along with Briggs. Two out of four on your wish list are now pretty much off the market WhoDey.

Oh well, you always have Thurman coming back.

Screw Thurman... Brooks will be a better MLB than Thurman, and I don't want Thurman back.

[WhoDeyBengals]

Screw Thurman... Brooks will be a better MLB than Thurman, and I don't want Thurman back.

The only way I"d want Thurman back is if he had 24 hour surveillance on him. I wouldn't let him take a dump without asking permission first.

[bengaaaaals1688]

The only way I"d want Thurman back is if he had 24 hour surveillance on him. I wouldn't let him take a dump without asking permission first.

Nah, Thurman is not going to be as good this year because I highly doubt he spent his season off working out and attempting to get better... he just doesn't seem to be committed enough for that. I honestly think that with a full offseason behind him and the added bonus of having a few games of experience, Brooks will be better than Thurman would have been last year, and in the end will be better than Thurman would have ever been. Brooks looked like an animal when he played, and now he will actually have time to get to know what he is doing instead of being thrusted into 3 different positions at once.

[WhoDeyBengals]

Nah, Thurman is not going to be as good this year because I highly doubt he spent his season off working out and attempting to get better... he just doesn't seem to be committed enough for that. I honestly think that with a full offseason behind him and the added bonus of having a few games of experience, Brooks will be better than Thurman would have been last year, and in the end will be better than Thurman would have ever been. Brooks looked like an animal when he played, and now he will actually have time to get to know what he is doing instead of being thrusted into 3 different positions at once.

Believe me, I'm rooting for Brooks.

I had him autograph a hat for me at camp last year, and damn, I want that thing to be worth some money!

I don't think he'll disappoint us, though. The guy's a beast. I'm a big guy, and he made me feel small. Linebackers don't normally make me feel like that - I've met Pollack before, and he looks like an average guy with a little extra muscle on him. Not particularly intimidating.

When I met Ahmad, he still hadn't made the team yet because cuts hadn't been announced, and someone said, "Hey Ahmad, what number are you going to wear?" He replied, "I gotta earn that first. Don't have one yet." And he was serious. Even though he knew he was going to make the team, I think he said it to keep himself motivated. He seems to have a good work ethic, and I think he'll be one of the good guys going forward.