Cincinnati Bengals, Super Bowl XLI champions

To date no free agent signings....woot! So far Lawyer Milloy, Will Demps, and Dexter Jackson have been brought in for visits. No word on whether it was first class or coach. Jamie Martin is scheduled to meet tomorrow with team officals. Kevin Walter has signed an offer sheet apparently with Houston for something like $6 million over 4 years, and he'll only cost them a seventh rounder as he's a RFA. I don't know if the Bengals want to spend that much on a fourth option at WR, though he's solid in that role as well as a mainstay on special teams. As is fairly old news by now, Schobel has signed with Philly, and I think they got themselves a good player.

The Bengals aren't going to do anything without Carson Palmer. He's just too good to be a missing piece.

Don't forget, you dumped Duane Clemons too. Lewis better move Pollack back to the D-Line.

I mean, it really isn't a surprise that they haven't jumped on anyone yet. Lawyer would be just a temporary solution. I'm not sure Dexter fits the Lewis scheme. He's really proven his skills are best suited for a Cover Two defense. Demps might work out though. Jamie Martin would certainly upgrade the stud backup QB set you have going. Martin-Krenzel-Johnson live in 'Natti!

Hello? We may have JAMIE MARTIN at QB in his stead. Hello?

Seriously, I don't know that he'll miss more than the first four games if that. As I read things are going pretty well in his rehab. I suppose a lot has to do with the schedule early in the year. I wouldn't mind the Bengals drafting a QB come April to be honest with you. They really have no backup for the foreseeable future. I don't believe Krenzel is anything more than an emergency guy.

Isn't he a dentist, or am I thinking of some other 3rd stringer out there?

Nor is Johnson. Walsh's philosophy was to draft a QB every year, so you're always developing an insurance policy. Kind of like Green Bay was doing, even though they had Favre the whole time. Anywhere in the 5-7th round range would be a good idea.

Krenzel's a molecular scientist, I think. Chemist? Some form of science that I never took in school.

Schumate, I actually forgot about Clemons, I suppose because it was pretty much a forgone conclusion he'd be gone. Things went sour for him when he skipped voluntary minicamps last year, and then the substance abuse suspenion just added to it. I think the plan is to use Pollack as the starting sam LB, though he'll see a lot of action in a three point stance in passing situations no doubt.

I think it's a silly usage of Pollack at LB period. Maybe 3-4 LB, but then again, I have no point. I have to remember that Lewis is trying to recreate his 2000 Ravens team, and I guess that makes Pollack his Boulware. Which is fine. Who's the weakside backer this year?

Simmons is set to be the weakside backer. Landon Johnson and Caleb Miller are set to backup, though both are more in the mold of weakside backers. Johnson will probably see most of his time at strongside when Pollack is lining up.

Hopefully the Bengals will get some decent compensatory picks next year if they don't sign anyone of note. I am really not excited about any of the free agents this year, though there are some solid safeties still on the market. Actually, I would love for Detroit to cut Wilkinson and have him back in Cincinnati, but that probably ain't happening. The number one priority is to get some guys extended beyond the upcoming season, namely the offensive line and Justin Smith. Tory James may be expendable though I wouldn't mind having him around a little longer. He's certainly the best CB option not named O'Neal that they have now.

You don't think highly of Ratliff? Woah. Tory James is, what, 32? I heard they weren't happy with Simmons either, and that he was close to being cut. Hopefully Nate Webster's resurgence will get them to wise up.

I actually like Ratliff, but his speed is a concern. He has good ball skills, and is a physical presence against the run despite his size. He actually played better as a rookie I believe, but he was really all over the place last year as opposed to being purely a nickelback. Actually, Madieu Williams may be a better corner, but he's busy playing safety when he's healthy, which hopefully will be the case this season. That defense was noticably better with him in the lineup.

My first post may have been an hour or so too early. From bengals.com....


Source: Bengals agree with Jackson
By GEOFF HOBSON
March 13, 2006

2:35 p.m.

According to a NFL source, the Bengals have reached a four-year deal with Tampa Bay safety Dexter Jackson, their first acquisition in free agency. The Bengals don’t comment on signings until the document is signed and details are undisclosed.

No doubt Jackson, an eight-year veteran turning 29 the week training camp starts, is going to be penciled in to start opposite free safety Madieu Williams when the first minicamp in two months. At 6-1, 205 pounds, Jackson has been at the center of the NFL’s best defenses the past several years. Highly regarded by Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, Jackson played for units ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2002 and 2004 and No. 5 last year.

It’s believed the Bengals had Jackson rated right with the market’s other top safeties: Corey Chavous, Adam Archuleta and Marlon McCree. Although those three got deals in the $3 to $5 million per year range, they probably reached a deal in the $2 million per year range with Jackson that included a good sum front-loaded.

The move means that Kim Herring, a free-agent safety signed in 2004, could be on the bubble after being able to play just 12 games in two injury-plagued seasons in Cincinnati.

Jackson becomes the first Super Bowl MVP to play for the Bengals, bringing along the trophy he won three years ago when his two interceptions helped the Buccaneers beat the Raiders.

Woah. Weird. I really had him set for Minny.

Ehhh? I don't see this a very big signing. The Bengals D is so overrated.

i agree, i do like the jackson signing though....

I don't think anyone believes this is a blockbuster move, but it at worst serves to add quality depth to a weak position. And as for the Bengals defense being overrated, who is overrating them? I don't know anyone who's saying they're good defensively. By the way, more details....


Updated: March 13, 2006, 2:42 PM ET
Jackson signs four-year deal with BengalsBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


The Cincinnati Bengals on Monday afternoon addressed one of their biggest needs, reaching agreement with unrestricted free agent safety Dexter Jackson on a four-year contract.

Dexter Jackson
Safety
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Profile
2005 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
45 32 13 0 1 1


Jackson agreed to a four-year, $7.6 million deal, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton, and will be the team's starting free safety.

Jackson was the most valuable player in Super Bowl XXXVII, when he was playing in the first of two stints with the Tampa Bay Bucs. The seven-year veteran should bring leadership and instincts to the interior of the Cincinnati secondary.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, saddled with poor play at safety in 2005, is also hoping to add a physical dimension, which Jackson should enhance.

Even if Jackson simply makes the routine plays at safety, particularly against the run, he is an upgrade for the Bengals over last season. Cincinnati lost both starters from its 2004 lineup, Madieu Williams and Kim Herring, to injuries and their absences dramatically affected the secondary unit.


The Bengals met over the weekend with free agent safety Lawyer Milloy, released by Buffalo last week, but it is believed the veteran left town without a contract offer.


Jackson, 28, began his career with the Bucs as a fourth-round choice in the 1999 draft. He played four seasons in Tampa Bay before taking advantage of his Super Bowl most valuable player award to sign with Arizona in 2003. But the Cardinals released Jackson after just one season and he returned to the Bucs late in the 2004 campaign.


The former Florida State standout has 329 career tackles, 14 interceptions, 18 passes defensed and 3½ sacks. He started in 10 games in 2005 and had 54 tackles, one interception and one sack. Jackson's best season was in 2003, when he posted 105 tackles and six interceptions.


He culminated that season with a Super Bowl performance where he had two interceptions.


Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

is madeau moving to ss?? why is jackson starting a free safety, that was williams spot....

you must be talking about Madieu Williams. Jackson is much more of a centerfield type safety who rather wants to make play on the ball than go hang with blockers in the box.

madeau showed a lot of promice, better than jackson, he got hurt and didnt play this year, i think he may move to ss, williams is a solid safety who almost won rookie of the year, no reason not to start him with jackson....

I don't think anyone believes this is a blockbuster move, but it at worst serves to add quality depth to a weak position. And as for the Bengals defense being overrated, who is overrating them? I don't know anyone who's saying they're good defensively. By the way, more details....

Nah man...it just seems like there is so much hype around Marvin Lewis the style of D he brings to Cinci. They have bright spots like Odell, Simmons, Landon, Justin Smith, and Geathers, but I think people don't realize that they statisically a very mediocre D. I could see the chance for something big, but not yet. I still think it's ironic that since Marvin Lewis has came in town, the offense is the one that has been retooled and reconstructed.