According to everyone and their mom, Madieu Williams has agreed to a six-year deal worth $33 million with the Minnesota Vikings.
Right when the negative Bengal fan in me was starting to come out, Cincinnati made a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions.
Look at that fat man run!
The Bengals traded gave up a third-round and a fifth-round pick for the massive two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.
Screw worrying about if DTs Glenn Dorsey (LSU) or Sedrick Ellis (USC) will be there at No. 9 overall pick because the Bengals won’t be worried.
Turn your attention to trading up the draft for one of the top defensive ends like Virginia’s Chris Long or Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston.
The 340-pound Rogers (right) will clog up the opposing team’s running game like beef clogs up the middle of a hamburger.
Rogers will turn 29 in two weeks and has three years left on his contract (he is due $4.25 million this year, $5.25 million in ‘09 and $7 million in ‘10).
The Bengals also brought back one of my favorites back in Dhani Jones by way of a three-year deal, according to the team’s Web site.
A part of me is sad that Madieu is gone, especially since I have his jersey.
However, I think that a Rogers’ jersey will look phat.
What the Bengals and Mike Brown will do remains a mystery.
Personally, I expect the team to be unbengal-like and to be active in free agency.
The team will have to be with defensive starters Justin Smith, Madieu Williams and Landon Johnson testing the market.
Other players that will be free agents include wide receiver Tab Perry, offensive lineman Adam Kieft and punter Kyle Larson.
Give Cincinnati some credit for making tender offers to would-be free agents quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, wide receiver Glenn Holt, linebackers Rashad Jeanty and Corey Mays.
Fitzpatrick can still sign with another team and Cincinnati would only receive a seventh-round pick as compensation.
Cincinnati also re-signed defensive lineman Jon Fanene to a three-year deal for a total of $4.5 million.
The best news could be that the team is expected to re-sign linebacker Dhani Jones (above), according to the team’s Web site.
As usually the Bengals will play the “we don’t have any money” card, but for fun, let’s dream.
Here is a short list of players that will be unrestricted free agents in a few hours:
Cornerback Asante Samuel, WR Randy Moss, QB Dante Culpepper, running back Michael Turner, RB Chris Brown, WR Jerry Porter, WR Ernest Wilford, guard Alan Faneca, WR Bernard Berrian, TE Alge Crumpler, RB Julius Jones, WR Donte Stallworth, safety Gibril Wilson, S Eugene Wilson, WR Bryant Johnson, QB Todd Collins, LB Junior Seau, WR Andre Davis, WR D.J. Hackett, WR Marty Booker, LB Lance Briggs, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, kicker Rob Bironas, QB Byron Leftwich, K Josh Brown, RB Derrick Ward, RB Ron Dayne, RB Jesse Chatman, RB T.J. Duckett, LB Calvin Pace
And others that will be restricted free agents:
RB Marion Barber, QB Derek Anderson, QB Trent Green, G Chris Kemoeatu, LB Michael Boley, DE Chris Canty, S Oshiomogho Atogwe, DT Jovan Haye, OT Elton Brown, CB Eric Green, DT Mike Wright, S C.C. Brown, S Matt Giordano
It will go down in team history as they greatest offseason acquisition that the Cincinnati Bengals have ever made.
Right up there with the free-agent signings of Richmond Webb and Sam Adams.
However, unlike Webb and Adams this deal will deliver results.
If I lost you, I’m talking about the deal that was struck today, which gave me (the former full-time writer) complete control and ownership of Bengalstripes.com.
Bengalstripes’ loyal supporters might remember that dark day in early November when the last post was made by me on our Web site.
Many of us were left without a place to complain, whine and mope as the Bengals struggled to achieve a mediocre season.
That complaining sanctuary, otherwise known as Bengalstripes.com, is back and don’t expect to leave anytime soon, as the deal set me back a few bucks.
Be on the lookout for trade talk and draft discussions - Please tell all your friends that BENGALSTRIPES.com is back!
Turn your attention to trading up the draft for one of the top defensive ends like Virginia’s Chris Long or Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston.
Personally, I expect the team to be unbengal-like and to be active in free agency.
Right up there with the free-agent signings of Richmond Webb and Sam Adams.