Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is one of the biggest free agents available this offseason. The Bengals would love to have him, but will he cost too much and would he even want to come here?
BENGALSTRIPES – The Super Bowl is over and now it is time to talk free agency.
There are many that would help out the Cincinnati Bengals next season including defensive stars Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee), Julius Peppers (Carolina) and Karlos Dansby (Arizona). In fact, the Ravens’ big three linebackers Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott can became unrestricted free agents at the end of February.
Highlighting the list of Bengals that could become unrestricted free agents are quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, running back Cedric Benson, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, kicker Shayne Graham, defensive tackle John Thornton, center Eric Ghiaciuc, safety Chris Crocker and offensive lineman Stacy Andrews.
The big name in length and as far as interest goes is T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Houshmandzadeh is already a fan favorite and could get a solid payday out in the open market.
Letting the injured Andrews and fan-hated Ghiaciuc go would mean that the Bengals will have to immediately address their offensive line.
Offensive tackle Jordan Gross (Carolina) appears to be the biggest name OT on the market and Jason Brown (Baltimore) would be a good center to go after. No doubt, offensive line will be a target in the draft.
The Bengals free agency target last season, defensive line, looks to be strong in 2009. Getting Suggs or Peppers at DE could help turnaround one of the NFL’s worst teams (tied for 30th in the NFL) at sacking the opposing quarterback.
However, do the Bengals have too much money already invested at DE with Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom?
Maybe linebacker would be the way to go. Middle linebackers Ray Lewis (Baltimore), Jonathan Vilma (New Orleans) and Channing Crowder (Miami) could be available. On the outside Karlos Dansby (Arizona), Bart Scott (Baltimore), Leroy Hill (Seattle) and Michael Boley (Atlanta) would all make an immediate impact.
There are also a ton of quality safeties out there – Jermaine Phillips (Tampa Bay), Oshiomogoho Atogwe (St. Louis), Sean Jones (Cleveland) and Mike Brown (Chicago) to name a few.
Other big names that will grab national headlines are CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland), RB Brandon Jacobs (NYG) and QBs Kurt Warner (Arizona), Matt Cassel (New England) and Kerry Collins (Tennessee).
Personally, as I wrote before, would love the Bengals to pursue free agent RB Darren Sproles and re-sign RB Cedric Benson. I would also like the Bengals to re-sign Crocker, who played great late in the season.
I would also like through free agency a quality offensive lineman and big-name defensive player, which I believe is needed to help increase fan moral.
As far as the rest goes, I am open to letting people go as long as you bring new and exciting players in.
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No doubt the Bengals need help. The theme song “Rumble in Jungle” no longer applys…its the Beatles singing “help.” Dragon Lady wants to order a new QB and a side order of defensive players for protection. While we are discussing the super bowl…I am so sick of the Steelers! They should have charged two of their players with criminal charges and put them away…off the playing field forever. Palmer has never been the same. Lets hope that Rivers can make a come back. We want pay back. Look at the films…it was totally intentional! The NFL is letting some of these guys get away with attempted murder! I am all for excitement in Cincy…but is it even possible?
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