Breaking News: Antwan Odom signs

By Adam Kiefaber

Around 8:00 a.m. eastern standard time, Cincinnati Bengal fans got excited that their favorite NFL franchise was about to get a new starting defensive tackle.

Almost 12 hours later, some sources are saying that there won’t be a trade between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets.

While the chances for one defensive lineman to join the Bengals dries up, another defensive lineman joins the team.

According to the team’s Web Site, Antwan Odom’s agent confirmed that his client has agreed to a five-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The deal “borders on $30 million with more than $11 million guaranteed”, according to Bengals.com.

Personally, I like the deal.

Signing Odom (right) for a good amount less than the 49ers used (six years at $45 million) on Justin Smith seems like a smart move.

I believe having another athletic defensive end to pair up with Robert Geathers should work out a lot better than having Smith.

Smith was a solid player, but there were too many times where Smith would be running away from line instead of attacking it.

For that reason, he was able to make tackles down the field. Smith’s ability to make downfield tackles has always been labeled his strength, but I have always thought of it as his weakness (attacked the line more his rookie season and started to do it less and less as his career went on).

Hopefully, Odom can make some plays behind the line of scrimmage instead of five or six yards past it.

Last season, Odom, who is only 26 years old, was a regular starter for the first time in his career as a Tennessee Titan. He finished the year with eight sacks, which would have led the Bengals by far.

In Tennessee, he had the benefit of being on the other side as Kyle Vanden Bosch and on the same line as Albert Haynesworth.

If the Bengals can trade/sign Robertson, it will only help Geathers and Odom.

Even though most people are shying away from commenting on the Robertson deal, I have a feeling that it could still happen.

If the Bengals have enough spending money after the Odom deal than I believe they will acquire Robertson.

The Jets have to get rid of Robertson after acquiring Kris Jenkins, Alan Faneca, Damien Woody and Calvin Pace to huge contracts.

To make the deal go through, Cincinnati needs to redo Robertson’s contract. It would be disappointing if that would cause the team to miss out on a quality defensive tackle.

However, the team could cut off all ties with the Jets if they sign safety Marlon McCree, who I heard was close to a deal with the Bengals.