01-13-2016, 01:57 PM
Reggie - Is 32, so long as the deal doesn't go beyond 3 years I'd like to see him back. The Pro Bowl nod and ending up tied for the INT lead will drive his price up though.
Iloka - Should be brought back, I'm hoping the nagging groin injury this season dampens his value on the open market.
M.Jones - The better of the two (Sanu being the other) as a pure outside WR. Would love to see him back. It'll be interesting to see how much attention he gets if allowed to hit the open market. I'm hoping (in vain no doubt) that other teams look at Jones and think 'Alvin Harper' when it comes time to put their money on the table. Missing all of '14 could also lower his value on the market.
Sanu - I'd say the more versatile (not better) of the two FA WR's. He can function as a 2, works well in the slot, and has shown on occasion to be useful in our trickery. Of the two I'd expect him to be easier to retain, but wouldn't be shocked to see someone snatch him up for his utility.
A.Smith - I'm curious to see where he goes. If he comes back it'll be like last time, because no one else really bothered to kick the tires on him. 1-2 year deal at most if he somehow is brought back, but Fisher and Ogbuehi, coupled with Whit's extension during the season, make it highly unlikely.
L.Hall - If Hall comes back it'll certainly be at a massive pay cut and (hopefully) a position change to Safety. Hall would be my guess to replace Reggie in the short term if Reggie bails.
Lamur - I don't dislike the guy, but when you're the team's "coverage" LB and the team has habitual problems with covering HB's and TE's...well...how good of a coverage guy is he really?
Rey - Special Teams staple, mostly consistent when getting snaps on D. If he comes back at or even below (preferably below) his current cap hit? Cool. If he suddenly is a 4+mil a year player? Goodbye!
Pacman - I'll be shocked if he leaves, not because the Bengals prevent it, but I just don't see a 32 year old CB with anger management issues and his history getting a massive payday, regardless of how well he's played the last few years.
Gilberry - I like him, seems like a good guy, and a solid player. His versatility will be the selling point for him in FA with his ability to slide all over the line. He isn't a stud pass rusher, that should help in keeping the price tag down. I view him as a good rotation piece, and more of a 'Jack of all trades, master of none' on the D-Line. That isn't meant as an insult, he's solid at both run defense and pass rushing, however he excels at neither.
Everyone else on the list was already on a 1 year deal or is an exclusive rights free agent (T.J. Johnson), they'll likely be back if the team wants them back and they want to come back. None of them did anything that I saw to suddenly warrant a long-term contract.
If any of our defensive FA not named Nelson, Jones or Iloka leave I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they left specifically for Minnesota. I don't see Gilberry, Rey, Hall or Lamur getting signed to either a big contract, or even signed to start for that matter. But I sure can see Zimmer continuing to try and bring in more of his guys. After losing out on MJ last off-season I can easily see him grabbing Wallace. Same goes for Hall, I can see Zim snagging him like he did this past year when T.Newman followed him to Minny.
I could also see Nelson, Jones or Iloka going to Minnesota, but those three I'd expect to get more attention from teams in general (O.K. maybe not Pacman). Miami is also a possibility now, specifically for the DB's.
On the plus side, even if there are massive defections, with the drafting they've done lately most of the replacements are already in place. Williams played alright in relief this year at S, the rooks played alright on the O-line, and P.J. Dawson should turn into a good LB. Only real spot of concern I'd have is at WR, but that can be addressed in this year's draft if need be.
Apologies for the length.
Iloka - Should be brought back, I'm hoping the nagging groin injury this season dampens his value on the open market.
M.Jones - The better of the two (Sanu being the other) as a pure outside WR. Would love to see him back. It'll be interesting to see how much attention he gets if allowed to hit the open market. I'm hoping (in vain no doubt) that other teams look at Jones and think 'Alvin Harper' when it comes time to put their money on the table. Missing all of '14 could also lower his value on the market.
Sanu - I'd say the more versatile (not better) of the two FA WR's. He can function as a 2, works well in the slot, and has shown on occasion to be useful in our trickery. Of the two I'd expect him to be easier to retain, but wouldn't be shocked to see someone snatch him up for his utility.
A.Smith - I'm curious to see where he goes. If he comes back it'll be like last time, because no one else really bothered to kick the tires on him. 1-2 year deal at most if he somehow is brought back, but Fisher and Ogbuehi, coupled with Whit's extension during the season, make it highly unlikely.
L.Hall - If Hall comes back it'll certainly be at a massive pay cut and (hopefully) a position change to Safety. Hall would be my guess to replace Reggie in the short term if Reggie bails.
Lamur - I don't dislike the guy, but when you're the team's "coverage" LB and the team has habitual problems with covering HB's and TE's...well...how good of a coverage guy is he really?
Rey - Special Teams staple, mostly consistent when getting snaps on D. If he comes back at or even below (preferably below) his current cap hit? Cool. If he suddenly is a 4+mil a year player? Goodbye!
Pacman - I'll be shocked if he leaves, not because the Bengals prevent it, but I just don't see a 32 year old CB with anger management issues and his history getting a massive payday, regardless of how well he's played the last few years.
Gilberry - I like him, seems like a good guy, and a solid player. His versatility will be the selling point for him in FA with his ability to slide all over the line. He isn't a stud pass rusher, that should help in keeping the price tag down. I view him as a good rotation piece, and more of a 'Jack of all trades, master of none' on the D-Line. That isn't meant as an insult, he's solid at both run defense and pass rushing, however he excels at neither.
Everyone else on the list was already on a 1 year deal or is an exclusive rights free agent (T.J. Johnson), they'll likely be back if the team wants them back and they want to come back. None of them did anything that I saw to suddenly warrant a long-term contract.
If any of our defensive FA not named Nelson, Jones or Iloka leave I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they left specifically for Minnesota. I don't see Gilberry, Rey, Hall or Lamur getting signed to either a big contract, or even signed to start for that matter. But I sure can see Zimmer continuing to try and bring in more of his guys. After losing out on MJ last off-season I can easily see him grabbing Wallace. Same goes for Hall, I can see Zim snagging him like he did this past year when T.Newman followed him to Minny.
I could also see Nelson, Jones or Iloka going to Minnesota, but those three I'd expect to get more attention from teams in general (O.K. maybe not Pacman). Miami is also a possibility now, specifically for the DB's.
On the plus side, even if there are massive defections, with the drafting they've done lately most of the replacements are already in place. Williams played alright in relief this year at S, the rooks played alright on the O-line, and P.J. Dawson should turn into a good LB. Only real spot of concern I'd have is at WR, but that can be addressed in this year's draft if need be.
Apologies for the length.
