01-22-2016, 09:22 PM
(12-05-2015, 01:31 AM)Hammerstripes Wrote: It looks like the cap for 2016 is going to be somewhere between 147-153 million. If we take the middle (150 million), that leaves us with roughly $32 million in cap space. So, the question is: is that enough to keep everyone that we want from the current team?
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/cincinnati-bengals/
Hall- sits stubbornly for a looong time, when he comes to his senses he comes back if Cincy hasn't moved on or retained Pacman
Smith- Gone. I know he came back before, but a tackle hungry team like Denver will give the guaranteed money Cincy won't
Nelson- likely Gone. I want him back, but even with his age someone like Miami will frontload a deal to get one or two good years.
Rey- Gone. I'm very happy with what he did as a Bengal but time to get paid as a starter to say the Vikes.
Pacman- Left me sour, but I'm not done with him and neither are the Bengals. If he doesn't get the right deal he comes back for 2 years.
Lamur- He draws a lot of hate, but he's going to be one of those that sits a long time and may come back just to battle for a 53 spot.
Gilberry-Total wildcard. They likely make him a mild priority but a cheap one, comes down to what they really think of Clarke or others.
Marvin Jones- sadly gone. He's getting paid big, hard to pass that up and hard to justify paying that much with AJ, Eifert and other toys already.
Sanu- Stays. Doesn't separate enough to get a big offer, but offers skills they'll find a way to use better with the loss of Jones, will draft a speed WR.
Iloka- A lock to stay. They'll either franchise him or transition him and risk paying him more than they wanted to but they'll still match, can't lose him.
Brandon Thompson- See Lamur. DL talent was solid, but hard to justify paying much for a guy that never got PT. Someone likely signs him but could return.
So the good news is that a few of these guys may be sitting for the first few days of FA
Filled in projections from link. These are Early projections, they could fluctuate depending on if Cincy breaks from tradition and courts actual FA's themselves rather than messing with comp picks. I think though that Marvin will get a big payday, Andre paid solid and guys like Vinny or Gilberry get a descent deal. So that could line them up for another 3rd and 4th or 5th down the road. It's not like they'll have a lot left over to play the FA game if they wanted to anyway, seeing as how some of it will need spent on guys like Dre and Gio. I think that they actually give Dre a solid long term deal, no matter if he's been above average/solid so far, they just don't have the known stability at corner yet and don't want him being a UFA if Dennard or a rookie aren't proven in a year. The fumble happened, but Gio may get a long term deal over Hill soon because they kept Zampese for stability. If they're running the same offense, he will want Gio out there in the shotgun/no huddle and they'll let Hill play determined to redeem himself and get a new deal. Zeitler is getting paid from someone but he's a guard, so if the two kids work out they are cheaper options along with an aging Whit for a few more seasons. I'd jump on a descent deal now, but odds are they're miles away right now. So if you've read this far and haven't given up as it sounds like some Hobson spin piece about how broke Cincy is...it's just repeating how the FO's mindset is and I really like it. I'd sum it up like this: They're losing half their own FA's by the time the wrap up a few of their own, the excitement may be the "ring chasers" that get cut and are looking to contribute. The board may split over that term being used for Cincy, the culture looked great up until the last game (primarily the ending), but the right LB with something left...more than just a Hawk type, or the right center or corner may see Cincy as a team they want to end their career with as a serious contender that THEY can make the difference and lead them to a playoff run...not just win. So keep an eye on an old vet here and there as they continue to spend wisely and redshirt rookies.
