02-22-2020, 12:59 PM
(02-22-2020, 12:36 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I realize that some Bengal fans embrace the negative and try to blank out memories of the Bengals doing anything good, but the last time we bottomed out this hard (4-12, 2010) the front office signed three new defensive starters in free agency. CB Nate Clements was getting older, but was still considered a top player. LBs Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard were not big stars, but they were both young, and had been productive starters.
Will the Bengals sign any of the highest paid Free agents on the market? Probably not. But I suspect we see them go after something better than the bottom of the barrel projects they usually sign.
This is bologna. Those were dumlster diving, cheap, band-aid signings.
Nate Clements - 2 years/10.5 mil total ***Out of league after 2012
Thomas Howard - 2 years/6.5 mil total ***Out of league after 2012
Manny Lawson - 1 year/3.5 mil
Clements was over the hill and replaced Joseph who got a contract 5x that amount. We didn't even sign bim during free agency. He was a training camp cut in late July. He was a substantial downgrade and a much cheaper optjon than the guy we let walk.
Lawson was a first round bust. That's why, despite being young, he signed a 1 year bargain bjn deal. He was also cheaper than the guy he replaced. (Rivers)
Thomas Howard was waived mid-season prior to us signing him. No one bothered claiming him. He had 7 tackles that year in 12 games, and 9 starts. 7!!! He ended up being decent for a year but, again, 25 year old guys dont sign 2 year deals at 6 mil if theyre a covetsd free agent.
C'mon now. None of those signings indicated a change of approach.
