NFL: The Show | GM D.Geezy's Cincinnati Bengals Franchise

[Deegeezy]

Saturday, March 5, 2011​

By Steve Wyche | NFL Network

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS​

On the eve of the 2011 NFL unrestricted free agent signing period, which is set to begin at the stroke of midnight tonight, NFL Network's Steve Wyche breaks down some of the top free agents available this off-season.

-------------------------------​

Top 10 Free Agents Available

1.WR Anquan Boldin (94 overall)

2.RB Clinton Portis (93 overall)

3.MLB Paul Posluszny (86 overall)

4.LG Arron Sears (86 overall)

5.CB Josh Wilson (86 overall)

6.CB Orlando Scandrick (84 overall)

7.QB Matt Hasselbeck (84 overall)

8.WR Earl Bennett (83 overall)

9.CB Dwight Lowery (83 overall)

10.CB Chevis Jackson (82 overall)


Top 10 Quarterbacks

1.Matt Hasselbeck (84 overall), Seahawks
2.Trent Edwards (82 overall), Bills
3.Jason Campbell (79 overall), Panthers
4.Byron Leftwich (74 overall), Buccaneers
5.Kevin Kolb (71 overall), Eagles
6.Alex Smith (71 overall), Falcons
7.Seneca Wallace (71 overall), Seahawks
8.Derek Anderson (70 overall), Browns
9.Chris Simms (70 overall), Vikings
10.Shaun Hill (68 overall), 49ers

Top 5 Running backs

1.Clinton Portis (93 overall), Redskins
2.Tashard Choice (81 overall), Cowboys
3.Ahmad Bradshaw (78 overall), Giants
4.Ian Johnson (77 overall), Jaguars
5.Laurence Maroney (77 overall), Patriots

Top 10 Wide Receivers

1.Anquan Boldin (94 overall), Cardinals
2.Earl Bennett (83 overall), Bears
3.Nate Burleson (79 overall), Seahawks
4.Steve Breaston (79 overall), Cardinals
5.David Clowney (79 overall), Falcons
6.Laurent Williams (78 overall), Rams
7.Chansi Stuckey (77 overall), Jets
8.Johnnie Lee Higgins (76 overall), Raiders
9.Mike Sims-Walker (75 overall), Jaguars
10.Miles Austin (74 overall), Cardinals

Top 5 Tight Ends

1.Tony Scheffler (79 overall), Broncos
2.Brad Cottam (78 overall), Chiefs
3.Marcedes Lewis (78 overall), Jaguars
4.Alex Smith (77 overall), Patriots
5.Jermichael Finley (77 overall), Packers

Top 5 Offensive Linemen

1.G Arron Sears (86 overall), Buccaneers
2.T Tony Hills (80 overall), Steelers
3.T D'Brickashaw Ferguson (79 overall), Jets
4.G Reggie Wells (79 overall), Cardinals
5.T Jeremy Trueblood (79 overall), Buccaneers

Top 5 Defensive Linemen

1.DE Kendall Langford (81 overall), Dolphins
2.DT Pat Sims (81 overall), Bengals
3.DE Cliff Avril (79 overall), Lions
4.DT Marcus Thomas (78 overall), Broncos
5.DE Chris Kelsay (77 overall), Bills

Top 5 Linebackers

1.MLB Paul Posluszny (86 overall), Bills
2.MLB Stewart Bradley (79 overall), Eagles
3.OLB Manny Lawson (78 overall), 49ers
4.OLB Justin Durant (78 overall), Jaguars
5.MLB David Harris (77 overall), Jets

Top 10 Defensive Backs

1.CB Josh Wilson (86 overall), Seahawks
2.CB Orlando Scandrick (84 overall), Cowboys
3.CB Dwight Lowery (83 overall), Jets
4.CB Brandon Carr (82 overall), Chiefs
5.CB Chevis Jackson (82 overall), Falcons
6.CB Kevin Dockery (79 overall), Giants
7.CB Jonathan Joseph (78 overall), Bengals
8.CB Brandon McDonald (78 overall), Browns
9.SS Nedu Ndukwe (77 overall), Bengals
10.FS Craig Steltz (75 overall), Bears

Top 5 Specialists

1.PK Nick Folk (92 overall), Cowboys
2.PK Ryan Longwell (81 overall), Vikings
3.PK Rian Lindell (79 overall), Bills
4.PK Jay Feely (78 overall), Lions
5.P Dave Zastudil (77 overall), Browns

 

[Aso]

I agree, go after Choice.

 

[Deegeezy]

I know you have Coffman but you should definately go for Tont Scheffler! I have in my franchise and he's a great receiving Tightend

We don't have a lot of dollars to spend on "luxury" players and Scheffler may fall under that category. I definitely have my eye on him though.

Shaun Hill is a guy I'd pick up, as well as Marcus Thomas, and maybe Lawson. Imagine Boldin and Ocho Cinco together...

I like how you think but to make that happen, I'd have to cut almost everyone else around them.

Tashard Choice would be a HUGE pickup for you. He's a beast in my Cowboys chise, he's the perfect guy to go to for screen plays, I recommend you pick him up and there doesn't seem to be any FAs that would attract my eye (QB), I'd just wait til the draft. Can't wait to see who ends up where.

I agree, go after Choice.

Tashard is definitely on the radar. The thing I have to weigh though is how much of an upgrade is he over the guys I already have and is he worth the extra cash I'd have to shell out.

I'll probably make a bid at some point but I have a feeling that he'll end up way out of my price range and I have a couple of relatively cheap guys already on the team that may be at the same skill level, in particular C.J. Spiller (77 overall).

 

[cheese2121]

That is a heck of a free agent class. Portis and Boldin were definitely shockers to see out there. Boldin and Ochocinco imagine the possibilites....of course that is never going to happen with the salary cap probably. I would definitely look to perhaps bring in some young talent in the wide receiving core. As much as I love Chad, he isn't getting any younger. Being a Virginia Tech fan myself, I would love to see David Clowney in a Bengals uniform. It seems like there could be a lot of good value pickups in this free agent draft. Good luck man! Can't wait to see what you do!

 

[Deegeezy]

Sunday, March 6 2011​

WR Kevin Curtis will join Martz, Ochocinco in Cincinnati

BENGALS, EAGLES SWAP PICKS IN EXCHANGE FOR WR KEVIN CURTIS
Teams agree to deal at the stroke of midnight | Martz's familiarity with Curtis makes 8th year pro an attractive option
​

By Jason La Confora, NFL Network

The start of the unrestricted free agent signing period along with the opening of the NFL trade market officially began at midnight tonight and the first deal of the off-season is already in the books. The Cincinnati Bengals and the Philadelphia Eagles burned the midnight oil working out a trade that sends WR Kevin Curtis (76 overall, 92 speed) to the Bengals in exchange for a swap of draft choices. To complete the deal, the Bengals will send Philadelphia their 3rd round pick (72nd overall) in exchange for the Eagles' 4th round (109th overall) and 5th round (141st overall) selections.

Rumored to be on the bubble and a potential candidate to be cut, Curtis became expendable to the Eagles after falling behind on the depth chart to both WR Jeremy Maclin (87 overall) and WR Desean Jackson (90 overall). His large cap figure, believed to be over $5 million this season, became cost-prohibitive for a likely #3 receiver.

Curtis, a former walk-on at Utah State, is likely to start opposite WR Chad Ochocinco in Cincinnati.

"Kevin was a guy we had discussed a year ago with the Eagles but we could not agree on compensation but we got it done this time around obviously," said Bengals G.M. D.Geezy in a statement released by the team.

"We feel he still has some good years left in his body and he knows the offense. He is extremely fast and will add a big-play element to our passing game. We think he is the perfect complimentary receiver to Chad."

The deal re-unites Curtis with the man who drafted him in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft, Bengals head coach Mike Martz. The pair spent three seasons together in St. Louis from 2003-2005.

"Kevin is one of my favorite players in the NFL and this was a deal that I felt was very important to make and we had been working on this for quite some time now," said Martz in a statement.

"He is a great player and a great person & will bring a lot to the locker room in terms of leadership. I am so excited to have Kevin at my disposal again and I can't wait to get him on the field."

The deal leaves the Bengals with 8 total picks in the 2011 draft: 1 (8), 2 (40), 4 (104), 4 (109), 5 (136), 5 (141), 6 (168), and 7 (200).




.

 

[Aso]

Great trade, I like it.

 

[goDawgs1433]

I do too. Get another veteran, downfield receiver, and add another draft pick for depth.

 

[Deegeezy]

Weekly Clips



Bengals | Steltz to visit
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 01:15:49 -0700
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Cincinnati Bengals will host Bears FS Craig Steltz (75 overall) for a free agent visit on Sunday, the first day of the free agent signing period. According to sources close to the team, Pro Bowl FB Jacob Hester will whine and dine Steltz in an effort to recruit him to join the Bengals. The two Louisiana natives played together at LSU and were apart of the same senior class that helped the Tigers win the 2007 National Championship.


___________________________



Bengals | Lawson to visit
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 01:15:49 -0700
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Cincinnati Bengals will host 49ers OLB Manny Lawson (78 overall) early next week for a free agent visit.


___________________________



Bengals | Bowman to visit
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 01:15:49 -0700
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Cincinnati Bengals will host Bears CB Zackary Bowman (75 overall) early next week for a free agent visit.


___________________________



Bengals | WR London released
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 01:15:49 -0700
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Cincinnati Bengals have released WR Brandon London (65 overall) following the acquisition of WR Kevin Curtis. London, the team's starter last season opposite Chad Ochocinco, was a huge disappointment after signing a 3-year $9 million contract last off-season. After catching 59 receptions for 802 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2009, London followed it up with just a 29 catch performance in 2010. The 4th year veteran was acquired during the 2009 season from Miami in exchange for WR Laveranues Coles and a swap of draft picks. The team did not rule out bringing back London later at a lesser pay rate. London's release saves the team approximately $3 million off the salary cap.


___________________________



Bengals | Salary Cap
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 01:15:49 -0700
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that following the acquisition of WR Kevin Curtis and the release of WR Brandon London, the Bengals are approximately $12 million under the salary cap.


___________________________

.

 

[Deegeezy]

I know you can't afford to upgrade every position in your team with the salary cap, but thought I'd let you know what I'd be looking at doing,

Out of the QB's I'd have a look at how much Edwards wants, he's a bit younger than the others and may get better. If not I'd wait till the draft.

I wouldn't get any other running backs, especially after spillers progression. But if you were looking for one, the best of the bunch would be bradshaw, hard to go past his speed, johnson has also progressed well.

At WR I think you need to bring in some youth, no one even close to starting progressed well in the off season, E.Bennett has progressed well and is only 24. Clowney has also progressed well and is extremely fast. Sims walker and williams must have just played their rookie season and could be good pickups with plenty of progression left in them.

I wouldn't change your tight end, great progression.

At G I'd be checking how much sears wants after losing Bobbie Williams. Although Cook could get you by.

Great progression by your defence, should be able to hold the opposition a lot better next season.

The only defender I'd buy is Chevis Jackson, great progression is young and actually plays better at SS than CB

I'd be looking to use your first 3 draft picks on a SS, WR and backup QB depending on their potentials.

First of all...Thanks for the great feedback.

I like your off-season plan but I won't be able to afford a lot of what you propose. I am pretty sure Trent Edwards is going to want starter-type money. I can probably find better value with the middle-tier guys.

Clowney is a guy I am looking very hard at. I'm going to have my eye on him early in the process but he isn't a priority at the moment. Hopefully he lasts a few days so that I can make him an offer (one offer per day rule).

Cook is on radar to get re-signed. I'd like to upgrade my other guard position but Cook should provide good depth and in the worst case scenario, a decent starter should I not be able to find an upgrade.

That is a heck of a free agent class. Portis and Boldin were definitely shockers to see out there. Boldin and Ochocinco imagine the possibilites....of course that is never going to happen with the salary cap probably. I would definitely look to perhaps bring in some young talent in the wide receiving core. As much as I love Chad, he isn't getting any younger. Being a Virginia Tech fan myself, I would love to see David Clowney in a Bengals uniform. It seems like there could be a lot of good value pickups in this free agent draft. Good luck man! Can't wait to see what you do!

Boldin is looking for a contract in the range of 6-year $60 million I believe so that pipe dream quickly ended for me.

Like I told the previous person, I really like Clowney too. He's young, fast, and has great hands. I have to weigh his contract demands though because at the moment, I feel somewhat comfortable with where I am receiver wise:

Ochocinco (89)
Curtis (76)
McDonald (70) - on his way to career year before landing on I.R. last season
Ford (60) - Rookie last year with great speed

As you can see, we aren't TERRIBLE but we can certainly use some help.

Great trade, I like it.

I do too. Get another veteran, downfield receiver, and add another draft pick for depth.

Thanks guys. I think Curtis will do wonders for this offense. Not having a capable #2 guy last year really hurt us. I am really digging my top 3 receivers. That's a lot of speed right there.

 

[Deegeezy]

Weekly Clips



Browns | Wilson signed
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the Cleveland Browns have signed Seattle free agent CB Josh Wilson (86 overall) to a 6-year $65 million contact which includes $18.5 million in guaranteed money.


___________________________

Panthers | Hasselbeck signed
Tue, 8 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the Carolina Panthers have signed Seattle free agent QB Matt Hasselbeck (84 overall) to a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.


___________________________



Titans | Posluszny inked
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the Tennessee Titans have signed Bills free agent MLB Paul Posluszny (86 overall) to a 6-year $34.6 million contract which includes over $13 million in bonus money.


___________________________






.

 

[Deegeezy]

Weekly Clips

Bengals | Steltz agrees to terms
Sun, 6 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Cincinnati Bengals have reached an agreement with Bears free agent FS Craig Steltz (75 overall) on a 5-year $17.5 million contract that includes $5.45 in guaranteed money. "Craig is a smart player and should come in right away and compete for a spot in the lineup," said Bengals G.M. D.Geezy. "We feel like he is an up and coming player. He will likely play strong safety for us where our pro scouting staff projects him as an 80 overall." The 2007 LSU graduate was said to be recruited heavily by his former college teammate, Bengals FB Jacob Hester.


___________________________

Bengals/Colts | Lawson mulling two offers
Tue, 8 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Jason La Confora of the NFL Network reports that 49ers free agent outside linebacker Manny Lawson (78 overall) is currently mulling offers from two different teams, the Colts and the Bengals.


___________________________


.

 

[goDawgs1433]

Nice pickup in Steltz, DGZ. Fits well as an in the box guy opposite Mays. Lawson would be a nice addition to that D, as well.

 

[cheese2121]

Great signing with Steltz. With him and Mays in the secondary, it should be pretty solid.

 

[Deegeezy]

Weekly Clips

Bengals | Lawson agrees to terms
Wed, 9 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the Cincinnati Bengals have signed 49ers unrestricted free agent OLB Manny Lawson (78 overall, 89 speed) to a 5-year $20 million contract which includes $5.4 million in bonuses. Lawson, 6-6 247 pounds, is expected to start at outside linebacker for the Bengals who are expected to transition completely to a 3-4 defense next season. Bengals defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has indicated that the team will move OLB Keith Rivers (87 overall) to the middle alongside MLB Rey Maualuga (89 overall) with Vernon Gholston (77 overall) serving as the team's other outside linebacker. "Manny is as versatile of a defensive player as I have ever seen and I think coach Crennel is going to have fun using this guy all over the field," said Bengals G.M. D.Geezy.


___________________________

Bengals | Offer made to Bowman
Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the Cincinnati Bengals have made a contract offer to Bears unrestricted free agent CB Zackary Bowman (75 overall). Bowman would like to take another visit prior to committing to Cincinnati according to his agent.


___________________________

Jets | Choice signed
Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the New York Jets have reached a contract agreement with Cowboys free agent RB Tashard Choice (81 overall) on 5-year $22.4 million contract which includes $8.5 million in guaranteed money.


___________________________

Broncos | Sims signed
Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:42:49 -0700
Jason La Confora of the NFL Network reports that the Denver Broncos have signed Bengals free agent DT Pat Sims (81 overall) to a 5-year $39 million contract which includes a whopping $15.45 million signing bonus. Sims is expected to start at nose tackle in the Broncos' 3-4 defensive alignment.


___________________________





.

 

[Deegeezy]

Nice pickup in Steltz, DGZ. Fits well as an in the box guy opposite Mays. Lawson would be a nice addition to that D, as well.

Great signing with Steltz. With him and Mays in the secondary, it should be pretty solid.

Man i love the offseason. Good pickups so far in Steltz and Curtis. Also, how did you edit the injury slider? I haven't been able to find it.

Still going strong with this...=] I still have to get caught up a bit nice updates though.

Thanks men...

Its been a pretty successful signing period thus far. I feel like we have signed some good bargain players who should come in and contribute right away. It's key to not overspend in free agency or fall in love with an OVR rating. Both of the signings so far are likely to start.

Steltz will move to SS where he is rated an 80. I like him because he had the best AWR rating of any safety in free agency with a 76 and the best play recognition rating at an 83. That is a big plus and he should never be out of position in coverage.

Also gotta love Manny Lawson. We're moving strictly to a 3-4 next season (Patriots playbook) and his 89 speed is going to look nice coming off the edge. Our quartet of linebackers now looks pretty formidable. Romeo Crennel is going to have fun with this 6-6 247 pound physical specimen.

Airbdes - You have to edit the injury slider from the main menu. It isn't within franchise mode, instead it is associated with your user profile.

 

[RyanLeaf16]

I like the deal for Curtis. Should provide a solid 1-2 combo with Ochocinco. I also liked the signing of Manny Lawson. Now that you are transitioning to a 3-4 exclusively, I think your ability to create pressure and generate sacks will go up. Lawson and Gholston should see a bump in production.

Interested to see what you do with your first rounder though. Maybe take someone on the line with the loss of Sims? That was a toug loss, I don't know his OVR, but, his STR rating was relatively high.

 

[goDawgs1433]

Some good signings there DGZ - love the pickup of Lawson to bolster that OLB corps. Bowman would be a nice addition as well, and I can't wait to see where you go in the draft.

 

[Tearz49ers]

Oh dear, taking one of my niners now are you? All in all, another good start made to the off-season Dee.

 

[Deegeezy]

I told you about Lawson

Yep...Good call. I had my eye on him early.

I like the deal for Curtis. Should provide a solid 1-2 combo with Ochocinco. I also liked the signing of Manny Lawson. Now that you are transitioning to a 3-4 exclusively, I think your ability to create pressure and generate sacks will go up. Lawson and Gholston should see a bump in production.

Interested to see what you do with your first rounder though. Maybe take someone on the line with the loss of Sims? That was a toug loss, I don't know his OVR, but, his STR rating was relatively high.

I'm not sure either which direction I am going to go. I have my eye on about 4 guys at 4 different position. It is going to come down to best player available likely.

I like to go into the draft with no desperate needs so that I don't have to reach for a particular position. I fill all of my holes with at least adequate free agent help which enables me to take the best player available come draft time.

The draft preview will be posted in the next couple of days if you'd like to try to take another stab at predicting the route we'll go.

Thanks man. Your LBs r looking solid. Also I think you have the wrong year, your putting 2010 and it should be 2011 lol

Thanks for catching that!

Some good signings there DGZ - love the pickup of Lawson to bolster that OLB corps. Bowman would be a nice addition as well, and I can't wait to see where you go in the draft.

Thanks man...I'm pretty satisfied with the results so far. I'm basically done as far as adding starters/big contributor types. Now is the time to focus on areas to improve depth and getting ready for the draft.

great signings, lawson is great, you can't beat speed, should be plenty of sacks next season.

I sure hope so. With Lawson and Gholston coming off the edge along with DE Michael Johnson (82 overall, 86 speed) wreaking havoc, we should be able to put up some great sack stats in 2011.

 

[Deegeezy]

Weekly Clips



Bengals | Bowman signed
Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:42:49 -0700
NFL Network's Jason La Confora reports that the Cincinnati Bengals have signed Bears free agent CB Zackary Bowman (75 overall) to a 5-year $17.5 million contract. Bowman is expected to compete for nickle back duties in the Bengals' secondary. "The thing that impressed us the most was Zackary's speed (90) and his man coverage abilities (91)," said Bengals G.M. D.Geezy. "We have a very high grade on this player and we feel like he can come in and fit into our scheme well."


___________________________



Bengals | QBs to workout
Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:16:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the Cincinnati Bengals will have unrestricted free agent QBs Shaun Hill (68 overall) and Alex Smith (71 overall) in for private workouts on Monday. Both quarterbacks spent a year in Bengals head coach Mike Martz's system in 2008 with the 49ers. Cincinnati is likely to sign only one of the two players.


___________________________



Ravens | Trio of WRs signed
Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:42:49 -0700
Adam Shefter of ESPN.com reports that the Baltimore Ravens have signed unresticted free agent WRs Steve Breaston (79 overall), Mario Manningham (74 overall), and Earl Bennett (83 overall) each to 5-year contracts. The trio joins last year's free agent signees Malcolm Floyd (76 overall) and Michael Jenkins (73 overall) to give Baltimore one of the deepest receiving corps in the NFL.

___________________________




.