If we let MJ walk and sign Dwight Freeny

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by spinksjinx

Deep draft for it.

I realize that, but just seems pointless to develop a new guy into exactly what we already have in MJ. Plus, he's what I would consider a high character individual and you will likely never, ever question if he's taking plays off.

[WhodeyinMB]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

I realize that, but just seems pointless to develop a new guy into exactly what we already have in MJ. Plus, he's what I would consider a high character individual and you will likely never, ever question if he's taking plays off.

To me it depends on how much money Johnson wants. I looked at the stats of him and Charles Johnson; they're pretty similar through their first fours years.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/...harles-johnson
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/...ichael-johnson

Charles got 6 years and $72 million with $30 million guaranteed. I'm not comfortable giving Michael that much, especially with Dunlap and Atkins needing extensions after next season. Does he get that much on the open market? Who knows. But it only takes one team to offer it, and if I'm Michael's agent I'm pointing to that contract as the basis of any new deal. I'd hate to see Michael leave; he's a complete 4-3 DE. If he wants a reasonable contract, sign him. If he wants to break the bank, either tag him for a year or thank him for his services and wish him the best.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by WhodeyinMB

To me it depends on how much money Johnson wants. I looked at the stats of him and Charles Johnson; they're pretty similar through their first fours years.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/...harles-johnson
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/...ichael-johnson

Charles got 6 years and $72 million with $30 million guaranteed. I'm not comfortable giving Michael that much, especially with Dunlap and Atkins needing extensions after next season. Does he get that much on the open market? Who knows. But it only takes one team to offer it, and if I'm Michael's agent I'm pointing to that contract as the basis of any new deal. I'd hate to see Michael leave; he's a complete 4-3 DE. If he wants a reasonable contract, sign him. If he wants to break the bank, either tag him for a year or thank him for his services and wish him the best.

Some team will offer him that much on the open market.

[CINwillWIN]

No real reason why we can't resign Michael Johnson...just do it already Brown family!

(then sign Kyle Vanden Bosch for cheap insurance)

[WhoDeyLeisure]

Originally Posted by CINwillWIN

No real reason why we can't resign Michael Johnson...just do it already Brown family!

(then sign Kyle Vanden Bosch for cheap insurance)

And the Winklevoss twins.

[spinksjinx]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

I realize that, but just seems pointless to develop a new guy into exactly what we already have in MJ. Plus, he's what I would consider a high character individual and you will likely never, ever question if he's taking plays off.

Agreed, no reason to draft one when you have a suitable one you developed.

I want him back, but not if it's going to cripple other positions or players.

[SCOOTERdeKAT]

Love your off season check list. I might add sign a quality backup QB.

[SCOOTERdeKAT]

No way do the Bengals let MJ go. Either he or Andre Smith will get the Franchise Tag. As great as he once WAS (operative word = WAS), Freeney would be a definite downgrade to Johnson, a star just entering his prime.

Agree with those who would like to see Freeney here at the right price to use on obvious passing downs. I'd jettison Geathers I think to have Freeney in the D-Line rotation, where he could help coach up some of the younger guys like Still and the other D-Line rookie we took in last year's draft (It's later and I'm temporarily brain cramping on his name.)

[CornerBlitz]

Although i am not a Michael Johnson fan, Freeney is declining. So i'd rather have MJ.

[Housh]

Originally Posted by CornerBlitz

Although i am not a Michael Johnson fan, Freeney is declining. So i'd rather have MJ.

Im not trippin but how could you possibly not be a fan of MJ?

Theres being a fan........being either or.....then theres not being a fan.

How is there any way your not a fan of a 24 year old who dropped 10 sacks and has worked hard and improved in every year of his career. AND he doesnt make us look stupid to the media, and he wants to be here.

I cant think of ANY reason why a Bengals fan wouldnt be a fan of MJ.....I just cant.

Once again, im not bustin your basketballs, I just cant think of 1 reason to not like the guy

[GreenDragon]

Originally Posted by Kaptkurt

Is that an upgrade, a downgrade, or do we break even.

I think we upgrade short term because Freeney will be cheaper and he'll be playing his natural position at DE instead of LB, but he's only a one or two year option.

NO!

[fulltime bengalfan]

Originally Posted by BengalChris

You wouldn't replace MJ with Freeney. And replacing MJ with a rookie in the draft is also a downgrade for at least two years.

Bringing in Freeney is not a bad idea however. But it would be to complement and rotate in, not to replace. Would have to be at a fair price for the team.

I do like the idea of bringing in come players who have high work ethic and have won championships so that the players on the Bengals can see what it really takes. That's why I'd like to Greg Jennings given a look at a two year deal. He would help the team's young receivers.

I really hope the bengals are not letting go of MJ....And i dont think they will i think they will sign MJ...GENO...AND ...DUNLAP this year ....Im not so sure gathers will be back if he want 6 mill again ....I hope they bring back sims and let peko go ....I think peko has tailed off last 2 years ...And they got stills ....He will be much better this year......But the fact is the heart beat of the team is the Dline and it has to stay in place at any cost.....And im sure they know that.....But then again they let Jjoe walk so who knows....The fact that they have over 50 mill and have to spend 89% of it this year tells me Mj will be a bengal next year.....The bengals need a safty a RB a center and they will be good ....I hope

[Night's Watch]

Originally Posted by WhodeyinMB

To me it depends on how much money Johnson wants. I looked at the stats of him and Charles Johnson; they're pretty similar through their first fours years.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/...harles-johnson
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/...ichael-johnson

Charles got 6 years and $72 million with $30 million guaranteed. I'm not comfortable giving Michael that much, especially with Dunlap and Atkins needing extensions after next season. Does he get that much on the open market? Who knows. But it only takes one team to offer it, and if I'm Michael's agent I'm pointing to that contract as the basis of any new deal. I'd hate to see Michael leave; he's a complete 4-3 DE. If he wants a reasonable contract, sign him. If he wants to break the bank, either tag him for a year or thank him for his services and wish him the best.

For one, Charles Johnson did not get moved to OLB to develop, then switched back and forth, told to drop weight and then put it back on. I really only look at the last two years for MJ the RDE. Just saying, also you seem to be comparing as if Charles Johnson is a bust on his contract, 3 straight years averaging 10 sacks and had 7 FF last year, seems like he is playing out his contract to me.

[LEATHER FACE]

Freeny has about two good years left. MJ has not even reached his potential yet. This isn't a difficult decision.

[WhodeyinMB]

Originally Posted by Night's Watch

For one, Charles Johnson did not get moved to OLB to develop, then switched back and forth, told to drop weight and then put it back on. I really only look at the last two years for MJ the RDE. Just saying, also you seem to be comparing as if Charles Johnson is a bust on his contract, 3 straight years averaging 10 sacks and had 7 FF last year, seems like he is playing out his contract to me.

I fail to see how I called out Charles Johnson at all. Through four years Michael's numbers were near identical to Charles'. Charles got 6 years and $72 million and thus Michael's agent should use that as the basis of a new deal. I also said I didn't know if I was comfortable giving Michael that much. How you got all that out of what I said is beyond me. At no point did I say anything about Charles not living up to the contract; everything I said was about Michael.

Atkins and Dunlap are due up next year. That's also the first year you can extend Green and Dalton should they decide to. Is Michael Johnson a $12+ million DE? On the FA market, sure. You're worth what someone's willing to pay you. But is he to us, when we have others to sign and a system that delivers pressure in waves basically? I don't know.

[Go Cards]

MJ is going nowhere.

[Kaptkurt]

The point is moot. How about Geathers or Freeney lol