Cincinnati Bengals: Winners. You can't really call the Bengals "losers" because they've only lost one starter from last season's playoff team, and Cincinnati wasn't interested in bringing back outside linebacker Manny Lawson (signed with Buffalo).

 

ESPN: Bengals Among Winners In Free Agency - Cincy Jungle

Also from the article:

 

If the Bengals can re-sign both Andre Smith and Terence Newman, this offseason will officially be considered a success, especially if they add Thomas Howard into the mix.

 

The Bengals are considered by many to be in the best shape of any team in the division. If they make it to the playoffs in 2013, it will be the third year in a row, which has never happened in franchise history.

Only in the world of Cincinnati Bengal football can a team who does essentially nothing (except pick up a back-up QB from one of the worst teams in the NFL and overpay for one of their own LB's--Reason no one else offered for Rey) be deemed a "winner" in free agency??

This was an independent third party working for the total sports network.

This was an independent third party working for the total sports network.

 

Understand it wasn't you, but really--A winner? I got it that they want to leave room to sign their own FA's & better players, but they need to look over their shoulders @ the Browns. Average & occasionally slightly above will always be Mikey's theme!! Bored Cincinnatians fill the seats & Mr. Brown drives his Impala (with small wheel covers & no options) to the bank. :greedy:

This perspective is laughable. The fact they haven't addressed the strong safety and outside linebacker positions should be a great concern. As for them being a success since they have focused on retaining their productive free agents. Congrats Bengals, you've achieved what every organization does when cap allows. However, by retaining Rey Mal, the organization proves once again, mediocrity, and less is acceptable!

 

So by adding no one to this team, it has been a successful free agent season. Watch your step getting on the short bus Monday morning!

Within the division, you have to consider them the winner. And on paper, it sure looks like they are the favorite in the North going into the draft. The Ravens and Steelers may be unrecognizable.

This perspective is laughable. The fact they haven't addressed the strong safety and outside linebacker positions should be a great concern. As for them being a success since they have focused on retaining their productive free agents. Congrats Bengals, you've achieved what every organization does when cap allows. However, by retaining Rey Mal, the organization proves once again, mediocrity, and less is acceptable!

 

So by adding no one to this team, it has been a successful free agent season. Watch your step getting on the short bus Monday morning!

 

They did address OLB with Aaron Maybin and Brandon Joiner. And if Rey moves back outside the Bengals probably over addressed it, at least with quantity.

 

Safety I agree with but I assume the Bengals think what they wanted at the price they were willing to pay wasn't there.

 

I would still like to see a RB, what about Javon Ringer?

A one and done pretender that can make the playoffs without spending, yeah that prob is a big winner in the financial world. Question is how long can Mikey Kinesh grind things out till he's exposed?

In Andy the Bengals trust. It is going to be a long, long year if he goes down.

They did address OLB with Aaron Maybin and Brandon Joiner. And if Rey moves back outside the Bengals probably over addressed it, at least with quantity.

 

Safety I agree with but I assume the Bengals think what they wanted at the price they were willing to pay wasn't there.

 

I would still like to see a RB, what about Javon Ringer?

 

Looked into Ringer Guru, and he isn't one. Injury prone and unproven. Quantity won't address the Bengals gaps. We need quality, not special teamers and 2-3 rd string talent on other good to great teams. Ownership needs to open the checkbook and obtain good talent with upside, not long in the tooth veterans on the downhill slide ( which they've done in the past and got snake bit ). Probably the reason for their reluctance.

 

The consistent winners in the NFL utilize this time of year to address need and make smart pickups. It's looking like the Bengals will once again call upon unproven rookies to make a big leap in the NFL, assuming the Bengals meet these needs in the draft. This organization continues to make it difficult to be a fan!

After I posted that I looked more at Ringer too and I agree. I have a soft spot because he is a local guy.

 

I want to reserve any heavy criticism until after the draft and/or any trades shake out.

ESPN continues to lose more and more credibility.

 

Lets see....The Bengals re-sign one of the worst MLB's in the entire league and a 7th string QB no one has heard of and ESPN labels them winners.

 

Wow....and people still wonder why the Bengals still haven't won anything in the post season.

In Andy the Bengals trust. It is going to be a long, long year if he goes down.

Actually how much worse could the Bengals be if Dalton went down?

 

Serious question, not trying to be funny. Dalton really wasn't that great if you ask me.

They did address OLB with Aaron Maybin and Brandon Joiner. And if Rey moves back outside the Bengals probably over addressed it, at least with quantity.

 

Safety I agree with but I assume the Bengals think what they wanted at the price they were willing to pay wasn't there.

 

I would still like to see a RB, what about Javon Ringer?

 

I still think they're best bet at RB is sitting on the bench in Houston.