Laurinaitis could be one of the three best interior linebackers on the free agent market. He's young enough to still make an impact, he's a tremendous leader who has been one of the most powerful voices in the Rams' locker room and he would fit into the Bengals' scheme very well. Playing more than 99 percent of his team's snaps in seven seasons, Laurinaitis is one of the NFL's most durable players. He's a very sure tackler and has one of the best football IQs in the business. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williamsconsidered Laurinaitis "an extension of himself on the field," a testament to the linebacker's awareness and knowledge of the game.

 

Even considering Laurinaitis' high cap number, many analysts didn't expect Los Angeles to cut the middle linebacker, as he was one of the most influential and consistently reliable players on his team. For the right price, Cincinnati would get what it wanted but didn't receive in A.J. Hawk.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Hawk signing wasn't a waste of money or a pointless move. But Hawk wasn't as vocal a leader as many seemed to expect him to be, and he didn't have a big on-field impact. Laurinaitis has the track record of motivating his team, and he is still talented enough to make a difference on defense. Considering the linebacker's 2015 elbow injury and increasing age, some teams could be turned off to the possibility of signing him. At the right price, however, Laurinaitis could be a huge free agency steal and a perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals. And for what it's worth, Laurinaitis and Hawk were briefly college teammates at Ohio State. The possibility of returning to the state in which he played college ball or reuniting with a former teammate could potentially give the middle linebacker incentive to sign with the Bengals.

 

Why the Bengals should make a play for recently cut James Laurinaitis - Cincy Jungle

They sign him at the expense of whom? Whose playing time does that eliminate?

They sign him at the expense of whom? Whose playing time does that eliminate?

 

Tez is out for three games and with his injury issues and lack of self control who knows.

 

Rey Maualuga is only an option against the run.

 

Vincent Rey is a Free Agent and really a backup.

 

Emmanuel Lamur was injured and has been inconsistent.

 

Hawk is at the end of his career.

 

Dawson is unproven.

 

In short, other than Tez who is always a question mark you could argue that Laurinaitis is better than every other LB on the roster.

Tez is out for three games and with his injury issues and lack of self control who knows.

 

Rey Maualuga is only an option against the run.

 

Vincent Rey is a Free Agent and really a backup.

 

Emmanuel Lamur was injured and has been inconsistent.

 

Hawk is at the end of his career.

 

Dawson is unproven.

 

In short, other than Tez who is always a question mark you could argue that Laurinaitis is better than every other LB on the roster.

I agree with the last statement most. However, cap wise, how are they financially tied to Maualuga? Sure there would be no issue for the first three games, but when Burfict returns, who loses time? I think that will be the rub. And how many LBs do they usually carry? While I agree he's an upgrade, don't you have other needs that the $ could be more wisely spent?

Rey Maualuga signed a 3 year, $15,000,000 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, including $4,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,000,000. In 2016, Maualuga will earn a base salary of $2,650,000, a roster bonus of $1,134,375 and a workout bonus of $300,000. Maualuga has a cap hit of $4,084,375.

 

Rey Maualuga Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns | Spotrac

To answer your question Doc, after Tez and Maualuga I don't believe the Bengals even have a clear 3rd starting LB at this point. And none of the LBs besides Tez are very good 3 down LBs.

Also, we did sign Jayson Dimanche back to a 2 year contract.

He would be a good get for the Bengals, I hated to see him leave the Rams!

Laurinaitis could be one of the three best interior linebackers on the free agent market. He's young enough to still make an impact, he's a tremendous leader who has been one of the most powerful voices in the Rams' locker room and he would fit into the Bengals' scheme very well. Playing more than 99 percent of his team's snaps in seven seasons, Laurinaitis is one of the NFL's most durable players. He's a very sure tackler and has one of the best football IQs in the business. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williamsconsidered Laurinaitis "an extension of himself on the field," a testament to the linebacker's awareness and knowledge of the game.

 

Even considering Laurinaitis' high cap number, many analysts didn't expect Los Angeles to cut the middle linebacker, as he was one of the most influential and consistently reliable players on his team. For the right price, Cincinnati would get what it wanted but didn't receive in A.J. Hawk.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Hawk signing wasn't a waste of money or a pointless move. But Hawk wasn't as vocal a leader as many seemed to expect him to be, and he didn't have a big on-field impact. Laurinaitis has the track record of motivating his team, and he is still talented enough to make a difference on defense. Considering the linebacker's 2015 elbow injury and increasing age, some teams could be turned off to the possibility of signing him. At the right price, however, Laurinaitis could be a huge free agency steal and a perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals. And for what it's worth, Laurinaitis and Hawk were briefly college teammates at Ohio State. The possibility of returning to the state in which he played college ball or reuniting with a former teammate could potentially give the middle linebacker incentive to sign with the Bengals.

 

Why the Bengals should make a play for recently cut James Laurinaitis - Cincy Jungle

 

I would be willing to bet that the guy who wrote this an OSU fan and osu fans always think a former osu player can be a great addition lol. With that said the guy who wrote this apparently doesnt understand the Bengals defense that well imo. Yes the Bengals really have no third linebacker that good, whoever the Bengals hardly ever have three linebackers on the field at once. The Bengals basically primarly use their nickel package on defense. So only two linebakcers on the field.

 

With the Bengals basically paying Rey M. 5 million a year they are still going to keep him in on running downs and honestly just had his best year imo. So I don't think James L would want to come here and not playing many snaps.

 

Unless the Bengals release Rey M and want to have James L to have a middle linebacker who can play all three downs, then I don't see it happening.

The Bengals could always move Rey M back to the Sam linebacker position he played his first two seasons. However as I mentioned the Sam backer doesnt play much at all in this defense and I doubt the Bengals want to pay 5 million a year for a guy who plays maybe ten snaps a game.

Bengals need to get significantly faster at LB. Laurinaitis isn't the answer. Time to get Dawson on the field in '16.

Bengals need to get significantly faster at LB. Laurinaitis isn't the answer. Time to get Dawson on the field in '16.

 

I agree. Laurinaitis is just another guy. If they can get him at a good salary, go for it. This doesn't do one thing for me on a personal level for excitement.

I am hoping Dallas or Cincy gets him.

I like black dudes with dreds and white dudes with ink, so sign him!

Plays almost every game and is good for 100 tackles, he will give somebody 2-3 years of good production.