In his first comments made to the local media since the opening of veteran free agency Friday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reminded the team’s fans that 2007 free agency, in essence, started for the team last year.

 

Having heard that some fans are frustrated with what they perceive as the Bengals’ lack of activity since Friday, Lewis pointed to the hefty contract extensions signed in July and August by bookend offensive tackle Levi Jones and Willie Anderson – as well as the new deal reached with starting right guard Bobbie Williams in April.

 

“I mean, they (fans) realize we signed three or four of our players during the season,” Lewis said of the three contracts for offensive line starters. “Heaven forbid if we had to try to sign those guys now.”

 

The salary cap has ballooned to $109 million for 2007. The Bengals moved ahead of time to secure left tackle Jones through 2012, right tackle Anderson through 2011 and Williams through 2009.

 

“We have big numbers on a couple of them,” Lewis told The Enquirer Tuesday night.

 

Jones’ deal is worth more than $40 million, with $21 million being paid in the first three years. Jones missed only one game in his first four seasons but played in just six games in 2006.

 

Anderson’s deal, at the time it was signed Aug. 31, was the biggest for an NFL right tackle at $32 million. He extended to 112 his consecutive starts streak.

 

Williams’ deal was worth $10.5 million, about $2.65 million a year, less than the $5.2 million a season that left guard Eric Steinbach needed to stay in Cincinnati.

 

Steinbach signed a seven-year deal last week with the Browns that averages to more than $7 million a season.

 

Lewis said the Bengals organization was intent on keeping its salary structure intact by not paying guards as much as tackles.

 

“We have the money allocated here the way we want to,” he said. “We continue not to waste in dead money.’

 

“Dead money” is bonus money still being absorbed on the salary cap for players no longer with a team. The Bengals have less than $100,000 in dead money on the books for 2007.

 

“Our fans should be excited by that,” Lewis said. “The guys we spend our money on are on the field playing for us.”

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/SPT02/303070033

On the offensive side. That is not the problem with the Bengals.

 

My concern and frustration is that my understanding is the weakness of the team is being addressed by bringing players off injured reserve and draft while losing the player(s) that was arguably your BEST LB and possibly losing the player that was your BEST person in the secondary. While giving a huge contract to a player that did not produce to the level this defense needs him to produce.

 

The Achilles of this team has gotten weaker this offseason. It seems the team is going to be content on relying on rookies to improve the defense.

On the offensive side. That is not the problem with the Bengals.

 

My concern and frustration is that my understanding is the weakness of the team is being addressed by bringing players off injured reserve and draft while losing the player(s) that was arguably your BEST LB and possibly losing the player that was your BEST person in the secondary. While giving a huge contract to a player that did not produce to the level this defense needs him to produce.

 

The Achilles of this team has gotten weaker this offseason. It seems the team is going to be content on relying on rookies to improve the defense.

 

 

Simmons and James haven't been the best at their positions in quite some time. I really don't think losing either will hurt the team at all. If the 24-25 year old guys get more snaps and improve then I'm all for it. James has lost way more than a step and Simmons' best days are 4 years behind him.

Simmons and James haven't been the best at their positions in quite some time. I really don't think losing either will hurt the team at all. If the 24-25 year old guys get more snaps and improve then I'm all for it. James has lost way more than a step and Simmons' best days are 4 years behind him.

I agree with his best days behind him but who was the better Bengals LB than Simmons last year?

 

James I give you.

I'll trust that Marvin knows what he is doing. I am glad we signed our offensive linemen to long term deals, Carson needs to be protected!

 

We do need help on defense to be sure and I trust Marvin knows what he is doing!

I agree with his best days behind him but who was the better Bengals LB than Simmons last year?

 

James I give you.

 

 

 

Miller played better at the inside and Johnson played better at the outside. When Miller went to the bench our MLB tackle production dropped.

Miller played better at the inside and Johnson played better at the outside. When Miller went to the bench our MLB tackle production dropped.

 

 

Tackles are great, but it does matter where they occur.

Miller played better at the inside and Johnson played better at the outside. When Miller went to the bench our MLB tackle production dropped.

From my view, both are good backups or supporting players but not the quality to be the core LB's on an NFL team.

From my view, both are good backups or supporting players but not the quality to be the core LB's on an NFL team.

 

 

Both are better than Simmons and both are young enough to develop into everyday guys. We also had a better LB miss the entire season.

From my view, both are good backups or supporting players but not the quality to be the core LB's on an NFL team.

 

Landon Johnson is a solid starting LB in the NFL; he is not flashy, but he does make plays; he also misses occasionally.

 

Think back to Denver's 1st and 95+ yd drive; on 1st down Mike Bell cuts back; Landon stumbes and Bell goes for 10+ letting Denver out of the hole. He must improve in his consistency. He can really run.

Landon Johnson is a solid starting LB in the NFL; he is not flashy, but he does make plays; he also misses occasionally.

 

Think back to Denver's 1st and 95+ yd drive; on 1st down Mike Bell cuts back; Landon stumbes and Bell goes for 10+ letting Denver out of the hole. He must improve in his consistency. He can really run.

 

 

I agree.

Landon Johnson is a solid starting LB in the NFL; he is not flashy, but he does make plays; he also misses occasionally.

 

Think back to Denver's 1st and 95+ yd drive; on 1st down Mike Bell cuts back; Landon stumbes and Bell goes for 10+ letting Denver out of the hole. He must improve in his consistency. He can really run.

You make my point. He is solid. He is not going to make THE PLAY to win ballgames for a team. He is solid. That is it. Not the difference maker.

 

He failed on a key play in the game.

You make my point. He is solid. He is not going to make THE PLAY to win ballgames for a team. He is solid. That is it. Not the difference maker.

 

He failed on a key play in the game.

Brian Simmons was never better than solid last year and he was on the down slope. I think Jeanty has the potential to be a very good NFL LB. And as I have said before keep an eye on Andre Frazier in the middle...

Brian Simmons was never better than solid last year and he was on the down slope. I think Jeanty has the potential to be a very good NFL LB. And as I have said before keep an eye on Andre Frazier in the middle...

I agree that Simmons is not the answer either and I would describe him as solid also. Same as Johnson.

 

But to me, we haven't had that great linebacker since Takeo. Someone who could change the flow of the game. Odell had potential but I don't believe you can count on him being in the picture.

 

It seems the hopes of the defense, and the only hope of the defense is that some of the young players who couldn't do it this past season somehow can do it this season. That seems to be more in line with the thinking of a .500 or less team than a Super Bowl contender.

I agree that Simmons is not the answer either and I would describe him as solid also. Same as Johnson.

 

But to me, we haven't had that great linebacker since Takeo. Someone who could change the flow of the game. Odell had potential but I don't believe you can count on him being in the picture.

 

It seems the hopes of the defense, and the only hope of the defense is that some of the young players who couldn't do it this past season somehow can do it this season. That seems to be more in line with the thinking of a .500 or less team than a Super Bowl contender.

It's the thinking of teams like the Colts, Patriots and Steelers over the past decade. Throwing money at free agents to plug holes is the thinking of a .500 or less team more often than not...