The Bengals made the playoffs.

 

I don't understand what that has to do with free agents?

Why do you think they will? I don't think their coach wants him back. So by doing this, they assure themselves of getting a first round pick, if someone tries to sign him. If someone offers him a long term deal, I doubt they match it.

 

Because he is a top tier receiver...

No if cincy gives him a 5 year deal and he agrees to it and signs it. Denver gets a chance to to say yes or no. If the take it, they would get him for the same deal that cincy offered, so he wouldn't be free the next year.

 

Because he is a top tier receiver...

 

I know he is. It is no secret though that they are looking to trade him, and that him and the coach don't get along. If they definitely wanted to make sure they keep him, they would have franchised him or tendered him for a 1st and 3rd round pick. I think them only tendering him for a 1st round pick shows that if a team offers him a long term deal, they won't match it and will just take that 1st round pick.

I know he is. It is no secret though that they are looking to trade him, and that him and the coach don't get along. If they definitely wanted to make sure they keep him, they would have franchised him or tendered him for a 1st and 3rd round pick. I think them only tendering him for a 1st round pick shows that if a team offers him a long term deal, they won't match it and will just take that 1st round pick.

 

I have never heard of a team putting a franchise tag on a restricted FA, those are to keep unrestricted FA.

I don't think you can tender a free agent for a 1st and a 3rd can you?

I don't think you can tender a free agent for a 1st and a 3rd can you?

 

I was wrong. I think you can.

If Marshall leaves Denver, things are going to go downhill fast there, as fast as they did when Denver started out 6-0 and then flamed out. Marshall made Kyle Orton a very happy man with some of the catches/plays he made. If he is gone, Orton will struggle mightily IMO and I think that will be an understatement of what is to come.

 

Bengals need to address 2 positions this offseason. The TE and WR position. Coles was released today so the Bengals will need a good #2 WR to go with Chad (even though they do have a little talent besides him in Caldwell, etc). Losing Henry to the unfortunate incident also hurts as well. The TE spot was a problem all year and I expect them to address it shortly.

 

Other 2 postions I'd like to see addressed is the K and OL positons. I'll try and give Graham the benefit of the doubt with some of the kicks he had toward the end of the season but the Bengals need a solid, reliable kicker to help them out especially in playoff time. Graham really hurt the Bengals in the Jets game so I might look around a bit for a young and upcoming kicker at a quarter of the price for Graham. If a guy out there is available like that, I'd release Shayne. Pass protection for Carson last year was sometimes atrocious. We have a big OL that is good at run blocking but may be a bit below average on pass blocking so I'd like to see that addressed.

 

Also another position that is slowly starting to creep in my mind is the QB position. I know Carson at one time was a Pro-Bowler but ever since his knee injury against the Steelers in the playoffs, its been downhill from there. He didn't have a great year last year but some of that could be attributed to thep pass-blocking and his non-throwing hand injury. However, not all the fault lies with them and some must fall on Carson's shoulders. If Carson has an inadequate year again, I'd really like to draft a young QB and have Carson mentor him until he leaves. If Tebow is available in the 3rd or 4th round, I'd like to see the Bengals take a stab but thats just my opinion.

 

Theres my 2 cents, any comments?

I have never heard of a team putting a franchise tag on a restricted FA, those are to keep unrestricted FA.

 

That is true. However you can tender him a deal that would cost a team a 1st and 3rd round pick. So if you think the Broncos would match a team if they offer him a long term deal, then you would think they would have just have tendered him for a 1st and 3rd just to make sure no one really tries to get him.

If Marshall leaves Denver, things are going to go downhill fast there, as fast as they did when Denver started out 6-0 and then flamed out. Marshall made Kyle Orton a very happy man with some of the catches/plays he made. If he is gone, Orton will struggle mightily IMO and I think that will be an understatement of what is to come.

 

Bengals need to address 2 positions this offseason. The TE and WR position. Coles was released today so the Bengals will need a good #2 WR to go with Chad (even though they do have a little talent besides him in Caldwell, etc). Losing Henry to the unfortunate incident also hurts as well. The TE spot was a problem all year and I expect them to address it shortly.

 

Other 2 postions I'd like to see addressed is the K and OL positons. I'll try and give Graham the benefit of the doubt with some of the kicks he had toward the end of the season but the Bengals need a solid, reliable kicker to help them out especially in playoff time. Graham really hurt the Bengals in the Jets game so I might look around a bit for a young and upcoming kicker at a quarter of the price for Graham. If a guy out there is available like that, I'd release Shayne. Pass protection for Carson last year was sometimes atrocious. We have a big OL that is good at run blocking but may be a bit below average on pass blocking so I'd like to see that addressed.

 

Also another position that is slowly starting to creep in my mind is the QB position. I know Carson at one time was a Pro-Bowler but ever since his knee injury against the Steelers in the playoffs, its been downhill from there. He didn't have a great year last year but some of that could be attributed to thep pass-blocking and his non-throwing hand injury. However, not all the fault lies with them and some must fall on Carson's shoulders. If Carson has an inadequate year again, I'd really like to draft a young QB and have Carson mentor him until he leaves. If Tebow is available in the 3rd or 4th round, I'd like to see the Bengals take a stab but thats just my opinion.

 

Theres my 2 cents, any comments?

 

The Bengals really could use a new #1 receiver. Chad IMO is between a 1 and 2 receiver now. So getting Brandon Marshall would be huge. I do disgree some on Caldwell, and saying they have some talent in him. I don't think he is as good as we want to believe. He is no better than a third receiver at best, and IMO probably best off as the 4th receiver on most teams. Also I definitely don't think they should sign Graham back no matter what. He has single handily blew really big games for the Bengals through the years. Its time to move on.

 

If the Bengals get Carson some help this year, and he still struggles some. Then I do agree they should possibly draft a young QB to groom for the future. However as I have said many times on here, I think if they actually surrond him with some talent, we will see him doing great like he use to.

I hope we get Kevin Walter back he is a good reciever and great special teamer.

With releasing Coles, you have to think they are in the market for a receiver.

With releasing Coles, you have to think they are in the market for a receiver.

 

My first thought as well. You have to think they have someone in mind that they needed to make room for.

Kevin Walter is no better than Caldwell. They need a #1 WR.