Trotwood-Madison vs. Winton Woods
.jpg)
2009-10 UD men's basketball
Pyramid Hill lights up
Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > February > 27 > Entry
Bengals: Let’s get five things straight
WHILE DEALS FLY ‘ROUND LEAGUE,
BENGALS SIT ON THEIR HANDS
HOUSHMANDZADEH SHOULD LAND
WITH NEW NFL SQUAD BY SUNDAY
===LUDWIG AT LARGE alert: It took all my experience covering Bengals’ player arrests from 2005-07 to deal with the Centerville High School “Cookie Caper Case.”===
NUMBER ONE
When a player hits the open market in free agency, you have to assume he’s gone.
In my mind, it’s only a matter of time before Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh signs with another club.
Yeah, the Bengals have spoken with agent Kennard McGuire — Kenny speaks to teams all the time — but I don’t believe for a second there’s any sense the two sides are close to an agreement that will keep him in Cincinnati.
Houshmandzadeh is in an excellent position for a big payday. But remember this: Wherever he goes, he won’t have the quarterback he had in Cincinnati.
It’s time for T.J. to move on. He’s a great receiver, but he doesn’t like training in the offseason in Cincinnati, and he hates training camp.
He needs to go … and discover the grass isn’t greener at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
NUMBER TWO
Speaking of guys who need to go, add Stacy Andrews to the list.
“Big Country” simply refuses to sign a long-term deal with the Bengals.
Didn’t happen last year, so they slapped the franchise tag on him.
And it hasn’t happened this year. His torn ACL makes him damaged goods. He needs to be sent packing.
It’s both amusing and disturbing that Andrews had his reconstructive knee surgery performed by Bengals team doctor Angelo Colosimo and the Bengals training staff is conducting and monitoring his rehab.
Crazy to think the Bengals are getting him healthy just so he can go off and play for another team.
NUMBER THREE
The Bengals placed the franchise tag on kicker Shayne Graham at a cost of $2.48 million. They also made one-year tender offers to restricted free agent (RFA) linebackers Rashad Jeanty and Brandon Johnson. Both received “second-rounder designations” at $1.5 million each.
If another team would lure them away — such as Cleveland did with Bengals DT Shaun “The Hamburglar” Smith in 2007 — the Bengals will get a second-round draft pick in return.
I applaud both moves by the Bengals. Jeanty and Johnson are key players and very deserving.
NUMBER FOUR
Just because the Bengals decided NOT to tender four others — safety John Busing, tailback DeDe Dorsey, wide receiver Glenn Holt and linebacker Corey Mays — doesn’t mean they don’t want them back.
All it means is the Bengals are not going to cough up one-year, $1 million deals for each guy.
I’d like to see all four return with two-year, minimum-salary contracts.
NUMBER FIVE
Why do players hate the franchise tag?
It’s pretty simple.
Simple.
No long-term deal PLUS no signing bonus EQUALS no security.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Troy
February 27, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
I am glad the Bengals ofered Rashad Jeanty, Brandon Johnson, Darryl Blackstock 1 year deals, Big country is likely going to Philly.By Antwan Odom in your face
February 27, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
thanks for clearing those things up chickster…. Now let me make sure i’m clear on this…..we’ve lost Stacy Andrews, Levi Jones wants to be traded (he’s knees are shot regardless), Ghiaciuc needs to be replaced, and the top OL in the draft could very well be gone by #6, barring terrible drafting.(although it wouldn’t surprise me if the bengals still took Andre AWOL Smith) With that said, WHAT IS PALMER GONNA DO? we might as well pick up Mike Vick cause our QB is gonna be running for his life all season….(Henry could mentor Vick, HA). Oh man, we are in trouble for 2009, Chickster, T-R-O-U-B-L-E.By Chick Ludwig
February 27, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this
As I have been saying for 12 years … The Prep Beat (high schools) looks better and better every day. I’d rather be at Elder High School’s “The Pit” on Friday night than Paul Brown Stadium on a Sunday … cheers, ChickBy jb
February 27, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this
“Crazy to think the Bengals are getting him healthy just so he can go off and play for another team.” Our team is in big trouble no doubt, but at least we are doing or did the right thing re: Stacy. Its a we broke him, we should fix him kind of thing.By Brian
February 27, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
2009 may bring the elusive 0-16 season, now that Detroit has blazed the trail. Another year of picking over the scraps after the teams that are serious about winning have feasted. Buyer beware when it comes to Cedric Benson and Chris Crocker; guys who were playing for their NFL lives last year and may transform back into the players no one else wanted after getting multi-year deals.By photoman
February 27, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
With all the money and time invested in CP, and since he had so much non-playing time this past season, he probably has watched and studied enough college football to make wise decisions as to what the Bengals need and as to who the Bengals need. Therefore, we should let CP call the draft shots this year and make the off-season free agent signings. I know his knowledge of the players will be better and thorough, more so than any Bengal picker we have up to this point in time; (since PB passed). Use his knowledge and make him useful now.By photoman
February 27, 2009 10:20 PM | Link to this
With all the money and time invested in CP, and since he had so much non-playing time this past season, he probably has watched and studied enough college football to make wise decisions as to what the Bengals need and as to who the Bengals need. Therefore, we should let CP call the draft shots this year and make the off-season free agent signings. I know his knowledge of the players will be better and thorough, more so than any Bengal picker we have had, up to this point in time; (since PB passed). Use his knowledge and make him useful nowBy Sheila
February 28, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this
Yes TJHoushmandzadeah may be getting older, but what are the Bengals thinking? This man has been there for them, never questioning, or throwing temper tantrums like other players on the roster,he didn’t get arrested or suspended for a year or two by the League yet they are ready to let him walk?!?!? Mike Brown or even his daughter need their heads examined.By dnice
February 28, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
Here’s to hoping TJ does exit…the cash can be used to pick up a veteran center and other needs…why keep dumping money into wideouts…Carson doesn’t need great wideouts only decent ones…What good is it to have all money receivers and you can’t protect the QB…Ready to see Caldwell tear it up!!!By Dutch
March 1, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this
Philly fan here…I think Andrews wanted to be in Philly. Of course $$ played a part but his bother is on the Birds and is struggling w/ some health and depression issues. Eagles get a good OT in this deal and solidify their investment in his brother Shawn. With regard to TJH, he seems like a solid WR with good hands and enough professionalism to not stay focused and strangle ocho cinco. I’d love philly to get him. How much $$ and how many years is he looking for? Thoughts???By Dutch
March 1, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Philly fan here…I think Andrews wanted to be in Philly. Of course $$ played a part but his bother is on the Birds and is struggling w/ some health and depression issues. Eagles get a good OT in this deal and solidify their investment in his brother Shawn. With regard to TJH, he seems like a solid WR with good hands and enough professionalism to stay focused and not strangle ocho cinco. I’d love philly to get him. How much $$ and how many years is he looking for? Thoughts???