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Bengals face roster decisions in '08
Sunday, December 30, 2007
MIAMI — The Bengals need to take a good, long look around the visiting locker room at Dolphin Stadium today.
There will be handshakes, hugs and goodbyes because plenty of players will be gone when the team convenes for offseason workouts next spring.
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Change is in order, and it's especially true for the Bengals, who will go down in 2007 as one of the league's most underachieving teams.
They entered the season fully expecting a playoff berth. They believed they were Super Bowl contenders. Instead, they're guaranteed their first losing season since 2002.
"I'm sure with this type of season, something is going to be done," said 12-year veteran right tackle Willie Anderson. "But I've also been around long enough to know, too, that guys can never predict what's going to happen. We're obviously disappointed about our season. I'm sure some things are going to be different, but what it is, who knows?
"I do know individually and collectively as a team, we have to play better. I'm sure the coaches will look at themselves and say in certain spots they have to coach better, and we as players haven't done the things we need to do as a team to go out there and win, game after game.
"I'm sure there will be a shake-up. But sometimes if a guy just does something a little bit better or does it better a high percentage of the time, we probably have a better record right now."
Head coach Marvin Lewis, who is under contract through 2010, said major changes won't be announced on Monday. He indicated last week that most, if not all, of his assistant coaches would be invited back.
The roster, however, will undergo some turnover.
Eleven unrestricted free agents (UFAs) populate the roster. They are defensive ends Justin Smith and Bryan Robinson; linebackers Landon Johnson, Dhani Jones, Lemar Marshall and Caleb Miller; free safety Madieu Williams; offensive tackle Stacy Andrews; center Alex Stepanovich; wide receiver Antonio Chatman; and punter Kyle Larson.
Four others with high 2008 price tags — defensive tackle John Thornton ($3.5 million), tailback Rudi Johnson ($3.2 million), cornerback Deltha O'Neal ($1.6 million) and strong safety Dexter Jackson ($1.3 million) — could be cut for salary cap reasons.
The free-agent signing period begins Feb. 29. Once the free agents hit the open market in search of new teams, the Bengals will be looking to replace them.
"That's part of the business," tight end Reggie Kelly said. "You come to understand that and know that each season is going to bring new people and changes whether it's coaches or players. You come to grips with it and just get yourself prepared for it."
