Bengals Updates!

There was big news out of Bengaldom today as the team has decided to part ways with "huge free agent" signing from last year Lavernueus Coles. I don't really feel like getting into how much Coles was not worth the $7 million he made last year; you all watched the games, you know he wasn't worth it. Coles being cut today is fabulous news because it should mean that the Bengals will be going after another free agent this year. At the very least it means that they have (done the first step in solving a problem) admitted that they have a problem at wide receiver and that Matt Jones is not the answer.

Even more optimistic news if you are a Bengals fan: yesterday the Denver Broncos tendered Brandon Marshall with a first round pick only. This means that if he ends up signing with another team (Bengals! Bengals!) then that team owes the Broncos a first round pick. Many had thought they would tender Marshall with a first AND third round pick. It doesn't take a genius at Offensive Coordinate like Bob Bratkowski to realize that there is no possible way they could get a first round WR/TE this year that would have the impact that Brandon Marshall would with the Bengals. Even if a miracle happened and Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant fell to them at #21, he still wouldn't have a huge impact until next year. Not only that, but with the Bengals horrible history of draft picks, they would probably end up with a bust, whereas if they give up the pick this year for Marshall they know they have a stud. And he's 25.

Now I would assume that the Bengals will not be the only team going after Marshall, but hopefully Marshall's questionable character scares a few teams off (obviously not the Bengals), and maybe he would be more attracted to the Bengals since he knows they had no passing threat last year but still have a quality QB throwing to him.

Unfortunately, Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy believes the Bengals have no interest in Marshall, and in all likelihood he is correct. Since Mikey Brown thinks he is a genius in the combined draft/scouting/janitor's room, he won't be willing to part ways with a first round pick.

Also of rumor news, is that the Arizona Cardinals may be willing to trade Anquan Boldin for a 3rd round pick. While Boldin is probably not as impressive of a receiver as Marshall is, and seems to be fragile, I certainly would not be upset if he landed with the Bengals. Since the Bengals have two 3rd round picks this year, it would make sense to trade one for Boldin. But we think logically around here, thus why we don't work for the Bengals.

But here's to hoping they do something productive with the money they will be saving by cutting Coles.


Greg "Go after Marshall first then Boldin" R.