Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap, are frustrated with their roles, according to sources who spoke with Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Once pillars of the Bengals’ defensive line, both players have been effectively relegated to third-down roles this year.
The Bengals started Xavier Williams and defensive end Amani Bledsoe over both veterans in the team’s Week 6 loss to the Colts. Atkins saw just 18 snaps while Dunlap was in for 28 defensive plays. Atkins, who is coming off of his eighth-career Pro Bowl nod, is understandably miffed. Dunlap – with two Pro Bowl selections to his credit – has been vocal about his feelings for the last few weeks.
With just a couple of weeks to go before the trade deadline, it’s a situation to monitor. The Bengals are reluctant to move their one-time defensive stars, sources tell Dragon, but that could change quickly. If they don’t trade either player by Nov. 3, the Bengals could move to release them in the offseason. Dropping Atkins would save the team $9.6MM while a Dunlap release would put $11.25MM back on the books.
The Bengals – who are now 1-4-1 after dropping two straight – will look to get back in the win column on Sunday against the Browns.
How about releasing Zack Taylor ?
Taylor gonna Taylor.
1-4-1 with influx of new talent….easy to see them trading them , clearing some cap room and again drafting many new young players and perhaps a veteran or too in FA on friendlier contracts…..
Seriously. I have no idea what they’re trade values are, but trade them for late picks if you have to. Make room on the cap, draft difference-makers with the early picks they’re destined to get, and sign quality free agents with the remaining money. Granted the success of the draft picks would be a crapshoot, but the earlier you pick, the better your odds. Burrow and Higgins are working out, so it’s not like they’re *completely* clueless.
I’d be okay with him suiting up for Buffalo
Boy, what happened to Oliver. He looked decent in the first two contests, but has been atrocious ever since. In the last four games, he’s racked up a mere two pressures and has been obliterated by the run. There’s still hope of course, but he really needs to get back on track if this defense is going anywhere
Knee injury and near constant double teams. Buffalo is desperate, IMO, for a true DT that can take pressure off Oliver and Hughes. Otherwise those guys are just getting washed out.
Geno:
Unhappy with your Roll?
Try a
Croissant, Danish, Doughnut, or just use Bread…..