Cincinnati Bengals Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

AFC North Notes: Farmer, Dickson, Bengals

By Zachary Links | at February 4, 2014 8:20 pm

Earlier today, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun wrote that the Ravens will likely target either an offensive lineman or a receiving weapon with their first-round pick. There has been speculation this offseason that Baltimore would zero in on a big receiver in the mold of Anquan Boldin and while Ravens fans would certainly welcome the veteran back to M&T Bank Stadium, a return is considered quite unlikely. Here’s more out of the AFC North..

Browns assistant GM Ray Farmer passed up the Dolphins GM job because he feels that the Browns are poised to “redefine the history books,” writes Mary Kay Cabot of Northeast Ohio Media Group. “I didn’t finish the process,” said Farmer. “I assume they would’ve given me the job. That’s the way it was articulated to me. If I took the job, I would’ve reported directly to (Dolphins owner) Stephen Ross and it was a tremendous opportunity. It still is a dream of mine to become a general manager and run my own program and put together my own team, but it wasn’t the right time for me.”
Which Ravens free agents will stay and which ones will go? Bo Smolka of CSNBaltimore.com does his best to sort it all out. Smolka predicts that nose tackle Terrence Cody, linebacker James Ihedigbo, defensive lineman Art Jones, and tight ends Dallas Clark and Ed Dickson will be among the players in different uniforms next season.
Coley Harvey of ESPN.com handicaps the odds of each Bengals free agent staying put in Cincinnati. Guard Mike Pollak and wide receiver Andrew Hawkins are among those likely to re-sign.

0 comments Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Miami Dolphins Ray Farmer

Lions Claim Abdul-Quddus, Bengals Cut Powell

By Luke Adams | at February 3, 2014 3:53 pm

The NFL’s waiver period got underway today, and the league announced that a single claim was made: The Lions claimed safety Isa Abdul-Quddus off waivers from the Saints (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN Boston). Additionally, the Bengals cut punter Shawn Powell, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link).

Abdul-Quddus, 25, has spent his first three seasons with the Saints, and will be eligible for restricted free agency this offseason. The Lions will have the option of making a tender offer to the Fordham alum, which would ensure that they could match any rival offers he received in free agency. Abdul-Quddus started three games for the Saints during the 2012 season, grabbing a pair of interceptions and recovering a fumble, but saw most of his action in 2013 on special teams.

Powell, meanwhile, had been slated to become an exclusive rights free agent following his second NFL season. Before filling in for the Bengals this season, Powell spent time with the Bills, replacing veteran punter Brian Moorman in 2012 in Buffalo.

0 comments Cincinnati Bengals Detroit Lions New Orleans Saints Transactions Isa Abdul-Quddus Shawn Powell

AFC Notes: Johnson, McFadden, Butler

By Matt Feminis | at February 1, 2014 11:06 am

The Bengals used the franchise tag on defensive end Michael Johnson a year ago, but the 27-year-old repaid the team with just 3.5 sacks in 2013, making a second tag unlikely. Consequently, he’s expected to hit the open market, but the presence of Carlos Dunlap and Wallace Gilberry could soften the blow, according to ESPN.com’s Cole Harvey.

Other AFC news and notes:

Harvey also mentions Raiders free agent running back Darren McFadden as a realistic acquisition given Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson’s not-so-secret appreciation for the 26-year-old, 2008 first-rounder.
Chargers inside linebacker Donald Butler, whose rookie deal is expiring, has missed 23 of 66 career games, but the Bolts value what he brings when healthy, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Tom Krasovic. In fact, the team drafted Manti Te’o with the intention of pairing him with Butler inside defensive coordinator John Pagano’s 3-4 front. Butler and the team discussed a contract extension last summer, and all indications suggest both sides are interested in a new deal.
The Ravens are expected to be awarded the league-maximum four compensatory picks, according to ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley.

0 comments Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Los Angeles Chargers Carlos Dunlap Darren McFadden Donald Butler Hue Jackson John Pagano Manti Te'o Michael Johnson Wallace Gilberry

AFC Notes: Kraft, Talib, Wilson, Blackmon

By Matt Feminis | at January 31, 2014 11:06 pm

Patriots owner Robert Kraft sat down with Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub (full interview here), addressing the team’s window to contend for a championship in relation to 36-year-old quarterback Tom Brady‘s twilight years. When asked if the closing window inspires the organization to be more aggressive in surrounding Brady with win-now players, Kraft brushed off the philosophy: “We have to try to sustain success by managing as wisely as we can. It’s not dependent on any one player. . .I think a better strategy is to try to be solid and be able to compete year in and year out.”

When asked about free agent-to-be Aqib Talib, Kraft laid the groundwork for the team’s typical hardball approach, saying, “He wasn’t on the field a lot of the time since he’s been with us.” However, in the next breath, Kraft expressed his belief that both parties would be interested in extending the relationship: “I think he’s happy here and would like to be here, and we’re happy with him and we’d like to have him here. Now it’s just about doing business.”
Patriots veteran safety Adrian Wilson, who spent the year on IR, spoke with “The Drive” with Jody, MJ and Bauer on Fox Sports 910 AM Phoenix, saying he doesn’t know if he’ll be back in New England despite signing a three-year deal in 2013.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan “absolutely” wants suspended receiver Justin Blackmon back on the team when he is reinstated, according to Florida Times-Union beat writer Ryan O’Halloran (via Twitter).
In theory, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton should be entering his prime, but it’s not unreasonable to draft another quarterback, according to ESPN’s Cole Harvey.

0 comments Cincinnati Bengals Jacksonville Jaguars New England Patriots Adrian Wilson Andy Dalton Aqib Talib Justin Blackmon Robert Kraft Tom Brady

Team Facebook/Twitter/RSS

By Luke Adams | at January 21, 2014 11:45 am

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