Bengals: Who's staying, who's going (3/3)

[TeamBoone]

Friday, March 3, 2006
Bengals: Who's staying, who's going

With every departure, the Bengals gain space on their 53-man roster. Coach Marvin Lewis promised there would be new faces. Some possibilities to join the Bengals or be retained by them:

Player Pos. Status Comment 
Sam Adams DT Free agent Cut by Bills, he played for Lewis in Baltimore. Could help plug middle of the line. 
Jay Fiedler QB Free agent Cut by Jets, he has started and been a backup. There are several solid but unspectacular free-agent quarterbacks available, including Kansas City's Damon Huard and Todd Collins and Miami's Sage Rosenfels. 
Scott Kooistra OL RFA Has played well in limited opportunities on offense. Strong, smart player. 
Jeremi Johnson FB RFA Perfect fit in Bengals' offense as lead blocker and sometimes receiver. 
Hannibal Navies LB UFA Excellent special-teams player could get a bigger role on the defense in 2006. 
Tony Stewart TE UFA Solid on special teams, he has an excellent locker room presence. 
Kevin Walter WR RFA Other teams covet this valuable special-teams player. Underrated receiver. 
Marcus Wilkins LB UFA Too talented on special teams to let him go. 
Chad Williams SS UFA Former Raven is one of several experienced safeties available, joining St. Louis' Adam Archuleta, Washington's Ryan Clark and Baltimore's Will Demps.

UFA - unrestricted free agent; RFA - restricted free agent

ON THE WAY OUT

The Bengals figure to have some roster turnover this offseason. Here are players who are unlikely to return for the 2006 season:

Player Pos. Status Comment 
Rashad Bauman CB UFA Oft-injured but a decent tackler on defense. OK on special teams. Expendable. 
Duane Clemons DL Signed Probable salary-cap cut that would save $1.16 million. 
Jon Kitna QB UFA Definitely will pursue any starting opportunities. 
Nick Luchey FB UFA Active only three times, he's stuck behind Jeremi Johnson. 
Anthony Mitchell SS UFA Wasn't good enough to play ahead of backups when starters went down. 
Ifeanyi Ohalete SS UFA Wore out down the stretch. Poor tackling hurt the run defense. 
Carl Powell DL UFA Bengals probably will look for younger, cheaper talent. 
Matt Schobel TE UFA Will sign with a team that throws more to tight ends. 
Kelley Washington WR RFA The Bengals will tender, but their hope is for a third-round pick as compensation. 
Kenny Watson RB UFA Lost his third-down job to first-round pick Chris Perry. 
Nate Webster LB UFA Team has too much invested in youngsters to bring back an injured veteran.

UFA - unrestricted free agent; RFA - restricted free agent


http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...30361/-1/CINCI

[WMR]

I wouldn't mind seeing Kenny Watson kept as the 3rd RB... Of course I'm saying that w/o knowing who else is out there and whether drafting a RB at some point in this year's draft is in Marvin's master plan...

[RedFanAlways1966]

Ifeanyi Ohalete SS UFA Wore out down the stretch. Poor tackling hurt the run defense.

Goodbye! The guy never learned that he has arms... that can be used to help bring down a ball carrier. ARMS!! Use them when tackling. You are not the biggest and baddest dude anymore like high school. NFL types will run you over without using your arms. Excuse me, NFL types did run you over b/c you did not use your arms to tackle. ARMS!!