"Per a league source, Ward has agreed to terms on a four-year, $17 million deal.

He’ll earn $6 million guaranteed in the first year, $9.25 million over the first two, and $13 million over the first three"

This frustrates me even more than the TJ signing. Heck I was a little upset and rattled about the whole TJ drama that unfolded all day today but this one is a real kicker. Once I settled down, I realized the Bengals have more pressing needs then WR and that maybe it is in the best interest that TJ fly to greener pastures (Though a team thats 4-12 with a revamped playbook, a few key losses on defense and a suitable up and coming divisional opponent doesn't feel much greener) Anyway I digress.

If Benson signs in Houston, what are we looking at for running back? Heck if Mike Brown had his way i'm sure we'd draft Pat White and let him run the Wildcat. Even better we could nab Micheal Vick for a steal (probably nothing) and then we wont even need a running back!!!

Smarten up Brown, most internet readers could do a better job managing this team then the debauchle you've put us through today.

But hey,

atleast Laverneus (sp?) Coles is in tommorow so we can blow our money on a position I guess we don't need (since TJ is a better reciever anyhow)

Amongst the crazyness that was the TJ situation today and now that i've settled down from my ranting to friends and family, i've had enough time to process the whole situation.

So we lost a key member of our offense. At first of course I was pretty rattled, especially when earlier in the day it felt like a re-signing was imminent. Talk about a high to a complete low in a matter of hours.

Sure TJ was important, but in a sense this is a blessing, we are deep at WR and from some comments I read i think we have to give Caldwell, Simpson and Holt a chance. I don't think drafting Crabtree at 6 is an option, if he is there at 38 take a look. I think that stress fracture is really going to hurt his value. Typically only 2 or 3 WR get taken in the first round max, most fall to the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Aside from the fact I'm disappointed the Bengals couldn't get a deal done (not that they have done anything positive in FA in the past 5 years), we cant even keep key players in town. A more pressing issue is RB. We have depth at WR, we don't at RB. Sure i'm all for improving our O-Line and D-Line but these are not skilled positions. That being said its easier to plug in O-Line players then it is to find valued backs that can carry the ball 25-35 times. Most Rookie RB's that played this year ran behind veterans atleast until the midway part of the season when they stole(or earned) the starting spot.

a la,

Chris Johnson & LenDale White

Steve Slaton & Ahman Green

Jonathan Stewart & D'Angelo Williams

Ray Rice & a million other RB's/FB's in Baltimore

Hightower & Edge

and the Bengals have......DeDe Dorsey & Chris Perry. Ya i'm a little upset. We can't even get a deal done with Benson. I never thought in a million years we'd have trouble signing a guy that was cut last year!!! Like come on MB and Bengals management its time to wake up and smell the coffee. Its Free Agency, sometimes you have to spend money to get something in return, thats the way it is. We have too many pressing needs that 8-10 draft picks are not going to cure. Sorry but an 8th round draft pick doesnt fill your roster, its called a Red Shirt pick!!!!!!

sorry just had to vent.

[Kirk UPDATE: I moved this to the front page as an open thread for the time being, but it appears that a decision is imminent. And yes, I realize I said that all day Sunday. What can I say, T.J. is being VERY VERY VERY careful on his choice]

Just read some comments that a Local Radio station in Cincy is reporting TJ has signed a 4 or 5 years deal to remain a Bengal. Wouldn't mind some confirmation on this. I heard the decision was coming sometime today so is this an early indication. Anyone in Cinncinati able to turn on the radio and give some confirmation to this rumor? I could be off the wall here but can anyone else around Cincy confirm this. TURN ON THE RADIO!!

Just heard on NFL network that Crocker has resigned but I can't find news of it anywhere on the web can anyone confirm this story? I think this is a positive move if it's been done and hopefully the first piece in a few signings i've heard the Bengals are rumored in. Crocker played surprisingly well in a fill in role and i'd rather see him stick around then waste money on a high price safety, especially if Marvin White and Ndukwe can stay healthy

Bring on Derrick Ward

From the latest mock drafts I've been lookin at most have Beanie Wells and Noshown (however you spell his first name) Moreno near the bottom of the first round if not the second. Could be a good shot the Bengals nab one of these two at pick 38. Most mock drafts still have OT penciled in at 6 which doesn't bother me, however i'd like the Bengals to atleast attempt to get a RB or WR on the first day, especially since so many rookie RB's panned out for teams last year (Hightower, Forte, Rice, Slaton etc..) If this draft isnt as deep at RB I suggest the Bengals atleast try and trade up to get of these two guys because right now I dont feel overly confident with Benson (if he even resigns) and whoever they don't cut, take your pick of Perry, Dorsey or Watson (I'd perfeably cut them all)

With Free Agency on the horizon, is it realistic that Brown and others in higher up positions dole out any cash to lure UFA's to Cinnci? Not that anyone particularily envisions themself playing for a 4-11-1 team unless the incentive to do so is there. That means overpaying for marquee talent to fill a roster that has several pressing needs. Over the last few days I've read articles, blogs and posts concerning the ability of the Bengals to attempt to lure any of these free agents to Bengaldom. Many feel it would be a miracle if Brown did anything outside of re-signing a few of his own. I have a feeling Marvin Lewis might be a bit more pro-active this off-season, considering he probably only has one left as Head Coach. He will most likely press to atleast attempt to sign a few second-tier guys to atleast add depth. My question is, why not try and pickup a few of the guys cut by other teams to fill desperate holes. Guys like Leigh Bodden would make an immidiate impact and provide depth within the next year