Bengals' DE Michael Johnson: Interested?

[manxman2601]

I remember some Patriot commentators talking about the Bengals' DE Michael Johnson being BB's #1 target during the recent FA period before he was hit with the franchise tag. I don't remember the specific claims, but they were there from Patriot covering reporters. Sorry to be so imprecise. Perhaps others can help me out here.

Well today, he wasn't signed to a long-term contract and the Bengals apparently are giving 40m to his colleague Carlos Dunlap:

Specifically, Bengals sign DE Carlos Dunlap to six-year deal with base value of $40 million.

https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/356881662686138369

The two things combined suggests that Michael Johnson will be a FA next year so:

A. Are you interested?

B. What will be BB's level of interest?


Edit: Here's a link to a previous discussion on Johnson. It was Greg Bedard saying that Johnson was our #1 target.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...re-interested-bengals-de-michael-johnson.html

And sorry about the title. Mods, could you change it to Johnson please. Many thanks.

 

[Sciz]

I would assume they'd have interest. They didn't do anything to shore up that spot long term, and Ninkovich is a free agent, so they may not even have him back in 2014.

 

[Big-T]

See if the Bengals could be tempted with a 3rd round pick to get him now? (if there's cap space to do so and trading Johnson is allowed).

 

[Sciz]

See if the Bengals could be tempted with a 3rd round pick to get him now? (if there's cap space to do so and trading Johnson is allowed).

I don't believe the Pats have the cap space to fit his $11.2M franchise tag, and he is no longer eligible to be extended.

At this point, I'd expect them to not spend any more big money this offseason and add (I believe) about $9M on to next year's cap, which would help them make a run at guys like Johnson and Emmanuel Sanders.

 

[Joey007]

I would assume they'd have interest. They didn't do anything to shore up that spot long term, and Ninkovich is a free agent, so they may not even have him back in 2014.

My gut tells me Nink's back. Bill really likes that guy.

 

[Sciz]

My gut tells me Nink's back. Bill really likes that guy.

Yeah, I definitely expect him back. In an ideal world, he'd be back as the #3 DE behind Jones and Johnson. Getting Johnson early in free agency would make Ninkovich many times more expendable, though.

 

[Brady6]

I remember some Patriot commentators talking about the Bengals' DE Michael Johnson being BB's #1 target during the recent FA period before he was hit with the franchise tag. I don't remember the specific claims, but they were there from Patriot covering reporters. Sorry to be so imprecise. Perhaps others can help me out here.

Well today, he wasn't signed to a long-term contract and the Bengals apparently are giving 40m to his colleague Carlos Dunlap:



https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/356881662686138369

The two things combined suggests that Michael Johnson will be a FA next year so:

A. Are you interested?

B. What will be BB's level of interest?


Edit: Here's a link to a previous discussion on Johnson. It was Greg Bedard saying that Johnson was our #1 target.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...re-interested-bengals-de-michael-johnson.html

And sorry about the title. Mods, could you change it to Johnson please. Many thanks.

I think unless one of the younger guys step up this year he is someone I would make a play for. Atkins is likely to be their franchise tag player next year so that will allow us the opportunity to make a play.

 

[Gumby]

I remember some Patriot commentators talking about the Bengals' DE Michael Johnson being BB's #1 target during the recent FA period before he was hit with the franchise tag. I don't remember the specific claims, but they were there from Patriot covering reporters. Sorry to be so imprecise. Perhaps others can help me out here.

Well today, he wasn't signed to a long-term contract and the Bengals apparently are giving 40m to his colleague Carlos Dunlap:



https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/356881662686138369

The two things combined suggests that Michael Johnson will be a FA next year so:

A. Are you interested?

B. What will be BB's level of interest?


Edit: Here's a link to a previous discussion on Johnson. It was Greg Bedard saying that Johnson was our #1 target.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...re-interested-bengals-de-michael-johnson.html

And sorry about the title. Mods, could you change it to Johnson please. Many thanks.

Your PARA-PHRASING of a Bedard Tweet seemed a little MISLEADING to me (once I clicked on the link you gave and read the original).

Here's the tweets, FYI :

Greg A. Bedard ‏@GregABedard

DE Michael Johnson would have been a top target for the Patriots. Bengals will tag him

Bedard say " WOULD HAVE BEEN " and " A TOP target" do not necessarily imply the way you said it. OUR TOP in an implied past tense.

By definiition anyone who picks up a FRANCHISE TAG is going to be a "TOP TARGET" in FA league-wide. And particularly in positions where a team has a previous deficiency noted.

So, enough word quibbling.

Thanks for identifying the potential long term opportunity.

I would say interest is always there particularly when talking a top blue-chip talent pass rusher; but in the real world....

I think BB generally shops at Marshalls and not at Macys when it comes to VET FAs. Unless he suffers an injury this season that drops his stock - makes him a rebound candidate; I think he will be too rich for our blood (particularly with the AH cap dead-weight).

 

[ausbacker]

******* oath. Johnson is a super player and I'd very much like to see him in a Patriots uniform. Being greedy I'd also love them to get Henry Melton. Ah well.

 

[Rob0729]

The problem is that the deadline to get a deal with a franchised player passed yesterday and the Pats don't have the cap room to get him at the moment. His 2013 cap hit is $11.1 million. The Pats are currently about $9 million under.

Also, the Bengals aren't going to get value for Johnson and probably won't trade him. Any team trading for him only gets him for one year for sure and cannot even try to give him a long term deal until late February next year. If he is franchised next year, his cap number will be over $13 million. Odds are a team is not going to give up more than a mid round pick for him since he is a rent a player with a huge salary. That means the Bengals probably won't think it is worth trading him.

If Johnson becomes a Patriot, it will be after this season when he hits free agency.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'd be very interested in him. I don't know if the Patriots are going to pony up the kind of coin that it's going to take to sign him once he his free agency next year, though.