stillers4me
09-14-2013, 09:54 AM
The Cincinnati Bengals (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/cincinnati-bengals) braintrust made the wise and obvious decision to put a big amount of money in the strength of their team this offseason--the defensive line. With long-term extensions to two of their core players (Geno Atkins (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108655/geno-atkins) and Carlos Dunlap (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108410/carlos-dunlap)), as well as a franchise tag on defensive end Michael Johnson, the Bengals put roughly $28 million of 2013 salary on those three. Throw in a couple more new contracts for Robert Geathers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2568/robert-geathers) and Wallace Gilberry (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34822/wallace-gilberry) and they are sniffing the mid-$30 million range.
In the Mike Zimmer era, especially the past few years, the Bengals defense has relied on an excellent pass rush. The apex of that ability was shown last year, led by double-digit sack totals from Atkins and Johnson. Fresh off of new deals and the excitement of the core remaining intact, many believed that the 2013 season would surpass even last year's fearsome front.
In Week One, the group was extremely disappointing............
read more @ http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108410/carlos-dunlap
In the Mike Zimmer era, especially the past few years, the Bengals defense has relied on an excellent pass rush. The apex of that ability was shown last year, led by double-digit sack totals from Atkins and Johnson. Fresh off of new deals and the excitement of the core remaining intact, many believed that the 2013 season would surpass even last year's fearsome front.
In Week One, the group was extremely disappointing............
read more @ http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108410/carlos-dunlap