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Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals busy plugging holes

By Staff Report, CNATI.com Posted March 11, 2010 11:55 AM ET

The Bengals have spent the past week plugging holes in the roster: Tank Johnson for the defensive line, Antonio Bryant for the passing game, Daniel Coats for depth at tight end.

Johnson officially re-signed with the team Thursday morning. The deal reportedly is for four years, and it is a sign of the impression he made in his first season with the team.

The veteran defensive tackle joined the Bengals late last off-season after attracting little interest on the open market. He did not provide the pass rush team officials hoped for, but he played through significant injury -- a torn ligament in his foot, suffered in week three -- and was strong against the run.

"He is a tough-minded man who is a great pro during the week and brings a great competitive attitude to the field on Sunday," coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released by the team.

Johnson is capable of playing both spots on the interior of the line -- over the center and outside the guard -- which makes him a solid complement to young linemen Domata Peko and Pat Sims.

Coats re-sign with the Bengals on Wednesday, less than a week after the team released him to free agency. Depending on who else the Bengals add in the off-season, Coats will compete to regain the starting spot he lost last season or compete for a reserve role.

Bryant represents the biggest piece of the Bengals' recent business -- the biggest contract, biggest upside and biggest need.

The 29-year-old receiver agreed to a four-year contract worth a reported $28 million, similar to the contract the Bengals gave Laveranues Coles last winter. Coles was released after one disappointing season.

Bryant is younger and was productive in Tampa Bay the past two seasons, despite the Buccaneers inconsistency at quarterback. He has averaged 15.3 yards per catch over his career, more than every Bengals receiver averaged in 2009 except the late Chris Henry.

But Bryant comes with some baggage: a run-in with coaches in San Francisco, a previous suspension for violating the league's drug policy, a knee injury last season. The Bengals will be his fifth team in nine seasons.

The team's top priorities for the remainder of the off-season figure to be improving the offensive line and the pass rush and adding depth, particularly in the defensive backfield.

 

 

Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News

Tags: Antonio Bryant, Bengals, Daniel Coats, Tank Johnson