The Cincinnati Bengals 2014 Free Agent Signings Analysis

The Cincinnati Bengals do enough in the off season to win the AFC North?  The Cincinnati Bengals in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The Cincinnati Bengals win the AFC North in 2014?

 

The Cincinnati Bengals finished 2013 season with a record of 11-5, besting the 2012 season by 1 more win, and the same loss in the wild card game. Three consecutive losses in the wild card round. Will it be 4? The Bengals lost more in free agency than they gained. The biggest loss was DE Michael Johnson. In two seasons, Johnson had over 100 tackles, 2 INTs, two FFs, 15 sacks and 11 passes blocked. The loss of OT Anthony Collins will be almost impossible to overcome. QB Andy Dalton passed over 550 times and not one sack was because of Collins. That's protection that Dalton will miss and will impact all players on the field negatively. Marshall Newhouse was signed by the Bengals to try and offset the loss of Collins but its like trying to replace a Cadillac with a Chevy. Just not in the same class. SS Danieal Manning was signed to try and bring some leadership to a weak secondary unit. LBs Dontay Moch and Sam Montgomery are more developmental players that will not impact Cincinnati's win/loss record in 2014. Read my article, 2014 Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis and see why I think the Bengals had an awesome draft day especially getting CB Darqueze Dennard who will fills an immediate need position in the secondary. They also drafted QB A.J. McCarron thus having some leverage with the signing of QB Jason Campbell if QB Andy Dalton decides he is worth $20 million a year which is not happening now.

Players lost in the off season to other teams

• Cory Brandon, T--Rookie, signed by The Arizona Cardinals


• Anthony Collins, T--6th season, signed by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers


• Brandon Ghee, CB--4th season, signed by The San Diego Chargers


• Andrew Hawkins, WR--3rd season, signed by The Cleveland Browns


• Otis Hudson, G--2nd season, signed by The Kansas City Chiefs


• Michael Johnson, DE--5th season, signed by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers


• Chris Pressley, FB--5th season, signed by The Cleveland Browns

Players signed in free agency from other teams

• Jason Campbell, QB--9th season, signed from The Cleveland Browns


• Danieal Manning, SS--8th season, signed from The Houston Texans


• Dontay Moch, LB--2nd season, signed from The Arizona Cardinals


• Sam Montgomery, LB--Rookie, signed from The Houston Texans


• Marshall Newhouse, T--4th season, signed from The Green Bay Packers


• R.J. Stanford, CB--3rd season, signed from The Miami Dolphins

Can The Cincinnati Bengals make it to the playoffs in 2014?

No, they can't. It won't be 4 playoffs in a row. The Ravens are the best team in he AFC North and Cincinnati can;t overcome the loss of DE Michael Johnson and T Anthony Collins. He two other factors is they lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is now the coach of the Washington Redskins and defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer is now the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. No team can overcome the loss of two successful coaches so I put my money of the Baltimore Ravens winning the AFC North and the Steelers coming in a distant second. Before the season is over we will get to see how A.J. McCarron looks as a potential starter.