The Cincinnati Bengals and owner Mike Brown do not have the reputation around the league as being big spenders. Honestly, when is the last time you can remember the Bengals getting into a seven figure bidding war with Jerry Jones and the Cowboys for a big time free agent? The team’s top talents such as Carson Palmer, Chad Ocho Cinco, talented cornerbacks Leon Hall and Jonathon Joseph have all been acquired via the draft.

Recently though owner Mike Brown and other front office members have discovered another way to get talented players wearing the orange and black without having to splurge on player salaries. The franchise has been making a habit of swooping in and grabbing players who have had falling outs with their old teams and giving them second chances to revitalize their careers in the Queen City. Of course once released these players are not demanding top dollar for their services or being courted by numerous NFL suitors this makes them ideal pickups for Mike Brown and company.

To their credit the Bengals hit the jackpot by picking up Cedric Benson in 2009 after the running back was released by the Chicago Bears in 2008 after slumping production and being arrested for operating a boat impaired and resisting arrest. Benson recorded his first 1,000 yard season with the Bengals in 2009 and was the NFL’s eighth leading rusher with 1,521 yards.

The franchise followed up the success of the Benson experiment by picking up Larry Johnson (LJ signed for league minimum pay). Johnson was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs on November 9, 2009 for making defamatory comments against Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley and using gay slurs when addressing the media. Johnson would rush for 204 yards in seven games with the Bengals in 2009.
Other free agent signings of note include Tank Johnson and newly acquired wide receiver Matt Jones. Johnson formerly of the Cowboys was arrested in November 2005 at the Excalibur Nightclub in Chicago who arrested for possession of a handgun in his sport utility vehicle. Jones was a former first round pick of the Jaguars who was arrested for possession of cocaine in 2008.
The result of these gambles has been an AFC-North title in 2009 and the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2005. One has to question though is this really the way to build a consistently successful NFL franchise. Bengal optimists will argue that it gives the team an edge or toughness because they are out there to prove all their doubters wrong. I have to wonder why the Bengals are the only franchise jumping to pick these guys up, does the front office or coaching staff know something about these players that all the other 31 NFL franchises does not.
As a Bengal fan I am thrilled that the franchise was able to play a rare home playoff game in front of a crowd that is more than deserving of a winner. I have the feeling though that while the immediate returns were nice, that in the long run of the franchise’s generosity will not be paid back in full. Instead I foresee this strategy eventually blowing up in the Bengals face.
Once again congratulations to the players for their success last year and good luck this coming season. Mike Brown should know though that cheapness is not a skill and doesn’t get rewarded. The way to build a successful franchise is playing as a unit and having high character guys on the roster. The gamble paid off for one season but you would never see the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and yes the Bengals the AFC North rival………. the Pittsburgh Steelers stockpile this assortment of players.