For the second straight year, the Cincinnati Bengals have wasted a bunch of money on a free-agent receiver.
Coincidentally, both men find themselves on the open market on the same afternoon.
Less than an hour ago, the Jets cut Laveranues Coles, who received $9.7 million for one season of football in Cincinnati. As it turns out, Antonio Bryant received $7.85 million for zero seasons.
The team has announced today the decision to part ways with Bryant.
Signed in March to a four-year, $28 million deal after back-to-back visits from Bryant and Terrell Owens, the Bengals avoided throwing $3 million in good money after $7.85 million in bad by dumping Bryant.
The good news for the Bengals? They won’t have to worry about Bryant getting upset by not getting enough passes. And they won’t have to worry about T.O. complaining about the amount of production he’s generating on a base salary of only $2 million in comparison to what would have been more than $10 million to Bryant.
As a vested veteran, Bryant becomes an unrestricted free agent. He has earned nearly $18 million in less than a year; with that kind of cash in the bank, it remains to be seen whether he’ll be ready to play in 2010 for something closer to the veteran minimum.
The Bengals also announced the release of long snapper Mike Windt, who made far less than $7.85 million this year. They also placed safety Gibril Wilson on injured reserve.