Comments on: Mike Brown defends spending habits on free agents

By: sicarii87

sicarii87 — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:33:00 +0000

Really mike?

You’re going to sit there and tell me Boldin wasn’t worth a 6th rounder and $6 mil a year?

I’m fine with not doubling up on RBs. It sucks having to pass on Steven Jackson and Reggie Bush, but BJGE is alright. Shouldve keep Benson but I can’t argue much with a lateral move.

Not taking a shot at Kruger I understand.

Not taking a shot at Ellerbe I understand.

Or Ed Reed, or mike Wallace etc

But not taking a shot at Dumervil?!?!?!?!

Come on!

By: natijim235

natijim235 — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:08:11 +0000

Did mike brown really say pizazz?

By: joetoronto

joetoronto — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:08:36 +0000

No playoff wins for you, Bungal fans.

By: tiggerblood

tiggerblood — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:58:49 +0000

One of the top drafting teams over the last 5-7 years starting with Jonathan Joesph who went to Houston for the Gatorade. They’re also pretty good at getting guys that just never played up to there potential on other teams and are playing solid football in Cincy. (Reggie Nelson, Pacman, Wallace Gilberry). I know it’s tough to admit but they’re getting it right for a change. Now if they’d only get better at rounds 5-7. Wow and I didn’t even mention Burfict also want to see what the ex-con Joiner’s got to prove.

By: mwindle1973

mwindle1973 — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 04:15:50 +0000

What I want to know is who is it we were supposed to chase in free agency? Was there a deserving player this year. Most of the good free agents were extremely over priced due to a weak talent pool, or older players on the downhill slide. You can pick these kind up later in the third and fourth waves of signings. Both Reggie Nelson and TO were productive players they picked up after the draft on the cheap in the past. Also they are leaving 10M to rollover to go towards resigning Green, Atkins, Dalton, DUnlap & Gresham next year. It’s not in a couple years like some are commenting. They all have to be signed next year. They are not going to let Dalton & Green play their contracts out, their are going to extend them a year early. The Ravens got burnt playing that game with Flacco. They could’ve saved about 5-7M a year had the extended him before his contract was up. They are doing nothing different than what the Ravens and Steelers have been doing for over a decade. It’s simply that non-Bengals fans have no idea how much youth is sitting on the roster. They made the decision after the 2010 debacle to stop counting on the over 30 crowd, and letting their younger guys play and develop.

By: savvybynature

savvybynature — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 01:44:18 +0000

Bungles fans are so pathetically loyal. They deserve better and yet don’t even realize it. Sigh.

By: beelicker

beelicker — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:33:12 +0000

Mike Brown is a former starting QB at Dartmouth & also a Harvard Lawyer. He & Paul started way back ca ’67 with right around $10mil & PB’s ‘cred’ as a HOF coach fronting an ownership syndicate.

December a year ago Mike bought the last 40% or so of shares of Bengals Inc in a right of first refusal sale for a cool $200mil, incidentally that he also earned via strictly that same family business, i.e. the Bengals.

Just as PB envisioned & Mike conceived, executed & just now brought home … despite a daunting gantlet of unforeseen obstacles.

Now he controls practically 100% of a soon-to-be billion-dollar asset in not quite 45 years & can turn all of his attention to running the team in his ‘retirement’. We should all be so ‘stupid’ …

By: micknangold

micknangold — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:03:19 +0000

So cheap they wouldn’t let Cedric Benson steal all the Gatorade!

By: voyager6

voyager6 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:40:54 +0000

Why is it every time Mike talks publically, he puts his foot into his mouth and drives away fans?

The Bengals were about three free agents plus an average draft from being a Super Bowl team. Mike had $50+million in cap, has another $10 Million in cuttable contracts, and just wastes it.

If he loses Newman and Smith, he has to draft to replace them, leaving two holes on the team that will keep them from the Super Bowl.

I personally believe that he has decided that Pittsburgh and Baltimore are taking three steps back this year and the team doesn’t have to improve to win the division. He is ignoring how aggressive Cleveland is in FA and with a decent draft, they will be competing with the Bengals for the division.

By: hitdog042

hitdog042 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:02:00 +0000

The Bengals are doing it the right way. And it’s not the same as always. In the past they let their FA go. Now they lock them up. In the past they drafted poorly. Now they draft well. Future is the future. Past is the past.

By: Vegas Guy

Vegas Guy — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:21:32 +0000

“While it’s easy to rip them for being cheap (they didn’t get that reputation by accident), the Bengals also have chosen a course and stuck to it.”

Because it’s worked SO well for the past 20 years.

By: kazkal

kazkal — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:19:27 +0000

“”"Not only is he cheap, he’s a bad businessman as well. He is leaving millions on the table by not naming his stadium.”"”

Actually a bad Businessman he is not unfortunately, not selling rights to naming Stadium actually makes me proud (I was disappointed when he talked about doing it) Leaving it named after his father is paying respect to one of the biggest influences and greatest coaches of all time.

By: smalltownqb

smalltownqb — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:26:35 +0000

” Keep doin what you’re doin Mr. Brown! I think the consensus amongst intelligent Bengals fans is that we are going about this the right way…. for once!”

And if it takes you 40 years to get anything accomplished with this process – what does that prove? You seem to be confusing the Bengals with a franchise that has already had success with this philosophy.

By: eatitfanboy

eatitfanboy — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:14:38 +0000

@bengalsucker:

While I did post above that I think not spending on big free agents doesn’t necessarily make you cheap, I didn’t mean to say Brown isn’t cheap.

He is unbelievably cheap. That dome at UC cost less than 50% of what Mike Brown paid his kicker last year. I know, I sell them for a living. For what he did pay his kicker ($2,654,000) he could have had a practice structure that would put UC’s to shame.

Not only is he cheap, he’s a bad businessman as well. He is leaving millions on the table by not naming his stadium.

By: johnnyb1976

johnnyb1976 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:10:57 +0000

Browns winning the AFCN?! I lol @ Browns fans. They confuse passion with idiocy.

By: thegreatgabbert

thegreatgabbert — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:38:07 +0000

Mike resents the implication that he got scalped on a few of those deals.

By: 303bengalguy

303bengalguy — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:14:26 +0000

Never thought in a million years I’d say this, but to those of us out there with half a brain and a sensible understanding of how FA works, as well as the trajectory of this team I say the following:

Mike Brown NEEDS NOT DEFEND his spending in free agency.

Keep doin what you’re doin Mr. Brown! I think the consensus amongst intelligent Bengals fans is that we are going about this the right way…. for once!

And PS, I’m tired of hearing about zero playoff wins in 20 years… the trajectory of this team is where we want it, and when you have positive hope for the future, the past matters not.

By: ridnaway

ridnaway — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:05:34 +0000

This interview was conducted between errands MikeyBoy was running. After he left the free sample line at the grocery where he dined on some delicious smoked sausages, and before he arrived at the Day Old Bread store to bargain with the clerk.

By: doe22us

doe22us — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:51:47 +0000

Build through the draft and not through signing overpriced free agents See Redskins, and this off season probably the Dolphins and the Browns. Anyway the Dolphins and Browns have sucked for a very long time so its no suprise those are deperate franchises.

By: bengalsucker

bengalsucker — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:49:19 +0000

While I agree the Bengals are making better decisions in the draft and paying the right players (don’t agree with the Maualuga deal but I think he will be pushed back out to Sam before the season starts), you just have to remember Mike Brown is very cheap on facilities. Players have said that the Bengals have some of the cheapest facilities available. We are the northernmost team without some type of indoor practice facility. He cheaps on towels, gatorade usage, etc. And the county is paying for his stadium. The man has it made as far as the stadium deal. UC built their practice bubble and asked the Bengals to go half with them and they could also use it but the Bengals declined. Well where did the Bengals practice a handful of times last year? UC. And I hope to god UC paid them pay dearly to use it. Mike Brown is still a cheap owner. Won’t hire a GM (pays himself) and won’t build a practice bubble.

By: Just a Fan

Just a Fan — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:45:05 +0000

As a Steeler fan it is hard for me to say this…..but the Bengals continue to make good decisions every year. They draft well and don’t over pay their players. They remind me of the Steelers of old. Every year they get better, this year I expect them to contend for the division and make they playoffs. Good young players and a nice mix of veterans.

They are making it hard to hate them!

By: bengalskuta82

bengalskuta82 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:44:01 +0000

Mike is a smart owner when it comes to business. Am I right, Oakland Raiders?

By: hlmatty1

hlmatty1 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:41:08 +0000

First, it is a bunch of baloney since the history of the club is to NOT retain their drafted players once either they hit free agency or once franchised (see Jason Smith, Madeiu Williams, Jonathan Joseph, Boomer Esiason, Eric Steinbach, Takeo Spikes, TJ Houshmanzadeh, etc and maybe Andre Smith). Second, we hear this refrain whether they have $4 million over the cap or $54 million (as in this year): “Oooh..we need money to keep our guys, and money for next years’ guys, and draft choices, and injury replacements, etc” Those same restrictions are for every club and, yet they make do. Third, if they had a history of winning this way, that is one thing. However, last year was the first since ’88 for back to back playoffs, they have had only 4 winning seasons in the last 20, and they have not won a playoff game since ’89 (I think). Normal, rational people say that if it does not work, try something else. Not him. Fourth, it is not as it they are great drafters either. Even forgetting the Brian Blados of this world (everybody misses on a few), since Lewis has been heard coach, the team has had numerous years with multiple picks in the first three rounds. Yet, since 2003 through 2008, five of the six 1st round picks are no longer with the team. Same thing with approximately 19 out of 21 picks from rounds 1-3 in those years. The players who are to be the backbone of your team are gone. Fourth, ok you won’t spend big money on a FA, but why not do what NE does and get a bunch of good, relatively cheap, older guys to fill in your gaps — and every team has some gaps. Where NE went out and got Teddy Bruschi, Adalius Thomas, Rodney Harrison, Corey Dillon, Brandon Lloyd, Junior Seau, and others, the Bengals have signed Karl Powell, Roger Birkett, John Thornton, Antonio Bryant, Lavernies Cole, Nate Clement, and other lesser lights. So Bengal fans are not disappointed that they did not sign Bushrod, but they are in their not signing an Ed Reed, an Uhrlacher, or a Quin. They see it, as the owners just putting the money in their pocket and not caring if they win or not.

By: eatitfanboy

eatitfanboy — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:37:52 +0000

As strange as it may seem, many experts will tell you that spending small money on depth in free agency and developing your skill position talent through the draft is the right way to go.

The Bengals have .500 or better records 7 out of the last 10 seasons. The Redskins, the annual champions of free agency, have done it in 4 of the last 10.

How many big money free agents have the Steelers brought in? Not many, huh? 9 of 10 for them.

How many NFL teams would take the Bengals’ QB and number 1 reciever over whatever they are trotting out there?

I’m not a Bengals fan, but it’s a little silly around here sometimes.

By: fusstr8tedfinfan

fusstr8tedfinfan — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:22:01 +0000

Not a Bengals fan by any means but sometimes(most of the time actually) it’s better to build from within and through the draft. Most of the time throwing around big money and picks this time of year leaves teams poor money and draft wise later. The good teams build through the draft and let high dollar premadonnas walk at the end of thier contracts if they think to highly of themselves and not about the team. You can’t get mad at a franchise for doing buisiness like. Now, just being cheap is a different story.

By: smalltownqb

smalltownqb — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:18:21 +0000

I feel bad for Cincy fans. Talk about one of the least committed organizations in the history of the sport. It has to be embarrassing for you folks.

It is going to suck even more once the Browns do their leap-frog in the Division. At least there is passion there.

By: kazkal

kazkal — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:16:17 +0000

Also well Mike Brown is cheap he’s also spent most of cap space available and never been cheap on players…His cheapness has to do with Practice Bubbles,Scouts & Free Gatorade.

By: dirtdawg54

dirtdawg54 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:14:56 +0000

You are “shooting a lot of small shots” – what no man ever wants to hear.

By: kazkal

kazkal — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:14:29 +0000

“Translated, business as usual in Cincinnati.
While it’s easy to rip them for being cheap ”

As a Bengals fan it’s easy to rip Mike Brown,But how can you rip them for making the right decision?When was the last team that bought a Superbowl?

Bengals have some very Talented players that are going to cost alot of money to sign long term.AJ Green will Cost 15-20million a year,Geno Atkins will probably cost 10-15 Million a year they also will need resign Dunlap,MJohnson & Dalton.Plus their still needing to get BigDre Resigned…

Championship teams build threw the draft I’m not saying the Bengals will ever be a championship team but atleast their building their team right.I would have liked to see us sign a veteran Strong Safety but I’m okay with waiting for the draft.

By: vincentbojackson

vincentbojackson — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:11:18 +0000

Don’t question Mike Brown. His business model has produced exactly zero playoff wins in the last 20 years.