Bengals cut Wharton, create more cap room

The Bengals made another trimming of the roster move on Monday after cutting Jamaal Anderson on July 10 by releasing offensive guard Travelle Wharton. Wharton was signed in 2012 as the first free agent of that year to agree to play for the Bengals with a three year contract, and he was expected to become the starter at the right guard spot with the departure of Bobbie Williams. Wharton then missed the entire season with a torn ACL, but was rehabbing properly since his surgery and would have been a quality backup at both guard spots this season.

The Bengals might have a corresponding move in mind after releasing Wharton, who at the very least would have fit well as a veteran in the Bengals' locker room after showing he could contribute in games for Carolina before joining Cincinnati. The move creates an extra two million dollars of cap space, leaving the Bengals in a situation of being almost eighteen million dollars below the salary cap. The releases of Jamaal Anderson and Travelle Wharton are due to one of two things.

First, the Bengals could be giving themselves as much financial flexibility as possible in order to re-sign Geno Atkins before the season and Michael Johnson after the season. Atkins will be due to make more than Haloti Ngata in 2014 based on his production with the team. Ngata signed a five year deal worth nearly fifty million with the Ravens, so the Bengals would probably have to start the negotiations at five years for at least sixty million to get Atkins to think about signing.

The second option the Bengals might be thinking of with the release of Wharton is bringing in either Kerry Rhodes or Chris Crocker to compete for the strong safety spot. Rhodes and Crocker would demand at least two million on a one year contract, so that could be why the Bengals released Wharton now instead of letting him play out training camp.

Crocker was a solid presence for the Bengals last season. Mike Zimmer really likes the security Crocker brings to the secondary, and since not everyone on a defense can be an All Pro, there is always room for a well traveled and savvy veteran like Crocker. Rhodes would be a big splash in free agency for the Bengals considering he was rated as a top ten safety last season. However, it may be difficult for him to learn the Bengals' defense in such short notice before camp and fit in with a new team atmosphere after playing in New York and Arizona throughout his career. Rhodes would also demand a little bit more money than Crocker for signing a contract, but would also probably provide Cincinnati with better statistical production in 2013-14.

Offseason not complete for Bengals?

Since the start of the new league year, the Bengals have quietly filled most of the voids on the team and upped their talent level significantly through the signing of James Harrison and in April's draft. The team was also able to bring back its key veterans, Andre Smith, Michael Johnson, Adam Jones, and Wallace Gilberry. The team still has one major hole in its defense, however. The strong safety spot has been manned by Chris Crocker since he signed with the team midway through the season in 2008. He has collected 6 picks in his subsequent starting years following that time, but at 33 years old, Crocker may need to move on from the Bengals.

The Bengals will probably look to re-sign 2012 "WILL" linebacker Thomas Howard, who is coming off of a full season injury suffered last season, if the price is right. He will compete for the starting spot again, and if he impresses enough, the Bengals could move Vontaze Burfict to his natural spot in the middle and go with a linebacking corps of James Harrison, Burfict, and Howard. I see the Bengals bringing in one other outside free agent before training camp at the safety position. Shawn Williams, Taylor Mays, and George Iloka could each start next to Reggie Nelson, but these young players may need more time to adjust to Mike Zimmer's system. Williams and Iloka are the most likely to earn the job, which could make for an intriguing camp battle. Williams is an ideal run supporter and was the leader of Georgia's defense over the past few seasons. Iloka is 6'4, 225 pounds, and can cover well for his size. If the Bengals decide to go the veteran route, here are 3 safeties I could see as a fit for a year.

• Kerry Rhodes-Probably the most likely veteran to get the call on a 1 year deal. Rhodes has already taken a free agent visit to Cincinnati, and is coming off a solid year with the Cardinals in which he intercepted four passes and had 64 tackles. Rhodes helped anchor Rex Ryan's great defenses in 2009 and 2010 in New York, and has 23 career interceptions in nine seasons. Chances he signs: 35%
• Chris Crocker-This would be an ideal situation for Crocker, but maybe not for the Bengals. Crocker came in as an emergency fill-in player last year during the regular season. He played well with 3 interceptions, and the Bengals really missed him in their playoff loss to the Texans. He fits Zimmer's 4-3 defense extremely well, but at 33, can he survive the wear and tear of another full season? I could see the Bengals giving Crocker employment if the young safeties don't shape up late in training camp, but he won't have a chance to sign here if all goes according to plan. Chances he signs: 25%
• Quintin Mikell-Mikell is the best of the free agent safeties left in the pool, and is one of the best free agents still available in the NFL. Ed Reed, Dashon Goldson, and Bernard Pollard are the only safeties on the market this year better than Mikell. He is more of an in-the-box safety, which fits the Bengals' style for the strong safety spot. Mikell is coming off of a 101 tackle season, and he also forced 4 fumbles. Mikell has experience playing in big games with the Eagles. He started 14 games in 2004 when the Eagles made the Super Bowl. He would be the most costly option out of this group, but would probably give the most return on the investment. Chances he signs: 10%