The Bengals have re-signed a couple more of their own. LS Clark Harris and S Michael Thomas have both gotten new 1 year deals.
Harris was originally a 7th round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2007. He signed with the Bengals in 2009 and has been the team’s long snapper ever since. The Bengals don’t currently have another one on the roster. While it is possible they add another body at the position, Harris should be locked into his role for at least one more year.
Thomas, meanwhile, was picked up in the middle of the season by the Bengals. He appeared in 8 games, while bouncing between the roster and practice squad. He saw few snaps on defence, but played well on special teams in the games he suited up for.
Unlike Harris and Thomas, the Bengals did not retain CB Darius Phillips. He has agreed to a 1 year/$2.25M contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Phillips spent this past year as a depth player on defence, and as the team’s primary punt returner. However, two muffed punts against the 49ers landed him in the dog house, and he then ended up being placed on IR.
During his tenure with the Bengals, Phillips flashed unbelievable potential. He is a great athlete and he put his ball hawking qualities on display by intercepting 5 passes in limited playing time. However, the UPS came with downs that were very low. The inconsistency caused him to drop even further down the depth chart.
It is likely that both sides were ready to move on. Phillips surely will be in search of more playing time, while the Bengals didn’t like his inconsistencies. The muffed punts might have been the last straw.
In other free agency news, the Bengals did not tender an offer to WR Staney Morgan. Morgan has been arguably the team’s best special teamer, but offers very little at the receiver position. Perhaps they try to work out a cheaper deal than what the tender would have been, but it seems like they will be letting him go.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)
