Despite numerous indications that a deal would go down, the Cincinnati Bengals once again have failed to trade for a new defensive tackle.
FOXSports.com has learned that Dewayne Robertson of the New York Jets, who met with Bengals officials at team headquarters on Monday, will not be traded to Cincinnati.
While they lost out on Robertson, Bengals upgraded their defensive line today by signing free-agent end Antwan Odom to a five-year, $29.5 million contract.
The deal includes $11.5 million in guaranteed money, a source told FOXSports.com.
The 26-year-old Odom is coming off his best NFL season, having recorded eight sacks last season with Tennessee. The Bengals were in the market for a new end after losing Justin Smith in free agency to San Francisco.
Robertson has two years remaining on the rookie deal he signed as the No. 4 pick of the 2003 draft. He is set to earn $1.5 million in base salary this season.
Robertson, who spoke Sunday night to Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, has been a poor fit in the 3-4 defensive scheme New York installed when Eric Mangini became head coach in 2006. Robertson, 26, would likely be better suited to play in a 4-3 system as a penetrating-style defensive tackle.
The Bengals thought they had an agreement Friday with Detroit to acquire defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. But a contractual issue nullified the deal, leading to the Lions instead agreeing to send Rogers to Cleveland for a third-round draft pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden.
Robertson became expendable in New York when the Jets acquired defensive tackle Kris Jenkins in a Friday trade with Carolina. A source said the new Jets contract Jenkins signed includes $9.5 million in guaranteed money and a $4.5 million roster bonus due in March. The total value of the five-year contract is $30.25 million with $18 million coming in the first three seasons, the source said.
Media reports have stated Jenkins was set to earn $20 million in guaranteed money from the Jets.
Think again Marvez. The Bengals are trying to switch to a 3-4. That is why they want a run stuffing DT. If Robertson was a poor fit in the Jets 3-4 he will be the same for the Bengals. Nothing they are doing makes sense anyway. They've signed no LBs, they are about to lose their best LB to free agency, and they were pulling LBs off the street last year when they were a 4-3. How they think they can play a 3-4 is beyond me.
Bill, nobody has come out and said what defensive scheme the Bengals are running so you are just assuming. Landon Johnson is not the Bengals best LB, he was not even the starter until the LBs got hurt and Dhani Jones makes him look like a back-up he is. Do you see anyone signing Landon? Plus, Thurman is going to be back so the Bengals do have LBs.
I agree 100% with TigerJaw. Just b/c the local media says the bengal's are switching to a 3-4 doesn't mean they are. Wait till after the draft and their personnel will dictate what defense they run. Landon Johnson is so light, if he's not getting blow off the ball he's getting run over. Wait till thurman comes back this year and sets the league on fire. What really doesn't make sense if giving a guy who had 2 sacks last year 20 million dollars. That's one dollar for every yard downfield he made a tackle. Bye Justin, Madieu, Landon - you all sucked anyways.
bengals arent necessarily switching to 3-4. it will depend on pollack, thurman and the draft. for the 3-4 we have brooks and thurman inside, but pollack has no position. he wants his hands down but hes too small for teh 3-4 de.
or we can stay 4-3, but geathers and pollack at the ends. and mix and match the lb core
da bengals lb's suck flat out they need to stay in the 4-3 becuz they don't have the talent for the 3-4 in they better get a DT becuz they are blowin it a FA lbs and DT are there major needs
Trade DRob to Denver for Foxworth and save some money!! Or give him to Philly for Sheppard. We also need another reciever, can be a low profile guy like Gaffney or Bryant Johnson... We dont have to draft Gholston now that we scored Pace, we can get Mcfadden if he falls to 6!!
Marvez, I hear that you are rather fond of buffets. I wanted Chinese so I went to Panda BBQ and the guy said, "No more food. Fat man in pink shirt eat all food." You even drank the soy sauce lardo.
I am SICK, SICK, SICK and tired of seeing these guys earn millions upon millions of dollars for playing a GAME! I think that if Congress wants to change the outlook of sports, they need to put a cap on the earnings of athletes! And, if the team has that much money to throw around, donate the rest of these high dollar contracts to the REAL HEROES of america...The Police, Firefighters, EMS, and Military! They have done more for america than any athlete ever could! $1 Million a year is MORE than enough for athlete and family to live on! Hell, I know Police Officers that put their lives on the line everyday and struggle to live paycheck to paycheck! Its just not right!
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com . He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
