According to ProFootballTalk.com, the Cincinnati Bengals are set to make two free agent signings — one at cornerback, and the other at free safety.
Pacman Jones had a workout with the Bengals yesterday and is expected to sign, according to NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora, a multi-year deal to be the third corner behind Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph. Gibril Wilson was in Cincinnati on Tuesday for a workout and, according to Mike Florio’s source, “the chances of Wilson signing with the team are greater than 50 percent.”
Jones would come in and battle third-round draft pick out of Wake Forest, Brandon Ghee, for the third corner spot behind Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph, arguably the best corner duo in the league. Wilson would most likely battle Chinedum Ndukwe to be the starter at free safety.
The Bengals are known for taking on troubled personalities, and after the astounding success of Cedric Benson they’re likely to try it a few more times than usual. Matt Jones is already on board in the hopes he can contribute to a receiving corps that lacks talent outside of Chad Ochocinco, so it would make sense to bring on guys like Jones and Wilson for much-needed depth.
There’s no word on how long Wilson’s deal would be, but giving Pacman a multi-year could be a move the Bengals regret early in the season. He’s shown he needs a little extra push to perform and stay out of trouble, so giving him any job security sounds like a shaky idea.
Handing him a take-it-or-leave-it one-year deal probably would have been the better way to go, but if they figure they can keep him out of trouble and can help him contribute as a corner and return man, he could be worth it.
Of course, keeping him out of trouble, especially with other troubled players around him, will be easier said than done.