Football It's official: Levi Jones released by Bengals today... - Page 2

T-post Tom · 05-06-2009, 11:39 AM

Bengals cut Levi Jones
GEOFF HOBSON

Posted May 6, 2009

Jones was a first-round draft pick of the Bengals in 2002. (Bengals photo)

Updated: 12:40 p.m.

The much anticipated release of Levi Jones became reality Wednesday, another step in what looks to be the installation of first-rounder Andre Smith at left tackle.

Jones had the job since the second month of his NFL career, which began when he was the 10th pick in the 2002 draft. He started 89 games and emerged as one of the top left tackles in the game during a 2005 season he was voted a Pro Bowl second alternate. But knee and leg problems limited him to 31 games in the last three seasons and he played in only the first 10 last season when he suffered a leg injury against the Eagles.

Since there is no salary cap next season in the NFL, the Bengals assume what is left of Jones' pro-rated signing bonus in this year's cap. Since he was scheduled to make in excess of $3 million this season, that figures to be about a $500,000 hit.

The 6-5, 307-pound Jones, 29, had requested a trade before the 2008 NFL Draft, and the club told his agent this past March that it would either trade him or cut him. When the Bengals couldn't get any takers for a deal they decided to make the move three days after Smith made his Bengals debut on the practice field at left tackle.

As the Bengals attempt to shore up an offensive line that allowed 51 sacks last year, right guard Bobbie Williams and left guard Andrew Whitworth are the only members of the 2008 Opening Day line still on the roster with center Eric Ghiaciuc and right tackle Stacy Andrews departing via free agency.

There are now just two Bengals who were here when head coach Marvin Lewis arrived in 2003: Long snapper Brad St. Louis and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.

"The Bengals made Levi the 10th pick in the draft and then made him one of the highest paid tackles in the league," said agent Kenny Zuckerman, who negotiated the six-year extension with $16.3 million in guarantees and $21 million in the first three years before the 2006 season. "He definitely appreciates what the Bengals did for him and now he's looking to continue his career elsewhere."

Jones had some public disagreements with the training staff and coaches as they grappled with his injuries and for the last couple of years he chose to work out in his native Arizona at Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe.

What is probably the highlight of his Bengals career involved injury. In one of the toughest feats ever in franchise history, he played six days after arthroscopic knee surgery down the playoff stretch in December 2003.

Injury also played a part in his last Bengals appearance. He had to take himself out of the Eagles game because Trent Cole saw he could exploit Jones's physical problems. No one ever got into the specifics of the injury, but Zuckerman said Jones has had a good offseason and is healthy.

"We're not going to rush it," said Zuckerman of a new team.

The Bengals had to turn to rookie Anthony Collins to replace Jones in the last six games when Whitworth suffered an ankle injury in the same game and also missed the rest of the season. If Smith stays at left tackle, then Whitworth most likely stays at left guard while Collins, a fourth-round pick out of Kansas last year, appears to get the shot at right tackle.

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-...d-010172613abc

Micjones · 05-06-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

Get this guy on a plane KCI-bound... so he can connect to a different airline and keep on trucking to OAK.

That's what you meant... right?

Absolutely not.
I don't think he has a current 40 time on record.

htismaqe · 05-06-2009, 12:12 PM

We won't be doing anything with this guy until the market is set. If teams are willing to give him a shot at LT (and considering the dearth of talent in the NFL, I'm sure more than a few will) we have zero shot at getting him.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 05-06-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

We won't be doing anything with this guy until the market is set. If teams are willing to give him a shot at LT (and considering the dearth of talent in the NFL, I'm sure more than a few will) we have zero shot at getting him.

Exactly.

Micjones · 05-06-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

We won't be doing anything with this guy until the market is set. If teams are willing to give him a shot at LT (and considering the dearth of talent in the NFL, I'm sure more than a few will) we have zero shot at getting him.

I think the market is fairly set at this point.
It's the third wave of Free Agency.
Teams have had 3 months to answer offensive line problems.
AND the draft is over.

I'm sure a couple teams might be interested, but I'd have to think his options are limited at this point. You don't leave your LT up in the air for 3 months of the off-season. RT maybe...

sedated · 05-06-2009, 12:28 PM

If the bengals OLine is so bad, and he was willing to play RT, why didn't they keep him?

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 05-06-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

If the bengals OLine is so bad, and he was willing to play RT, why didn't they keep him?

He wouldn't be the first guy to take a paycut from anyone but his original team. Players do that shit all the time.

htismaqe · 05-06-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I think the market is fairly set at this point.
It's the third wave of Free Agency.
Teams have had 3 months to answer offensive line problems.
AND the draft is over.

I'm sure a couple teams might be interested, but I'd have to think his options are limited at this point. You don't leave your LT up in the air for 3 months of the off-season. RT maybe...

Teams always settle for what they have in the off-chance that a potential upgrade comes along later. It's going to depend on how many teams view him as an UPGRADE at LT.

**The Franchise** · 05-06-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

If the bengals OLine is so bad, and he was willing to play RT, why didn't they keep him?

They also have Andre Smith and Anthony Collins. No point in keeping someone who isn't going to start...and doesn't want to take a paycut.

redngold85 · 05-06-2009, 12:36 PM

is this where I say "print 'em?"

Mr. Krab · 05-06-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

He wouldn't be the first guy to take a paycut from anyone but his original team. Players do that shit all the time.

this

Quote:

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

They also have Andre Smith and Anthony Collins. No point in keeping someone who isn't going to start...and doesn't want to take a paycut.

and this

SBK · 05-06-2009, 12:43 PM

We should seriously bring him in and move Albert over to RT, or even better to his natural, all-pro position, LG.
Posted via Mobile Device

Micjones · 05-06-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

Teams always settle for what they have in the off-chance that a potential upgrade comes along later. It's going to depend on how many teams view him as an UPGRADE at LT.

I tend to agree.
I'm guessing there will be 5-6 teams vying for his services.

**DeezNutz** · 05-06-2009, 12:45 PM

When I hear the name Levi Jones, the only thing that comes to mind is JA whipping his ass.

beer bacon · 05-06-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I tend to agree.
I'm guessing there will be 5-6 teams vying for his services.

We are 30 million dollars under the cap. We should be one of those teams.

htismaqe · 05-06-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer bacon

We are 30 million dollars under the cap. We should be one of those teams.

Why? He's not better than Brandon Albert and would likely want to be paid MORE.

05-06-2009, 11:39 AM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4237293	It's official: Levi Jones released by Bengals today... Bengals cut Levi Jones GEOFF HOBSON Posted May 6, 2009 Jones was a first-round draft pick of the Bengals in 2002. (Bengals photo) Updated: 12:40 p.m. The much anticipated release of Levi Jones became reality Wednesday, another step in what looks to be the installation of first-rounder Andre Smith at left tackle. Jones had the job since the second month of his NFL career, which began when he was the 10th pick in the 2002 draft. He started 89 games and emerged as one of the top left tackles in the game during a 2005 season he was voted a Pro Bowl second alternate. But knee and leg problems limited him to 31 games in the last three seasons and he played in only the first 10 last season when he suffered a leg injury against the Eagles. Since there is no salary cap next season in the NFL, the Bengals assume what is left of Jones' pro-rated signing bonus in this year's cap. Since he was scheduled to make in excess of $3 million this season, that figures to be about a $500,000 hit. The 6-5, 307-pound Jones, 29, had requested a trade before the 2008 NFL Draft, and the club told his agent this past March that it would either trade him or cut him. When the Bengals couldn't get any takers for a deal they decided to make the move three days after Smith made his Bengals debut on the practice field at left tackle. As the Bengals attempt to shore up an offensive line that allowed 51 sacks last year, right guard Bobbie Williams and left guard Andrew Whitworth are the only members of the 2008 Opening Day line still on the roster with center Eric Ghiaciuc and right tackle Stacy Andrews departing via free agency. There are now just two Bengals who were here when head coach Marvin Lewis arrived in 2003: Long snapper Brad St. Louis and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. "The Bengals made Levi the 10th pick in the draft and then made him one of the highest paid tackles in the league," said agent Kenny Zuckerman, who negotiated the six-year extension with $16.3 million in guarantees and $21 million in the first three years before the 2006 season. "He definitely appreciates what the Bengals did for him and now he's looking to continue his career elsewhere." Jones had some public disagreements with the training staff and coaches as they grappled with his injuries and for the last couple of years he chose to work out in his native Arizona at Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe. What is probably the highlight of his Bengals career involved injury. In one of the toughest feats ever in franchise history, he played six days after arthroscopic knee surgery down the playoff stretch in December 2003. Injury also played a part in his last Bengals appearance. He had to take himself out of the Eagles game because Trent Cole saw he could exploit Jones's physical problems. No one ever got into the specifics of the injury, but Zuckerman said Jones has had a good offseason and is healthy. "We're not going to rush it," said Zuckerman of a new team. The Bengals had to turn to rookie Anthony Collins to replace Jones in the last six games when Whitworth suffered an ankle injury in the same game and also missed the rest of the season. If Smith stays at left tackle, then Whitworth most likely stays at left guard while Collins, a fourth-round pick out of Kansas last year, appears to get the shot at right tackle. http://www.bengals.com/news/article-...d-010172613abc
Posts: 20,420

05-06-2009, 12:12 PM	#17
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	We won't be doing anything with this guy until the market is set. If teams are willing to give him a shot at LT (and considering the dearth of talent in the NFL, I'm sure more than a few will) we have zero shot at getting him.
Posts: 100,022

05-06-2009, 12:36 PM	#24
redngold85 all my rowdy friends Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lisle, IL Casino cash: $10004900	is this where I say "print 'em?" __________________ my dream car: 2009 Roush P-51b
Posts: 509

05-06-2009, 12:43 PM	#26
SBK Curry is the pick??? Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Georgia Casino cash: $10004900	We should seriously bring him in and move Albert over to RT, or even better to his natural, all-pro position, LG. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 8,153