Mike Zimmer Could Add Another Bengals Free Agent


During the wild and crazy whirlwind of NFL free agency, things get confusing. The action can get so furious and frenetic that you just may need a scorecard to keep pace. One aspect of current and past free agent activity is becoming clear. The Minnesota Vikings seem to like the Cincinnati Bengals players. Free agent tackle Andre Smith was in the Twin Cities over the weekend. He may be the latest Bengals addition for the Vikings.

The Vikings are looking for a starter at right tackle. Smith was in Minnesota Sunday and proclaimed himself the man for the job.

Per the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Smith was candid about his ability to protect quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and open holes for the ground game.

“I think I could come in and help the offensive line greatly. I’m a dominant lineman both in the run and can keep Teddy clean as well.”

Mike Zimmer Could
[Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images]

Smith said it could be intriguing to be reunited with Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer, who was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator during his first five Bengals seasons. Smith will tour Vikings facilities, including U.S. Bank Stadium, on Monday. Smith might come with too high of a price tag, but he would add some much-needed depth to the tackle position should the Vikings want to go that route.

“That would be great, “Smith said. “I know the type of leader he is and coach he is and the way he loves his players. I love him. He’s a great guy.”

Smith is hoping he can make a deal with the Vikings before his trip is over.

If the Vikings ink a contract with Andre Smith, he will be the fifth Bengals player to sign with Minnesota, according to ESPN. Since Zimmer has been head coach, there seems to be a pipeline from Cincinnati to the Purple and Gold. Chris Crocker, Taylor Mays, cornerback Terence Newman, and linebacker Emmanuel Lamur all played under Zimmer in Cincinnati.

The Bengals have tons of gifted athletes on the free agent market. Teams are not shy about taking a look at the prospects. Although the running gag is the Bengals’ inability to win a playoff game, the talent pool in southern Ohio is deep. Developing young players is the reason the Bengals have made the playoffs five straight years.

Bengals brass locked up cornerback Adam Jones and safety George Iloka with generous contracts. They then made sure linebacker Vincent Rey was in the fold. He signed an $11.5 million deal on Thursday afternoon. The players who are escaping aren’t subpar, but the Bengals have the depth to let them walk. Cincinnati’s reputation for being cheap hasn’t been a factor. The roster is stocked.

Mike Zimmer Could
[Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images]

Last week, the Vikings signed guard Alex Boone to a four-year, $26.8 million contract. Smith declined to speculate if it would take a similar type of deal to land him. T.J. Clemmings struggled in 2015, and Phil Loadholt missed the entire season because of a torn Achilles tendon. Smith could step in immediately at right tackle for the Vikings.

Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham, an offensive lineman for them from 1974-83, said Smith would be an ideal fit for Minnesota.

“Zim knows what he’s looking at in terms of what’s important up front, with the offensive and defensive line,” Lapham explained. “He knows what he likes. When you have a guy like Adrian Peterson, you want to have a big, powerful, drive-blocking offensive tackle in the game.'”

With the Bengals looking to pass on re-signing Smith, Zimmer could be entertaining another addition from his former team. Safety Reggie Nelson has yet to hear from the Bengals. If none of the other teams courting him makes a move, the pipeline from Cincinnati to Minnesota could be busy again.

[Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images]

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