Did the Bengals Cut Willie, Rudi and Deltha to be able to resign Shayne Graham?

According to multiple sources, notoriously overrated Bengals K Shayne Graham has publicly requested that he receive a new contract prior to Sunday's much anticipated showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. 

Obviously, this does not give the Bengals much time to do anything, seeing as the season is now only 4 days away. Graham signed a five-year, $6.5 million offer sheet with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004 as a restricted free agent, but the Bengals matched it. 

As PFT outlined, while Graham's 85.3% field goal percentage puts him 2nd all time to Mike Vanderjagt, this stat is inflated because of his weak leg.  He was 0 for 1 from beyond 50 yards last year.  And you don't need to remind any Bengals fan of his constant inability to reach the end zone on kickoffs.

With 4 days before the season, it seems that this is clearly an attempt by Graham to jump on the newly freed up salary cap space made when the Bengals cut Willie Anderson, Rudi Johnson and Deltha O'Neal.  I am sure that Graham's agent knows that the Bengals pay our three skill players near top dollar in the league.  Punter Kyle Larson is paid at over 150% of the league average for Kickers/Punters, taking up $1.3M of cap space.  Long Snapper Brad St. Louis makes $736,000 a year. 

And while this blog is clearly negative on the Bengals management decsions, I don't think even they will be persuaded by this hollow threat.   The influx of kickers being signed as college free agents or taken in later rounds of the draft shows (Crosby in GB, Gradkowski in NE, Folk in Dallas)  that the Bengals should not give in to Shanye. 

Hopefully Mike Brown gives Shayne the Chad Johnson treatment, ignores his hollow demands and tells him to shut up and kick. 

Graham told the Dayton Daily News: "My goal is to have it taken care of before the season starts...That's why I hire my agent. That's what he does. I'm just going to be worried about making kicks and helping my team win....I've been here for a while (six years), and I've taken a little bit of a leadership role. Being a part of a team getting back to the playoffs is my priority. All this other stuff will work out...I think they want me here...I want to be here, and I don't see any reason why something won't be taken care of."

Let's see here: The time frame? I don't know. Maybe before 4 days before the regular season begins might have been a better time frame.  Or are you just trying to capitalize on the newly freed cap space now that the Bengals cut Willie, Rudi and Deltha?

Again, the Bengals need to give Shayne the Chad Ocho Cinco treatment, tell him to shut up kick and deal with him after the season. 

Comments

[Ghost of Boomer]

Leadership role? You are a kicker. Know your role.

[Who Dey NYC]

"Bringing this team back into the playoffs is my priority"...well, let's see it buddy. Let's see if you used this offseason to work out your legs and build extra strength to kick the ball into the freaking endzone and give us some 50 yarders some of the time. If not, you are largely replaceable.

You got it right. Let him kick in his final year and if he gets too expensive and we can't bring him back at a reasonable price, just let him go.

Replaceable.

Leadership role...ha...I'm sure he's showing Chad Johnson the ropes.

[IgnatiusJReilly]

I'd rather have Willie and no-name college soccer player than pay big money for Graham. For a big game kicker to even be important, you must first play big games.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

The only kickers I have ever heard of even having a semblance of leadership were Mike Nugent when he was on the Buckeyes and perhaps Adam Vinatieri when he was winning super bowls.

[Fearing a return to the 90's]

Football Prospectus talks about the most reliable stat on kickers in predicting performance and longevity is kickoff distance. As this article accurately points out, Graham is not that strong in this area. His accuracy could fade from year-to-year. If he wants more $, let him walk. The money really can be used elsewhere.