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Source: Tank Johnson to join Bengals
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
The Cincinnati Bengals added some much-needed size on their defensive line by reaching a one-year agreement with Tank Johnson, according to a source.
For Johnson, whose career started with the Bears and most recently continued with the Cowboys, he will get a chance to go back to a more natural position along the defensive line. Johnson will play the "three-technique'' for the Bengals, giving him the chance to do some pass rush and shoot the gaps to make plays. The Cowboys tried to make him a nose tackle in their 3-4 defense the past couple of years.
The 27-year-old Johnson was a second-round choice of the Bears in 2004. He started 15 games in three seasons for the Bears. The Bears released him after his eight-game suspension for a gun violation. The Cowboys picked him up and developed him into a nose tackle over the past two seasons. One of the appealing aspects of signing with the Bengals was a chance to work with former Cowboys coach Mike Zimmer, who is in his second season as the Bengals' defensive coordinator. He runs an aggressive 4-3 defense that fits Johnson's style.
John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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Looks like they're optimistic a return to the 4-3 will help him, and I agree that's a possibility. Same with Roy, who may be his teammate again soon... too bad it's the Bengals.
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
The Cincinnati Bengals added some much-needed size on their defensive line by reaching a one-year agreement with Tank Johnson, according to a source.
For Johnson, whose career started with the Bears and most recently continued with the Cowboys, he will get a chance to go back to a more natural position along the defensive line. Johnson will play the "three-technique'' for the Bengals, giving him the chance to do some pass rush and shoot the gaps to make plays. The Cowboys tried to make him a nose tackle in their 3-4 defense the past couple of years.
The 27-year-old Johnson was a second-round choice of the Bears in 2004. He started 15 games in three seasons for the Bears. The Bears released him after his eight-game suspension for a gun violation. The Cowboys picked him up and developed him into a nose tackle over the past two seasons. One of the appealing aspects of signing with the Bengals was a chance to work with former Cowboys coach Mike Zimmer, who is in his second season as the Bengals' defensive coordinator. He runs an aggressive 4-3 defense that fits Johnson's style.
John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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Looks like they're optimistic a return to the 4-3 will help him, and I agree that's a possibility. Same with Roy, who may be his teammate again soon... too bad it's the Bengals.
