Walkthrough 2.23: Could Michael Johnson return?

When the Bengals played in Tampa Bay last year, one of the most interesting conversations leading up to the game was the dissatisfaction among Buccaneers fans with the two Bengals players inked in free agency. One was Anthony Collins, which wasn't a complete surprise considering he'd never been a full-time LT before.

The struggles of Michael Johnson were more surprising.

This matters to the Bengals because it could mean a return to Cincinnati, which I briefly touched on in my insider piece Sunday. Want to delve slightly deeper into it here since many of you were asking.

Perhaps expectations in Tampa were too high. Expecting Johnson to be a double-digit sack player weren't realistic. He'd never really been that guy. In 2012 he gathered 11.5, as a number of sacks came his way by virtue of the dominant defensive line he was a part of next to Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap. Johnson made his name with the Bengals on disruptions, run defense and being an every-down player. He made a habit of harassing the quarterback even if it didn't result in sacks.

Take a look at his disruption numbers the last three years (via Pro Football Focus):

Year: Sacks/Hurries/QB hits --- Total disruptions

2012 (CIN): 13/8/34 --- 56

13/8/34 --- 56 2013 (CIN): 5/17/41 --- 63

5/17/41 --- 63 2014 (TB): 4/9/15 --- 28

Of the 36 defensive ends in the 4-3 scheme to play at least 50 percent of their teams' snaps, Johnson ranked 32nd in PFFs pass rushing productivity. The NFL can be weird, though. So many variables exist as to why a player would struggle in one spot and play well in the other. That's why free agency can be such an (expensive) crapshoot.

And let's not forget Johnson battled an ankle injury last season.

Meanwhile, as I documented in my feature on Johnson in Week 13, he stayed extraordinarily close with his former Bengals teammates. It was like he was still one of the guys. One of his agents, former Bengals DL John Thornton, spoke to this a while back on Lance McAlister's 700WLW show as well as the reasons MJ made so much sense in Cincinnati. Other factors played in, but they never found his effectiveness off the edge.

Regardless, Tampa is currently facing a decision. They paid Johnson five years, $43.875 million last year with $16 million fully guaranteed and an opportunity for $7 million more.

If the Bucs were to release him now, letting Johnson walk would not only save $2 million against this year's cap, but avoid the other $7 million becoming fully guaranteed into the future. It essentially comes down to this decision for Tampa Bay (as PFT outlines here) -- cut him and deal with the reality they paid $16 million for one year or keep him and pay him two years and $23 million, then be able to walk away from it without any hit.

We will wait and see what happens there over the next two weeks but it would provide another interesting option on the free agency market should the Bucs release him.

TWITTER QUESTION OF THE DAY

Thanks for the question, Ace. By the way, I'm moving in a couple months, can I call you to help with some heavy lifting?

As for LB at 21, I don't see the fit. Would be a reach. Taking the top linebacker in the draft wouldn't be the worst development, but I don't know if that value lands at 21. Maybe the Bengals do fall in love with a Denzel Perryman or one of the other top linebackers to fit their scheme and trade back. Going for an offensive tackle of the future or a run-stopping defensive tackle might make more sense in that case.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Loads of content from my week in Indianapolis. I mentioned above my Insider piece on three storylines that emerged behind the scenes.

Wrote Friday about the interesting challenge the Bengals face in sifting through the hybrid linebacker/defensive end types to find one who fits their needs. Kentucky's Bud Dupree stands out as a size that could make an easy transition in either direction. Guy is a freak and performed like it.

Surprised by the backlash to the Bengals releasing Mike Pollak. Don't think folks realize the knee problems the reserve lineman dealt with. The Bengals couldn't practice him in full any week last season because of his condition. That is not going away. Picks will be spent on the line.

Marvin Lewis talked about AJ McCarron so all the Dalton haters and 'Bama boys flocked to the post.

PHOTO OF THE WEEKEND

The Combine makes for plenty of awkward situations. Few more than the techniques for measurement.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

For those thinking the Bengals would land Jason Pierre-Paul, sounds like the Giants are going to use the franchise tag if they can't agree on a long-term deal.

Three teams, two spots -- the race to LA football is on. More important question, so what will become of the LA Kiss?

James Harrisonannounces on Instagram he will come back for another year.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Worth a reminder when evaluating the importance of the combine. Beware the numbers! Disclaimer: Jerome Simpson and Dontay Moch were two of the freakiest combine athletes in Bengals' history.

RANDOMNESS

Remember angry Rutgers hoops coach Mike Rice, fired after physically and verbally abusing his players? Well, in a less than surprising development, he surfaced getting ejected from the stands of his son's high school basketball game.

I don't want to go to Mars, but these photos are unreal.

Headline of the day: "All the ways John Travolta was creepy at the Oscars"

Can't say I've ever heard of a jersey retirement ceremony where they spell the name wrong on said jersey. Pay attention, Duke, in case you plan on retiring Alaa Abdelnaby's number anytime soon.

AND FINALLY

After a weekend spent trudging through the snow, I can only think about songs about cold. So, happy Monday, here's some Foreigner.