Bengals Ink Hartwell (1 Viewer)

[PatsWillWin]

I don't think this is a honda.

Hoping to resurrect a career derailed the past two seasons by injuries, unrestricted free-agent linebacker Ed Hartwell on Thursday afternoon signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The one-year contract, worth $1 million to $1.5 million, reunites Hartwell with Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who was once his defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens. It also gives Hartwell a chance to become a starter in the league again and re-establish himself as a force against the run.

Although he has primarily played inside linebacker in a 3-4 front or middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, Hartwell could start at weakside linebacker in Cincinnati, where fourth-year veteran Landon Johnson currently tops the depth chart. The rationale of auditioning Hartwell at the weakside position in training camp is that he would be able to move to the ball through less congestion and perhaps bolster a Bengals defense that has struggled against the run in Lewis' four-year tenure as the head coach.

At worst, Hartwell should provide a veteran backup to second-year middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who is entering his first season as the full-time starter in 2007.

First, though, Hartwell, 28, will have to demonstrate that he is past the injuries that plagued him the last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

After four seasons with the Ravens, where he recorded 191 tackles in 2002 while filling in for an injured Ray Lewis, Hartwell signed a six-year, $26.5 million contract with the Falcons as a much-coveted unrestricted free agent in 2005. But he suffered a ruptured Achilles in the fifth game of that season and missed the rest of the campaign. Last summer, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to relieve swelling in both knees just before the start of training camp and played in just eight regular-season contests.

Despite realizing very little from a significant financial investment in Hartwell, the Falcons released him earlier this spring.

Hartwell and his agent spoke to several teams after the Falcons cut him loose, but his goal was to strike a deal with the Bengals because of his familiarity with Lewis and his scheme. Hartwell said he wanted only a one-year contract because it would enable him to prove to the league he is physically whole again and then allow him to go back into the free-agent market again next spring.

The signing with the Bengals has been anticipated for about a week but was delayed when Hartwell's wife went into labor.

In 77 appearances, including 59 as a starter, Hartwell has 544 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, 10 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two recoveries. During a three-season stretch with the Ravens, 2002-04, he was acknowledged as one of the NFL's best young defenders against the run and averaged 157.3 tackles in that period.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2859541

 

[Jene Bramel]

Hartwell could start at WLB but the coaching staff won't comment until the contract is signed. And I'll believe that Landon Johnson plays on running downs over Rashad Jeanty at SLB when I hear it. A fully healthy 2002 version of Hartwell sure would be nice for this linebacker group, though. I like Johnson a lot, but Hartwell was an absolute stud during most of his three year stretch in Baltimore.

 

[Zoomanji]

Hartwell was on NFL radio Thur afternoon to announce he had signed with Cincy. When asked what position he would be playing he said WLB.

FWIW

 

[Magic Man]

Is he backing up the WLB or starting? Isn't Johnson slotted to start there?

 

[Zoomanji]

Is he backing up the WLB or starting? Isn't Johnson slotted to start there?

He said he would be starting at Will, not backing up anybody (either Inside or outside)Once again, just his statement. But I would assume if he is healty through OTA and TC he will win the job

 

[-OZ-]

Is he backing up the WLB or starting? Isn't Johnson slotted to start there?

He said he would be starting at Will, not backing up anybody (either Inside or outside)Once again, just his statement. But I would assume if he is healty through OTA and TC he will win the job

His statement is worthless, but if he's healthy, he should start in front of LJ. (This coming from a guy who actually likes LJ's play)

 

[Zoomanji]

Is he backing up the WLB or starting? Isn't Johnson slotted to start there?

He said he would be starting at Will, not backing up anybody (either Inside or outside)Once again, just his statement. But I would assume if he is healty through OTA and TC he will win the job

His statement is worthless, but if he's healthy, he should start in front of LJ. (This coming from a guy who actually likes LJ's play)

Hey, I'm just repeating what I heard. He still has to prove that he has recovered and not get hurt again.Either way, given the history with Marvin, I'm sure he will get a more than fair chance to take the job from Johnson.

 

[BearsFan]

What are the chances of the Bengals playing Hartwell at MLB and keeping LJ at WLB?

Is Brooks assured of a starting role and 3 down role?

 

[Jene Bramel]

What are the chances of the Bengals playing Hartwell at MLB and keeping LJ at WLB?Is Brooks assured of a starting role and 3 down role?

Right now, all we have is observer speculation and Hartwell himself saying that he'll play WLB. Given that the Bengals gave LJ a draft round tender in RFA, it appears that they see him as a valued backup, but not much more. Brooks seems to have made some strides with the coaches this off-season and all signs point to him staying at MLB. For now, the only player assured of a nickel job is probably LJ. If Hartwell is fully healthy (a longshot) and Brooks doesn't improve in coverage, I think Brooks sits. It's also possible that the two nickel backers will be LJ and Caleb Miller. I don't think we'll know the nickel backers until the third week of the pre-season when the dress rehearsal for the regular season takes place.

 

[ravnzfan]

Hartwell could start at WLB but the coaching staff won't comment until the contract is signed. And I'll believe that Landon Johnson plays on running downs over Rashad Jeanty at SLB when I hear it. A fully healthy 2002 version of Hartwell sure would be nice for this linebacker group, though. I like Johnson a lot, but Hartwell was an absolute stud during most of his three year stretch in Baltimore.

Hartwell certainly played well w/in the system...as many before have, and others to follow will...and has been the case before for Starks, Baxter, Kemo and Weaver, once outside the system, not so good

If Eddie Hartwell has any shot at producing, it would be w/Marvin and Company...I'm not expecting it, mind you...Hartwell always thought it was him and not the system he played in that produced the numbers

The team speed of the Ravens-D allows the unit as a whole to produce, much more than the sum of the parts---once those parts are removed and put into another system w/more pedestrian players, these former "studs" look just as average as the next guy

I guess "buyer beware" regarding Mr Hartwell...healthy or not