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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > April > 07 > Entry
Bengals confirm ‘Tank’ is signed & sealed; now can the big fellow deliver a pass rush?
CINCY ADDS BEEF UP FRONT
TO NFL’S NO. 12 DEFENSE
The Cincinnati Bengals confirmed Tuesday night, April 7, they’ve signed defensive tackle Tank Johnson, an unrestricted free agent from the Dallas Cowboys.
“We had a promising defensive performance last season, and the addition of Tank will increase our ability to apply pressure on the football,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “That is our focus this offseason, to step up that pressure, and Tank is a proven guy who can do that against the run and the pass.”
Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder, enters his sixth NFL season in 2009. He played in all 16 Cowboys games last season and finished 11th on the team with 45 tackles while logging nine quarterback pressures and a sack.
He entered the NFL in 2004 as a second-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears, and he started 10 games plus all three playoff games in 2006 as the Bears advanced to Super Bowl XLI.
An effective pass rusher up the middle, Johnson has 12 sacks among his 156 career regular season tackles, and he has been credited with 2.5 additional sacks in postseason play. He has played 70 regular season games with 17 starts and five postseason games with three starts.
Johnson, who uses the first name “Tank” although his given name is Terry, is the sixth unrestricted free agent to sign with the Bengals for 2009.
UFAs signing previously have been WR Laveranues Coles, TB Cedric Benson, LB Darryl Blackstock and FS Chris Crocker. Coles was with the New York Jets last year, while Benson, Blackstock and Crocker are players re-signed by Cincinnati.
Permalink | Comments (34) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By B Rock
April 7, 2009 9:33 PM | Link to this
Bengal thug life forever!! Who Dey? Plaxico is still available… Stay classy, Cincinnati.By Brian
April 7, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
I like this signing a lot. I never thought I’d see the day when the Bengals interior defensive line would be a strength, but this could be a heck of a rotation.By Troy
April 7, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this
To Brian, I agree with you this is a good signing. I also think Mike Zimmer will get the best out of TANK!By Frank
April 7, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this
We should of signed Frank the Tank from Old School!By psychostats
April 7, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this
Did you guys hear the announcement? The Bengals plan to install metal detectors at all entrances to training facilities and stadium meeting rooms. Amazingly, St. Mike the Redeemer considers it to be a worthwhile investment. His redemption projects must be trained on how to get through airport security, after all.By jon
April 7, 2009 10:50 PM | Link to this
I’m really tired of people showing their ignorance when speaking about the Bengals as a bunch of criminals. Look around, their are alot more teams that harbor a greater number of questionable players than the Bengals. Alot of those teams win so they dont receive all the negative attention of their personnel. If the bengals win hopefully this attitude will go away.By Jo Jo is RIght
April 7, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this
Hey Little Sisters, quit whining about thugs and tough guys. This is not choir practice, this is football. Do you hear Pittsburgh talking about their players winning the Betty Crocker award or citizen of the year? You can only whine and Bi%^h because you are too dumb to understand football!By Pacman
April 8, 2009 12:29 AM | Link to this
Was a nice middle class nigga But no one knew, the evil he’d do, when he got a little bigger Get off the final blaze, while puffing on a Newport Plotting on a another way to catch a case Was only sixteen, yet convicted as a felon With a bunch of old niggas, but you the only one ain’t telling I tell you it’s a cold world, stay in school You tell me its a man’s world, play the rules And fade fools, and break rules until we major Blaze up, getting with hos through my pager Was raised up, commencing to money making tactics It’s getting drastic, niggas got automatics My fingers on the trigger, tell the Lord To make way for another straight thug nigga I’m sitting getting buzzed, looking for some love From the homies, cause shorty wanna be a thug Shorty gonna be a thug (You little bad a*s nigga) To the young niggas Gotta stay sharp nigga (Play your part) You got plenty of time (You bad motherf**kers) You only get three mistakes, then thats life, big baby (Niggas crazy) Watch the signs Damn, you ain’t but sixteen nigga? Sixteen?! That’s a bad motherf**kerBy Pacman
April 8, 2009 12:30 AM | Link to this
Was a nice middle class nigga But no one knew, the evil he’d do, when he got a little bigger Get off the final blaze, while puffing on a Newport Plotting on a another way to catch a case Was only sixteen, yet convicted as a felon With a bunch of old niggas, but you the only one ain’t telling I tell you it’s a cold world, stay in school You tell me its a man’s world, play the rules And fade fools, and break rules until we major Blaze up, getting with hos through my pager Was raised up, commencing to money making tactics It’s getting drastic, niggas got automatics My fingers on the trigger, tell the Lord To make way for another straight thug nigga I’m sitting getting buzzed, looking for some love From the homies, cause shorty wanna be a thug Shorty gonna be a thug (You little bad a*s nigga) To the young niggas Gotta stay sharp nigga (Play your part) You got plenty of time (You bad motherf**kers) You only get three mistakes, then thats life, big baby (Niggas crazy) Watch the signs Damn, you ain’t but sixteen nigga? Sixteen?! That’s a bad motherf**kerBy mike
April 8, 2009 6:38 AM | Link to this
pacman do u have a computer in ur cell.ur in for life and ur cellie is ur wife so get a life u prison pinataBy jack
April 8, 2009 6:58 AM | Link to this
I thought the Bengals were ridding themselves of problem children players but then that would be most of the team!By Ron
April 8, 2009 7:32 AM | Link to this
This is a desperate move by Zimmer. The front office has told him that the entire first half of the draft will go towards offense. You can’t draft impact players in rounds 5 thru 7. The defense will revert back to its old form. Do you think Tank will play hard for just the league minimum? He may be cut after training camp.By Ron
April 8, 2009 7:32 AM | Link to this
This is a desperate move by Zimmer. The front office has told him that the entire first half of the draft will go towards offense. You can’t draft impact players in rounds 5 thru 7. The defense will revert back to its old form. Do you think Tank will play hard for just the league minimum? He may be cut after training camp.By don
April 8, 2009 7:51 AM | Link to this
Desperate move ? He was signed for the league minimum.I wonder if they tried to sign him with an option.As it is,it’s a one year deal.If he has a great year he can up his price. There are certain teams where you can sign vets for a discount,Cincinnati is not one of them. So they have to take chances.I see this as a low risk move, with a lot of upside. They got a decent group of young DTs.By null
April 8, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this
I live in Tampa and actually met Tank a month ago when he was searching for the three missing boaters(one was already recovered) at the time. I’m in the military so we advised him and his people before going out his response the whole time was yes Sir and no Sir the whole time we spoke to him and you could tell he was a real humble person. He was a real gracious person and was thankful that we took the time to talk to him. The man did his time on a crime that can be forgiven by me because he did not hurt others and has been a model citizen since. I just heard this previous weekend on the NFL channel on Sirius after they were analyzing the Bears team after the big signing, that the Bears are still missing his presence and that Tommie Harris has not been the same without him. I’m not asking you to accept the man with open arms but let him do his thing with the Bengals and then you can judge him afterward.By BnOPanther
April 8, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this
This was strictly a scheme move. Zim knows when he puts in his nickle package he needed a big, good passing rushing DT that can occupy 2 O-lineman so it can allow a blitzing LB to come free and pressure (if not sack) the QB. Too many times the D has put other teams in a 3rd and long and a WR will run free on a crossing pattern because the QB had so much time. Now this will make the DB’s jobs easier to shut down those guys on 3rd and 8 and force a punt. This also gives you a real solid rotation of run stoppers up front and guys that can pressure the QB. The Steelers, Giants and Pats have done this for years and all they do is win Super Bowls. Whether you like it or not you have not heard the phrase, “Tank Johnson and the law” in 2 years. There will always be haters from other teams that will call the Bengals thugs and criminals but if you are a Bengals fan and feel this way, get out of my Jungle. He is a football player, not my teacher, coach or minister so he can bring a gun to every team function for all I care. I WANT TO WIN!!!By Antwan Odom in your face
April 8, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this
Pat Sims and The TANK clogging up the middle, with Odom and Geathers flying off the edges….i like that Front on 3rd and Long….Cmon Zimmer, show us some of that Smashmouth-D!By Odell Thurman
April 8, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this
Can a brother get an application?By Get out of Jail Free
April 8, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
Give the big Johnson his chance. The character thing with the Bengals was over-inflated by the media as their way of “proving” that the Bengals stunk. (Mike Brown’s 1950ish management style, including nepotism and frugality, creates that stink without the media’s help). It’s unfortunate and probably symptomatic of the lack of money the Bengals invest in scouting but it is not out of proportion to the league. Yeah, there were some incidents by some clowns that embarrassed the team, the city and the fans. And, the short time span between those arrests compounded it, making it seem like the problems were rampant and that reputation stuck. But compared to the league, it really wasn’t “over-the-top”. By comparison: a Bengals’ idiot tries to impress under-age girls with alcohol… a Browns’ player had a domestic violence altercation that involved a stabbing; a Bengals’ idiot drank too much while boating… a Browns’ player had a public shouting/shoving match with police officer; three Bengals’ idiots (with way too much money) try to drive home after a night out instead of calling a cab… a Browns’ player – even after seeing examples from those Bengals’ idiots – is charged with DUI manslaughter. So, who really boasts the bigger criminals? Let God and the courts sort that out. I want to see a winner, too.By mikekistner@sbcglobal.net
April 8, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
My name is Pacman and I am a wigger.By sec 312
April 8, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this
jon I agree, this is a good move, and the crimal comments are soooo old. look at all the other teams..we have not had a player get in trouble for over two years..longer i believe. Howabout the browns? Wideout kills a guy drunk at 5 am! Holmes? drug addict, on and on..every team EXCEPT the bengals..find something new…10-6 playoffs this yearBy brunnegd
April 8, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this
Until the Bengals get some good offensive linemen to open holes and protect the QB, it doesn’t matter what the defense does.By OC Bengals fan
April 8, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this
Did the ghost of Paul Brown scare some sense it to Mike? This is the right move for a change.By antithug
April 8, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this
Michael Vick will be available soon.By Mike Hawksbig
April 8, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this
The media didn’t hype anything Jon, you retard. Its a fact, look it up! That’s right all you Banghole fans, go ahead and rationalize this move and say how great it is to get a Dallas castoff that nobody else was even interested in. Wait till Palmer stubs his toe or bruises an ovary in training camp and misses 12 games and Tank and Chris Henry are sharing a cell in the HCJC after picking up chicks and doing a drive by at the local high school prom. Just give them a 4-12 record now for 2009 and have your neighbor kick you in the nuts and save yourself the drive to PBS every week. The happiest guy about this is Choko Sucko, he has company now for the biggest turd on the team competition.By wow
April 8, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this
Damn Mike Hawksbig, I bet you are a treat to be around. I sense rage in your post. Did your parents mistreat you growing up? Calm down a little. This is small stuff we are talking about here!By Whodey is gonna be back (11-5)
April 8, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
tank johnson, chris henry, cedric benson.. the one thing they have in common? they havent been in trouble with the law in 2 years and are the only bengals with police records so mike your the dummy.. do some homework, your prolly some fatass with no life and a p**s poor job, whos jus sad he never had the determination or talent to play any sports or do anything productive with his life other than sit in his room and jack it to his math teacher MR. moore… people get lives and stop hatin it only shows how much you dont like the bengals which really shows you respect them…By MrDadSir
April 8, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Good post WOW Afew weeks ago Chick asked if there was no one able to lose with grace.It seems doing much of anything with grace is going out of sstyle…to badstyleBy sam
April 9, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
Color me skeptical. If this guy is any good, why the Bengals? Why no other teams that interested? Just doesn’t add up.By John1096
April 30, 2009 4:48 AM | Link to this
Very nice site!By John741
June 12, 2009 6:40 AM | Link to this
Very nice site!By John899
June 12, 2009 7:10 AM | Link to this
Very nice site!By John1741
June 17, 2009 7:34 AM | Link to this
Very nice site!By John1741
July 4, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this
Very nice site!