News: The agent for Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson announced on Twitter that his client signed his franchise tender. He'll earn $11.175 million in 2013 and become a free agent in 2014.
Analysis: Johnson might have been the best free agent available this offseason. Johnson had 11.5 sacks last season, adding 52 total tackles, two passes defensed and an interception. Fantasy owners should keep him in mind as a No. 2 option in drafts with a mid-round selection.
News: The Bengals have used the franchise tag designation on defensive end Michael Johnson, keeping him with the club. He'll earn $11.175 million in 2013 assuming he signs the one-year guaranteed offer. "Obviously we are committed to re-signing Mike," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, "and this move is part of the process to keep a young and promising defense together. Mike has worked hard to improve himself every year during his time as a Bengal, helping us to the postseason three of four years. We have every reason to believe he will continue to grow as a leader and productive player."
Analysis: Johnson might have been the best free agent available this offseason -- the Boston Globe believes the Patriots would have pushed hard for him if he had hit the market. Johnson had 11.5 sacks last season, adding 52 total tackles, two passes defensed and an interception. Fantasy owners should keep him in mind as a No. 2 option in drafts with a mid-round selection.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson told NFL Network that he remains optimistic about returning to Cincinnati. “I’m in a good position where I can just sit back and just chill and see how it plays out. I’m not worried about anything. I’m very excited about this time and I know everything will work itself out and I’ll be in the best situation. Hopefully that’s in Cincinnati, so I’ll know here in a few weeks,” Johnson said.
Analysis: Johnson is an unrestricted free agent and may be slapped with the franchise tag if the Bengals can't strike a deal with him by March. The period for teams to apply the franchise tag begins on Monday, so we'll continue to keep tabs on his negotiations throughout the offseason. Johnson finished with season with a career-high 11.5 sacks and 52 tackles. He should be viewed as a decent starting option in many Fantasy formats on Draft Day next season.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson reached double figures in sacks for the first time in his career Sunday against the Ravens in Week 17. He ended up with two sacks in the game, while also finishing with just two tackles, in a 23-17 win.
Analysis: Johnson now has 11.5 sacks on the year; his previous career high was 6.0 set a year ago. He also finished the regular season with 52 tackles. Johnson emerged as a useful Fantasy IDP option, and can be considered a decent starting option in many Fantasy formats on Draft Day next season.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson failed to make much of an impact during Thursday's contest against the Eagles in Week 15. Johnson finished with just one tackle in a 34-13 victory.
Analysis: Johnson was able to sniff out some screen plays against the Eagles on Thursday, but that is not good enough to make any sort of Fantasy impact. Still, he has 8.5 sacks and three interceptions this season and has caused overwhelmed opposing quarterbacks all season long. Fantasy owners should consider him as a reliable start heading into Week 16 at Pittsburgh.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson was officially ruled active for Thursday night's contest against the Eagles in Week 15 despite dealing with a toe injury. Johnson practiced all week leading up to Thursday and was originally labeled questionable heading into the game.
Analysis: This comes as no surprise for Fantasy owners since Johnson had been participating in practice all week. It seems as if he felt comfortable to play after warming up before the game, so it'll be interesting to see how his toe reacts during game action. He has 8.5 sacks and three interceptions this season and has caused overwhelmed opposing quarterbacks all season, so consider him as a reliable Fantasy start heading into Week 15.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson participated in practice all week leading up to his matchup at Philadelphia in Week 15. Johnson, who is dealing with a toe injury, is labeled as questionable for Thursday night's contest.
Analysis: The fact that Johnson was able to get out on the practice field suggests that he has a decent chance of playing come Thursday. Still, it will likely come down to his pregame warmups so we'll continue to keep an eye on his progress moving forward. He has 8.5 sacks and three interceptions this season and has caused overwhelmed opposing quarterbacks all season, so consider him as a reliable Fantasy start, if active.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson managed a quarterback sack for the second straight game Week 12 vs. Oakland. He now has eight sacks in 11 games and at least one sack in six games this season. He finished with four tackles (two solo) Sunday.
Analysis: The eight sacks are a career-high for Johnson and he still has five games left to improve on that. He pairs with Geno Atkins to make a formidable pass-rushing duo for the Bengals. Johnson has emerged as a reliable Fantasy IDP start.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson had a solid game Sunday at Kansas City in Week 11. Johnson had four tackles, all solo stops, including a sack.
Analysis: Johnson now has six sacks on the season, and hopefully he will continue to play well heading into Week 12 against Oakland. Consider Johnson a quality DL option in IDP leagues.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson totaled three assisted tackles Week 10 vs. N.Y. Giants. It was the second straight game and third time this season Johnson didn't have a solo tackle.
Analysis: Johnson is off to a bad start in November. He has definitely hurt Fantasy owners with his lack of production the last two games, but it's not time to give up on Johnson. He is still a viable starting Fantasy defensive lineman in IDP leagues.
News: Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson endured one of his toughest games of the season against the Broncos in Week 9. Johnson was on the field but failed to register a tackle in a 31-23 victory. It was the second game this season that Johnson has been held without a tackle.
Analysis: Johnson has been extremely inconsistent for Fantasy owners this season and has only had two games with six-plus tackles thus far. He has 24 tackles and six sacks through his first eight games and should be viewed as a viable option in deeper formats.
News: Cincinnati defensive lineman Michael Johnson intercepted a tipped pass on Sunday of Week 6 during a loss at Cleveland. Johnson picked quarterback Brandon Weeden after Geno Atkins tipped the ball at the line. Johnson finished with two tackles in the game.
Analysis: Johnson recorded his first interception of the season in the Week 6 game and second of his career. He has five sacks on the year and has decent value in deeper Fantasy IDP formats for Week 7 against Pittsburgh.
News: Cincinnati defensive lineman Michael Johnson had a huge performance against Robert Griffin III and the Redskins in Washington Week 3. Johnson picked up three sacks of RG3 in the game. He also defended a pass and finished with six total tackles.
Analysis: Johnson has four sacks on the season and all four have come in the last two games. He has a career-high six sacks last season and is well on his way to topping that number in 2012. Johnson has certainly earned some looks in Fantasy IDP leagues, but he doesn't normally rack up enough tackles to be considered a high-end option.
News: Bengals DL Michael Johnson (shoulder) has been cleared to play Week 12 vs. Cleveland after showing up as probable on the injury report.
Analysis: Johnson has three sacks in 10 games. He could see some extra reps at DE with Carlos Dunlap out, but Johnson still has low-end Fantasy appeal.
News: Bengals DL Michael Johnson totaled three tackles (two solo) and one sack in Week 6 against the Colts. He now has 2 1/2 sacks in six games.
Analysis: Johnson is part of the rotation at DL for the Bengals and has been making some plays in 2011. But he still remains a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Bengals DL Michael Johnson did not record any defensive stats in a Week 5 win over the Jaguars. Johnson's most notable play in the game was a missed sack that helped to set up a second-quarter field goal by Jaguars K Josh Scobee.
Analysis: Johnson's main contribution in Fantasy so far has been his 1.5 sacks, and he should help in that category as the season wears on. However, he is more of a low-end option in IDP formats.
News: Cincinnati DL Michael Johnson collected three tackles and half a sack during the Bengals' 23-20 victory over Buffalo in Week 4 on Sunday. Johnson, in his third season out of Georgia Tech, has now registered 1.5 sacks over his past three games.
Analysis: After managing seven tackles in Week 2 at Denver, Johnson has posted just three tackles in each of his past two games. He seemed to be on the brink of becoming a viable Fantasy option, but shouldn't be relied on much in IDP formats until he shows consistency.
News: Bengals DL Michael Johnson managed three tackles in Week 3 against the 49ers. He went without a sack or a pass defensed in the game.
Analysis: Johnson managed three passes defensed in Week 1 and seven tackles with a sack in Week 2. He has gotten off to a solid early-season start and remains a worthy No. 2 DL in IDP formats.
News: Bengals defender Michael Johnson is showing that he isn't having a problem transitioning from the defensive line to linebacker. Johnson saw extensive playing time at linebacker during Sunday's preseason opener against the Cowboys with LB Rey Maualuga sidelined by injury. He made the most of his PT by racking up two sacks and three tackles.
Analysis: Johnson had 17 tackles and three sacks as a rookie in 2009. It's great to see him making solid progress at linebacker, but the Bengals have a pretty good starting rotation of Maualuga, Keith Rivers and Dhani Jones. Johnson is fighting for backup reps, so leave him undrafted in most Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Bengals will utilize the 3-4 defense in 2010 without committing to it full-time. Coinciding with that, the paper reported that Michael Johnson has blown the doors off of what the coaches expected and is figured to help them this season. As such, he's been moved to linebacker, but defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer says he could line up anywhere. He has been working as a strong-side linebacker. "I really, really, really like him as a football player," Zimmer said. "He's doing some terrific things. I'm expecting him to have a dang good year."
Analysis: Johnson was a freak athlete coming out of Georgia Tech last season but was considered raw. Now it looks like the year under his belt has done him some good. We like him as a late-round sleeper in deeper formats this season. He's got a bunch of potential.
News: Bengals LB Dhani Jones (eight tackles), DB Johnathan Joseph (seven tackles), LB Keith Rivers (six tackles), DB Chinedum Ndukwe (four tackles, interception), DB Leon Hall (four tackles, interception) and DL Michael Johnson (sack) all had nice stat line in a Week 16 win over the Chiefs.
Analysis: Hall and Joseph have the most Fantasy value in this group and can be used in deeper leagues for Week 17 at the Jets. Jones also has some value in super-deep formats.
News: The Bengals defense put together a solid performance against a weak Lions offense on Sunday in a Week 13 win. Jonathan Joseph, Dhani Jones and Chinedum Ndukwe all tied for the team high in tackles with eight. Jones also managed to sack QB Matthew Stafford. Robert Geathers had four tackles and a sack in the game. Michael Johnson also had a sack. Jonathan Fanene intercepted a pass and took it to the house for a TD and tom Nelson also picked off a pass.
Analysis: Joseph, Jones and Geathers are all worth having active as decent IDP options. Ndukwe, Johnson, Nelson and Fanene should all be considered at best low-end Fantasy options for IDP formats.
News: The Bengals signed rookie DL Michael Johnson on Wednesday. He was a third-round pick out of Georgia Tech.
Analysis: Johnson is not expected to see much action in the regular season for the Bengals. We'd leave him on waivers.
