Kitna ready to become free agent.

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Bengals' Kitna ready to hit open market
QB will listen to team's offer, but wants to try free agency
By Chick Ludwig

Dayton Daily News

CINCINNATI | Jon and Jennifer Kitna are expecting the birth of their fourth child any day now.

They're eager to add another "J name" to the family tree that includes sons Jordan and Jalen, and daughter Jada.

If everything goes according to plan, the celebration will continue into March when the Bengals backup quarterback hits the open market and lands a new contract.

Free agency brought Kitna from Seattle to Cincinnati in 2001, and free agency could take him away.

With no firm offer on the table from the Bengals, the 10-year veteran — he spent five years with the Seahawks (1996-2000) and five more with Cincinnati (2001-2005) — plans to begin fielding offers from other teams on March 3 when the free agency period begins.

"There's only so many times in your career that you get to be a free agent," Kitna told the Dayton Daily News on Wednesday. "I just feel like I need to take advantage of this opportunity. I'm just excited to go out there and see if somebody wants to give me a chance to play again."

Of course, the Bengals want him back. After all, starter Carson Palmer is on the shelf indefinitely with a torn up left knee. The club wants Kitna to bridge the gap until Palmer's return. Kitna understands the situation and will listen to the Bengals' pitch. To cover themselves, they signed six-year veteran Doug Johnson as insurance on Tuesday.

"I've just asked (the Bengals) if they would allow me to take the first couple of weeks of free agency to explore what's out there," Kitna said. "I told them that I wouldn't drag it out or anything like that, but I definitely want to see what's out there. They've been somewhat accommodating in that respect. It's not like I've turned anything down. There's never really been anything on the table."

The Bengals and Kitna had preliminary contract talks during the 2005 season, but no agreement was struck.

"There was a chance 12 weeks ago when we talked about doing a contract," Kitna said. "But at the time it just wasn't a high priority for them, with the things they were working on."

The Bengals announced Palmer's nine-year, $118.75 million contract on Dec. 29 — 10 days before his knee was wrecked in a first-round playoff game against Pittsburgh.

Palmer is pushing hard for Kitna's return, but Kitna said he wants to lead a playoff surge of his own like he did with Seattle in 1999. The 2003 NFL Comeback Player of the Year longs for another comeback.

"I'm really excited to be a free agent right now," Kitna said. "I think about how it was five years ago and how I am now. I'm a much better quarterback than I was five years ago. I have a lot more to offer teams now than I did then. As I watched the quarterback play around the league this year, there's no way anybody could ever convince me that I can't be a starter for a number of teams in this league."

 

[gamebird98]

 

[moklerman]

As much as Kitna's a feel good type of player and a pretty good qb, he has never seemed like a guy that will avoid the big mistake and get the team to the next level. I thought it was a shame that he was benched for an unproven rookie with the way he was playing at the time, but his playoff appearance this year and his performances in general leave me unconvinced about his ability.

 

[SuperSpck]

Kitna had 2 good seasons surrounded by dreck. For the longest time he was considered a poor quarterback because of his questionable decision making process. Best let him test other waters.
Case in point: his last time playing was when Palmer went down. The O line didn't play particularly well, but he still looked rusty as all get out. He also made some poor desicions.

 

[Shane]

Kitna had 2 good seasons surrounded by dreck. For the longest time he was considered a poor quarterback because of his questionable decision making process. Best let him test other waters.
Case in point: his last time playing was when Palmer went down. The O line didn't play particularly well, but he still looked rusty as all get out. He also made some poor desicions.

Thats no knock on Kitna. The guy hadent taken a snap in a regular season game that was meaningful in almost two years. He is bound to be rusty especially in a playoff scenario. The guy has been a decent QB and seemed to be turning the corner the year he threw 27 TDs. If he was the starter from the get go I would have no problem with Kitna being signed.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

Thats no knock on Kitna. The guy hadent taken a snap in a regular season game that was meaningful in almost two years. He is bound to be rusty especially in a playoff scenario. The guy has been a decent QB and seemed to be turning the corner the year he threw 27 TDs. If he was the starter from the get go I would have no problem with Kitna being signed.

Right there with you. Sign this guy. I've wanted him for a while now. Sign Warner as well. Let them battle it out in camp. Whoever the loser is will be a better backup than McCown was last year.

I will not accept Navarre as the backup.

 

[slanidrac16]

In Kitnas last 2 years as a starter he threw for 42 tds and 31 ints., threw for just under 7000 yards while completing over 62% of his passes. He is younger, more mobile than Warner and much more durable. As mentioned above , he did this what can be described as less than a stellar cast around him.
He made some bad decisions? Warner made a few bad decisions last year as does every other QB during the season.

 

[Zeno]

In Kitnas last 2 years as a starter he threw for 42 tds and 31 ints., threw for just under 7000 yards while completing over 62% of his passes. He is younger, more mobile than Warner and much more durable. As mentioned above , he did this what can be described as less than a stellar cast around him.
He made some bad decisions? Warner made a few bad decisions last year as does every other QB during the season.

Kitna is 33, Warner is 34...he isn't much younger, age isn't an issue IMO. Warner has had more success in his career than Kitna. I think signing Kitna would be a mistake.

 

[FlagstaffDave]

Kitna is 33, Warner is 34...he isn't much younger, age isn't an issue IMO. Warner has had more success in his career than Kitna. I think signing Kitna would be a mistake.

Finally a voice of reason.

Not only do I agree with what you just said, but I'm surprised more people haven't said it. Kitna still has gas left in the tank just like Warner does, but Warner helps bring some things to this team that Kitna can't.

A Super Bowl Ring and a Super Bowl MVP Award, Super Bowl experience playing in two of them, Two NFL MVP Awards, more playoff experience than Kitna, and most importantly he was a big part of turning an NFL laughing stock into a Super Bowl Champion.

Yes there were other people who helped Warner achieve these goals, yes some of you are going to say the famous "what have you done for me lately" saying, and yes Warner has a hard time staying healthy for an entire season. Guess what though? The things mentioned above this paragraph outweight this paragraph. Not to mention the way Warner picked apart the Rams last season was one of the finest performances of a Cardinals QB that I've seen since Jake Plummer in 1998.

Pass on Kitna unless he's willing to be a backup which it doesn't sound like he is willing to be anymore. Re-sign Warner, draft or get another young QB through free agency or trade, and let's start the beginning of a new era in Arizona.

 

[slanidrac16]

I would not prefer Kitna over Warner. We need some continuity on this offense and Warner's return would bring that. However , in my opinion, IF Warner decided to leave, Kitna might be the best of whats left.
Kitna or HArrington?
Kitna or Brooks?
Kitna or Griese?
In fact Kitna or Culpepper when you take into account That Culpepper might not be available ntil game 5 or 6?

 

[Zeno]

Kitna or HArrington?
Kitna or Brooks?
Kitna or Griese?

I'd take Griese and maybe Brooks over him. With Brooks, he's talented but with all the talk of him lacking leadership qualities he'd have to ace an "interview".

Harrington is intriguing too but I wonder if he is too shell shocked to develop into anything worhtwhile.

 

[Redsz]

Call me crazy, but I would rather take Brooks over Kitna, Griese and Harrington.

Yeah, I'm a sucker for punishment. But Aaron Brooks is a talent. And I think the problem he has in NO is that they expect him to be 'the leader' of the Saints (and that's why Lienart will be a Saint). He wouldn't be under that pressure here.

I would take a look at him (as a back up) if his price tag was reasonable.

 

[john h]

I would not prefer Kitna over Warner. We need some continuity on this offense and Warner's return would bring that. However , in my opinion, IF Warner decided to leave, Kitna might be the best of whats left.
Kitna or HArrington?
Kitna or Brooks?
Kitna or Griese?
In fact Kitna or Culpepper when you take into account That Culpepper might not be available ntil game 5 or 6?

No question in my mind what so ever. Looking at what is available we need Warner back. He is smart, makes great decisions, is a leader, and has a lot of experience. Oh yes, he has played with DG's team which means he does not go through some learning process with the Cardinals. Sign him as soon as possible and to at least a two year deal. Draft or sign another backup QB.

 

[spanky1]

Please......no Griese.......but maybe Ramsey?

 

[Snakester]

With Warner re-signed, Kitna would be a nice signing to be his backup, but I wouldn't break the bank to get him. We do need another QB going into this season and I would rather have a vet like Kitna than an unproven QB like Navarre. Navarre might turn out to be good some day, but I have not seen enough from him yet to lay our season on the line with him if Warner was to get hurt and miss some games.

 

[spanky1]

With Warner re-signed, Kitna would be a nice signing to be his backup, but I wouldn't break the back to get him. We do need another QB going into this season and I would rather have a vet like Kitna than an unproven QB like Navarre. Navarre might turn out to be good some day, but I have not seen enough from him yet to lay our season on the line with him if Warner was to get hurt and miss some games.

Kitna would not look at the Cardinals. He wants a chance to be a starter (whether or not he can be is not the discussion point here however). With Warner being signed yesterday, our situation is the same as the Bengals......he would sit behind Palmer or Warner on the depth chart.

At this time in his career, that is not what he's interested in. If no team can provide a clear path to being #1, he is destined to stay in Cincinnati unless the money thrown his way to be a #2 is too good to pass up.....and we will not throw the amount of money that it would take.

 

[Snakester]

Kitna would not look at the Cardinals. He wants a chance to be a starter (whether or not he can be is not the discussion point here however). With Warner being signed yesterday, our situation is the same as the Bengals......he would sit behind Palmer or Warner on the depth chart.

At this time in his career, that is not what he's interested in. If no team can provide a clear path to being #1, he is destined to stay in Cincinnati unless the money thrown his way to be a #2 is too good to pass up.....and we will not throw the amount of money that it would take.

True, but will he be able to find a team that will make him the starter, that is the big question. I don't think he will find a team that will. Then he will have to decide about not only the money, but what teams will he have the best chance to play. Teams that have aging vets like the Cards will then be of more interest. In Cincy, Palmer is the man period and he's young. If he makes it back from injury this year Kitna won't have a chance to start. He is much more likely to get a chance to play signing with a team like the Cardinals.

As far as the money, I do agree with you that he would have to get a sizeable increase in pay to move his family elsewhere, but money does talk and if Cincy comes at him with a 1.5 million a year deal and we offered 2.5 I think he would sign with us, or any other team that would give him that kind of increase. 2.5 million would be a reasonable amount to pay him. Now if he wanted 4 or 5 million then I say pass.

 

[john h]

Kitna would not look at the Cardinals. He wants a chance to be a starter (whether or not he can be is not the discussion point here however). With Warner being signed yesterday, our situation is the same as the Bengals......he would sit behind Palmer or Warner on the depth chart.

At this time in his career, that is not what he's interested in. If no team can provide a clear path to being #1, he is destined to stay in Cincinnati unless the money thrown his way to be a #2 is too good to pass up.....and we will not throw the amount of money that it would take.

I have no idea about Kitna but do think we need a decent backup. Every team needs one. None of us know zip about Navarre. Only the coaches have some idea. If there is a good QB in the draft in the #2 or #3 position I would take him but only if he has real potential as determined by the staff. I am still for taking Lyndale White if we do not sign a FA RB.

 

[moklerman]

I think Kitna's in the same boat Warner was in he got to Arizona. He wants the "chance" to be a starter. He would likely get a half a season of playing if he stayed in Cincinnatti next year but no matter how good he plays, he's out as soon as Palmer's ready (a la Warner/Manning in NY). That being said, I think there will be some opportunities out there for him to compete for the job. Baltimore, Cleveland, Miami, NYJ, Oakland, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay and New Orleans could all potentially be looking for a veteran qb. I think Kitna will get an opportunity somewhere. That raises the question of who will start/backup for Cincy? Brad Johnson wants a starting gig as well and I think he showed a lot more than Kitna last year. It's gonna be interesting. I'm just glad Warner's not in that party any more.