20 March 2012
CINCINNATI - The Bengals on Monday announced two moves to help bolster the team's secondary in 2012. Cincinnati re-signed safety Reggie Nelson and signed cornerback Jason Allen. Both were unrestricted free agents. Nelson led the Bengals in interceptions last season with four and continues to be one of the hardest hitting safeties in the NFL. Cincinnati acquired Nelson (the 21st overall pick in 2007 out of Florida) from the Jaguars in September 2010. He started every game for the Bengals last season. Several teams, including the New York Jets, were interested in Nelson this offseason. However, it was his relationship with head coach Marvin Lewis and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer that led to his decision to re-sign with the Bengals, according to reports. Allen, a former first round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2006, played in all 18 games with Houston Texans in 2011 Ironically, it was the Texans who eliminated the Bengals from the playoffs last season. He joined Houston during the 2010 season and had seven interceptions over 23 total regular season games with the Texans, tops on the team for that span and also tied for second among all AFC cornerbacks. News about Allen's signing broke Saturday night, but the Bengals did not confirm the move until Monday. “These signings are obviously a huge plus for our secondary,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “Reggie and Jason are physical players who have had success and are entering the prime years of their careers. Reggie helped us get to the playoffs last year, and Jason helped Houston get there and advance beyond us. They are good players who have the opportunity to keep improving." On Saturday, the Bengals signed veteran guard Travelle Wharton, who spent his first eight NFL seasons with Carolina. In other Bengals news on Monday, the team visited with the following free agents: Tight end Joelle Dressen, cornerback Terrance Newman, running back Benjarvus Green-Ellis and defensive end Derrick Harvey. Mike McGlynn, who played in seven games with four starts on the Bengals' offensive line last season, signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.