It has been a busy Friday afternoon for the Cincinnait Bengals, headlined by the trade with the Lions to acquire DT Shaun Rogers.  The team's website is citing various NFL sources saying that the team has sent its third and fifth round choices in this year's draft to Detroit in exchange for the former second round pick.

The move is another indication that the Bengals will be moving to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Rogers has been highly touted at points during his career and has been twice named to the Pro Bowl. He is on the verge of his 29th birthday and locked up for three more years ($4.25 million this season, $5.25 million in 2009 and $7 million in 2010).  He will come to Cincinnati with some baggage though.  He's listed at 340 pounds, but there is speculation that it is closer to 370 pounds and Rogers' conditioning and work ethic has been criticized by Lions' head coach Rod Marenelli. Still, he managed seven sacks in 2007.

The move is intriguing. Yeah, it comes with baggage but the Bengals had a couple draft picks to play with and they are taking a chance on a player who comes with a ton of upside.

Rogers comes town, but two other defensive starters are on their way out.  Safety Madieu Williams rejoins former defensive coordinator in Minnesota as he signed a $17 million, three-year deal with Vikings. In addition, talks between the 49ers and defensive end Justin Smith are intensifying and it is likely a deal could be reached this weekend.

The team was able to re-sign linebacker Dhani Jones.  The thirty-year old veteran came to the team in middle of the season last year to plug up a depleted corps of linebackers and ended being one of the few bright spots on defense.

Mark Crunette of the Enquirer is reporting that Bengals will host the highly touted free agent Tennessee Titans defensive end Antwan Odom on Sunday. It will be his first visit to any team.  Odom is a 274-pound defensive end who had a career-high eight sacks last season for the Titans.