When Bengals representatives give Tony Siragusa, Todd Collins and Corey Harris the grand tour of the team's Spinney Field headquarters today, they'll surely show the trio of unrestricted free agents the weight room, practice facilities and dressing area.
What the players won't see is the key to the vault. Few free agents are seeing that anywhere.
The Bengals have signed no new players since the free-agency signing period began Feb. 14, but they're not alone. Only 10 players changed teams in the first two weeks of free agency, reflecting the stifling conditions of the league's salary cap.
After it was announced that the cap rose just $700,000 from last year to $41.45 million, Bengals General Manager Mike Brown estimated that the league's 30 teams had only $60 million available to spend on more than 450 free agents. In this climate, ''Show me the money!'' is purely Hollywood fantasy.
That hasn't curbed the demands of players or their agents. Result: Negotiations have proceeded slowly everywhere, even when talented performers and teams with deep pockets are involved.
''There's so much inactivity because players are asking for such outlandish prices, and teams just aren't going to pay that,'' said Jim Lippincott, the Bengals' director of pro personnel and scouting.
It's assumed that players will slowly make themselves more
affordable. Pat Dye Jr., who represents Bengals free agent running back Garrison Hearst, believes that the market will grow more active in mid-March. Still, Dye said, ''It's going to be a slow go for most players.''
Teams must find ways to cope. The San Francisco 49ers coaxed four veterans into accepting $3.4 million in salary cuts through renegotiated contracts so they could sign offensive lineman Kevin Gogan.
Other clubs have decided that re-signing their own veterans is a better gamble. Detroit gave quarterback Scott Mitchell a four-year, $21 million deal;
Washington agreed to a four-year, $14.8 million package with running back Terry Allen; Pittsburgh showered running back Jerome Bettis with a four-year, $14.4 million contract; and Minnesota signed linebacker Jeff Brady to a three-year, $5.4 million extension.
The Bengals may decide that similar agreements with defensive linemen John Copeland and Dan Wilkinson, whose contracts expire after this season, might be the best way to allocate the $3 million or so available under the cap.
For now, they're still playing the free-agent game, explaining why Siragusa, the defensive tackle from Indianapolis; Collins, the linebacker from New England; and Harris, the cornerback from Seattle, were expected here today.
The Bengals would love to have Siragusa, who could handle
nose-tackle chores in the 3-4 defense they'll adopt. But the seven-year veteran has attracted interest from at least 10 teams. He's also believed to be asking for close to $2 million a year, which might be out of the Bengals' range.
Collins, who would bolster the linebacking corps, and Harris, who would add depth to the secondary, would be less expensive.
Their visit contrasts with the Bengals' usual style, which is to bring in players only when they're close to a deal or already have reached one. Club management, though, is hoping coach Bruce Coslet and others can convince them Spinney is a great place to work (when the surrounding factories are closed) and that Cincinnati is a fabulous place to reside (when the Ohio River isn't flooding).
''Maybe,'' Lippincott said, ''that will make them a little more affordable.''
L.A. MAN TO BE NEW RADIO VOICE
Previous stories
CB HARRIS SETS FREE-AGENT VISIT Feb. 27, 1997
BENGALS MAKING HEADWAY WITH FREE AGENTS Feb. 25, 1997
BENGALS HAVE CAP ROOM FOR FREE AGENTS Feb. 15, 1997
BENGALS WON'T CHASE TOP FREE AGENTS Feb. 14, 1997
