Saturday, February 20, 1999Jaguars safety targeted
Bengals may also lose Sawyer
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerINDIANAPOLIS — Thursday's departure of strong safety Sam Shade has the Bengals looking for help, and their eyes have fallen on Jacksonville free safety Chris Hudson. Cincinnati apparently is trying to get a visit next week out of Hudson, a starter for the past two seasons.
Hudson's agent, Kennard McGuire, couldn't be reached for comment Friday. McGuire is also the agent for Bengals cornerback Ashley Ambrose, who may flee to Kansas City, Minnesota or Atlanta.
The Vikings are also making a run at the Bengals' third corner, Corey Sawyer, and all of this has coach Bruce Coslet worried because he desperately wanted to keep his free agents.
“If we lose both of them, that would be kind of tough,” Coslet said. “We would have to get one in free agency and probably the draft. In both those scenarios, you really don't know what you're getting. That's why a lot of people feel it's better to keep your own guys. At least you know what you've got.”
Coslet would like to take more chances in free agency than some in the organization. Now the Bengals hope they've got a better shot at re-signing Sawyer, who is in the $1.5-$2 million range. But Sawyer said Friday that Minnesota is sounding more attractive.
Cincinnati will probably try to line up a visit this week with Falcons cornerback Ronnie Bradford, but he's visiting Kansas City on Tuesday.
KISS OF DEATH: Drafting a rookie quarterback in the first round is usually not good for a head coach. By the time the kid figures it out, losing has done in the coach.
“You better (draft a QB) in the first year of your contract,” Coslet said with a smile. “I'd like to have the same quarterback two years in a row. It's only happened once in my 71/2 years as a head coach. It was my first two years in New York (the Jets) with Ken O'Brien and I went to the playoffs in the second year. I'd like to get that situation settled and still hopefully be a head coach.”
Coslet said the club is committed to getting a quarterback in the draft, but wouldn't rule out adding a veteran free agent. Still, he said there are no plans to go after a Jeff George or a Danny Kanell “because we have more pressing needs right now. But that could change.”
Coslet thinks the Bengals will get lots of telephone calls on draft day to trade the third pick if Texas running back Ricky Williams or Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch is still sitting at No. 3.
OFFSEASON STUFF: Coslet said he's received positive responses from his players about the club's offseason workout program, which begins May 4 and runs for six weeks each Tuesday through Thursday. Then come four more weeks of work from mid-June to mid-July before training camp opens July 30.
“Nobody has said no,” Coslet said. “Guys are asking, "Do I have to be there every day?'” I said, "No, if you're there one day, that's more than last year, right?'”
COACH ADDED: The Bengals have agreed to terms with University of Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Steve Mooshagian to be the team's wide receivers coach.
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