Friday, March 05, 1999Bengals still in running for Ball
Agent: NT is 'quite interested'
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerThe Bengals still aren't talking enough money, but former Pro Bowl nose tackle Jerry Ball is still talking to them.
He's talking to coach Bruce Coslet, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and various current and former players as the Bengals hope to show their poor reputation in the NFL is more perception than reality.
“He's quite interested. He wants to talk to guys on the team and in the organization from top to bottom,” said Jeff Durand, Ball's agent, who is trying to broker a three-year deal averaging about $2 million annually.
“There's a lot positive with the new stadium coming on. Coach Coslet told me they've put a lot of energy into the defense since he's been here. Jerry's interested. We just wish they would step up financially.”
Coslet, who spent Thursday scouting Central Florida quarterback Daunte Culpepper, talked to Durand from the road. The Bengals hope to hook up Ball with defensive end John Copeland.
Expect a decision soon on cornerback Ashley Ambrose. He met with his agent the past two days and they remain baffled that the Bengals continue to offer players from other teams more than Ambrose.
Last year it was Jeff Burris. This year it's Bills cornerback Ken Irvin, whom they say turned down a little more than $3 million per year from the Bengals to go back to Buffalo.
Ambrose has visited Kansas City and has drawn interest from Atlanta. Corner Ronnie Bradford re-signed Thursday with the Falcons taking a player away from the Bengals and possibly a spot for Ambrose. But Ambrose could open up his options with a one-year deal.
With Bradford off the board, the Bengals need to re-sign Ambrose or Corey Sawyer. Sawyer has been checked out medically by the Saints. The Vikings also remain interested.
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