Sunday, March 07, 1999Mack's a risk worth taking
Bengals decide to extend pact
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerTremain Mack still has about six weeks left in his alcohol rehabilitation program, but the Bengals have all but agreed to a one-year contract extension with their troubled strong safety.
Mack has been suspended, arrested for DUI twice and sentenced to a year in jail for violating probation since being drafted in the fourth round in 1997. He is heading into the final year of his rookie three-year deal,
“Yes, it's a risk, but it seems to be a worthwhile risk,” said Bengals President Mike Brown. “If he can manage to stay free of trouble, he has shown to be an effective player. He's very athletic and it remains to be seen what all he could do for us. This isn't uncommon in the NFL. There are guys who have had problems and overcame them.”
Basically, the Bengals allowed Mack to keep his $219,000 signing bonus in exchange for getting another year. The team had a right to taking back a pro-rated portion of the bonus because he was suspended.
Mack's agent, David Levine, is grateful the Bengals are showing faith in Mack, but Bengals officials think if he can turn his life around, they'll have a safety who could start in place of the departed Sam Shade. He could play cornerback on passing downs if Corey Sawyer leaves to free agency.
Still, Mack, who had a string of alcohol-related offenses before he was drafted, has to convince officials in Hamilton and Clermont counties he has successfully completed rehab before he can be released.
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