Wednesday, March 10, 1999
Bengals court McNeil
Rams CB to get same offer as Ambrose
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
In their biggest push yet to land a starting cornerback, the Bengals intend to offer Rams cornerback Ryan McNeil the same $3 million per year deal on the table for Ashley Ambrose.
The Bengals are also in the running for starting Jets right guard Matt O'Dwyer, but have made signing a corner a priority.
Ambrose's camp has indicated the former Pro Bowl player has no intention to return to Cincinnati for less than $4.5 million per year.
Minnesota isn't pursuing Ambrose and Atlanta is looking to spend its money elsewhere. But by the end of the week, Ambrose could accept a one-year deal with an unnamed contender in the AFC Central.
Cincinnati, frustrated by talks with Ambrose, has lowered its offer and plans a run at McNeil. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound McNeil has been a starter for the past five seasons.
McNeil, 28, held out until the season opener last year after the Rams designated him as their franchise player. That meant he was supposed to make $3.2 million for year, but McNeil gave back $200,000 in exchange for the Rams' promise not to make him the franchise free agent this year.
McNeil, who led the NFL with nine interceptions in 1997, had started 54 of 55 games before he came off the bench in the first four games last year.
When McNeil left the Lions after the 1996 season, the Bengals pursued him until he signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal in St. Louis that included a $1 million signing bonus.
O'Dwyer, who will be 27 next season, visited St. Louis Tuesday and is supposed to be in Atlanta today. Logistical problems postponed Thursday's trip into Cincinnati.
After signing nose tackle Oliver Gibson to a three-year, $3.6 million deal Monday, the Bengals have about $2 million to spend under the salary cap.
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