Wednesday, March 24, 1999Bengals offer Ambrose 1 year
'We've tried everything and now we're going to try this'
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerThe Bengals have shifted gears with free-agent cornerback Ashley Ambrose and offered him a one-year contract, but he still shows no signs of returning to Cincinnati.
“We've tried everything and now we're going to try this,” Bengals President Mike Brown said Tuesday. “We're working on it. We want him back. We haven't heard back yet what they think of the proposal.”
Ambrose has said all along he wants a multi-year deal to play in Cincinnati and would consider a one-year contract playing for a contender.
“I'm just waiting for teams to get some (salary cap) room,” Ambrose said. “No one has room right now, but I'm not going to panic. I'll wait until June 1.”
With the Bengals offering one year, they've probably dropped the money from $3 million. They have had a multi-year deal on the table for about $3 million per year.
That won't help, because Ambrose won't let the Bengals forget they offered more money to other cornerbacks such as Jeff Burris and Ken Irvin.
• Brown said initial negotiations with Jets guard Matt O'Dwyer got off a rocky start and he doesn't expect a quick deal, if one at all.
• Jeff Durand, agent for free-agent nose tackle Jerry Ball, said Tuesday that he is willing to give up the incentives in a two-year deal for his client with Cincinnati. Durand said incentives were the lone obstacle in an offer the club pulled last week. The Bengals have indicated that signing Ball is unlikely.
• The Bengals did sign third-year fullback Clif Groce to a three-year, $1.5 million deal Tuesday. They got Groce in December on waivers and he was inactive the final game. The Patriots released him after just a week with them. “They're looking for him to compete with (Brian) Milne,” said Ed Cunningham, Groce's agent. — Geoff Hobson
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Bengals offer Ambrose 1 year
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