Wednesday, April 14, 1999Bengals cool to Saints' offer
Brown not biting on every 1999 pick
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerThe Bengals didn't reject the Saints when New Orleans called Tuesday to shop the 12th pick in Saturday's NFL draft, as Mike Ditka continues his crusade to land Texas running back Ricky Williams.
But Bengals President Mike Brown still didn't sound enthused about giving up the third pick, even though he would get the rest of the Saints' picks and at least a first-round selection in 2000.
“I would call it an inquiry instead of an offer,” Brown said. “We told them we'd consider it and if we're interested, we'd call back. We're still looking at our situation, but I wouldn't push it too hard.”
Saints President Bill Kuharich contacted the teams with the top five picks, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Washington, asking them to call with what they want in 2000, in addition to all of New Orleans' picks this weekend.
The Browns already gave the Saints an answer for the No. 1 pick, and New Orleans pretty much said no to a first and third in 2000 and a first in 2001.
Ditka acknowledged the Saints' best chance lies with the Colts at No. 4. He figures the Eagles and Bengals are staying at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, to take a quarterback.
“One problem is you don't know what those future picks are,” Brown said. “If it's the 20th pick, you're getting out of blue-chip range.”
The Bengals appear geared to stay at No. 3 and take one of the top three quarterbacks, Oregon's Akili Smith, Kentucky's Tim Couch and Syracuse's Donovan McNabb.
After Sunday's workout for the Browns, Couch appears to have re-gained his position in the Cleveland draft room ahead of Smith and Williams.
The Browns have yet to give a definitive word who their No. 1 is.
Fletcher Smith, McNabb's agent, said indications are the Eagles plan to take his client, although the club hasn't been definitive.
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