Tuesday, May 04, 1999
BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Signing Dillon is a club priority
To see who is in the Bengals' future plans, take a look at the brochure that will be selling charter ownership agreements through the August 2000 opening of Paul Brown Stadium.
For the offense, there was running back Corey Dillon, right tackle Willie Anderson and quarterback Akili Smith. On defense there was linebackers Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons and cornerback Artrell Hawkins.
Not counting the newly drafted Smith, all but Dillon are signed for at least two more years. Dillon becomes a restricted free agent after this season, but the Bengals plan to approach him about extending his deal after their search for a veteran cornerback.
“We want him here for a long time and we're going to get in touch with them when we see what we've got to work with (under the salary cap),” said Bengals President Mike Brown. “We've talked about it, but won't do anything until we see how the thing with the cornerback works out.”
CORNER UPDATE: The Bengals would like to re-sign cornerback Corey Sawyer, but San Francisco may beat them to it. An NFL source said Monday the 49ers have become interested in a Sawyer, who has served as both a starter and a nickel back.
Bengals free-agent cornerback Ashley Ambrose said the Chiefs wanted him to sign after he worked out Friday in Kansas City, but he didn't want to make such a quick call. Plus, he said he heard Dallas is interested with Deion Sanders on the shelf.
With the Bengals looking for a one-year stopgap for less than $1 million, Ambrose believes he's no longer in the Bengals' plans even though they keep calling.
“My thing is,” Ambrose said, “if you've got nothing different to say, why keep trying?”
Former Oiler and Redskin corner Cris Dishman visited Kansas City on Monday and comes here next Monday. He volunteered to drive up after spending Mother's Day in Louisville.
LONG GOODBYE: Akili Smith says he's returning to Cincinnati the first day he can — June 11 — to start working again with offensive coordinator Ken Anderson — whether he's got a contract or not.
Smith left mini-camp Monday not very pleased with his effort. He said he was thinking too much about his reads and progressions and wasn't concentrating on just “stroking the ball,” which is why he threw his share of wobblers.
“Once I know exactly where I'm going, then you guys will see the tight spirals coming out of my hand.”
Smith was taken aback with the speed of the NFL game: “That stuff in the trenches is extremely quick. Back in college you can take two or three hitches, look over the field and throw. You've got to drop back and take a hitch and the football's got to be gone. Like (Jeff) Blake said, they're going to be sending a letter to your family saying your son just got a concussion.”
Smith can't work with the club again until his class at Oregon graduates June 11.
K-J RETURNS: Running back Ki-Jana Carter got his left wrist stepped on this weekend, seven months after shattering it in four places on Opening Day. But he survived and he's convinced himself he could have helped this team in '99, especially on the goal line. In 32 career games, he's got 15 rushing touchdowns.
“Not taking anything away from Corey (Dillon),” Carter said. “Pitch it to me on the corner and let me run. Corey's more of a power guy. I'm utilizing my speed.”
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