Wednesday, June 02, 1999
McGee not sweating new contract
Tight end says Bengals can open 5-1
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
During his last contract year in 1995, Bengals tight end Tony McGee savored his career-high 55 catches. But it didn't do him much good at the bargaining table.
“I was sitting around counting balls. Actually, I had a really good season,” McGee said Tuesday.
“I still didn't get the contract I wanted. Why worry about it? I just want to play football. If it's meant for me to be here, I'll be here. If not, I'll be some place else. I'll worry about that after the season. ... I'm not going to sit around and count balls and worry about a contract.”
The Bengals appear to be counting, though, and may not re-sign McGee after this season since they gave backup Marco Battaglia a three-year extension averaging $800,000. McGee, saying Battaglia is a friend, wouldn't comment.
Instead, McGee, making $900,000 in the final year of his deal, showed up enthused Tuesday to his first voluntary workout and said the Bengals should get off to at least a 5-1 start.
“I don't see anybody on (the schedule) that scares me,” McGee said. “I don't see any reason we shouldn't get a good, strong start. Out of our first six games, we should win at least five, and the one we may lose, it should be a close one.”
The Bengals open the season at Tennessee (8-8 in '98) before hosting San Diego (5-11), visiting Carolina (4-12), hosting St.Louis (4-12), playing at expansion Cleveland and hosting Pittsburgh (7-9).
McGee thinks the offseason workouts may be what the Bengals need for a jump start. Since McGee was drafted in 1993, they are 8-38 in September and October. But he was thrilled to see 47 players at Tuesday's workout, marking the first month of voluntary practices.
“I didn't think there would be so many (players) here this late,” said McGee, whose family obligations prevented him from participating the first month. “We need to make sure guys are in shape and knowing the offense. That's a big plus, young guys picking up this stuff now versus training camp.”
Coach Bruce Coslet is also surprised but delighted at the turnout. He had hoped to average 30 players but usually has had more than 40. Quarterback Jeff Blake missed his first workout Tuesday, but he'll be back after appearing at a golf tournament. Coslet expects running back Corey Dillon to make his first appearance next week.
AMBROSE WAITING: The Bengals, with about $3 million under the salary cap to sign veterans (and another $3 million for rookies), have no plans to cut veterans. On Tuesday, NFL teams could start cutting players so their bonuses can be spread over two seasons instead of one under the salary cap.
Bengals President Mike Brown indicated he won't do a major transaction as long as the Bengals' $2.1 million offer to free-agent cornerback Ashley Ambrose for this season is on the table.
If Ambrose doesn't sign elsewhere by July 15, he can negotiate only with the Bengals. But Ambrose said Tuesday he expects to sign a better one-year deal with another team, possibly Atlanta, Minnesota or San Francisco.
BENNETT FALLOUT: Brandon Bennett, leading contender for the Bengals' third-down back, probably will go on injured reserve and be lost for the season after team doctor Rob Heidt Jr. repairs the torn anterior cruciate ligament in Bennett's left knee Thursday.
The Bengals aren't looking for a veteran to fill the hole. They will opt to look for a young, cheap tailback-type for training camp. The Bengals have 76 players after releasing rookie free-agent linebacker Louis Hampton.
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 McGee not sweating new contract
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