Saturday, August 07, 1999
TRAINING CAMP INSIDER
Curtis could send Francis packing
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Outside linebacker Canute Curtis, a third-year player with three tackles in eight career games, is trying to show he can back up Steve Foley on the left side. If he does, 10-year veteran James Francis probably is gone.
Linebackers coach Mark Duffner says Curtis has improved enough to be in the mix.
“He's showing more explosion and worked hard on his coverage skills,” Duffner said. “He's always done well at the point of attack in the run game, but his pass rush and coverage skills have come along.”
Position watch
Rich Braham has moved to center from left guard, but some believe the best center the past week has been Rod Payne.
Payne, a third-round pick in '97, is in a huge roster fight. Braham is a tough customer who brings a load of intangibles.
Rookie watch
The battle for the receiver's spot on the practice squad looks to be coming down between college free agents, which include Terry Murphy, out of Pittsburgh.
Murphy — flat out — catches everything — and has benefited from Steve Mooshagian coming to the Bengals as the receivers coach from Pitt, where he was Murphy's offensive coordinator and receivers coach. Plus, the Bengals have pretty much the same system as Pitt because head coach Walt Harris worked for Bruce Coslet when they were at the Jets.
“(Terry) makes the best sight adjustments at the (split end) position,” Mooshagian said. “He catches the ball in traffic. He can block. He just doesn't look flashy. The protections and the routes are almost the same and that helps him.”
• Rookie free-agent long snapper Greg Krause (New Hampshire) was cut Friday.
Quote
Coslet on Takeo Spikes: “There are some fine inside linebackers in this league, believe me. But in my mind, he's right up there with all of them. All of them. He's a difference-maker.”
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