Saturday, February 12, 2000
Bengals court top defenders
DT Adams, DB Tongue plan visits
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals turned over a new leaf Friday, when teams were allowed to start shaking the NFL's tree of free agents.
To spread the word about their new practice facility, the Bengals discussed recruiting visits next week with highly regarded defensive starters from the AFC West, Kansas City strong safety Reggie Tongue and Seattle defensive tackle Sam Adams.
The Bengals also talked to several cornerbacks Friday, among them Steve Israel of New England and Jimmy Hitchcock of Minnesota.
“They told us they would send (coach Bruce Coslet's) letter and then get back to us,” said Joel Corry from the office that represents Hitchcock and Israel. “The new facility is appealing, and so is the move to grass (from Astroturf).”
In the past, the Bengals have waited until they are close on money with a player not at the top of the market before calling him to Cincinnati.
But the agent for Tongue, one of the market's top safeties, said the sides haven't even talked parameters of a deal but still finalized an itinerary for a tour and physical.
Adams' agent, Angelo Wright, said his client is set to visit, but no date is set.
“The feeling we're getting from the Bengals is they're starting over with the new complex and they want to show it off,” said Vann McElroy, Tongue's agent. “We're open to that and would like to see it first-hand. It's not fair to the team to make decisions based on what other people say.”
The Bengals think they can get visits from two other defensive linemen in the Chiefs' Tom Barndt and the Packers' Vaughn Booker, a Taft High School product who played at the University of Cincinnati. At least one of the Bengals' assistant coaches is scheduled to phone the two players this weekend.
“We want to make sure these guys come and see the stadium,” Bengals President Mike Brown said. “That's the future. That's where it's going to be, and we're proud of it and, yes, we may have more visits (than usual).”
The first day of free agency also brought word from Baltimore that the Ravens are interested in trading for Bengals wide receiver Carl Pickens; a counter-proposal from right tackle Willie Anderson's agent; and a recruiting visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Bengals defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen.
The club is looking into courting old friend Alfred Williams, a defensive end cut by the Denver Broncos and the Bengals' 1991 No.1 draft pick.
Ravens vice president for player personnel Ozzie Newsome, who discussed a trade internally for Pickens before last season, always has liked the receiver and has two first-round draft picks as trade bait.
Brown wouldn't comment on Baltimore's interest, but he said he cringed at agent Terry Bolar's bid to extend Anderson's contract beyond the 2000 season with a proposal in the six-year, $50 million range that would make him the NFL's highest-paid tackle.
“That makes no sense right now,” said Brown, who could get Anderson for less next season by designating him a franchise player.
With von Oelhoffen getting interest and Jevon Langford unsigned, the Bengals are running after defensive ends and tackles. In his six seasons, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Adams, 26, has never been as consistent or as spectacular as his Pro Bowl partner on Seattle's line, Cortez Kennedy.
Still, Adams is a solid player whom Kennedy continually praises as a reason he's so effective. But Adams will be looking for at least $2.5 million to $3 million a year, which could be too pricey for the Bengals.
Cincinnati figures to spend about $5 million on free agents, and it still needs a starting cornerback and veteran backup quarterback. The 6-foot, 205-pound Tongue, 26, probably also is looking at between $2 million and $3 million. His reputation is as a fierce run stopper who isn't as effective on the pass.
But he would be a more experienced alternative for the Bengals as they face moving rookie Cory Hall from free safety to strong and promoting kick returner Tremain Mack to free safety.
As for running back Corey Dillon, a restricted free agent, agent Marvin Demoff said he didn't get any calls from other teams, but Bengals scout Paul Brown called to start negotiations for a long-term deal.
“I talked to Corey, and he thinks he's going to get a better offer from another team than from the Bengals,” Demoff said. “He's willing to come back. He just assumes he'll have to explore the market and if the Bengals want him, they'll match an offer.”
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