Tuesday, February 15, 2000
Booker likes muddy-carpet treatment
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Packers defensive lineman Vaughn Booker liked what he saw on the ground floor of Cincinnati's stadium project.
Booker didn't leave Monday's free-agent visit with a contract. But he left with a couple of Bengals shirts, a windbreaker, a new pair of shoes, a stadium tour and an appreciation of the team's treatment of him.
Which, at the moment, may be more important than a contract for the Bengals, a team which before Monday had been known for handing out only hard bargains.
“The locker room was the most impressive thing I saw,” Booker said. “Everything a player could need is there.”
As the Bengals began digging out from their image as the NFL's unfriendliest team, Richard Katz, Booker's Cincinnati-based agent who has dealt with them for more than 10 years, noticed.
“It was a very nice experience; different than the perceptions,” Katz said. “There's a definite sense they're trying to change some things.”
The Bengals have yet to talk contract figures with any of their candidates. But that probably changes today after the von Oelhoffen deal, and with defensive tackle Tom Barndt and safety Reggie Tongue of the Chiefs flying into Cincinnati today for visits.
Booker, who grew up on Ezzard Charles Drive, went to Taft High School and played at the University of Cincinnati, seemed impressed Monday.
“It was muddy everywhere we went, but you can definitely see the direction it's going and it's tremendous,” he said. “The fact the Bengals made contact and showed such interest is something I'll keep in mind. It's a real plus it's on natural grass as I get older.”
That may help Cincinnati if Booker ends up visiting turf teams New Orleans and Philadelphia.
Defensive line coach Tim Krumrie took Booker and Katz to lunch with LeBeau and head coach Bruce Coslet.
“I can tell right away (Krumrie) still has a player mentality,” Booker said. “It might be good for me to be coached by somebody so young that still understands what players want and need.”
The Bengals think the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Booker, 31, can play all four spots up front. Booker sees himself as an end who can move inside on passing downs.
The Bengals continue to go on the defensive next week, when they plan to secure visits from cornerbacks Steve Israel of New England and Jimmy Hitchcock of Minnesota. They also are pursuing the Giants' Phillippi Sparks.
Even though he's a restricted free agent, Steve Bush, the Bengals' long snapper and third tight end, is drawing interest from the Arizona Cardinals. Bush grew up in Paradise Valley, Ariz., and played at Arizona State.
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