Saturday, February 19, 2000
Bengals ponder life without Dillon
Team would use No. 4 pick on running back
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals continue to insist they will keep running back Corey Dillon. But they also know where to find his replacement if free agency whisks him away.
“We don't want to lose him, and we're prepared to do what it takes,” Bengals President Mike Brown said Friday. “We don't think it's going to happen, but if we lost him, we would probably look at a running back with the fourth pick in the draft.”
The Bengals and Dillon's agent, Marvin Demoff, have played phone tag this week as Cincinnati tries to start negotiating a long-term deal. Many NFL observers doubt another team will sign Dillon, because it would have to give Cincinnati first- and third-round draft picks if the Bengals didn't match the other offer.
But those close to Dillon say he's visiting the Chiefs Tuesday night and his hometown Seahawks want him to visit their Seattle facility before restricted free agency ends April 10. They also say the AFC Central team showing the most interest is Baltimore, not Cleveland.
Demoff met much of the week with the Ravens, who signed Denver tight end Shannon Sharpe, re-signed quarterback Tony Banks and worked to extend left tackle Jonathan Ogden's deal. Demoff and Ravens vice president Pat Moriarty apparently also talked about Dillon.
The Bengals have discussed replacements with the fourth pick. Most draft analysts say the only back not a “reach” at No.4 is Virginia's 5-foot-10, 205-pound Thomas Jones. But Cincinnati won't short-change Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne (Wisconsin) or Boone County High graduate Shaun Alexander (Alabama).
“Jones is built a lot like Emmitt Smith,” said Jim Lippincott, Bengals director of college/pro personnel. “He's very explosive with a great first step. He can score on you from anywhere.”
It appears the Bengals' first pick will be an offensive player, particularly after Chiefs defensive tackle Tom Barndt signed here Friday. They could find wide receiver Carl Pickens' successor at No.4 with Michigan State's Plaxico Burress.
Even if Burress' agent is Leigh Steinberg.
Steinberg and the Bengals have lived through three first-round holdouts — each lasting at least three weeks — since 1987. The latest was quarterback Akili Smith last year.
“The agent doesn't matter,” Brown said. “We'll take the guy we need, no matter what.”
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