Thursday, February 24, 2000
Dillon likes what he sees from Chiefs
But no offer yet for Bengals RB
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bengals running back Corey Dillon saw everything he wanted in Kansas City. Except a contract offer from the Chiefs.
Dillon, Cincinnati's disgruntled but restricted free agent, returned to his home in Seattle Wednesday after his first recruiting visit. He hoped it would be his last, but agent Marvin Demoff didn't expect an immediate offer.
Dillon figures to be seeking at least equal to the $5 million per year deal Jaguars backup James Stewart signed with De troit, but, “there has been no offer,” Demoff said. “This was preliminary.”
Still, the visit was so impressive those close to Dillon say he wants to sign with the Chiefs and indicated that to Chiefs officials. His family is urging him not to play in his hometown of Seattle.
Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham apparently made a big impression on Dillon.
When Dillon arrived for dinner Tuesday night, Cunningham joked he should have had hamburgers and $50 waiting.
Cunningham was referring to what Dillon told The Cincinnati Enquirer earlier in the week, when Dillon said he would be “flipping burgers or something,” and playing for “50 bucks somewhere else,” if no other team signed him and his rights reverted to the Bengals this season.
But Bengals coach Bruce Coslet said Wednesday Dillon “probably,” will be back this season, and Dillon backed off his threat to sit out the season if he has to play with the Bengals again.
“I feel strongly about wanting to be somewhere else,” Dillon told the Kansas City Star. “Those are strong words to say, "I'll never play there again.'
“If all else fails, if I have no other choice, I'm not going to be happy about that,” Dillon said. “If I have to, if nothing can be worked out with somebody else, if nobody else wants me, if that's my last resort, I'll think about it.”
But if a deal can't be worked out with the Chiefs, Dillon is expected to visit Seattle. Cleveland continues to call and Baltimore is in the hunt.
Demoff refuted claims by Bengals President Mike Brown that Dillon's blasting of the team on a Seattle radio station earlier this week was sparked by a letter Demoff wrote to the Bengals and sent to Dillon.
“Corey had not yet received the letter and he was unaware that I sent a letter,” Demoff said. “It basically said that nothing has occurred from September to now and based on their lack of activity, the only thing he could do was seek other offers.”
Demoff said Dillon reacted to a caller to the station and then called himself. In Kansas City, he hid his anger.
“I don't want to come off as a bad person because of comments that were said because of a conflict I have with Cincinnati,” Dillon said. “I'm a good person. I'm not one of these athletes who's out there trashing an organization and being a (jerk). I just want an opportunity to be a part of something I know has the same goals that I do. I don't think it's wrong for an athlete to want to win.”
Dillon was worried about his “I can't understand,” line on the radio about Coslet returning for another season despite winning just seven games in two years. So Dillon said Wednesday, “Bruce Coslet is a great coach. He's been in my corner.”
Coslet shrugged off the line and said he likes Dillon, but he also said his player has to understand he's a restricted free agent and the club is focusing on players they either have to sign or will lose without the chance to match an offer.
“He says he's been disrespected, but what they say is a little disrespectful, too,” Coslet said. “We have frustrated players on our team. He's a good player. If he ends up back here, which he probably will, he'll play his butt off, not only for me, but for his teammates, the fans, everyone.”
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