Friday, March 03, 2000
Bengals, Williams disagree on prospects
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals think they are out of the derby for safety Darryl Williams. But his agent said they are very much alive and his client could be here again in the next 72 hours.
Jim Lippincott, the club's director of pro/college personnel, made what agent David Levine called, “a very good offer,” Thursday. But it wasn't accepted.
“They think they're out of it, but they're not,” Levine said. “We're wide open. I don't know what the Bengals think, but I think it's more than probable. I know he'll be on a team by Monday.”
Williams, a Bengals first-round draft pick in 1992 released by Seattle on Wednesday, is also being pursued by his hometown Miami Dolphins. The Chiefs, Raiders, Saints and Bears are also in the hunt.
After raising his offer three times Thursday, Bengals President Mike Brown withdrew the proposal.
“We made an offer we thought would get the deal done,” Brown said. “They didn't accept it, so at that point we withdrew from negotiations. Things like this are coming up once and twice a day. We understand if they get more from somebody else, but we'll look elsewhere and eventually we'll find something.”
Brown said if they sign Williams, the Bengals won't sign a free-agent cornerback. Negotiations with Patriots corner Steve Israel have cooled, but the Bengals set up a visit with the Giants' Phillipi Sparks for next week.
Plus, the club is budgeting about $800,000 this season for a veteran backup quarterback to Akili Smith and plans to work out former Lions starter Scott Mitchell this weekend.
The Bengals admire Mitchell's yearly production against them in exhibition games, but they want to see his weight and arm strength after struggles the past two seasons in Detroit and Baltimore.
Williams, 30, is still highly regarded in the organization even though he left for free agency after the 1995 season. His departure was fueled by a coaching staff that didn't think his style fit, but the Bengals have yet to replace him. He wouldn't mind playing here in the zone-blitz scheme.
“I think any safety would like to play in that,” Williams said. “I liked the town and would love to go back there if they want me. I hear the new stadium is going to be great.”
Williams, who made the 1997 Pro Bowl as a free safety, appeared to fall out of favor with a new Seattle coaching staff concerned about his speed; they switched him to strong safety before this season. The Seahawks cut him to avoid a $3.8 million salary cap hit.
DILLON UPDATE: Seattle coach/GM Mike Holmgren said on KJR radio in Seattle that he will not make a bid for Bengal running back Corey Dillon in free agency. Holmgren said the cost of first- and third-round draft picks is prohibitive and that he would have to cut three players to get the deal done.
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