Monday, March 06, 2000
Mitchell deal expected today
Agent says sides have agreed on contract
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The agent for quarterback Scott Mitchell expects his client to close a deal with the Bengals today to back up Akili Smith this season.
Mitchell flew to Dallas Sunday night to meet with Cowboys quarterbacks coach Jack Riley, but Tony Agnone said the trip was mainly out of loyalty to Riley, who was Mitchell's quarterbacks coach at the University of Utah. Mitchell tried to reach Bengals coach Bruce Coslet Sunday for one final talk and to let him know he was coming.
“We've agreed on a contract, but Scott still wanted to talk to Bruce, and he felt he owed it to Jack to visit him,” Agnone said. “It looks like it's pretty closed and I should be talking to the Bengals some time around noon (Monday).”
Agnone wouldn't divulge terms of the agreement, but given what the Bengals offered to other veteran quarterbacks, it's probably a one-year deal with about an $800,000 salary cap hit that includes a signing bonus in the $200,000 range.
The Bengals are a little antsy about Mitchell's trip to Dallas and won't be sure they have him until a contract is signed today. But Mitchell, 32, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound left-hander who helped the Lions to three playoffs in the mid-1990s, said he enjoyed Friday's visit to Spinney Field.
The Bengals want him to lose some weight, but they are impressed with his workout regimen in California where he has coaches for weights, conditioning and flexibility.
“He threw for 4,000 yards weighing 258 pounds,” Coslet said of Mitchell's 1995 season. “He's a big man. (Don't) make too much of the weight thing. It's how you play, and this guy has played well in the past.”
Free safety Darryl Williams expects to sign his three-year, $4 million deal today, but the Bengals still plan for Giants cornerback Phillipi Sparks to visit.
If Mitchell signs, it means the Bengals have added more than $7 million to their 2000 cap since Feb.10.
Bengals Stories
 Mitchell deal expected today
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