Monday, March 27, 2000
Dillon's agent presents case to Bengals tonight
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Marvin Demoff, the agent for disgruntled Bengals running back Corey Dillon, arrived here at the NFL's annual meeting armed (with information). By tonight, the Bengals may consider him dangerous.
Demoff patrolled the lobby of the Breakers Resort Sunday with a thick red notebook stuffed with comparisons of his client's career pitted against the league's elite backs. He'll use it tonight when he meets Bengals vice president Paul Brown in their first face-to-face negotiations over a contract that has sparked Dillon's plea to leave Cincinnati.
Demoff is also trying to sell his client to other clubs, which can sign Dillon to an offer sheet before restricted free agency ends in two weeks.
But the Bengals want an answer from tonight's meeting. Will Dillon consider a long-term deal off tonight's numbers? Or does he want to play out the season for $1.37 million?
“We'd like to get an idea where we are at the meeting,” said Bengals President Mike Brown. “Our first choice is to sign him for the long haul. If we can't, we'll move on to other things.”
The Bengals indicated a long-term deal for Dillon eats up enough of their salary cap to prohibit any more moves. If the Bengals know they can get Dillon for only the one-year deal, they will try to extend the contract of right tackle Willie Anderson and lure a veteran free-agent cornerback.
Demoff said Dillon won't report to next month's mini-camp unless he has signed a contract.
Other teams would have to give up first- and third-round draft picks to sign Dillon if the Bengals don't match the offer sheet.
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