Friday, April 14, 2000
Bengals' trade unlikely
Report: Ravens cooling on Dillon
BY Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer
On the eve of an already trade-laden NFL draft, the Bengals now appear less likely to make last-minute movements. Baltimore is leaning toward drafting a running back instead of trading for Corey Dillon, and the market for Carl Pickens' services remains minimal.
“Trading is just not something we do a lot of,” said Jim Lippincott, Bengals director of pro/college personnel. “We did it for Ki-Jana (Carter in 1995). We did it in '92 (trading down for David Klingler). But most of the time, trades are just not worth it.”
The latest developments:
• The Cleveland Browns met Thursday with Marvin Demoff, the agent for Courtney Brown, to try to reach a contract agreement with Brown to be the No.1 pick.
• The fifth pick, owned by the Ravens, is the critical one in the draft. Baltimore reportedly is more interested in trading that than its No.10 pick, trying to avoid paying two top-10 contracts.
CBS Sportsline reports the Ravens have trade offers at No.5 from Green Bay and Oakland, and the Jets are also interested.
Baltimore is posturing to pick both a running back and a receiver in the first round. The Baltimore Sun reports the Ravens are cooling on Dillon because of concerns about wear and tear on him.
The paper said Demoff, who represents Dillon, is trying to leverage a deal with the Ravens because he also represents the Ravens' Pro Bowl offensive tackle, Jonathan Ogden.
• CBS Sportsline reports the Bengals are considering dealing Dillon to Kansas City, probably for first- and fourth-round picks — the Chiefs pick 21st — if there is a suitable running back available at that point.
• The Bengals would trade Pickens only if and when they got wideout Peter Warrick with the fourth pick.
• The Jets talked to Cincinnati on Tuesday about trading for Pickens, but CBS Sportsline said it was the Bengals calling New York — not the other way around, as had been earlier reported. The Bengals also contacted Baltimore about Pickens.
CBS Sportsline said the Jets have some interest. The Bengals have said they've never received an actual trade offer for Pickens.
“I'd be crossing my fingers for a second(-round pick) for Pickens at best,” draft guru Jerry Jones said. “What's his value right now? I say Round 4.”
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