Friday, June 09, 2000RB deals: Keaton done, buster next
Teammates hope Dillon can be signed
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati EnquirerThe Cincinnati Bengals figure to sign rookie running back Curtis Keaton today and are hoping to sign veteran back Corey Dillon next week.
Keaton has agreed to a contract but has not signed it. His agent had concerns about some details and wanted time to think about them, but the Bengals said the deal is not in jeopardy.
Next up for the Bengals is a negotiating session with Dillon's agent, Marvin Demoff. Demoff, is scheduled to meet with the Bengals Monday, and the Bengals invited Dillon to join them.
Reaching an agreement with the Pro Bowl back would let the team feel it had a successful offseason.
“That's the last of our unattended — no, unfinished — business,” Bengals president Mike Brown said Thursday. “It has been attended well enough. If we get him signed, we will have consumed our (salary) cap room.”
The Bengals' last multiyear offer to Dillon averaged $3.6 million a season. Dillon, a thousand-yard rusher in each of his three professional
seasons, is threatening to sit out the first 10 games if the team fails to give him a more lucrative deal.
The team's series of high-priced deals with other players leaves less than $2 million under the 2000 salary cap.
Several of Dillon's teammates are hoping he signs and say his on-time arrival at camp would give the team even more momentum going into the season.
“I know it influences my playing time, but you need to have more than one good back,” reserve back Brandon Bennett said. “I hope they reward him. It can give the team a good outlook to see how they're treating players.”
Said nose tackle Oliver Gibson: “If we can get Corey back, that's a big piece. The organization has been doing all the little things. They're putting it on us. It's no-excuses time.”
Players were happy with the team's quick signing of first-round pick Peter Warrick to a seven-year, $42 million deal.
“He's coming to voluntary camp (June 13-15),” defensive end John Copeland said of Warrick. “He's going to get more time working with Akili.”
Second-year quarterback Akili Smith is expected to participate in the voluntary camp next week and the following week.
“It's critical to get these guys in on time,” Brown said. “It's not easy, and it's nothing unique to the Bengals. We're close with a number of our other draft picks.”
Keaton, the team's fourth-round pick from James Madison, is expected to sign a three-year deal today or Monday.
Warrick's signing followed the six-year contract extension right tackle Willie Anderson signed 11 days earlier. Three months ago, the Bengals signed left tackle Rod Jones for three years.
“That gives us two tackles for the foreseeable future,” said Brown, who has picked up on the players' attitude.
“Squads turn over. This is a group of young veterans who want to do well for themselves, the team and the city. They're not consumed by things that might have been. A positive attitude builds and spreads from one person to another.
“But we know the all-important task is when we start playing regular-season games. That is something we have yet to establish.”
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