Saturday, November 11, 2000
Losing keeps free agents away
Marquee players don't come running to Bengals
By Tom Groeschen
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals (2-7) are about to clinch their 10th straight non-winning season. Once again, that could have an impact on their pursuit of unrestricted free agents in the offseason.
Since 1993, when the NFL introduced unfettered free agency, the Bengals have signed 29 unrestricted free agents. Only one, cornerback Ashley Ambrose in 1996, went to the Pro Bowl.
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PICK OF THE LITTER
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OFFENSE
WR — Eric Moulds, Buffalo (1998 Pro Bowl; tied for second in NFL in receptions this year, with 63).
OT — Bob Whitfield, Atlanta (1998 Pro Bowl; age 29); Richmond Webb, Miami (seven Pro Bowls but none since 1996; age 33).
TE — Rickey Dudley, Oakland (averages 6 TDs a year).
QB — Brad Johnson, Washington (threw for 4,005 yards, made Pro Bowl last year).
RB — Corey Dillon, Cincinnati.
DEFENSE
DE — Kevin Carter, St. Louis (led NFL with 17 sacks in 1999, but having off-year); Jason Taylor, Miami (second in AFC with 9.0 sacks).
DT — Mark Smith, Arizona (15 sacks in 1997-98); Jason Ferguson, NY Jets (stout defender at 6-foot-3, 305).
LB — Mo Lewis, NY Jets (consecutive Pro Bowls); Jamie Sharper, Baltimore (part of NFL's No.1 defense); Dexter Coakley, Dallas (1999 Pro Bowl).
CB — Aeneas Williams, Arizona (six straight Pro Bowls); Jason Sehorn, Giants (big name but has injury history).
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Bengals president Mike Brown acknowledged the team's won-lost record again could restrict their offseason efforts to sign players.
“Players are mostly interested in money and the opportunity to play,” Brown said Friday. “How the team is playing is another significant factor.”
The Bengals rarely get Pro Bowl-caliber players to come to Cincinnati. Usually, they settle for capable veterans, spreading their available money among several players.
This year, the “A” list includes Buffalo receiver Eric Moulds, Washington quarterback Brad Johnson and St.Louis defensive end Kevin Carter. Not to mention Atlanta offensive tackle Bob Whitfield, Miami defensive end Jason Taylor, and a few other Pro Bowl-caliber players.
In years past, players such as Arizona cornerback Aeneas Williams and former linebacker Kevin Greene were among players the Bengals coveted but never got a real chance to sign.
Williams is available again for 2001, but even at his relatively advanced age (33 next year) he might be too rich for the Bengals.
Brown said it is too early to comment on who will be available.
“We can't talk publicly about players on other teams,” he said. “But do we give some thought to it? Yes.”
Many observers believe the Bengals need to strengthen their offensive and defensive lines and their cornerback situation.
“I'll tell you what I'd do,” Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham said. “I'd identify the best player at their three or four weakest positions, whether it's a pass-rush guy or a cover guy or whatever, and spend all my money on that one guy. Then do it again next year on another position, and again in the third year.
“Instead of spending your $6 million on three guys, spend it all on one guy. Do it for three years, and that gives you three kingpins. They don't have kingpins around here.”
Bengals running back Corey Dillon, a free agent after this season, recently told Sports Illustrated other players don't want to come to Cincinnati.
“There's a stigma against the place because of the last 10 years,” Dillon said. “It's almost like the forbidden spot where no one wants to go.”
The Bengals, according to several NFL sources, could have the most salary-cap money available of any team for 2001. Based on this year's cap figure of $62.2 million, and figuring the cap will rise by a few million dollars next year, the Ben gals could be at least $10 million under the cap — based on players they have under contract for next year.
James Gould, Cincinnati-based agent for Bengals receiver Peter Warrick and other NFL players, said the Bengals are not as tough a sell as some think.
“Contrary to public perception, they are spending money,” Gould said. “There is a willingness to adapt to the new philosophies. The new stadium is second to none, and I've seen them all. ... The quality of life in Cincinnati is a big selling point.”
Gould pointed out the Ben gals have committed big money to Warrick, Akili Smith and Willie Anderson, spending more than $100 million on their long-term contracts. But to outsiders, the big factor is still the team's 10-year streak of losing.
“If a free agent has a $6 million offer in Cincinnati and a $6 million offer in another quality market, they're probably going to lose out to the team that has won,” Gould said. “But they're not that far from being able to win.”
Bengals safety Darryl Williams is that rare player who left town, then returned. Williams joined Seattle as a free agent in 1996 but was let go by Seattle after '99.
“I always liked the town, and I didn't mind coming back,” Williams said. “It was a business decision when I left.”
The Bengals will always be able to get some players, because it is still an NFL paycheck. But until one marquee name comes to Cincinnati as an unrestricted free agent, things may not change much.
“I don't think the image thing goes away easily,” said draft analyst Jerry Jones of The Drugstore List. “It probably doesn't help when you start having them sign a loyalty oath. And with the older veterans, they want to go somewhere they can get a ring. It always seems like (the Bengals) are building from scratch.”
Contributing: Mark Curnutte.
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Losing keeps free agents away