INDIANAPOLIS — After a frosty January, negotiations between the Bengals and veteran quarterback Scott Mitchell are thawing in February.

        Anthony Agnone, Mitch ell's agent, said Thursday that he and Bengals officials have exchanged contract proposals that would bring Mitchell back to Cincinnati for at least a second season.

        “It was earlier in the week,” Agnone said Thursday night from his Maryland home. He also said Mitchell would like to return to the Bengals and that Mitchell was pleased that negotiations finally had started.

        Mitchell, who turned 33 on Jan.2, started five games for the Bengals in 2000, and they were 2-3 in his starts. He was 89-of-187 passing for 966 yards and three touchdowns. Four of his eight interceptions came in the five starts, and four came in two of his three mop-up performances for Akili Smith.

        Mitchell signed a one-year, $800,000 deal to back up Smith, who was handed the starting job in minicamp. But after starting for the first time Nov.19 at New England, Mitchell said he wanted to compete for the starting job in 2001.

        Bengals president Mike Brown also said he wanted Mitchell back to compete with Smith and since has said he plans to bring in a veteran and possibly a rookie for a wide-open quarterback com petition.

        Neither Brown nor Katie Blackburn, the Bengals' executive vice president, would comment on negotiations with Mitchell. Neither side would discuss money.

        But it is believed Mitchell is looking for about double what he made last season. The Bengals were his third team in three years. He played previously in Miami, Detroit and Baltimore.

        Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent, but the Bengals have exclusive negotiation rights through March 1. Free agency begins March 2.

        Mitchell is one of seven unsigned Bengals veteran free agents. The others are defensive end Michael Bankston, center Rich Braham, tight end Steve Bush, running back Corey Dillon, linebacker Billy Granville and guard Matt O'Dwyer.

        “It's not the right time of year” to reach a contract agreement, said Jim Lippincott, Bengals director of pro/college personnel. “Agents don't have the (guts) to do a deal at this time of year. How do you tell your client that "this is a good deal; sign this' before they know what they're possibly going to earn in the free-agent market. The dangerous thing is the agent may be turning down a deal before going on the market, where it might only get worse.”

Bengals, Mitchell talking contract

Wohlers key link in bullpen
Greenwell explains comeback plans
Righty trio could throw on Sunday
Boone recovering nicely from knee surgery
XU women clinch share of A-10 title
Xavier on bubble despite 20 wins
XU could host preseason tourney
Ohio State 63, Illinois 61
NKU men 96, Missouri-St. Louis 70
NKU women 84, Missouri-St. Louis 63
St. X swimmers seek 23rd state title
Ursuline swimmers in line for fourth state title
Dixie swimmer chasing two Ky. titles
Indian Hill diver repeats state title
District wrestling preview
CCD's Willis wins 'That's My Boy' award
Highlands' Grover wins Ky. 'That's My Boy' award
Boys basketball coverage
Girls basketball coverage
Holmes' Hallman takes charge
Cincinnati boys basketball games
Cincinnati girls basketball games
N.Ky. boys basketball game
N.Ky. girls basketball games
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
Indiana boys basketball scores
Indiana girls basketball scores
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Boys basketball schedule
Girls basketball schedule
Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati boys games
Our Fearless Predictions for N.Ky. boys games

• Return to Bengals front page...