Friday, March 09, 2001
Kitna not assured starting job
Smith will get a chance to win it back
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals see the signing Thursday of Jon Kitna as a good fit that gives them a “proven NFL quarterback.” But Kitna is no Elvis Grbac — a clear No.1 — and that will give Akili Smith the chance to regain the starting job in what coach Dick LeBeau termed an “honest and free and open competition” during training camp.
And Kitna's four-year deal, which counts only $1.5 million against the salary cap in 2001 and includes a comparatively modest $4 million signing bonus, gives the Bengals plenty of cash to sign a big-money player, such as defensive end Kenny Holmes.
Kitna's deal contains several incentives for playing time, starts and performance, and ranges from a total value of $7 million to $12 million.
“He's a bright-eyed guy, a competitive guy, a good guy, and he took his team to the playoffs,” Bengals president Mike Brown said. “He will compete with Akili. Some of the other quarterbacks would have foreclosed Akili, and we didn't want to do that.”
The Bengals were ready to make Smith the No.2 quarterback by offering Grbac a multiyear contract worth more than $30 million. But after he and Brad Johnson (Tampa Bay) signed, the Bengals were left to pick from quarterbacks who could push Smith but weren't the obvious starter.
Smith, the No.3 overall draft pick in 1999, lost the job after 10 games last season. He finished with three touchdown passes and six interceptions and compiled the worst passer rating, 52.8, of any regular NFL quarterback.
Kitna, who will turn 29 on Sept.21, started 12 games for Seattle last season and threw 18 touchdowns with 19 interceptions and had a 75.6 passer rating. Kitna lost his job to Brock Huard at one point and struggled most of last season.
The Bengals' pursuit of free agent quarterbacks — which numbered six: Grbac, Johnson, Kitna, Gus Frerotte, Doug Flutie and Trent Dilfer — ends with Kitna's signing.
“I think right now we'll discontinue with other free agent quarterbacks and redirect our efforts and funds to players in other positions,” said Bengals director of businesses development Troy Blackburn, who has handled quarterback negotiations.
Contract offers were ex tended to Kitna and Frerotte with the understanding that one signing voided the other proposal.
Kitna signed because he was willing to compete for the starting job.
“That's all I've ever wanted is a chance,” he said.
Frerotte, say Bengals insiders, wanted to be the starter, a stipulation that also has prevented him from signing a free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins.
The Bengals, for now, plan to go to training camp with three quarterbacks: Kitna, Smith and Scott Covington. Re-signing veteran Scott Mitchell, who started five games for the Bengals last season, was not ruled out Thursday by LeBeau, although it's a long shot.
“I feel comfortable about having a good veteran quarterback to compete with a very talented young quarter back and a still a pretty good football player in Covington,” LeBeau said.
The Bengals are reluctant to demote Smith to the second string. They invested a $10.8 million signing bonus in him, and some people within the organization — including LeBeau — say Smith can still succeed in the NFL.
“Coach LeBeau was very honest with me about the fact he's not giving up on Akili Smith and that he wants the best for everybody involved,” Kitna said.
Several attempts Thursday to reach Smith for comment were unsuccessful. He has not spoken to the independent media in Cincinnati since he was benched following the Nov.12 game at Dallas.
Kitna has a .570 winning percentage (18-15) as a starter. He started 27 of the Seahawks' 32 games the past two seasons.
But Kitna's statistics tell only part of his story, said Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who was Seattle's coordinator in 1997 and '98, when Kitna played behind Warren Moon.
“He finds a way to get things done on the field,” Bratkowski said. “He's not always pretty. His mobility is a little better than average. His arm is adequate. He doesn't have a rifle.”
Kitna came from a tough neighborhood in Tacoma, Wash., and was not recruited out of high school. He played for NAIA Central Washington in college, throwing for 4,600 yards and 42 touchdowns as a senior. He was undrafted and signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in 1996.
In 1997, he went to NFL Europe and led Barcelona to the championship by throwing for 2,400 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 games.
“You can't fluster him,” Bratkowski said. “He's tough. He's strong-minded. Jon is a true professional and leader. It will be good for Akili to see how he works.”
Smith's work habits and preparation were questioned by some teammates at times during the season.
Kitna is an evangelical Christian who has a wife, Jennifer, and two children. They made their decision after discussing the move and praying Wednesday night, after they returned home from Cincinnati. Kitna had a visit scheduled Monday for Denver.
“Cincinnati was a place we felt peaceful with in our hearts and our spirits,” he said Thursday. “No.2, was it a fair deal? I've never been one who wants to break the bank, because I feel like you have to be a piece of the puzzle, not the whole puzzle.”
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Kitna not assured starting job