The Bengals' draft-day vision of their pass offense came into clearer focus Wednesday when three pass-catching draft picks reached contract agreements.

        News of Wednesday's contract agreements came in rapid succession.

        First, at about 2p.m., the Bengals announced they had reached an agreement on a three-year deal with former San Jose State tight end Sean Brewer, who was taken in the third round.

        Next, the Bengals confirmed what agent Jerome Stanley had told the Enquirer several hours earlier. Chad Johnson, a wide receiver and second-round draft choice who's expected to join Darnay Scott and Peter Warrick in three-receiver sets, had come to terms on a four-year deal.

        The flurry of activity came to a head when seventh-round pick T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who played opposite Johnson at Oregon State last season, had agreed to a three-year deal.

        All three rookies were expected to report Friday for the start of training camp at Georgetown College. Johnson's plane from Los Angeles landed at 6p.m. Wednesday. Brewer was en route to Cincinnati, his mother said. And Houshmandzadeh will come in today.

        Johnson, who had 37 receptions and a 21.8-yard average at Oregon State last season, is expected to team with Scott to give the Bengals the deep threat and speed that were missing from their NFL-worst pass game.

        “I'm not worried about the money,” said Johnson, who confirmed he will get $1.4 million to sign. “I'm playing for the love of the game, like I always have.”

        He already has impressed the Bengals.

        “Chad looked really good in minicamp,” Brown said. “We wanted to get him in early. He wanted to get in early.”

        The Bengals anticipate that having two deep threats in the pass offense will open up shorter routes for Warrick, who can turn short receptions into long runs.

        Brewer also is expected to help on short and intermediate routes. He had the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.73 seconds) at the national scouting combine in Indianapolis.

        Houshmandzadeh, who led the fourth-ranked Beavers with 48 receptions for 730 yards, is a sleeper who could help on special teams. He averaged 9.9 yards on 28 punt returns.

        He is coming into camp determined to show he should have been drafted as high as the second round.

        “It still makes me mad,” Houshmandzadeh said Wednesday. “I know seventh-round picks are supposed to be worried about making the team, but I'm not. I'm worried about playing.”

Smith may be holdout after all Three picks reach terms, lift offense

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