Tuesday, August 06, 2002

Key linemen given new deals


Gutierrez, Rehberg signed through '04, keep team's depth

By Mark Curnutte, mcurnutte@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The Bengals extended the contracts of two top reserves on their offensive line Monday.

        Center Brock Gutierrez and guard-tackle Scott Rehberg, whose contracts were scheduled to expire at the end of the 2002 season, signed extensions through 2004.

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        Gutierrez, 28, has made seven starts since 1998, including running back Corey Dillon's NFL-record 278-yard game in 2000.

        Rehberg, also 28, started 10 of his 24 Bengals games in 2000 and 2001.

        “This is a very good development for solidifying the future of our offensive line,” said Jim Lippincott, Bengals director of football operations. “These are players who have proven to us they can play well in our system.”

        The Bengals also made one cut, releasing rookie free-agent linebacker Jermaine Petty. The team's roster stands at 81 players.

        INJURY REPORT: Rookie tight end Matt Schobel returned to practice Monday after missing a few days with a muscle strain in his rib cage.

        Three players were out of Monday morning's practice: linebacker Steve Foley (hip flexor), wide receiver Danny Farmer (hamstring) and defensive end Eric Ogbogu (lower leg).

        PRESEASON STAT: The Bengals have not posted a winning preseason since 1988, when they were 4-1 and went to the Super Bowl. The Bengals open the preseason Friday night in Buffalo.

        PRECAUTION: Backup offensive tackle Jamain Stephens will see a cardiologist today in Cincinnati. He sat out both Monday practices after complaining of shortness of breath before the morning workout.

        Stephens was examined by doctors in Georgetown, but the results were inconclusive.

        WANTS TO HELP: John Jackson, a 15th-year left tackle who had an angiogram July 29, says he will be on the field for practice Sunday.

        The 37-year-old Jackson, whose father died of a heart attack in May at age 62, underwent two cardiovascular stress tests before training camp that were “marginally abnormal.”

        The angiogram, which required a catheter to be inserted into his groin, gave Jackson a clean bill of health. He is doing upper body training and “trying to get my legs back under me.”

        If asked, Jackson would like to do a public service announcement to promote heart health awareness.

        “To make everybody aware that you can't play with something like this,” he said. “They need the stress tests, and if you see something, you've got to get it taken care of.

        “I know a couple of people have told me they took the stress tests and didn't know if they were going to get the (angiogram), and I told them, "You have nothing to lose.' As far as me doing something, if they ask me to do something, I will love to do it.”

       



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