By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals took a first step toward expanding their much-criticized scouting department, hiring veteran player personnel executive Bill Tobin as a scouting consultant Monday.

It's the first time in team history the Bengals have gone outside the organization and hired someone with Tobin's NFL credentials for the scouting department. It's also an addition to the league's smallest scouting staff, which consisted of just four full-time members and consultant John Cooper, the ex-Ohio State coach who has been with the Bengals since February 2002.

The Bengals have indicated that more moves will be considered. Former tight ends coach John Garrett might have already been offered a scouting position.

Tobin, 61, will focus mostly on evaluating college talent. He will work out of Palm Coast, Fla., part of the Daytona Beach metropolitan area.

"No one in his era has displayed a better eye for football talent than Bill Tobin," Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement released by the team, refusing further comment. "He has exceptional NFL experience and has put together championship teams."

Added new Bengals coach Marvin Lewis: "This gives us an experienced person at a critical point in our scouting process."

Tobin said he and the Bengals have a two-year agreement.

Most recently, Tobin was executive director of player personnel for the Detroit Lions, overseeing two years of drafting that produced quarterback Joey Harrington. After 2001, three Lions were named to Pro Football Weekly's All-Rookie team.

The Lions parted ways with Tobin in December. He said Brown later approached him about joining the Bengals.

"I've known the Brown family for years," Tobin said. "I like the coaching staff they put together. I like what I read and know about Marvin Lewis; I like what he's all about. I like the idea that Mike is expanding the player personnel department and giving the player personnel department a little more identity and responsibility ...

"My hero was Jim Finks (a Hall of Fame NFL administrator who hired Tobin in Chicago). He had a very simple philosophy: Scouts scout and coaches coach. And if both do their jobs to the best of their abilities, you end up in the Super Bowl."

He should know.

Tobin became director of pro scouting for the Chicago Bears in 1975 and spent 18 years with the franchise, including during its 1985 Super Bowl season. Tobin was involved in drafting Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, Hall of Fame defensive end Dan Hampton, quarterbacks Jim McMahon and Jim Harbaugh, defensive tackle William "The Refrigerator" Perry and defensive end Trace Armstrong.

From 1994-97, Tobin was vice president and director of football operations for the Indianapolis Colts. He was involved in the Colts drafting running back Marshall Faulk, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, tackle Tarik Glenn, defensive tackle Ellis Johnson and tight end Ken Dilger.

"Total package is my philosophy," Tobin said. "Size, speed, aggressiveness, intelligence, character, health. As a scout, you try to find out as much as you possibly can about each individual you consider drafting. I'm big on character. I'm big on aggressiveness."

Tobin will attend the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis later this month, as well as the Bengals' minicamps and training camp. He will report to Pete Brown, senior vice president of player personnel. Tobin's son, Duke, is the Bengals' director of player personnel.

"I'm not in charge of the draft," Bill Tobin said. "I'm not the lead dog ... I contribute."

The NFL draft is April 26-27.

E-mail mperry@enquirer.com

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