Sunday, March 9, 2003
FB Luchey bolts for Packers
Bengals hoped he'd fill spot left by Neal
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals lost another of their own free agents when fullback Nicolas Luchey agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Green Bay Packers Saturday.
Luchey, a 267-pound fullback, became a priority to the Bengals after starting fullback Lorenzo Neal - the team's only Pro Bowl player last season - signed a three-year contract with San Diego Feb. 28.
Luchey, a four-year veteran, appeared in all 16 games for the Bengals last season, with three starts as the second tight end, and played in 45 games with nine starts in four years. Terms of his Green Bay deal were not available.
Also on Saturday, the Enquirer learned that former Bengals coach Dick LeBeau has accepted a position on the Buffalo Bills coaching staff.
LeBeau will be assistant head coach to Gregg Williams and will start work Monday. LeBeau also will be reunited with Tim Krumrie, one of his former players and assistants who now coaches the Bills defensive line. LeBeau also could be reunited with another former Bengal, linebacker Takeo Spikes, who signed an offer sheet Friday on a six-year, $32 million contract with the Bills.
The Bengals have until Friday to match but seem to be willing to let Spikes go after signing linebacker Kevin Hardy to a four-year contract late Friday.
The Bengals also finalized their six-year deal with defensive lineman John Thornton Saturday. He signed a contract worth $22.5 million with a $5 million signing bonus.
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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com
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PLAN YOUR DAY
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