By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Neil Rackers signed a one-year contract Tuesday to stay with the Bengals.

The fourth-year kicker, who had become a restricted free agent Feb. 28, agreed to the Bengals' one-year tender offer of $605,000.

"He's looking forward to a big year with the Bengals," said Rob Roche, Rackers' agent.

Rackers is working with new special teams coach Darrin Simmons this season.

Rackers visited the Seattle Seahawks last week but did not receive an offer.

He made 15 of 18 field goal attempts in 2002 (83.3 percent), the seventh-best percentage among NFL kickers last season.

Rackers was perfect on 13 field goal attempts of less than 45 yards.

He made a career-long 54-yarder in Cincinnati's season-opener, against San Diego. It tied for the second-longest field goal in Bengals history.

Rackers has become increasingly accurate in the past season and a half.

He finished 2001 by making eight of 10 field goal attempts, and coupled with his 2002 showing, he has made 23 of his past 28 attempts (82.1 percent). In his first 39 attempts, he made 21 (53.8 percent).

In 2002, his kickoffs helped the kickoff coverage team finish eighth in the league with a 20.9-yard return-against average.

Three of Rackers' 56 kickoffs were touchbacks.

Rackers will be an unrestricted free agent after his one-year contract expires.

He was a sixth-round draft pick from Illinois in 2000.

---

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...