By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ex-Redskins quarterback Shane Matthews is now a Bengal. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Akili Smith knew Thursday that his career with the Bengals had ended when he saw Shane Matthews arrive for a workout.

On Saturday morning, the Bengals signed Matthews to a one-year contract believed to be for the league minimum of $655,000 with playing-time incentives.

Shortly after the Bengals received Matthew's signed deal via fax, coach Marvin Lewis called Kennard McGuire - Smith's agent - and told him that the team would release Smith on Monday, McGuire said.

"We are extremely happy," Smith said Saturday from his native San Diego. "It's time to get on with my career.

"I don't know what I did wrong, but they saw something on film that they didn't think I was capable of being a No. 2 quarterback in the NFL. I think I'm capable of being a starter in this league."

Four years ago, Smith was the future of the franchise. Bengals president Mike Brown turned down a trade offer from the New Orleans Saints for eight draft picks in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick. Brown didn't make the deal because he wanted to take Smith.

Smith threw five touchdown passes and 13 interceptions with the Bengals and had a passer rating of 52.8.

Smith, now 26, played in 22 games and compiled a 3-14 record as a starter.

The Bengals had a 16-48 record in Smith's four seasons.

"I took the heat," he said. "The quarterback always gets the heat."

In Matthews, the Bengals acquire a 10-year NFL veteran who is 33 years old today. He has an 11-11 record as a starter with Chicago and Washington and has thrown 30 career touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He was on Carolina's roster in 1997 and '98 but didn't play.

Lewis, in a phone interview Saturday afternoon, said he did not want to discuss the team's quarterback situation. Lewis was the Redskins' defensive coordinator in 2002, the same season Matthews was the team's most productive quarterback with 11 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 3-4 record as a starter.

Matthews signed with Tampa Bay on March 17 but was released April 28, after the Buccaneers re-signed veteran Shaun King and drafted Chris Simms.

In a statement released earlier Saturday by the Bengals' media relations department, Lewis said: "Shane is an experienced NFL quarterback who has proven he can win games. He has impressed me, particularly as a very competitive guy."

Translation: Matthews will be the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Jon Kitna - a quarterback, like Matthews, who came into the league as an undrafted rookie free agent. The emergency third quarterback on game days will be top draft pick Carson Palmer.

Bengals coaches do not want to rush Palmer - a mistake made by previous coaching staffs with Smith and the franchise's other most recent first-round quarterback, David Klingler (1992).

Matthews was unavailable for comment Saturday, but his agent, Steve Mandell, said Matthews wanted to play for Lewis.

Matthews will arrive late Monday and will participate Tuesday in on-field coaching sessions at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals also worked out lesser-known quarterbacks Todd Husak and Greg Zolman last week. The team had talked on the phone with the agent for former Rams backup Jamie Martin, who had a good relationship with Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese when both were in St. Louis.

Until early last week, Smith said he expected to stay with the Bengals. He had been a regular since the offseason program started March 24.

"Akili made a commitment to stay in Cincinnati and work hard," McGuire said.

By releasing Smith on Monday, the Bengals can count the remaining amortized portion of his $10.8 million signing bonus on the salary cap this year and next. The cap hit will be $1.85 million this year, but the club will save Smith's league-minimum salary of $530,000. Smith's cap hit for 2004 is believed to be $1.54 million.

NFL rules prohibit other teams from contacting Smith's agent until he is officially released.

"We are not, by any means, worried about getting on another team," Smith said. "I will be the No. 3 quarterback this year, but we want to find the right fit, get the playbook and get to work and to training camp on time."

---

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Shane Matthews at a glance

NFL history: Signed April 29, 1993, as undrafted rookie free agent by Chicago Bears.

Career starts: 22, 11-11 record.

Ht.-Wt.: 6-feet-3, 196 pounds.

2002: He played in eight games with seven starts for the Redskins, throwing for 1,251 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. NFC Offensive Player of Week after 28-for-40 passing, 327 yards and three touchdowns in season-opening victory over Arizona.

College: Florida, where he threw 74 TDs and led Gators to 28-8 record.

Birthday: Turns 33 today.

Career statistics:

Total games	Passing	Yds	TDs	Int	rating
28	490-for-836	4,712	30	24	74.4

Return to Bengals front page...