By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

At first glance, Shayne Graham doesn't appear to have a lot to work on.

But the Bengals kicker, who signed a five-year, $6.5 million contract in March as a restricted free agent, can point to two areas of his game - long-distance field goals and kickoff consistency - that he says need improvement.

And then there's the contract.

The Bengals matched Jacksonville's offer sheet - agreeing to sign Graham to a deal that guarantees $3 million, including a $2 million signing bonus.

"Guys on the team know what happened with my contract, coaches know, and the last thing I want is for them to get an attitude where, 'He's getting soft on us. He thinks he's made it now,' " Graham, 26, said. "That's why I've been in and out this offseason working out. Even when I haven't been here, I've been home working out with my kicking coach. I don't want them to think I'm another prima donna."

Graham, signed off waivers by the Bengals on Sept. 1, had one of the best seasons of any Bengals kicker. He set a franchise record for field goal percentage at 88 percent (22 of 25), tied for fifth best in the league.

Before settling in Cincinnati, Graham had spent time in four NFL cities - also kicking for Buffalo and Carolina.

"You have to remember the way you were before and what it took to get there," he said. "Easily, I could have missed two or more of those kicks, and we wouldn't even be in this position. I'd be happy to have a tender offer and one more extension year."

Inside Graham's impressive numbers are areas for improvement.

Graham's three misses came from 48, 52 and 54 yards.

"Even though it looks good on paper to say my shortest miss was 48 yards, my longest make was 48 yards," said Graham, who had previously made both of his career attempts from 50-plus yards.

"I had been 100 percent over 50 yards. I kind of want to get that back. I don't want to be known as a guy who can't make the long kick. I want to make them in the game when it counts (not just at practice). Like in golf, nobody wants to be the guy who can't hit the long ball."

Graham tied for 13th in the NFL with a 62.2-yard average kickoff distance.

He also had four touchbacks, helping the Bengals to a No. 10 league ranking in opponent return average (20.7 yards).

Still, Graham wants to go deep with his kickoffs more often.

"My kickoffs were inconsistent," he said.

Graham was one of the newcomers in 2003 that delivered for the Bengals. Last year, the Bengals spent almost $18 million in free agency to acquire defensive tackle John Thornton, linebacker Kevin Hardy and cornerback Tory James. Hardy led the team in tackles. Thornton tied for the team lead with six sacks. James led with four interceptions.

Each player started all 16 games. Shopping wisely in free agency is a key to a successful season.

"You're never 100 percent perfect. But I feel very confident in our guys who are getting compensated right now," coach Marvin Lewis said.

Career statistics

Year	Team	M/ATT	PCT	LONG	XPM	XPA	PTS
2001	BUF	6/8	75.0	41	7	7	25
2002	CAR	13/18	72.2	50	21	21	60
2003	CIN	22/25	88.0	48	40	40	106
Total		41/51	80.4	50	68	68	191

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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