Starting RG Williams agrees to 3-year extension

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals have one down and the rest of the starting offensive line to go.

The club has reached agreement on a three-year extension with starting right guard Bobbie Williams, Williams told the Enquirer this afternoon.

He said he expects to sign the deal early next week, and it will keep him in Bengals stripes through the 2009 season.

Williams, who has played the past two years with the Bengals after signing as a free agent from the Eagles, didn’t want to leave Cincinnati.

"Definitely, I love it here," said Williams, who missed only one offensive snap in 2005 after playing in 100 percent of snaps in 2004. "It's a perfect fit for me.

"I'm glad that (I), my agents and (Bengals) personnel people were able to come to an agreement. I wasn’t trying to move around."

Bengals running back Rudi Johnson owns the two most productive single-season rushing totals in franchise, both in excess of 1,450 yards, in the two years Williams has been with the Bengals. The Bengals also allowed a franchise low 21 sacks in 2005.

The Bengals also are trying to extend the contracts of left tackle Levi Jones, left guard Eric Steinbach and right tackle Willie Anderson. Those deals, like that of center Rich Braham, will expire after the 2006 season. Braham is expected to retire, though he continues to sign short-term deals and perform at a high level.

"I have to try to get some recruiting done," Williams said of his offensive line mates. "We've got to get those other guys locked in."

Williams said he is confident the Bengals will extend the contracts of the other offensive linemen.
"It's a process," he said.

Terms of the contract were immediately unavailable, but it is believed to be worth about $10.5 million total, with some $3.5 million guaranteed in bonuses.

The Bengals will not announce the contract until it is signed, and club management is trying to lock up Jones and Steinbach before the start of the season.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com