Peko gets $407,000 to sign; Thurman at camp

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. – The Bengals will open training camp today amid a flurry of contract talks they hope will prevent any drafted rookies from missing a practice.

Two more picks signed tonight. The club announced a pair of four-year deals: fourth-round defensive tackle Domata Peko and seventh-round safety Ethan Kilmer.

Peko received $407,000 to sign a deal worth $2.017 million. Kilmer received a $62,000 signing bonus on a contract worth $1.672 over the four years; he is expected to make an immediate impact on special teams.

The team previously had signed its second seventh-round pick in wide receiver Bennie Brazell.

The Bengals also appear to have reached deals with second-round offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth and sixth-round wide receiver Reggie McNeal, believed to be receiving about $86,500 to sign. Whitworth vowed not to miss any work.

Talks were scheduled for tonight night with Jason Chayut, agent for first-round pick Johnathan Joseph, a cornerback from South Carolina. The Bengals’ two previous first-round picks, tailback Chris Perry and linebacker David Pollack, each had lengthy holdouts that delayed their development as rookies.

Unlike a year ago, first-round picks are signing in bunches. As of 8 o'clock tonight, 22 of 32 of the first-round selections had signed or agreed to terms with their teams.

A deal reportedly was close with between the Bengals and linebacker Ahmad Brooks, taken July 13 in the third round of the supplemental draft.

Brooks is forecast to play inside linebacker with Odell Thurman in a revamped four-linebacker defensive scheme in 2007. Thurman, suspended for the first four games of the 2006 season because of a second violation of the NFL substance abuse policy, will be in Georgetown today and able to practice, if allowed by coach Marvin Lewis. Lewis is said to want to meet personally Saturday with Thurman, who was excused from June mini-camp and has been in Atlanta since, and have a stern talk with the second-year linebacker.

The first practice is 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Georgetown College near Lexington.

Contrary to Internet rumors, Thurman’s weight is about 240 pounds, slightly heavier than his playing weight.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com