Enquirer broke story about Nicholson arrest

A reader had inquired about A.J. Nicholson's arrest in Florida for a probation violation. Here is the story Jim Hannah of the Enquirer's Northern Kentucky bureau had Saturday morning:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070526/SPT02/705260342/1066

Lyric of the day; happy birthday, Bob

The timeless Bob Dylan turns 66 years old today.

Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

-- My Back Pages (1964)

I stand by Enquirer reporting in Henry story

I assure Enquirer readers that our reporters on the Chris Henry drug test story this week were careful and deliberate in our reporting. We threw nets wide and far for all possible sources connected to the story. We worked hard to get sources on the record. We asked for documents at every turn.

In fact, I got a tip on the story last Friday night and discussed it with my editor. We were uncomfortable going with it until we had final reports back, and if the final reports were negative, which they proved to be, we would not have written a word about it.

Only after the Kenton County Attorney went public Monday morning to other media with a "positive" test result did we spring into action.

Yes, I made an error in my reporting, and a correction ran this morning in the Enquirer Section.

Robert Lotz, Henry's attorney, pointed it out to me Wednesday: Henry is on probation in Kenton County for allowing minors to drink in his hotel room, not for providing alcohol to minors. There is a legal difference. I apologized to Mr. Lotz for the error and worked with our technical support people on our Web site to correct the reference in every story possible. Then the correction was published this morning.

That error is my only regret in our coverage, and it was mine. We had no agenda in our reporting other than to find out the truth. I have some extremely talented and dedicated colleagues in our Northern Kentucky bureau and in our Sports department. It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway: I am proud to be part of that team.

In this day of 30-second news cycles, I re-learned some basic lessons: The least and most I owe sources and readers is accuracy and fairness. At the other end of every story is another human being.

Henry's agent: 'Clean, man'

Chris Henry received some good news late this morning.

The random drug test sample given by Henry to meet terms of his probation in Orange County, Fla., came back negative.

"Clean, man," said Henry's agent, New Jersey-based Marvin Frazier. "We're not saying anything at this point, until we figure out what we're going to do next."

The Bengals released the following statement.

"The Bengals are pleased that Kentucky’s Division of Probation and Parole has confirmed in a press advisory today that Chris Henry did not violate any court-ordered testing he has undergone.

"The Club is not aware of any circumstance in which Chris has not complied with his obligations to legal and NFL-related procedures that will be required if he is to return to active playing status during the 2007 season.

"The Club regrets that incomplete and/or false information distributed to the media earlier this week resulted in incorrect reports regarding Chris’ status."

The Division of Probation & Parole in Kentucky analyzes samples provided by Henry and relays those findings to court officials in Florida, where Henry is on probation for a felony gun conviction that stems from a January 2006 incident.

Final results of another positive field test from Henry, to meet terms of his probation in Kenton County, were not immediately known.

But Robert Lotz, Henry's Covington-based attorney, said that test came back negative, too.

"I have copies of both tests," Lotz said.

Messages left with the Kenton County Prosecutor’s Office were not immediately returned.

"The state Division of Probation & Parole, through our District 7 office in Newport, provides probation supervision of Chris Henry for the Florida Division of Probation and Parole," read a statement from the Kentucky Department of Corrections in Frankfort.

"This supervision is provided through what is called the interstate compact agreement and is in connection with Henry’s Florida conviction in 2006 for carrying a concealed firearm. Henry received a sentence of two years supervised probation and that probation, under the interstate agreement, was transferred to Boone County, Kentucky."

Henry is on probation in Kenton County for allowing minors to drink alcohol in his hotel room, a violation of Covington's keg law ordinance. He served two days of a suspended 90-day sentence and also must submit to random drug testing under terms of his probation.

Those tests are overseen by the Kentucky Alternative Program, a private agency that contracts to handle misdemeanor cases for Kenton and other Kentucky counties.

Henry clean, according to state

Here is a news release that just came out from the Kentucky Division of Probation & Parole

Frankfort, Ky. – In recent days, there have been published and broadcast reports that Chris Henry failed a drug test. This information did not come from the state Division of Probation & Parole. Repeated referrals to our office by the Kenton County Attorney’s office were wrong. The Kenton County Attorney’s Office has no jurisdiction in our probation supervision of Henry. Our office did, however, receive results of a drug test conducted on Henry today, and those results were negative.

The state Division of Probation & Parole, through our District 7 office in Newport, provides probation supervision of Chris Henry for the Florida Division of Probation and Parole. This supervision is provided through what is called the interstate compact agreement and is in connection with Henry’s Florida conviction in 2006 for carrying a concealed firearm. Henry received a sentence of two years supervised probation and that probation, under the interstate agreement, was transferred to Boone County, Kentucky.

Bengals waive Nicholson

The Bengals this afternoon announced that they have waived linebacker A.J. Nicholson.

The statement from the club's PR department reads:

The Bengals today waived LB A.J. Nicholson. Nicholson is a second-year NFL player in 2007. As a rookie last season, he played in two games (no statistics) and was inactive for 14 games.

Bengals open training camp July 26

The Bengals will open training camp July 26 at Georgetown College near Lexington.

The first practice will be at 3 p.m. July 27.

The annual intrasquad scrimmage is Aug. 3, and the mock game will be Aug. 4.

The Bengals will break training camp Aug. 16.

Owners will vote Tuesday on Super Bowl site for 2011

The annual NFL Spring Meeting will be held at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday.

The agenda for the one-day business meeting includes a vote on the awarding of Super Bowl XLV in 2011. The finalists are Arizona, Indianapolis and North Texas. Super Bowls are awarded by a vote of the ownership. A decision and announcement on the 2011 Super Bowl is expected at the end of the morning session on Tuesday.

There will be a series of committee meetings on Monday afternoon before the league meeting will begin Tuesday morning.

Tuesday’s agenda will include a wide range of league matters.

The meeting is expected to conclude by the dinner hour Tuesday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will hold a news conference following the conclusion of the meeting.

FUTURE SUPER BOWLS

XLII
February 3, 2008
Arizona

XLIII
February 1, 2009
Tampa

XLIV
February 7, 2010
South Florida

XLV
February 6, 2011
TBD

Bengals sign college free agent RB Burks

The Bengals this morning added a college free agent to the offseason roster, signing running back Dan Burks of Alabama-Birmingham to a one-year contract. Burks (6-0, 214) is from Birmingham, and finished his UAB career as the school’s No. 2 all-time rusher with 2,277 yards. Burks participated as a tryout candidate in the team's rookie minicamp earlier this month.

LB Nicholson arrested on domestic violence charge

Bengals second-year linebacker A.J. Nicholson was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Friday and is being processed at the Kenton County jail on a domestic violence assault charge.

Taylor Mill police arrested Nicholson after he allegedly punched a woman in the eye at his apartment in the Farm Apartments complex on Old Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill Police Chief Steve Knauf said.

Police receiver a 911 call from the woman, who said she had been assaulted. She was in Nicholson’s apartment, but he was not there when the officer arrived.

Officer Roberts saw the injury to the woman’s eye, which was consistent with her statement, Knauf said.

Later, “He winds up at our police department, and the officer who responded the call was there. She placed him under arrest,” Knauf said.

The woman did not want to press charges, but Kentucky law allows police to make an arrest and press charges if they have evidence, the chief said.

Nicholson is being held at this hour at the Kenton County Detention Center and awaiting pre-trial services to set bond.

Nicholson is being charged with fourth degree assault. It is a misdemeanor. Punishment can be up to 12 months in jail and-or a $500 fine.

The Bengals’ policy is not to comment on ongoing legal situations involving a player, public relations director Jack Brennan said this afternoon.

This brush with the law is not the first for Nicholson since he was drafted by the Bengals in April 2006.

Nicholson was one of nine Bengals players previously arrested since Jan. 1, 2006. He avoided jail time in Tallahassee, Fla., but had to serve 60 days in a sheriff’s work program and go on probation for two years for breaking into the apartment of a former Florida State teammate.

Nicholson and an accomplice stole electronics worth $1,700 from the apartment in May 2006, less than a month after the Bengals drafted Nicholson in the fifth round.

He pleaded no contest to burglary and grand theft charges in February 2007.

Nicholson and the accomplice took electronic equipment and other items from the apartment of former Seminoles teammate Lorenzo Booker and his two roommates, according to authorities.

Nicholson, a fifth-round draft pick of the Bengals last year, had a history of off-field problems at Florida State. He was suspended for the 2006 Orange Bowl after violating team policy by taking a woman to the team's Miami hotel. She accused him of sexual assault, but Nicholson was not charged.

Madieu Williams Foundation football clinic

BENGALS’ SAFETY MADIEU WILLIAMS HOSTS FREE FOOTBALL CLINIC AND HEALTH SCREENINGS

Football Clinic Teaches Kids Football and Life Skills

WHAT: Madieu Williams Foundation Football Clinics and health screenings

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2007.
8-10 years from 10-12:30 p.m
11-13 years from 1:30-4 p.m.

WHERE: Avondale Boys & Girls Club
3504 Washington Avenue
Cincinnati Ohio, 45229

DETAILS: Youth from the Avondale area have the opportunity to join Bengals’ safety Madieu Williams for a FREE football Clinic on Saturday, May 19. This free clinic provides youth the opportunity to work on their football skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork skills, while building self-esteem both on and off the field. Each participant will receive a T-shirt, water bottles, food and refreshments as as have the opportunity to meet Madieu and his other teammates and coaches. Space is limited to the first 200 youth in each of the two sessions.

Madieu will also be holding free health screenings for parents of the youth during the clinics. The health screenings will include testing for sleep disorders, blood pressure testing, glucose and cholesterol testing, bone density testing and wound care screening.

The Madieu Williams Foundation Football Clinics and Health Screenings are sponsored by Mercy Health Partners.

Registration forms are available at www.madieuwilliams.org.

Lryic of the Day: `Mohammed's Radio'

To mark the long-overdue release on CD of Warren Zevon's live masterpiece "Stand in the Fire" from 1980, here are a few lines from the still timely "Mohammed's Radio."

Everybody's desperate trying to make ends meet
Work all day, still can't pay the price of gasoline
and meat
Alas, their lives are incomplete

RIP, Warren.

Postscript: On Oct. 13, 1987, I saw Zevon in concert at the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, Ind. I was working as assistant features editor at the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Ind., my first job out of college. I was assigned to do a travel story on the northern Indiana resort and pegged my drive, purposefully, to the day Zevon was there on his Sentimental Hygiene tour.

A public relations official for the resort showed me around the grounds and loaded me up with promotional material. (It was the era when the fax machine was the hot, new technology.) We walked backstage, and turning a sharp corner in a hallway, Zevon and I almost ran into each other. He was a short man, acutely intense, lost in deep thought. It wasn't so much our near-collision that shook him. It was when I spoke.

"I really like your work," I said as I extended my hand.

"Thank you," said the clearly distracted Zevon, shaking my hand before quickly moving on.

I didn't want to appear too excited to meet him. I had four or five of his records at that point. An English professor I had had at Miami a few years earlier considered Zevon one of the most efficient poets in popular culture.

Zevon could write with a literary flair. He befriended many authors. He also could rock. He tore it up that night.

Chad Johnson to hold football camp

This item just in from Bengals PR:

CHAD JOHNSON TO HOST INAUGURAL FOOTBALL CAMP FOR KIDS
“Who can catch #85?”

CINCINNATI – May 16, 2007 – Fresh off his fourth straight Pro Bowl, Chad Johnson has produced his first “list” of the 2007 season. “Who can catch #85?” While no one in the NFL could cover him in 2006, area youth may have the best chance to catch him this summer. The Bengals outspoken wide receiver turns teacher as he hosts his inaugural youth camp to help impact the Tri-State Community.

The i-Wireless Chad Johnson Football Camp will be held at Sycamore High School. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 7 – 16 and will take place on Tuesday, July 17th – Thursday, July 19th. Chad has partnered with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission Foundation to provide scholarships to the camp for disadvantaged youth. Scholarship partners include I-wireless, Best Buy, the Marvin Lewis Community Fund, and National City.

The camp will have an emphasis on basic fundamentals of football including passing, receiving, route running, quarterback, running back, and wide receiver play. Chad will be on site daily to provide instruction and direct the activities of the camp, which will feature instruction from top prep and collegiate coaches in the Tri-State area.

Cost of the camp is $169. Each day the campers will experience various stations specializing in passing and receiving as well as the team concept of football. In addition, each camper will receive:
--Over 10 hours of instruction including excellent coach to player ratio
--A Chad Johnson camp t-shirt
--Opportunity to train with the top prep coaches in the area
--An autographed camp team photo with Chad Johnson
--Opportunity to win daily prizes

2007 DATES & LOCATIONS
Sycamore High School
Football Players grades 2-10

DATES: July 17-19, 2007
TIMES: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Only a limited number of camp spots are available so those interested are encouraged to register soon. For more information and to register, visit www.chadjohnson85.com.

Palmer practices without knee brace

A year ago, I watched every move Carson Palmer made anywhere near a playing field, down to the point I could tell whether he was wearing a smaller or larger brace on his surgically-repaired left knee.

So thorough has Palmer's rehab, recovery and return been that on Tuesday, during the first of 14 offseason practices, I just made sure he was there and continued to count bodies as I walked around the perimeter of the two practice fields.

It wasn't until earlier this morning, when I looked at colleague Gary Landers' photograph on the cover of the Enquirer Sports section, that I noticed Palmer had no brace on that left knee. (I put the link above.)

Some other leftover observations:

-- Practice finished with all players running eight 40-yard striders. They weren't flat-out sprints, though center Eric Ghiaciuc and defensive end Robert Geathers ran hard.

-- I was interested in watching former Olympic hurdler Bennie Brazell, a Bengals wide receiver, run the sprints. He wasn't going to pull the Cadillac out of the garage. He calmly ran each 40 a little faster but never approached full speed. I could tell by just watching the concentration on his face that he knew exactly what he was doing.

-- Brazell could provide a dangerous deep threat. He's not a track runner playing football. He is a football player. I recall how well he blocked in training camp last year before his injury.

-- Cornerback Johnathan Joseph has incredible closing speed and change-of-direction skills. He made a lightning-fast move on a pass, stepped in front of the receiver but dropped the ball. Defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle has had Joseph catching footballs all offseason.

-- Middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks made a quick move on a pass in the flat but also dropped an interception.

-- I appreicate how hard Chad Johnson practices, and it's May, and it's the first day of 14 Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices.

-- Tab Perry is getting the first long look as the third receiver, in place of suspended Chris Henry. Perry looks to be moving well after his hip injury and appears to be in excellent condition.

-- Linebacker Ed Hartwell talks a good game. So did Nate Webster before his injury. Hartwell has produced when healthy, and if he can stay on the field, the Bengals might really have something.

-- At one point, the first-team defense lined up with the following front seven: Bryan Robinson, Domata Peko, John Thornton, Justin Smith, Landon Johnson, Brooks and Rashad Jeanty.

-- Peko is a player to watch. He performed well as a reserve last season, and his rapid development made the Sam Adams' release possible.

-- I enjoy the thought and effort Robinson puts into every answer he gives when I approach him at his cubicle in the locker room. He is a pro. He doesn't just talk. He says something.

-- Finally, this item was in the Palm Beach Post this morning about the Joey Porter-Levi Jones case:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2007/05/14/0514porter.html

O'Neal, T.J. miss first offseason practice

Two Bengals starters, cornerback Deltha O’Neal and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, were missing from the first voluntary practice of the offseason today.

Houshmandzadeh’s absence was expected. O’Neal’s was not.

"T.J’s absence was not a surprise, but Deltha told me he would be here today, so …" Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said after the Bengals practiced for almost two hours late this morning and early this afternoon.

O’Neal struggled last season and had just one interception, after grabbing 10 in 2005. The Bengals have spent their last two first-round draft picks on cornerbacks, Johnathan Joseph in 2006 and Leon Hall in 2007.

O’Neal is a projected starter opposite Joseph, who will replace free-agent departure Tory James.

"Obviously, in his case, (O’Neal) has an opportunity to re-start himself, and this is good work for him to put his best foot forward," Lewis said. "He is missing out on an opportunity to do that.

"We all have the same tape throughout the NFL. It’s not just people in Cincinnati opinion. You get the chance to right your ship, particularly for a defensive back, and today he missed out on some work that he shouldn’t miss on. He just put himself further behind."

Initially, Lewis was reluctant to discuss either missing starter.

"I had 78 other guys out there. I don’t want to worry about those guys," he said while walking off the practice field. "I'm not worried about their reasons. We’ll have someone else in their spots. I expect them here at some point."

Joby Branion, O'Neal's agent, did not immediately return a phone message.

Lewis also reluctantly addressed comments he made in a radio interview Monday night about middle linebacker Odell Thurman, currently serving a one-year NFL suspension for a third violation of the league substance abuse policy.

Thurman has been undergoing alcohol rehab in his native Georgia.

Lewis said on WLW-AM that he was optimistic that, if Thurman were re-instated by the NFL this summer, he would have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.

"He’s closer to doing those things," Lewis said of Thurman’s rehab. "My impression, my indication is he is closer to doing those things.

"I don’t have to worry about that until he gets an opportunity from the NFL. Then we’ll evaluate. I think he’s made progress."

Carson Palmer was on the field, participating fully, compared to a year ago when he was rehabbing his knee.

Newcomer Ed Hartwell, a linebacker, wore No. 56, Brian Simmons' old number. Cornerback Blue Adams wore No. 34, formerly worn by safety Kevin Kaesviharn, now a Saints' teammate of Simmons'. Defensive tackle Kenderick Allen, signed Monday, practiced and wore 67.

Safeties John Busing and Madieu Williams did not practice. Williams spent much of the first hour with teammates Andre Frazier and Tony Kays on the sideline working with athletic trainers.

Starting left tackle Levi Jones was not participating. He had postseason knee surgery and watched from the sideline.

Official: Bengals sign DT Allen

The Bengals this morning announced a one-year contract with defensive tackle Kenderick Allen as a free agent. Allen played in two games in 2006 for the Green Bay Packers before going on the injured reserve list with a foot injury.

He is 6-feet 5, 328 pounds and is a fourth-year player from Louisiana State. He has played in 31 NFL games for the Saints, Giants and Packers, with three starts. He has 51 career total tackles and three sacks.

He will turn 29 on Sept. 14 and adds some potential youth to an against defensive tackle rotation in Cincinnati.

This just in from Bengals public relations:

Allen entered the NFL in 2003 as a college free agent with New Orleans, seeing action in 10 games. The New York Giants acquired him on waivers just before the start of the 2004 regular season, and he played for the Giants in five games in ’04 and in 14 games in ’05.

His career NFL totals include 31 games, three starts, 52 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. He also saw action in a 2005 postseason game with the Giants, logging three tackles.

Allen is the fifth unrestricted free agent to sign with Cincinnati since the March 2 start of UFA availability. Signing previously were DT Michael Myers of Denver and three UFAs choosing to stay with Cincinnati -- TE Reggie Kelly, DE Justin Smith and HB Kenny Watson. (Smith was also designated as Cincinnati’s franchise player).

Unrestricted free agents are players with four or more accrued years toward NFL free agency whose contracts have expired with their previous teams. Additionally since March 2, the Bengals have signed three other veterans who were released to free agency by their teams -- CB Blue Adams (last with Tampa Bay), LB Edgerton Hartwell (last with Atlanta) and C Alex Stepanovich (last with Arizona).

Mother's Day 2007

Elizabeth Ann Curnutte
Aug. 16, 1929-Oct. 26, 2006

List of Bengals offseason personnel moves

Here's a list of Bengals' offseason personnel moves, provided by the SportsXChange and published on the USA Today Web site in its NFL team pages section:

FRANCHISE PLAYER: DE Justin Smith: Tendered at $8.644 million. (Signed today).

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—CB Rashad Bauman is unlikely to return because of injuries and the move toward younger players; not on team's radar.
—S Anthony Mitchell won't return because the team is not interested.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—G Stacy Andrews: RFA; $1.3M/1 yr.
—CB Greg Brooks: RFA; terms unknown.
—DE Robert Geathers: Potential RFA; $33.7M/6 yrs, SB unknown.
—QB Doug Johnson: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
—LB Landon Johnson: RFA; $850,000/1 yr.
—TE Reggie Kelly: UFA; $9M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
—OL Scott Kooistra: Potential UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
—P Kyle Larson: RFA; $1.3M/1 yr.
—LB Caleb Miller: RFA; $850,000/1 yr.
—RB Kenny Watson: UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
—RB Terrence Whitehead: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED
—LB Ed Hartwell: FA Falcons; agreement 1 yr, terms unknown.
—DT Michael Myers: UFA Broncos; $1.65M/2 yrs, $100,000 SB.
—C Alex Stepanovich: Not tendered as RFA by Cardinals; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST
—C Rich Braham (UFA; retired).
—CB Tory James: UFA Patriots; $1.3M/1 yr.
—S Kevin Kaesviharn: UFA Saints; $10M/4 yrs, $3.25M SB.
—LB Brian Simmons (released; later signed with Saints).
—G Eric Steinbach: UFA Browns; $49.5/7 yrs, $17M guaranteed.
—TE Tony Stewart: UFA Raiders; terms unknown.
—WR Kelley Washington: UFA Patriots; terms unknown.
—LB Marcus Wilkins: UFA Falcons; $3.5M/3 yrs, $500,000 SB.
—QB Anthony Wright: UFA Giants; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

DE Smith signs one-year tender

The Bengals announced this morning that defensive end Justin Smith, designated as their one franchise player, has signed the one-year tender offer that comes with that status.

It is for $8.644 million, the average of the 2006 salaries of the top five paid defensive ends in the NFL.

Smith was designated in February as the team’s franchise player, under terms of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"We are pleased that Justin has come in at this time, so he can join his teammates for our important offseason work," head coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released by the team's public relations department. "It’s a display of his commitment to the Bengals and to a winning program. This does not preclude our continuing to talk to Justin and his representatives about reaching a longer-term agreement."

The Bengals on Tuesday, May 15, will begin their 14 allotted number of voluntary on-field coaching days for the team at Paul Brown Stadium. The club’s mandatory minicamp for all players will be held June 1-3.

The collective bargaining agreement says no more than 14 organization team activity days may be held in the offseason, none on weekends.

Smith has played all six of his NFL seasons with the Bengals and has started the last 91 games, the longest streak on the defense. In 2006, he led the defensive line in tackles (110) for the fifth consecutive season, and he achieved his highest career ranking (second) in the team tackling standings. He had a 50-tackle lead over the second-place lineman. He ranked second on the team in sacks (7.5), and raised his career sacks total to 41.0, ranked fourth all-time on the Bengals. He also had a line-best four passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

His agreement comes as no surprise. The use of the franchise tag greatly limits a free agent's mobility but is a lucrative designation.

"I’m fired up and ready," Smith said through the PR department. "I’m glad we got this done. It’s time to get back with my teammates, get in some good offseason work, and make this a great season for the Bengals."

Bengals sign CB Blue Adams to 2-year deal

The Bengals this afternoon announced that they had signed NFL veteran cornerback Blue Adams to a two-year contract. He played college ball at the University of Cincinnati.

He has played three years in the NFL, one in Jacksonville and the last two for Tampa Bay.

Adams has played in 37 games with 36 tackles. He played in 29 games for the Buccaneers the past two seasons.

He was a tryout participant in the Bengals' rookie minicamp this past weekend.

Adams (5-10, 184) is a Miami, Fla., native who posted a career-best 19 special teams tackles for Tampa Bay last season, ranking third on the team. He had three stops on Oct. 15 against the Bengals, tied for his season high.

He became a restricted free agent on March 2 of this year, but did not sign with another team by the April 23 RFA deadline. He still had had not signed Tampa Bay’s tender offer as of April 30, when the Bucs withdrew the tender and relinquished his rights. He played 13 games for Tampa Bay in 2005, and played eight games for Jacksonville as a rookie in 2003. He was not with an NFL club during the 2004 regular season.

Adams was at the University of Cincinnati from 1998-2002, including a medical redshirt year in 1999. He was named the Bearcats’ most valuable defensive player as a senior in 2002 and first entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft choice of Detroit in 2003.

Adams was one of three veteran players who participated on an unsigned basis in last weekend’s Bengals rookie minicamp.

Team wraps up rookie minicamp

The Bengals held their fifth and final practice of rookie minicamp this morning inside Paul Brown Stadium.

They added tight end Tim Euhus as a tryout candidate. He was drafted in 2004 by Buffalo out of Oregon State and played in one game for the Steelers in 2006.

At a post-practice news conference, coach Marvin Lewis said he was pleased with the overall performance, happy with what he saw from each of the team's seven draft picks and impressed by many of the team's rookie free agents.

By name, Lewis mentioned Ohio State fullback Stan White, Brigham Young tight end Dan Coats and Ohio University linebacker Matt Muncy. Lewis said he was happy that Florida linebacker Earl Everett is making quicker-than-expected progress from ankle-cleanout surgery and that he should be available by the full-squad minicamp in early June and maybe sooner.

Lewis also said Eric Henderson, converted from down defensive end to outside linebacker, continues that improve in his transition and that having the five practices of repetitions helped him greatly.

"We're kind of with Eric where we were a year ago with Rashad Jeanty," Lewis said.

Bengals Hall to throw out first pitch before Reds game

Cornerback Leon Hall will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Reds game tonight against Colorado at Great American Ball Park. Hall didn't play beyond Little League, he said, but said he would throw a fork ball.

Ohio high schools produce 18 NFL draft picks

Some notes from the NFL about high school players drafted this past weekend:

-- Brothers were drafted – running back KENNY and cornerback DAVID IRONS of Dacula (Ga.) High. Kenny was a second-round selection by Cincinnati and David a sixth-round choice by Atlanta.

-- For the second consecutive year, the Cincinnati Bengals selected a defensive tackle from the “Mighty Sharks” of Samoana High School in American Samoa. In the sixth round they chose MATT TOEAINA after picking DOMATA PEKO in the fourth round last year.

Ohio was one of nine states with double-digit high school players drafted:
California -- 36
Florida -- 27
Texas -- 26
Ohio -- 18
Georgia -- 11
Louisiana -- 11
Alabama -- 10
South Carolina -- 10
Virginia -- 10

Observations from Practice 1, Day 1, rookie minicamp

First-round pick Leon Hall, the cornerback, has thick legs but moves quickly. He said he was happy to be on the field, as an NFL player, playing football.

He flew back to San Diego on Sunday night and came back Thursday to Cincinnati. He plans to leave again Sunday night and return again the following Thursday.

"Then I'm here," he said. "A little jet-lag right now."

Fourth-round safety Marvin White has excellent tackling technique and displayed it in drills.

Second-round pick Kenny Irons, the Auburn running back, has lightning-quick feet through the hole.

Wide receiver Marc Burr, a wide receiver from Urbana via Northwest High School, made a diving catch on a fly pattern. He ran past two cornerbacks to haul in the pass.

"Every day I'm here is good," Burr said.

Linebacker Earl Everett, from Florida, the best-known rookie free agent, said he pulled his right hamstring running the 40-yard dash at his pro day. He also is coming off an ankle scope.

Tight end Steve Kosky, from Miami University and Anderson High School, has his master's degree in finance.

Punter B.J. Sander, who was with the Rams earlier this offseason and then released, said the Bengals contacted him Thursday about participating in rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Sander played at Roger Bacon and Ohio State.

Hartwell says he has agreed with Bengals

Linebacker Ed Hartwell's deal with the Bengals was a essentially done over the weekend and all but confirmed by coach Marvin Lewis at the end of the draft Sunday.

On Monday, Hartwell's agent told The Enquirer the deal was done but was being held up because Hartwell was in Atlanta, where his wife was delivering their first child, a son.

On Thursday, Hartwell spoke on Sirius NFL Radio and said he had signed with the team. Bengals public relations director said tonight that the club had no confirmation.

This release came into tonight from Sirius NFL Radio:

Today on “The Afternoon Blitz” on Sirius NFL Radio, hosts Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots spoke with linebacker Ed Hartwell, who confirmed he has reached a deal to play for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Solomon Wilcots: “We heard that you could possibly be reunited with Marvin Lewis, who was your coach when you played for Baltimore. He was your defensive coordinator when you came into this league. Talk to us about the prospect of possibly playing with the Cincinnati Bengals.”

Ed Hartwell: “Well, you know, the possibly is a definitely because the deal got finished today. I’m currently a Cincinnati Bengal.”

Adam Schein: “Talk about being reunited with Marvin Lewis.”

Hartwell: “Just being reunited with him, I took a visit down there and met all the coaches. The intensity is there. From playing for him you know what he expects. You know he expects the defense to [be] really intense, to go out there, to hit people hard, to come downhill. That’s my style of play. Being able to go back and play for a guy like Marvin Lewis and the staff that he has up there is great. The type of player I am, they coach the same way I play so it’s going to be a wonderful fit.”

Wilcots: “I know Marvin wants some consistency in this linebacking corps. They’ve had some unfortunate situations. Odell Thurman. David Pollack is now hurt. He was a high draft pick. Ahmad Brooks right now is penciled in to be the starting middle linebacker. On opening day this will be the fifth consecutive year the Bengals have had a different player at their starting middle linebacker position. Talk to us about where you will be featured in this linebacking corps.”

Hartwell: “We’re going to leave [Brooks] in the middle. I’m going to slide over to the Will linebacker. Using my experience can help the other linebackers there and teach them some of the things that I’ve learned coming up in the league. Experience is a great thing in this league as you learn the little tricks of the trade. It’s not all about speed. A lot of times it comes down to the little things which make you a good player.”

Schein: “How close do you believe the Bengals are to not only making the playoffs but making a legit run at the Super Bowl?”

Hartwell: “I think they have a great chance. They have a wonderful offense. We’re going to do some great things on defense and make some plays. Any time you have that going on you have a shot. They have one of the most dynamic offenses on that team and now I’m going to come in and with the help of all the other players we’re going to make that defense one of the best defenses in the league. I’m pretty sure everybody on that side of the ball feels the same way. Together we’re going to have a shot at that Super Bowl title.”

Schein: “How’s your health? Are you ready to go through all football activities?”

Hartwell: “I’m ready, baby. I had two years of downtime. Now I’m here, I’m running around, cutting. Everything is the way it’s supposed to be and I’m ready to go out there and go to this first training camp and have some fun.”

Schein: “How many other teams were in the mix for your services?”

Hartwell: “I’m having a baby right now so I wasn’t able to travel a whole lot. That whole exciting process in itself stopped me from traveling a whole lot to different teams, from me wanting to be there and not miss that opportunity to be there when my son is born. But it was definitely a lot of teams that were calling, wanting me to come down and travel. Good teams. Teams like Denver, New England. It all worked out for the best and I’m just happy to be able to go down to Cincinnati and play football.”

P Sander to get tryout; DE Berryman released

Punter B.J. Sander will get a tryout this weekend at rookie minicamp.

He is a third-year NFL player who was with Green Bay for 2004 and ’05, is a Cincinnati native (Roger Bacon HS) who played in college at Ohio State.

Also this morning, the Bengals today waived rookie linebacker Jason Berryman of Iowa State. Berryman had been signed as a free agent on Jan. 2. He was signed by club despite the knock of character concerns off the field.

Team signs 14 college free agents, some with local roots

The Bengals today announced the signing of 14 college free agents.

The list includes five players with local/regional connections:

Defensive end Bryan Andrews of Wake Forest is from Lima (Lima High School);

Linebacker Matt Muncy of Ohio University is from Miamisburg (Miamisburg high);

Quarterback Jeff Smith of Georgetown College is from Fort Thomas (Newport Catholic HS);

Fullback Stan White played at Ohio State, and cornerback T.J. Wright played at Ohio University.

The complete list of today’s announced signings:

NAME / POSITION / HEIGHT-WEIGHT / COLLEGE / HOMETOWN

Bryan Andrews, DE, 6-5, 262, Wake Forest; Lima, Ohio

Daniel Coats, TE, 6-3, 257, Brigham Young; Layton, Utah

Earl Everett, LB, 6-3, 238, Florida; Webster, Fla.

Jesse Holley, WR, 6-2, 219, North Carolina; Roselle, N.J.

Xzavie Jackson, DE, 6-3, 278, Missouri; Vacaville, Calif.

Tony Kays, WR, 6-0, 194, California-Davis; Elk Grove, Calif.

Matt Muncy, LB, 6-1, 238, Ohio; Miamisburg, Ohio

Harrison Nikolao, G, 6-3, 305, Eastern Washington; Tacoma, Wash.

Elliot Seifert, OT, 6-7, 308, Temple; Reading, Pa.

Cameron Siskowic, LB, 6-1, 228, Illinois State; San Diego, Calif.

Jeff Smith, QB, 6-5, 235, Georgetown (Ky.) College; Fort Thomas, Ky.

Dane Uperesa, OT, 6-4, 309, Hawaii; Hauula (Oahu), Hawaii

Stan White, FB, 6-1, 249, Ohio State; Baltimore, Md.

T.J. Wright, CB, 5-10, 177, Ohio; Beaumont, Texas

Twelve of the 14 CFAs signed two-year contracts. Holley and Uperesa signed three-year contracts.

The CFA signees will have their first work with the team during this weekend’s minicamp (May 4-6) for rookies and eligible first-year players at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals also have arranged for a number of unsigned players to work with the team during minicamp on a tryout basis. Five of these players have local/regional connections. WR Mark Burr of Urbana is from Cincinnati (Northwest HS). LS Pat Farfsing of the University of Cincinnati is from Cincinnati (St. Xavier HS). TE Steve Kosky of Miami (Ohio) is from Cincinnati (Anderson HS). DT Ellery Moore of Kentucky is from Massillon, Ohio (Washington HS). The aforementioned four players all are rookies, and CB Blue Adams, a fourth-year NFL player from the University of Cincinnati, will also participate on a tryout basis. Adams played for Tampa Bay last season.

Punter B.J. Sander will get a tryout this weekend at rookie minicamp. He is a third-year NFL player who was with Green Bay for 2004 and ’05, is a Cincinnati native (Roger Bacon HS) who played in college at Ohio State.

Also this morning, the Bengals today waived rookie linebacker Jason Berryman of Iowa State. Berryman had been signed as a free agent on Jan. 2. He was signed by club despite the knock of character concerns off the field.

According to the Des Moines Register, Berryman last played for the Cyclones in 2005, when he was third on the team with 72 tackles, had had several legal problems.

The Register reported: "In his last college game, the 2005 Houston Bowl, he collected 12 tackles and five sacks. As a freshman, he was named the Big 12's defensive newcomer of the year in 2003. Berryman, however, drew almost as much attention to himself off the field."

He was kicked off the team last January shortly after being ticketed for being "on premises under age" at a dance club. He had spent 258 days in the Story County jail for punching an Iowa State student and robbing him of $4 and a cell phone from in August 2004. He was released from jail in April 2005 and was allowed to rejoin the Cyclones that August.

Berryman applied for the 2006 NFL supplemental draft last summer but was not selected.

OU fan site: Bengals sign two Bobcats

Thanks to a reader for this tip. This item is on the Ohio University fans Web site:

Five Ohio football players signed deals with NFL teams Sunday as undrafted rookie free agents. The Cincinnati Bengals signed middle linebacker Matt Muncy and cornerback T.J. Wright. Other signees include tight end Rudy Sylvan with Detroit, wide receiver Scott Mayle with Buffalo and running back Voncarie Owens with St. Louis.