Thurman decision by mid-April

By Mark Curnutte
mcurnutte@enquirer.com

PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Bengals, as expected, gained four additional picks -- compensation for free agents lost in 2007 -- in the draft later this month, but team president Mike Brown doesn’t anticipate a trade of original picks to move up from the No. 9 spot in the first round.

And after playing in a prime-time, national-TV game on opening weekend last year, the Bengals will probably play in the standard slot of 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7.

The league made several announcements today at its annual league meeting. And Commissioner Roger Goodell held a news conference in which he said Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman – suspended for the past two years for repeated violations of the league substance abuse policy – remained on a timetable to learn before training camp whether he could be re-instated.

Bengals president Mike Brown, in a dinner-hour interview tonight, said the club has been told that they would learn of Thurman’s fate by mid-April.

The Bengals were awarded with the 97th overall pick, the 34th of the third round. They also will have an additional sixth-round pick (No. 207 overall) and two more in the seventh round (Nos. 244 and 246 overall).

"It helps. We were picked over both last year and this year in free agency some," Brown said. "We’ll bring in some young guys. I don’t know if they’ll step in right away, but check back in a year or so and you’ll find they’re contributors, I’m sure."

The Bengals could trade their original picks but not the compensatory ones. The draft is April 26 and 27.

Would they trade up?

"Until somebody presents us with some overwhelmingly attractive deal, we’re just content to have the picks," Brown said.

The Bengals and fellow AFC North division rival Baltimore each received four additional picks – the most in the league of the 32 total awarded to 15 teams. The allotment brings to 11 the number of compensatory picks the Bengals have received since the program started in 1994.

The additional picks were determined by the NFL Management Council.

The Bengals currently have 10 total selections in the 2008 draft. Prior to the compensatory pick announcement the Bengals had one selection each in Rounds 1 through 6. The Bengals traded their original pick in round 7 to St. Louis in September for backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Compensatory picks are awarded by the League for net player losses in unrestricted free agency for the previous year. The formula for determining additional picks involves player movement, salary, playing time and post-season honors.

In 2007, the Bengals lost these free agents: safety Kevin Kaesviharn (Saints; guard Eric Steinbach, Browns; tight end Tony Stewart, Raiders; wide receiver Kelley Washington, Patriots; and quarterback Anthony Wright, Giants. The Bengals gained defensive tackle Michael Myers, formerly of the Broncos.

The Bengals already had six original picks, including the No. 9 overall. They traded a seventh-round pick to St. Louis in September for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Bengals expect to spread their picks among many positions, and they think that tight end, running back and offensive tackle are especially strong positions in the 2008 class.

Still, their greatest needs remain on defense, especially at tackle, where attempts early in the free agency period in March to trade with the Lions for Shaun Rogers and Jets for Dewayne Robertson didn’t pan out. The Bengals backed out of the deal for Robertson – though they had agreed to terms on a new five-year contract – because of the health of the former Kentucky star’s knees.

The Bengals, who opened the 2007 with a marquee Monday night game on opening weekend, will not have a prime-time game on the first week this season.

The NFL earlier this afternoon announced the remaining three games of its national TV schedule for opening weekend, which starts with Washington at the Giants on Thursday night, Sept. 4. Kickoff is 7 p.m. The Sunday night game, also on NBC, will be Chicago at Indianapolis at 8:15 p.m. The Monday night double-header on ESPN will be Minnesota at Green Bay (7 p.m.) and Denver at Oakland (10:15 p.m.) in the late game.

During his news conference, Goodell was asked about Thurman’s status.

"I haven't gotten any update in a couple of weeks," Goodell said when asked about Thurman. "He is going through the (offseason strength) program. I am encouraged."

Goodell denied Thurman’s application in July, which was a surprise to the Bengals who expected to have him back.

"It was the rules he came back under," Brown said of Thurman. "And as far as we know he is adhering to the restrictions, and if he keeps at it, he’ll be restored to the roster. And that’s what our goal is."

Bengals' 10 draft picks

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The NFL draft is April 26 and 27.

The NFL announced the awarding of four compensatory picks today to the Bengals.

Original picks can be traded. Compensatory picks can not.

The team's 10 picks:

Round / Round pick / Overall pick / Type
1 / 9 / 9 / Original
2 / 15 / 46 / Original
3 / 14 / 77 / Original
3 / 34 / 97 / Compensatory
4 / 13 / 112 / Original
5 / 12 / 145 / Original
6 / 11 / 177 / Original
6 / 41 / 207 / Compensatory
7 / 37 / 244 / Compensatory
7 / 39 / 246 / Compensatory

The Bengals traded their original seventh round pick, the 10th pick of the seventh round and 217th overall, to St. Louis in September in exchange for backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Bengals get four compensatory picks

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Bengals, as expected, gained four additional draft picks -- compensation for free agents lost in 2007 -- in the draft late next month.

The Bengals were awarded with the 97th overall pick, the 34th of the third round. They also will have an additional sixth-round pick (No. 207 overall) and two more in the seventh round (Nos. 244 and 246 overall).

The additional picks were determined by the NFL Management Council.

In 2007, the Bengals lost these free agents: safety Kevin Kaesviharn (Saints), guard Eric Steinbach (Browns), tight end Tony Stewart (Raiders), wide receiver Kelley Washington (Patriots) and quarterback Anthony Wright (Giants). They gained defensive tackle Michael Myers (Broncos).

The Bengals already had six original picks, including the No. 9 overall. They traded a seventh-round pick to St. Louis in September for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Bengals not given prime-time opener

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Bengals, who opened the 2007 with a marquee Monday night game on opening weekend, will not have a prime-time game this season on opening weekend.

The NFL announced the remaining three games of its national TV schedule for opening weekend, which starts with Washington at the Giants on Thursday night, Sept. 4.

The Sunday night game, also on NBC, will be Chicago at Indianapolis. The Monday night double-header on ESPN will be Minnesota at Green Bay and Denver at Oakland in the late game.

Also, at a 1 p.m. news conference, NFL Commissioner said suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman remains on a timetable of learning "prior to training camp" whether he will be re-instated from a two-year league suspension for violating its substance abuse policy.

"I haven't gotten any update in a couple of weeks," Goodell said when asked about Thurman. "He is going through the (offseason strength) program. I am encouraged."

Football, real life, real heroes, and music

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- It's the hurry-up-and-wait mode here at the NFL annual meetings, standing outside conference rooms and waiting for Bengals' and other team and league executives to come out and talk about what was discussed behind closed doors.

Item 1: Here, from the land of the rich and often self-important, where I am part of the machinery that creates and promotes many false heroes, I want to add my voice to all of those back home in Greater Cincinnati in sending my best wishes to the family of Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, a true hero. Godspeed. The family learned Sunday that his remains had been identified. He was captured in an ambush of his fuel convoy April 9, 2004, and had been listed as missing in action.

I have a close friend with a second son headed this week to Iraq. The stress and worry are constant in military families.

Item 2: Speaking of heroes, rest in peace, G. Edward Wetterer, 83, who served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Burma. Mr. Wetterer, most recently of Milford, died Wednesday night. Condolences to his family, especially his widow and three children. I thought many times during the past week of my own father, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from World War II, who saw combat in the Marshall Islands and died five years ago.

Item 3: It's tough to move on from the first two items, but here goes. I've been asked what I would do if I were picking for the Bengals in the draft.

I'd trade up to get Southern California's Sedrick Ellis, if they think he's not going to be there at No. 9, filling a glaring need at defensive tackle. Ellis would help make the players around him better. The Bengals can't trade any of the compensatory picks they are going to receive (we should learn those today), three or four total, including one as high as the third round, but they showed in willingness to move a couple of their original picks to Detroit and the Jets in attempts to trade for defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson.

In Round 2, I get more defense, or an offensive lineman. Stay away from the sexy, offensive "skilled" positions in the first two rounds. I was critical of using the second-round pick last year on tailback Kenny Irons and would be critical again this year if either of the top two picks go to offense. In Round 3, maybe you look for a wide receiver to develop but that can contribute immediately as a kickoff or punt returner.

The Bengals have their original six picks (they traded one last September to St. Louis for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick) and could get three or four more from the league to compensate for free agent losses in 2007.

Item 4: I'm coming back, once in a while, to music on this blog (some readers actually asked for it). What I'm listening to now: Gary Louris' "Vagabonds," Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky" and Springsteen's "Magic."

Item 5: Speaking of Springsteen, I've got a lot of faults as a parent, but I had confirmation that I'm doing at least something right. I took a friend and my three children -- sons 18 and 16, and daughter 10 -- to Springsteen's show downtown March 22. It was a Christmas gift. I looked over and saw Emma singing along to "The Promised Land" and "Long Walk Home," two songs she hears a lot with her dad.

AFC North notes from league office

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- AFC North team notes released this morning by the NFL public relations staff:

BALTIMORE: JOHN HARBAUGH, the third head coach in franchise history, will usher in a new era in Baltimore in 2008. Harbaugh has brought on board CAM CAMERON as offensive coordinator and longtime Ravens assistant REX RYAN returns as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. “There are three qualities we wanted from each coach we hired,” says Harbaugh. “First, good people with great character; second, outstanding teachers; and third, football expertise. I believe we got all three qualities with each coach." ... Cornerback SAMARI ROLLE teamed with ALAN FANECA of the Jets and GEOFFREY POPE of the Giants to participate in the 2008 National Walk for Epilepsy this past weekend in Washington, D.C. The walk is designed to support the Epilepsy Foundation, which is the national organization leading the fight against the illness.


CINCINNATI: Tight end NATE LAWRIE and safety CHINEDUM NDUKWE took part in the 2008 NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program this spring. Ndukwe, a second-year player from Notre Dame, values the program, which prepares NFLers for their post-playing business careers. "This is a great opportunity that the NFL provides," he says. "It is basically free education from top professors -- something that other people pay a lot of money to get. I have a strong interest in business and business strategy, and we examined a lot of things, like case studies, that should help me a great deal." ... The Bengals signed UFA defensive end ANTWAN ODOM from Tennessee to help bolster their pass rush and run defense in new defensive coordinator MIKE ZIMMER’s schemes.


CLEVELAND: Finishing last season with a 10-6 record and falling short of a playoff appearance, the Browns have been movers and shakers this offseason. Their first order of business was re-signing head coach ROMEO CRENNEL, who is now under contract through 2011. On the player front, Cleveland acquired two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle SHAUN ROGERS from Detroit and DT COREY WILLIAMS from Green Bay, both via trade. ... Cleveland also added UFA wide receiver DONTE’ STALLWORTH and re-signed Pro Bowl quarterback DEREK ANDERSON through 2010.


PITTSBURGH: Head coach MIKE TOMLIN will be the keynote speaker on May 11 at the commencement ceremonies at the College of William and Mary, his alma mater. Tomlin was a three-year starter at wide receiver and set the school record for yards per catch (20.2 avg.) in a season. ... Coming off his first Pro Bowl season and a career-high 32 touchdown passes, the Steelers have rewarded quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER with a new contract. “I am really happy to know that I will be wearing a Steelers uniform for the foreseeable future because my intention all along was to stay in Pittsburgh,” says the 26-year-old signal-caller. “We have the greatest organization and fan support in the NFL and I’m looking forward to winning more Super Bowl titles that we can celebrate together."

Big hairy deal

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- One of the most frivolous items on the agenda for the NFL meeting this week is getting the most attention.

It is the Kansas City Chiefs’ proposal to prohibit players’ hair from obstructing their nameplate of jersey number.

Kansas City will present the proposal Tuesday morning. Player safety is believed to be a part of the proposal.

“I know we got into the whole issue many years ago, when we went through the skull cap vs. bandanna, and I don’t remember safety playing into that, but I think this (proposal) is different,” said Falcons president Rich McKay, co-chair of the competition committee.

“I don’t want to speak for them, but I don’t think they’re intending for someone to cut their hair.”

Several NFL players, including an increasing number of Samoans who celebrate their heritage, wear their hair long and flowing from beneath their helmets.

Bengals defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene and Domata Peko, like Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, have Samoan roots.

Peko’s bushy mane does cover his nameplate and partially obstructs his No. 94.

"I’m going to do whatever they want,” Peko said tonight. “But it will be a disappointment to me and other Samoan players. It is part of our culture."

Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh has worn a pony tail while on the field.
The competition committee has discussed hair previously.

"There was this concern, were you allowed to tackle them?” McKay said. “And we said yes. You can’t have a guy who grabs up there and gets a penalty because he grabs hair."

QUESTION: What do you think of the hair issue? Much ado about nothing? A good idea?

Elsewhere on the agenda for the league meeting, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will make his annual report to the 32 teams at 9 Monday morning.

Three executive sessions, with two members of each organization in attendance, will be held Monday, as well.

A proposal to re-seed teams for the playoffs, though interesting, doesn’t seem likely to pass. The four division winners in each the American and National conference get home games. The proposal, designed to give teams more to play for late in the season, would give just two division winners with the top records the automatic home games. Seeds 3-6 would be awarded to the teams with the best records, possibly giving a wildcard team a home game.

League meeting agenda

By Mark Curnutte
mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Aside from discussion among NFL owners about potential problems with their labor contract and possible need for more revenue sharing, ownership will address a number of proposals and plans next week at the annual meeting.

The annual meeting officially opens Monday in Palm Beach, Fla.

Atlanta Falcons president Rick McKay, co-chairman of the NFL’s competitive committee, talked this afternoon on a conference call about the state of the game and proposals for rules changes that will be presented to ownership.

One of the most time-sensitive bylaw proposals is to change seeding for playoffs, McKay said. Each of the four division winners in each conference would earn postseason berths, but only the two division winners in each conference with the best records would get automatic home games. The division winners with the lower two records, plus the two wildcard teams, would compete for the third through sixth seeds based on record.

The goal would be to "motivate coaches to have more games that matter," McKay said. The league wants to avoid the situation in the Tennessee-at-Indianapolis game on Sunday night, Dec. 30, in which the Colts rested their regulars because they were already locked into a seed. The Titans won and eliminated Cleveland from contention.

In the area of on-field rules, owners will vote on competition committee proposals to eliminate the force-out of a receiver, similar to the college game; it was called 15 times last season. And a force-out only would be called if a defender picked up an offensive player and carried him out of bounds.

The committee is proposing to include field goals in instant replay review, give teams the option of deferring to receive the ball in the second half on the coin toss and eliminate the 5-yard minor face mask penalty, covering all facemask violations – twisting, turning or pulling – with a 15-yard penalty.

The competition committee has eight members, who include Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, as well as a coaches’ subcommittee chaired by Colts coach Tony Dungy. Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher is the co-chairman of the committee, which meets to study the game and propose rules changes to ownership.

The committee is proposing to create a second defensive player with a communication device in his helmet, but he could not be on the field at the same time as the other defender with the communication device in his helmet. The goal is to create a competitive balance with the offense, whose quarterback as a communication device in his helmet. At this time, no defender may wear a communication device.

The committee wants to create a five- to seven-day dead period before the start of veteran free agency during which certified agents can negotiate but not sign contracts for their clients. There would be no player visit or contact allowed with prospective new teams. The Kansas City Chiefs, among others, have complained that other teams have had contact with prospective free agents prior to the signing period.

And, as a follow-up to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's memo from earlier this month, the league wants to establish an auditing process of each team – on which a senior official with the team would sign off – that the team is following league rules and guidelines. The memo and potential action result from the "Spygate" issue in which the New England Patriots illegally video-taped the New York Jets sideline in the first half of the 2007 opening and had to forfeit their first-round draft choice.

The goal is to protect the integrity and fair competition of the game, said Ray Anderson, a league vice president.

The competition committee also studied results of the past season, McKay said.

In 2007:

-- The NFC and AFC each won 32 inter-conference games;

-- Points per game reached 43.4, the highest since 1983;

-- Yards per game reached 650.4, 10th most in league history;

-- There were 428 passing yards per game, 4.85 touchdowns per game, 13.45 penalties per game, and the average time of the game was three hours, two minutes and 59 seconds.

Lewis on NFL TV: Chad a Bengal

A transcript of an interview Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis did Monday on NFL Network, the league's in-house TV channel:

(Host) Rich Eisen: Last week, Chad Johnson was a guest of our program and once again making it well known that he feels unappreciated in Cincinnati and wants to go somewhere else. It appears from the outside that differences seem irreconcilable – how is it from the inside?

Marvin Lewis: There really are no differences because if Chad wants the opportunity to play professional football, this is his opportunity right now to play here in Cincinnati. Despite his feelings and whatever he says when he comes on your show, he doesn’t have a choice in the matter. He signed a contract, which is a very long-term contract, he’s been very well compensated since 2003 under two different contract since then. So that’s the case right now. He’s got an opportunity to play professional football here or do what he says he’s thought about doing, which is sit out and that’s fine. Our football team will move on and be ready to go just as we would if someone got injured. You talk to your team all the time about being one play from being injured and without a certain player and if that the case, we’ll be fine and move on.

(Co-host) Solomon Wilcots: We’d heard Chad linked to a number of teams, at least that he’s talked about, from the Miami Dolphins to the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys…

Lewis: He’s linking himself, because that would be tampering.

Wilcots: But from the Bengals’ perspective are you willing to part (with Johnson), would you listen to other teams’ if they were interested in Chad?

Lewis: No, we are not going to trade Chad Johnson as I’ve said. We’re not going to trade Chad, I’ve made it clear and our owner has made it clear. Like I said earlier, if he’s going to play professional football, he’s going to do it in Cincinnati.

Eisen: He’s been dancing around the concept that he’s unappreciated there in Cincinnati and that he feels as if he’s been treated like a cancer of the team. Where would he get that idea from?

Lewis: I don’t know. I can’t take the heat on both sides of the coin here, because at some point last year people said I don’t do a very good job and I enable Chad, so I can’t be on one side with him, then on the other side with him. I coach Chad, I love Chad as a player and as a person and want the very best things for Chad.

Eisen: So coach, what is the issue that you’re facing right now?

Lewis: There really is no issue, Rich. There’s two choices. I think Kobe Bryant went through a little of this in the offseason. The Lakers said you’re going to be a Laker and he said, well let’s play and let’s go to the playoffs. Kobe has led his team to the playoffs and I think that’s what Chad has an opportunity to do. To stay on the positive and get things right. If indeed the things that he says and tells people that I hear and read about going to the playoffs and winning a playoff game, those are right in line with our goals. So he needs to do his part, put the team on his back and go to work.

Palmer: Not thinking about Chad

Today, at the Bengals' offseason strength and conditioning program, which started this morning, quarterback Carson Palmer was asked about wide receiver Chad Johnson's ongoing negative comments about his situation with the Bengals and his absence from the workouts.

Is it a distraction?

"Not for me," Palmer said. "I’ve seen some of the things but really haven’t paid too much attention to it. I’ve just been preparing to get in shape and return to get back out here and get to work."

Is there a fear that as the situation extends toward training camp and the season it could become truly negative?

"To be honest, I’m not going to get too involved in it. I know the guys that are here are working their butts off and working for a spot. Whoever is going to play X, or the weak-side receiver, is getting ready to start because you don't really know the difference whether he's going to be here or not. I'm not worried. We’ve got a good group of guys, some mature guys, some veteran guys that won’t let any off the field distractions get in the way of what needs to be done, all of the work that's going on right now."

WR Holt, LBs Mays, Jeanty re-sign

The Bengals this morning announced they have signed three exclusive rights free agents -- linebackers Corey Mays and Rashad Jeanty and wide receiver Glenn Holt -- to one-year contracts.

The Bengals later today waived second-year cornerback Brandon Williams, who spent last season on the injured reserve list after sustaining a shoulder injury in preseason.

On Feb. 28, the Bengals made tender offers for the one-year contracts to the three players.

The tenders are for the one-year minimum of $445,000 for players with two credited seasons. Their contracts had expired, but they did not have enough credited seasons to gain free agency.

-- Holt played in every game last season and had 16 receptions for 143 yards with one touchdown. He was the team's primary kickoff returner, and his 24.3-yard avg. on 59 returns included a 100-yarder for a touchdown at Buffalo.

-- Jeanty was the club's first-team strong-side linebacker last season, but he was limited by injuries to 10 games with seven starts. He started seven of the last eight games and finished with 34 tackles, and he tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries.

-- Mays played in 11 games last season after being acquired on waivers from New England. He ranked second on the team in special teams tackles (15), with a forced fumble on special teams, and he had nine tackles on defense.

Official: Utecht a Bengal

By Mark Curnutte
mcurnutte@enquirer.com

The Bengals this morning announced that tight end Ben Utecht is now theirs.

The NFL informed the Bengals this morning that the Indianapolis Colts decided not to match the Bengals' offer sheet for Utecht, who had been a restricted free agent.

On March 14, the Bengals signed Utecht to a three-year, $9 million offer sheet as a restricted free agent.

Utecht, speaking from by phone from the Twin Cities, told The Enquirer that he already had talked this morning to Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis.

"The emotional roller coaster, the last few weeks, is over," Utecht said. "It's finally good to be graduated and know where I'll be."

Utecht has plans to visit his parents over the Easter weekend and won't be attending the opening of the Bengals offseason strength and conditioning program Monday.

"I was on the Colts' schedule, and they don’t start until March 31,” Utecht said. "Coach Lewis understood."

Indianapolis, which had signed Utecht as a college free agent in 2004 – he was injured and missed all of that season – had extended him a one-year, $927,000 qualifying offer as a restricted free agent.

The tender guaranteed Utecht that one-year salary and gave the Colts seven days to decide whether to match an offer sheet Utecht might sign with another team. The Colts will not receive any draft-pick compensation from the Bengals because Utecht was not a drafted player.

Utecht had 31 receptions for 364 yards (11.7-yard average) and one touchdown in 2007.

Career, he has 71 receptions and an 11.3-yard average with three touchdowns; 41 of his career receptions have resulted in first downs. His goal, Utecht said, was to play in the Bengals offense with quarterback Carson Palmer.

Utecht also visited the Jets. With the Colts, he played behind Dallas Clark.

With the Bengals, Utecht would provide a pass-receiving threat at tight end, complementing blocking-oriented starter Reggie Kelly.

The Bengals have two other tight ends under contract, Daniel Coats and Nate Lawrie.

The Bengals obviously have big plans for Utecht. He is being paid roughly the same contract that Kelly signed last March as an unrestricted free agent to stay with the Bengals, $9 million over three years.

Last month, in an interview with The Enquirer, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said the team was interested in finally drafting a receiving-oriented tight end. Now, with the additional of

Utecht, they don’t have to.

In 2007, Bengals tight ends combined for 32 receptions (Kelly, 20; Coats, 12) and no touchdowns.

Utecht, at 6 feet, 6 inches, 251 pounds, runs well and can stretch the middle of the field.

He was a wide receiver in high school and wants to add a run-after-the-catch threat to the Bengals offense.

"I want to help take some pressure off the outside guys (wide receivers)," he said. "I'm excited to be moving onto Cincinnati."

Utecht a Bengal

The Indianapolis Colts intend to let the midnight deadline pass silently, which means restricted tight end Ben Utecht is a Bengal.

The Colts had seven days to match the Bengals' three-year, $9 million offer sheet for Utecht that he signed March 14.

Utecht, who played college ball at the University of Minnesota, will give the Bengals a receiving-oriented tight end for the first time since Marvin Lewis became coach in 2003. Utecht is expected to split time with Reggie Kelly, who is entering the second year of a three-year contract that is essentially worth the same amount as Utecht's new deal.

Silent treatment?

The Bengals, team spokesman Jack Brennan said this morning, might not even get official word from the Colts on whether they plan to match the Bengals' offer sheet for restricted free agent tight end Ben Utecht.

The midnight deadline could pass silently, at which point Utecht's offer sheet with the Bengals becomes his contract with the Bengals. It is for three years and $9 million.

But the Colts also could pick up the phone and call the Bengals to notify them of their decision.

The Bengals' offices will close at noon today in observance of Good Friday.

LB Johnson signs one-year contract

Linebacker Brandon Johnson, a former backup with the Arizona Cardinals, has signed a one-year contract with the Bengals, the club announced this afternoon.

Johnson, who is 6 feet, 5 inches and 224 pounds, played college ball at Louisville. He is a third-year NFL player in 2008. He was a fifth-round draft choice of Arizona in 2006 and played the last two seasons for the Cardinals, seeing action in nine games. He has eight career special teams tackles, including six last season, when he saw action in six games.

Johnson’s Arizona contract expired after the 2007 season, and he became a free agent when the signing period began on Feb. 29 with the Cardinals not having made him a tender offer.

He is the second Arizona backup linebacker to sign with the Bengals this month, joining Darryl Blackstock.

Andrews signs tender contract

The Bengals today signed guard/tackle Stacy Andrews, who was designated last month as the team's franchise player.

Andrews is a fifth-year NFL player in 2008. He exercised his option to sign a one-year contract for a salary equal to the average of the top five offensive linemen in the NFL in 2007. Andrews' one-year tender is $7.455 million. He is now under contract for the 2008 season.

"We're happy Stacy is signed in advance of our offseason work," head coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement, "and this does not preclude our continuing to talk to Stacy and his representatives about reaching a longer-term agreement."

Andrews played in every game last season with 14 starts. He started Games 1-3 at left guard, and later replaced injured Pro Bowler Willie Anderson at right tackle, starting there in Games 5 and 7-16. He was a key contributor to the team’s record-low total of 17 sacks allowed. The Bengals ranked second in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed, just one off the pace of league leader New Orleans.

Chad will not be at team workouts

By Mark Curnutte
mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Chad Johnson’s offseason of discontent could be headed for its first showdown Monday with the Bengals.

And the Bengals wide receiver, in a series of Los Angeles-based television appearances today, said he would not participate in the team’s offseason strength and conditioning program beginning Monday.

"I will not be there," he said during a late afternoon stop at Current TV and Current.com. "There are a lot of issues that need to be dealt with. Nothing has changed."

The Bengals will begin their offseason strength and conditioning program at Paul Brown Stadium. It is not mandatory, though Johnson – who has been a regular attendee every year since drafted by the Bengals in 2001 – can earn a $250,000 workout bonus by participating.

"The sessions are voluntary," Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan said when reached for reaction to Johnson's comments.

"I don’t have any further comment at this time," Drew Rosenhaus, Johnson’s agent, said in text message today to The Enquirer when asked if Johnson would be at the stadium Monday.

Johnson might have dropped a hint about what he intends to do, when he said this morning in an interview on ESPN2, "You know, my offseason for football hasn't started yet. I haven’t started training yet. I am still somewhat enjoying the offseason. You know, I don’t start working out on my own until April."

Largely quiet since the week before the Super Bowl, Johnson appeared Tuesday on ESPN2's "First Take."

Johnson has not spoken to the Cincinnati-based media since October.

Asked several times by “First Take” host Jay Crawford on ESPN2 as to where he might be playing next season, Johnson said, "You know what? I want to continue my career wherever I have an opportunity at winning a playoff game and getting to a Super Bowl. That’s where I want to be."

Then asked if the Bengals were that team, Johnson said, "I’m not sure. I have no idea. … I haven’t made a decision on anything of that nature."

So no idea of where he would like to play in 2008?

"I don’t know," he said. "I am undecided."

Still, the venom of national broadcast and radio interviews in January and February was gone in Johnson's tone. He had said then that he wanted to play somewhere else and said he was unfairly targeted as the primary reason the team struggled to a 7-9 finish, its first sub-.500 season since 2002.

Johnson said he has not spoken to Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis or anyone else in the organization since the end of the season.

Earlier this month, former Bengals defensive lineman Shaun Smith -- during an appearance at a Cleveland Browns Backers meeting in Maryland -- said Johnson punched Lewis at halftime of the Bengals wildcard playoff loss in January 2006.

"It was an incident that did happen," Johnson said on ESPN2. "Of course there were no punches thrown or anything of that nature. I would have been released. I would have been cut, you know, right away.

"I was unhappy about the first half, the way we were playing. We were winning at the time, so I was out of place with my frustration, really, about not being able to held with what we were doing offensively. That was it. Coach Lewis … had to restrain me. (Former Bengals wide receivers coach) Hue Jackson had to restrain me. And that was as far as it went."

No punches?

"Man, please, be for real. No."

Johnson's appearance was designed to promote his role in an Internet drama called "The Rookie," in which he plays a character named Agent Ocho.

"I have always really wanted to act," he said. "It is something I really love besides football and soccer. I am really, really putting my energy into it, and I am starting in these short, short films. … I am a surveillance expert in this one. There are six webisodes, and I am in Webisodes 3 and 4. It is very funny seeing me out of football."

Web site: http://www.fox.com/24/degreerookie/index.htm

Agent: Bengals will sign linebacker

Agent Jason Chayut has confirmed the pending contract that former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Brandon Johnson will sign with the Bengals.

The Bengals had no information to release today and were not expected to make any annoucement regarding Johnson. The Bengals also have not received word yet from the Colts on whether they have matched the Bengals' offer sheet for Ben Utecht, a restricted free agent tight end. The Bengals signed him to a three-year, $9 million offer sheet Friday; it is the same money the Bengals pay starting tight end Reggie Kelly, who re-signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2007.

WR Tab Perry to Miami

Wide receiver Tab Perry, who played his first three seasons for the Bengals, has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, agent Peter Schaffer said this afternoon.

The Bengals did not extend a qualifying offer to Perry as a restricted free agent by the Feb. 28 deadline, releasing him to free agency. The Bengals did not want to give Perry -- who played in only four games the past two seasons combined because of a recurring hip injury -- a one-year tender of $927,000. They had hoped to do a multi-year deal at a lower annual salary.

"This is not anything anti-Bengal," Schaffer said of Perry's decision. "A one-year deal in Miami is a better situation for Tab.

"He's enjoyed playing for the Bengals and appreciates them drafting him and giving him the opportunity to play in the NFL. He has made life-long friends in Cincinnati."

Perry was a sixth-round pick from UCLA in 2005. After an impressive rookie season on special teams as the primary kickoff return man and in kick coverage, he sustained the hip injury at the end of the second game of 2006. It has affected him since. Perry's camp said he is 100 percent healthy.

Utecht signs offer sheet with Bengals

By Mark Curnutte
mcurnutte@enquirer.com

The Bengals today signed Colts tight end Ben Utecht to an offer sheet as a restricted free agent.

It is for a multi-year contract. Agent Chris Murray would not reveal the dollar amount. But there's another step in the process before Utecht would be a Bengal.

Indianapolis gave him a $927,000 one-year qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, which gives them one week to decide whether to match the offer sheet.

Utecht had 31 receptions for 364 yards (11.7-yard average) and one touchdown in 2007.

Career, he has 71 receptions and an 11.3-yard average with three touchdowns; 41 of his career receptions have resulted in first downs.

"We're very excited about it," Murray said of the Bengals' offer sheet. "It's what we consider above market for where he’s at. He has the potential to be a Dallas Clark-type player for Carson Palmer."

Clark is the Colts’ starting tight end and one of quarterback Peyton Manning’s favorite receivers.

With the Bengals, Utecht would provide a pass-receiving threat at tight end, complementing blocking-oriented starter Reggie Kelly.

The Bengals have two other tight ends under contract, Daniel Coats and Nate Lawrie.

Last month, in an interview with The Enquirer, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said the team was interested in finally drafting a receiving-oriented tight end. If the Colts chose not to match, the Bengals would not have to invest a draft pick in a tight end.

In 2007, Bengals tight ends combined for 32 receptions (Kelly, 20; Coats, 12) and no touchdowns.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who tied for the NFL lead with 112 receptions, often ran routes similar to what many tight ends perform – short and over the middle.

The Colts already have received official documents of the Bengals' offer sheet for Utecht, Murray said.

Bengals close on TE Utecht

The Bengals appear to be closing in on an offer sheet with Colts retricted free agent Ben Utecht. Once he would sign the sheet with the Bengals, Indianapolis would have one week to decide whether to match.

Bengals officially sign Blackstock

Linebacker Darryl Blackstock has signed a one-year contract with the Bengals, the team announced this morning.

It is a one-year minimum of $520,000 for a player with three credited seasons. Blackstock, who played his first three seasons with Arizona, also received $40,000 to sign.

He is expected to added an experienced player to special teams and compete for snaps on defense, especially as a pass rusher. He had three sacks in only four games playing defense last season for the Cardinals.

S Wilson close with Tampa Bay

The St. Petersburg Times reports that unrestricted free agent safety Eugene Wilson, most recently of the Patriots, is close to a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bengals had expressed some interest in Wilson but might have been concerned about Wilson's injury history the past two seasons.

Two weeks into veteran free agency, the Bengals now appear to be focused on trying to bring back wide receiver Tab Perry, to whom they did not extend a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, thus releasing him into free agency. Perry has drawn significant interest from Miami, Baltimore and Green Bay, as well. Perry has played in just four games in the past two years because of a recurring hip injury.

In addition, the Bengals are very interested in possibly signing Colts tight end Ben Utecht to an offer sheet. He is a restricted free agent -- three credited seasons but unsigned. The Colts gave him a $967,000 one-year qualifying offer as a restricted free agency, which gives them one week to decide whether to match an offer sheet Utecht might sign with another team.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis had said last month that the team was interested in adding a receiving-oriented tight end to the mix with starting tight end Reggie Kelly, who is more of a blocker.

Bonuses for Ndukwe, Jones

Two Bengals players have earned additional money for their performances in 2007.

Linebacker Dhani Jones earned an additional $207,000, and rookie safety Chinedum Ndukwe $191,000, in performance-based pay.

They are bonuses paid as part of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. The CBA creates an additional fund out of which players can be paid additional compensation based on a comparison of playing time to salary.

Jones signed as a street free agent in September and ended up playing in 14 games. He started nine games and was second on the defense with 111 total tackles. He had one sack and two forced fumble on defense. He also had seven total tackles in the kicking game and was voted by teammates as special teams captain.

Ndukwe, a seventh-round draft pick, played in 14 games with two starts. He had 35 total tackles on defense, including two sacks, and interecepted three passes and forced one fumble. He recovered one fumble and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown in Game 16 at Miami. He added nine tackles on special teams.

Jones re-signed, for three years, with the Bengals this month. He has the inside track to start at weak-side linebacker. Ndukwe and fellow 2007 draft pick, Marvin White, are being counted on -- if not to start -- to play significant snaps at safety in 2008. The Bengals are enthused by their potential and want to provide both White and Ndukwe ample opportunity to win starting jobs in their second seasons.

Bengals re-sign LB Manning

The Bengals today re-signed linebacker Roy Manning to a one-year contract. He had been waived Feb. 11 and released to free agency. He played in five games with seven tackles on special teams with the Bengals in 2007. The Bengals acquired Manning off waivers Nov. 13.

Manning has played in 21 NFL games (with two starts), 15 of those as a rookie in 2005 with the Green Bay Packers, who originally signed him as a college free agent. In 2006, he played in one game for Houston and finished the year on the Buffalo roster. He was with Jacksonville briefly in the 2007 regular season (inactive for one game) before the Bengals acquired him on waivers. His career statistics include 20 tackles on defense and 21 tackles on special teams.

Manning will be a fourth-year player in 2008.

Also, the Bengals have agreed on a one-year contract with linebacker Darryl Blackstock, but the contract has not been signed. It is a one-year deal for the $520,000 minimum for a player with three credited seasons, plus a $40,000 signing bonus. The agreement was in place Monday. He has been in Arizona, and the deal was being signed through the mail, according to his agent.

Reader tip on Purdue TE

One of this blog's readers pointed out (thank you) that NFL.com also listed that Bengals coaches were in attendance at Purdue's pro day. Specifically, tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes was there to watch tight end Dustin Keller.

Keller, at 6-2, 248 pounds, had 56 receptions for 771 yards and four touchdowns last season. He had a strong showing at the combine, another in a line of productive postseason workouts. Scouts say Keller needs to vastly improve as a blocker and projects as a situational H-back in the pros.

Purdue had four players at the combine: Keller, defensive end Cliff Avril, wide receiver Dorien Bryant and linebacker Stanford Kegler. Keglar had a great combine workout, after he trained for eight weeks at Ignition in Mason under the eye of trainer Clif Marshall. Marshall has worked with the Bengals, and he's a likely source of additional information for them about Keglar.

Bengals do not need Alexander

Two quick topics:

1. Reports out of the Seattle area suggest the Seahawks are close to releasing running back Shaun Alexander, the 2005 league MVP and former Boone County High School star who grew up a Bengals fans in Northern Kentucky.

The emotional response of some fans would be for the Bengals to sign him if Seattle cuts him loose.

Don't.

Marvin Lewis spent most of the 2007 season telling reporters that the problems with the running game weren't the running backs. The offensive backfield already is crowded, and the Bengals are counting on two of the following three tailbacks -- Rudi Johnson, Chris Perry and Kenny Irons, most likely the former two -- to come back from injuries and perform well in 2008.

They've got steady Kenny Watson, one of the league's ultimate team players who makes the most of every chance. And DeDe Dorsey made a big play every time he touched the ball in 2007.

Then Lewis has said the team might draft a running back from the deep talent pool, possibly in the middle rounds.

Invest in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Bengals can't go wrong with offensive and defensive linemen.

Run the ball. Continue to protect Carson Palmer. Stop the run. Rush the passer.

2. It's impossible to keep up with the travels of Bengals assistant coaches and scouts to on-campus pro day workouts; the Bengals don't provide information and are secretive about all draft-related elements, including keeping non-employees out of their draft room. Their prerogative, of course.

But NFL.com listed that Bengals tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes was at Texas A&M's pro day to watch tight end Martellus Bennett, a projected second- to third-round pick who had 38 receptions for 538 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Lewis has said 2008 might be the year, at last, the Bengals draft a receiving-oriented tight end and teach him to block in the NFL.

Odds and ends (and two questions)

1. The Bengals do not expect to have the contract completed today for linebacker Darryl Blackstock. He is still in Arizona.

2. If I were a Bengals fan, I'd like the acquisition of Blackstock. You can't have enough special teams players, and he has upside as a pass rusher. And the price is right: The one-year minimum for a player with three credited seasons, $520,000, and only a $40,000 signing bonus. It's a no-risk proposition.

3. I might be wrong, but I get the sense the Bengals won't make a serious effort to sign linebacker Takeo Spikes, released last week by the Eagles. He's an 11th-year player. The deal with Blackstock might be a sign that Spikes won't be making a homecoming. The Bengals have a lot of linebackers: Ahmad Brooks, Dhani Jones, Rashad Jeanty, Eric Henderson, Anthony Schlegel, Corey Mays, Jim Maxwell and, if he is re-instated, Odell Thurman. And, given how the draft might unfold, the best player available at No. 9 could be Southern California linebacker Keith Rivers.

4. If I were a Bengals fan, I would be nervous about the defense. Still. Debate the effectiveness of end Justin Smith and linebacker Landon Johnson, but they were on the field all the time and made a lot of tackles. That said, if the Bengals are blowing up the defense and kind of starting all over again, that makes sense, too. It's an "until-proven-otherwise" situation.

5. You never want to reach at a position to fill a need in the draft, but the Bengals need a space-eating, hard-to-move defensive tackle. I think about packaging original picks and moving up to get Sedrick Ellis. He was impressive to speak with at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

6. I wish David Pollack nothing but the best, regardless of what he decides -- whether to attempt a comeback or retire as a football player -- but I don't know how he can play again. And there is no guarantee he'll be good enough as a defensive end to contribute. Pollack has a lot to offer in many areas outside of being a pro football player.

7. Question: Of these defensive ends in the draft, which one do you like the best: Phillip Merling of Clemson, Derrick Harvey of Florida or Kentwan Balmer (who also can play tackle) of North Carolina? Why?

8. If the Bengals stay at No. 9, and with a realistic view of which players are going to be gone in the first eight picks, who's your first-round Bengals draft choice?

Falcons sign C Stepanovich

Center Alex Stepanovich, whom the Bengals had no interest in re-signing, has signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons. He played in 12 games with four starts in place of the injured Eric Ghiaciuc in 2007. Dan Santucci was the only other center listed on the Bengals' year-end depth chart.

Agent Peter Schaffer said former Bengals wide receiver Tab Perry is in Green Bay visiting today but that "positive dialogue" continues on a possible contract with the Bengals.

LB Blackstock agrees with Bengals

The Bengals have agreed to terms on a one-year contract this afternoon with Cardinals restricted free agent linebacker Darryl Blackstock, agent Brad Blank said.

He was a 2005 third-round pick from the University of Virginia, but the Cardinals declined to give him a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, so the Cardinals are not entitled to match any offer he would receive and would not get draft-pick compensation from a new team.

Blackstock visited the Bengals on Thursday, the day after he was in Cleveland. Miami's interest waned.

Blackstock is 6 feet, 3 inches, 244 pounds, and he is listed as an outside linebacker. He has played in 46 games over three seasons with two starts. In 2007, he played in all 16 games for Arizona with no starts. He had 21 total tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble on defense.

He only played in four games on defense, Blank said. On special teams, Blackstock had 11 tackles and forced one fumble.

The deal is for the one-year minimum of $520,000 for a player with three credited seasons with a $40,000 signing bonus.

Jackson: Chad didn't hit Lewis

Former Bengals wide receivers coach Hue Jackson, now Baltimore's quarterbacks coach, was interviewed over the weekend on Sirius NFL Radio. The topic of former Bengal lineman Shaun Smith's comment came up: Smith, now with the Browns, told a meeting of Browns fans in Maryland that Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was involved in an altercation during halftime of the Bengals' playoff loss to the Steelers in January 2006.

"No, he's not accurate," Jackson said of Smith's comments. "I've heard about it, obviously; someone called me yesterday to mention it to me. And if Shaun did say that I'm a little surprised because, first, Shaun doesn't work in Cincinnati anymore. Shaun works for Cleveland, and I don't know how that would come back up again when it has been dead now for a couple of years.

" To shed light on it I'll say the same thing I said before. Chad Johnson never hit Marvin Lewis. Chad Johnson never hit me. Chad Johnson never put anybody in a headlock. Chad Johnson was very emotional at halftime of that game. The true story to all that was Chad had an IV in his arm and me, and him were talking about plans for the second half and he got emotional because he said, 'Hey, coach, without Carson (Palmer) I'm not going to be able to get the ball.'

"And that's what it was and I told him, `Well, then you need to tell (offensive coordinator) Coach (Bob) Bratkowski that.' And he ripped the IV out of his arm, and it's like anything else, you see blood coming out of a person's arm people think the worst. And he went from there to go into the locker room to let Coach Lewis know that, 'Hey, look, I want the ball.' And that was it. And when he opened the door he stumbled out of the training room so he was flailing and people think that he was swinging on people. Chad wasn't swinging on anybody. Chad would not hit Marvin Lewis, and Chad sure would not hit me. So that is not what happened and I'm very disappointed that now, even after two years, we have to discuss this again. But that is exactly what happened."

Bengals like LB Blackstock

Division rivals Cincinnati and Cleveland are in the hunt to sign Arizona outside linebacker Darryl Blackstock, a restricted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals, a source told The Enquirer late Friday night. He was a 2005 third-round pick from the University of Virginia, but the Cardinals declined to give him a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, so the Cardinals are not entitled to match any offer he would receive and would not get draft-pick compensation from a new team.

Blackstock visited the Bengals on Thursday, the day after he was in Cleveland, agent Brad Blank said this afternoon. Miami's interest has waned.

"The visit went very well," Blank said of his client's time in Cincinnati.

The Bengals lost starting linebacker Landon Johnson to the Carolina Panthers on Friday. Johnson agreed to terms on a three-year deal for $10 million.

Blackstock is 6 feet, 3 inches, 244 pounds, and he is listed as an outside linebacker. He has played in 46 games over three seasons with two starts. In 2007, he played in all 16 games for Arizona with no starts. He had 21 total tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble.

Miami also was interested, but Blackstock is most interested in the Bengals and Browns at this point.

Bengals public relations today confirmed a visit by former Colts and Bills defensive tackle Larry Tripplett.

Ex-Bengal Smith: Chad punched Lewis

During an appearance earlier this week at the Central Maryland Browns Backers meeting, Cleveland defensive lineman Shaun Smith -- a former Bengals backup and member of the 2005 AFC North Division champion Bengals -- said that wide receiver Chad Johnson punched head coach Marvin Lewis at halftime of the Bengals' 31-17 wildcard playoff loss Jan. 8, 2006 to the Steelers.

The video of Smith's talk on YouTube is no longer available. Reportedly, Smith called the event organizer and told him to remove it. A transcript that has circulated on the Internet:

"He swung on Marvin. (Johnson) shattered the training room glass. He swung on Marvin (and) hit Marvin in the eye. Then he tried to swing on wide receivers coach Hue Jackson, who’s now in Baltimore."

Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan said the club had no comment on the video.

These readers blame Bengals (and me)

Nobody seems to agree with the analysis I wrote for the Friday Enquirer about the trade of Shaun Rogers to the Bengals that was prohibited by the NFL.

I stand by the story.

A sampling of the e-mails that came directly to me:

-- You need to get off your Bengals cheerleading route for once and get to the bottom of a Bengals story with the analysis. If we're just gonna go ahead and keep letting some of that bengals management mess up all of this teams chances (like the recent Detroit trade deal) then nothing's ever gonna change. All I'm saying is that blaming the NFL for our (the bengals) mistakes isn't very insightful. -- Greg

-- What I want to know about this Shaun Rogers to Bengals trade botchment is why the Bengals could just let it all play out the way it did. I mean for one we should have had a contingency plan built into the agreement so we wouldn't get screwed the way we did and for two why couldn't we have just postponed the roster bonus payment and avoided all of the crap we got from the NFL? Seems like the Browns have got a bit of an edge on us in terms of management and player personnel because look at how easily they managed to capitilize on our botch. And yes, the Bengals did in fact botch this deal, Mark. -- Anthony

-- The only thing I don’t understand is how did the Browns manage to do the trade but the Bengals couldn’t? the only explanation I can see is that the Browns know what they’re doing and the Bengals are not only inept and don’t really care about winning. But they will make a tremendous profit this year. -- Barry

-- I just read the "Bonus made trade tricky" bengals analysis by Mark Curnutte and I've got to see it sounds like Mark has got a bit of an agenda here. I mean I can understand he wants to keep the Bengals overall in a good light, but when they mess up a huge deal like this there has got to be someone held accountable for the mess that ensues. I mean a lot of people are pretty ticked off about this whole Sean Rogers deal going bad and this article does nothing more than take the Bengals from fault at any means necessary when there really might be more to the story. Guess Mark might be dreaming of a career at the Bengals someday if you know what I mean. -- Paul

-- So it seems that you guys are just going to let the Bengals management right off the hook with this Rogers deal. I for one find it pretty ridiculous to start out an article with "the Bengals did not botch the almost-trade" when that is just about exactly what happened. If the Bengals were more prepared and aware that the leagues "language involving the roster bonus had no precedent in league salary-cap rules", then why wouldn't they cover their bases before proceeding with the attempted trade agreement? These Brown family members don't know their football and it is showing now more than ever. So why not bring the issues with Bengals management to the attention of your readers rather than just let the Bengals management off the hook from the get go? Let's keep the special interests of your writer and subjective reporting out of your newspaper. -- Rich

-- How are you going to say the bengals didn't botch up that shaun rogers trade? Now he's on his way to cleveland and our team got shafted! But instead of putting some much needed pressure on some bengals player personnel advisors we're just going to give them a free pass. I see. Well I just feel that someone messed this up on our end and they need to be held accountable, not the NFL. Those rules are set already and we need people at the bengals that know them like the back of their hand if we want to be successful both on and off the field in the NFL. -- John

Landon Johnson agrees with Carolina

Landon Johnson has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, agent Andy Simms told The Enquirer this morning. The Bengals did make an attempt to match the deal.

The deal is believed to be worth a little more than $3 million per season and a total of around $10 million.

Johnson visited Carolina in the past few days.

Johnson, the Bengals' second of two third-round draft picks in 2004, led the team in tackles three of the past four seasons. He played in all 64 regular games and the lone playoff game following the 2005 season. Johnson served as the personal protector on the punt team and called signals on that unit.

Johnson is the third starter from the 2007 Bengals defense to leave via free agency. Last Friday, starting free safety Madieu Williams signed a six-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. And on Saturday defensive end Justin Smith signed a $45 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Bengals did re-sign starting weak-side linebacker Dhani Jones earlier this week.

Johnson is in a position to challenge Na'il Diggs for the starting job at weak-side linebacker with the Panthers. Their other two starting linebackers are former Carolina first-round picks Thomas Davis and Jon Beason, both players the Bengals liked coming out of college.

The other third-round pick in 2004, linebacker Caleb Miller, also is an unrestricted free agent. The Bengals are not believed to be interested in bringing him back. Miller is headed to Seattle for a visit with the Seahawks.

Williams was one of the two second-round picks the Bengals had in 2004. The top second-round pick, cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, was released early in the 2007 season. The first-round pick from 2004, running back Chris Perry, has played only one healthy season in four and did not play at all last year because he was rehabbing from ankle and shin injuries sustained in the 2006 game at Cleveland.

Johnson deal maybe today

Landon Johnson, the Bengals unrestricted free agent linebacker, is believed to have competitive offers from the Bengals, Carolina and a third team and might make his decision as early as this morning. Cincinnati is believed to have matched the offers Johnson received from other teams in an effort to keep its leading tackler from three of the past four seasons.

Landon Johnson visits Panthers

Bengals linebacker Landon Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, has completed a visit to the Carolina Panthers, two sources have confirmed for The Enquirer. The Bengals remain interested in trying to re-sign Johnson, who has led the defense in tackles three of his four seasons with the team.

Eagles release Spikes

The Eagles today terminated the contract of linebacker Takeo Spikes, one of two first-round draft picks by the Bengals who played his first five seasons in Cincinnati. He left the Bengals in March 2003 as an unrestricted free agent and signed an offer sheet with Buffalo. He was traded to Philadelphia a year ago.

I have a call into Todd France, Spikes' agent, to see if Spikes would have any interest in returning Cincinnati to play for head coach Marvin Lewis.

Spikes, a 10-year veteran, was popular with fans during his run in Cincinnati. He was second on the Philadelphia defense last season in tackles.

The Bengals do not discuss free agency or confirm visits until they file the visit with the NFL office in New York.

S Eugene Wilson on Bengals' radar

The Bengals have expressed interested in meeting with Patriots free agent safety Eugene Wilson. He is a five-year veteran from Illinois who has 55 starts and 62 games of experience with the Patriots. He has 10 career interceptions, including one in 2007 he returned for a touchdown. He played in 11 games with six starts for New England last year and had 31 total tackles.

James Sims, Wilson's agent, said nothing has been set up yet with the Bengals, though.

The Bengals might be in the market for another veteran safety after losing starting free safety Madieu Williams to the Vikings as a free agent last week.

Wilson has visited Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and the Jets and is wrapping up a visit with Tennessee. The Bengals and Jaguars also have expressed interest. Wilson has no intention of returning to the Patriots. It appears his recent injury history is not limiting his popularity as a free agent.

He ended the 2006 on the injured reserve list with a groin/hamstring problem. A high ankle sprain cost him some time in 2007, though he had said he was ready to return to the lineup sooner than the Patriots put him back in. He was the seventh of seven defensive backs on the Patriots' depth chart for Super Bowl XLII against the Giants.

"I thought the year started off pretty good," Wilson told The Boston Globe in late February. "I was playing consistent, but then I had the high ankle sprain. I was ready to come back but I was still on the inactive list for a couple games. I'm not sure the reason why."

The Bengals this afternoon confirmed the visit by Colts restricted free agent tight end Ben Utecht. He was extended a one-year qualifying offer of $927,000 by the Colts as a restricted free agent. Indianapolis retains the right to match any offer sheet Utecht would sign as a restricted free agent, but he was an undrafted college free agent in 2004 and would not require draft-pick compensation. He spent the 2004 season on the physically unable to perform list.

Paper: Titans tried to keep Odom

The Tennessean reports that the Titans attempted to re-sign defensive end Antwan Odom, who signed a five-year, $29.5 million contract with the Bengals. Odom -- who benefited from playing on the same line with Pro Bowl selections Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch -- wasn't valued as much by the Titans as he was by the Bengals.

Haynesworth, who received the Titans' franchise tag designation, is not happy to see so many of his teammates leave from a playoff team.

On Monday, the Titans lost three of their free agents — Odom (Bengals), defensive end Travis LaBoy (Cardinals) and guard Jacob Bell (Rams). Over the weekend, defensive tackle Randy Starks (Dolphins) and tight end Ben Hartsock (Falcons) left.

Pollack making decision

Despite recent media reports suggesting David Pollack has been medically cleared to play football again, Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan on Wednesday night said the club had no information on a possible Pollack return or his medical status.

When reached by cell phone Wednesday night, Pollack told The Enquirer: "I'm in the decision-making process. There's nothing to report."

He did say there will be an announcement at some point.

In February, Pollack went to see a specialist in Los Angeles to determine if his fractured neck, sustained in Game 2 of the 2006 season, could withstand the rigors of NFL play.

Bengals keep talking privately

Free agent wide receiver Tab Perry, who was not offered a qualifying contract as a restricted free agent by the Bengals last week, already has visited the Miami Dolphins. Baltimore and Green Bay are interested, as well.

The door remains open with the Bengals for Perry. Another conversation is scheduled for later today.

In addition, the agent for 338-pound free agent defensive tackle Ethan Kelley said his client had a good visit with the Bengals.

"Ethan enjoyed his visit," Neil Cornrich of NC Sports said today. "Obviously, for a visit to be scheduled, there is mutual interest. There is interest in Ethan throughout the league."

Kelley, 28, had 24 total tackles, including one sack, last season for the Browns in 13 games.

P Larson, LB Jones re-sign

The Bengals today signed punter Kyle Larson to a five-year contract and linebacker Dhani Jones to a three-year deal.

Larson has been the Bengals starting punter for four seasons, and has averaged 42.8 yards a punt during his career.

"I set goals at the start of every season, and I want to just keep getting better every year," Larson said in a statement. "Cincinnati has been so good to me and my wife, I feel very fortunate to be staying here and getting the chance to keep playing in front of our fans."

Agent Rob Roche said Larson "is very happy deal. He's had a great four years with the Bengals. He's looking forward to another great five."

Jones started playing for the Bengals in 2007, making nine starts at outside linebacker. He ranked second in the team in tackles (111), and tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (two).

"Dhani did a good job, on and off the field, as a leader," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He had been a starting player for a long time in the NFL, but he was willing to come in and accept whatever role was given to him. He had a quick ‘training camp’ for a few games, and soon he was one of our core players."

Favre began vs. Bengals in relief

Brett Favre announced his retirement today from the NFL after 17 seasons. Green Bay Packers historians say Favre took "stranglehold" of the quarterback job in relief of injured starter Don Majkowski (ankle) on Sept. 20, 1992 in a game against the Bengals at Lambeau Field.

The Bengals, by the way, were 2-0 going into that game under then-rookie head coach Dave Shula. Cincinnati had defeated Seattle and the Los Angeles Raiders.

Favre engineered a comeback 24-23 victory against the Bengals that afternoon, throwing 35 yards to Kitrick Taylor with 13 seconds remaining. He was 22-for-39 passing that day for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He was not intercepted, though the Bengals did sack him five times.

It was the first of four games, three starts, that Favre would play against the Bengals. He had a 2-1 record as a starter. Against Cincinnati, he was 102-for-156 passing for 1,181 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Bengals sacked him 10 times. His passer rating against the Bengals was 84.4.

Favre's last appearance against the Bengals was on a warm day, Oct. 30, 2005, at Paul Brown Stadium. He was 26 of 39 for 297 yards, one touchdown but five interceptions. The Bengals won 21-14. That game will be best remembered for the fan who ran onto the field and avoided security before taking the ball from Favre's hand.

The Packers, trailing 21-14, reached the Bengals 28 with 23 seconds left. Favre took the snap but only after game officials blew their whistles. The fan, Greg Gall, then 31, of Mount Washington, took the football out of Favre's hand and ran about 50 yards before being tackled by security guards at the south end of the field and removed from the field.

The Bengals sacked Favre on the next play. On the final snap, his underhanded pass from behind the line of scrimmage was incomplete.

Neither Favre nor then-Packers coach Mike Sherman blamed the fan for the loss, but wide receiver Antonio Chatman, then with the Packers and now with the Bengals, swears he would have been open in the end zone on the play in which Gall interferred.

Back to the future

From 1992-95, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was the linebackers coach for the Steelers. One of his top players was Greg Lloyd, who ended his Steelers career in 1997 with 53.5 sacks.

This morning, the newest Bengals defender, one of the pieces upon which Lewis hopes the latest reincarnation of his Bengals defense can be built, end Antwan Odom, was asked which player after whom he'd like to pattern his game.

"Greg Lloyd," Odom said.

Lewis, sitting beside Odom at the interview room table, smiled.

"He saw the picture," Lewis said. "He found the picture."

Among other mementos of his long NFL coaching career, Lewis has a photo of Lloyd in his Paul Brown Stadium office.

What does Odom like about Lloyd's game?

"He's like an animal. If you ask me what a defensive end was, it was him," Odom said of Lloyd. "He was strong. He was big, quick, though, everything I want to be."

Lewis can only hope Odom can provide some pass-rush spark to a defense that was last in the NFL in 2007 in sacks per play.

More Bengals visits

The Bengals have just confirmed a visit by Browns free agent defensive tackle Ethan Kelley. He is 28 and played college ball at Baylor. He was originally a seventh-round pick by the Patriots in 2003.

Lewis: Robertson deal not dead

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said this morning that the possible trade for Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson is not completely dead yet.

"I wouldn't say that. You know, I don't think that would be true at all," Lewis said when asked if the door has been slammed shut on the deal.

Asked for his comments on the near-miss efforts to trade for Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and Robertson, Lewis said, "I guess you see why we don't say too much about things until they're done. The only thing I'll say is that neither one of those things had to do with dollars and sense. It had nothing to do with money. ... There are a lot of variables."

Lewis spoke this morning at a news conference introducing defensive end Antwan Odom, signed by the Bengals to a five-year, $29.5 million deal after four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Was there a sense of urgency to get the Odom deal done after missing on Rogers and Robertson?

"They were kind of running on parallel tracks, basically," Lewis said. "At the same time we had Antwan set to come in, we were running on parallel tracks and see what happens and how things fit together. There is still some flexibility if things fall into place."

Lewis said the snag on Robertson was not money. Robertson agent Hadley Engelhard told the New York Daily News late Monday that the problem was re-negotiating a new contract to replace the final two years of Robertson's existing deal, which calls for base salaries totaling more than $18 million.

Odom essentially replaces Justin Smith, who signed as a free agent with the 49ers.

"Antwan's ability to rush the passer is big," Lewis said of Odom, who had eight sacks last season and is considered to be entering his prime.

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said he liked Odom's ability to rush the passer and was still pushing for more defensive players to be signed in free agency.

Zimmer said he was struck by a comment Odom made at lunch Monday when he said, "I just love to play football."

Robertson agent: Contract the issue

Agent Hadley Engelhard spoke Monday night to the New York Daily News about the proposed trade of Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson to the Bengals for two draft picks. And Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum was available to reporters that cover the team on a conference call.

"Obviously, we were close," Tannenbaum said.

The Bengals agreed to trade fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Jets, the best deal the team had received for Robertson. He was in Cincinnati on Monday for a physical and to meet with the Bengals, Engelhard told The Daily News.

The sticking point was reworking Robertson's contract, which calls for base salaries totaling $18.8 million over the next two seasons.

"We couldn't come to terms, plain and simple," the agent told The Daily News.

According to the paper, Robertson had surgery on a broken hand recently, which did not worry the Bengals, Engelhard said. But the Bengals might have been wary of a bone-on-bone condition in Robertson's knee, the agent said.

Odom agrees with Bengals

After near misses on trades for defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson, the Bengals are finalizing a deal at this hour with free agent defensive end Antwan Odom, who had eight sacks last season for Tennessee.

Odom canceled a trip to Minnesota to visit the Vikings today, according to the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

The terms of the deal are five years, $29.5 million, with $11.5 million in guaranteed money.

Sources: Robertson trade off

Foxsports.com is reporting that the Dewayne Robertson trade from the Jets to the Bengals is off. It did not name a source. A phone message and e-mail to agent Hadley Engelhard have not been returned.

Another source close to the situation told The Enquirer late this afternoon that Robertson, who was believed to be in Cincinnati today, does not want to re-negotiate the final two years of his contract.

And why would he?

He is due to make base salaries of $9.8 million in 2008 and $8.29 million in 2009, according to the New York Daily News.

The Bengals have no comment.

Also late today, the agent for Colts free agent tight end Ben Utecht said his client will visit the Bengals on Thursday.

Free agency updates

1. On the proposed trade of defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, I am told the deal could be official as soon as late afternoon today. If so, Robertson might already be in Cincinnati for a physical. Maybe not, but quite possibly.

2. The Bengals today confirmed weekend visits by Titans free agent defensive end Antwan Odom and former Chargers safety Marlon McCree, who was released last week by San Diego. No word on McCree's next move, but Odom is believed to have changed his itinerary to head to Minnesota, where the Vikings wanted former Bengals end Justin Smith, who signed instead with the 49ers. Odom originally was scheduled to go to Arizona after Cincinnati.

3. In terms of what went wrong with the proposed trade for Shaun Rogers, the best explanation I've seen -- and the one that best corroborates what I've heard from a variety of source -- is in this story today from Booth Newspapers in Michigan:

http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1204521314236420.xml&coll=6

(Some readers want my opinion on the defensive line: Robertson doesn't have the character issues Rogers does and is younger -- Robertson will be 27 Oct. 16; Rogers will be 29 a week from Wednesday. And if the fourth- and fifth-round picks stay in play as what the Bengals have to give up, they've held onto the third-round pick they would have traded to Detroit.

If the Bengals can stay get Robertson, stay in the 4-3 defense and win the sweepstakes for Odom. Robertson plays much better in the 4-3 than the 3-4, which is why the Jets are training him. All of a sudden, you can keep Robert Geathers at end, opposite Odom. With a rotation of Robertson, Domata Peko and John Thornton as the top three tackles, along with Michael Myers at tackle and Jonathan Fanene and Frostee Rucker in the mix inside and outside, the line is better. To boot, the Bengals could add even another defensive lineman with the No. 9 overall draft pick.)

4. More opinion: I was struck by what Smith said on a conference call Saturday after he signed with the 49ers; the Bengals, he said, did play some 3-4 last season, switching around given the down and distance. The scheme doesn't matter as much as the players. Get the best players possible, and then let their talent dictate the scheme.

5. Even more opinion: I criticized the Bengals for drafting a running back, Kenny Irons, in the second round last year, when they should have stayed on defense. Give them some credit in free agency this year: Their efforts are entirely on defense. Marvin Lewis said last month the A. defensive and B. offensive lines were the team's top priorities in the offseason. Agree or disagree, they used the franchise tag on offensive lineman Stacy Andrews. And the majority of their activity so far in free agency has been in trying to upgrade their defensive line.

6. Back to news: The Dhani Jones signing probably won't be official until Tuesday.

Potential trade for DT Robertson

Talks continue between the Bengals and the agent for Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson on a trade that would bring the former University of Kentucky star to Cincinnati in exchange for the Bengals' fourth- and fifth-round picks (Nos. 114 and 151) in April's draft, according to ESPN.com.

A source this morning confirmed that talks were held Saturday and Sunday between the team and agent Hadley Engelhard. The Bengals are expecting to receive three or four compensatory picks from the NFL, which can't be traded, because of free agent losses in 2007. One of the picks might be as high as the third round.

Robertson is a 310-pound tackle that has not fit well into coach Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme with the Jets. But sources close to the Jets say Robertson, described as a quiet personality, would thrive in a 4-3 set in which he was not always double-teamed by the center and a guard.

The Bengals are considering a switch to the 3-4 defense, but the best fit of personnel will be the ultimate factor in whether a change in the base defense is made. The Bengals did have a visit Sunday with Antwan Odom, a pure 4-3 defensive end and Tennessee Titans unrestricted free agent.

He was the fourth overall pick by the Jets out of UK in 2003. He is a five-year veteran but won't turn 27 until Oct. 16. He has two years remaining on his contract, which is due to pay him a $9.8 million base in 2008, The Newark Star-Ledger reported this morning. The paper reported that the Jets are intensifying efforts to trade Robertson to clear salary cap space.

Any trade would require a new contract and for Robertson to pass a physical.

The Bengals had no official comment on the possible trade this morning.

Despite the near-miss in the trade for tackle Shaun Rogers with the Lions on Friday, the Bengals clearly are attempting to upgrade their defensive line. Odom had eight sacks last season for the Titans.

The Bengals did lose longtime starter Justin Smith, an end, to the 49ers over the weekend as a free agent.

Bengals continue talking to Landon

Andy Simms, the agent for Bengals free agent Landon Johnson, said he talked to the Bengals today and that the conversation "didn't do anything to dissuade us to continue talking."

In other words, lines of communication are open.

The Bengals, though team public relations director Jack Brennan, had nothing to report today.

Tennessee free agent defensive end Antwan Odom and street free agent Marlon McCree, most recently a starter at safety for the Chargers, were scheduled to visit Cincinnati today.

The Bengals are expected to announce the signing of linebacker Dhani Jones on Monday. His three-year deal is believed to be for an average of about $1.7 million a year.

Smith: Why go anywhere else

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith was interviewed today on a conference call.

Asked if he could make the transition to the 3-4 defense, he said, "Absolutely. In Cincinnati, we switched from a 4-3 to the 3-4 all the time. A lot of people don't know, but a lot of teams do that, depending on down and distance, the formations offenses are throwing at defenses. So I've done a lot before."

On his sack total (two) last year: "There were a lot of reasons for last year. Both me and Robert Geathers were hampered by injuries that we had with linebackers and (the) secondary, so we were forced into blitzing situations that caused us to have to pinch and penetrate and take up the gap."

He also had visits scheduled for Minnesota and, possibly, Jacksonville: "Why go on another visit, if you're going to be right back here?" he said.

49ers Nolan: Smith a hard worker

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan today on his new defensive end, former Bengals star Justin Smith:

"We are very excited to have Justin Smith join our football team. He is a player that we have watched in the NFL for quite a while. He will fit in on both on the football field and off the field. He is an extremely hard-working player that works on his craft. He is kind of in the mold of a (retired) Bryant Young from a work ethic standpoint. Again, we are glad to have Justin be a part of the 49ers."

The 49ers officially announced Smith's signing today. ESPN.com reported the deal was for $45 million over six years.

Colts TE Utecht might visit

In their search for a tight end who is receiving threat, the Bengals are talking to agent Christopher Murray about setting up a visit for Colts backup Ben Utecht.

"It has been discussed, but no specific day yet," Murray said.

Utecht had 31 receptions for 364 yards (11.7 average) and one touchdown in 2007.

Career, he has 71 receptions and an 11.3-yard average with three touchdowns.

Vikings comments on Williams

Former Bengals safety Madieu Williams, who signed Friday night with the Vikings, met the media today. Here are comments by Minnesota head coach Brad Children and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Childress: "I’ll take a couple of questions after I introduce Madieu Williams to you, coming to us from the Cincinnati Bengals out of the University of Maryland. (He was) a former teammate of E.J.’s (Henderson). Once again, a quality, quality person. He’ll talk to you a little bit about it, but one of the things that was a prerequisite after getting the contract done is that he wants, before he gets out of town, to be able to get over to the Children’s Hospital and spend some time over there with those guys. He’s probably as good a football player as he is a person. He has an interesting story, which I know you guys will kind of get into as his career develops here. We’re very excited about having him aboard as a safety. He came into this league as a corner, has coverage skills, but as I mentioned he’s an extremely good person, which is what we’re all about here."

Frazier: "When we were going through our tapes and just putting together our lists and when Rick (Spielman) gave me the list of players that would potentially be free agents, I said, `Well they will probably franchise (Madieu) or Justin (Smith) and we probably won’t get a chance to talk to him.' Once we found out he was going to be on the market and things would change in our secondary, it was a no-brainer for me just because of my familiarity with him and just understanding what he would bring to the table. I did turn to Coach (Childress) and say, `This guy would really help us.'"

Roster bonus Rogers' sticking point

The Bengals attempted to trade for a true nose tackle, 360-plus pound Shaun Rogers, with the Lions on Friday. But word is the sticking point was an NFL interpretation of a $1 million roster bonus allocation due Rogers at 12:01 a.m. today.

"Clubs discuss trades all the times that are not completed," Greg Aiello, NFL Senior Vice President of Public Relations, said today. "This is a club matter and we are not in a position to comment."

Jack Brennan, the Bengals' PR director, said this morning that the Bengals never confirmed the trade, though it was widely wide reported in the media with other sources, namely the Lions and Rogers' agent, Kennard McGuire. The Bengals were going to give Detroit third- and fifth-round picks in April’s draft.

In the meantime, with Rogers now a member of the Cleveland Browns, who gave the Lions their third-round 2008 pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden, the Bengals are still in search for help in their front seven.

NFL: Rogers trade not our business

This word this morning from the NFL on the Shaun Rogers trade from the Lions to Bengals that didn't happen.

"Clubs discuss trades all the times that are not completed," Greg Aiello, NFL Senior Vice President of Public Relations, said. "This is a club matter and we are not in a position to comment."

Jack Brennan, the Bengals' PR director, was asked again this morning for an explanation. He said he would check with team executives.

Smith signs with 49ers

Determined not to let him leave town Friday without a signed contract, the San Francisco 49ers made good on their pledge and signed former Bengals defensive end Justin Smith to a six-year, $45 million contract that includes $20 million in guaranteed money, ESPN.com reported this morning.

Minnesota was interested in Smith, the fourth overall pick of the 2001 draft by the Bengals.