Fan
03-01-2005, 11:23 AM
Line in the sand I guess ....
http://www.journal-news.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2005/02/28/hjn0301bengals.html?urac=n&urvf=11096973253830.18404655355242117
Houshmandzadeh, Braham may be free agents Wednesday
By Chick Ludwig
Cox News Service
CINCINNATI — The Bengals have drawn a line in the sand, and two unrestricted free agents — wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and center Rich Braham — are standing on the other side.
If the players don’t agree to terms on new contracts by midnight tonight, both hit the open market on Wednesday when the 2005 NFL free agency period begins.
The Bengals have already tagged their most important free agent, tailback Rudi Johnson, with the “franchise player” designation, which guarantees him a $6.3 million salary for the 2005 season. If the two sides don’t hammer out a long-term deal by March 16, negotiations can’t pick up again until July 15.
The club is expected to tender its restricted free agents — cornerbacks Rashad Bauman and Reggie Myles, tailback Kenny Watson and linebacker Marcus Wilkins — with one-year deals. But Houshmandzadeh and Braham are on the front burner. Head coach Marvin Lewis’ message: If you’re looking, we’re looking, too.
“There’s no question if we don’t have a contract with a guy that’s counting cap space against us, then we’re going to be proactive and make sure we’re going to field the best football team we can field,” Lewis said.
Houshmandzadeh’s agent, David Dunn, who also represents Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, left the NFL Combine in Indianapolis without a deal, but talks continue with Bengals negotiators Troy and Katie Blackburn.
“I love working with T.J. because he’s a well-balanced person who doesn’t take himself too seriously,” Dunn said. “He has a great passion for the game and has his priorities straight. He knows the value of winning. He’d love to stay (in Cincinnati) and I think they’d love to have him. We’ll see whether it can be figured out. We hope so.”
Houshmandzadeh’s free-agent status and Peter Warrick’s health issues — he’s rehabilitating from a broken bone below his left knee — have the Bengals searching for help at wide receiver. They could sign one in free agency or grab one with the 17th pick in the April 23-24 NFL draft.
“We’re looking for production,” Lewis said. “T.J. did a fine job for us (73 catches, 978 yards and 4 TDs in 2004). The year before, Peter did a fine job. But right now, both of those guys are not with us. Peter is with us, but he’s injured. T.J.’s not with us. So we’ve got to move forward.”
Braham, 34, has played in 129 games with 125 starts — all with the Bengals — in 11 seasons. He was limited to 10 games in 2004 because of knee problems, but his return is viewed as a key ingredient to Palmer’s progress and development.
“We’ll see what our best options are and Richie is one of our options,” Lewis said.
Eighth-year veteran Larry Moore is the only other center on the Bengals’ roster.
“That’s more than some people have at that position,” Lewis added.
Quick hitters
Michigan’s Braylon Edwards, Oklahoma’s Mark Clayton, USC’s Mike Williams, South Carolina’s Troy Williamson and Georgia’s Reggie Brown are all considered first-round draft picks.
“If that’s the best player there, we’re going to draft a wide receiver,” Lewis said. “Just like it was at running back (Chris Perry) a year ago. We’re not going to pass up on who we evaluate as the best player.”
Warrick’s estimated $3.68 million cap number in 2005 — $2.28 million base salary, $200,000 workout bonus and $1.21 million pro-rated signing bonus — makes him a candidate to be a cap casualty.
Mike Haluchak, hired as the Cleveland Browns linebackers coach, was the Bengals linebackers coach in 1992-93 under head coach Dave Shula.
http://www.journal-news.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2005/02/28/hjn0301bengals.html?urac=n&urvf=11096973253830.18404655355242117
Houshmandzadeh, Braham may be free agents Wednesday
By Chick Ludwig
Cox News Service
CINCINNATI — The Bengals have drawn a line in the sand, and two unrestricted free agents — wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and center Rich Braham — are standing on the other side.
If the players don’t agree to terms on new contracts by midnight tonight, both hit the open market on Wednesday when the 2005 NFL free agency period begins.
The Bengals have already tagged their most important free agent, tailback Rudi Johnson, with the “franchise player” designation, which guarantees him a $6.3 million salary for the 2005 season. If the two sides don’t hammer out a long-term deal by March 16, negotiations can’t pick up again until July 15.
The club is expected to tender its restricted free agents — cornerbacks Rashad Bauman and Reggie Myles, tailback Kenny Watson and linebacker Marcus Wilkins — with one-year deals. But Houshmandzadeh and Braham are on the front burner. Head coach Marvin Lewis’ message: If you’re looking, we’re looking, too.
“There’s no question if we don’t have a contract with a guy that’s counting cap space against us, then we’re going to be proactive and make sure we’re going to field the best football team we can field,” Lewis said.
Houshmandzadeh’s agent, David Dunn, who also represents Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, left the NFL Combine in Indianapolis without a deal, but talks continue with Bengals negotiators Troy and Katie Blackburn.
“I love working with T.J. because he’s a well-balanced person who doesn’t take himself too seriously,” Dunn said. “He has a great passion for the game and has his priorities straight. He knows the value of winning. He’d love to stay (in Cincinnati) and I think they’d love to have him. We’ll see whether it can be figured out. We hope so.”
Houshmandzadeh’s free-agent status and Peter Warrick’s health issues — he’s rehabilitating from a broken bone below his left knee — have the Bengals searching for help at wide receiver. They could sign one in free agency or grab one with the 17th pick in the April 23-24 NFL draft.
“We’re looking for production,” Lewis said. “T.J. did a fine job for us (73 catches, 978 yards and 4 TDs in 2004). The year before, Peter did a fine job. But right now, both of those guys are not with us. Peter is with us, but he’s injured. T.J.’s not with us. So we’ve got to move forward.”
Braham, 34, has played in 129 games with 125 starts — all with the Bengals — in 11 seasons. He was limited to 10 games in 2004 because of knee problems, but his return is viewed as a key ingredient to Palmer’s progress and development.
“We’ll see what our best options are and Richie is one of our options,” Lewis said.
Eighth-year veteran Larry Moore is the only other center on the Bengals’ roster.
“That’s more than some people have at that position,” Lewis added.
Quick hitters
Michigan’s Braylon Edwards, Oklahoma’s Mark Clayton, USC’s Mike Williams, South Carolina’s Troy Williamson and Georgia’s Reggie Brown are all considered first-round draft picks.
“If that’s the best player there, we’re going to draft a wide receiver,” Lewis said. “Just like it was at running back (Chris Perry) a year ago. We’re not going to pass up on who we evaluate as the best player.”
Warrick’s estimated $3.68 million cap number in 2005 — $2.28 million base salary, $200,000 workout bonus and $1.21 million pro-rated signing bonus — makes him a candidate to be a cap casualty.
Mike Haluchak, hired as the Cleveland Browns linebackers coach, was the Bengals linebackers coach in 1992-93 under head coach Dave Shula.