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studepaber
Duck duck duck duck duck duck duck duck duck duck
I really like Chatman, moreso as a punt returner than a WR. If we get him he'll do a much better job than Ratliff (who dances too much after catching the ball...but at least he never dropped any).
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tibor75
Banned
Marvin Lewis engages in damage control...
Moves please Lewis
BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Even as division rival Cleveland spends heavily for new players, Marvin Lewis said Saturday that he is pleased with the Bengals' performance in the first week of free agency.
"I think we did more than I anticipated doing,"
Lewis told The Enquirer. "With as many players as we have under contract, I didn't think we'd do a lot. We're sitting here with a roster of 60 guys."
The Bengals signed one unrestricted free agent, former Tampa Bay safety Dexter Jackson, and have lost three: quarterback Jon Kitna, tight end Matt Schobel and wide receiver Kevin Walter.
The Bengals announced Saturday that they would not match a $6.4 million offer sheet for Walter, a restricted free agent who signed with Houston last Sunday.
Free agency started March 11.
"We added a starting NFL player," Lewis said of Jackson, expected to win the strong safety position alongside returning free safety Madieu Williams.
Lewis said Rashad Bauman, a Bengals unrestricted free-agent cornerback, "is committed to returning."
The Bengals are planning to use the additional salary-cap space in 2006 to try to sign their starting offensive linemen to contract extensions.
"Our focus is to keep the guys who start and play for us," Lewis said. "Just because the salary cap exploded this year doesn't mean the (available) players get better. It's been about the development of the players we drafted. We hope to get some players done in a timely, timely manner."
The extension of the league's collective bargaining agreement pushed the salary cap from $94.5 million to $102 million.
The contracts of all five of the team's starting offensive linemen - tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson, guards Eric Steinbach and Bobbie Williams and center Rich Braham - will expire after the 2006 season.
Agents for Jones and Steinbach confirmed this past week that talks have begun with the Bengals on extensions.
"I think they're committed to trying to lock up their players, especially a premier left tackle," said Ken Zuckerman, Jones' agent. "There's no deadline, really. If it's right, it's right."
Lewis said he would like to sign the offensive linemen "as quickly as we can tie those things up. But it takes two to get it done."
The Bengals' greatest stated remaining need is to acquire a third healthy quarterback. (yep, that D looks great, right Marvin.)
The Bengals have had visits with former Rams backup Jamie Martin and Brian Griese, most recently of Tampa Bay. The Bengals had expressed interest in Sage Rosenfels, who signed with the Texans. Former Steelers starter Tommy Maddox and Dolphins starter Jay Fiedler remain on the market, though the Bengals have shown little interest in either.
"It's going to have to be a guy who's confident in his ability," Lewis said of the quarterback the Bengals hope to sign. "It's proven to be a difficult position to fill because of Carson Palmer."
Palmer has returned to Cincinnati to continue his rehabilitation. He had surgery on his left knee Jan. 10 to replace the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.
"When our people laid eyes on (Palmer), it's taken a lot of the anxiousness out of where he is," Lewis said. "I'm much more confident in the appraisal of our orthopedist."
Lewis remains optimistic in the timetable that Palmer could return in time for training camp or the start of the season.
"But please don't run too hard with that one," Lewis added cautiously.
The Bengals have healthy quarterbacks Doug Johnson and Craig Krenzel under contract, as well as Palmer.
The thought last week among some agents was after the Bengals signed their fourth quarterback they would turn their attention to a defensive lineman, possibly run-stuffing tackle Sam Adams, according to agent Angelo Wright.
"Don't go down that road," Lewis said.
The Bengals are seriously considering a defensive tackle or tight end with their 24th overall pick in the first round of the draft.
They lost Schobel, their top receiving tight end.
"I'm happy for both of those guys (Schobel and Kitna)," Lewis said. "They wanted the opportunity to get expanded roles. They were good players here, great people, with great families."
Walter is another solid player and team-oriented person in the locker room. The Bengals offered a contract Saturday morning to Antonio Chatman, a wide receiver most recently of the Packers, who visited Friday. Agent Mark Mersel said Saturday night that the offer "didn't meet our expectations" and that he was awaiting a call back from the team's front office. (yeah, I haven't heard that the last 15 years)
"Kevin has been a fine player for us, and he deserves the opportunity he'll get in Houston to be a starting receiver," Lewis said. "But as we build our roster for the upcoming season, we believe it's in the best interest of our team to allocate these funds to another position."
The Bengals had tendered Walter an offer at his "draft-status" level, requiring any other team signing him to compensate the Bengals with a draft pick in the same round in which Walter entered the NFL. Walter was a seventh-round draft choice of the Giants in 2003, and the Bengals will receive Houston's seventh-round choice. The draft is April 29-30.
The Bengals now have eight choices in the draft, including all their regular picks in rounds 1-7, plus Houston's seventh-rounder.
Moves please Lewis
BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Even as division rival Cleveland spends heavily for new players, Marvin Lewis said Saturday that he is pleased with the Bengals' performance in the first week of free agency.
"I think we did more than I anticipated doing,"
Lewis told The Enquirer. "With as many players as we have under contract, I didn't think we'd do a lot. We're sitting here with a roster of 60 guys."The Bengals signed one unrestricted free agent, former Tampa Bay safety Dexter Jackson, and have lost three: quarterback Jon Kitna, tight end Matt Schobel and wide receiver Kevin Walter.
The Bengals announced Saturday that they would not match a $6.4 million offer sheet for Walter, a restricted free agent who signed with Houston last Sunday.
Free agency started March 11.
"We added a starting NFL player," Lewis said of Jackson, expected to win the strong safety position alongside returning free safety Madieu Williams.
Lewis said Rashad Bauman, a Bengals unrestricted free-agent cornerback, "is committed to returning."
The Bengals are planning to use the additional salary-cap space in 2006 to try to sign their starting offensive linemen to contract extensions.
"Our focus is to keep the guys who start and play for us," Lewis said. "Just because the salary cap exploded this year doesn't mean the (available) players get better. It's been about the development of the players we drafted. We hope to get some players done in a timely, timely manner."
The extension of the league's collective bargaining agreement pushed the salary cap from $94.5 million to $102 million.
The contracts of all five of the team's starting offensive linemen - tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson, guards Eric Steinbach and Bobbie Williams and center Rich Braham - will expire after the 2006 season.
Agents for Jones and Steinbach confirmed this past week that talks have begun with the Bengals on extensions.
"I think they're committed to trying to lock up their players, especially a premier left tackle," said Ken Zuckerman, Jones' agent. "There's no deadline, really. If it's right, it's right."
Lewis said he would like to sign the offensive linemen "as quickly as we can tie those things up. But it takes two to get it done."
The Bengals' greatest stated remaining need is to acquire a third healthy quarterback. (yep, that D looks great, right Marvin.
)The Bengals have had visits with former Rams backup Jamie Martin and Brian Griese, most recently of Tampa Bay. The Bengals had expressed interest in Sage Rosenfels, who signed with the Texans. Former Steelers starter Tommy Maddox and Dolphins starter Jay Fiedler remain on the market, though the Bengals have shown little interest in either.
"It's going to have to be a guy who's confident in his ability," Lewis said of the quarterback the Bengals hope to sign. "It's proven to be a difficult position to fill because of Carson Palmer."
Palmer has returned to Cincinnati to continue his rehabilitation. He had surgery on his left knee Jan. 10 to replace the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.
"When our people laid eyes on (Palmer), it's taken a lot of the anxiousness out of where he is," Lewis said. "I'm much more confident in the appraisal of our orthopedist."
Lewis remains optimistic in the timetable that Palmer could return in time for training camp or the start of the season.
"But please don't run too hard with that one," Lewis added cautiously.
The Bengals have healthy quarterbacks Doug Johnson and Craig Krenzel under contract, as well as Palmer.
The thought last week among some agents was after the Bengals signed their fourth quarterback they would turn their attention to a defensive lineman, possibly run-stuffing tackle Sam Adams, according to agent Angelo Wright.
"Don't go down that road," Lewis said.
The Bengals are seriously considering a defensive tackle or tight end with their 24th overall pick in the first round of the draft.
They lost Schobel, their top receiving tight end.
"I'm happy for both of those guys (Schobel and Kitna)," Lewis said. "They wanted the opportunity to get expanded roles. They were good players here, great people, with great families."
Walter is another solid player and team-oriented person in the locker room. The Bengals offered a contract Saturday morning to Antonio Chatman, a wide receiver most recently of the Packers, who visited Friday. Agent Mark Mersel said Saturday night that the offer "didn't meet our expectations" and that he was awaiting a call back from the team's front office. (yeah, I haven't heard that the last 15 years)
"Kevin has been a fine player for us, and he deserves the opportunity he'll get in Houston to be a starting receiver," Lewis said. "But as we build our roster for the upcoming season, we believe it's in the best interest of our team to allocate these funds to another position."
The Bengals had tendered Walter an offer at his "draft-status" level, requiring any other team signing him to compensate the Bengals with a draft pick in the same round in which Walter entered the NFL. Walter was a seventh-round draft choice of the Giants in 2003, and the Bengals will receive Houston's seventh-round choice. The draft is April 29-30.
The Bengals now have eight choices in the draft, including all their regular picks in rounds 1-7, plus Houston's seventh-rounder.
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According to the Bengals web site, they just agreed in principle (contract to be signed Monday) to a 2 year deal with WR / Punt Returner, Antonio Chatman.
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Guess Chapman changed his mind from what Tibor's post was.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=20>
</TD><TD><!--#########################################################################E N D H E A D E R H E R E#########################################################################--><!--#########################################################################B E G I N F O O T E R H E R E#########################################################################--><TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Familiar face By GEOFF HOBSON
March 19, 2006
Posted: 6:45 a.m.
<TABLE width=180 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>
Chatman should help the Bengals upgrade a punt return game that was second to last in 2005. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>While wide receiver Antonio Chatman plans his April 1 wedding, his two-year hitch with the Bengals begins with a vow.
“I think I can help keep the double teams off Chad,” said Chatman on Sunday after agreeing to a deal that is to be signed Monday. “I could beat him over 40 or 60 yards. I think after 100, he might catch up to me.”
The 5-9, 185-pound Chatman should know such things because he has worked for the past five offseasons in his native Los Angeles with Bengals receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh under the eye of coach Charles Collins.
Houshmandzadeh, the slot receiver when the Bengals go three wides, thinks Chatman can help inside.
“I agree,” Houshmandzadeh said of Chatman’s self scouting report. “The one thing we can do is run routes. Precise routes and 'Tone can do that. We feel like a lot of great receivers in the NFL get away without knowing how to run routes.”
In other free-agent news Sunday, former Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese continued his visit with the Bears and there looked to no movement on the backup quarterback front. Indications continued to surface that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis isn’t looking to drop a lot of money on a big defensive tackle. But he is looking, as evidenced by Lional Dalton’s visit this weekend that the club confirmed Sunday.
Houshmandzadeh compares Chatman to Jamall Broussard, the Bengals wideout playing this spring in NFL Europe. While the 5-9, 180-pound Broussard, who has spent most of his Bengals career on the practice squad, is known primarily for his speed, Chatman has raised eyebrows with his hands.
Mark Mersel, his agent based in Irvine, Calif., who also had a deal in hand from the Jets, reports Chatman dropped one ball for the Packers last season while catching 49, and says he has yet to drop a punt in his three NFL seasons. He’s returned nearly 80 the past two years,
including an 85-yarder in the 2005 season finale against the Bears, but didn’t get tendered an offer by the new Packers coaching staff looking for more size.
Chatman had 49 catches for a devastated receiving corps last season, including a game-high eight catches for 97 yards at Paul Brown Stadium in Green Bay’s 21-14 loss to the Bengals.
“I know some people don’t like my size, so I have to catch everything,” Chatman said. “When I go in there, I feel like if it’s thrown my way, I’m going to catch it. I think I play bigger than I am.”
The Bengals’ longest punt return since Houshmandzadeh’s 86-yarder against the Browns as a rookie in 2001 is Peter Warrick’s 68-yarder against the Chiefs in 2003, the last time a Bengal took one to the house. Special teams coach Darrin Simmons is on record saying he’s looking for all comers to improve a punt return game that finished next-to-last in the NFL last year when the longest one cornerback Keiwan Ratliff could generate was 13 yards. Chatman watched tape with Simmons during his weekend visit and said he was sold because “I like the way they block. I’m looking forward to that.”
Lewis said Saturday that the reasons not to match the Texans’ offer to backup receiver Kevin Walter (and apparently the ensuing Chatman agreement), had nothing to do with the problems of No. 3 receiver Chris Henry. Henry is looking, at the very least, at a possible NFL suspension stemming from gun charges in Florida.
“He’s a different kind of receiver than what we’ve got,” Houshmandzadeh said. “He’s the same as Jamall and he’s also different. He’s a lot like him in that he’s very quick. He’s elusive.”
Like Johnson (Santa Monica) and Houshmandzadeh (Cerritos), Chatman went the California junior college route before ending up in Cincinnati. But he arrived first at the University of Cincinnati when he secured the school’s last scholarship of the year before the Packers signed him out of Clifton as a free agent. And it was easy to talk to Bengals receivers coach Hue Jackson when they had dinner Saturday night. Both are Dorsey High School graduates in Los Angeles.
“It was really quite a good fit. He had grown up with guys like T.J. and Chad and obviously there was a tie he had there with Hue,” Mersel said.
Chatman is also different than Walter, whom had been a prime special teams player as a tackler and was a big, physical receiver. The 6-3, 215-pound Walter caught 30 balls in his three-year career in Cincinnati, and the Bengals decided they couldn’t match the Texans’ $1.5 million per year offer over four seasons that included $2.5 million in guarantees.
“Kevin was a team player. He’d do what was ever asked and never complained,” Houshmandzadeh said. Chatman is prepared to do the same. “I feel comfortable there,” he said.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=20>
</TD><TD><!--#########################################################################E N D H E A D E R H E R E#########################################################################--><!--#########################################################################B E G I N F O O T E R H E R E#########################################################################--><TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Familiar face By GEOFF HOBSON
March 19, 2006
Posted: 6:45 a.m.
<TABLE width=180 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>
Chatman should help the Bengals upgrade a punt return game that was second to last in 2005. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>While wide receiver Antonio Chatman plans his April 1 wedding, his two-year hitch with the Bengals begins with a vow.
“I think I can help keep the double teams off Chad,” said Chatman on Sunday after agreeing to a deal that is to be signed Monday. “I could beat him over 40 or 60 yards. I think after 100, he might catch up to me.”
The 5-9, 185-pound Chatman should know such things because he has worked for the past five offseasons in his native Los Angeles with Bengals receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh under the eye of coach Charles Collins.
Houshmandzadeh, the slot receiver when the Bengals go three wides, thinks Chatman can help inside.
“I agree,” Houshmandzadeh said of Chatman’s self scouting report. “The one thing we can do is run routes. Precise routes and 'Tone can do that. We feel like a lot of great receivers in the NFL get away without knowing how to run routes.”
In other free-agent news Sunday, former Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese continued his visit with the Bears and there looked to no movement on the backup quarterback front. Indications continued to surface that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis isn’t looking to drop a lot of money on a big defensive tackle. But he is looking, as evidenced by Lional Dalton’s visit this weekend that the club confirmed Sunday.
Houshmandzadeh compares Chatman to Jamall Broussard, the Bengals wideout playing this spring in NFL Europe. While the 5-9, 180-pound Broussard, who has spent most of his Bengals career on the practice squad, is known primarily for his speed, Chatman has raised eyebrows with his hands.
Mark Mersel, his agent based in Irvine, Calif., who also had a deal in hand from the Jets, reports Chatman dropped one ball for the Packers last season while catching 49, and says he has yet to drop a punt in his three NFL seasons. He’s returned nearly 80 the past two years,
including an 85-yarder in the 2005 season finale against the Bears, but didn’t get tendered an offer by the new Packers coaching staff looking for more size.
Chatman had 49 catches for a devastated receiving corps last season, including a game-high eight catches for 97 yards at Paul Brown Stadium in Green Bay’s 21-14 loss to the Bengals.
“I know some people don’t like my size, so I have to catch everything,” Chatman said. “When I go in there, I feel like if it’s thrown my way, I’m going to catch it. I think I play bigger than I am.”
The Bengals’ longest punt return since Houshmandzadeh’s 86-yarder against the Browns as a rookie in 2001 is Peter Warrick’s 68-yarder against the Chiefs in 2003, the last time a Bengal took one to the house. Special teams coach Darrin Simmons is on record saying he’s looking for all comers to improve a punt return game that finished next-to-last in the NFL last year when the longest one cornerback Keiwan Ratliff could generate was 13 yards. Chatman watched tape with Simmons during his weekend visit and said he was sold because “I like the way they block. I’m looking forward to that.”
Lewis said Saturday that the reasons not to match the Texans’ offer to backup receiver Kevin Walter (and apparently the ensuing Chatman agreement), had nothing to do with the problems of No. 3 receiver Chris Henry. Henry is looking, at the very least, at a possible NFL suspension stemming from gun charges in Florida.
“He’s a different kind of receiver than what we’ve got,” Houshmandzadeh said. “He’s the same as Jamall and he’s also different. He’s a lot like him in that he’s very quick. He’s elusive.”
Like Johnson (Santa Monica) and Houshmandzadeh (Cerritos), Chatman went the California junior college route before ending up in Cincinnati. But he arrived first at the University of Cincinnati when he secured the school’s last scholarship of the year before the Packers signed him out of Clifton as a free agent. And it was easy to talk to Bengals receivers coach Hue Jackson when they had dinner Saturday night. Both are Dorsey High School graduates in Los Angeles.
“It was really quite a good fit. He had grown up with guys like T.J. and Chad and obviously there was a tie he had there with Hue,” Mersel said.
Chatman is also different than Walter, whom had been a prime special teams player as a tackler and was a big, physical receiver. The 6-3, 215-pound Walter caught 30 balls in his three-year career in Cincinnati, and the Bengals decided they couldn’t match the Texans’ $1.5 million per year offer over four seasons that included $2.5 million in guarantees.
“Kevin was a team player. He’d do what was ever asked and never complained,” Houshmandzadeh said. Chatman is prepared to do the same. “I feel comfortable there,” he said.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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studepaber
Duck duck duck duck duck duck duck duck duck duck
Yet opposing QB's gave up 31 INT's to the Bengals for the year.....Their D does need a rusher that can get more than 6 measly sacks, though, (*cough Justin Smith cough underachiever cough*) maybe Pollack can do it next year?
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