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Cincinnati.Com » The Enquirer » Sports » Bengals » Steinbach: Deal is closer

Last Updated: 3:02 pm | Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Steinbach: Deal is closer

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Starting offensive lineman Eric Steinbach said Wednesday that his agent and the Bengals have agreed on the length of a possible contract extension.

“But right now we’re talking the money situation,” said Steinbach, the starting left guard and one of four starting offensive linemen whose contracts will expire after the 2006 season.

Steinbach is a three-year starter.

“You try to keep it separate,” he said when asked if the business side interferes with the game.

“Football and business are two different things when you're negotiating contracts. You can throw the whole team thing into it but the next guy, when he's negotiating a contract, it's all about the money, really.

“I would love to stay in Cincinnati, I'm happy here, so we'll just see. Things like this take time.”

Steinbach, starting tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones and starting center Rich Braham all can be unrestricted free agents in March.

Also today in the locker room, quarterback Carson Palmer said he is making progress in his rehabilitation from reconstructive knee surgery in January.

“Yeah, everything's going great,” he said. “It's a long, slow process. I'm moving along as my leg gets stronger."

Asked now tired he is of answering questions about his knee, Palmer said, “Very.”

Center Ben Wilkerson said he was cleared medically at the end of the season and has been participating fully in offseason workouts. Signed as a rookie free agent a year ago, Wilkerson was the 2005 draft’s top-rated center until suffering a serious injury in his final game at LSU.

And the Bengals’ top two receivers, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, said they were excited about the addition of sixth-round draft pick Reggie McNeal, who played quarterback at Texas A&M but will be placed at wide receiver by the Bengals.

“Is he playing receiver?” Houshmandzadeh said of McNeal. “I think he can play quarterback, but you know how they do African-American guys? They want to move him to receiver because he's fast. It's the truth. I think he can play quarterback. He looked good to me in college.

“You know, if that's the case (McNeal plays receiver), yeah, he'll learn. Maybe we can do him like Randle El. He's fast than Randle El; he's a better thrower than Randle El. He'll learn if they do have him play receiver."

[duus]

Hey, thanks for this tidbit of information! Us "out-of-towners" look forward to highlights that we would otherwise never see. Thanks again!

[MacD BengalFan]

I see only 3 of this years starters coming back after this coming season. I think Rich Braham and Willie Anderson will not be resigned as both are over the 10 year mark with the Bengals and usually that is when they are release/not resigned. However, having 3 of the back still adds to the stabilization of the line so it is not all bad. The Bengals have not shown this kind of stability since 1990. And now they are seeing the fruits of that effort.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Bengals

Center Ben Wilkerson said he was cleared medically at the end of the season and has been participating fully in offseason workouts. Signed as a rookie free agent a year ago, Wilkerson was the 2005 draft’s top-rated center until suffering a serious injury in his final game at LSU.

And the Bengals’ top two receivers, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, said they were excited about the addition of sixth-round draft pick Reggie McNeal, who played quarterback at Texas A&M but will be placed at wide receiver by the Bengals.

“Is he playing receiver?” Houshmandzadeh said of McNeal. “I think he can play quarterback, but you know how they do African-American guys? They want to move him to receiver because he's fast. It's the truth. I think he can play quarterback. He looked good to me in college.

“You know, if that's the case (McNeal plays receiver), yeah, he'll learn. Maybe we can do him like Randle El. He's fast than Randle El; he's a better thrower than Randle El. He'll learn if they do have him play receiver."

Gotta sign Steinbach - pro bowl guard if he stays healthy.

Wilkerson's progress will be interesting to watch.

TJ's comments - geesh - funny but not really true. And when you have Palmer, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of 4.3" speed as a WR if you have McNeal? He would get killed just like Vick and McNabb and McNair have scrambling around as a QB in the NFL. (not that McNair is much of a scrambler)

Pocket QB's are ideal if you want to keep them healthy - let your RB's and WR's do the running - they're there for a reason. I just hate scrambling QB's in the NFL - they always get hurt, guys are too big and fast now. Bad idea.

[Kazkal]

mybe he ment switching him to QB every now and then to throw wrench in the other teams gameplan I'd perfer we write him down as QB 3 even though mainly play him at WR just because really wtf is a 3rd QB gonna do for us

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Gotta sign Steinbach - pro bowl guard if he stays healthy.

Wilkerson's progress will be interesting to watch.

TJ's comments - geesh - funny but not really true. And when you have Palmer, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of 4.3" speed as a WR if you have McNeal? He would get killed just like Vick and McNabb and McNair have scrambling around as a QB in the NFL. (not that McNair is much of a scrambler)

Pocket QB's are ideal if you want to keep them healthy - let your RB's and WR's do the running - they're there for a reason. I just hate scrambling QB's in the NFL - they always get hurt, guys are too big and fast now. Bad idea.

Ironic that our pocket QB would be fine right now had he not been in the pocket...bah. I agree with you though, I was screaming when Carson was scrambling last preseason. Bah.

[HairOnFire]

I see the Enquirere updated the original story, and the addition isn't good.

"But Jack Bechta, his agent, painted a different picture.

"We can't agree on anything," Bechta said. "We are nowhere. The good news is we're talking. Both sides are going to continue to talk."

Oh well, so much for not using the press as a negotiating tool.

[turningpoint]

mybe he ment switching him to QB every now and then to throw wrench in the other teams gameplan I'd perfer we write him down as QB 3 even though mainly play him at WR just because really wtf is a 3rd QB gonna do for us

They're going to do that anyways....

He's apperently going to come in on the field and enter the huddle during TV timeouts to conufse the piss out of the other teams D, since they'll not to know what D to put on the field. Cuase they wont know If carson Might not come on for a play, and Mcneal Play QB nad just run the f**k around....It will be fun to see.

Also they could Have carson come one that field and then just line up at WR and have Mcneal take the snap, or have mcneal line up at wr with carson at qb and have mcneal motion to a direct snap....

tons of options they'll do, but I assume Mcneal won't just be a WR.

[Kazkal]

Gotta sign Steinbach - pro bowl guard if he stays healthy.

Wilkerson's progress will be interesting to watch.

TJ's comments - geesh - funny but not really true. And when you have Palmer, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of 4.3" speed as a WR if you have McNeal? He would get killed just like Vick and McNabb and McNair have scrambling around as a QB in the NFL. (not that McNair is much of a scrambler)

Pocket QB's are ideal if you want to keep them healthy - let your RB's and WR's do the running - they're there for a reason. I just hate scrambling QB's in the NFL - they always get hurt, guys are too big and fast now. Bad idea.

Ironic that our pocket QB would be fine right now had he not been in the pocket...bah. I agree with you though, I was screaming when Carson was scrambling last preseason. Bah.

if he was scrambling QB then you get all their turnovers and injurys

[HoosierCat]

I see the Enquirere updated the original story, and the addition isn't good.

"But Jack Bechta, his agent, painted a different picture.

"We can't agree on anything," Bechta said. "We are nowhere. The good news is we're talking. Both sides are going to continue to talk."

Oh well, so much for not using the press as a negotiating tool.

No surprise there. Like I said a while back, neither Steinbach nor Levi has any incentive to sign -- unless the Bengals drop a blockbuster deal on the table. Levi will get franchise-LT-caliber cash if he hits the open market. You know it, I know, he knows it, the Bengals know it.

Steinbach is not only a top-notch guard, but can play center or LT good enough to start at those slots for half the league as well. I can't even begin to put a price tag on that kind of versatility, but if hits the market it will be big.

At the same time, the Bengals have no particular incentive to drop a blockbuster deal on either of them right now. That salcap space will still be there in December -- heck, what else are they going to spend it on? Willie? Doubt it. Justin? He thinks he's gone. And who knows what injuries might strike Steiny or Levi this season? No, I think they get one of 'em done, but I still think it'll be later rather than sooner.

[turningpoint]

I believe we go the 2 tag route.

[Whur CHad At?]

Levi, and Bach will be back. And No, Bach will not get a Blockbuster deal like some of you think. You think just becuase he is good, means he will get over $50 mill. I am sorry, but Bach is NO Hutchinson. No way does he get it. It will be roughly $25-$30, if that.

[BengalByTheBay]

Also they could Have carson come one that field and then just line up at WR and have Mcneal take the snap,

I'm sorry -- that's the funniest thing I have ever heard.

[turningpoint]

Also they could Have carson come one that field and then just line up at WR and have Mcneal take the snap,

I'm sorry -- that's the funniest thing I have ever heard.

He'll of course be useless at WR, but the play aint designed to go to carson...it's meant for mcneal to run around like a chicken with his head cut off and carson to walk 5 yds up field and then walk off the field avoiding any type of injury.

I bet 1 it happens 1x this year.

Levi, and Bach will be back. And No, Bach will not get a Blockbuster deal like some of you think. You think just becuase he is good, means he will get over $50 mill. I am sorry, but Bach is NO Hutchinson. No way does he get it. It will be roughly $25-$30, if that.

WHy i believe they'll both be tagged, cause they both feel they're worth meg Millions.

They'll see their not and the bengals will just match any offer they recieve or they will give them the 1 year offer.