Kazkal Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Jones wants to remain a BengalBengals notebook: Offensive tackle seeks new contractBY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERStarting left tackle Levi Jones reiterated Tuesday that his agent and the Bengals have discussed a new contract, and that he would like to remain with the team that drafted him."I've expressed interest (in returning) and am wanting to return," Jones said. "I'm able to not focus on it. I told my agent, 'I don't want to hear about every conversation. When something pertinent comes up, let me know about it.'"I am here to focus on football. I've got another year on my contract, and I need to focus on getting my job done."ADVERTISEMENTJones started 15 regular-season games last season, and 61 during his four seasons with the Bengals.He is one of four starting offensive linemen - right tackle Willie Anderson, left guard Eric Steinbach and center Rich Braham - whose contracts are due to expire after the 2006 season."If it's going to get done, it's going to get done. If it's not, it's not," said Jones, who signed a five-year, $11 million deal after the Bengals selected him 10th overall in the 2002 draft. "I'm not trying to make it seem like it isn't a big deal or anything like that. But it's out of my hands. It's up to my agent (Ken Zuckerman) and (Bengals executive vice president Katie) Blackburn to come to some agreement and get it done."STARTING UP: The start of organized team activity days (OTA) on Tuesday represented a new beginning for the Bengals.The voluntary full-squad workout on the Paul Brown Stadium practice field was the team's first on-field gathering since its home playoff loss against the Steelers on Jan. 8."You can see a difference in all the player's attitudes and a difference in the coaches attitudes," fullback Jeremi Johnson said. "There's a different swagger on both parts. It's the kind of swagger Coach (Marvin) Lewis has been trying to get us to walk with and have since the day he got here."The Bengals finished 11-5 last season and made their first playoff appearance since the 1990 season.Those accomplishments, Anderson said, are in the past."We're preparing with a different mindset this season," Anderson said. "Our mindset has to be that we're going in more team-focused, team-oriented and making sure that we're all going into battle fighting together knowing that it's not going to be a cakewalk."Our opponents (will be) tougher this season. We're now a team that everyone is watching."ROLE CALL: Tuesday's workout drew near perfect on-field attendance. Safety Madieu Williams, who was limited to four games last season because of a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery, participated, as did running back Kenny Watson, who suffered a torn biceps in the season opener last year.Tailback Rudi Johnson (knee) and quarterback Carson Palmer (knee) ran on the side. Others that did not practice Tuesday included wide receiver Chris Henry (knee), cornerback Deltha O'Neal (knee), running back Chris Perry (knee), linebacker David Pollack (NA), tight end Tony Stewart (NA) and offensive linemen Eric Ghiaciuc (foot), Adam Kieft (knee) and Larry Moore (knee). Defensive tackle Sam Adams and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh were there but did not practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 I think Levi's deal will get done, regardless of what happens with Steinbach and Willie. He's one of the most important players on the field come game time, and I doubt they let him get away. If anyone has to go, I think he's the hardest to replace despite Steinbach's versatility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Aye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turningpoint Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 LOLI think the list of who actually practiced might be less then listed who couldn't practice due to injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CantStop85 Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 I get the feeling that our team has a lot of bad knees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalsFan4Liefe Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 I would sure hate to see levi slip out into the open market, hes a tough guy who has played through injuries. Aside from the fact that he is a terrific player, he has earned my respect for toughness, and unquestionably one of the toughest players on our team, I'm sure Levis deal will get done and he will remain a Bengal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 Levi will almost certainly get franchised if he isn't extended. The real question is whether they can nail Steinbach down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 The Lions got Jeff Backus to agree to a one-year deal instead of the tag...same difference really but maybe sits better for being able to extend into the year. Maybe the Bengals do the same with Levi after this year instead of tagging him if he really wants to be a Bengal rather than just get a longer, richer deal.The cap is soaring but so to is the left tackle price. It's $9 million and probably will be $10 mill a year next year with Backus, the Vikes McKinnie and Levi set to be the prime free agents after this year.Hindsight is 50-50 with football, but the Bengals could have avoided much of this dilemma by extending Steinbach last year. Of course, Steiny would have been a little peeved to say the least after seeing what Hutchison got as a left guard if that had happened. One scenario that looks possible for 2007 is Steinbach at LT, Whitworth at LG (or the other way around) and Big Willie coming to terms to stay at RT for a couple more years next to big Bobbie. Levi is going to command an awful lot of coin, maybe too much for the Bengals to be able to keep him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 I think whichever tackle we decide to sign seals the fate for the other. i prefer it to be Levi, but I think Willie should be a tad cheaper. But that's the conundrum, i don't think we can keep and pay both Levi and Willie, so pick your tackle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walzav29 Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 I really can't remember the coaches gushing over a linemen like they have with Whitworth. They are giving him major praise. One of the big 3 is gone for sure. Which is how it is going to have to be to sustain a dynasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 the first part of the interview: "I want to remain a Bengal"the second part of the interview: "I also want to be as rich as possible. I want to be as rich as possible much more than I want to remain a Bengal" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Next_Big_Thing Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 One scenario that looks possible for 2007 is Steinbach at LT, Whitworth at LG (or the other way around) and Big Willie coming to terms to stay at RT for a couple more years next to big Bobbie. Levi is going to command an awful lot of coin, maybe too much for the Bengals to be able to keep him.The problem is, Big Willie thinks he deserves more coin than even Levi is asking for..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlainThePain Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 Surely after Palmer's knee injury, they put Levi at the top of the list of stuff that needs to get done. It would crush me to see him leave. Alot of people, including me, moaned when we drafted him, but he turned out to be the best tackle to come from that draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jditty47 Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 either levi or erik will get extended this year, the other will get franchised or extended next year. hard for me to see willie coming back unless he swallows his pride and takes a major paycut from what he wants...or hes gonna be a Detroit Lion next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Next_Big_Thing Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 either levi or erik will get extended this year, the other will get franchised or extended next year. hard for me to see willie coming back unless he swallows his pride and takes a major paycut from what he wants...or hes gonna be a Detroit Lion next year.Naw he'll end up a Redskin or a Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalByTheBay Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 the first part of the interview: "I want to remain a Bengal"the second part of the interview: "I also want to be as rich as possible. I want to be as rich as possible much more than I want to remain a Bengal"It's not a particularly effective negotiating strategy to say "I want to remain a Bengal no matter what -- even if you try to underpay me." I wouldn't put too much stock -- positive or negative in comments like these just as I wouldn't put too much stock in comments like Justin Smith's "looks like they don't want me here" comments. These guys get peppered with questions about negotiations that may not even be going on in much strength and they kind of dance around it. Unless and until you get into "I'd rather flip burgers than stay in Cincy" territory I'm of the opinion that there's not really anthing to see here.As far as Levi's value to the team - put me squarely in the camp of he is the top priority on the o-line. I like Stein, but LT is the "the" position that is the most difficult to fill. I'd love them to get Levi done, but I would not have a problem with signing either Stein or Big Willie first and tagging Levi. I tend to agree that something's gotta give and one of these guys is gone. I'm just glad we've got a full season to see if the new giant works out before we have to decide. Also, would be nice to see Guicheck and Kieft get some serious pre-season exposure to get a long look at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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