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Jones is locked up!!!! (merged)


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Notes: Jones extension hopeful; Askew may sue

By GEOFF HOBSON

July 23, 2006

Updated: 7-24-06, 11:45 p.m.

There is a gust of growing optimism that the Bengals could be nearing a contract extension with left tackle Levi Jones as Monday became Tuesday.

At the very least, both sides appear to be talking energetically in an effort to extend Jones’ contract past 2006, his fifth year in the league and as the Bengals starter. And both apparently would like to get it done before training camp opens Saturday.

“We’re not there yet but we feel like things are headed in the right direction,” said Ken Zuckerman, the Jones agent who is his point man in discussions with Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn. “We keep hammering away at it. We keep talking. We think we can get something done.”

Also optimistic is the agent for first-rounder Johnathan Joseph. Jason Chayut said Monday he keeps talking to the club and is confident a deal for the draft’s 24th pick will be done in time for Saturday night’s first practice.

The Jones talks gained momentum last week after both sides digested the six-year, $38 million deal inked by Lions left tackle Jeff Backus. The numbers, which mark the biggest deal ever for an offensive lineman that had never made a Pro Bowl, supplied a guidepost in negotiations for a player that reached alternate Pro Bowl status for the first time in 2005.

An extension would be a boon for both sides. It would make Jones one of the top paid tackles in the NFL a month before his 27th birthday. For the Bengals , it would secure the services of one of the league’s most athletic pass protectors as well as one of the most respected members of their locker room in the middle of a stretch they are getting hammered for the character issue.

Jones, the club’s first-round pick in 2002, had started 59 straight games until sitting out last season’s finale in Kansas City after the club had clinched the AFC North title. Included in that streak is the now legendary start against the 49ers in 2003 that came just six days after Jones had arthroscopic knee surgery.

This is great news. Please get it done. :rolleyes:

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Excuse me? When has Jones ever been in trouble with the law?...
Arrested, not convicted, night after Super Bowl in February 2004 - charges were later dropped. Sounded like "wrong place, wrong time ..."
Case dismissed in nightclub fight at Super Bowl <<LINK

Associated Press

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals tackle Levi Jones is no longer charged in a fight among nightclub patrons in Houston hours after the Super Bowl. The misdemeanor case against Jones was dismissed Thursday, according to court records. Jones had been charged with interfering with the duties of a public safety officer after a fight outside a nightclub Feb. 1.

Jones was arrested after he tried to take a stick from a police officer who was attempting to disperse a crowd, police said. The misdemeanor charge carried a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Jones' attorney, Joe Bailey, said charges were dropped because Jones did not commit a crime.

There was no answer Friday to calls to the Harris County district attorney's office in Houston for comment.

A message seeking comment from the Bengals was left at the team's offices Friday.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Jones completed his second season with the Bengals in 2003. He was Cincinnati's first-round draft choice in 2002 from Arizona State.

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whoa there.

For a minute, I thought the title of this thread was shorthand for Jones getting arrested (again).

Excuse me? When has Jones ever been in trouble with the law?

PS: Sign Steiny first damnit!

The Super Bowl in Houston sound familiar?

I mean, its no big deal....but still, he got arrested.

It was a joke.

That's about all we can do as fans.

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This latest article is what I call "no news"

It'll be news when Askew is pronounced guilty or not guilty - albeit not big news, since by then he probably won't be warming a spot on the Bengals bench anymore, and instead taking my order for a burger and fries at the local Burger King.

It'll be news when Levi actually signs. Talking about signing isn't really news at all.

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Levi should sign now, his value is at an all-time high, and will not get any higher - he's overrated as it is here and having Wright back there holding onto the ball won't help his stock this year - plus he's injury prone.

Sure he's serviceable at an all-important position for a right handed QB - but I'd rather have Steinbach locked up at this point, as the middle of that 0-line is going to need serious help after this season if not.

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This latest article is what I call "no news"

Yeah, but I'm guessing you'll still find a way to whine and complain when the actual signing does take place. After all, it's what you do.

:sure:

Levi should sign now, his value is at an all-time high, and will not get any higher - he's overrated as it is here and having Wright back there holding onto the ball won't help his stock this year - plus he's injury prone.

Sure he's serviceable at an all-important position for a right handed QB - but I'd rather have Steinbach locked up at this point, as the middle of that 0-line is going to need serious help after this season if not.

After reading the posts written by TJ and Shula, the Gloom & Doom Twins, I had to read the article again just to make sure it contained all of the positives I remembered.

Yup, they're still there.

:sure:

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Bengals always pay the skill positions first. Steinbach will be gone, Jones/Anderson resigned

I agree on Jones, I'm not so sure on Anderson. He got his money the last time. I wouldn't be disappointed if Anderson re-upped, but Steinbach is younger and they will not be able to lock up all of them. We'll see what will happen.

Hopefully, Jones will be the next domino to fall.

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Levi should sign now, his value is at an all-time high, and will not get any higher - he's overrated as it is here and having Wright back there holding onto the ball won't help his stock this year - plus he's injury prone.

If you think Levi is overrated, remember the 2nd Ravens game in 2003. Levi missed that due to knee surgery and Scott "Revolving Door" Rebach took his place and got wind burns from Terrell Suggs running by him.

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Put down the crack pipe. If any of our linemen are worth using the franchise tag on, Steiney is at the top of the list. He can step out to tackle, he can step in to center, and he can play either guard spot. EFFECTIVELY!

this i agree with. steinbachs pulling is the main reason for rudi's success.

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It's hard to tell whether Hobson is reporting on real news or is just trying to weather the storm a bit. Either way, it'll get done eventually. Levi seems to be getting the most attention among the lineman we need to sign.

It's real news. No, it isn't the official word that signings have taken place, but the positive quotes about very important signings coming very soon are from the agents of several players.

As for the Steinbach/Jones debate....who cares? Sign one and you immediately control the future of the other. It's win/win.

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It's about time something good happened Woohoooo

Bengals lock up Jones

By GEOFF HOBSON

July 25, 2006

4 p.m.

The Bengals locked up another key offensive player Tuesday when they reached a six-year contract extension with left tackle Levi Jones, according to agent Kenny Zuckerman.

The Bengals, who won’t comment on deals until they are signed, now have Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer in the fold through 2014, Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson through 2011, and Jones, a Pro Bowl alternate, through 2012. Plus, running back Rudi Johnson, the franchise’s single-season rushing leader, is here through 2009 and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, with 150 caches over the past two seasons, through 2008.

Jones becomes the highest-paid offensive lineman in club history with a contract surpassing the $30.6 million deal three-time Pro Bowler Willie Anderson signed before the 2000 season and ends after this one. Zuckerman says the deal in new money makes Jones the league’s fourth-highest paid offensive lineman with guarantees of $16.3 million in a total package of a little more than $40 millon.

The Jones deal doesn’t preclude an extension for Anderson and left guard Eric Steinbach, but one or both now may not get done before the season is over. Anderson’s agent said Tuesday he’s had no talks with the club this offseason.

Extensions for Jones and right guard Bobbie Williams make the Bengals breath a little easier along a front that set a club record when it gave up just 21 sacks while Rudi Johnson set the team’s season rushing record with 1,458 yards.

Jones is a major reason Palmer went to his first Pro Bowl with the Bengals’ first three-digit passer rating, shutting out several of the NFL’s top sackers, including the Colts’ Dwight Freeney, the Ravens’ Terrell Suggs, and the Packers’ Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.

Jones, the club’s first-round pick in 2002 who turns 27 next month, had started 59 straight games until sitting out last season’s finale in Kansas City after the club had clinched the AFC North title. Included in that streak is the now legendary start against the 49ers in 2003 that came just six days after Jones had arthroscopic knee surgery.

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Bengals.com now says its a done deal ...

Bengals lock up Jones <<LINK    jones_levi.jpg

By GEOFF HOBSON

The Bengals locked up another key offensive player Tuesday when they reached a six-year contract extension with left tackle Levi Jones, according to agent Kenny Zuckerman. ...Zuckerman says the deal makes Jones the league’s fourth-highest paid offensive lineman with guarantees of $16.3 million in a package worth more than $40 million. ...

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