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GOOD LINK ON BENGALS


fulcher

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I'll just post Pat Kiwin's article here and save your browser the trouble of opening another window:

Backing away from the Bengals?

Because the Bengals missed on signing cornerback Troy Vincent and Sapp, the boo birds are out again wondering if the Bengals are still the team with a stigma in the NFL. I don't believe that for a minute. Remember, the Chiefs, who are perceived as a very successful franchise, also had interest in Vincent and Sapp and missed on both. No one has them under a microscope. Lots of teams make a run at free agents and miss out.

Kevin Hardy wasn't afraid to sign with Cincy in 2003.

Last year, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis had no trouble signing defensive tackle John Thornton, linebacker Kevin Hardy, defensive end Duane Clemons or cornerback Tory James. This year, they have already signed safety Kim Herring, linebacker Nate Webster and retained safety Rogers Beckett even though he toured many NFL facilities. They matched the big offer Jacksonville made for their young kicker, Shayne Graham. When you consider the fact that six teams have signed no one yet and in some cases lost a number of players, the Bengals are doing just fine.

Players want to play for Lewis, that's a fact when you listen to veterans talk about him. He is patient and always under control. He has limits in what he will pay to acquire players and he's smart enough to not overpay; there was once a perception that if the Bengals wanted someone they had to overpay, but those days are gone.

Keep in mind, they still have Jon Kitna and Corey Dillon under contract. Between now and the draft, they could parlay them into extra picks or new veterans. Also, in speaking with a few coaches on the staff, they feel they have a better grasp on the draft talent pool after coaching the Senior Bowl this year. If they add to their picks at Nos. 17, 49, 80 and 113, they can make some real progress on draft day. If they pick up a player like guard Ruben Brown or defensive end Kenny Holmes and a June 1 cut or two along the way, it will be hard for the old critics to say people don't want to play for the Bengals.

Look for the Bengals to still pick up a few quality players between now and July 1. They are using more of the Patriots model of simply spending wisely, rather than the Redskins model of simply spending.

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