BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redskins signal little interest; Cardinals more positive
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDIANAPOLIS - Just as the horizon narrowed for the Bengals in their effort to trade disgruntled running back Corey Dillon, another team might have entered the picture.
A day after coach Marvin Lewis said the Bengals have not received any calls inquiring about Dillon, Washington coach Joe Gibbs all but dismissed the possibility of a Dillon trade to the Redskins. Washington had been one of three teams mentioned as likely Dillon suitors.
"We only have a certain number of dollars," Gibbs said. "It would depend on other positions."
Asked if he were interested in Dillon, Gibbs said, "I think (whom) we'd be interested in is something we'll keep to ourselves."
But, later Saturday, Arizona coach Dennis Green called Dillon "a fine player, who probably needs a change of scenery" and said the Cardinals would "explore any player who's available."
Green said the offense he runs needs a 1,000-yard rusher to work. The Cardinals already have Marcel Shipp and Emmitt Smith. Arizona's offensive coordinator is Alex Wood, who spent 2003 as Bengals wide receivers coach.
League insiders say the Dallas Cowboys are not interested in Dillon. Tampa Bay is most often referenced as the other team that seems like the best fit for a Dillon trade.
A trade still might occur on draft weekend, April 24-25, when a team in need of a running back might fail to land its top college choice or choices.
MORE DILLON: Jarrett Payton, the Miami (Fla.) running back and son of the late Walter Payton, said he remembers the day Dillon broke his father's single-game rushing record.
Dillon rushed for 278 yards on Oct. 22, 2000, breaking the 23-year-old record of 275 set by the Bears' Walter Payton in 1977.
"My dad always said records were made to be broken," said Jarrett Payton, forecasted to be an undrafted free agent. "He said it didn't bother him if the record was broken with class by a class guy."
RUDI OPTIONS: If the Bengals don't reach an agreement on a contract with Rudi Johnson, they have several choices of one-year tenders that would provide compensation should they allow the fourth-year tailback to leave as a restricted free agent.
A $628,000 tender gets the Bengals a fourth-round pick - the round in which Johnson was drafted. A $1.368 million tender gets the Bengals a first-round draft pick. And a $1.824 million tender gets them first- and third-round picks.
BACK SEARCH: The Bengals and Bears are two teams that have expressed interest in Michigan running back Chris Perry, Perry said. He had 1,674 rushing yards, 44 receptions and 20 total touchdowns in 2003.
The Bengals also have met with Tulane back Mewelde Moore, a polished receiver who had 915 rushing yards in 2003.
The Bengals also appear interested in Oregon State defensive tackle Dwan Edwards.
STRONG MAN: Hawaii defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, a projected fifth-round pick who weighs 325 pounds, did 41 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds, three off the unofficial combine record of 44 by defensive tackle Leif Larson of UTEP in 2000.
BROWNS BITS: The Cleveland Browns won a coin flip Saturday to get the seventh overall draft pick over the Atlanta Falcons. Both teams finished 5-11 and had .539 strengths of schedule. There is no tiebreaker for draft order beyond strength of schedule.
Insiders say the Browns could draft one of two Miami (Fla.) players - tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., or safety Sean Taylor.
The Browns also have inquired about former Michigan quarterback Drew Henson, Butch Davis said. But the Browns coach also said he expects to enter training camp with Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb on the roster.
Holcomb and Couch split time in a disappointing 2003 season, but Davis said he anticipates that a starter will be named before the opening of camp.
---
E-mail [email protected]
Redskins signal little interest; Cardinals more positive
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDIANAPOLIS - Just as the horizon narrowed for the Bengals in their effort to trade disgruntled running back Corey Dillon, another team might have entered the picture.
A day after coach Marvin Lewis said the Bengals have not received any calls inquiring about Dillon, Washington coach Joe Gibbs all but dismissed the possibility of a Dillon trade to the Redskins. Washington had been one of three teams mentioned as likely Dillon suitors.
"We only have a certain number of dollars," Gibbs said. "It would depend on other positions."
Asked if he were interested in Dillon, Gibbs said, "I think (whom) we'd be interested in is something we'll keep to ourselves."
But, later Saturday, Arizona coach Dennis Green called Dillon "a fine player, who probably needs a change of scenery" and said the Cardinals would "explore any player who's available."
Green said the offense he runs needs a 1,000-yard rusher to work. The Cardinals already have Marcel Shipp and Emmitt Smith. Arizona's offensive coordinator is Alex Wood, who spent 2003 as Bengals wide receivers coach.
League insiders say the Dallas Cowboys are not interested in Dillon. Tampa Bay is most often referenced as the other team that seems like the best fit for a Dillon trade.
A trade still might occur on draft weekend, April 24-25, when a team in need of a running back might fail to land its top college choice or choices.
MORE DILLON: Jarrett Payton, the Miami (Fla.) running back and son of the late Walter Payton, said he remembers the day Dillon broke his father's single-game rushing record.
Dillon rushed for 278 yards on Oct. 22, 2000, breaking the 23-year-old record of 275 set by the Bears' Walter Payton in 1977.
"My dad always said records were made to be broken," said Jarrett Payton, forecasted to be an undrafted free agent. "He said it didn't bother him if the record was broken with class by a class guy."
RUDI OPTIONS: If the Bengals don't reach an agreement on a contract with Rudi Johnson, they have several choices of one-year tenders that would provide compensation should they allow the fourth-year tailback to leave as a restricted free agent.
A $628,000 tender gets the Bengals a fourth-round pick - the round in which Johnson was drafted. A $1.368 million tender gets the Bengals a first-round draft pick. And a $1.824 million tender gets them first- and third-round picks.
BACK SEARCH: The Bengals and Bears are two teams that have expressed interest in Michigan running back Chris Perry, Perry said. He had 1,674 rushing yards, 44 receptions and 20 total touchdowns in 2003.
The Bengals also have met with Tulane back Mewelde Moore, a polished receiver who had 915 rushing yards in 2003.
The Bengals also appear interested in Oregon State defensive tackle Dwan Edwards.
STRONG MAN: Hawaii defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, a projected fifth-round pick who weighs 325 pounds, did 41 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds, three off the unofficial combine record of 44 by defensive tackle Leif Larson of UTEP in 2000.
BROWNS BITS: The Cleveland Browns won a coin flip Saturday to get the seventh overall draft pick over the Atlanta Falcons. Both teams finished 5-11 and had .539 strengths of schedule. There is no tiebreaker for draft order beyond strength of schedule.
Insiders say the Browns could draft one of two Miami (Fla.) players - tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., or safety Sean Taylor.
The Browns also have inquired about former Michigan quarterback Drew Henson, Butch Davis said. But the Browns coach also said he expects to enter training camp with Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb on the roster.
Holcomb and Couch split time in a disappointing 2003 season, but Davis said he anticipates that a starter will be named before the opening of camp.
---
E-mail [email protected]
