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Sports TwitterBengals' free agents finding Cleveland nice place to work
Saturday, March 10, 2007
CINCINNATI — After one week of the NFL's free agency period, this much is clear: The Cincinnati Bengals are getting raided by the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns were more like Pirates on Friday when they signed Bengals restricted free agent defensive tackle Shaun Smith to a four-year offer sheet believed to be worth about $10 million.
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The Bengals have a week to match Cleveland's offer. If they decline, the Bengals will lose Smith and not receive any compensation in return because Smith entered the NFL as a nondrafted college free agent.
The move — confirmed by Smith's agent, New York-based Jonathan Feinsod — came a week after the Browns signed Bengals unrestricted free-agent left guard Eric Steinbach to a seven-year, $49.5 million contract.
Another Bengals unrestricted free agent, safety Kevin Kaesviharn, visited Cleveland on Thursday.
Speaking of raid, the Oakland Raiders have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Bengals unrestricted free agent tight end Tony Stewart, who became expendable in Cincinnati when the Bengals re-signed starter Reggie Kelly.
"Tony will certainly miss the coaches, his teammates and the fans of the Cincinnati Bengals," New Jersey-based agent Jerrold Colton said. "Unfortunately, the Bengals will be losing another great-character guy at a time where they could really use them."
Bengals starting cornerbacks Deltha O'Neal and Johnathan Joseph had legal issues resolved this week.
On Friday, O'Neal pleaded guilty in Clermont County Municipal Court to the lesser charge of reckless operation of his vehicle in exchange for having a DUI charge dropped.
O'Neal's 30-day jail sentence was suspended. However, his driver's license was revoked for 180 days. He can only drive to and from work, and to medical appointments. He was ordered to give $1,000 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and to continue participating in the NFL's substance-abuse program.
A Boone County (Ky.) judge on Thursday allowed Joseph to enter a diversion program for possession of marijuana.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
