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Kicker wants deal done before opener

Bengals' Graham one of the most accurate in the league; says he just wants to worry about making kicks.

Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

CINCINNATI — Lost in the Bengals' final roster cuts and the anticipation of the season opener Sunday, Sept. 7, at Baltimore:

Place-kicker Shayne Graham's contract situation.

Graham's agent, New Jersey attorney Rob Roche, and Bengals management are negotiating an extension for the eight-year veteran, who enters the 2008 season as the NFL's most accurate active field-goal kicker.

His 85.4 percentage (152-of-178) ranks second in league history behind only Mike Vanderjagt (86.5).

Graham thrives on performing well under pressure, and he's trying to keep cool as Sunday nears. That's his deadline for a new deal. If it's not achieved, he may test the open market as an unrestricted free agent in the spring.

"My goal is to have it taken care of before the season starts," Graham said. "That's why I hire my agent. That's what he does. I'm just going to be worried about making kicks and helping my team win.

"I've been here for a while (six years), and I've taken a little bit of a leadership role. Being a part of a team getting back to the playoffs is my priority. All this other stuff will work out."

Graham signed a five-year, $6.5 million offer sheet with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004 as a restricted free agent, but the Bengals kept him by matching it. Some of the money the club saves by releasing Rudi Johnson, Willie Anderson and Deltha O'Neal is earmarked for Graham.

"I think they want me here," he said. "I want to be here, and I don't see any reason why something won't be taken care of. The time frame? I don't know. But I definitely don't want it to be something that's going on during the season."

Graham's club-record seven field goals triggered the Bengals' 21-7 victory at Baltimore on Nov. 11, 2007. He's ready for a repeat performance if the offense stalls in Ravens' territory.

"One of the things I always think about is kicking five field goals every game," Graham said. "If I don't, I don't. But I'm always prepared to do that."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253

or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com