Bengals sign NFLE Defensive Tackle

[Thinking Skins]

from http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1398502.html

Claymores defender Davis headed for Cincy

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By Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

The Cincinnati Bengals, convinced they will not be a viable contender for the services of free agent Sam Adams, took their search for defensive tackle depth in another direction on Monday.

The Bengals signed Pernell Davis, one of the few unfettered prospects from NFL Europe, to a two-year contract. Davis, one of the NFL Europe League's top run defenders during his springtime stint with the Scottish Claymores, will receive base salaries of $300,000 for this season and $380,000 for 2003. The deal does not include a signing bonus.

Because so many NFL Europe players are now allocated, and under contract to the teams that send them overseas to gain playing time, there are fewer free agent prospects. Davis was regarded, however, as one of a handful of players uncommitted for training camp who has a legitimate chance to win a backup job.

"He's a big body we need," said Bengals personnel chief Jim Lippincott. "He's a strong guy who plays with effort and will chase plays. He is mainly a run stopper, but he can push the pocket for you some."

Davis, 26, recorded 19 tackles and one sack for the Claymores this spring.

Davis, who played collegiately at Alabama-Birmingham, will vie for a backup job behind starters Tony Williams and Oliver Gibson. The Bengals have been looking for a wide-body run-stuffer and, at 6-feet-2 and 336 pounds, Davis might fill that role. His presence will permit some of the team's "swing" linemen, like Bernard Whittington and Glen Steele, to concentrate on playing end. It also provides depth and flexibility for a solid and underrated unit.

Adding Davis ostensibly removes the Bengals from the chase for Adams, the Baltimore Ravens star, who is one of the premier players remaining in free agency. Cincinnati was one of about a half-dozen teams pursuing Adams, who probably won't sign a contract until next month.

It also signals that the Bengals will invest their money in trying to extend the contracts of star linebackers Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, while perhaps adding a veteran wide receiver.

Davis originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1999 draft. He played two games for Philadelphia as a rookie, spent 2000 on the injured reserve list and was on the Eagles' practice squad for 2001.

It is believed New Orleans also attempted to sign Davis in the last few days.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

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why couldnt we do something like this? I'm tired of us spending millions and millions for the over the hill gang. Is it at all possible to develop a defensive line player in Washington?

[bulldog]

6'2 and 335 is a load.

but if the guy is strictly a backup candidate for the Bengals then he likely would be here too.

is he strong enough to take on the run as part of a regular rotation with say Dotson?

evidently not from what the article implies.

at this point the Redskins need a player on the DL who can step in and play, not another #4 tackle to develop.

I never believed that Adams was a candidate for the Bengals.

Sam is far to conscious of his surroundings to go play for a team with that kind of history of losing.

Once out of Seattle, Sam isn't going to be going to any also-ran teams unless the money is out of this world.

And while the Bengals have cap room, they don't have up front bonus dollars to pay so their leverage is not as great as it would seem from a run down of the numbers on a cap webpage.

Ditto for the Eagles, who just don't seem to have management's approval to pay any significant bonuses.

[Thinking Skins]

evidently not from what the article implies.

where is that implied?