Robinson to beef up run defense
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:35 pm
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Robinson to beef up run defense
By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
The Bengals on Saturday reached agreement on a three-year contract with free-agent defensive tackle Bryan Robinson.
The club would not confirm what a source told the Enquirer was an agreement on a $6 million contract with $1.7 million to sign.
Robinson, an eight-year veteran, is a known run-stopper who could help the Bengals improve their 26th-ranked run defense (128.9 yards a game).
At 6 feet 4, 296 pounds, Robinson played six of his eight NFL seasons for the Chicago Bears. He played in all 16 games last season for Miami and registered 41 tackles. He has 17.5 career sacks.
Robinson would fit into a rotation at defensive tackle that includes John Thornton, Langston Moore and Duane Clemons. Second-year pro Matthias Askew also is expected to challenge for playing time in place of unrestricted free agent Tony Williams, who is unlikely to return to the Bengals.
Robinson also can play defensive end and, in fact, made 55 consecutive starts at left end for the Bears between 1998 and 2002. Robinson moved inside to tackle during the 2003 season for Chicago and started all 16 games.
In Bears lore, Robinson is best remembered for blocking a Packers field-goal attempt to preserve a 14-13 Chicago upset at Green Bay on Nov. 7, 1999 - six days after the death of former Bears running back Walter Payton.
Once the contract becomes official, Robinson will be the first outside player signed by the Bengals since free agency began March 2.
Robinson will turn 31 on June 22. He attended Fresno State, where he was an all-Western Athletic Conference Pacific Division selection as a senior. He played at Toledo Woodward High School.
The Bengals have re-signed three players: unrestricted free agents T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Rudi Johnson and restricted free agent Marcus Wilkins.
Wide receiver Houshmandzadeh signed a four-year contract, and running back Johnson signed a one-year, $6.3 million tender as the team's designated franchise player. Linebacker Wilkins signed a one-year tender for $636,000.
Among the players who have left the Bengals is unrestricted free-agent punter Kyle Richardson, who signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.
In the past few days, the Bengals terminated the contract of strong safety Rogers Beckett, releasing the five-year veteran to free agency, and on Friday, the club released ill-fated cornerback Dennis Weathersby, a fourth-round draft pick in 2003.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 30420/1066
Robinson to beef up run defense
By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
The Bengals on Saturday reached agreement on a three-year contract with free-agent defensive tackle Bryan Robinson.
The club would not confirm what a source told the Enquirer was an agreement on a $6 million contract with $1.7 million to sign.
Robinson, an eight-year veteran, is a known run-stopper who could help the Bengals improve their 26th-ranked run defense (128.9 yards a game).
At 6 feet 4, 296 pounds, Robinson played six of his eight NFL seasons for the Chicago Bears. He played in all 16 games last season for Miami and registered 41 tackles. He has 17.5 career sacks.
Robinson would fit into a rotation at defensive tackle that includes John Thornton, Langston Moore and Duane Clemons. Second-year pro Matthias Askew also is expected to challenge for playing time in place of unrestricted free agent Tony Williams, who is unlikely to return to the Bengals.
Robinson also can play defensive end and, in fact, made 55 consecutive starts at left end for the Bears between 1998 and 2002. Robinson moved inside to tackle during the 2003 season for Chicago and started all 16 games.
In Bears lore, Robinson is best remembered for blocking a Packers field-goal attempt to preserve a 14-13 Chicago upset at Green Bay on Nov. 7, 1999 - six days after the death of former Bears running back Walter Payton.
Once the contract becomes official, Robinson will be the first outside player signed by the Bengals since free agency began March 2.
Robinson will turn 31 on June 22. He attended Fresno State, where he was an all-Western Athletic Conference Pacific Division selection as a senior. He played at Toledo Woodward High School.
The Bengals have re-signed three players: unrestricted free agents T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Rudi Johnson and restricted free agent Marcus Wilkins.
Wide receiver Houshmandzadeh signed a four-year contract, and running back Johnson signed a one-year, $6.3 million tender as the team's designated franchise player. Linebacker Wilkins signed a one-year tender for $636,000.
Among the players who have left the Bengals is unrestricted free-agent punter Kyle Richardson, who signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.
In the past few days, the Bengals terminated the contract of strong safety Rogers Beckett, releasing the five-year veteran to free agency, and on Friday, the club released ill-fated cornerback Dennis Weathersby, a fourth-round draft pick in 2003.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 30420/1066