6-18-02, 5:40 p.m.
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The agent for wide receiver Darnay Scott said Tuesday his client is fine and should be ready for training camp.
Rocky Arceneaux also said if the Bengals are indeed interested in lowering Scott's $3 million salary this season as has been speculated, the player would re-structure the money, "if it helps the ballclub."
On Wednesday, the club spoke with the agent for wide receiver Michael Westbrook and the sides are still sticking to their positions that are holding up what is believed to be a two-year deal. Duke Tobin, the Bengals director of pro/college personnel, and Steve Zucker said there is still interest on both sides and indications are Westbrook has no other visits planned.
On his return from a two-week overseas trip, Arceneaux was surprised to see the bevy of messages from Cincinnati last week. That was the fallout stemming from wide receiver Michael Westbrook's Paul Brown Stadium workout and the conjecture that Scott could be released.
The Bengals
are openly concerned about Scott's sore leg that shelved him for last month's minicamp.
Scott has traditionally not participated in the four weeks of voluntary workouts. But when he didn't return for any last month and the club had trouble reaching him, the Bengals have grown extremely concerned about the status of their speed receiver both financially and physically.
But on Tuesday, Arceneaux said as far as he knows, Scott's health is fine.
"I'm sure he would have told me if he had a problem, and I haven't heard that from him," Arceneaux said. "I think there's an impression out there that something has changed, but nothing has changed. Darnay is doing what he's been doing for the eight, nine years he's been there."
When asked if Scott's actions indicate he would like to get released, Arceneaux said, "I don't think there is any player out there who wants to get cut."
Arceneaux said the club approached him a few months ago about re-negotiating and he's not against it.
"I didn't say he would take a pay cut. He would look at re-structuring the contract," Arceneaux said. "The numbers would have to work and if it helps the team to do some other things with the salary cap to help the club build a winner, he would certainly be amenable to that."
Arceneaux sees the climate in which veteran receivers like Derrick Alexander have been cut and are now making less ($1.7 million per year) and he knows the timing isn't the greatest.
But he also thinks Scott and his 386 career catches have a lot to offer.
"I think Darnay is on top of his game," Arceneaux said. "I'm not too sure about those other guys."
