Peter Warrick instead of mitchell?

Mr. Laz · 08-26-2005, 02:04 PM

Warrick's future with Bengals murky

CINCINNATI - Peter Warrick dropped his head and his voice, talking in a near-mumble about his preseason gone awry.

The Cincinnati Bengals' former No. 1 pick has played in only one game and has yet to catch a pass, a bad sign for a receiver who needs to prove himself healthy to keep his job.

"I'm just trying to get in where I fit in, that's all," Warrick said, slouched forward on a wooden stool by his locker.

And, where does he fit?

"I really don't know, man," he said, his voice dropping off. "You've got to ask them. Once they tell you, please come back and let me know."

The Bengals? They're not saying. And that's a bad sign for Warrick, who has no hope of winning a starting job and may be running out of hope to keep a roster spot.

The fourth overall pick in 2000, Warrick arrived in Cincinnati looking to transfer his magic from national champion Florida State to the bumbling Bengals. They have yet to make the playoffs in his five seasons, and only Warrick's 2003 season is worth remembering.

He caught 79 passes for 819 yards that year, carried 18 times for 157 yards, scored eight touchdowns and started looking like the shifty playmaker the Bengals thought they were drafting.

Then, it went downhill fast. A small crack in a bone by the knee limited him to one start, four games and 11 catches last season, his most exasperating in Cincinnati. He missed the minicamps and the start of training camp while the leg healed.

He finally played in a preseason game last Friday, carrying once on a reverse -- he gained 2 yards before slipping -- and failing to catch a pass. Then, he sat out practices this week because of a tender hamstring.

Coach Marvin Lewis plans to wait until shortly before Friday's game in Philadelphia to decide whether Warrick plays. Asked if he has seen enough of Warrick to make a decision about his future, Lewis was noncommittal.

"Whatever I've seen is what I've seen," he said. "That's all I can do."

Lewis has indicated that he'll carry no more than six receivers on the roster. Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are the starters, and Kelley Washington has developed into the primary backup.

Barring injury, the Bengals also will keep rookie receivers Chris Henry -- a third-round pick -- and Tab Perry, a sixth-round pick. That leaves only one spot open.

Warrick would make $2.28 million in the final season on his six-year contract. He was hoping to prove himself in Washington last week, and was dejected that he didn't get a pass thrown to him.

Warrick won't estimate his chances of playing in Philadelphia. The Bengals have to cut the roster to 65 players by next Wednesday.

"If I play, I know I need to catch a pass," Warrick said.

He's quickly running out of time.

"I haven't even played," he said, dejectedly. "That's how it is. I'm just going with a flow."

08-26-2005, 02:04 PM	Topic Starter
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Peter Warrick instead of mitchell? Warrick's future with Bengals murky CINCINNATI - Peter Warrick dropped his head and his voice, talking in a near-mumble about his preseason gone awry. The Cincinnati Bengals' former No. 1 pick has played in only one game and has yet to catch a pass, a bad sign for a receiver who needs to prove himself healthy to keep his job. "I'm just trying to get in where I fit in, that's all," Warrick said, slouched forward on a wooden stool by his locker. And, where does he fit? "I really don't know, man," he said, his voice dropping off. "You've got to ask them. Once they tell you, please come back and let me know." The Bengals? They're not saying. And that's a bad sign for Warrick, who has no hope of winning a starting job and may be running out of hope to keep a roster spot. The fourth overall pick in 2000, Warrick arrived in Cincinnati looking to transfer his magic from national champion Florida State to the bumbling Bengals. They have yet to make the playoffs in his five seasons, and only Warrick's 2003 season is worth remembering. He caught 79 passes for 819 yards that year, carried 18 times for 157 yards, scored eight touchdowns and started looking like the shifty playmaker the Bengals thought they were drafting. Then, it went downhill fast. A small crack in a bone by the knee limited him to one start, four games and 11 catches last season, his most exasperating in Cincinnati. He missed the minicamps and the start of training camp while the leg healed. He finally played in a preseason game last Friday, carrying once on a reverse -- he gained 2 yards before slipping -- and failing to catch a pass. Then, he sat out practices this week because of a tender hamstring. Coach Marvin Lewis plans to wait until shortly before Friday's game in Philadelphia to decide whether Warrick plays. Asked if he has seen enough of Warrick to make a decision about his future, Lewis was noncommittal. "Whatever I've seen is what I've seen," he said. "That's all I can do." Lewis has indicated that he'll carry no more than six receivers on the roster. Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are the starters, and Kelley Washington has developed into the primary backup. Barring injury, the Bengals also will keep rookie receivers Chris Henry -- a third-round pick -- and Tab Perry, a sixth-round pick. That leaves only one spot open. Warrick would make $2.28 million in the final season on his six-year contract. He was hoping to prove himself in Washington last week, and was dejected that he didn't get a pass thrown to him. Warrick won't estimate his chances of playing in Philadelphia. The Bengals have to cut the roster to 65 players by next Wednesday. "If I play, I know I need to catch a pass," Warrick said. He's quickly running out of time. "I haven't even played," he said, dejectedly. "That's how it is. I'm just going with a flow."
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