Event Date: February 19th, 1985
Event Description: Collinsworth Seeks New NFL Deal
Source: United Press International
Cris Collinsworth's agent said Tuesday he was optimistic that a deal could be worked out that would send the wide receiver back to the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals following the collapse of his deal with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL.
In a telephone interview, Washington D.C. agent Richard Bennett said he hoped to meet with Bengals Assistant General Manager Mike Brown in Cincinnati later this week to reopen negotiations.
Collinsworth had been expected to sign a five-year, $3-million contract with Tampa Bay, but the deal fell apart Monday when an insurance company refused to guarantee payment of the contract because of Collinsworth's history of ankle problems.
Collinsworth agreed to the much-heralded “future” contract in September 1983, just as the NFL season was getting under way and shortly after negotiations with the Bengals for a new contract fell apart. But Bennett left no doubt that the deal with Tampa Bay was dead and buried.
“The contract has been terminated,” he said. “They (the Bandits) really had no decision to make. They were required to provide that insurance.”
The Bandits announced Tuesday that Collinsworth will be unable to play for the club because of Lloyds of London's decision not to insure the ankle.
“We were unable to meet contract demands because Cris has been declared uninsurable by Lloyds' because of an ankle injury sustained during the NFL season,” Tampa Bay business manager Ralph Campbell said.
He added that he and Collinsworth probably would visit Cincinnati later this week to begin negotiations. Brown indicated Monday he was interested in reopening talks.
Whether Collinsworth would ever play for the USFL became a matter of intense speculation early this month when it was learned that Bandits managing partner John Bassett would allow the wide receiver to return to Cincinnati if he desired.
The Bengals, who had been trying to reacquire Collinsworth, offered what was reported to be a seven-year, multi-million dollar contract, but Bennett turned down the deal because of its length.
While he declined to discuss specific figures Tuesday, he said the amount of money Brown offered earlier this month would be acceptable.
“I expect if we can agree on length of contract and few details, we should be able to reach an agreement,” he said.
“Obviously, the term of the contract was a very large, material issue, which we would have to discuss. I don't think any football player is wise to sign a contract for seven years.”
Collinsworth is one of Cincinnati's most popular athletes. During his four years with the Bengals, he caught 247 passes, putting him in fourth place on their all-time receptions list. He also was selected for the NFL Pro Bowl three times.
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