Bengals Sign Bowtie Guy

The Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran linebacker Dhani Jones to one-year contract on Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not released.

Jones, an eight-year veteran, had eight tackles and a sack during five preseason games with New Orleans. The Saints cut him on August 31.

A sixth-round choice of the New York Giants in the 2000 draft, Jones has played in 95 career games with 74 starts, recording 447 tackles (113 solo) with four sacks. He has not missed a game over the last four seasons, spending the 2003 campaign with the Giants and the next three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He played all 16 games, including 13 starts last season for the NFC East champion Eagles in 2006, recording 93 tackles. Jones also had 10 more tackles in a pair of playoff games.
Jones was released by the Eagles on April 30 of this year.

The Bengals released linebacker Andre Frazier on Tuesday to clear a roster spot for Jones.

>>TheSportsNetwork

When your defense gives up 50 points to the Cleveland Browns, bringing in Banjo Boy is always the logical solution.

Banjo Boy throws D-line under the bus

In a recent appearance on NFL Network's Total Access, former Eagles Dhani Jones blames the Eagles front four for the linebackers(his) poor play in 2006. Sounds like he is taking a page out of Trotter's book. The difference is Trotter is a three time pro-bowler, and has the right to speak.

I agree that the front four is clearly important, but could somebody tell this clown Dhani he almost never made a play in three seasons as an Eagle. This would include the 2004 Super Bowl team, that had Derrick Burgess, Corey Simon, Hollis Thomas, Jevon Kearse, Darwin Walker, and Sam Rayburn all playing at a high level.

When the clown actually made his one tackle a game, he would bust out the stupidest celebration ever, the air banjo. I know it is a flashy NFL these days, but players should try to act like they've been there before. All Dhani has ever done, is conduct orchestra's wear stupid bowties, play his "field guitar", and act like an NFL linebacker.

To view Banjo Boy video on Total Access, you must have Real Player.
>>Bow Tie Guy

Bow Tie Guy off to Big Easy

Free agent linebacker Dhani Jones announced on NFL Network today that he has signed a free-agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Jones, working as a guest analyst on NFL Network's Total Access show, said he made the decision to sign with New Orleans in part because he developed a good relationship with Saints head coach Sean Payton when both were with the Giants from 2000 to 2002.

Jones, who played the last three seasons with the Eagles and the four before that with the Giants, was one of the few veteran free agents who hadn't yet found a home. Last year he played 16 games for the Eagles, starting 13.[Fanhouse]

Bye Bowtie Guy

STRUM THE "AIR BANJO" slowly in mourning.

Fly your bow tie at half-staff.

Dhani Jones will be doing his "renaissance man" thing in another NFL city this fall, assuming someone signs him in the wake of the linebacker's release yesterday by the Eagles, who apparently were unable to get anything for him in last weekend's entry draft.

Fans often felt Jones' penchant for celebration - complete with "air banjo" playing - exceeded his level of play during his 3 years with the Birds, which followed four seasons with the Giants. The release clears the way for 2006 third-round pick Chris Gocong to start at strongside linebacker.

"I guess I am the starter on paper, but you still have to do it on the field," said Gocong, who was slow to transition from defensive end at Cal Poly to pro linebacker, then missed his rookie season with a neck injury. "It's good to know Jim [Johnson, the defensive coordinator] and Andy [Reid, the head coach] have the confidence in me."

Gocong ranks first on the depth chart, ahead of Stewart Bradley, the Nebraska linebacker the Eagles selected in the third round Saturday, and 2006 practice-squad linebacker Tank Daniels. If Gocong were to falter, the team could always move veteran newcomer Takeo Spikes from the weakside and start Omar Gaither or Matt McCoy there. Right now, Gaither seems set to split time with Jeremiah Trotter in the middle, and McCoy will back up Spikes.

"It's a little added pressure, but we're professionals, and we're taught to deal with that," Gocong said.

Gocong recently acknowledged he would watch the Eagles' draft to see whether they took a strongside linebacker high; there had been talk of moving Gocong back to defensive end. But the Birds took a DE (Victor Abiamiri, in the second round, 57th overall) before they drafted Bradley, 87th overall.

Jones had 2 years remaining on his contract; the Eagles will take about an $800,000 cap hit from releasing him. From his perspective, the timing could have been better, but it could have been worse, too. Veterans generally prefer being released when free agency starts in March. (Obviously, the Birds couldn't say for sure back then they would be able to draft a strongside linebacker.) But getting cut loose at the end of April is better than looking for a new home in early September, after training camp and the final roster cutdown.

Contacted by the Daily News, Jones referred all questions to his agent, Donald Yee. Yee said he expects to be able to place Jones with another team before training camp.

"Dhani enjoyed his time with the Eagles. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to play for the organization and go to the Super Bowl. He's looking forward to pursuing other opportunities," Yee said.

Rookie free agents

As expected, the Eagles yesterday announced the names of 11 undrafted rookie free agents they signed. The list includes Moorestown, N.J., High's Dereck Faulkner, a 6-3, 228-pound wideout from Hampton; and BYU wideout Zac Collie (5-11, 187), whose father, Scott, played at BYU from 1979-82, along with Andy Reid. The rest of the list: Jeremy Clark, DT, Alabama, 6-3, 309; Nick Graham, CB, Tulsa, 5-10, 191; Jacob Hobbs, G, Albany, 6-3, 303; Akeem Jordan, LB, James Madison, 6-1, 226; Marques Murrell, DE, Appalachian State, 6-2, 246; Jonathan Palmer, OT, Auburn, 6-4, 336; Marcus Paschal, S, Iowa, 6-0, 201; Chris Smith, S, Florida International, 5-10, 215; and Chris White, G, South Carolina, 6-3, 321.

Birdseed

Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley said on the Eagles' Web site yesterday he welcomes second-round quarterback Kevin Kolb to the team. Asked about starter Donovan McNabb's reaction, Feeley said: "Don right now is worried about getting himself back, and not [in] getting caught up in all this other stuff. I'm sure it shocked Donovan like it did a lot of guys, but Donovan can't worry about that. None of us can. It is what it is and you just have to move forward" . . . Clarifying something written yesterday: The Saturday trade with the Cowboys was not the first with Dallas since 1997; the Birds sent a fourth- and a sixth-rounder to the Cowboys on draft day 2 years ago, getting back a fourth and a fifth in 2006. *

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