Bengals Sign Spikes, Simmons

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

July 25, 1998 / 4:06 PM EDT / CBS Sportsline

Linebackers Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons have agreed to five-year contracts with the Cincinnati Bengals, and both first-round draft choices were expected in training camp Saturday.

No financial terms were disclosed, but Simmons reportedly received a $3.2 million signing bonus. Spikes was taken with the 13th pick and Simmons went 17th.

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Forum: How good are Simmons and Spikes?

Simmons was taken with a pick acquired from the Washington Redskins in a trade for defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson. With the versatile Spikes and Simmons, the Bengals are aiming to upgrade a subpar defense that was the main culprit in a disappointing 7-9 season.

The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Spikes starred at Auburn. He started every game in each of his final two seasons, finishing 1997 with 136 tackles and two interceptions, including one that he brought back 65 yards for a touchdown. Spikes could step in for Gerald Dixon, who left via free agency for San Diego.

Simmons, a 6-3, 240-pounder, was a consensus All-American last season. He totaled 119 tackles and three sacks, and he can also drop back into pass coverage, which should help an inconsistent secondary.