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But as Cincinnati Enquirer staffers Kevin Kelly and Mark Curnutte reminded readers, both sides wanted, and worked toward, a long-term contract. What the two sides ultimately settled on was a one-year, $1.824-million deal.

"The bottom line is what it is," said Peter Schaffer, Johnson's agent. "The stated goal of the team was to sign a long-term deal with Rudi in the offseason. So in that way it is a disappointment.

"You have a guy who not only wants to be a Bengal the rest of his career; he wants to be a Bengal the rest of his life."

Johnson, a 24-year-old restricted free agent and the Bengals' leading rusher last season, had said repeatedly after the team offered the one-year tender March 1 that he wanted to sign a long-term deal and retire as a Bengal.

"He really wants to be part of the team," Schaffer said.

Johnson was a restricted free agent after last season, but the Bengals made sure he would stay by tendering a one-year, $1.8 million offer. No team was willing to match the offer and give the Bengals first- and third-round picks as compensation.

Johnson waited until after the Bengals' rookie mini-camp to sign the one-year offer.

Top draft pick Chris Perry, a running back from Michigan, attended the mini-camp over the weekend. The Bengals plan to use Perry to back up Johnson this season.

Johnson emerged as a starting running back after Corey Dillon hurt his groin early last season. Johnson ran for 957 yards and nine touchdowns, and a disgruntled Dillon was traded to New England last month.

And as Schaffer noted in a conversation with bengals.com online editor Geoff Hobson, his client has made every effort to prove that -- unlike Dillon -- he's a team player.

"Here's a guy that doesn't have to show up until Sept. 1. There have been guys there who have said they'd rather flip burgers than go back there," said Schaffer, alluding to Dillon's comments when he went into restricted free agency. "But he's committed to what the Bengals are doing. He loves the coaches and management, but at some point they have to know his price is just going to go out of the roof once he hits the market.

"I don't like artificial deadlines," Schaffer, who indicated he'll talk during the season, told Hobson. "But obviously, as each day goes by, the price is changing. What we think might have been a good deal in February won't necessarily be one in September. ..."

Asked by Hobson if the Bengals should take note of his willingness to put the team ahead of himself by showing up for workouts voluntarily, Johnson said: "Maybe they should. But that's not why I'm here, so they can notice. That's on them.

"(The running game is) is why I'm here," he said. "We've got to start fast, man. Trying to start fast this year. I'm trying to start fast. We're all trying to start fast, so in order to do that, you've got to be here at some point in time to get that done."

It's hard not to like a guy with a positive attitude and a little humility. Johnson has both.

"That's the good thing about my situation. I've got a lot to prove and this team also has a lot to prove," he explained. "We're trying to prove ourselves as a team, and I'm trying to prove myself as an individual. At the same time, it all works together. But I've got a lot to prove. I'm looking forward to going out and proving it."

"Nothing is going to change from last year on my side," Johnson added. "I'm going to continue to do what I have to do, just like I did last year. Hopefully everything will work out the same as last year. ..."

Also in Cincinnati. ... Quarterback Kurt Kittner was waived by the Bengals on Sunday, less than two weeks after he was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.

Other Fantasy-specific news and notes of interest from around the NFL. ...

In San Francisco. ... Quarterback Tim Rattay had successful surgery on his left groin Tuesday.

Rattay tore a tendon in his groin during the first practice at San Francisco's mini-camp last Friday. The 49ers expect him to return for training camp in late July, but acknowledge the injury could keep Rattay out longer.

"We will see how it responds to treatment and rehabilitation," team doctor Michael Dillingham said. ...

In Tennessee. ... According to Nashville City Paper staffer Terry McCormick, Titans general manager Floyd Reese said he spoke last week to one of Eddie George's representatives, but the two sides remain apart in their attempt to lower the running back's 2004 salary cap figure of $7.32 million.

The Titans had wanted George, who is represented by Schaffer and Lamont Smith, to take a cut from his $4.25 million salary before March, when a $1 million roster bonus was due, but the sides were not able to agree, forcing Reese to go in a different direction to get the team under the league's $80.6 million salary cap.

Reese spoke with Schaffer last week, but said there is currently no sense of urgency, even though the June 1 date that allows teams to release players and spread the cap hit over two seasons is approaching.

Reese said the more serious deadline will be when the Titans have to find up to $4.7 million in cap space to sign the 2004 rookie class.

"We're not going to need serious money until we start signing draft choices, and historically you don't start signing draft choices until after July 4," Reese said. "I think this is the one time of year where you actually have a little bit of time."

The Titans are publicly saying they want George to return in 2004, but George said last week his situation is still up in the air, as both salary and playing time are at issue. ...

In New York. ... Two-time MVP Kurt Warner met with the Giants on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of becoming the veteran quarterback who competes with Eli Manning for the starting job.

"He had a great meeting," Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent, told Associated Press sports writer Tom Canavan in a telephone interview. "It was very positive. He was impressed with everything."

Warner took a physical but didn't throw, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said. While the Rams are letting Warner talk to other teams, he isn't allowed to throw for them.

For what it's worth. ... According New York Newsday staff writer Bob Glauber, if the Giants sign Warner, it won't be to hold Manning's hand. It will definitely be to compete with the No. 1 overall draft pick for the starting job in 2004.

A source familiar with the meetings told Glauber that head coach Tom Coughlin assured Warner that he would have a chance to compete for the starting job, something that appeals to him.

In a related note. ... The New York Post reported Tuesday that the Raiders have made Kerry Collins a modest contract offer that he likely will not sign. It appears more likely now that Rich Gannon will remain in Oakland.

There are also murmurs that Brad Johnson might stay with Tampa Bay. If Gannon and Johnson are not available, the Giants' options are more limited, increasing Warner's chances to land in New York. ...

Also in New York. ... The investigation into complaints made by 7 to 10 Giants players to the NFL Players Association concerning possible violations in Coughlin's off-season workout program, in is ongoing. Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director, and Harold Henderson, the league's vice president of labor relations, will review the evidence submitted by the Giants.

No decision is expected before Friday.

If the Giants are found to be in violation and cannot come to an agreement with Upshaw and Henderson, the findings will be turned over to a non-injury grievance arbitrator, who will decide the case within 48 hours. ...

In Tampa Bay. ... Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman was released from an Arizona jail early Monday morning, allowed to return to football and his family after serving two weeks of his sentence from a guilty plea on a felony charge of endangerment.

Pittman, who still faces three years of supervised probation, was sentenced to 30 days in jail with two days served April 23, but Arizona law allows a sentence to be cut in half for good behavior. He was released at 5:15 a.m. Monday, and his attorney said he was expected to return to Tampa.

Pittman was accused of using his Hummer in May 2003 to ram a Mercedes-Benz that had his wife, their 2-year-old son and 18-year-old babysitter inside at the gate of the Arizona neighborhood where they lived.

Meanwhile, the sixth-year pro awaits word on a potential suspension commissioner Paul Tagliabue can hand down for a second violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Pittman was suspended one game in 2001 for a misdemeanor conviction on a similar arrest, and it's expected this suspension would be for multiple games, threatening his future with the Bucs.

According to St. Petersburg Times staffer Greg Auman, NFL spokesman Michael Signora said Monday that the league has not reached a decision.

Pittman's attorney, Joel Thompson, said the league called him Thursday to get his mailing address, and he has sent a letter to Tagliabue asking for leniency and suggesting community service as an alternative to a suspension. ...

In Denver. ... The Broncos waived Steve Beuerlein on Monday to give the 39-year-old quarterback time to decide whether he wants to return for an 18th season.

Beuerlein, Denver's No. 2 quarterback the last two seasons, is recovering from two operations on his throwing hand and contemplating retirement.

Beuerlein signed with Denver in 2001 after playing for five teams in 14 seasons. He sat out his first season with the team because of elbow surgery, but was Brian Griese's backup in 2002 and played behind Jake Plummer last year.

The Broncos have five quarterbacks on the roster, but head coach Mike Shanahan said he would welcome Beuerlein back if he decides to play.