Bengals Sign Bernard Scott

The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms with running back Bernard Scott, a sixth-round pick in the 2009 draft. Scott rushed for 2,156 yards at Abilene Christian in 2008, winning the NCAA Division II version of the Heisman. He also rushed for more than 2000 yards in 2007, and he scored 73 total touchdowns in two seasons. These facts are trumpeted in the release announcing the move. Omitted, of course, is the fact that Scott’s time running past defenders has included multiple instances of running from the fuzz. (We don’t know whether he actually ran from the fuzz -- but if he did they eventually caught him. On several occasions.) Right or wrong, the Bengals simply don’t care about a guy’s history. And that’s why it would be foolish not to at least consider the possibility that, once Mike Vick is reinstated, the Bengals will express interest in signing him. Meanwhile, the Bengals cut several players who already were under contract: tight end Matt Sherry, a sixth-round pick in 2008; receiver Mario Urrutia, a seventh-round pick in 2008; quarterback Billy Farris, an undrafted rookie; and long snapped James Smith, another undrafted rookie.