Bengals, Dillon Still at Impasse

CINCINNATI (AP) â€” Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon has rejected the Cincinnati Bengals' offer of a six-year contract for more than $5 million a year. <br><br>``There have been exchanges, but I

Thursday, July 20th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CINCINNATI (AP) â€” Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon has rejected the Cincinnati Bengals' offer of a six-year contract for more than $5 million a year.

``There have been exchanges, but I would not consider them progress,'' Bengals president Mike Brown said.

Dillon and his agent, Marvin Demoff, made a counteroffer Wednesday, demanding more money. Brown said he anticipated that would happen after the Tennessee Titans extended running back Eddie George's contract for six years at $6 million per year.

Dillon has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons with the Bengals. He soured on the team at the end of last season and said he wanted to play for somebody else.

Brown said Tuesday that George deserves more money than Dillon because the Titans have won more games and played in a Super Bowl with George. The Bengals are 14-34 in Dillon's three seasons.

The team has been trying to re-sign Dillon, a restricted free agent, before training camp opens Friday in Georgetown, Ky.

Aside from Dillon, the Bengals have five relatively untested backs: Michael Basnight, Brandon Bennett, Curtis Keaton, Sedrick Shaw and Nick Williams.

``They might surprise us,'' Brown said. ``I've seen those surprises.''