Carlos Dunlap on New Deal & Remaining with Bengals
By Jason Marcum
Oct 9, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) looks up during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-USA TODAY Sports
If Carlos Dunlap is able to play out his entire contract, he’ll be terrifying opposing quarterbacks for the Cincinnati Bengals for at least the next 6 seasons, as his new deal keeps him in the Queen City until the 2019 offseason. Oh, and he’ll make a reported $18 million over the next year after being previously scheduled to make just a bit over $600,000.
Needless to say, it’s a time for celebration for Carlos and his family, and he took the time today to do a conference call with Cincinnati reporters to discuss his new deal, as well as his goals for the upcoming season (hat tip to Joe Reedy):
"Were you surprised to get a deal done this quickly? “It definitely came as a surprise. We’ve been talking for a few months now but it didn’t get to crunch time until yesterday. Didn’t expect it this close or soon (to training camp). Drew (Rosenhaus) pulled me to the side and said he needed to talk.”Considering that they were talking to Michael Johnson and had offered him a deal is it difficult as teammates balancing business and friendship? “Not at all. We’re grown men and understand the business side. We’re both friends and kept in contact all summer. I didn’t know I was going to get one in spite of his. We all want to get a deal done and stay together ever since we got the Fisher-Price package label.”Is this the year you start? “I like my chances. During OTAs I was rolling with the ones and my goal is to be a starter. I was named the starter last year but only started 1-2 games. We have a great, young core and our best football is ahead of us. The biggest thing we have to do now is get past the first round of the playoffs. During training camp I worked my way up to be the starter. Right after I earned it in first preseason games a wide receiver rolled up on my knee which is one of those fluke injuries I was talking about. I had to slowly work my way back.”Did you start thinking about an extension after last season or during this offseason: “Just playing out my rookie deal was the main goal but the Bengals came with a deal I couldn’t refuse. I’m excited that they were this confident to get it done early. Now I can go and play football. Now that I have this deal, it will make things any easier with job and financial security.”What did Michael Johnson say when he called? “He was excited for me and told me congratulations. I said hopefully we can get you and Geno both done and if not hopefully all three of us can make the Pro Bowl.”"
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