American Football: Cincinatti Bengals

Matthews signs one-year deal with Cincy

In a move that augurs the end of the Akili Smith tenure with the club, the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday morning signed quarterback Shane Matthews, ESPN.com confirmed through league sources.

Matthews, 32, auditioned for Bengals officials and coaches Thursday and was said to have made a good impression. A nine-year veteran, he signed a one-year contract for the NFL minimum of $655,000 for a player of his seniority. Because of a rule implemented last year, which provides a cap discount when franchises sign a veteran to a minimum-salary deal, he will count just $450,000 against Cincinnati's 2003 salary cap.

The former University of Florida star played for the Washington Redskins in 2002, and started seven games, completing 124 of 237 passes for 1,251 yards, with 11 touchdown passes and six interceptions. He signed with Tampa Bay as an unrestricted free agent earlier this spring, but was released recently, after the Bucs selected Chris Simms in the third round of the draft.