CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have added another defensive starter, agreeing to terms with former Oakland Raiders cornerback Tory James on a four-year, $14.4 million contract.
The deal is the latest in new head coach Marvin Lewis' effort to overhaul a defense that helped sink the Bengals to a 2-14 record last season, the worst in franchise history.
Lewis and Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier did a good job of selling James on a new defensive scheme that would fit James' ability in man-to-man coverage. Lewis, the former defensive coordinator in Washington and Baltimore, envisions a more aggressive Cincinnati defense that will rely on blitzing and on tighter coverage by the cornerbacks.
"He was just really impressed," agent Mark Bartelstein said of James. "They've created an excitement level."
James had 45 tackles last season with four interceptions. He has 19 career interceptions, including nine in the past two seasons with the Raiders. He will turn 30 on May 18 and has played in 94 NFL games with Denver and Oakland.
James was among six veterans Oakland released on Feb. 27 to get the team down to the salary cap.
Last weekend, the Bengals signed former Dallas linebacker Kevin Hardy and former Tennessee defensive tackle John Thornton. That followed Cincinnati's signing of free-agent defensive lineman Carl Powell from Washington.
The Bengals may lose linebacker Takeo Spikes, an unrestricted free agent who wants a fresh start with another team. Spikes signed an offer sheet Friday with the Buffalo Bills, giving the Bengals until the end of this week to either match the offer or lose Spikes without compensation.