Bengals K Graham signs franchise tender

Sports Network | April 30, 2009

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Cincinnati Bengals kicker Shayne Graham singed his $2.5 million one-year franchise tender on Thursday.

The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Graham back in February and the eight-year vet voiced his displeasure with the move, saying he would have "preferred a long-term deal here or elsewhere."

"We're happy Shayne is signed in advance of our offseason camps," said head coach Marvin Lewis in a release. "This does not preclude our continuing to talk to Shayne and his representatives about reaching a longer-term agreement."

Graham connected on 21-of-24 field goals and all 15 point after attempts in 14 games last season and has set several club records in his six seasons in Cincinnati.

In addition to ranking fourth all-time in the NFL for field goal accuracy at 85.6 percent, the Virginia Tech product holds franchise marks for points in a season (131), field goals in a season (31), field goals in a game (seven) and consecutive field goals made (21).

Over his eight-year career, which included stints with Buffalo and Carolina, he has hit 173-of-202 field goal attempts and has missed just two of his 250 point-after attempts.