The Bengals today re-signed LS Clark Harris and P Kevin Huber. Both players’ contracts had been set to expire Monday, and without new deals they would have become unrestricted free agents as of Tuesday.
Harris has not had an unplayable snap on a punt or place kick in 552 opportunities since joining the Bengals in 2009, and last season his consistent deliveries helped Huber post Bengals records for gross punting average (46.6) and net punting average (42.0).
“Clark and Kevin are key specialists for us, and it’s great to have them in the fold before free agency begins,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “They have played well and are still young guys. They are entering what should be the prime years of their careers.”
Harris (6-5, 255; Rutgers) and Huber (6-1, 212; Cincinnati) are both fifth-year NFL players in 2013. Huber was a Bengals fifth-round draft choice in 2009, and Harris signed with Cincinnati as a free agent on Oct. 13 of ’09. Each has played in every Bengals regular season and postseason game since his arrival, and Harris has assisted Huber in also becoming the Bengals’ career leader in gross punting average (44.0) and net average (38.9).
Last season Huber ranked tied for sixth in the NFL with a plus-26 differential between inside-20 punts (33) and touchbacks (six). Huber is tied with Kyle Larson for the Bengals’ best all-time ratio of inside-20s to touchbacks (3.41-1). Huber also has been the team’s No. 1 holder for place kicks.
