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CINCINNATI -- There was no suspense for Peter Warrick. Only relief.

After a slow 40-yard dash time, an arrest and suspension last season at Florida State, and a change of philosophy by the Cleveland Browns, Warrick knew where he stood -- no better than fourth.

"I mean, after all the controversy and stuff ...," he said, his voice trailing off.

And fourth was where the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him Saturday, ending three months of uncertainty for the star receiver.

"I'm glad it's over with, going through the process from January to today," he said. "That's all behind me. I'm ready to start playing football now."

But Warrick's relief won't last long. The elusive receiver and kick returner who drew comparisons Saturday with Deion Sanders gets to play for Cincinnati's other pro team, the one that wins much, much less than the Reds.

When commissioner Paul Tagliabue called his name, Warrick went from one of the top college football programs of the '90s to the NFL's worst team of the decade.

The national champion Seminoles didn't lose a game last season, going 12-0. By contrast, the Bengals lost a dozen games and haven't had a winning season since 1990.

Warrick hadn't followed the Bengals, hadn't seen them play, hadn't even been to Cincinnati when he was drafted. He knew they don't win much.

"I ain't never played for a team like that," he said.

And that's not going to change once he arrives, at least not immediately. He knew that, too.

"I heard that," he said. "In time, though, in time."

Six months ago, draft day was supposed to be the culmination of a joyous year for Warrick. He returned for his senior season at Florida State to win a national championship and did just that, becoming the catalyst in a 46-29 win over Virginia Tech that clinched the title.

But Warrick missed out on the Heisman Trophy because of his arrest in October. He was suspended for two games and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of petty theft -- he paid $21.40 for $412.38 worth of clothing at a Dillard's department store in Tallahassee.

"He made a mistake. He owns up to it. I think he paid a tremendous price," Bengals general manager Mike Brown said. "He may have been the Heisman award winner. To lose that opportunity is a tremendous sanction in and of itself beyond what he paid otherwise.

"He's been punished. He's been straightforward about all this. He regrets it and says so. I think in the future he'll fly straight and fly high. We don't have real concerns about his character."

The Bengals are known for producing receivers like Isaac Curtis, Eddie Brown, Cris Collinsworth and Carl Pickens. And they figure they have gotten another one.

Although the Bengals were willing to consider offers to move down in the draft, they didn't come close to any deal. General manager Mike Brown said the Bengals talked to the New York Jets three days earlier, but not about trading draft positions.

The Bengals are listening to offers for Pickens, a disgruntled receiver whom Warrick will replace sooner or later.

"There wasn't anything that at all enticed us," Brown said. "We like our pick. We're happy with what we get."

The Browns had singled out Warrick as the leading candidate for the top pick in the draft, another one of Warrick's goals. They said their priority was to assemble a cast to surround quarterback Tim Couch, last year's No. 1 pick.

By early March, the Browns had changed their minds and were leaning toward defensive end Courtney Brown -- whom they chose Saturday -- or linebacker LaVar Arrington, who went to Washington with the second pick.

Now, having drafted Warrick, the concern will be getting him under contract. Last year, quarterback Akili Smith missed virtually all of training camp in a contract impasse.

Warrick has a different agent -- Mike George of SFX Sports Group -- but most likely will be facing the same tough-bargaining stance that Smith encountered.

Asked Saturday if he knew who Warrick's agent was, Brown looked to an assistant coach for help.

"You can tell how much we focus on the agents in the draft," Brown said, chuckling. "We just don't. Now we're going to have to. The fun will begin shortly and I'll know his name better."