Bengals management will test its salesmanship in the coming days when two unrestricted free agents, defensive tackle Tony Siragusa and linebacker Todd Collins, visit the team's headquarters.
Siragusa, who has spent seven seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, was scheduled to tour Cincinnati on Wednesday, but his visit may get pushed back to Friday. Collins, a four-year
veteran from the New England Patriots, hasn't finalized a date, though it'll likely be next week.
Jim Lippincott, Cincinnati's
director of pro personnel and scouting, stressed that the team is not close to signing either player. But he added that the visits weren't devoid of significance.
''In other years, players were reluctant to visit here,'' Lippincott said Monday. ''The perception of the Bengals has changed. We are perceived as a team that's on the right track.''
Evidence indicates that the Bengals might struggle to sign Siragusa but have a definite shot at Collins.
Siragusa, 29, is said to be seeking $2 million annually. He earned approximately $1.1 million last season and rejected a Colts offer for a contract extension worth an estimated $1.3 million a year.
Given the interest in Siragusa, a superior run-stopper who would fit nicely as a nose tackle in the
Bengals' new 3-4 defense, some club might give him what he wants, or close to it. The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder has drawn interest from 10 teams, including Atlanta, Minnesota, New England, the New York Jets, Oakland and Philadelphia. Indianapolis wants to retain him but is battling salary-cap woes.
Collins, 26, earned $385,000 last year, making him affordable to virtually any team. Playing in Cincinnati might have some regional appeal for the 6-2, 242-pounder, who lives in Tennessee.
The Bengals envision Collins as an inside linebacker in their 3-4.
Collins abruptly retired after the 1994 season for unspecified reasons but returned in 1996 to help the Patriots win the AFC Championship. He started nine of 16 regular-season games and all three postseason contests.
Previous stories
BENGALS HAVE CAP ROOM FOR FREE AGENTS Feb. 15, 1997
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