The Bengals had Tony Siragusa and Darrin Smith exactly where they wanted them Tuesday - in their locker room.
Returning them there, of course, is a different matter.
Cincinnati could use Siragusa, a defensive tackle, and Smith, a linebacker, to help lay the foundation for the strategy defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau builds.
But the Bengals know quite well that signing either unrestricted free agent will prove challenging.
The Bengals did sign former University of Cincinnati cornerback Jocelyn Borgella to a two-year contract. But he's unlikely to make the impact that Siragusa or Smith could.
At least the 6-foot-3 Siragusa won't keep the Bengals guessing too long. The 320-pounder, who has spent his seven professional seasons with Indianapolis, hopes to settle on a team before the NFL draft begins April 19.
Siragusa was reportedly close to a four-year deal with Oakland, but he insisted that nothing was imminent. His price tag, about $1.5 million annually, is in Cincinnati's range.
''I just want to see what happens with (Cincinnati) and then I'll make my decision, probably in the next couple of weeks,'' the former Indianapolis Colt said. ''I don't have my bags packed to go to Oakland yet. Who knows, maybe I can just come right down Route 74.''
The Bengals envision Siragusa as a latter-day Tim Krumrie in the middle of the 3-4 defense they're installing. ''You can see that he's the prototype of a nose tackle,'' LeBeau said.
Siragusa was also adept at saying the right things about the Bengals.
''I'd like to come here; I think they have a great thing going,'' he said. ''If I thought Cincinnati couldn't make it to the playoffs next year, I wouldn't be here.''
Smith, whose salary demands are thought to start at around $2 million annually, also tried to sound encouraging.
Asked if money was a major factor in his decision, Smith said, ''Not really. I want to be where I feel I'll be happy and where I'll fit in as far as the (defensive) scheme is concerned.''
Cincinnati could be one of those places for the four-year veteran of the Dallas Cowboys, especially with Houston and
Miami apparently having lost interest. The Bengals would use him as an inside and outside linebacker, capitalizing on his strength (234 pounds) and speed (he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds).
''He gives you some unusual skills to work with,'' LeBeau said. ''You're silly if you don't avail yourself to those talents.''
Said Smith, ''To have a coach like LeBeau, who has a track record of having great defenses
and producing great linebackers, is one of the reasons I'm here.''
Borgella (5-10, 180), who left UC as the school's all-time leader with 12 interceptions, will provide depth in the secondary. The Bengals hope he'll push the players ahead of him on the depth chart. ''He's going to make people better because he's here,'' said Jim Lippincott, Cincinnati's director of pro personnel and scouting.
Borgella, 25, appeared in only 15 games in three seasons with Detroit, including 11 last year. The Lions used him mainly on special teams.
''I could count the number of times I stepped on the field. Not a whole lot,'' he said. ''(Detroit) saw my potential, but I didn't have the opportunity to play. I'm just happy to have the opportunity here.''
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