The Bengals continued to shop for unrestricted free agents Tuesday, as Miami Dolphins linebacker Dwight Hollier and Minnesota Vikings fullback Scottie Graham visited Spinney Field.
Neither player is a franchise maker by any means, with Graham admittedly, ''a role player.'' But Hollier probably would start on a linebacking corps that lacks depth.
Hollier, 27, started 15 games at outside linebacker for Miami last year, but the Bengals envision him playing inside in their 3-4 defense. He also might come cheaper than Green Bay's Wayne Simmons or Dallas' Darrin Smith, who also have visited the Bengals but whose price tags of $1.5 to $2 million per year are more than Cincinnati wants to spend.
''My guess would be that (Hollier) would be one of the starters for us inside,'' said Jim Lippincott, Bengals pro personnel director.
Graham, 28, a former Ohio State star, has three career 100-yard gam/es but has been a reserve for most of his five NFL seasons, including stops with Pittsburgh, the New York Jets and Minnesota. His most notable statistic is that he has never fumbled in his NFL career (386 carries), which is the also longest current streak in the league.
''He would be a swing back (halfback or fullback),'' Lippincott said. ''And he can play special teams.''
Hollier, 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, has been a starter for most of his five-year Miami career. He was fourth on the team last year with 82 tackles.
''This is a team on the upswing,'' Hollier said of the Bengals. ''I prefer playing inside (linebacker), and that's where I'd be here. Š But there's no deal on the table. This is just an initial visit.''
Hollier also has visited Atlanta. Miami made him an offer to stay, but Hollier said, ''We're not exactly seeing eye to eye.''
Graham, 5-9 and 222 pounds, has played four years with the Vikings, who do not plan to re-sign him after he rushed for 138 yards (2.4 per carry) last year. But the Bengals recall that Graham rushed for 115 yards against them in the 1995 Christmas Eve season finale, and he could be insurance in a backfield that lost top rusher Garrison Hearst to San Francisco via free agency.
Graham, resplendent in suit and tie Tuesday, seemed ready to sign on the spot. He played under Bengals coach Bruce Coslet while with the Jets and lives near Columbus.
''I want to be here,'' he said. ''I've always been impressed with the organization. I was hoping they would draft me out of college, actually.''
Graham also has visited San Francisco.
Lippincott said the Bengals probably would not sign any more free agents until after the April 19-20 draft.
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