Mini-camp Rookies - The seven players the Bengals drafted, along with undrafted college free agents - will report for physical examinations and meetings Friday. They'll practice without pads Saturday through Monday. Veterans will work out May 6-8, also without pads.

Discussing multiyear contract extensions with John Copeland and Dan Wilkinson is on the Bengals' minds but not the tips of their tongues.

President and General Manager Mike Brown wants to secure the services of his defensive ends, who can become eligible for free agency after this season. Brown said in February that the Bengals would focus on such deals if they didn't spend lavishly in free agency, which has become a low priority for club management.

''It would be helpful to us if we could get them to make deals that would solidify our team for following years,'' Brown said Tuesday.

However, talks are dormant.

''We'll work at it on a timely basis; that's all I can tell you,'' Brown said.

Brown is aware that Cincinnati risks losing Copeland and Wilkinson if the team waits until next offseason to negotiate.

Also, a strong 1997 performance by either player would increase his asking price. Copeland could command a signing bonus as high as $3 million, some insiders believe.

Wilkinson signed a six-year, $14.4 million contract as the No.Ç1 overall draft pick in 1994, though that became a four-year deal after he participated in 35 percent of the plays as a rookie.

Joel Segal, Copeland's agent, kept his remarks to a minimum. ''We've had preliminary talks about John,'' he said. ''I can't tell you much more than that. We are trying to talk.''

Jim Gould, Wilkinson's agent, said the Bengals contacted him shortly after last season ended, but he deemed that juncture ''too premature.'' Gould said he expects to hear from the Bengals again, though he's not sure when.

''I'd love for the Bengals to step up and do something that would be special,'' Gould said. ''We feel that Dan is going to be among the leaders at his position. He wants to do that for Cincinnati.''

Gould wants to avoid discussing a contract during the season.

ledein NOTES: Jim Lippincott, the Bengals' director of pro personnel and scouting, said he expects virtually perfect attendance at the upcoming mini-camp.

Lippincott said linebacker Andre Collins, an unrestricted free agent, should be among the participants, though he doesn't believe that 12-year veteran cornerback Rod Jones, also an unrestricted free agent, will attend.

The Bengals have essentially written off safety Leonard Wheeler, another unrestricted free agent who spent the past five seasons with Cincinnati. Wheeler wasn't listed on the club's latest roster.

Whether unsigned wide receiver Darnay Scott will attend mini-camp is uncertain. ''Right now, all I can say is, 'I don't know,' '' said Scott's agent, Rocky Arceneaux. Arceneaux said ''nothing of any significance'' has transpired in contract talks with the Bengals.

Cincinnati added three undrafted college free agents to its rookie roster: Appalachian State offensive tackle Chad Groover, Hampton (Va.) wide receiver Mike Jenkins and Colorado safety Kenny Wilkins.

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