BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Take a look at who the Bengals are playing during the final six weeks of the Loss Season, and it should give you a clue to what they're thinking on their unrestricted free agents.
Myron Bell getting a few more looks at strong safety? That could mean the Bengals are adamant about not paying Sam Shade in the $2 million per-year range.
Rookie Mike Goff getting 13 snaps at right guard last Sunday with more to come? Anthony Brown, the man he's playing behind, is a free agent. So is center Darrick Brilz. If Goff proves he can play, the Bengals could move left guard Rich Braham to center next year.
Running back Brandon Bennett getting a few more carries? If he proves he belongs on the roster behind Corey Dillon and Ki-Jana Carter next season, there'd be no reason to pursue Eric Bieniemy in free agency.
Of course, the two biggest free-agent questions can't be solved in the next 40 days.
Cornerback Ashley Ambrose has said he'll test the free-agent waters if the Bengals continue to drown in losses, but his recent play doesn't have the club mourning over his statements.
And, conventional wisdom has the club restricting the free-agency movement of wide receiver Carl Pickens with the franchise tag. That gives the Bengals the right to match any offer, and if they choose not to, they must be compensated with a first- and third-round draft pick.
Many recent franchise free agents have demanded trades (remember Dan Wilkinson?) or held out. But the word is the Bengals are going to live with it, even if Pickens balks.
The Bengals tried to wrap up Pickens, Ambrose and Shade at various points this season, but got nowhere. They still seem interested in re-signing Shade, but Shade isn't apparently so gung-ho. With Steeler Pro Bowler Carnell Lake set to go on the market, the prevailing thinking is that his price will boost safeties' salaries.
With their agenda contingent on injuries and performance, the Bengals plan to make a run at people after the season and before free-agency starts Feb. 12. But General Manager Mike Brown is confident the losses can be filled.
"We've got players who can step in, and we can go into the draft and free agency," Brown said.
Brilz hasn't heard anything from the club. He wonders whether there's a future for a 35-year-old center, generally known as the offensive line's most reliable performer the past five years. He said he'll take stock of his body after the season and if it feels like last year, he'll keep playing.
Tank Black, Bieniemy's agent, said he hasn't heard from the Bengals recently.
The club has been impressed with the play of defensive end Clyde Simmons, and something could be done there. Jim Solano, Simmons' agent, said his client would like to stay in Cincinnati despite the 2-8 record.
Coach Bruce Coslet is still trying to win games and isn't ready to start outlining next year's roster. He bristled when asked whether Goff's time would approach starter's minutes.
"He's not ready for prime time," Coslet said. "Will he continue to play a little bit? Yes. Will I bench somebody else to play him all the way? No way. He's not ready. He's going to be a good football player. "This is not the pre-season. We're trying everybody. But wholesale changes, just put them in there and it looks like the scrimmage in Georgetown? No. That's ridiculous."
Like most coaches, Coslet doesn't suffer rookies easily. If Ambrose leaves and the Bengals draft Champ Bailey or Antoine Winfield, you don't want to be the guy who tells Coslet he's starting a rookie at one corner and a second-year player (Artrell Hawkins) at the other.
Such is the case of Bennett easing into third-down play.
"Bennett can be a lot," Coslet said. "We ask the third-down back to pick up the blitz because you get more blitzes on third down. That's why (fullback Brian) Milne and Bieniemy are in there most of the time on third down.
"Corey's becoming a better blocker, but I don't think Brandon's in that category. He's a good runner. I think we may have found something there, and that's good. And I'll leave it at that."
But Coslet isn't going to ignore the contributions of his special teams captain and one of the team's finest character guys: "In the last few weeks, one of our only bright spots is Bieniemy."
COPELAND BACK:
Defensive end John Copeland, sidelined since tearing his left Achilles tendon during a workout last spring, could see his first action of the season Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals cleared a spot for Copeland on the 53-man roster by waiving Brock Gutierrez, a center-guard.
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