Gilbride ... profile

        A possible candidate for Bengals offensive coordinator became available Wednesday when Kevin Gilbride was fired as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.

        In spite of the Steelers' offensive struggles, they still scored 136 more points than the Bengals this season, 321 to 185. Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher cited the team's poor passing game — ranked 29th — as the reason for the dismissal. The Bengals were 31st of 31 teams in passing this year.

        “I've coached against him for many years and have a great deal of respect for what his offenses can do, particularly throwing the ball,” Bengals coach Dick LeBeau told The Enquirer.

        LeBeau also said he is putting Gilbride on the list of people he wants to talk to about the job, which opened when Ken Anderson was demoted to quarterbacks coach.

        Gilbride, 49, said Wednesday that he wants to continue coaching in the NFL.

        Gilbride was offensive coordinator in Jacksonville in 1995 and '96, when the Jaguars had the top-ranked passing offense in the NFL. It was the fifth time in his career his team had the league's most productive pass offense.

        Gilbride, a former quarterbacks coach, is credited with the development of Mark Brunell, Rob Johnson, Warren Moon and Steve Beuerlein.

        FREE-AGENT RUMBLINGS: In addition to running back Corey Dillon, the Bengals are talking to their other seven unrestricted free agents.

        The club made a one-year offer to veteran left tackle John Jackson.

        The team's other unrestricted free agents are defensive end Michael Bankston, center Rich Braham, tight end Steve Bush, guard Matt O'Dwyer, linebacker Billy Granville and quarterback Scott Mitchell.

        FISH STORY: The Bengals have the NFL's smallest player personnel department with six people, and have only two scouts.

        LeBeau made reference this week to the possibility of expanding the scouting department but Brown shot down that idea a few hours later.

        “That's an annual question here, and I would tell you that's a red herring,” Brown said. “As far as the information on players, we know as much as the other people know. Have we made some unfortunate picks? I think we have. We could have done better.”

        SIGNINGS: The Bengals have signed their six practice squad players to two-year contracts: wideout Chad Plummer, safety Gary Thompkins, tight end Kirk McMullen, fullback Ricky Brown and defensive tackle Keith Jackson.

Dillon rejects Bengals' first offer Gilbride could be candidate to head offense

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