Tony Williams NFL.com profile

        The Bengals agreed on a four-year contract with former Minnesota defensive tackle Tony Williams on Tuesday after passing on Pro Bowler Ted Washington.

        Team officials clearly liked Williams, 25, more than Pro Bowler Washington, 32.

        “He's got quick hands, quick feet, gets off blocks easily,” said Jim Lippincott, director of pro/college personnel.

        Williams is the team's first free agent signed this year. He visited Cincinnati on Tuesday with former Jacksonville offensive tackle Leon Searcy.

        Williams has played four seasons with the Vikings. Williams' strength is against the run, but he has nine sacks the past two seasons.

        “I'm just looking to be a part of something positive,” he said hours before the agreement was reached. “They say I'm an athlete, but I say I have heart.”

        Williams, who went to Memphis State, was on the Bengals' radar coming out of college. He is 6-foot-1, 292 pounds, and will play right tackle alongside Oliver Gibson. Veteran John Copeland probably will return to defensive end; he played tackle much of last season.

        “He is a past wrestling champion. We like that,” Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said of Williams. “We like the fact he's a young player on the way up.”

        Terms of the deal weren't announced but reportedly were for $11 million over four years, including a $4 million signing bonus.

        Williams made 12 starts in the regular season last year and also started both Vikings playoff games.

        In 1999, Williams led Minnesota linemen with 53 tackles, bettering high-profile teammates Chris Doleman, John Randle and Jerry Ball.

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