The Bengals kept their third free agent offensive lineman Monday when they signed center Rich Braham to a two-year contract.

        Braham returns with left tackle John Jackson and left guard Matt O'Dwyer to a line that helped the Bengals finish third in the league in rushing yards per game.

        “I'm happy to be coming back,” said Braham, who declined to reveal terms of the contract. “It's going to help having all of us back. It's going to be easy going back knowing everybody.”

        Braham, 30, became an unrestricted free agent March 2. When the Bengals entertained veteran free agent center Jeff Mitchell, it appeared the team might be going in a different direction. But Mitchell signed Monday with Carolina.

        “The Bengals brought in different guys to look at,” Braham said. “They didn't know if I was going to sign.”

        Braham started nine games with the Bengals last season and missed seven because of a bursa sac problem in his right knee.

        “We've said we're looking to build the continuity of our running game,” Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said. “We want to retain the toughness we showed last year, and Richie (Braham) and Matt (O'Dwyer) are both deservedly known as tough players.”

        Braham started at left guard for the Bengals for three years before being moved to center in 1999.

        OFFER MADE: The Bengals made a contract offer Monday to former Green Bay offensive lineman Ross Verba.

        Verba, 27, who started 53 of 57 games in four seasons at Green Bay, made a stop Monday at Paul Brown Stadium.

        He played left guard last season but played left tackle the previous seven, including four in college. The Bengals like Jackson at left tackle but have concerns about his durability at age 36.

        Verba was a college teammate of Bengals right guard Mike Goff. Their line coach at Iowa was Frank Verducci, the Bengals tight ends coach.

        “I played left tackle in the league for three years and went to the Super Bowl,” Verba said. “I'd like to stay at left tackle.”

        He was impressed by his visit to Cincinnati, particularly with LeBeau and offensive line coach Paul Alexander.

        “It's just a matter of time before they get things running here,” Verba said. “They have the facilities. It's a highly motivating factor to be a part of something special that when it does pick up.”

        Verba, who's 6-foot-4, 308 pounds, also has visited Cleveland and Arizona and plans to visit Carolina.

        CORNER THE MARKET: Three free agent cornerbacks are expected visit Paul Brown Stadium today.

        The biggest name is former Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber, who will be joined by former San Diego Charger DeRon Jenkins and former Chicago Bear Walt Harris.

        “They're all smart, quick corners,” Lippincott said. “They're young enough to play for several more years but experienced enough to provide leadership to our young corners.”

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