The Bengals and the agent for Ross Verba continued to negotiate Tuesday, a day after the team offered a contract to the former Packers offensive lineman.

        “He's interested,” said Chris Singletary, who works with Verba's agent, Kendall Kremer. “We're not disclosing information.”

        Verba, a four-year pro who played left guard last season, would return to left tackle in Cincinnati, filling a hole created by the poor performance of starter Rod Jones last season.

        The Bengals in January re-signed 36-year-old John Jackson at left tackle.

        Verba describes his style of play as “pit bull,” and Bengals insiders consider him an overachiever who works hard.

        He has visited Cleveland and Arizona, but a visit to Carolina is on hold.

        POPE'S BACK: The Bengals signed punter Daniel Pope, a third-year NFL player, to a one-year contract Tuesday. The team held his exclusive rights.

        Pope, 25, punted in every Bengals game last season and held for field goals and extra points. He set a club record with 94 punts (none blocked) and averaged 40.2 yards a kick. He had 18 punts inside the 20-yard line and 14 touchbacks.

        “Any time you play in the same place two years in a row, it's great,” said Pope, who punted for Kansas City as a rookie in 1999. “Last season started slow, but (special teams coach) Al (Roberts) and I started working well together and got things straightened out. I've been working on some things in the offseason and should have even a better year.”

        VISITS: Free agent cornerbacks Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay) and DeRon Jenkins (San Diego) visited the Bengals on Tuesday. Former Bears cornerback Walt Harris was supposed to be in Tuesday night, but confusion on flight arrangements by his agent left him stranded in St. Louis. The Bengals plan to reschedule Harris.

        INTERESTED? The agent for former Seattle defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy said his client possibly is interested in the Bengals.

        “I have received phone calls from the Bengals,” agent Michael Moye said. “We're exploring to see if it makes sense. There are a lot of factors involved. We're talking.”

        The Bengals also are in the process of contacting former Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland, who was visiting Seattle on Tuesday, to see if he would has interest in being reunited with his former Pittsburgh defensive coordinator, Bengals coach Dick LeBeau.

        Kirkland also is scheduled to visit Baltimore.

Bengals in negotitations with Verba Frerotte ends up back in Denver

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