Thursday, March 15, 2001
Bengals would juggle defense for Kirkland
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Former Pittsburgh linebacker Levon Kirkland will visit the Bengals today and will meet with his former defensive coordinator, Bengals head coach Dick LeBeau.
Kirkland, a salary cap cut last week in Pittsburgh, would be an interesting addition to the Cincinnati lineup.
He would play middle linebacker, allowing the team to move Brian Simmons to outside linebacker and outside linebacker Steve Foley to defensive end. Foley was a defensive end in college and led the nation in sacks as a senior.
Kirkland, 32, and LeBeau are close from their years in Pittsburgh. Kirkland has a great deal of respect for LeBeau and is visiting because LeBeau asked him.
TALK, TALK, TALK: The Bengals continue to negotiate with four of the 16 free agents who have visited Cincinnati since March 2.
The team is seriously interested in former Packers offensive lineman Ross Verba, Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber, Arizona defensive end Simeon Rice and Dallas wide receiver James McKnight.
There are no talks right now, though, with Barber.
The Bengals have made an offer to Verba and are in the running to sign McKnight, who's also being pursued by his hometown Miami Dolphins.
McKnight played for new Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski when Bratkowski was Seattle's offensive coordinator. McKnight also was a favorite target of quarterback Jon Kitna, who signed a four-year deal with the Bengals last week after playing for the Seahawks.
MORE VISITS: Former Bears cornerback Walt Harris, who was supposed to visit Wednesday, will visit Monday, said Jim Lippincott, Bengals director of pro/college personnel.
Lippincott said he will bring up the name of another free agent to team officials, left tackle Todd Steussie, who was cut Wednesday by the Vikings in a salary cap move.
National reports are incorrect that have former Ravens punter Kyle Richardson and Washington defensive end Nolan Harrison visiting Cincinnati.
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