The stalls belonging to Richmond Webb and John Jackson are in one corner of the Bengals' locker room. Between them, Webb and Jackson have played 23 NFL seasons and are a combined 70 years old.

        The left tackles each have started 13 postseason games, Webb in Miami and Jackson in Pittsburgh. Webb has played in seven Pro Bowls, Jackson two.

        The two veterans are being counted on to stabilize one of the Bengals' shakiest positions.

        Webb and Jackson are Nos.1 and 2 at left tackle on the depth chart released by the Bengals on Saturday, when the team opened its three-day minicamp in training camp-hot conditions. Five-year veteran Rod Jones, who started 11 games last season, is third.

        It's too early to tell how playing time will be split up.

        “Richmond's our left tackle, and we've got John and Rod,” offensive line coach Paul Alexander said after practice Saturday. “We're just going to sit there and watch and let it sort out.

        “Sure, you can go by committee. You can go with one guy. I don't want to even speculate how we're going to line up until I take a look.”

        Webb looked heavier Saturday than his listed 320 pounds. Jackson is at his playing weight of 297. Jones has lost 33 pounds and reported under 320.

        Left tackle was a weakness last season, when the Bengals gave up 52 sacks. It's now considered a possible strength.

        Cincinnati had the NFL's worst pass offense and lost a league-high 21 fumbles, many when quarterback Akili Smith was tackled from the blind side. The Bengals punted a franchise-record 94 times and had an NFL-low 109 first downs passing.

        If the Bengals want to improve their passing game, left tackle play is almost as important as quarterback.

        “I thought our offensive line looked pretty good with Willie Anderson at one tackle and Richmond Webb at the other,” coach Dick LeBeau said. “We have two very solid tackles. As the old baseball adage goes — you've got to be strong up the middle — you've got to be strong at the tackles in this league.

        “We're not just strong with those two guys but with the guys behind them. I felt very good about our tackle situation as I watched us practice today.”

        Webb, 34, signed Friday after agreeing to terms Monday on a three-year, $9 million deal. He started 16 games (two in the playoffs) last season and is preparing himself to start every game in Cincinnati.

        “That's the mindset you've got to have,” Webb said. “You try to get in the best condition as possible, because it's a long, tough season. The better shape you're in, the better, quicker you recover from injuries. I'm not there yet, but I'll be there in training camp.”

        Jackson, 36, the former Woodward High School star, started five games for the Bengals in 2000, and the team was 3-2 in those games. Jackson welcomes Webb's arrival and said he will work on backing up Anderson at right tackle.

        “There's no problem with me doing that,” Jackson said. “It's just a matter of getting my footwork down. (Webb's signing) means a big deal. He's a quality player. He's got a few good years left. So we're happy to have him.”

        Bengals quarterback Scott Mitchell played with Jackson last year and with Webb in Miami.

        “It brings some older guys here, which is nice,” Mitchell said of Webb. “That will help us out. I played with Richmond for four years in Miami; he's a great player. I was excited to death when he signed here. He's going to be a big asset for us.”

Bengals' pick just a hard-workin' boy from the heartland Elvis is alive - in LeBeau Bengals pin hopes on Webb Bengals waive former No. 2 pick

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