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        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Bernard Whittington wraps more tape around his fingers than other defensive linemen. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Whittington needs to protect them for writing, playing and recording his own music.

        An accomplished jazz pianist and trumpet player, Whittington released one compact disc in 1998, Concerns of the World Today, and sold out the 5,000 copies that were pressed.

        He has another 25 songs written and plans to make another record. But for now, he's concentrating on football and adjusting to his new team.

        Whittington, who played seven seasons with the Colts, has become an increasingly important offseason signing for the Bengals. He is playing at defensive end, a position that's missing holdout No.1 draft pick Justin Smith and veteran Kevin Henry, who's out almost three weeks after having elbow surgery.

        Signed July 12, Whittington is a versatile player who can line up at any defensive line position. Right now, the need is at end.

        “He fills a role that I like. He can play inside and outside,” defensive line coach Tim Krumrie said. “He's played more inside. I'm now training him to play defensive end. He's doing a good job. He's got nice, sound fundamentals. He's doing everything I ask.”

        Whittington, who will turn 30 on Aug. 20, is learning the defense. He'll get that down, then start to make plays.

        He's also a person Bengals teammates can learn from. He played on consecutive 3-13 Colts teams that then went 13-3 in 1999.

        “I just want to bring to this team a sense of believing that you can win ballgames,” he said. “There's a fine line between being a starter and being on the street. A fine line between winning a ballgame and losing it. It's a mental thing. All it takes is a few guys to stand up and believe. Then everybody follows.”

        He also has postseason experience, starting six playoff games. Whittington made 48 tackles last season. His highest total was 85 in 1996.

        Football, he says, is the love of his life. Music is another love, but he stopped taking piano lessons as a high school freshman in St. Louis because they interfered with football. At Indiana University, he rekindled his love of music without formal training.

        He regrets not taking music classes at IU, but he did get a degree in sports marketing and management and a minor in business.

        He was an undrafted free agent, despite lettering four years for bowl-game Hoosiers teams. He was known as “The Piano Man” in Indianapolis, playing night clubs and Colts holiday functions. He plays in hotel lobbies on road trips to relax before the game.

        The Bengals have a history here. Former tackle Mike Reid was a Pro Bowler in 1972 and '73 but has gone on to greater fame as a Grammy Award-winning musician and songwriter. Of late, former wide receiver Carl Pickens was a gifted piano player.

        “I know all about Mike Reid. I would love that,” Whittington said.

        He'd like to make more records. He'd like to produce other artists. He wants to write more. He'd like to play with jazz guitarist and former Indiana Pacers forward Waymon Tisdale.

        The music Whittington makes is a mix of jazz, hip-hop and R&B. It provides a respite from football.

        “It's a balancing thing,” he said. “After a game, when I'm frustrated, when I'm tired, I can go write the music down, do something creative. It provides me an outlet to express how I feel.”

Bonus holding up Smith deal Whittington should jazz up the Bengals LeBeau rewards team: No sprints

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