The Bengals have had no contact with former Colts tight end Ken Dilger or his agent since Dilger visited last week.

        “There's not 100 percent interest in free agents (tight ends) because of the guys in the draft,” Duke Tobin, Bengals director of pro/college personnel, said Thursday. Tobin is handling negotiations with Mark Bartelstein, Dilger's agent.

        The Bengals have identified tight end as one of their greatest offseason needs. They had just 29 receptions, 281 receiving yards and one touchdown from their tight ends in 2001, and they need more from that position to realize the potential of coordinator Bob Bratkowski's offense.

        The answer, if it's not Dilger, will come in the draft. Tobin said six or seven tight ends are available who could start as rookies in the NFL.

        The top tight ends coming out of college are Jeremy Shockey (Miami, Fla.), Danial Graham (Colorado), Jeremy Stevens (Washington), Darnell Sanders (Ohio State), Terry Jones (Alabama), Doug Jolley (Brigham Young), Randy McMichael (Georgia), Derek Smith (Kentucky) and Matt Schobel (Texas Christian). The Bengals have said how much they like Schobel, who is considered the most effective runner after making the catch.

        The Bengals did make an offer to former San Diego free agent tight end Freddie Jones, who signed earlier this week with Arizona.

        The Bengals used their third-round pick last year to draft Sean Brewer from San Jose State State. But he was put on the injured reserve list before the season because of a groin injury.

        CORNERBACK SEARCH:

        Former Indianapolis cornerback Jeff Burris will visit the Bengals today at Paul Brown Stadium. They see him as a potential starter opposite Artrell Hawkins in the secondary.

        The club has been unable to schedule a visit with former Tampa Bay cornerback Donnie Abraham, said Jim Lippincott, Bengals director of player personnel.

Bledsoe rejects Bengals Bengals notebook

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