Committing to young safeties, the Bengals terminated the contract of 10-year veteran Darryl Williams on Wednesday.

        Williams, a first-round draft pick in 1992, started 77 games in six seasons in Cincinnati. But he started only once in 2001, when the Bengals moved Cory Hall to free safety and inserted JoJuan Armour at strong safety.

        “This is a business. Nothing surprises me,” Williams said from his Miami home. “They wanted to go younger, so it makes sense.”

        The Bengals recently drafted free safety Lamont Thompson in the second round and strong safety Marquand Manuel in the sixth. Thompson is listed as the starter at free safety on the minicamp depth chart. Coaches moved Hall back to strong safety, and Armour was slotted behind Hall.

        Defensive coordinator Mark Duffner said not to read too much into the depth chart.

        “I feel very confident in Cory and JoJuan,” Duffner said. “We have two young guys I don't know very well. You want to get the young guys as many reps as you can in minicamp, but what really matters is what happens when you put the pads on in training camp.”

        Duffner praised the professionalism and savvy of Williams, who had 21 of his 31 interceptions with the Bengals. In 2001, Williams had a career-high 3.5 sacks.

        “I love the guy,” Duffner said. “He did a heck of a job for us.”

        By releasing Williams, the Bengals save the $1.2 million he was to receive in the final year of a three-year contract. He signed as a free agent before the 1996 season with the Seahawks and played four seasons in Seattle.

        Coupled with the release last week of tight end Tony McGee, the Bengals have saved about $2.5 million against the salary cap. They probably will use the savings in their efforts to re-sign linebackers Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes, whose five-year deals end after this season.

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