Jeff Burris (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Nearly four minutes into the Bengals' 24-17 preseason win Friday over Buffalo, cornerback Kevin Kaesviharn left the field with his head down. Buffalo's Eric Moulds beat Kaesviharn on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Drew Bledsoe, opening up an early Bills lead and showing the vulnerability of the rebuilding Bengals secondary.

        Discouraged and frustrated, Kaesviharn didn't seek reassurance from his teammates. But he found it in fellow cornerback Jeff Burris.

        “He just knew what to tell me after I hadn't played well,” Kaesviharn said. “He said to settle down and quit worrying about (the pass) but not to quit working hard. He's smart about the game, and he knows his techniques. That's what makes him so good.”

        Just don't expect Burris to mention it.

        Known for his quiet leadership and defensive dynamics, the ninth-year NFL veteran might be the answer for a secondary formerly riddled with injuries.

        A free agent signed by the Bengals this offseason, Burris spent the past four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Backed by 16 career interceptions - including seven in the past two seasons - Burris' longevity and skill could stabilize last season's carousel of cornerbacks.

        Among the 32 starts by left and right Bengals corners in 2001, 13 came from a fourth-year player, 11 came from second-year pros, five came from a third-year player, and three came from a rookie.

        Burris, who opened his Bengals career with a Bledsoe interception at Buffalo, hopes his actions will speak for themselves.

        “I'm going to try to be as much of a leader as I can. I'm not a rah-rah type of guy - I'm not going to get in someone's face and yell at them. But if they need something, then I'm going to try to help,” Burris said. “More importantly, I want to lead by example. If I can walk the walk, and everyone can see it, that's what's most important.”

        With Burris starting at left corner, right cornerback could be filled by injured Artrell Hawkins. Hawkins will sit out Saturday's preseason game at Indianapolis with an injured left knee. Hawkins, who tied Kaesviharn with a team-high three interceptions last season, led the Bengals in passes broken up (eight). He led the secondary in solo tackles with 44 and led the cornerbacks with 71 total tackles.

        With competition from Kaesviharn, Robert Bean, Rodney Heath and Ligarius Jennings, Burris isn't taking anything for granted. Last season's corners grabbed seven of the Bengals' 13 interceptions, and the team's passing yardage defense improved to 12th in the NFL.

        “I think we can get in the top three defensively if we increase our turnover ratio in the secondary. If we do the second one, I think that'll definitely push us to the first one,” Burris said. “I think we have the capabilities to do that.”

        Bengals cornerbacks coach Kevin Coyle was pleased with last season's pass defense effort but said this season's push will be for increased cornerback interceptions. Burris' know-how and instinct could prove pivotal, and Coyle already has been impressed with Burris' work ethic.

        One instance stands out in Coyle's mind: After becoming dehydrated at an early training camp practice, Burris missed practice to have two liters of fluid pumped through an IV into his arm. Later, the coach searched the Georgetown complex for Burris. He finally found the cornerback scrutinizing the day's tapes in Coyle's own office.

        “Without me saying "Make sure you see today's practice,' he was in there, by himself, in the dark watching practice. Did he have to do that? No. But in his mind, that's the way you prepare,” Coyle said. “I mentioned it to the group so they can learn from a guy like that who does things the right way.”

        Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said second-year player Kaesviharn will start opposite Burris at cornerback Saturday. LeBeau said Burris' proven experience, poise and athleticism have been an asset to the team, on and off the field.

        “Jeff has really been a coaching delight from our standpoint. He's the type of person you want on your team and in your huddle,” LeBeau said. “We have a fairly young defense and a fairly young secondary and we really welcome the maturity he brings to that group back there.”

        Burris also comes with extensive special teams experience. After being drafted in 1994's first round, he was Buffalo's starting punt returner for four seasons. He didn't return punts during his Colts tenure.

        Burris is listed third on the Bengals' depth chart for punt returns, behind No.1 Peter Warrick and No.2 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who will sit out Saturday's game with an ankle injury.

        Practice aside, Burris doesn't see a big special teams future for himself with Warrick at the helm. Warrick averaged 6.4 yards per punt return last season.

        “In my opinion, we already have the best punt returner in the league. It's just a matter of getting the ball in his hands,” Burris said. “I'll just be back there patting him on the back and saying "Good job, Pete.”'

        On Saturday, Burris will visit the RCA Dome as a competitor for the first time as a Bengal. Burris was released by the Colts under the direction of new head coach Tony Dungy. He said he has “no regrets about what happened” and is anticipating three familiar faces in the stands: his wife, Lisa, and children, Sienna and Jaden, who still live in Indiana.

        Burris could start in his 100th NFL game in the Bengals' Sept.8 home opener against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium.

        After nine seasons, with 14 or more starts a season since 1996, he said his approach to the game hasn't changed.

        “In this business, you have to go out every day to improve. There's never a point in time when you can stay satisfied,” Burris said. “I've been taught from Day1 from high school coaches perfection is hard to reach, but it's something you can always aim for. It takes hard work and focus.”

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