By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Takeo Spikes answers reporters' questions after meeting with the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Takeo Spikes, making his first free agency visit to the Buffalo Bills, repeated his position Thursday that he wants to leave the Bengals.

"Change is good for everybody," Spikes told reporters in Orchard Park, N.Y. "From my point (of view) right now, I think a change would be more than welcome."

Spikes is the Bengals' transition player. The club has a week to match an offer sheet Spikes would sign with another team. Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe said he wasn't sure his team would make Spikes an offer.

"That part of it is a little bit risky," Donahoe said. "It gives you some reservation to do it, because you may be doing their work for them."

By designating Spikes their transition player, the Bengals owe him a one-year tender of $4.85 million - the average of the top 10 NFL linebacker salaries.

Spikes is hoping the Bengals don't match any offer.

"I just take it one step at a time," he said. "I don't even worry about that. Who knows? I've got my fingers crossed."

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has said he would like to have Spikes back and would consider restructuring other players' contracts to accommodate the five-year veteran linebacker.

Asked Thursday if he preferred Spikes to the linebackers the Bengals have entertained in free agency, Lewis said, "That's our business."

On Spikes' comments that he wants out of Cincinnati, Lewis said: "No big deal. I'm not going to comment on Takeo's thoughts and feelings."

The Bengals confirmed visits this week from linebackers Kevin Hardy (Cowboys) and Mike Peterson (Colts). Hardy on Thursday told a reporter from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the Bengals made him a contract offer.

Are the Bengals using the linebackers to try to bluff Spikes?

"We have a good idea of our direction," Lewis said. "We brought in people who will upgrade what we're doing. They are people who have been successful."

Spikes, the 13th overall pick in the 1998 draft, had a team-leading 171 tackles in 2002 with 1.5 sacks. He led the Bengals in tackles four of his five seasons.

But the Bengals had a 19-61 record in Spikes' five seasons.

"It was tough coming in as a rookie. You don't know what to expect," Spikes said Thursday. "But in years three, four and five, expectations are there, and when you come from a winning program like Auburn, as I did, that's just unacceptable."

Spikes played what might be his last game with the Bengals in Buffalo on Dec. 29. He was treated like a hometown player by fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

"They made me feel welcome," Spikes said of Bills fans. "So that's a big plus. I remember one guy said: 'Play well, Takeo. Just don't hurt anybody so you can go ahead and get ready for us next year.' I saw posters out there. I even (heard) some guy say, 'Spikes, I love Buffalo, but I'm going to take my jersey off today and put a Cincinnati jersey on.' And he put it on."

Spikes said he followed the Bills closely last season because they and the Bengals were two of the teams trying to trade for former New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe went to the Bills in an April trade.

Spikes said he thinks the Bills are "one or two players" from a Super Bowl and that he could be one of the players who helps the team.

"If something does happen and I do come here, I'm not going to be Superman and put a cape on my back and just try to do everything," he said. "But I feel my style of play will help this team elevate to the next level."

Spikes has a fan in Donahoe, who said he has talked to former Bengals coach Dick LeBeau about the linebacker. Donahoe has offered LeBeau a consulting position to work with the Bills defense.

"Takeo is an excellent leader," Donahoe said. "He's a tough guy, he's a very good player (against) the run. He's an impact player. He's extremely durable. He's a guy you can count on."

Former Bengals defensive line coach Tim Krumrie now holds that job with the Bills.

"It's a big help to have Tim here," Donahoe said. "When Tim was a player he was like Takeo. He was a warrior."

Free agency: Day 7

An overview of the Bengals' free agent action Thursday:

CONFIRMED: The Bengals confirmed the visit of cornerback Tory James (Raiders).

UNCONFIRMED: Tight end Reggie Kelly (Falcons).

OFFERS: The Bengals have made offers to linebacker Kevin Hardy (Cowboys) and fullback Nicolas Luchey (Bengals). They have exchanged figures with defensive tackle Sam Adams (Raiders) and defensive lineman John Thornton (Titans).

GOING, GOING: Linebacker Takeo Spikes visited Buffalo, and quarterback Gus Frerotte will visit Pittsburgh today.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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