By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Four teams have contacted Akili Smith's agent to express interest in the former Bengals quarterback.

Smith, the third overall draft pick in 1999, had his contract terminated Monday by the Bengals.

The Dolphins and Saints are two teams that have called agent Kennard McGuire. Miami also is interested in signing Brian Griese, the former Denver quarterback also released Monday.

Although unconfirmed, the Packers and Seahawks are the other two teams that could be interested in Smith.

Smith's camp is believed to be interested in Green Bay and Seattle.

Smith is likely to be a third-string quarterback with a new team. Smith left Cincinnati on Thursday when Shane Matthews visited for a workout. Matthews signed a one-year deal with the Bengals on Saturday. Matthews reported at midnight Monday and practiced Tuesday for the first time with the Bengals.

The Bengals save Smith's league-minimum salary of $530,000 this season but will take a $1.85 million hit on the salary cap.

The salary-cap hit for 2004 is not as high as widely reported. Because of a complicated league accounting rule, the Bengals were able to amortize more of Smith's $10.8 million signing bonus in earlier years of the contract.

The Bengals are paying Matthews $655,000 in 2003, $125,000 more than Smith would have earned. But another NFL accounting rule allows the Bengals to count Matthews' veteran minimum deal - for salary-cap purposes only - as a $450,000 cap hit.

DEALING: Seventh-round draft pick Scott Kooistra signed a three-year deal with the Bengals on Tuesday night, agent Joe Linta said. The offensive tackle's contract is for $951,000 over three years with a $41,000 signing bonus. The base salaries are $225,000, $305,000 and $380,000.

Jack Bechta, agent for second-round pick Eric Steinbach, also did not return a call seeking comment about another Web site report that Bechta and Bengals vice president Paul H. Brown had met in person to discuss a contract.

Steinbach, the much-heralded offensive lineman who is likely to open the season at left guard, was the 33rd overall pick in April's draft.

TASTE OF NFL: A limited number of $75 public-sale tickets remain for the Bengals' Taste of the NFL charity event June 10.

Set for 6-9 p.m. at the East Club Lounge of Paul Brown Stadium, the event allows fans to meet with Bengals players, coaches and alumni while sampling food from more than 20 Tristate restaurants.

The event will benefit the FreeStore/FoodBank. Call 482-3663 for tickets.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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