By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Oliver Gibson has a full life waiting for him after football, but wants to put it off for as long as possible.

Gibson, 31, started 57 consecutive games as a Bengal - a remarkable durability streak for a defensive tackle - but tore his Achilles tendon in the ninth game last year.

The Bengals signed John Thornton, 26, as a free agent to start at left tackle - a position generally responsible for stopping the run.

Gibson was moved from left to right tackle - where the goal often is to get into the backfield - as the backup to former running mate Tony Williams.

Gibson, who won't hear that the end is near, also doesn't like the idea of being a backup.

"It has made me even hungrier," he said of the injury and long comeback. "I have a greater appreciation. I love football. I love starting. That's what I came here to do.

"I have to start from scratch again. I'm on second-team goal line. I've never been on second-team goal line even when I was on second team."

Thornton was just one of three free agent linemen signed. Carl Powell and Duane Clemons are ends, but both can play tackle.

The line is deeper, and Gibson knows he is fighting for playing time - if not a roster spot.

"One of these days, I'm going to get run away from the locker room," he said.

When that day does come, he'll slide into his life's work.

Gibson has an economics degree from Notre Dame, and he has put it to work. He owns an independent record label and is co-owner of a Chicago-based construction company and a Miami nightclub.

"Everything is moving. Some are making money. Some are just a labor of love right now," Gibson said of his off-field ventures. "But I don't look at my (football) career as being over. I still have the ability."

Coach Marvin Lewis said he likes what he sees from Gibson at camp.

"Oliver played extremely hard Friday night in the scrimmage and chased the football and got a little winded," Lewis said. "He didn't have the luxury of being out there all spring pushing the other guys around."

At 5:45 Monday morning, Lewis spotted Gibson in the weight room working on his conditioning.

"He's a pro," Lewis said.

The 2003 model Gibson has impressed his teammates.

"O.G. is in the best shape I've ever seen him," center Mike Goff said. "He's come in lighter than he has in the past, and that can only help him. He's the same old O.G. he was last year, except lighter and faster."

Gibson's injury ended a streak of 109 consecutive NFL games. He's proud of that run, but more proud of an accompanying streak: He didn't miss a practice during that 109-game stretch.

"I was never a guy standing on the sideline," Gibson said. "But all of a sudden people figure you can't come back. I would think people would take that into account.

"You realize the reality of the sport. NFL is an acronym for 'Not For Long.' "

After the injury, Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said the team would monitor Gibson's weight as he went through rehabilitation. He was listed at 315 pounds in the 2001 and 2002 Bengals media guides. His 2003 weight is 310. He's now down to around 300 pounds.

The comment about his weight surprised Gibson. But he didn't get mad. He hired a dietician. He trained religiously.

"If they want me at 305, fine. If they want me at 285, I'll do anything to get on the field," he said. "I'm trying to play below 300 this year."

His actions are consistent with the comment he made at one of the three spring minicamps, which he had to miss: "If you want my job, you've got to take it in blood."

Gibson is just two years removed from his top NFL season. In 2001, he had a career-best 70 tackles and three sacks. Teaming with Williams, Gibson consistently penetrated the opposing backfield. The Bengals had the league's 11th-ranked run defense and a franchise-record 48 sacks.

Last year, the defense had a hard time stopping the run. Gibson had 33 tackles but no sacks. But, good times or bad, Gibson appreciates his NFL opportunity.

"I've never taken it for granted," he said. "When it comes down to it, everything else I've got going, football - outside of my son and my faith - is my first love."

Bengals iron men

• Defensive tackle Oliver Gibson had the longest streak of consecutive starts at 57 before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 9 last season.

• The current Bengals leaders in consecutive starts are right tackle Willie Anderson and tailback Corey Dillon with 48. That streak is the most for any player on the Bengals roster or any other NFL team.

• Defensive tackle Glen Steele has played in the most consecutive games of current Bengals (starts and non-starts) at 64.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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