By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDIANAPOLIS - Judging by the interest of the Cleveland Browns, punter B.J. Sander might at least start his NFL career in the same state where he played prep and college ball.

Roger Bacon graduate and former Ohio State star B.J. Sander. (Ohio State Department of Athletics photo)

Many draft experts consider the Roger Bacon graduate and former Ohio State star the top punter available in the draft.

"I met with their special teams coach the other night," said Sander, who won the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter in 2003, at the league's national scouting combine this weekend.

Browns punter Chris Gardocki might be leaving the team.

Cleveland scouts traveled to Columbus during the team's bye weekend last season to watch Sander kick.

"They said they really liked what they saw," Sander said. "We'll wait and see."

In 82 punts for the Buckeyes, Sander had 39 inside the 20-yard line. He averaged 43.3 yards a punt.

GOOD VIBES: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was headed into personal meetings Sunday night with defensive backs and linebackers.

Each team has signed up for private interviews with 62 players. Two slots were added over the 60 allotted last year to accommodate demand for Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett and Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

"We're going to have a chance to get some good football players and really help our team again," Lewis said when asked for his impressions of draft-eligible players.

PEYTON'S PLACE: Colts president Bill Polian said Sunday that the team would put the franchise tag on quarterback Peyton Manning today.

Manning's contract expires March 2. The exclusive franchise tag means Manning would receive $18.4 million to play in Indianapolis for the 2004 season, even if he doesn't reach a new deal.

"I never expected that it would go any other way," said Polian, who has set a March 1 deadline to reach a new contract with the co-MVP quarterback. "We'll continue to negotiate."

Asked if there were a chance Manning would not be with the Colts in 2004, Polian said, "None. The only question is what's going to be lining up with him."

Manning's one-year tender would eat 23 percent of the Colts' salary cap space and require the team to cut some other players.

DEEP CLASS: The depth of the 2004 draft class at wide receiver impresses Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.

"There are going to be a lot of quality players available all the way through the draft, through the end of the first day (Rounds 1-3) into the second day," he said.

The class will grow increasingly deep with the expected draft entry of Southern California's Mike Williams. In two years with the Trojans, Williams has 176 receptions and 30 touchdowns. He is the first player to take advantage of the Clarett court ruling.

It struck down the NFL rule that required draft eligible players to have been graduated from high school for three years.

"I don't remember this many big guys (receivers) who are this talented," Houston general manager Charley Casserly said.

WOW: Miami Hurricanes strong safety Sean Taylor, a player who greatly interests the Browns, is one of the draft's surest bets as a high impact player.

A top-10 pick, Taylor had 77 tackles, 10 interceptions and 13 passes broken up as a junior at Miami. He weighs 231 pounds and is reminiscent of former Bengals safety David Fulcher.

"If you hit a guy in the first quarter and there's another pass coming in the third quarter and he sees you in the middle, he's going to think about it a lot differently," Taylor said of his approach. "He might shorten his arms a little bit and there goes your pick.

"You never know. It's like a chess match.

BO KNOWS: TCU defensive end Bo Schobel is set to become the third Schobel of Columbus, Texas, to enter the NFL.

Cousins Matt (Bengals tight end) and Aaron (Bills defensive end) also went to Texas Christian.

"It's pretty neat, just thinking about it. There are going to be three of us from the same town and just growing up together," said Bo, who had 17 sacks for the Horned Frogs.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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