By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals appear to have zeroed in on cornerback Troy Vincent and were believed Sunday to have a slim edge on acquiring the 11-year veteran free agent.

Vincent, 32, is leaning toward signing with the Bengals because of his relationship with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Vincent's friends say. Frazier was Vincent's position coach with the Eagles from 1999-02.

Vincent also visited Buffalo. The only potential sticking point on a possible Vincent deal with the Bengals is his desire for the Carolina Panthers to express interest. He visited Cincinnati, arriving Thursday, before leaving Friday and returning home to suburban Philadelphia to contemplate his next move.

Vincent spoke openly last month at the Pro Bowl - his fifth all-star appearance in a row - about his admiration for Carolina.

The NFC champion Panthers have lost one starting cornerback, Reggie Howard, to Miami in free agency. They released cornerback Terry Cousins and are believed to be looking for another starting corner to play opposite playoff hero Ricky Manning.

Vincent is considered a young 32; he turns 33 in June. At 6-feet-1, 200 pounds, he works out year-round, has been called a physical "specimen." and has the type of skills that would make him a candidate to switch to free safety. Rod Woodson made a similar move under Bengals coach Marvin Lewis when Lewis was Baltimore's defensive coordinator.

It's believed, though, that Vincent's intentions are to continue to play Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback.

Vincent was Miami's first-round pick in 1992 out of Wisconsin, and the seventh pick overall. The Bengals had considered drafting him before taking former University of Houston quarterback David Klingler at No. 6 overall.

Vincent played in 13 games last season for the Eagles and had 57 tackles and three interceptions, lifting his career total to 42.

The Bengals would likely start a player of Vincent's talent and price tag opposite Tory James. Jeff Burris, a player Lewis likes for his intelligence, would slide into the nickel role. Burris is planning to return for an 11th NFL season and his third with the Bengals after suffering two concussions in 2003.

Six-year Bengal corner Artrell Hawkins was released Friday. The Bengals terminated Hawkins' contract with one year remaining to save $1.3 million on the salary cap. Word out of Pittsburgh on Sunday was the Steelers are believed to be interested in Hawkins. He played for Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and defensive backs coach Darren Perry with the Bengals. The Steelers had tried to sign Hawkins, a Johnstown, Pa., native, to play nickel back after the 2001 season.

Also Sunday, the Bengals' team-owned Web site reported that center Rich Braham's contract is for one year and slightly more than $1 million. Braham said he signed the paperwork Saturday and was to have a physical Wednesday.

Braham, 33, was an unrestricted free agent in 2003, signing for the league minimum $655,000 on April 30 to return as a backup at center and guard. Instead, he started the final 15 games at center. His 2003 deal included a $25,000 signing bonus and $2,300 workout bonus.

FREE AGENCY: Day 5

Bengals free agent action Sunday:

BENGALS CONFIRMED: The Bengals will not confirm any weekend visits until they are obligated to turn them into the NFL office today.

OTHERWISE CONFIRMED: The Bengals are believed to be trying to reach a contract agreement with Eagles free agent cornerback Troy Vincent.

ON THE RADAR: Eagles free agent guard Bobbie Williams is supposed to visit this week.

STAYING: The Bengals have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with starting center Rich Braham, who had been an unrestricted free agent.

GOING: Bengals free safety Mark Roman was to have visited the Packers on Sunday.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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