By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals are in early discussions with Warren Sapp and have offered the free agent defensive tackle a four-year contract, sources close to the situation said Tuesday night.

FREE AGENCY: Day 14

Bengals free agent action Tuesday: CONFIRMED: The organization released no information. OTHERWISE: Bengals coaches continue to scour the country to analyze top college players. Coach Marvin Lewis and his assistants attended pro day workouts at Florida State and North Carolina. The Bengals are expected to have coaches at Maryland today to watch defensive tackle Randy Starks.

Sapp, who turned 31 in December, is a six-time Pro Bowl player who would be brought in to help bolster the Bengals overall defense - particularly against the run. He has 77 career sacks in nine seasons but had just five in 2003, his fewest since his rookie year.

If he were to sign with the Bengals, Sapp would likely replace Tony Williams as the starter at right tackle and play alongside left tackle John Thornton.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has said he considers Sapp and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis the NFL's two most dominating defensive players. Lewis referred to Sapp last October before the Bengals' first game against Baltimore, where Marvin Lewis was defensive coordinator and coached Ray Lewis.

The Bengals also have re-entered the hunt to sign Eagles free agent cornerback Bobby Taylor. Taylor visited Cincinnati on Sunday and Monday and left without a deal. Taylor is scheduled to visit Washington on

Tampa Bay's Warren Sapp would likely play right defensive tackle if the Bengals can sign him. (AP/file photo)

Thursday, but the Redskins are not offering starter's money. Their lukewarm interest is believed to have helped rekindle his interest in the Bengals.

SI.com, which first reported the Sapp story Tuesday, said the Bengals have offered Sapp a four-year contract at $4 million a year, roughly twice what the market had been for him.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who did not return a phone message, told SI.com that the Bengals were one of seven teams legitimately interested.

The Bengals are an estimated $5.991 million under the cap.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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