By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

He looked into the huddle and saw potential Hall of Famers staring back.

John Lynch. Derrick Brooks. Warren Sapp. Simeon Rice.

They listened to Nate Webster as he called plays in the Buccaneers' huddle last season.

"Being the head of that huddle and having to call the defense gave me more confidence," said Webster, the Bengals' new middle linebacker who started five games for Tampa Bay last season. "It feels like I've been in training for five years down in Tampa. Now I'm trying to bring what I've learned here."

The Bengals signed Webster, who is entering his fifth season, to a five-year contract in March.

The 26-year-old, who had 52 tackles and one sack in 15 games last season, was one of more than 70 players present Wednesday for the third of 14 voluntary organized team activities days.

"He's progressing every day," Bengals linebackers coach Ricky Hunley said of Webster. "He's taking command of the huddle. He's a good leader out on the field and has got that intensity.

"It's just a matter of learning the new terminology. Once you get through that, where you're not thinking and you're just lining up and playing, then you can really be that monster in the middle."

RUDI, RUDI: The offseason is far from over, but Rudi Johnson is all smiles about the upcoming season.

"I'm looking forward to it," the Bengals running back said. "I'm looking for big things for myself and for the team.

"I'm looking forward to a lot of fun."

In 13 games, including five starts, last season, Johnson led the Bengals with 215 carries, 957 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

SELECTIVE RECEIVER: For the second consecutive day, wide receiver Peter Warrick participated in workouts.

Warrick is five months removed from arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, a procedure that kept him out just nine days during a career year in 2003.

"I'm just trying to pick and choose when I should go, do the right thing without coming back too early with the knee," he said.

MORE KNEE NEWS: Left tackle Levi Jones said Wednesday his right knee, which required arthroscopic surgery in December, is "a work in progress."

STEELE GONE: Glen Steele, an unrestricted free agent defensive tackle, agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract with the New York Giants.

Steele, 29, played in 90 games in six seasons with the Bengals. He will earn the minimum of $660,000 with the Giants.

Mark Curnutte

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