Mark Curnutte

Question, from Steve: In reviewing your articles over the last few days regarding the roster moves made by the Bengals, you refer to some players as "rookie" and others as "first-year players." What is the distinction?

Answer: Bengals defensive tackle Langston Moore, for example, is a first-year player. He did not accrue a year of experience toward NFL free agency in 2003 because he was not on an NFL 53-man roster, a Reserve/Injured list, a Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list or a Reserve/Non-Football Injury/Europe League list for the minimum of six games.

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement states that a player will receive an accrued season when he is on full-pay status for six or more regular-season games.

Moore was on the Bengals practice squad most of the season and active for the final four games - not six or more.

Q, from Michael in Dayton: Any chance of the Bengals picking up Jason Gildon, Terrell Buckley and/or Kevin Dyson?

A: Slim, mainly because of the salary cap situation. Linebacker Gildon, who did make a free agent visit before signing with Buffalo, which cut him Sunday, doesn't have much left. The Bengals already have 11 defensive backs, and receiver is not a position of need.

Q, from Matt in Cincinnati: What is the health status of Keiwan Ratliff?If and when he does get healthy what will his depth chart position be?

A: As you probably saw, Ratliff played quite a bit against the Colts and had the team-high eight tackles. He also broke up a pass in the end on the last play.

Ratliff is an excellent open-field tackler and is not afraid to take on larger running backs or receivers. Heading into the opener, he is listed second behind Deltha O'Neal at left cornerback.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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