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DDN

5/10/06

2007 will be year of free agency for Bengals

By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer

No way were the Bengals going to pull off a sign-and-trade with wide receiver Kelley Washington. He's too valuable now that Chris Henry's future is as murky and muddy as Cincinnati's Mill Creek.

Henry, whose off-the-field problems are well-documented, could face a suspension from the league office. Washington is needed for insurance purposes. After signing his one-year tender as a restricted free agent, Washington will play the role of good soldier this fall, then bolt — faster than a speeding bullet — when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next spring.

• Fans piling into Paul Brown Stadium this fall need to take a good, long look around. Plenty of Bengals won't be back in 2007.

Seventeen players are due to become unrestricted free agents in the spring if they don't get contract extensions. Here's a breakdown:

Offense
LT Levi Jones, RT Willie Anderson, LG Eric Steinbach, RG Scott Kooistra, C Rich Braham and C Larry Moore; TEs Reggie Kelly and Tony Stewart; TB Kenny Watson; and Washington.
Defense
LE Justin Smith; LBs Marcus Wilkins and Hannibal Navies; CBs Tory James and Rashad Bauman; SS Anthony Mitchell; and FS Kevin Kaesviharn.
• Wide receiver is by far the deepest and most talented position on the roster with perennial Pro Bowler Chad Johnson topping a list that includes T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Antonio Chatman, Washington, Tab Perry, P.K. Sam, Jamall Broussard and a trio of rookies in Ethan Kilmer, Bennie Brazell and ex-quarterback Reggie McNeal.
Kilmer could emerge as a safety, and don't be surprised if Brazell gets groomed as a cornerback. McNeal is a developmental wideout who could save the club a roster spot by becoming the third QB behind Carson Palmer and Anthony Wright. McNeal will cut his NFL teeth on special teams.
• For now, second-round draft pick Andrew Whitworth will play left offensive tackle because that's where he's comfortable. He's strong enough to push defenders off the ball and has the agility to move in space, but the jury is out on whether he can be trusted to handle the NFL's speedy pass rushers off the edge.
Whitworth is a valuable insurance policy in case either Jones or Anderson don't return in 2007.
• Of the 15 college free agents who signed last week, my favorites to stick on the 53-man roster are the "Killer B's" — Arizona punter Danny Baugher and Miami RedHawks linebacker-turned-strong safety John Busing. Baugher's foot can dethrone incumbent Kyle Larson, and Busing is a wrecking ball on special teams.