The Bengals confirmed a visit with former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle, Larry Tripplett. Tripplett, a 293 pound unrestricted free agent, played his first four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, primarily as a backup the last two seasons with the Colts. He moved on to the Bills in 2006 and started all 32 games. Injury hasn't been a major problem in his career.

Defensive tackle for the Bengals is in short supply. After likely starters John Thornton and Domata Peko, the Bengals have Michael Myers and Titus Adams. Trades for Shaun Rogers and DeWayne Robertson fell through during the first week of free agency. A good bet is that the Bengals take at least one defensive tackle during the first day of the NFL draft.

The Bengals figured to host Marlon McCree, in the hopes he could be an immediate replacement for the departed Madieu Williams even competing with the team's younger safeties. Problem is, McCree eliminated Cincinnati as a possible spot. Furthermore, I'm believing more and more that the team intends to keep Dexter Jackson around as a veteran presence -- something that McCree or Williams could fulfill. We'll see though.

Ben Utecht's agent confirmed a Cincinnati visit for Thursday. The tight end gained great exposure with one of football's greatest quarterbacks ranking fifth on the team's receptions leader. Taking advantage of Dallas Clark's injury in 2006 (missing four games), Utecht was widely used as a tight end while Clark lined up wide more frequently when Marvin Harrison went down last season. For the past two seasons, Utecht caught at least 30 passes for over 350 yards. Being on a team where your role is typically the fifth receiver, that's not bad.

The Bengals are working on getting Colts tight end, Ben Utecht, lined up for a visit in town, writes Mark Curnutte. Utecht's agent, Christopher Murray, confirmed that discussions for a visit, but no date has been established. Utecht, an undrafted free agent from the University of Minnesota, has played four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts catching 71 passes for 800 yards and three touchdowns.

The Bengals have four tight ends under contract for 2008; Reggie Kelly, Daniel Coats, Nate Lawrie and Brad St. Louis. While St. Louis is only listed as a tight end for the purposes of placing him somewhere on the roster page, his only playing time is long snapper. Kelly, widely considered the league's best blocking tight end, is the only active tight end signed through 2009.

Today (Sunday) the Bengals are hosting Antwan Odom and Marlon McCree.

As pointed out by B double-E double-R U N, the Bengals will host veteran safety Marlon McCree on Sunday. McCree was one of three players released Thursday by the San Diego Charger with visits also planned in Carolina and Miami this weekend. McCree has 16 career interceptions averaging 63 tackles the past two seasons with San Diego.

The move, in all likelihood will replace the departing Madieu Williams. Another theory is that the team has long planned to ditch Dexter Jackson. McCree would replace Jackson, in terms of veteran secondary, while the team drafts another cornerback/safety hybrid to replace Williams.

The Bengals have eight safeties signed for 2008.

In the same blog piece announcing that the Bengals traded for Shaun Rogers, Mark Curnutte says that the Bengals are bringing in Tennessee Titans defensive end Antwan Odom Sunday for a visit. Odom is a big 6'5", 274 pound defensive end from Alabama. He was drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Titans. In his four year career, Odom has 12.5 sacks -- including eight in 2007.

Scouts Inc. says of Odom: