Now that eight points were lost on the board, arguably, because of bad snaps this year, the Bengals finally started thawing the do-no-right-be-can't-get-fired file. Even though Brad St. Louis has been with the team before the Marvin Lewis era, the career long-snapper's job security is quickly dwindling. Joe Reedy writes:

It appears that Brad St. Louis has held on to the long snapper job for another week even though the team did bring in Nathan Hodel for a visit.

Other options that the Bengals might consider are JP Darche and Bryan Pittman. Darche spent last season with Kansas City while Pittman, who is supposed to have a tryout with San Diego this week, was with Houston. The Bengals did have college free agent James Smith in during minicamp, but it would be highly doubtful that they would replace a 10-year veteran with a rookie.

Hodel has played in every game with the Arizona Cardinals, dating back to 2002 until this year. In March, the Patriots signed Hodel before cutting him on August 31 (aka, football's versions of the company layout day).

So, Tank Johnson. What do you think of when musing to yourself the name Tank Johnson? Do you think defensive tackle? Do you think 12 career sacks, two forced fumbles, a safety? Do you think 300-way-plus pounds of defensive brick-wall.

Sure. Sure you do.

The Bengals sat down with Johnson on Thursday night to get a feel for the defensive tackle who was "intrigued" with the team's youth, writes Geoff Hobson.

In truth, it's surprising that the Bengals keep focusing on free agency for the defensive line. This comes on the same day about B.J. Raji's reported positive drug test. Coincidence?

So, tell me, what do you think when you hear, "Tank Johnson"?

Packers fullback John Kuhn visited with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, writes Geoff Hobson.

"He had a good visit. There is mutual interest," said Kevin Gold, Kuhn's Harrisburg, Pa.-based agent. "The dilemma teams face is that they need to make an offer that's good enough so the other team won't match."

The visit is confirmed, however an offer isn't immediately expected, after the team put $15 million against the cap for 2009. Kuhn is a restricted free agent and the Bengals will need to offer something more than $1.01 million, which is the going rate for the lowest restricted free agent tender. If the Bengals offer a deal, then the Packers will have seven days to match. If they don't, he's a Bengals fullback. However, first thing's first, make the deal.

Daniel Coats is the team's only fullback, who is recently a convert from tight end.

You have to give the Bengals some credit. While the entire world stopped waiting for T.J. Houshmandzadeh to declare his allegiances, the Bengals were efforting to bring him back. Since then, the Bengals have openly brought guys in, signed several and solidified their roster.

On Thursday, the Bengals confirmed a visit with left tackle George Foster. A first round pick, twentieth selection by the Denver Broncos, Foster was the second offensive tackle taken in the 2003 NFL Draft -- the first was Jordan Gross. Still relatively young (he's 28), Foster joined the Lions in 2007 after a trade with Denver. He's played in 68 games and started 57.

With Laveranues Coles long gone, and a contract offer still up in the air, the Bengals have invited two veteran wide receivers; Mike Furrey of the Detroit Lions and Ashley Lelie from the Oakland Raiders.

Furrey was signed by the Indianapolis Colts in 2000 as an undrafted free agent. He's played for the Rams and Lions, recording his career high in 2006 recording 98 receptions (2nd in NFL), 1,086 yards and six touchdowns. He's played in 78 career games. Furrey was in the XFL in 2001 (243 yards receiving on 18 receptions, one touchdown), the AFL in 2002 (74 receptions, 1,055 yards, 27 touchdowns), before joining the Rams in 2003.

Furrey is an Ohio boy (Grove City), with a brief stint at Ohio State. After playing nine games as a walk-on freshman, Furrey transferred to Northern Iowa, with 1,000 yards receiving in each of this three seasons there, and an All-Gateway Conference selection as a senior. Furrey finished his Northern Iowa career with 242 receptions, 3,544 yard receiving and 27 touchdowns.

As you can tell with my longer than usual descriptions, I'm intrigued.

Ashley Lelie has had stints with the Denver Broncos (2002-2005), the Falcons (2006), the 49ers (2007, and the Raiders (2008). Lelie was traded in 2006 because of his unsatisfactory contract situation, then he was allowed to buy out his own contract in 2007. He was also cut by the 49ers.

AS you can tell with my less-than-usual descriptions, I would pass, pass, pass. As in, not being intrigued -- not to be confused with the actual art of passing to him. Had to clear that up.

(h/t to Dave for finding the original piece)

Former Bengals full back Naufahu Tahi was a practice squad player, before the Minnesota Vikings signed him off the roster in 2007 and has played in 26 of 32 games since. Tahi is the lead blocker for the one of the league's most dangerous and entertaining weapons, Adrian Peterson.

Because of all the above, the Bengals are inviting the restricted free agent for a visit on Thursday. He is the second unconfirmed fullback that will be visiting the team in the upcoming week; the other being John Kuhn, who is also a restricted free agent, is the other. However, since both full backs came into the league as undrafted free agents, the Bengals won't have to give up compensation.

Regarding Tahi, I have very little information on his stint with the Bengals in 2006. In the second half against the Indianapolis Colts, I wrote, "While the line continues to dominate, Naufahu Tahi is punishing (and I mean PUNISHING) defenders. I'm not sure if the Colts depth is really this bad, or if Tahi (a TRUCK) is that powerful. He gained 10-yards, with 3 guys tugging at his back." The only other note I have of Tahi is when the practice squad was announced.

Now that many of the top-tier free agents, at least the activity of big contract signings, has started to settle down, typically we enter one of two phases; all of free agency movements quiet down for a break, or we commence with a second-round of buzz, which are typically second-tier players. Backup players, more accurately.

The Bengals are definitely in the market for one veteran starting wide receiver, and one veteran backup quarterback. It was learned earlier today that Rex Grossman plans to visit our lovely Queen City on Thursday. The Bengals confirmed that J.T. O'Sullivan, another backup quarterback prospect, had already visited on Tuesday. O'Sullivan has played 14 career games, dating back to 2004 with the Packers, Lions and 49ers.

I know it doesn't sound sexy. However, our view is that if we're required to use our backup quarterback for any significant time, then the Bengals are in bad shape anyway. Therefore, we have stay the course. We have to keep our offensive line in mind as our primary focus.

The irony that T.J. Houshmandzadeh said that he liked Rex Grossman on Chicago radio show is that Grossman didn't figure to return to the Bears. Well, it didn't matter anyway with Houshmandzadeh leaving for the west coast and Grossman looking for work opportunities.

One of those opportunities could figure to be in Cincinnati. Geoff Hobson writes that Grossman, while on the Jim Rome show, said that he'll be visiting Cincinnati on Thursday. Oh boy.