LB Wilkins re-signs; no Arrington visit today

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Oops, LaVar Arrington did not visit the Bengals today, but the Bengals did re-sign another linebacker, Marcus Wilkins.

Wilkins signed a one-year contract and received a $40,000 signing bonus, said agent Mark
Mersel.

Wilkins tied for second in 2005 with 17 special teams tackles. He forced one fumble.

"He wanted to come back. He's excited," Mersel said of Wilkins, a four-year veteran who was an unrestricted free agent. "He wants to force them to give him a bigger look on defense."

The Bengals last week re-signed safety Anthony Mitchell, another UFA, who had led with 18 special teams tackles in 2005.

As for Arrington, agent Kevin Poston said this afternoon that the former Redskins linebacker probably would visit Cincinnati.

"I do anticipate that," Poston said. "But I can’t say if or when that would happen. If he's there, he's fooling me."

Arrington's agents said miscommunication resulted in confirmation that the player arrived Wednesday night for a Thursday meeting with the Bengals.

Arrington has visited the Dolphins and Giants and could be headed to see the Jaguars, the agent said.

Arrington had the best season of his six-year NFL career in 2002, when Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was defensive coordinator with the Redskins. Arrington had 11 sacks.

Also this afternoon, the Bengals confirmed the visit of former Ravens quarterback Anthony Wright.

Reached by phone, Joel Segal, Wright's agent, said to call back Friday to determine how Wright’s visit went with the Bengals.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com