Saints trying to get deal done with Kaesviharn

Bengals free agent safety Kevin Kaesviharn and agent Bruce Tollner have not returned repeated phone calls this week, but word out of New Orleans -- both inside and outside of the Saints office -- is that the Saints are trying to close a deal to bring Kaesviharn into their fold.

The Saints have two young safeties, Josh Bullocks and Bryan Scott, and would like to add Kaesviharn's experience and teaching and playmaking ability into the mix.

Kaesviharn had six interceptions last season, including one in the end zone at New Orleans in the Bengals' 31-16 victory. Kaesviharn had nine total tackles, including 1.5 sacks that day. It was quite a showcase.

On their season-ending depth chart, the Bengals had six safeties listed, including Kaesviharn. The others are starters Madieu Williams and Dexter Jackson, as well as backups Herana-Daze Jones, John Busing and Ethan Kilmer. None of the three backups have any significant NFL defensive experience and have been used primarily on special teams.

Looking ahead to the draft April 28 and 29, when the Bengals pick 18th and 49th in Rounds 1 and 2 -- the do not have a third-round pick -- put safety in the mix for one of those picks in Kaesviharn does leave.

Also, as expected, the Bengals are hoping to restructure the contract of defensive tackle John Thornton in order to gain some salary cap space. With two years remaining on his contract, Thornton is scheduled to make a base of $3.25 million, with another $500,000 reporting bonus, in 2007. With his signing bonus proration, Thornton's salary cap number this year now stands at $4.375 million.

Reports are that Thornton is agreeable to a restructed deal.