Updated: 11:20 p.m.
As expected, the Vikings on Friday matched the Bengals one-year, $1.4 million offer for fullback Naufahu Tahi, according to agent David Lee. The Bengals are still looking at restricted free agent John Kuhn of the Packers, but it's looking more and more like a draft pick is going to be devoted to a fullback.
Kevin Gold, Kuhn's agent, said Friday the Bengals had been in touch during the day and that the sides are talking about a potential deal.
The 6-0, 250-pound Kuhn earned a rep as a solid special-teamer and good blocking back the past two seasons while splitting time with the receiving-oriented Korey Hall blocking in the Packers zone-oriented run game.
Kuhn, out of Shippensburg State, signed out of school with the Steelers as a free agent and played nine games for them in 2006.
"It's not really a surprise," Lee said Friday morning of the Vikes keeping his client. "We thought Cincinnati was a good fit for him. It's why he chose to sign there. It was probably the best thing for him to have two teams wanting to sign him."
The Vikings matched with about five hours left in the seven-day window that teams have to move on their restricted free agents. Minnesota had tendered Tahi at the minimum $1 million for '09, but now he gets $500,000 to sign and a $900,000 salary.
It leaves the Bengals still seeking a successor to Jeremi Johnson, a fourth-round pick in 2003 whose time in Cincinnati ended after the last training camp when he couldn't keep his weight in check. The only fullback on the roster is transplanted tight end Daniel Coats.
The 6-0, 254-pound Tahi had his breakout season this past year blocking for Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson while also catching 16 passes for 37 yards. He ran it six times for 15 yards in all 16 games that included five starts. The Bengals wouldn't have had to give up compensation because they signed him as a free agent out of BYU in 2006.
