3-26-02, 8:20 p.m.
BY GEOFF HOBSON
As expected, the Bengals agreed in principle Tuesday night with veteran cornerback Jeff Burris on a three-year deal he is expected to sign this week.
With Artrell Hawkins re-signing with them last week, the Bengals are now looking at their most experienced starting cornerback tandem since Ashley Ambrose and Jimmy Spencer helped the Bengals to 37 interceptions in 1997. Since then, the young secondary has combined for 47 interceptions in the last four seasons.
Burris, who nearly signed with the Bengals after that 1997 season, has played the last four years with the Colts and has racked up 99 NFL starts P>
since the Bills took him with the 27th pick in the 1994 draft out of Notre Dame.
Hawkins, who has 48 NFL starts, signed a three-year deal averaging about $1.7 million. Terms of the Burris deal weren't available.
Burris, who turns 30 in June, has 16 career interceptions that now lead the Cincinnati cornerbacks. He had three this season and one went for a touchdown.
