Posted: 2:25 a.m.
An AFC West source confirmed Tuesday night that the Bengals have lined up a visit with the Bears' Ian Scott, their second such appointment this week with a defensive tackle as they peruse their veteran options to replace backup Shaun Smith.
But with indications that the Bengals aren't yet in aggressive talks with Denver's Michael Myers after he visited and took a physical Tuesday, the club appears to be waiting to see what transpires in the April 28-29 draft. Financially they are committed to starting Sam Adams and John Thornton, and fourth-rounder Domata Peko earned more time with a stellar rookie season.
The 6-3, 302-pound Scott, 25, is six years younger than Myers but not as seasoned. A fourth-round pick out of Florida in 2003, Scott was part of the Bears line rotation and came up with 22 tackles and got his hands on six passes in 15 games as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl. He started seven times in '06 after making 26 starts the previous two seasons.
Also Tuesday, cornerback Tory James signed with the Patriots in what has been reported as a one-year deal for $1.3 million. He could earn as much as $2.7 million in incentives in what looks to be a nickel role and insurance for an Asante Samuel holdout. James, who turns 34 next month, struggled for much of the last two seasons after going to the Pro Bowl in 2004. Head coach Marvin Lewis said as soon as January that James wouldn't return.
