DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — It's a good thing Andrew Whitworth isn't claustrophobic.

The 6-foot-7, 339-pounder will be wedged into the lineup at left guard between tackle Levi Jones and either Eric Ghiaciuc or Alex Stepanovich at center.

Whitworth showed his versatility as a rookie, gaining valuable experience with 10 starts at left tackle and two starts at left guard.

Now he's prepared to replace left guard Eric Steinbach, who bolted to Cleveland in free agency.

"There's an open spot on the line, and I want to be in it," Whitworth said. "It's going to take work and I understand that there's other guys going for it."

Like Stacy Andrews and Nate Livings.

Whitworth will be colliding with heavy defensive tackles, so he's getting extra attention in the offseason program to improve his strength and flexibility.

"It's not a crazy adjustment (from tackle to guard)," Whitworth said. "At this level, all four D-linemen you face are going to be big, powerful, fast and explosive. It's just going to be an adjustment of not having as much space to work in. I'm learning to bend and leverage a little more. It'll only progress me as a lineman."

Waiting in the wings

The No. 3 wide receiver will be a position battle worth watching if Chris Henry gets suspended by the league.

Tab Perry's size, Glenn Holt's speed and Antonio Chatman's quickness should combine to get the position covered until Henry returns.

Perry was placed on injured reserve with a severe right hip injury suffered against Cleveland on Sept. 17. He said he's "90 percent" healthy.

"I feel fast," he said, "but I don't feel blazing yet."

More playing time

Backup tailback Chris Perry won't be ready for the start of training camp because he's diligently rehabbing a broken right fibula.

That means more work for Kenny Watson as the top backup to starter Rudi Johnson. Watson is a tough inside runner, a reliable check-down receiver for quarterback Carson Palmer and a sure tackler in coverage on special teams.

"Kenny is a guy I leaned on a lot last year on third down," Palmer said. "I literally felt like every time he touched the ball, he got a first down."

Draft buzz

The War Room, the exclusive scouting service of the Sporting News, predicts the Bengals will select Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis in the first round (No. 18 overall) of the April 28-29 draft. Its explanation: "Bengals cornerbacks struggled throughout 2006, and Revis has talent to solve that problem early in his career."

Quick hitters

• Keep an eye on Bengals cornerback Greg Brooks, who will compete with Keiwan Ratliff for the nickel back job.

Brooks has good instincts and good ball skills, but injuries have limited him to 16 games in three seasons. In order to show his skills, which include the ability to block kicks and punts, Brooks must prove he can stay healthy.

• Ethan Kilmer can forget about being a Bengals wide receiver. He's the top candidate to replace backup free safety Kevin Kaesviharn, who signed with the New Orleans Saints.

"I think (Kilmer's) position will be on defense," head coach Marvin Lewis said.

• Full NFL schedules are due to be released early to midweek. A year ago, schedules were announced April 6.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com

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